Month: December 2024

SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 9, 2024

Holy Day of Obligation

[This year, since the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception fell on a Sunday, the feast is transferred and celebrated on Monday, December 9, 2024.]

MEMORIAL OF SAINT JUAN DIEGO, HERMIT; SAINT PETER FOURIER, PRIEST AND SAINT LEOCADIA OF TOLEDO, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH [Please see link to this article below]

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]

Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Monday of the Second Week of Advent, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception!

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful ù peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 9, 2024 |

Watch “POPE FRANCIS HOLY MASS WITH THE NEW CARDINALS” | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | DECEMBER 8, 2024 |

*Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube” | December 9, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 9, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 9, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

Today’s Bible Readings: Solemnity of Immaculate Conception | Monday, December 9, 2024
Reading 1, Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
Reading 2, Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12
Gospel, Luke 1:26-38

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/

THE ADVENT WREATH: SECOND WEEK PRAYER: The prayer that follows is to be repeated each day of the second week. After the prayer, the oldest child lights the first and second purple candles.

LEADER: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen.

(The two candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of the second week.)

SAINT ANDREW PRAYER
Beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th), the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.”🙏

SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: FEAST DAY- DECEMBER 8TH This year, since the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception fell on a Sunday, the feast is transferred and celebrated on Monday, December 9, 2024.

Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, on this special feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ during this season of Advent. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the safety and well-being of all Mothers. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and we pray for all widows and widowers. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for all parents and children, for peace, love, justice and unity in our marriages, our families and our world. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: FEAST DAY – DECEMBER 8TH: This year, since the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception fell on a Sunday, the feast is transferred and celebrated on Monday, December 9, 2024.

Our Mother Mary, the Mother of God is venerated today as the Immaculate Conception. This feast commemorates the preservation of the Blessed Virgin from the stain of original sin from the first moment of her conception in the womb of St. Ann, the grandmother of Jesus. This was a special grace granted to Mary through her Son Jesus, even before He was born, to prepare her to conceive Him in her womb, which we celebrate at the Solemnity of the Annunciation. “The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin.” It originated in the Eastern Church about the 8th century.

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the infallibly defined dogma of the Catholic Church that “God freely chose Mary from all eternity to be the Mother of His Son. The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was defined by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854. This Dogma, in accord with the text of Scripture—“I will put enmity between you and the woman, between your seed and her seed” (Gn 3:15); “Hail full of grace” (Lk 1:28)—was clearly understood and accepted by Tradition, by the writings of the Fathers, and by feast observed according to the general belief of the faithful long before it was officially defined by Pope Pius IX. Pope Pius IX’s solemn declaration in 1854 “Ineffabilis Deus,” clarified with finality the long-held belief of the Church that Mary was conceived free from original sin. Mary was granted this extraordinary privilege because of Her unique role in history as the Mother of God. That is, she received the gift of salvation in Christ from the very moment of her conception. Even though Mary is unique in all humanity for being born without sin, she is held up by the Church as a model for all humanity in Her holiness and Her purity in her willingness to accept the Plan of God for her.

Every person is called to recognize and respond to God’s call to their own vocation in order to carry out God’s plan for their life and fulfill the mission prepared for them since before the beginning of time. Mary’s “Let it be done to me according to Thy Word,” in response of the Angel Gabriel’s greeting, is the response required of all Christians to God’s Plan. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a time to celebrate the great joy of God’s gift to humanity in Mary, and to recognize with greater clarity, the truth that each and every human being has been created by God to fulfill a particular mission that He and only he can fulfill. “The word of the Lord came to me thus: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” (Jeremiah 1:5-6)

Immaculate Mary is full of grace. She is not only Christ’s disciple, who with the help of grace has overcome the chains of sin, but she is totius Trinitatis nobile triclinium, the noble resting place of the Holy Trinity (St Thomas Aquinas, Exposito Salutationis Angelicae, I). The Immaculate, full of grace, will always be Mother and Queen for that elect part of the Church that we hope one day to join, that will one day joyfully sing before the Almighty. Our Blessed Mother Mary under this title is the Principal Patroness of the United States of America; Brazil; Korea; Philippines and  Spain and the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation.

PRAYER TO THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: “O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You.
Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.”🙏

HAIL MARY: Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen🙏
                    
MEMORARE: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen🙏

PRAYER: God, through the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, You prepared a worthy place for Your Son. In view of the foreseen Death of Your Son, You preserved her from all sin. Through her intercession grant that we may also reach You with clean hearts. Amen 🙏

MEMORIAL OF SAINT JUAN DIEGO, HERMIT; SAINT PETER FOURIER, PRIEST AND SAINT LEOCADIA OF TOLEDO, VIRGIN AND MARTYR – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 9TH: Today, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we also celebrate the Memorial of Saint Juan Diego, Hermit; Saint Peter Fourier, Priest and Saint Leocadia of Toledo, Virgin and Martyr. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ during this season of Advent. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the safety and well-being of all Mothers, children and family, the Clergy and Christians all over the world. Amen🙏

SAINT JUAN DIEGO, HERMIT: St. Juan Diego (1474–1548) was an indigenous Mexican Catholic convert whose encounter with the Virgin Mary began the Church’s devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. St. Juan Diego was born in 1474 with the name “Cuauhtlatoatzin” (“the talking or singing eagle”) in Cuautlitlán, today part of Mexico City, Mexico. He was a poor and humble peasant of the lowest class of Aztec Indians living in now Mexico. He was a gifted member of the Chichimeca people, one of the more culturally advanced groups living in the Anáhuac Valley. Though raised according to the Aztec pagan religion and culture, he showed an unusual and mystical sense of life even before hearing the Gospel from Franciscan missionaries. In 1524, at the age of 50, Cuauhtlatoatzin and his wife converted and entered the Catholic Church. He was baptized by a Franciscan priest, Fr. Peter da Gand, one of the first Franciscan missionaries and received the Christian name of Juan Diego.

The farmer now known as Juan Diego was committed to his faith, often walking long distances to receive religious instruction. In December of 1531, he would be the recipient of a world-changing miracle. On December 9, 1531, Juan Diego was hurrying to Mass to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. But the woman he was heading to church to celebrate came to him instead. The Blessed Mother appeared to him on Tepeyac Hill, the outskirts of what is now Mexico City. In the native Aztec dialect, the radiant woman announced herself as the “ever-perfect holy Mary, who has the honor to be the mother of the true God.” She said, “I am your compassionate Mother, yours and that of all the people that live together in this land,” she continued, “and also of all the other various lineages of men.” She asked Juan Diego to make a request of the local bishop. “I want very much that they build my sacred little house here” — a house dedicated to her son Jesus Christ, on the site of a former pagan temple, that would “show him” to all Mexicans and “exalt him” throughout the world.

She was asking a great deal of a native farmer. Not surprisingly, his bold request was met with skepticism from Bishop Juan de Zumárraga. The Bishop, who did not believe Juan Diego, asked for a sign to prove that the apparition was true. Juan Diego said he would produce proof of the apparition, after he finished tending to his uncle whose death seemed imminent. Making his way to church on December 12th to summon a priest for his uncle, Juan Diego again encountered the Blessed Virgin. She promised to cure his uncle and give him a sign to display for the bishop. On the hill where they had first met he would find roses and other flowers, though it was winter. Doing as she asked, he found the flowers and brought them back to her. The Virgin Mary then placed the flowers inside his tilma, the traditional cloak-like garment he had been wearing. She told him not to unwrap the tilma containing the flowers until he had reached the bishop.

When he did, Bishop Zumárraga had his own encounter with Our Lady of Guadalupe – through the image of her that he found miraculously imprinted on the flower-filled tilma. The miraculous image, which is preserved in the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, shows a woman with native features and dress. She is supported an angel whose wings are reminiscent of one of the major gods of the traditional religion of that area. The moon is beneath her feet and her blue mantle is covered with gold stars. The black girdle about her waist signifies that she is pregnant. Thus, the image graphically depicts the fact that Christ is to be “born” again among the peoples of the New World, and is a message as relevant to the “New World” today as it was during the lifetime of Juan Diego. The Mexico City basilica that now houses the tilma has become, by some estimates, the world’s most-visited Catholic shrine.

The miracle that brought the Gospel to millions of Mexicans also served to deepen Ju byan Diego’s own spiritual life. For many years after the experience, he lived a solitary life of prayer and work in a hermitage near the church where the image was first displayed. Pilgrims had already begun flocking to the site by the time he died on December 9, 1548, the 17th anniversary of the first apparition. He was beatified on May 6, 1990 by Pope John Paul II in the Basilica of Santa Maria di Guadalupe, Mexico City and canonized him on July 31, 2002. He’s the Patron Saint of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

PRAYER: Lord God, through St. Juan Diego You made known the love of Our Lady Of Guadalupe toward Your people. By his intercession, grant that we who follow the counsel of Mary, our Mother, may strive continually to do Your will. Amen 🙏

SAINT PETER FOURIER, PRIEST: Saint Peter Fourier (1565-1640) was born in 1565, a native of Mirecourt, Lorraine, France. He was the Parish Priest of Mattaincourt, Reformer of the Canons of Saint Augustine, Founder of the Canonesses of Notre Dame. He was educated at the University of Pont-a-Mousson, entering at age 15. Tutor to the sons of many noble families. Augustinian Canon Regular at the abbey in Chaumousey, France. Ordained in 1589. He returned to university, became a master of patristic theology, and could recite the Summa Theologica of Saint Thomas Aquinas by heart. Reforming priest at Mattaincourt, Vosges, France, an area noted for corruption and lax attitudes to heresy; he revitalized the spiritual life of the district, and established charities and banks for the poor. Spiritual teacher of Blessed Alix le Clerc. In 1598 he founded the Daughters of Our Lady for the education of girls. Founded the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception, or Children of Mary. His attempt to found a parallel order to teach boys failed. In 1621 he was ordered to reform his order in Lorraine. In 1625 he was sent to Salm to preach missions and work against Calvinism; within six months all the fallen away Catholics had returned to the Church. Helped found the Congregation of Our Saviour in 1629 and served as its superior general in 1632.

When the French government ordered him to swear allegiance to King Louis XIII he refused, and spent the rest of his life in exile in the town of Gray, Haute-Saone, France. Saint Peter Fourier died in exile as an effect of the difficulties and political problems of the 1630’s; he found shelter in a province which was at that time under the Spanish crown, and there he died in 1640. His spiritual sons, his spiritual daughters, the good people of Gray in Bourgogne, who had welcomed him and whom he had served admirably during an epidemic of the pestilence, all wanted the honor of possessing his mortal remains. But so did also the parish of Mattaincourt. To the reformed Order of Saint Augustine this privilege was granted officially, but the pious women of Mattaincourt, blocking the church door, would not permit the Canons to resume their journey with the coffin, after they had stopped in his former parish for a day or so. His heart had already been left to the parish of Gray. Miracles have abounded at his tomb, as they did during his lifetime, by his prayers. He was Beatified in1730 by Pope Benedict XIII and Canonized in 1897 by Pope Leo XIII

Saint Peter Fourier, Priest ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT LEOCADIA OF TOLEDO, VIRGIN AND MARTYR: Saint Leocadia was the fervent daughter of an illustrious Christian family of Toledo, apprehended and martyred in 303 by an order of Dacian, the cruel governor under Diocletian. When Dacian arrived in Toledo, she was soon denounced. Summoned before his tribunal, she replied to his contemptuous words concerning the true religion that she considered herself infinitely happy to serve God and His Son Jesus Christ, and that nothing whatsoever would be able to make her renounce her religion. She was flogged until covered with blood, then imprisoned with threats. She went to the prison with joy, consoling the Christians along the route who deplored her condition, telling them to rejoice in the grace she received to suffer for her Lord and Spouse. It was in this prison that she heard of the incredibly cruel martyrdom inflicted on her compatriot, Saint Eulalia, and she was so grieved by these cruelties, and by the condition of the true servants of God in those days, that she prayed to be retired from this world. Her prayer was heard, and she expired peacefully there on December 9, 303, kissing a cross which the touch of her hand imprinted on the hard rock of the prison wall.

A church was built over her tomb, in which several archbishops of Toledo chose to be buried. Two other famous churches in Toledo bear her name, one built over the site of the prison, and the other at that of the paternal home. Saint Leocadia is honored as the principal patroness of the city. Her relics were kept in that church with great respect, until during the incursions of the Moors, they were conveyed to Oviedo, and again elsewhere, then they were eventually carried back to Toledo with great pomp, and placed in the great church there on the 26th of April, 1589. She’s the Patron Saint of the City of Toledo, Spain and Archdiocese of Toledo, Spain.

Saint Leocadia of Toledo, Virgin and Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Bible Readings for today, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 1:26–38

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you”

“The Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.”

In today’s Gospel reading, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she will be the mother of the Son of God. Mary is addressed by the Angel Gabriel as ‘so highly favored’. In the very next verse Luke says ‘she was deeply disturbed by these words’. It was both surprising and confusing for Mary. Besides being a grand privilege, she could not understand how it can be. The Angel assured her that it was the will of God and nothing is impossible with God. With that assurance, she consented to the will of God. This, the work of salvation as planned by God plunge into action. It was in the sense above that our belief of the Immaculate Conception of Mary was based. Because God wanted Jesus, our Savior, to be born of a woman, He provided Mary with the necessary condition in order for the Incarnation to take place. She was freed from Original Sin, a common condition to everyone born. What does it mean for Mary to have been freed from Original Sin from birth? How can it be since Jesus, by His death and resurrection had freed us from Original Sin, is still to be born of Mary? It means that God had already effected in Mary the grace of salvation which Jesus would still merit for us. The Immaculate Conception was a grace given to Mary for the purpose of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God.

What is the importance of this feast for us? Firstly, nothing is impossible with God. He can provide situations beyond our human experience to effect His will. But, it also requires our participation and consent. Secondly, God always invites and offers us His grace. Graces are available but they are never forced. Jesus’ healing ministry would attest to that. Jesus would ask, the sick would consent, and Jesus would heal and testify to the faith of the sick person. God may have made us without our consent but He would not save us without our consent. This feast is a celebration of God’s wisdom and love. He gave us the best way to be saved. He loves us so much that He made us participate in the work of salvation. The knowledge and the belief of the truth of the Immaculate Conception should lead us to trust God and cooperate with His will. Today’s feast reminds us that we have someone we can look to and be inspired by in our efforts to respond to the Lord’s choice of us and His call to us. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is also our mother. She knows the power of sin and what it can do to human lives; she saw what it did to her Son. She surrounds us with her intercession and prayer so that we can become the human person God desires us to be. That is why we can ask her with confidence to pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

In our first reading today, from the Book of Genesis details the moment when mankind, having chosen to listen to Satan, the great deceiver appearing to Adam and Eve in the form of a snake, and fell into disobedience and sin against God, was confronted by the Lord Who came to visit them, and asked them of their misdeeds. The Lord knew everything that they had done, but the two of them still tried to hide their misdeeds, and then later on blamed each other and Satan for what they had done. Regardless, God had to cast them out of Eden, the blissful home intended for all of us mankind because sin has no place before the perfection and holiness of God. But God did not do so because He despised or hated us. Rather, He despised the sins and wickedness we committed, while still loving us dearly as He has always done. He promised us all the salvation through the Woman who will crush the head of Satan, the snake, the great deceiver and enemy of all the faithful people and children of God. That while Satan will indeed sink his fangs and entangle us in his many schemes and efforts to bring about our downfall and damnation, but in the end, he shall be defeated, crushed and overthrown. Satan, no matter how great or powerful he is, how mighty and fearsome he may seem to be, is nothing compared to the greatness and glory of God, Who is the Lord and Master of all. Even Satan had to bend the knee and submit to the Lord, and he will have to admit defeat to all that the Lord has planned for us all, the salvation that He has brought into our midst through His Son, Our Lord and Saviour, born into this world through Mary, His mother.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, let us rejoice and celebrate in the commemoration of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, the bearer of Our Lord and Saviour, the New Ark of the New Covenant, we are all reminded that this same Mary is our perfect role model and example in her piety, her obedience to God and in her inspiring actions, in dedicating herself wholly and completely to the mission that was entrusted to her. Mary did not allow the temptations of sin and evils of the world to taint her, and remained full of grace and fully obedient and filled with love for God all throughout her whole life. Mary dedicated herself to love her Son and brought Him up patiently with love. Then, she continued to show her care and love for us all, when her Son entrusted each one of us to her care, that she became our mother and we become her sons and daughters. Let us all therefore reflect upon our own lives and be inspired by the examples and inspirations set by Mary, the Holy Mother of God, our beloved mother, who have watched over us, prayed for us and guided us to her Son. She showed us all the existence of life that is pure and immaculate, free from sin and full of the grace of God. All of us too can enter into this state of grace, if we commit ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord just as Mary had done, in answering God’s call, to follow Him as His faithful servants and disciples. What we need to do is to focus our attention and efforts that we may truly be ever worthy to be called followers of Christ, Our Lord and Saviour. We are called to be willing to make the commitment and effort. Let us all hence seek to be ever closer to the Lord, following the path and the examples set by His mother Mary, our mother and guide. May the Lord continue to guide us as well and remain with us, that in all the things we say and do, in all of our actions and interactions with one another, we will always be ever more and more faithful to the Lord, and be willing to commit ourselves to the missions that He has entrusted to us. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace during this season of Advent to be as open as Mary was to the Lord’s call and presence, even in our own times of painful struggle. And may our lives, like her life be a source of blessing for others. May the Blessed Mother of God, Mary, most holy, the Immaculate Conception, be our guide and our help, in our journey of faith towards her Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May God bless our every good efforts and endeavours, and may He continue to bless our lives and fill us all with His ever enduring love and grace. Holy Mary, Mother of God, the Immaculate Conception, conceived without the taint of sin, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

Most holy Mother, you are the Immaculate Conception, God’s most precious treasure and His singular delight. To your intercession and mediation I entrust my life. Take me to your Son and pour forth His grace upon me and upon the whole world. I entrust to you every care, concern, confusion, struggle, and cross. I turn to you for every grace of faith, hope, and love from Heaven, so that I can become more fully conformed to the image of your Son Who alone is the Savior of the World.

My mother and my queen, I love you and honor you this day as The Immaculate Conception! I gaze upon your beauty and perfect virtue. I thank you for always saying “Yes” to the will of God in your life and for allowing God to use you with such power and grace. Pray for me, that as I come to know you more deeply as my own spiritual mother, I may also imitate your life of grace and virtue in all things. Mother Mary, the Immaculate Conception, I love you, Pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Blessed Mother Mary, the Immaculate Conception; Saint Juan Diego; Saint Peter Fourier and Saint Leocadia of Toledo ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and 2nd Week of Advent🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)

SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 8, 2024

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is transferred and celebrated on Monday, December 9, 2024.

SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH [Please see link to this article below]

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]

Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Second Sunday of Advent!

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful ù peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

*Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube” | December 8, 2024 |

Watch “POPE FRANCIS HOLY MASS WITH THE NEW CARDINALS” | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | DECEMBER 8, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 8, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 8, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 8, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |

https://youtu.be/QAZKMbwZrEQhttps://youtu.be/QAZKMbwZrEQ

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

Today’s Bible Readings: Second Sunday of Advent (Year C) | December 8, 2024
Reading 1, Baruch 5:1-9
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Reading 2, Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11
Gospel, Luke 3:1-6

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Today, the second Sunday of Advent gives us the opportunity to prepare our hearts in faithful waiting, to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and ready ourselves for His second coming. It’s a beautiful chance to reflect on the ways prophecy has been fulfilled and to ponder what the future (promised to us through prophecies) will bring. As we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ arrival as a gift to all humanity, let’s stir up in our hearts and homes a sense of anticipation. May God’s spirit transform the days leading up to Christmas into a time of holy anticipation; preparing our hearts, as we peacefully and faithfully await the chance to celebrate the arrival of our king.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT MEANING AND SYMBOLISM: The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.” The tradition for the second Sunday of Advent includes lighting the second purple candle that is a symbol of faith. This second Sunday of Advent we read, pray, and reflect on the hope God’s plan gives us (foretold by the prophets and fulfilled by the life and death of Christ), and we meditate on the promise of Christ’s coming glory-filled return. As we light the second advent candle, may God’s spirit prepare our heart to receive Jesus as our king. May God’s grace abound in our life in this season of holy anticipation. This week, we pause to remember who God is and what He has done for us. When our lives are hurried, we only have the chance to focus on our to-do lists. Making space in our schedules for prayer and meditation helps us to better see God at work in our lives and in our world.

The second candle of Advent is called the “Angel Candle” and symbolizes peace. This name comes from the fact that the angels announced that Jesus came to bring peace (Luke 2:14). This week we are reminded that Jesus came to bring peace to our hearts and to our world!

PRAYER FOR PEACE FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT:

A PERSONAL PRAYER FOR PEACE: Colossians 3:15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

Lord, I invite your peace to rule my heart! As I end this year and reflect on your many gifts you have given me; let my heart be encouraged with the truth that you are a good God. I thank you for sending your Son to die for me. I thank you for the peace I have through you. May my words and actions be ones that glorify you. Amen 🙏

A PRAYER FOR PEACE FOR OUR WORLD:
Psalm 29:11 says, “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”

Lord, would you bring your strength and peace to your people! Would your presence be felt by all who seek you in a powerful way in this Advent season. Turn the hearts of mankind towards you. We pray that the lost turn to you and find an unshakable peace that nothing else in this world can offer. Amen 🙏

THE ADVENT WREATH: SECOND WEEK PRAYER: The prayer that follows is to be repeated each day of the second week. After the prayer, the oldest child lights the first and second purple candles.

LEADER: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen.

(The two candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of the second week.)

SAINT ANDREW PRAYER
Beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th), the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.”🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Bible Readings for today, Second Sunday of Advent (Year C) | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 3:1–6

“All flesh shall see the salvation of God”

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Today’s Gospel reading details the story of the baptism and works by St. John the Baptist. St. John the Baptist was the one whom God had sent into our midst right before the coming of the Saviour in order to prepare His way and to call on us all mankind to welcome Him properly and worthily. And hence, he called on all of the people to repent and turn away from their many sins, and to commit themselves anew to the Lord, a commitment which was symbolised by their willingness to be baptised at the River Jordan by St. John the Baptist. The baptism of St. John is the first step for them to come and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness, to be reconciled once again with their Lord and Master. In the Gospel reading, John the Baptist, in calling on people to repent, was asking them to think about where their lives were going, and to redirect their lives towards God. In calling on people to turn away from sin and turn towards God, St. John also reminded them that God was turned towards them and was journeying towards them on a great highway. St. John was really saying that God’s journey towards them was far more important than their journey towards God. However, St. John reminded the people that if God was to enter their lives, they needed to create a space for God, to make way for God, filling the valleys and levelling the hills of the heart, so that God could enter their lives unhindered. Advent reminds us that the really important journey in life is God’s journey towards us. God comes to us through His Son. Our Advent prayer, ‘Come, Lord Jesus’, recognizes that. We may not always know where we are going, but the Lord knows where he is going. We are his destination, and He comes to us on a broad highway with no congestion. The Lord comes to us for a purpose, to guide us towards life. The first reading expresses that in a striking way, ‘God will guide Israel in joy by the light of His glory’. The Lord comes to take us in the direction He desires for us, towards what the second reading calls ‘perfect goodness’. The Lord journeys towards us to take us somewhere we could never reach if left to ourselves. St. Paul recognizes this in the second reading when he says, ‘I am quite certain that the one who began this good work in you will see that it is finished’. The Lord comes to us to complete His good work in our lives, to take us on a journey towards goodness, and thereby, life. In reminding us of the Lord’s journey towards us, Advent calls on us to make a way in our lives for the Lord’s coming. There may be valleys and hills in our lives that make it difficult for the Lord to come to us and to accomplish in us what He wants for us. For various reasons, we can keep the Lord at a distance. We can be slow to admit Him, whenever He comes and knocks. Like Simon Peter we might be tempted to say, ‘Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful person’. Our realization that our lives are not all they could be can leave us wanting to keep the Lord at a distance, out of fear of what he might say to us. Yet, St. Paul reminds us today, that the Lord comes not in judgement but in love. He tells the Philippians that he, Paul, loves them as Christ Jesus loves them. The Lord comes to us in love, not to quench the smouldering wick or to crush the bruised reed, but to complete the good work he has begun in us.

Advent invites us to open our lives to the Lord’s coming. From time to time a John the Baptist or a Paul can enter our lives and help us to receive the Lord’s coming. We need such people on our life’s journey, people who see the good in us that we often do not see in ourselves, who ‘recognize what is best’ in us, in the words of the second reading, who appreciate the good work that the Lord is doing in our lives, even if that good work is far from finished. Those who see us in this way, thereby help us to receive the Lord’s coming, and free us to go in the direction the Lord wants to take us. Today’s gospel reading speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness, the voice of John the Baptist. His voice is a voice of hope, announcing the coming of the Lord through the wilderness and declaring that all flesh will see God’s salvation. The Lord is always coming into our lives to do his good work, including into our our own wilderness experiences. The Lord’s coming is assured; what’s asked of us is that we prepare the way, create a space, for his coming. This is Advent good news and it empowers us to be hopeful people.

In our first reading this Sunday, the Lord spoke to His people, the Israelites through His prophet Baruch. The prophet Baruch came among the Israelites to minister to them during the time at the ending and final years of the Kingdom of Judah, to a people that had been suffering a lot of struggles and hardships amidst their inability and failures to obey the words and commandments of the Lord. He was the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah who had laboured and struggled for many long years against all those who resisted the Lord’s warning and orders. He helped Jeremiah whenever the latter had to hide from the scrutiny and attack by his enemies, helping him to proclaim the words of the Lord to His people. According to tradition, both the prophet Baruch and Jeremiah endured the final years of the kingdom of Judah and they were there when Jerusalem was besieged and destroyed by the forces of the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar. Both of them were also brought by some rebels among the people into exile in the land of Egypt, and there together with Jeremiah, the prophet Baruch continued to speak of the words of the Lord’s assurance to His people, reminding them all that their time of sufferings and hardships will eventually come to an end. God would gather them all back from those places that they had all been scattered and exiled to, and He would restore them once again to a state of happiness and joy, with peace and harmony in their midst, no more war and conflicts and all the things that they had endured and suffered.

In our second reading this Sunday from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church and the faithful people of God in Philippi, the Apostle’s words reminds the faithful there of the great love and grace that they all have received from God and which He has done for all of them through His most Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, through Whom the salvation for all the whole world has been assured to us. His coming into our midst has brought forth the revelation of what God has intended for each and every one of us, guiding and leading us all into the path towards our reconciliation and reunion with God, as He taught us all how to live our lives more worthily of the Lord, in purifying ourselves from all the evils and wickedness that had afflicted us previously in our lives.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures this Sunday, we focus on the Theme of Peace, the second of the four themes we commemorate this Advent on Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. If last Sunday we remind ourselves that Advent is the sign of God’s Hope being manifested to us all through His Son, which is what Christmas is all about, then this Sunday we focus our attention on the Peace that our Saviour, our Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, has brought into our midst. The coming of the Lord as the Prince of Peace, at His Second Coming at the end of time will herald the era and time of eternal peace, where no more conflict, struggles, wars and hardships will exist anymore around us, unlike what we are facing and dealing with in this world of ours in the present day just as how it had been in the past. This Sunday we celebrate the occasion of the Second Sunday of Advent as we continue to progress through this time and season of Advent in preparation for the coming of Christmas. During this time of Advent, all of us focus our attention upon the expectation of the coming of God’s salvation, both commemorating His earlier coming and appearance in this world which had happened two millennia ago, as well as the promised Second Coming of Christ, which we have been assured and foretold, and therefore we prepare ourselves spiritually and in other means so that we may be truly ready to welcome the Lord as He comes again into our midst, dwelling among us and within us all, our Hope and our Salvation. May the Lord, our most loving God and Creator, the Master of Peace and Harmony bring us all into His loving and peaceful embrace. May He empower each and every one of us so that we can continue to live in true peace and harmony, and make this as the emphasis and focus of our upcoming celebrations of Christmas. Let our Christmas joy and celebration be truly meaningful and let us all celebrate Christmas with the right emphasis and intention so that they do not become empty joy and superficial jubilation just as how many of the secular Christmas celebrations all around us may show us. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may all of us continue to grow ever stronger in our faith in the Lord and may all of us be always reminded of the love and kindness which God, our Lord and Master has always had for us. Amen 🙏🏽

SAINT OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT PATAPIOS, HERMIT ~ FEAST DAY – DECEMBER 8TH: On this special feast, the Second Sunday of Advent, we also celebrate the Memorial of Saint Patapios, Hermit. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and all the Saints, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ during this season of Advent. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. 🙏🏽

*SAINT PATAPIOS, HERMIT: St. Patapios (4th c.) was born in Thebes, Egypt. His parents were prominent Christians, and his father was the governor of the region. St. Patapios was well-educated by the best tutors, and his learning awakened in him a desire to shun the world and its materialism and seek a life of asceticism. Inspired by the manner of life of the Church Fathers, St. Patapios became a desert hermit upon his father’s death. He later moved away to live in a cave near Corinth, and then sailed to Constantinople to live as a simple monk in the Monastery of Blachernae. There he fasted, prayed, and performed miracles until his death at the age of 83. In the early 20th century, a local priest planning renovations discovered his relics after the saint appeared to him in a dream and informed him where they were located. His relics were found the next day holding a large wooden cross on his chest and a parchment scroll bearing his name. St. Patapios’ feast day is December 8th.

St. Patapios, Hermit ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

Lord, I turn to You in my need and repent of the many lies and false promises of satisfaction in this world. Please free me from all that is not of You so that my soul will be more fully prepared to soak You and Your mercy up like a gentle rain upon a dry and barren desert. I open myself to You, my Lord. Come fill and satiate my soul. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary; Saint Patapios, Hermit ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled Sunday 2nd Week of Advent and week🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |

SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 7, 2024

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena Starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th [Novena link below]

SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH [Please see link to this article below]

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]

Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Saturday of the First Week of Advent!

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful ù peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 7, 2024 |

*Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube” | December 7, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 7, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 7, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday, December 7, 2024
Reading 1, Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 98:1, 2-3, 3-4
Gospel, Luke 1:26-38
Reading 2, Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/

ADVENT PRAYER – FIRST WEEK: The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first week. After the prayer, the family’s youngest child lights the first purple candle. (Family members can also take turns lighting and blowing out the candles on each night.)

LEADER: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen🙏

(The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first week.)

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the 34 of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/novena-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary-the-immaculate-conception/

We thank God for granting us the opportunity to complete the Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Immaculate Conception. May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for us. Amen 🙏🏽

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: INTRODUCTORY PRAYER: O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen 🙏

INTERCESSORY PRAYER ~ DAY NINE: O Mother of the King of the Universe, most perfect member of the human race, “our tainted nature’s solitary boast,” we turn to you as mother, advocate, and mediator. O Holy Mary, assist us in our present necessity. By your Immaculate Conception, O Mary conceived without sin, we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart to intercede for us with your Divine Son and ask that we be granted the favor for which we now plead.

(State your personal intention here.)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen 🙏

SAINT ANDREW PRAYER: Beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th), the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen”🙏

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT AMBROSE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 7TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Ambrose during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. Amen🙏

SAINT AMBROSE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH: St. Ambrose of Milan (c. 340–397 A.D.), an early “Father” and Doctor of the Church, was an educated and successful lawyer and a Roman governor of Milan, Italy with wealth and prestige. St. Ambrose was a child of a noble Roman family, born at Treves in Gaul (modern day France), where his father exercised the office of Prefect of the Praetorium, about the year 340. Gaul is a territory which embraced modern France, Britain, Spain, and part of Africa. His father died while he was still an infant, and with his mother he returned to Rome, where he enjoyed a good education, learned the Greek language, and a good poet and orator. Later he moved to Milan with his brother. Probus, Praetorian Prefect of Italy, appointed Ambrose Governor of Liguria and Aemilia. His virtues in this office, and the voice of a child who proclaimed him Bishop, marked him out to the people of Milan as their Bishop on the vacancy of the See. When the bishop of Milan died in 374 A.D., a movement arose among the people to demand that St. Ambrose take his place. Both Catholics and Arians elected him to the first dignity in the diocese, a dignity that he reluctantly accepted. At the time St. Ambrose was only a catechumen preparing for baptism; he was not yet a Christian. He went into hiding in an attempt to escape the ecclesiastical appointment. His attempts to hide were unsuccessful; the emperor forbade anyone to gave him shelter, which forced him to give himself up and submit to the will of the people to be their bishop. St. Ambrose quickly received the sacraments, the Sacrament of Baptism, including Holy Orders, and was ordained the Bishop of Milan a week later. Eight days after his baptism, St. Ambrose received episcopal consecration on December 7, 374. The date would eventually become his liturgical feast. He was consecrated Bishop at the age of thirty-four. He became a very holy leader, giving his property to the poor and his land to the Church, and making himself directly available to the needs of all people.

After giving his fortune to the Church and the poor, St. Ambrose applied himself to study the Scriptures and ecclesiastical writes, placing himself under the instruction of Simplicianus, a priest of the Church of Rome, who succeeded him in the Archbishopric of Milan. St. Ambrose worked tirelessly to defend orthodox doctrine, especially against the pervasive Arian heresy which denied the divinity of Christ. His warfare against the Arians was such that by the year 385 very few still professed that heresy in the diocese. In 381, he had a Council at Milan against the heresy of Apolinaris, and assisted at that of Aquileia; the next year, he assisted at one held in Rome. When Maximus assumed the purple in Gaul, St. Ambrose was sent there, and he succeeded in concluding a treaty with the Emperor. But a second embassy, in 387, was not so successful: Maximus invaded Italy and was defeated by the Emperor Theodosius. St. Ambrose at a later date had occasion to reprehend Theodosius and did so with the greatest Apostolical freedom.

St. Ambrose was the saint who introduced lectio divina, the practice of prayerfully meditating on the Sacred Scriptures, into the Latin Church. This informed his eloquent writing, preaching, and teaching, earning him the nickname “honey-tongued doctor.” He was an illustrious preacher. He composed many hymns, promoted sacred chant, and took a great interest in the Liturgy. He wrote much on the Scriptures and Fathers, preached a homily every Sunday, resisted the interference of the secular powers with the rights of the Church, opposed the heretics. St. Ambrose was the bishop who converted and baptized St. Augustine of Hippo. He was instrumental in bringing about the conversion of St. Augustine. Through his sermons he brought St. Augustine to the faith and baptized him in 387. One of his last actions was the ordination of St. Honoratus. After a life of labor and prayer the holy Bishop of Milan died in 397. His 23 years of diligent service had turned a deeply troubled diocese into an exemplary outpost for the faith. His writings remained an important point of reference for the Church, well into the medieval era and beyond. St. Ambrose has been named one of the “holy fathers” of the Church, whose teaching all bishops should “in every way follow.” He is one of the four great Latin Doctors of the Church, and his statue is one of four that upholds the Chair of St. Peter inside St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. St. Ambrose is the Patron Saint of bee keepers; bees; candlemakers; chandlers; domestic animals; French Commissariat; learning; Milan, Italy; schoolchildren; students; wax melters; wax refiners. St. Ambrose’s feast day is December 7th.

QUOTES OF SAINT AMBROSE, BISHOP
☆”It is not enough just to wish well; we must also do well.”
☆”When in Rome, live as the Romans do; when elsewhere, live as they live elsewhere.”
☆”A good youth ought to have a fear of God, to be subject to his parents, to give honor to his elders, to preserve his purity; he ought not to despise humility, but should love forbearance and modesty. All these are an ornament to youthful years.”

PRAYER: God, by Your grace St. Ambrose, Your Bishop, became a great teacher of the Catholic Faith and an example of apostolic fortitude. Raise up Bishops in Your Church today who will give strong and wise leadership. Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Memorial of Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

“At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them”

“Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

In today’s Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew, when Jesus saw the crowds He had compassion for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. ‘Compassion’ is a powerful emotion by which we identify with the situation of others and are moved to action. Jesus’ compassion for the crowd expressed itself in two ways in the Gospel reading. He first told His disciples to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send labours into His harvest. These harassed and dejected people need labourers to journey with them and to lead them. The second way Jesus expressed His compassion was to appoint some labourers Himself. He summoned twelve from His disciples and empowered them to bring His compassionate presence to those who may not meet Jesus personally. Where do we find ourselves in the Gospel reading? Sometimes we may be among those who are harassed and dejected. If so, the Gospel reading assures us that the Lord is with us in our valley of darkness; He is always drawing near to us in His compassion, especially through His labourers. At other times we may find ourselves called to be among the labourers whom the Lord wants to send into His harvest to journey with those who are harassed and dejected. If so, the Gospel reading assures us that in sending us out as His labourers, the Lord will also empower us for the work He is asking us to do. According to the Gospel reading, ‘You received without charge, give without charge’. The risen Lord continues to give expression to His compassion by sending out labourers who will labour on His behalf. We are all called, in different ways, to be channels of the Lord’s compassion for His people. The Lord needs all of us as His labourers, if His compassionate concern for those dejected and harassed is to find concrete expression. The harvest is so rich that there will never be enough labourers. The Lord needs all the labourers he can get; He needs every one of us to proclaim with our lives, ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand’. The Lord who comes to each of us in our need, in our vulnerability, also looks to each of us to be labourers in His harvest, to be channels of His compassionate presence to those who feel harassed and dejected today.

Our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Isaiah gives assurance from the Lord for His people in the kingdom of Judah, in which God reassured them that they would no longer suffer all the difficulties and challenges, trials and persecutions that they had endured at that time. For at that time, the people of God in the kingdom of Judah were in dire straits, facing lots of threats from their enemies and hostile neighbours, and their separated brethren in the northern kingdom of Israel had earlier on been conquered and defeated by the Assyrians, who destroyed their cities and scattered them into the distant lands away from their homeland, and made them to endure bitter and humiliating exile, bondage and submission. The people of Judah themselves had faced similar difficulties, as they had to face the invasion by a mighty force of the Assyrians that laid siege to their cities and to Jerusalem itself, and yet, for all their hubris, pride and arrogance, God laid them low and humbled them all as He struck many of them and crushed the arrogance of their king, who had to go back to his homeland with great embarrassment and disgrace. These words of God as spoken by the prophet Isaiah in our first reading today are therefore message of hope and assurance, and the people of God themselves likely had experienced God’s help and guidance firsthand, and encountered His great love and mercy, which He had Himself shown before them. This is a reminder therefore for all of us that we may also believe in God and His loving providence. As we all continue to progress through this time and season of Advent towards Christmas we are constantly therefore being reminded of God’s love and presence in our midst at all times, how He will always be there for us, guiding and strengthening us in our journey throughout the way. We are reminded that in God is our hope and salvation, and if we continue to trust in Him and follow Him wholeheartedly, then eventually we will share in the true and eternal happiness, glory and all that He has promised and reassured us again and again throughout time. In this time and season of Advent, we are all reminded that we are preparing ourselves to celebrate the Lord’s coming into this world, and remember everything that He has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today and as we continue to progress through this blessed time and season of Advent, all of us are reminded that the Lord alone is our hope and our strength, and the sure source of salvation and liberation from our troubles, challenges and trials. We are all reminded that each and every one of us are called to follow the Lord and to walk faithfully in His path, which is our mission in life, to obey and to do what God has willed for us. As Christians we must always endeavour to glorify God by our everyday living and by each and every one of our words, actions and deeds, and by whatever good works and contributions we have done for the good of everyone in the Church and elsewhere. We have been entrusted with the important mission to proclaim the Lord and His salvation to the world, and to make Him known to more and more people, so that many more may come to be saved through Him. Let us all therefore follow in the footsteps of the Saints and the Apostles, Holy men and women, particularly those we celebrate today, like those of St. Ambrose of Milan and the countless other servants and disciples of the Lord who had done their best in their lives to show the love and kindness, mercy and compassion of God to all the people whom they encountered and ministered to. Each and every one of us are partakers of God’s mission, the ones entrusted with the responsibility to lead more and more people towards God, through our exemplary lives and actions, through our commitment and dedication to Him, at all times. May the good Lord continue to strengthen our faith and empower us all so that we may always grow ever stronger in faith and devotion to God, and in our hope in His salvation. May our every actions, words and deeds be filled with true and genuine faith in God, and may all of us draw ever closer to Him, now and always, in all circumstances. May God in His Infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to remain faithful in Him and may He bless us all in our every good deeds and endeavours, all for His greater glory. Amen 🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

My dear Lord, I commit myself to Your divine mission. I choose You and Your holy will for my life. Send me, dear Lord, to those who are most in need of your love and mercy. Help me to know how I can bring that love and mercy to those entrusted to me so that they will experience in their lives Your glorious and saving grace. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary; Saint Ambrose ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled 1st Week of Advent and relaxing weekend 🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |

SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 6, 2024

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena Starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th [Novena link below]

SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH [Please see link to this article below]

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]

Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Friday of the First Week of Advent!

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful ù peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 6, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube” | December 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 6, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

Today’s Bible Readings: Friday December 6, 2024
Reading 1, Isaiah 29:17-24
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14
Gospel, Matthew 9:27-31

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/

ADVENT PRAYER – FIRST WEEK: The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first week. After the prayer, the family’s youngest child lights the first purple candle. (Family members can also take turns lighting and blowing out the candles on each night.)

LEADER: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen🙏

(The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first week.)

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the 34 of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/novena-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary-the-immaculate-conception/

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: INTRODUCTORY PRAYER: O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen 🙏

INTERCESSORY PRAYER ~ DAY EIGHT: O Most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, intercede with Him for us that we be granted the favor which we petition for so earnestly in this novena. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers on our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Mother of God, in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception, hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions.

(State your personal intention here.)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen🙏

SAINT ANDREW PRAYER: Beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th), the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen”🙏

*SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT NICHOLAS, BISHOP OF MYRA ~ FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 6TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Nicholas during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for all children, the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. Amen🙏

SAINT NICHOLAS, BISHOP OF MYRA: St. Nicholas (270 – 343 A.D.) also known as Saint Nicholas of Myra and Nicholas of Bari, was an early Christian bishop of Greek descent from the maritime city of Myra in Lycia Asia Minor  (modern-day Demre, Turkey) during the time of the Roman Empire. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. St. Nicholas is associated with Christmas because of the tradition that he had the custom of giving secret gifts to children. It is also conjectured that the saint, who was known to wear red robes and have a long white beard, was culturally converted into the large man with a reindeer-drawn sled full of toys because in German, his name is “San Nikolaus” which almost sounds like “Santa Claus.” In the East, he is known as St. Nicholas of Myra for the town in which he was bishop. But in the West he is called St. Nicholas of Bari because, during the Muslim conquest of Turkey in 1087, his relics were taken to Bari by the Italians. His reputation evolved among the pious, as was common for early Christian saints, and his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus (“Saint Nick”) through Sinterklaas. St. Nicholas of Myra is more than just the inspiration for the modern day Santa. He practiced both the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. He was generous, strove to help the poor and disadvantaged, and worked tirelessly to defend the faith. His legends of generosity and a slip of the tongue from other languages has made St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas into today’s Santa Claus.

Saint Nicholas was born in the last years of the third century in Asia Minor on March 15, 270. He was the only child of a wealthy Greek Christian couple living in what is today the country of Turkey. He was a pious child, and upon the death of his parents St. Nicholas was raised by an uncle who was a bishop. St. Nicholas grew in holiness, was ordained to the priesthood, and eventually consecrated a bishop. His uncle, the archbishop of Myra in Lycia, ordained him and appointed him abbot of a nearby monastery. At the death of the archbishop, St. Nicholas was chosen to fill the vacancy, and he served in this position until his death on December 6, 343 AD. He was famous for generosity to the poor, protection of the wronged, zeal against heresy, and performance of miracles. About the time of the persecutions of Diocletian, St. Nicholas was imprisoned for preaching Christianity but was released during the reign of Emperor Constantine. It is said that he suffered for the Faith under Diocletian, and that he was present at the Council of Nicaea as an opponent of Arianism. St. Nicholas prevailed against the heretic bishop Arius; he was also instrumental in defending the doctrine of Jesus’ divinity and formulating the Nicene Creed.

Popular legends have involved Saint Nicholas in a number of charming stories, one of which relates St. Nicholas’ charity toward the poor. A man of Patara had lost his fortune, and finding himself unable to support his three maiden daughters, was planning to turn them into the streets as prostitutes. St. Nicholas heard of the man’s intentions and secretly threw three bags of gold through a window into the home, thus providing dowries for the daughters. St. Nicholas’ secretly tossed bags of coins into their home served as the girls’ dowry, thus enabling them to marry and be provided for. The money was said to have landed in their stockings drying by the fireplace, which is the origin of gifts in children’s stockings and shoes at Christmastime. The three bags of gold mentioned in this story are said to be the origin of the three gold balls that form the emblem of pawnbrokers. After St. Nicholas’ death in 343, his body was buried in the cathedral at Myra. It remained there until 1087, when seamen of Bari, an Italian coastal town, seized the relics of the saint and transferred them to their own city. Veneration for St. Nicholas had already spread throughout Europe as well as Asia, but this occurrence led to a renewal of devotion in the West. Countless miracles were attributed to the saint’s intercession. His relics are still preserved in the church of San Nicola in Bari; the Basilica of St. Nicholas in Italy. An oily substance, known as Manna di S. Nicola, which is highly valued for its medicinal powers, is said to flow from them. On his feast day they emit a miraculous myrrh, which is distributed around the world.

Many countries have the custom of making St. Nicholas the secret giver of gifts to children on his feast day. In the United States, for example, he is celebrated as “Santa Claus,” who distributes gifts to children on Christmas Eve. St. Nicholas should be seen as a saint, a confessor of the faith and the bishop of Myra — not merely as a jolly man from the North Pole who brings happiness to small children. St. Nicholas of Myra is honored as the Patron Saint of many causes, professions, cities, and countries; but he is most notably the patron of children, sailors, prisoners, and maidens seeking to marry. Many countries and locations honor St. Nicholas as patron: Greece, the Kingdom of Naples, Sicily, Lorraine, and many cities in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Belgium and with Saint Andrew he is honored as the co-patron of Russia. St. Nicholas has always been honored with great veneration in the Latin and Greek Churches. The Russian Church seems to honor him more than any other Saint after the Apostles. St. Nicholas is the Patron Saint of children, students, against imprisonment; against robberies; sex workers; apothecaries; bakers; barrel makers; boatmen; boot blacks; boys; brewers; brides; captives; coopers; dock workers; druggists; fishermen; grooms; judges; lawsuits lost unjustly; longshoremen; maidens; mariners; merchants; murderers; newlyweds; old maids; parish clerks; paupers; pawnbrokers; perfumeries; perfumers; pharmacists; pilgrims; poor people; prisoners; sailors; scholars; schoolchildren; shoe shiners; spinsters; students; repentant thieves; travellers; unmarried girls; watermen; Greek Catholic Church in America; Greek Catholic Union; Bari, Italy; Fossalto, Italy; Duronia, Italy; Portsmouth, England; Greece; Lorraine; Russia; Sicily. St. Nicholas’ feast day is December 6th.

SAINT NICHOLAS’ QUOTE: “The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.”

PRAYER TO SAINT NICHOLAS: O good Saint Nicholas, you who are the joy of the children, put in my heart the spirit of childhood, of which the Gospel speaks, and teach me to seed happiness around me. You, whose feast prepares us for Christmas, open my faith to the mystery of God made man. You, good bishop and shepherd, help me to find my place in the Church and inspire the Church to be faithful to the gospel. O good Saint Nicholas, patron of children, sailors, and the helpless, watch over those who pray to Jesus, your Lord and theirs, as well as over those who humble themselves before you. Bring us all in reverence to the Holy Child of Bethlehem, where true joy and peace are found. Amen🙏

PRAYER TO SAINT NICHOLAS DURING ADVENT: Good St Nicholas, Help us prepare for the miracle of the coming of Jesus. Help us not to be blind to the gifts of getting ready. Help us be sincere in the greetings we send and receive, with love and prayer. Kind St. Nicholas, protect us from shoppers’ fatigue, stress, overspending, yet help us to be kind and generous of heart to all, especially those who are alone, financially poor and fearful. May our celebration of your feast lead others to see the true meaning of giving and receiving and to guide all people to the greatest of all gifts, even Jesus Christ, prince of peace and child of Mary, Our Lord and only savior. Amen🙏

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we implore Your love and mercy to protect us from all danger. Through the prayer of Saint Nicholas lead us to salvation by paths that are swift and sure. We pray this in the most precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Friday of the First Week of Advent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 9:27-31

“Believing in Jesus, two who were blind are cured”

“As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.”

In today’s Gospel reading, ‘two blind men followed’ Jesus. They were blind, and, yet, they followed Jesus as He went on His way. The two blind men came up to Jesus asking Him to take pity on them. Jesus responds to them initially, not by healing them but by asking them a question, ‘Do you believe that I can do this?’ Jesus first elicited an act of expectant faith from the two blind men before He responded to their cry for help. As the two blind men who approached Jesus lived in darkness, so we have been and still are in dark times. We can easily make our own the prayer of the two men in the Gospel reading, ‘Take pity on us, Son of David’. In response to that cry for help, the Lord is asking us too to have an expectant faith. He calls upon us to believe that he can bring light out of this darkness, that he can bring good out of this evil. There has been blindness at various levels in the church, a moral blindness on the part of those priests who committed the crimes and an institutional blindness on the part of Diocesan authorities in the way they responded. We need the gift of new sight; we all need the ability to see as the Lord sees. In asking to be healed of our blindness, we can have an expectant faith that the Lord will respond to our heartfelt prayer, because, in spite of our failures, the Lord remains faithful to us. He continues to bring the light of life to all who are humble enough to acknowledge their need of it.

In our first reading today, from the Book of the prophet Isaiah we heard of the words of the Lord to His people in the southern kingdom of Judah, reassuring and encouraging them that He would save all of them and bringing them all to His loving embrace, freeing them from their enemies, healing the blind, the lame, deaf and all those who were troubled among them, a promise that He would indeed fulfil by the sending of His salvation into this world through His Son. And this assurance came at a very good time for the people of God who at that time had been suffering a lot from the attacks by their enemies and everyone around them. God reassured them all that He would never abandon them, and if they continue to be faithful to Him they would be certain of God’s providence and love, and will have share in His eternal glory and joy.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today during this time and season of Advent, we are all lovingly reminded through the Scriptures of God’s ever generous love and providence, and of everything that He has prepared and given to us all, and how beloved all of us are to Him. We are all constantly being reminded of the need for us to continue having faith and trust in God, believing that He can provide us with everything that we need, and that He can lead us all to true happiness and bring us consolation from all the sufferings and struggles that we may be facing in this world. We have to remember the love that God has for each one of us and His patient care for us always endures even though we have often disobeyed Him and rebelled against Him. While He does chastise us for our sins and disobedience, but He always leaves the way open for us to return to Him through our sincere and genuine repentance and through His generous mercy and forgiveness. This season of Advent, let us all turn back towards the Lord with faith and have the sincere desire to seek the Lord and His forgiveness and mercy, remembering all the love and kindness that He has always shown us, His beloved people and children. Let us repent from our sins and faults, and reject the temptations of sin, seeking instead the hope and light that the Lord has shown us through His Son, Our Lord and Saviour. May the Lord continue to help and strengthen us in our journey and to persevere amidst all the struggles we may encounter in life. In this time and season of Advent, we are all preparing ourselves spiritually and mentally so that we may truly be able to celebrate the upcoming joyous season of Christmas with proper disposition and understanding. Instead of all the excesses of the worldly and secular Christmas that we all may be accustomed to, we are all called to remember that ultimately, Christmas is about Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, and all the joy that He has brought us by His coming into this world, fulfilling all that He has promised to us. Let us all therefore strive to refocus our attention and path in life from now on, and let us all renew our faith in the Lord. Let us remind ourselves and one another of all the love and the kind generosity which God has always shown us, in patiently loving us and caring for our every needs. Let us all truly be worthy and ready to celebrate Christmas with the right disposition, proper focus and understanding of the true significance and meaning of Christmas. And like St. Nicholas of Myra, who we celebrate today, let us all be generous in giving and sharing our many blessings in life, and our Christmas joy, that all of us may rejoice together in the same Lord, our Saviour. May our Advent season be truly blessed and fruitful, and may St. Nicholas of Myra, our holy role model and example in faith, intercede for us to the Lord. May God continue to help us to have a good and fruitful preparation this Advent so that we may come ever closer to His Presence and to live our lives ever more worthily as best as we are able to. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to value each other as much as the Lord values each of us. May the Lord bless us all, in our every good works, efforts and endeavours, and strengthen us in faith as once He has strengthened the faith of St. Nicholas, His servant, our great role model. Amen. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

My true and saving Lord, I commit myself to You and pray that I will come to know and love You as You are. Give me the eyes I need to see You and the mind and heart I need to know and love You. Remove from me any false vision of Who You are and replace within me a true knowledge of You, my Lord. As I come to know You, I offer myself to You so that You may use me to proclaim Your greatness to all. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary; Saint Nicholas ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled 1st Week of Advent and relaxing weekend 🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT

SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 5, 2024

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena Starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th [Novena link below]

SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH [Please see link to this article below]

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]

Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Thursday of the First Week of Advent!

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 5, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube” | December 5, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 5, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 5, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

Today’s Bible Readings: Thursday, December 5, 2024
Reading 1, Isaiah 26:1-6
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27
Gospel, Matthew 7:21, 24-27

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/

ADVENT PRAYER – FIRST WEEK: The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first week. After the prayer, the family’s youngest child lights the first purple candle. (Family members can also take turns lighting and blowing out the candles on each night.)

LEADER: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen🙏

(The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first week.)

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/novena-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary-the-immaculate-conception/

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: INTRODUCTORY PRAYER: O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen 🙏

INTERCESSORY PRAYER ~ DAY SEVEN: O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and my mother, from the sublime heights of your dignity, turn your merciful eyes upon me while I, full of confidence in your bounty and keeping in mind your Immaculate Conception and fully conscious of your power, beg of you to come to our aid and ask your Divine Son to grant the favor we earnestly seek in this novena, if it be beneficial for our immortal souls and the souls for whom we pray.

(State your personal intention here.)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen🙏

SAINT ANDREW PRAYER: Beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th), the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen”🙏

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT GERALD, BISHOP OF BRAGA AND SAINT SABAS, ABBOT ~ FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 5TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Gerald, Bishop of Braga and Saint Sabas, Abbot. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and we pray for all widows and widowers. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for all parents and children, for peace, love, justice and unity in our marriages, our families and our world. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

SAINT GERALD, BISHOP OF BRAGA: St. Gerald of Braga, born in Cahors, Gascony, was a Benedictine monk at Moissac, France. In the latter half of the 11th century, the Archbishop of Toledo named Bernard was delegated by the Pope to bring about an ecclesiastical reform in Spain. He called in various French clerics and monks, among whom was St. Gerald, Abbot of Moissac, who was appointed choir director for the Cathedral of Toledo.

So well did this saintly man fulfill his duties and so much did he influence the people for good that when the See of Braga became vacant, St.Gerald was selected by the clergy and people of that city to be their Bishop. St. Gerald later became the reforming Bishop of Braga Braga, Portugal on July 3, 1095. He visited his diocese, eradicating the abuse that had cropped up, especially that of the administering of ecclesiastical investiture by laymen. He baptised Afonso I of Portugal. St. Gerald, the man of God was called to his heavenly reward on December 5, 1109, at Bornos, Portugal and was buried in Braga Cathedral.

PRAYER: God, Light and Shepherd of souls, You established St. Gerald as Bishop in Your Church to feed Your flock by his word and form it by his example. Help us through his intercession to keep the Faith he taught by his word and follow the way he showed by his example. Amen 🙏

SAINT SABAS, ABBOT: St. Sabas (439-532 A.D.) was born at Mutalaska, near Caesarea in Cappadocia to an illustrious family. He was the son of an army officer there who when assigned to Alexandria, left Sabas (along with his estate) in the care of his wife’s sister. St. Sabas was severely mistreated by his aunt, and he fled from her to live with his father’s brother instead, though he was only eight. This move led to a family feud over the management of his father’s estate, the two family members became involved in a lawsuit over his estate,
and Sabas, a meek child disgusted with their worldliness, sought refuge in a monastery near Mutalaska. He was well-treated there, and although only a child, excelled in the monastic life. In time the two family members were reconciled and wanted him to marry, but he remained in the monastery. When he reached the age of eighteen, after living in the monastery for ten years, St. Sabas traveled to Jerusalem in 456 to visit the holy places and to become a desert hermit. As there entered a monastery under St. Theoctistus. When he was thirty, he became a hermit under the guidance of St. Euthymius, and after Euthymius’ death, spent four years alone in the desert near Jericho. He lived in a Jerusalem monastery for a time before dwelling alone in a desert cave near Jericho, spending his days in prayer and penance. Because of St. Sabas renowned virtue and holiness many men desired to follow his example. Despite his desire for solitude, he attracted disciples, organized them into a laura in 483, and when his one hundred fifty monks asked for a priest and despite his opposition to monks being ordained, he was obliged to accept ordination by Patriarch Sallust of Jerusalem in 491. He was ordained a priest so that he could better direct the 150 monks in his care. He attracted disciples from Egypt and Armenia, allowed them a liturgy in their own tongue, and built several hospitals and another monastery near Jericho. St. Sabas became an important leader in the early Church by founding monasteries, fighting heresy, and serving in delegations to the Roman Emperor. He is one of the most highly-regarded patriarchs of Palestine, and is considered one of the Fathers of Eastern monasticism. His most important monastery, the Great Laura, is one of the oldest monasteries in the world and is still inhabited by Eastern Orthodox monks.

St. Sabas was appointed archimandrite of all hermits in Palestine who lived in separate cells, but his custom of going off by himself during Lent caused dissension in the monastery, and sixty of his monks left to revive a ruined monastery at Thecuna. He bore them no illwill and aided them with food and supplies. In 511, he was one of a delegation of abbots sent to Emperor Anastasius I, a supporter of Eutychianism, which Sabas opposed, to plead with the Emperor to mitigate his persecution of orthodox bishops and religious. They were unsuccessful. St. Sabas supported Elias of Jerusalem when the Emperor exiled him, was a strong supporter of theological orthodoxy, and persuaded many to return to orthodoxy. He was a vigorous opponent of Origenism and monophysitism. In 531, when he was ninety-one, he again went to Constantinople, this time to plead with Emperor Justinian to suppress a Samaritan revolt and protect the people of Jerusalem from further harassment by the Samritans. He fell ill soon after his return to his laura from this trip and died on December 5, 532 at Laura Mar Saba, after naming his successor. St. Sabas lived to over 90 years of age. He is considered one of the founders of Eastern Monasticism. St. Sabas’ feast day is December 5th.

Saint Sabas, Abbot ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Thursday of the First Week of Advent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 7:21, 24-27

“Whoever does the will of my Father will enter the Kingdom of heaven”

“Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus makes reference to listening, speaking and doing. He makes a distinction between two kinds of listening, the listening that leads to action, to doing, and the listening that has no impact on behavior. He calls on us not only to listen to his words, but to act on them. Jesus wants His word not just to impact on our ears but to impact on our lives. Jesus refers to those who ‘listen to these words of mine’, to those who say aloud, ‘Lord, Lord’, and to those who act on His words. When it comes to our faith, listening and speaking are important, but Jesus declares that listening and speaking on their own, without doing, have little or no value. This reading comes at the very end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is saying that His words in the Sermon on the Mount are not just there to be listened to and admired; they are not just there to be responded to in words of prayer, ‘Lord, Lord’. Rather, they are there to be lived, to be acted upon. Each day we hear the call to live the message that Jesus proclaims. We are to translate His teaching into living. Advent is a season when we are called in a special way to live the word of Jesus that we listen to. In this regard, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a very good model for us. On one occasion when some women in the crowd around Jesus declared Mary blessed because of the Son that she bore, Jesus replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it’. The Blessed Virgin Mary if blessed not primarily for the son she gave birth to but because she heard God’s word and lived it every day. That is our calling too and, in this season of Advent, we can look to Mary as our inspiration as we try to respond to this calling.

In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, God spoke to His people, the people of the kingdom of Judah about His promises and reassurance to them that He would protect and guard them against their enemies, and He would make their cities and towns secure again, setting up His strong wall against all those who would rise against them. The prophet Isaiah also spoke of the firm foundation in God, the firm and steady foundation Rock for all the people of God. This assurance indeed came at the right time for the people of God in Judah and they themselves at that time had likely witnessed in person what God had done for those who were faithful and beloved to Him against their enemies who tried to strike them down and destroy them. We can understand this better by referring to the historical and Scriptural evidence of the time when the Assyrians came up to Jerusalem under their King Sennacherib, with his mighty army in the hundreds of thousands, after the Assyrians earlier on had destroyed and conquered the northern half of the kingdom of the people of God, the kingdom of Israel. At that time, during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, the people of God and their king must have been fearful of the might of the Assyrians who were very powerful and undefeated those days, conquering many states and territories around the kingdom of Judah itself, and eventually they also came for Judah and Jerusalem. According to the story contained in the Book of Kings, that Assyrian king Sennacherib even boasted against the Lord and ridiculed the faith of the people of Judah. It was there and then that, having kept their trust and faith in God, the prayers of the people of Judah and their king, Hezekiah, who was faithful and obedient to God, led to the Lord sending His mighty Angels to strike upon the vast hordes of the Assyrian army, leading to the death of a hundred and eighty-five thousand men among them, a truly colossal devastation that God had brought upon the Assyrians and their proud and haughty king. Certainly, the people of Judah had witnessed all these happening before their very own eyes, and believed in God. In the same manner therefore, I decided to bring up this history and evidence to help us all to realise for ourselves just how great God’s providence and love for us are. We must not forget how blessed we are to have God Who has always been so loving and so patient in caring for us.

As we reflect on the words of the Lord contained in the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded of the need for each and every one of us to have a strong faith that is truly rooted and anchored in the Lord, and not to have the kind of empty and superficial faith that will not be of use to us at all and which will not justify us on the Day of Judgment. All of us must nurture in us the strong love and devotion to God, and build in us the strong and lasting foundation by our enduring faith and commitment to God. This is what we are being reminded of today by listening to the words of the Scriptures presented to us, that there is only firm and sure hope in God alone and that if we depend on worldly means and provisions we are likely to be disappointed in the end. Before God all of us are equals and we are all equally beloved by Him. And in Him alone we can find true assurance and perfectly lasting happiness and joy. For it is in Him alone we can truly depend on and will not be disappointed. And while we may have to face difficulties, struggles and challenges in this life, but as long as we keep our faith in God and continue to love Him, anchoring ourselves and our lives very deeply in His love and providence, then everything will be well for us in the end. Just as the Lord has repeatedly promised, reassured us all and shown to His beloved ones throughout time, He is always ever faithful to the Covenant which He has made with us, and all of us who are faithful to Him, without exception, shall share in the eternal and true glory and joy with Him. We are reminded to emulate the Saints and Holy men and women, particularly those we celebrate today, Saint Gerald, Bishop of Braga and Saint Sabas, Abbot. Let us all therefore reflect upon these words of the Scriptures especially in the short term for our Advent preparations and observances. Let us all continue to commit ourselves ever more strongly to the Lord, doing whatever we can so that by our good examples and commitments, by our faithful obedience and continued trust in God, we will always have that firm foundation in Him that will be unshakeable no matter what challenges and hardships we may be currently facing in our lives and whatever we may encounter from now on. Let us all inspire one another and encourage ourselves to be always faithful as well. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and be with us all and may He bless our every good efforts and endeavours, now and always. Amen 🙏🏽

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:*

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

My saving God, I pray for insight into my life. Help me to see my life and all of my actions in the light of Your will and Your Truth. My loving Father, I desire to live fully in accord with Your perfect will. Give me the grace I need to amend my life so that the day of judgment is a day of the greatest glory. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary; Saint Gerald, Bishop of Braga and Saint Sabas, Abbot ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled and fruitful 1st Week of Advent 🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT

SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 4, 2024

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena Starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th [Novena link below]

SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH [Please see link to this article below]

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]

Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Wednesday of the First Week of Advent!

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 4, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube” | December 4, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 4, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 4, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

Today’s Bible Readings: Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Reading 1, Isaiah 25:6-10
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
Gospel, Matthew 15:29-37

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/

ADVENT PRAYER – FIRST WEEK: The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first week. After the prayer, the family’s youngest child lights the first purple candle. (Family members can also take turns lighting and blowing out the candles on each night.)

LEADER: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen🙏

(The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first week.)

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/novena-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary-the-immaculate-conception/

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: INTRODUCTORY PRAYER: O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen 🙏

INTERCESSORY PRAYER ~ DAY SIX: O Lord, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, did prepare a fitting dwelling for Your Son, we beseech You that as by the foreseen death of Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain of sin, grant that through her intercession, we may be favored with the granting of the grace that we seek at this time.

(State your personal intention here.)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen🙏

SAINT ANDREW PRAYER: Beginning today, on this Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th), the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.”🙏

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE (SAINT JOHN OF DAMASCUS), PRIEST, RELIGIOUS AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH AND SAINT BARBARA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 4TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Damascene (Saint John of Damascus) Priest, Religious and Doctor of the Church and Saint Barbara, Virgin and Martyr. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. Amen🙏

SAINT JOHN DAMASCENE (SAINT JOHN OF DAMASCUS), PRIEST, RELIGIOUS AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH: St John (c. 676-749) also known as St. John of Damascus was a Syrian monk and priest, was the last of the Greek Fathers and referred to as the great Arab Church Father. Among Eastern Christians, St. John is best known for his defense of Christian sacred art, particularly in the form of icons. While the churches of Rome and Constantinople were still united during St. John’s life, the Byzantine Emperor Leo III broke radically from the ancient tradition of the church, charging that the veneration of Christian icons was a form of idolatry. St. John was born about the year 676 and had grown up under Muslim rule in Damascus, as the child of strongly Christian parents. His excellent education – particularly in theology – prepared him well to defend the tradition of sacred iconography, against the heresy of the “iconoclasts,” so-called because they would enter churches and destroy the images therein. During the 720s, the upstart theologian began publicly opposing the emperor’s command against sacred images in a series of writings. The heart of his argument was twofold: first, that Christians did not actually worship images,  but rather, through them they worshiped God, and honored the memory of the saints. Second, he asserted that by taking an incarnate physical form, Christ had given warrant to the Church’s depiction of him in images. St. John vigorously opposed the Iconoclast persecution of the Emperor of Constantinople, Leo the Isaurian, and he distinguished himself in the defense of the veneration of sacred images. His defense of the veneration of icons procured him the title of “The Doctor of Christian Art.” 

By 730, the young public official’s persistent defense of Christian artwork had made him a permanent enemy of the emperor, who had a letter forged in St. John’s name offering to betray the Muslim government of Damascus. The ruling caliph of the city, taken in by the forgery, is said to have cut off John’s hand. The saint’s sole surviving biography states that the Virgin Mary acted to restore it miraculously. John eventually managed to convince the Muslim ruler of his innocence, before making the decision to become a monk and later a priest. St. John of Damascus is known for his poems, hymns or “canons,” and his treatise “Exposition of the Orthodox Faith.”  He became a trusted magistrate under Arab rule and a monk at Mar Saba monastery near Jerusalem where he died. St. John of Damascus’ other notable achievements include the “Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith,” a work in which he systematized the earlier Greek Fathers’ thinking about theological truths in light of philosophy. The work exerted a profound influence on St. Thomas Aquinas and subsequent scholastic theologians. Centuries later, St. John’s sermons on the Virgin Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven were cited in Pope Pius XII’s dogmatic definition on the subject.

Although a number of imperially-convened synods condemned John’s advocacy of Christian iconography, the Roman church always regarded his position as a defense of apostolic tradition. Years after the priest and monk died, the Seventh Ecumenical Council vindicated his orthodoxy, and ensured the permanent place of holy images in both Eastern and Western Christian piety. St. John was condemned to have his right hand cut off, but lived to see it miraculously restored through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin. After continued persecutions he died in peace, about the year 749. He was famous for his great encyclopedic knowledge and theological method, which later was a source of inspiration to St. Thomas Aquinas. St. John also contributed as an author and editor, to some of the liturgical hymns and poetry that Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholics still use in their celebrations of the liturgy. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1890. St. John of Damascus is the Patron Saint of Pharmacists, icon painters, theology students.

QUOTE OF SAINT JOHN OF DAMASCUS: “Show me the icons that you venerate, that I may be able to understand your faith.” 

PRAYER: Grant, O Lord, that we may be aided by the prayers of St. John, Your Priest. May the true Faith that he taught with excellence be our constant light and strength. Amen 🙏

SAINT BARBARA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR: Saint Barbara (273-306), also known as the Great Martyr Barbara, was an early Christian Greek martyr born in 273AD in mid-third century in Heliopolis, Phoenicia, present-day Baalbek, Lebanon, and recent discovered texts in the Saida early church archives suggest her maternal grandmother is a descendant from Miye ou Miye village. St. Barbara was the daughter to a rich pagan named Dioscorus. According to tradition, after the death of her mother she was raised by her rich and tyrannical pagan father who, because of her beauty and intelligence, guarded her closely, keeping her locked away in a tower to “protect” her from the outside world. Dioscorus dedicated his life to his only daughter, who was known for being extremely beautiful. He allowed only her pagan teachers to see her. Her father, Dioscorus of Heliopolis, was a controlling and abusive person. He forced Barbara to live alone atop a tower so no man would see her beauty. She was educated by tutors and came to reject the false gods she was taught to worship in favor of the true God for whom she yearned and wished to discover, dedicating her life and virginity to this purpose. She developed a prayer life and resisted her father’s attempts to have her marry. Believing Barbara to be negatively affected by the seclusion, her father allowed her more freedom to associate with the world.

A Christian was permitted to see St. Barbara when he pretended to be a doctor. She soon discovered Christians, and, recognizing the Creator she sought, St. Barbara converted to Christianity and was baptized in secret. When her father was out of town, Barbara instructed workers to install a third window in her tower, in reverence of the Trinity. When Dioscorus came home, he realized Barbara had become a Christian. After informing her father that she was a Christian, he then beat and nearly killed her and denounced her and turned Barbara over to the Court authorities under the persecution of Roman Emperor Maximian. She was imprisoned and cruelly tortured, but remained steadfast in her faith. During the night she would pray fervently, and her wounds would miraculously heal. This only subjected her to greater torments, followed by more miraculous interventions. St. Barbara was sentenced her to death and her father, Dioscorus volunteered to be her executor. She was finally beheaded by her own father, and seconds after her death, he was struck by lightning and died himself as punishment. St. Barbara died in 306 AD, Nicomedia. St. Barbara is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, venerated because their intercession is believed to be particularly effective against diseases. St. Barbara is often invoked against lightning and fire, with associations of explosions. St. Barbara is the Patron Saint of armourers, artillerymen, architects, mathematicians, miners and the Italian Navy, firemen, military engineers, miners, and others who work with explosives. She is also the patron against storms, lightning, and fire, to name a few. St. Barbara’s feast day is December 4th.

Saint Barbara, Virgin and Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Bible Readings for today, Wednesday of the First Week of Advent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 15:29-37

“Jesus heals many and multiplies the bread”

“At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus heals the broken and the crowds who witness it are astonished at Jesus’ life-giving work and praise God because of it. Jesus appears to be working on His own. Immediately after this time of ministry, Jesus attends to the needs of the crowds. Noticing how hungry they are, He has compassion for them, and sets Himself the task of feeding them. However, on this occasion, He doesn’t work alone; He involves His disciples very directly. He shares His concern of the crowds with His disciples; He questions them about the resources of food to be found among the crowds; He involves them directly in feeding the crowds from these resources. His disciples asked Him, ‘Where could we get enough bread in this deserted place to feed such a crowd?’ Jesus wanted to feed the hungry crowd and didn’t want to send them away. The disciples could see no way of doing this. Their question is a very human one. It is the kind of question we all ask when we find ourselves faced with a situation that seems beyond us. We often encounter situations in life that make us very aware of our limitations. We can easily shrink before such situations and we can be tempted to lose heart and throw in the towel. Yet, where we see problems, the Lord often sees possibilities, provided we do whatever we can do, little as it may seem to us. According to the Gospel reading, Jesus took the few resources the disciples had, seven loaves and a few small fish, and then, with their help, He fed the whole crowd with those resources. It wasn’t a case of everyone getting barely enough. No, ‘they all ate as much as they wanted’. The evangelist, Matthew, is suggesting that we must never underestimate what the Lord can do through our human resources, small as they may seem in our eyes, provided we give generously of them. As Saint Paul knew from his experience, the Lord can work powerfully through our weakness. Indeed, sometimes it is our very weakness, our vulnerability, our inadequacy, that can give the Lord the greatest scope to work through us, provided we trust in Him to do so.

In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, God spoke to His people in the southern kingdom of Judah giving them His reassurance and promises, reminding them of the love and faithfulness which He has always had for them all despite their constant rebelliousness and disobedience against Him. At that time, the people of Judah wre already in dire straits, surrounded by hostile neighbours and enemies, and having their fellow brethren from the northern kingdom of Israel having been defeated, conquered and exiled by the mighty Assyrians. And during that period, the same Assyrians were also threatening Judah and Jerusalem itself, which truly did not bring about any good prospects for the people in Judah and Jerusalem for sure. And yet, while God often chastised His people and warned them of the impending destruction and ruin if they continued to disobey Him and if they kept on following the false gods and pagan idols instead of obeying His Law and commandments through HIs prophet including that of Isaiah, God also reminded all of the people that ultimately, He still loved them all and cared for them, and wanted them all to be reconciled and reunited with Him. And there is nothing that He spared from the details just as we have heard in our first reading passage today, how God truly reassured His people that everything will be truly good and wonderful when the Lord comes to gather all of His beloved ones, to bless them and to bring them all into His Holy Presence once again, truly a great light and hope amidst all the darkness of the world.

The vision of Isaiah in the first reading becomes something of a reality in the gospel reading. Both readings speak to us of a God who wants us to have life and to have it to the full. It was Saint Irenaeus who said that the glory of God is the human person fully alive. In the Gospel reading, the Lord needed others to bring the sick to Him; He needed the disciples to help Him feed the crowd. He continues to need us if His life-giving work is to get done. Advent calls on all of us to be instruments of the Lord’s life-giving and healing presence in the world. In Advent we pray, ‘Come Lord Jesus’. We also offer ourselves as channels for the Lord’s coming.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, as we all continue to progress through this blessed time and season of Advent, we are reminded of God’s providence and love for each and every one of us, how He has always been truly generous towards us, providing us all what we needed and guiding us all patiently and lovingly despite our constant stubborn attitude against Him, our refusal to follow His path faithfully and our waywardness in embracing the temptations, evils and sins of this world rather than to trust in Him. God has always shown us all His love, and He has given us all many opportunities and means for us to reach out to Him. What is left for us to do is to answer His call and to turn away from our sinful ways. We are all reminded of the salvation and deliverance which the Lord our God has shown us all, and which He wants to remind us today during this season of Advent, preparing for the coming celebration and joy of Christmas, we may always keep in mind what it is that we are really celebrating and rejoicing about. The Lord and His providence to us, His love and kindness, are all that we are rejoicing about as we celebrate and commemorate the moment when He came to us all in this world, in the form of a Child, the Child Jesus, the Saviour of the world and Son of God Most High. Let us all therefore be inspired by the lives and examples of the Saints and Holy men and women, particularly let us all be inspired by the great faith and dedication showed by our holy predecessor, St. John Damascene, who we celebrate today, so that we ourselves may live our lives ever more faithfully as Christians in each and every moments of our lives. And let us all continue to hold strongly to the hope that we have in the Lord, our God and Saviour, Whose love for us has endured all these while. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the Lord also continue to help and guide us all in our journey throughout our lives so that by our commitment to Him and by our own exemplary lives and faith, we may be truly worthy of the Lord and His saving grace, now and always, forevermore. Amen 🙏🏽

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

My divine Lord, I love You and desire to love You more. Fill me with a wonder and awe for You. Help me to desire You above all things and in all things. May my love of You become so intense that I find myself trusting You always. Help me, dear Lord, to make You the center of my entire life. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary; Saint John Damascene and Saint Barbara ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled and fruitful 1st Week of Advent 🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT

SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 3, 2024

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena Starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th [Novena link below]

SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH [Please see link to this article below]

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]

Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Tuesday of the First Week of Advent!

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 3, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube” | December 3, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 3, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 3, 2024 |

Pray "Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS" oùn YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Reading 1, Isaiah 11:1-10
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 72:1, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Gospel, Luke 10:21-24

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

ADVENT PRAYER – FIRST WEEK: The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first week. After the prayer, the family’s youngest child lights the first purple candle. (Family members can also take turns lighting and blowing out the candles on each night.)

LEADER: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen🙏

(The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first week.)

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/novena-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary-the-immaculate-conception/

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: INTRODUCTORY PRAYER: O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen 🙏

INTERCESSORY PRAYER ~ DAY FIVE: O Lord, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, did prepare a fitting dwelling for Your Son, we beseech You that as by the foreseen death of Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain of sin, grant that through her intercession, we may be favored with the granting of the grace that we seek at this time.

(State your personal intention here.)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen🙏

SAINT ANDREW PRAYER: Beginning today, on this Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th), the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.”🙏

SAINT OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 3RD: Today, on this first Sunday of advent, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and we pray for all widows and widowers. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for all parents and children, for peace, love, justice and unity in our marriages, our families and our world. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER, PRIEST: St. Francis (1506-1552) is one of the Church’s most illustrious missionaries. He was born in a castle of Xavier in the Kingdom of Navarre, Spain on April 7, 1506 into a noble, aristocratic Spanish family of the Kingdom, and the youngest son of his parents. His mother, Dona was an esteemed heiress, sole heiress of two noble Navarrese families and his father, Juan, an adviser or counselor to King John III of Navarre. In 1512, King Ferdinand of Spain invaded the Kingdom of Navarre. Three years later St. Francis’s father died when he was only nine.  In 1516, after a failed attempt to expel the Spanish invaders from the Kingdom, the Spanish invaders ordered the family lands to be confiscated, demolition of the outer wall, the gates and two towers of the family castle torn down, and the moat was filled in. Only the family residence inside the castle was left.  For the following years with his family until he left for his studies in Paris, life in Navarre – partially occupied with Spain, was surrounded with war that lasted over 18 years.  It ended with Navarre being partitioned into two territories; the king and his loyalists abandoned the south and moved to the northern part, now France. While St. Francis brothers entered the military, St. Francis followed an intellectual path to a college in Paris. In 1525 he went to Paris and studied at the University of Paris, where he taught philosophy after obtaining his degree of master of arts. Here he met Ignatius of Loyola with whom he received Holy Orders in Venice in 1537 and was enrolled as one of the first seven Jesuits. They decided to go to the Holy Land, but the war between the Turks and Venice prevented this, so for a time Francis labored at Padua, Bologna, and Rome.

In 1540, St. Ignatius chose St. Francis as the first missionary to the Portuguese East Indies to evangelize. St. Francis sailed from Lisbon armed with four papal briefs making him nuncio with full powers and recommending him to the Eastern princes. He landed at Goa in India and began a vast apostolate lasting over ten years. Here he instructed the adults, gathered the children by ringing a bell in the streets, catechized them, and also visited the hospitals and prisons. He then turned to the native Indians, teaching the simple folk by versifying Catholic doctrine and fitting the verses to popular tunes. He then went on to Cape Comorin and began the conversion of the Paravas, some days baptizing so many that at night he could not raise his arm from fatigue. Then to Travencore where he founded forty-five churches in various villages. Then to Malacca in Malaya, and for eighteen months from island to island, preaching, instructing, baptizing. On his return to Goa he heard of the vast harvest of souls awaiting the laborers in Japan and he set out for this field with several companions, arriving at Kagoshima in 1549. St. Francis carried the light of Faith to Japan, of which he became the first missionary, and where a flourishing Christian community soon arose. He set himself to learn the language and started to preach and teach with such success that twelve years later his converts were found still retaining their first fervor. He remained in Japan two years and four months, and returned to India in 1551. He returned to Malacca to revisit his converts in India. Now a new goal loomed up before his eyes—pagan China, but he was not to reach it. After visiting Goa, he set sail, in 1552, to carry out his resolve, but God was satisfied with his will. On the twenty-third day after his departure from Malacca he arrived at Sancian. Arriving on the island of Sancian at the mouth of the Canton river, St. Francis became ill of a fever and would have died abandoned on the burning sands of the shore if a poor man named Alvarez had not taken him to his hut. Here he lingered for two weeks, praying between spells of delirium, and finally died with his eyes fixed with great tenderness on his crucifix on Friday, December 3, 1552, at the age of forty-six. He died while seeking a way to enter the closely-guarded kingdom of China. He was buried in a shallow grave and his body covered with quicklime, but when exhumed three months later it was found fresh and incorrupt. It was taken to Goa where it is still enshrined. In 1622, both St. Francis Xavier and St. Ignatius Loyola were canonized on the same day by Pope Gregory XV. St. Francis Xavier was proclaimed patron of foreign missions and of all missionary works by Pope St. Pius X.

St. Francis Xavier is best known for his missionary work, both as an organizer and as a pioneer. He was known throughout the Far East for his humility, care of the poor, and miracles including healings, speaking in tongues, and prophetic powers. His passion for Christ and zeal for souls won him many converts to the faith. It is said that during his missionary journeys he baptized over 40,000 people. He is considered by many to be one of the Church’s greatest missionaries since St. Paul the Apostle. In his travels he left behind flourishing churches that were the foundations of the Catholic Church in Asia. His work was also noteworthy to Christians in the propagation of Christianity in China and Japan. India, to this day, has numerous Jesuit missions and many more schools because of this great saints work. St. Francis is the Patron Saint of African missions; navigators; missionaries; India, Japan, China, and New Zealand. Apostleship of Prayer; Kottar, India; Agartala, India; Ahmedabad, india;  Alexandria, Louisiana; Apostleship of Prayer; Foreign Missions; Parish Missions; Plague; Australia; Bengaluru, India; Bombay, India, Bomeo, Cape Town, South Africa; China; Dinajpur, Bangladesh; East Indies; Fathers of the Precious Blood; foreign missions; Freising, Germany; Goa, India; Fiji; Green Bay,  Wisconsin Wisconsin; India; Indianapolis, Indiana; Japan; Key West, Florida; Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan; University of Saint Francis Xavier, Sucre, Bolivia; Joliet, Illinois; Kabankalan, India; Kollam, Philippines; Nasugbu, Batangas, Philippines; Abuyog, Leyte, Philippines;  Alegria, Cebu, Philippines; Hong Kong Macau; Antananarivo, Madagascar; Diocese of Malindi, Kenya; missionaries; Missioners of the Precious Blood; Navarre, Spain; navigators New Zealand; parish missions; plague epidemics; Propagation of the Faith; Zagreb, Croatia; Indonesia; Malacca, Malaysia; Brunei; Pakistan; Philippines; Singapore; Sri Lanka. St. Francis Xavier’s feast day is December 3rd.

PRAYER: Lord, You won many peoples for Your Church through the preaching of St. Francis. Inspire the faithful today with the same zeal for spreading the Faith, so that everywhere the Church may rejoice in her many children. Amen 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Tuesday of the First Week of Advent | Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier, Priest | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 10:21-24

Jesus rejoices in the Holy Spirit

“Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.” Turning to the disciples in private he said, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus speaks of the unique relationship he enjoys with God, His Father, ‘No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son’. Only God knows Jesus, His Son, thoroughly, and only Jesus knows God, His Father, thoroughly. The knowledge that God the Father and Jesus have of each other is a knowledge born of love. It is true even at the level of human relationships that we can really only know those we love. Yet, even though God and Jesus have a unique relationship, it is not a closed relationship. At the beginning of the Gospel reading, Jesus blesses God for revealing ‘these things’ to mere children, and at the end of the Gospel reading He declares to His disciples, ‘Happy the eyes that see. Jesus blesses God for revealing ‘these things’ to mere children, and at the end of the Gospel reading He declares to his disciples, ‘Happy the eyes that see what you see’. God has made himself know to us through his Son Jesus, and, as a result, we have come to see what prophets and kings in the Jewish Scriptures wanted to see and never saw. Although we may not know God as Jesus does, Jesus has made God known to us. To that extent, Jesus invites us to share in his own relationship with God and with God’s relationship with him. If that is to happen, we need to become what the gospel reading calls ‘children’. We need something of the openness and receptivity and trust of children in our relationship with Jesus, so that He can look upon us, as he looked upon His disciples in the Gospel reading, and declare us blessed or happy for seeing what we see. In the Gospels where the evangelists allow us to overhear the prayer of Jesus. He is portrayed as praying in the joy of the Holy Spirit. All genuine prayer in our own lives is an expression of the working of the Holy Spirit within us. Our prayer, in a sense, is only an entering into the ongoing prayer of the Holy Spirit deep within our hearts. In his prayer Jesus give thanks to God for all those who have welcomed Jesus’ revelation of his own intimate relationship with God. It is the children who have received this revelation, those considered weak and vulnerable, while those regarded as learned and clever have rejected this revelation. Jesus addresses His own disciples as among those who have received Jesus’ revelation of his own intimate relationship with God, ‘Happy the eyes that see what you see. Advent is a time when we try to open our eyes more fully to what the Lord is trying to reveal to us. It is a season when we become like children so as to receive with greater openness what the Lord is offering us, a share in His own intimate relationship with God.

In our first reading today, we heard from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church and the faithful throughout the city and region of Corinth, where St. Paul spoke about the matter of his missionary works and efforts, everything that he had done for the sake of God and His people, how he could not and ought not to boast about all of his works and achievements, as everything that he had done, all were done for the glory of God and for the salvation of the people that he had been sent to. The Corinthians like many other people throughout the world at the time, had received the news and words of God’s salvation through the Apostles and many other missionaries, but they all served the Lord humbly, and while performing the miraculous signs and proclaiming the words of wisdom and wonders, all these they dedicated to God and not to themselves. This is a very important reminder to each and every one of us as servants and followers of God in our respective missions and evangelising efforts that we should not take credit for our efforts and works, and we must always put God at the very centre of our lives and existence. Otherwise, it is easy for many of us to fall into the temptations of power, glory, fame and ambition, which had indeed happened to some among our predecessors, allowing the evil one to tempt them with the false glory and worldly achievements and ambitions. We must not walk down that path, and we have to resist all the pressures, coercions and temptations to enter into the falsehoods of evil, of the many desires and attachments of this world. We have to keep our faith and trust strongly in the Lord. This is a very important reminder to each and every one of us as servants and followers of God in our respective missions and evangelising efforts that we should not take credit for our efforts and works, and we must always put God at the very centre of our lives and existence. Otherwise, it is easy for many of us to fall into the temptations of power, glory, fame and ambition, which had indeed happened to some among our predecessors, allowing the evil one to tempt them with the false glory and worldly achievements and ambitions. We must not walk down that path, and we have to resist all the pressures, coercions and temptations to enter into the falsehoods of evil, of the many desires and attachments of this world. We have to keep our faith and trust strongly in the Lord.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, on this special feast of St. Francis Xavier, Patron of Missions. We’re all called to commit ourselves to be a missionary Church, a vibrant and evangelising community of the Lord’s disciples, filled with the love for the Lord and with the passion to serve Him and to follow Him all the days and moments of our lives. Let us all follow the examples and inspiration from the passion and the commitment which St. Francis Xavier had dedicated his life to the service of God and to the proclamation of the Good News, the Gospel of salvation. Let us be exemplary in our way of life so that all those who witness our actions and works may indeed be convinced of God’s truth and His Good News that we and many other missionaries of the Church had proclaimed. If we ourselves have not lived in the way that the Lord had told and taught us to do, how can we then convince others to do the same? May the Lord our most loving God continue to help and guide us in our journey of faith through life, so that we may always remain firm in our conviction and dedication, walking ever firmly in the path that He has set before all of us. May God be with us always and may He empower each and every one of us to be shining beacons of His light and truth, much as how St. Francis Xavier and the many other, innumerable saints had shown us their faith and light of God’s truth. May God bless our every works and efforts, and help us to persevere ever more faithfully in all the things we do for the greater glory of His Name. May He bless our Advent journey that we will always continue to grow ever stronger in our love for Him, and be prepared and ready to rejoice with Him this upcoming Christmas season. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to do God’s will and be channels of the Lord’s compassionate presence to all those we encounter during this Advent season and always. May our Advent journey be truly blessed and fruitful. Amen 🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:*

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

My divine Lord, I know You are alive today, speaking to me, calling me and revealing to me Your glorious presence. Help me to desire You and, within that desire, to turn to You with all my heart. I love You, my Lord. Help me to love You more. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Francis Xavier ~ Pray for us 🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled and fruitful 1st Week of Advent 🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT

SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 2, 2024

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena Starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th [Novena link below]

SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH [Please see link to this article below]

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]

Greetings and blessings, beloved family, and Happy Monday of the First Week of Advent!

On this special day, please let us keep our beloved precious granddaughter, Princess Celine; our beloved brother Prince Opiepe in our thoughts and prayers in the celebration of Mass as they celebrate their birthdays today and we also remember Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel and Grace Oko Opiepe as they celebrate their first wedding anniversary today!

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube” | December 2, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 2, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 2, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 2, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

Today’s Bible Readings: Monday, December 2, 2024
Reading 1, Isaiah 2:1-5
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Gospel, Matthew 8:5-11

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH |

ADVENT PRAYER – FIRST WEEK: The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first week. After the prayer, the family’s youngest child lights the first purple candle. (Family members can also take turns lighting and blowing out the candles on each night.)

LEADER: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen🙏

(The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first week.)

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/novena-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary-the-immaculate-conception/

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: INTRODUCTORY PRAYER: O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen 🙏

INTERCESSORY PRAYER ~ DAY FOUR: O Mary, Mother of God, endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception with the fullness of grace; unique among women in that you are both mother and virgin; Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ, we ask you to look down with a tender heart from your throne and listen to our prayers as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us the favor for which we now plead.

(State your personal intention here.)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.🙏

SAINT ANDREW PRAYER: Beginning on the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th), the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.”🙏

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT SILVERIUS, POPE AND MARTYR AND SAINT BIBIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 2ND: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Silverius, Pope and Martyr and Saint Bibiana, Virgin and Martyr. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, may they continue to intercede for us. Amen 🙏🏽

SAINT SILVERIUS, POPE AND MARTYR: St. Silverius was pope for a very short time in 546-7 A.D. But his brief pontificate made him a martyr for the truth, which he defended at the cost of his life. St. Silverius was a subdeacon when, on the death of St. Agapetus, he was chosen Pope in 536. Shortly after the election, the victorious Belisarius, general of the Emperor Justinian, waging war against the Goths, appeared before the gates of Rome. At the persuasion of Pope Silverius, the senate and people admitted him into the city. The Empress Theodora, who favored the sect of the Acephali or Ultra-Eutychians, endeavored to draw the Pope into connivance with her party, but the Sovereign Pontiff could not be deceived though he foresaw that his resistance would cost him life. The Empress now entered into an intrigue with Vigilius, Archdeacon of the Roman Church, promising him the papacy if he would condemn the Council of Chalcedon. Ti this he basely agreed.

Hereupon, the Archdeacon was sent to Rome with a letter for Belisarius, commanding him to drive out St. Silverius and to contrive the election of Vigilius. After some hesitation, and, like Pilate, shifting the responsibility, the general decided to obey. Being lured into the hands of his enemies, St. Silverius was conducted to Patara in Lycia, and Vigilius became Pope. When Justinian, the Emperor, learned the true state of affairs, he gave orders that St. Silverius should be sent back to Rome. His enemies intercepted him on the road and Vigilius had him taken to the island of Palmaria. He died there a short time afterward, in 537. St. Silverius died in exile at the isle of Ponza, for refusing the empress Theodora’s demand to reinstate the heresiarch Anthimos in the see of Constantinople. His body was brought back to Rome and laid in the Vatican basilica. Ironically, the death of St. Silverius was no benefit whatever to the heretics, for once Vigilius had actually become Pope he gave up all dalliance with them.

PRAYER: Almighty God, help us to bear worldly adversities with an unconquerable spirit. For You did not let St. Silverius, Your Pope and Martyr, be terrified by threats or conquered by pains. Amen 🙏
 
SAINT BIBIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR: St. Bibiana, also known as Vibiana or Viviana (d. 363), was born in Rome, the daughter of Christian parents who were martyred in the persecutions of Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate. In the year 363, Julian the Apostate made Apronianus Governor of Rome. St. Bibiana suffered in the persecution started by him. A legend states that Bibiana’s parents, Flavian and Dafrosa, were devout Christians as well. Her father, Flavian who was a former Roman prefect was severely beaten, had his face burned with a hot iron and sent to live in exile as a slave, but died from his wounds. Her mother, Dafrosa was beheaded shortly after. St. Bibiana and Demetria, her sister, were forced to remain in their house after all their possessions had been taken from them. They were imprisoned in their family home in utter poverty and hunger. They were offered reward if only they would renounce Jesus, but the sisters, strong in faith and prayer, said they would rather die. For five months the two sisters fasted and prayed.

Finding that they did not die from lack of food, the Roman governor summoned them. When they appeared in court, Demetria died on the spot at the feet of the tyrant after confessing her faith and the judge handed St. Bibiana and was given to the guardianship of a pagan woman named Rufina who tried to force her into prostitution. This woman tried to tempt Bibiana to be unfaithful to Christ, she in vain endeavored to defile her virginity. St. Bibiana refused and resolutely maintained her faith in Christ. She used blows as well as persuasion, but all her efforts were in vain, the Christian virgin remained faithful. For this she was beaten, tied to a pillar, and cruelly scourged to death with whips that were loaded with lead. St. Bibiana endured her torments with joy, and eventually died under the blows inflicted by the hands of the executioner. Her body was discarded and left out in the open to be eaten by wild dogs. The animals, however, would not touch her. After two days a priest named John discovered her body, took the body at night and buried it with a chapel built over the tomb for her veneration. St. Bibiana is one of the three virgin martyrs particularly venerated in Rome, the other two being St. Cecilia and St. Agnes. She’s the Patron Saint of the Diocese of Los Angeles, California; epilepsy; epileptics; hangovers; headaches; insanity; mental illness; mentally ill people; single laywomen; torture victims. St. Bibiana’s feast day is December 2nd.

PRAYER: Lord God, You showered heavenly gifts on St. Bibiana. Help us to imitate her virtues during our earthly life and enjoy eternal happiness with her in heaven. Amen 🙏
 

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Monday of the First Week of Advent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 8:5-11

“Many will come from the east and the west into the Kingdom of heaven”

“When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven.”

In today’s Gospel reading, there is an interaction between Jesus and a Centurion, a soldier, an officer in the Roman army who had charge of one hundred men. The words spoken by the Centurion have made their way into our Mass in a slightly altered version, ‘Sir I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just say the word and my servant will be healed’. In the Gospel reading, the Centurion, an officer, was very aware of the power of his own word when addressed to his soldiers. ‘I say to one, “Go”, and he goes; and to another, “Come here”, and he comes’. The Centurion concluded that if his word is powerful, the word of Jesus must be much more powerful, powerful enough to heal his servant at a distance, so that Jesus, a Jew, would not have to enter the home of a pagan centurion. The centurion displayed a deep faith in the healing power of Jesus’ word. According to the Gospel reading, Jesus was ‘amazed’ at this pagan’s faith, saying, ‘In no one in Israel have I found such faith’. Not only was Jesus amazed at this man’s faith, but the church was amazed at it too, that is why a version of his words has made its way into the text of the Mass. His words become our words as we prepare to receive the Lord in Holy Communion. The deepest faith can be found in the most unexpected of people, including among those who are outsiders to the community of faith, as the Centurion was in Jesus’ time and place. As Jesus says in John’s gospel, ‘the Spirit/wind blows where it chooses’. The Gospel reading invites us to be amazed, as Jesus was, at the unexpected ways that the Spirit moves in the lives of others.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of people journeying from east and west to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of heaven. In Advent, we all hear the call to go on a journey towards the Lord, not a geographical journey, but a spiritual journey. During Advent, we strive to become more present to the Lord, to grow in our relationship with Him, as we prepare to celebrate the great feast of the Lord’s presence to us, the feast of Emmanuel, God-with-us. The Roman Centurion in the Gospel reading went on his own journey towards Jesus, on behalf of his paralyzed servant. In response to the Centurion’s journey, Jesus expresses a willingness to go on a journey to the house of the Centurion. However, in deference to Jesus, the Centurion would not allow him to make such a journey in person, and, so, Jesus made that journey by means of His word. The word Jesus spoke healed the Centurion’s servant. In Advent, as we journey towards the Lord, we discover that the Lord journeys towards us through His word. Advent is a season when we try to listen more carefully to the Lord’s word and allow it to touch us and shape us.

In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, we heard of the words of assurances of the Lord to His people in the kingdom of Judah, the southern half of the once glorious and mighty kingdom of God’s people during the days of King David and King Solomon. At that time, as I have also mentioned in the First Sunday of Advent homily yesterday, the people of God had fallen into a dire strait, falling deeper and deeper into their sinful ways, and falling into temptations one after another, siding with the false gods and pagan idols instead of obeying and following the Law and commandments of the Lord, their God and Master. They have been harassed and under threat by their many neighbours and enemies, just as their northern brethren had been conquered and exiled decades prior by the Assyrians. That was why the Lord gave His assurance and promises to them through His servant, the prophet Isaiah, to encourage and to strengthen them in faith, to remind them that despite everything which they had done, in disobeying the Law and the commandments, and in refusing to love Him as they should have done, the Lord has always been patient and kind to His people, and He would forgive them their sins and embrace them with His generous love and compassion once again if only they would turn away from their sinful and wicked ways, and listening once again to the words that the Lord their God had spoken to them, all the love which He has poured out on them, calling on all of them to return to Him. The reading speaks about Hope, listening to the words of the Lord telling the people about how He would restore the glory of Zion, of Jerusalem and His people, restoring the grace and blessings to them all, after they had been bought down low. He would gather all of His beloved ones to Himself, and at the same time, purify them and all Jerusalem from all the taints and corruptions of sin and evil. And that is what we are all also called to do during this time and period of Advent, to cast away all the corruptions and wickedness from our hearts and minds. We are all called to come back to our Lord and Father, our Creator and Master with contrite and sorrowful hearts, regretting our sins and corruptions, our faults and mistakes.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded of the need for each and every one of us as Christians, as God’s holy and beloved people to continue to keep up our faith in Him, to trust Him in all things and to overcome our doubts and fears, putting our Hope ever on Him, Our Lord and Saviour, as we enter and continue to progress through this blessed time and season of Advent, the time of preparation for the joyful celebration of Christmas. And that is why we should use this time and opportunity given to us to reflect and to grow ever stronger in our faith and hope in God, so that amidst our darkened world by sin and evil, the light and truth of God may pierce through this veil of darkness and bring hope back into our hearts. The words that the army Centurion had spoken are the same as what we ourselves mention at every moment shortly before we are to receive the Lord Himself in the Holy Eucharist. As the celebrant presents to us the Lord Himself truly present in His Most Precious Body and Blood with the words, ‘This is the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb., and we respond with, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.’ This is a reminder for us of the great faith of the army Centurion, and our own strong profession of faith in the Lord, that although we may not see Him directly in the form that the army Centurion and the disciples had seen, but we truly believe in Him, and uphold the faith we have in His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. That is why, today we are all reminded that we must continue to have faith and hope in the Lord, entrusting ourselves to His Providence, love and care at all times. We are reminded that we must not easily give up our faith in Him even if we encounter challenges, trials, hardships and difficulties in our journey, path and life. All of us must always hold this strong and enduring faith in the Lord, just as the Lord Himself has always been patient in loving and caring for us, in wanting us all to come back to Him with repentance and sorrow for our many sins and faults. May the Lord our most loving and compassionate God continue to help and guide us through this blessed season of Advent so that we may make good use of this time and season of Advent to prepare ourselves to be ever more worthy to celebrate the true joy of Christmas, and be inspirations, role models and examples in how we live out our faith, glorifying God by our lives and showing others what it truly means to be Christians, as our Lord’s followers and disciples. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and bless us all at all times and may the Lord continue to guide us in our journey of faith and life. May He empower each one of us to live ever more faithfully in our every efforts and deeds, and endeavours, now and always. Amen 🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:*

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints during this special season of Advent, we humbly pray for God’s grace and mercy as we prepare for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Praying for hope, faith, love, joy and peace in our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

All-powerful Father, I entrust to You my life and every situation in my life that needs Your power and control. Please bring order and harmony to my life and to the lives of those around me. May all Your children learn to more fully entrust themselves to You as their loving God. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary; Saint Silverius, Pope and Martyr and Saint Bibiana, Virgin and Martyr ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled and fruitful 1st Week of Advent 🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (YEAR C)

SAINTS OF THE DAY – FEAST DAY ~ DECEMBER 1, 2024

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena Starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th [Novena link below]

SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA
[The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve.]

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? [Please see link to the article below]

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? [Please see link to this article below]

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? [Please see link to this article below]

Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy First Sunday of Advent!

We thank God for the gift of life and for giving us the grace and opportunity to usher in December, the last month of the year. May His name be praised forever and ever… Amen. May God be with us all.🙏

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, we pray for God’s grace and mercy and for the safety and well-being of our children and for peace in our family and the whole world and we continue to remember the souls of the faithful departed and the souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube” | December 1, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | December 1, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | December 1, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| December 1, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

Today’s Bible Readings: First Sunday of Advent (Year C), December 1, 2024
Reading 1, Jeremiah 33:14-16
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14
Reading 2, First Thessalonians 3:12-4:2
Gospel, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

ADVENT PRAYER – FIRST WEEK: The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first week. After the prayer, the family’s youngest child lights the first purple candle. (Family members can also take turns lighting and blowing out the candles on each night.)

LEADER: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen🙏

(The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first week.)

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/01/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/

PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION Novena starts November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/novena-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary-the-immaculate-conception/

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: INTRODUCTORY PRAYER: O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen 🙏

INTERCESSORY PRAYER ~ DAY THREE: O Blessed Virgin Mary, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal Church and Mother of our Lord, speak for us to the Heart of Jesus, who is your Son and our Brother. O Mary, who by your holy Immaculate Conception did enter the world free from stain, in your mercy obtain for us from Jesus the special favor which we now so earnestly seek.

(State your personal intention here.)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from Him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen 🙏

SAINT ANDREW PRAYER: Beginning today, on this Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th), the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.”🙏

Today is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year for the Church. Advent is the time of year we celebrate the arrival of Christ on earth and His salvation for mankind.

ADVENT SEASON AND IT’S SIGNIFICANCE IN THE LITURGICAL YEAR: Happy New Year! Today, December 1, 2024 is the First Sunday of Advent. While a month yet remains in the civil year, the Church is celebrating the beginning of a new Liturgical year. Advent is the time of year we prepare and celebrate the arrival of Christ on earth and His salvation for mankind. There are two main focus of the season. The first is the preparation to celebrate the first coming of Christ in history. That first coming of Christ was His birth. We prepare with joy to celebrate the birthday of our Savior on December 25th. The second focus of the season is the Second coming of Jesus at the end of the time. Jesus promised to come back. Advent is a kind of wake-up call to us for the second coming of Christ. Advent from the Latin word ad venio, means “to come”. It is the liturgical season anticipating the Adventus Domini, that is the “coming of the Lord.” While the days grow shorter and colder, we prepare for the “Sun of Justice” who comes to kindle our hearts with His light and his love.

There are always four Sundays in Advent, though not necessarily four full weeks. The liturgical color of the season is violet or purple, except on the Third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday, when optional rose vestments may be worn. The Gloria is not recited during Advent liturgies, but the Alleluia is retained. The prophecies of Isaiah are read often during the Advent season, but all of the readings of Advent focus on the key figures of the Old and New Testaments who were prepared and chosen by God to make the Incarnation possible: the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, Sts. Elizabeth and Zechariah. The expectancy heightens from December 17 to December 24 when the Liturgy resounds with the seven magnificent Messianic titles of the O Antiphons. The Advent season also has a Marian and pro-life focus. We meditate on this wonderful mystery of the Word Made Flesh with as much eagerness as his Mother, Mary prepared and awaited the birth of her son. In the USA and many countries around the world, we celebrate the special feasts of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the United States of America, on December 8, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, on December 12. Other saints’ days traditionally associated in with our preparation for Christmas include St. Nicholas, patron saint of children whose feast falls on December 6, and the saint of light, St. Lucy on December 13. Advent season is an invitation to set your mind off of the stresses of the year. We can take our focus off of the crazy hustle that can be associated with the Christmas season that often threatens to produce more hassle than delight. Advent is a chance to focus our thoughts on the gift God has given us in His son Jesus who stepped down from Heaven and took the form of a man so that we might believe.

First Sunday of Advent Symbolism and Wreath Candle: The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming.” Advent in the 4th and 5th centuries was a time of preparation for the baptism of new Christians. Christians would spend 40 days in prayer and fasting to prepare for the celebration that accompanied the baptism of new believers. Over time, advent was connected to the coming of Christ. Originally Christians used this term to reference Christ’s second coming, but by the Middle Ages, Advent was connected to Christ’s first coming that we celebrate at Christmas. Today, we celebrate Advent over the four weeks leading up to Christmas each year. This year we begin advent today, November 27th and end this season of prayerful anticipation on December 24th.

The tradition for the first Sunday of Advent includes lighting the candle of hope: “The Light of Hope” (Hope Promised – 1 Corinthians 13:13; Hope Lost – Luke 24; Hope Restored – Hebrews 6:19). The first candle is called the “Candle of Hope. It symbolizes our faith in God keeping His promises to humanity through the long awaited hope of The Messiah and Our Lord – Jesus Christ. We light this candle of hope, and dare to express our longing for His continued anointing, for love, for healing upon all mankind. The lighting of the first of our Advent candles in this dark time of the year reminds us of that hope-filled truth. This first Sunday of Advent we read, pray, and reflect on the hope God’s plan gives us (foretold by the prophets and fulfilled by the life and death of Christ), and we meditate on the promise of Christ’s coming glory-filled return. On this first Sunday of Advent, as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Jesus’ arrival as a gift to all humanity; let’s stir up in our hearts and homes a sense of anticipation. Over this Advent, we pray that hope would rise up in our spirits in a tangible and life-giving way.

A PRAYER FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Father, let your hope arise in our hearts! Lift our eyes up to see that you alone are where our hope comes from. Help us to shake off the anxiety, discouragements, and distractions that have filled this year. May we pause to remember that we have hope in you. You know the end of our stories, and we give thanks because you have promised that it will be a victorious ending. Give us the grace we need to wrap up this year joyfully. We invite your Spirit into this beautiful Advent season. Renew our sense of holy anticipation! Let us be those who are waiting eagerly for Jesus to come again. More than anything, we ask that you be glorified in this season of expectation… Amen.🙏

BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH: It starts at the evening meal on the Saturday before the first Sunday in Advent with the blessing of the wreath. (The head of the household is the one designated to say the prayers, following which various members of his family light the candles. If the group is not a family, then a leader may be selected to say the prayers and others appointed to light the candles.) The following prayer can be used.

LEADER: Our help is in the name of the Lord. ALL: Who made heaven and earth.

LEADER: O God, by whose Word all things are sanctified, pour forth Your blessing upon this wreath and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from You abundant graces. We ask this through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen.🙏

The wreath would then be sprinkled with Holy water. Then follows the prayer which is said before the evening meal each night of the first week in Advent.

FIRST WEEK: The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first week. After the prayer, the family’s youngest child lights the first purple candle. (Family members can also take turns lighting and blowing out the candles on each night.)
LEADER: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen.🙏 (The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first week.)

SECOND WEEK: The prayer that follows is to be repeated each day of the second week. After the prayer, the oldest child lights the first and second purple candles.
LEADER: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen.🙏 (The two candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of the second week.)

THIRD WEEK: The joyful Sunday in Advent (known as “Gaudete”) is represented by rose (or pink) instead of the penitential purple color. Each night during the third week the mother of the family lights the pink, as well as the two previously burned purple candles, after the following prayer has been said.
LEADER: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen.🙏 (The three candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of the third week.)

FOURTH WEEK: The prayer that follows is to be repeated each day of the fourth week. After the prayer, the father lights all four candles.
LEADER: O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and with great might help us, that with the help of Thy Grace, Thy merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Through Christ our Lord. ALL: Amen.🙏 (The four candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of the fourth week.)

After the fourth week, the penitential season of Advent is over and the time to rejoice is at hand. The Advent wreath is transformed into a Christmas wreath. Ribbon and candles are replaced with red ribbon and long red or white tapers (to be lighted at breakfast on Christmas morning) and, if desired, other festive decorations can be added.
Our relationship with the Lord is not a relationship of equals. He alone is Lord. His will takes priority over our will. We grow in our relationship with the Lord, when we grow in our freedom to do what he wants, to live as he desires us to live. St. Paul in the second reading today calls on us, ‘to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live, the life that God wants’. Advent is a season that calls on us to let God be God in our lives, so that what God wants shapes what we do and say. Mary, the great Advent saint, shows us the way. She was truly watchful; she was awake to what was most important, to what God wanted. Her prayer, ‘Let it be to me according to your word’, captures that spirit of attentiveness to what God wants which the season of Advent puts before us.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Thursday of the First Week of Advent | USCCB
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120122.cfm

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 21:25–28, 34–36

“Your redemption is at hand”

“Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the Advent call to ‘Watch’, to ‘Stay awake’. The call to watch can be understood as a call to pay attention to what is really important. For us as Christians, what is ultimately important is our relationship with the Lord. That relationship is the foundation of all our other relationships; it shapes how we live our lives. Advent invites us to pay attention to that most important of relationships. The great prayer of Advent is, ‘Come, Lord, Jesus’. In Advent, we invite the Lord to come into our lives more fully. We express our longing to grow in our relationship with Him. Our relationship with the Lord is not a relationship of equals. He alone is Lord. His will takes priority over our will. We grow in our relationship with the Lord, when we grow in our freedom to do what he wants, to live as he desires us to live. St. Paul in the second reading today calls on us, ‘to make more and more progress in the kind of life that you are meant to live, the life that God wants’. Advent is a season that calls on us to let God be God in our lives, so that what God wants shapes what we do and say. Mary, the great Advent Saint, shows us the way. She was truly watchful; she was awake to what was most important, to what God wanted. Her prayer, ‘Let it be to me according to your word’, captures that spirit of attentiveness to what God wants which the season of Advent puts before us.

Today’s Gospel reading speaks of the final coming of the Son of Man.The Lord Jesus Himself tells His disciples about the signs of the time and events to come, that is especially about the return of the Son of God and Son of Man into this world. This is a promise which Our Lord Himself had made, showing that just as He has predicted His own suffering, persecution and death, and then glorious Resurrection from the dead, hence, He will one day return in glory to complete all that the Lord our God had planned for us and for our eternal salvation and life with Him. He reassured us all that He will return in triumph and we will all share in His glory and joy if we remain firm in our faith and trust in Him. Whether we understand that coming of the son of man as happening at the end of time or at the end of our own personal time, the end of our lives, we believe that there will be a final coming of the Lord for each of us. It is in the knowledge of that final coming that we pray, ‘Come, Lord Jesus’. We pay attention to the Lord now and to what he wants, so that when he comes at the end he will not be a stranger to us. The Gospel reading calls on us to ‘stay awake, praying at all times for the strength… to stand with confidence before the Son of Man’. Prayer is one important way we pay attention and remain awake to the Lord now, so that we stand with confidence at his final coming. Advent is a season which highlights the importance of prayer in our lives. When we pray, we attend to what is ultimately important, we attend to the Lord, and we leave ourselves open to His will for our lives. Today’s responsorial psalm is a true Advent prayer, ‘Lord, make me know your ways. Lord, teach me your paths. Make me walk in your truth’. Advent is a time when we express our longing to walk in the Lord’s ways, the Lord’s paths, the Lord’s truth.

Advent is a short season. It can easily pass us by. The early arrival of Christmas in our shops and in the media makes it more difficulty for Advent to establish itself. Yet, it is worth seizing the opportunity that the season of Advent gives us to take stock of our priorities and to pay attention to what is important – the Lord who is always coming into our lives. In living Advent in this way, we prepare ourselves to celebrate Christmas well. Advent is a season when we try to enter into that attitude of Mary before God, ‘Let it be with me according to your word’. It is an attitude that is cultivated above all in prayer, especially in what we might call the prayer of surrender. This was the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, when he said to God in prayer, ‘Not my will, but yours be done’. It is the prayer of giving ourselves over to what God wants, to God’s way, God’s timing, even though we may not fully understand it. It is the prayer of waiting on God. Advent is a season of prayer, especially that prayer of letting go to God, waiting on God, allowing God to be God of our lives. In the Gospel reading, Jesus calls on us to ‘Stay awake, praying at all times’. The call to pray at all times is not a call to be on our knees or in church at all times, but a call to be prayerfully attentive to God and to what God wants at all times, as we go about our daily life. God is always attentive to us and the call of Advent is to be prayerfully attentive to God, whatever we happen to be doing, wherever we are. This is the spirit of waiting on God that Advent invites us to enter into. We tend to be very attentive to those we are waiting for. Jesus goes on to assure us in the Gospel reading that if we pray at all times, we will be given the strength to survive all that is going to happen. We can never be sure of what is going to happen. Jesus’ reference to people ‘dying of fear as they await what menaces the world’ has a contemporary sound to it. Yet, Jesus assures us that our prayerful attentiveness to God and to Himself will enable us to stand with confidence when the world seems in turmoil, and, from that stance, to become a source of strength and hope to others.

In our first reading this Sunday from the Book of the prophet Jeremiah, the prophet spoke of the Lord’s words to the people of God living in the kingdom of Judah, the southern half of the divided old Kingdom of Israel, which at that time was merely a shadow of the once glorious and mighty kingdom during the heyday of King David and King Solomon centuries earlier. At that time, the people of God in Judah had been facing a lot of hardships and misfortune, being surrounded by powerful enemies and humbled by them, and at the same time, their northern neighbours, the people of the kingdom of Israel, had been conquered and scattered into exile by the mighty Assyrians. The same fate would eventually befall the people of Judah as well. And all those things happened because of the lack of faith that the people of God had shown, their disobedience and frequent refusals to follow the path which they had been taught and shown through their ancestors, and the Law and commandments which God has presented to them. All of these happened even after the Lord had sent them His messengers, prophets and servants to help and remind them of their true path and dedication to God. Instead, they had chosen to follow the path of sin and wickedness, leaving behind the truth of God and His love for the comforts and pleasures of the world, and the false paths shown by the false gods and idols of their neighbours, the Canaanites. But God still loved all of His people even if they had been rebellious and unfaithful. That was why He gave them His message of reassurance through His prophets, so that they would remember His love, His most patient kindness and desire to welcome them all back to His embrace. Despite all that the people had done, God was still willing to forgive them all, and this is what we are reminded of today, that is the Hope which God has given us all through His Son, and how by this Hope we can gain sure entry into the kingdom of God, into the eternal life and true joy which the Lord has promised us and reassured everyone. We must not give up on this hope, and in fact, we should devote ourselves ever more strongly to the Lord by this renewal and reminder of God’s promise and reassurance as we celebrate annually this time of Advent to prepare for the joy of Christmas.

Our second reading today from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church and the faithful in the city and region of Thessalonica in Greece, we are reminded that the Lord’s salvation has been given to us through His Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and as He has generously given us all this perfect and most tangible manifestation of His love and compassion, His mercy and kindness through His Son. As such, all of us who believe in Him, in the salvation offered by the Son of God for us, we must truly follow Him in all of our ways, and truly believe in Him wholeheartedly, embracing His teachings and truth with all of our hearts and minds, with all of our strength and might. And this is our calling and mission as Christians, as God’s holy and beloved people.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, this Sunday we mark the occasion of the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the Season of Advent, which is the time of preparation for the coming joyful and glorious Christmas Season. This day also marks the very first day in the new liturgical year in our liturgical calendar, in which the First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the new liturgical year. And hence we ought to commit ourselves anew to the Lord as we enter into this time of spiritual preparation and renewal, so that we may truly be ready to celebrate the upcoming Christmas in a few weeks’ time. And this Sunday, we focus on the first aspect of Advent that we commemorate, which is Hope. This is why as we enter into this Advent season, this time of reflection and renewal of our faith and life, we are all called to refocus our attention and efforts to the Lord, turning away from all the hustle and bustle of the world, and we are all reminded to prepare ourselves well and properly so that we may truly be able to celebrate Christmas with true understanding, appreciation and knowledge of what it is that we truly celebrate and are rejoicing about. We are reminded that this season is a time to look upon the Lord with renewed Hope in Him, Hope that only God Himself can provide us, not the false hope and promises of the world, or all the other distractions and temptations present all around us. Therefore, as we enter into this blessed Advent season and continue to prepare ourselves well to welcome the Lord into our midst this Christmas, let us all centre all of our preparation, especially in our spiritual preparation that we are all celebrating the Hope that we can find in God alone, and the Hope in the eternal life, the salvation from sin, evil and darkness which we all have been suffering from. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace, and may the Lord, our most loving, compassionate and patient God and Father continue to love us all most generously and grant us all His strength and wisdom so that we may make very good use of this time of Advent that we have received, to prepare ourselves and to make ourselves ever more worthy of Him, now and always. May all of us have a truly blessed and fruitful Advent. Amen.🙏

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT ELIGIUS, BISHOP; SAINT FLORENCE OF POITIERS, LAYWOMAN; SAINT EDMUND CAMPION, PRIEST AND BLESSED CHARLES EUGENE DE FOUCAULD, PRIEST AND MARTYR ~ FEAST DAY – DECEMBER 1ST: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Eligius, Bishop; Saint Florence of Poitiers, Laywoman; Saint Edmund Campion, Priest and Blessed Charles Eugène de Foucauld, Priest and Martyr.

SAINT ELIGIUS, BISHOP: St. Eligius (588-660), a French priest and bishop of Noyon and Tournai. He was born on June 11, 588 AD, Chaptelat, France and died on December 1, 660 AD, Noyon, France. A goldsmith at Paris, was commissioned by King Clotaire to make a throne. With the gold and precious stones given him he made two. Struck by his rare honesty, the king gave him an appointment at court, and demanded an oath of fidelity sworn upon holy relics; but Eligius prayed with tears to be excused, for fear of failing in reverence to the relics of the Saints.

On entering the court he fortified himself against its seductions by many austerities and continual ejaculatory prayers. He had a marvellous zeal for the redemption of captives, and for their deliverance would sell his jewels, his food, his clothes, and his very shoes, once by his prayers breaking their chains and opening their prisons. His great delight was in making rich shrines for relics. His striking virtue caused him, a layman and a goldsmith, to be made Bishop of Noyon, and his sanctity in this holy office was remarkable. He possessed the gifts of miracles and prophecy, and died in 660. He’s Patron Saint of veterinarians, craftspeople (of all trades), electricians, computer scientists, mechanics, miners, security guards, gas station workers, taxi cab drivers, farmers, servants, coin collectors, Horses, jockeys.

SAINT FLORENCE OF POITIERS, LAYWOMAN: St. Florence (died 366) was the daughter of a Roman colonist who was residing in Asia Minor on the road that led from Frigia to Seleucia. Convert, brought to the faith by Saint Hilary of Poitiers while he was in exile. St. Hilary of Poitiers met her during a stop on his journey toward Seleucia where the Synod of 359 was to be held. Florence requested Baptism from the holy Bishop and followed him on his return to Pointiers the next year. The Saint then retired to Comblé, Vienne, France, where she led the life of a hermit. She communed with God day and night, practicing much penance and combating the assaults of the devil. Finally worn out by her labors, she died in 366 at twenty-nine years of age in Poitiers France from natural causes. Her relics were transferred to the Cathedral of Pointiers in the 11th century.

PRAYER: God, You inspired St. Florence to strive for perfect charity and so attain Your Kingdom at the end of her pilgrimage on earth. Strengthen us through her intercession that we may advance rejoicing in the way of love. Amen 🙏

SAINT EDMUND CAMPION, PRIEST: St. Edmund Campion (1540–1581) was born in London, England, the son of a bookseller. He was a promising student and went on to become an esteemed and celebrated Oxford scholar, winning the high regard of Queen Elizabeth who admired his wit and pleasant disposition. Although raised Catholic, he was ordained an Anglican deacon. Unsettled by his move away from the Church, he repented and returned to the Catholic faith. While in disguise to protect his safety following his reversion, he witnessed the martyrdom of a fellow scholar and recognized his vocation. He went to Rome and became a Jesuit priest, and while assigned to minister in Moravia he received a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary who foretold his martyrdom. He later returned to England as an undercover priest during the severe persecution of Catholics upon the Pope’s excommunication of Queen Elizabeth.

St. Edmund’s mission was to strengthen Catholics wavering under government pressure and win converts among the Protestants. St. Edmund was eventually hunted down, imprisoned in the Tower of London, and tortured. After being found guilty of treason, he said, “In condemning us, you condemn all your own ancestors, all our ancient bishops and kings, all that was once the glory of England — the island of saints, and the most devoted child of the See of Peter.” After spending his last days in prayer, he was dragged with two fellow priests to be hanged, drawn, and quartered on December 1st, 1581 at 41 years of age. His feast day is December 1st.

Saint Edmund Campion, Priest ~ Pray for us 🙏

BLESSED CHARLES EUGÈNE DE FOUCAULD, PRIEST AND MARTYR: Blessed Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916) known as Brother Charles of Jesus was a French Catholic religious and priest, who lived among the Tuareg in the Sahara in Algeria. He was born in Strasbourg, France on September 15th, 1858 into an aristocratic French Catholic family but rejected the faith as a teenager and led a desolate life in the army. Bl. Charles was orphaned at the age of six, he and his sister Marie were raised by their grandfather in whose footsteps he followed by taking up a military career. He lost his faith as an adolescent. His taste for easy living was well known to all and yet he showed that he could be strong willed and constant in difficult situations. He undertook a risky exploration of Morocco (1883-1884). He was inspired to resume his faith while in Algeria, by witnessing the devotion of Jews and Muslims. Seeing the way Muslims expressed their faith questioned him and he began repeating, “My God, if you exist, let me come to know you.” On his return to France, the warm, respectful welcome he received from his deeply Christian family made him continue his search. Under the guidance of Fr. Huvelin he rediscovered God in October 1886. He was then 28 years old. “As soon as I believed in God, I understood that I could not do otherwise than to live for him alone.”

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land revealed his vocation to him: to follow Jesus in his life at Nazareth. Bl. Charles joined the Trappists, and spent 7 years as a Trappist, first in France and then at Akbès in Syria. Later he began to lead a life of prayer and adoration, alone, near a convent of Poor Clares in Nazareth. Then he was a sacristan for the Poor Clares, and was ordained a priest at 43 (1901) he left for the Sahara, living at first in Beni Abbès and later at Tamanrasset among the Tuaregs of the Hoggar. He wanted to be among those who were, “the furthest removed, the most abandoned.” He wanted all who drew close to him to find in him a brother, “a universal brother.” In a great respect for the culture and faith of those among whom he lived, his desire was to “shout the Gospel with his life”. “I would like to be sufficiently good that people would say, “If such is the servant, what must the Master be like?” Bl. Charles’ intention returning to Algeria to lived among the Tuareg people was to start a religious order that offered hospitality to all people regardless of their faith. On the evening of December 1st 1916, Blessed Charles was shot to death at the beginning of World War I. He was assassinated outside the door of the fort he built for the protection of the Tuareg by a band of marauders. He had always dreamed of sharing his vocation with others: after having written several rules for religious life, he came to the conclusion that this “life of Nazareth” could be led by all. His inspiration and writings led to the founding of the Little Brothers of Jesus among other religious congregations. Today the “spiritual family of Charles de Foucauld” encompasses several associations of the faithful, religious communities and secular institutes for both lay people and priests. Blessed Charles de Foucauld was Beatified in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI.

Blessed Charles Eugène de Foucauld, Priest and Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:*

MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The month of December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Chosen before time to be the Mother of God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, God created Mary perfect and full of grace, preserving her from the stain of Original Sin. Mary Immaculate is the most beautiful fruit of the work of redemption accomplished by her Son, thereby making her the perfect model of holiness for all Christians.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER – FOR PILGRIMS OF HOPE: We pray that this Jubilee Year strengthen our faith, helping us to recognize the Risen Christ in our daily lives, and that it may transform us into pilgrims of Christian hope.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of Advent, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. We pray for all parents, all mothers, wives, those going through challenges in their marriages, Victims of verbal and spousal abuse, and we pray for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen 🙏

Let us pray:

My revealing Lord, I pray that I will always know Your will and be led only by Your gentle but unmistakable promptings of grace. Please lead me, dear Lord, so that I will be perpetually prepared for Your glorious and final coming the moment it arrives.  Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe….have mercy on us. Our Blessed Mother Mary; Saint Eligius; Saint Florence of Poitiers; Saint Edmund Campion, Priest and Blessed Charles Eugène de Foucauld ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, fruitful and grace-filled 1st Sunday of Advent 🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Daily Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation |