Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, 1 January 2026

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Adoration of the Shepherds [London]
Rembrandt [Web Gallery of Art]

The shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger (Luke 2:16).

Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand)

Readings (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: (England & Wales, Scotland, India)  

Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)

Gospel Luke 2:16-21 (English Standard Version, Anglicised)

At that time: The shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Léachtaí i nGaeilge

 

Adoration of the Shepherds [Munich]
Rembrandt [Web Gallery of Art]

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:19).

In 2002 I spent five months in Glasgow, Scotland, doing mission appeals in different parishes for the Columbans every weekend. One day in a large shopping mall I had need to go to the men's room. It was the cleanest public toilet I had ever seen in my life. The janitor happened to be there and I told him so. His face lit up with a joy I have never forgotten.

Continue at Bangor to Bobbio.

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