FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Friday 25th September : St. Finbarr
He came to Loch Irce (Gougane Barra) and lived there as a hermit. When disciples gathered round him he moved to Cork at the mouth of the Lee where he founded a monastery that became a famous centre of learning.
Saturday 26th September : Ss Cosmas and Damian
They were twins, born in Arabia, who practised the art of healing and attained a great reputation. Known as the Anargyri (the holy moneyless ones) in the East, since they never took money for their medical services. Patrons of physicians.
They are invoked in the Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I) and in the Litany of the Saints.
Sunday 27th September : 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
World Day of Migrants and Refugees
God gibes us the gift of repentance. In the parable of the two sone, Jesus holds up the example of the public sinners in his time being converted while the establishment figures refuse to listen to his message. Ezekiel reminds us that repentance is always possible, for the Lord remembers his mercy.
Monday 28th September : St. Wenceslaus
Prince of Bohemia, killed by his brother. Patron of brewers.
Tuesday 29th September : Ss Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
Michael has been venerated as protector of Christians in general and soldiers in particular; patron of radiologists, the sick and paratroopers.
Gabriel brought the message to Mary at the Annunciation; patron of postal services, telecommunications, radio and TV workers.
Raphael, guide to Tobias; patron of nurses, physicians and the blind.
Wednesday 30th September : St. Jerome
Translated the Bible into Latin, known as the Vulgate, and wrote commentaries on scripture. Patron of librarians.
Thursday 1st October : St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Born Marie François Thérèse Martin in Alençon, France in 1873. She was the youngest of nine children, 4 of whom died young. From an early age prayer and friendship with God were very important to her. After her mother Zélie died when Thérèse was only 4, her father Louis moved the family to Lisieux to be near his wife's family. Thérèse and her sisters Marie and Pauline entered Carmelite community. Celine and Léonie cared for their father and after his death Celine entered the Carmelites and Léonie the Visitation community. Marie François Thérèse Martin died at the Carmel in Lisieux on 30 September 1897 having lived as a cloistered Carmelite for less than 10 years. Patron of missions, florists, aviators and France.
Friday 2nd October : Guardian Angels
We venerate the Guardian Angels, seeking their constant protection.
Saturday 3rd October : Bl Columba Marmion
Joseph, his baptismal name, was born in Dublin 1 April 1858 and ordained priest in Rome in 1881. He served as Curate in Dundrum Parish and then as professor in Holy Cross College Clonliffe, before entering the Abbey of Maredsous, Belgium in 1886. Elected Abbot of Maredsous in 1909, he remained in office up to the time of his death on 30 January 1923. His trilogy, Christ, the Life of the Soul; Christ, in HIs Mysteries and Christ, the Ideal of the Monk have been some of the most influential spiritual writings of the twentieth century, nourishing the lives of generations of seminarians, priests, religious sisters and monks. His writings, letters and retreats fulfilled his aim in life: to bring people to God and to bring God to people. He was beatified in Rome 3 September 2000.