Year: 2024

THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 5, 2024

[Please note: Saint Elizabeth of Portugal—Optional Memorial (Celebrated on July 4th outside the USA, but celebrated in the USA on July 5th.)]

Greetings beloved family and Happy Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

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

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

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 5, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 5, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 5, 2024 |

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

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

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Friday, July 5, 2024
Reading 1, Amos 8:4-6, 9-12
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131
Gospel, Matthew 9:9-13

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT ANTHONY MARY ZACCARIA, PRIEST; SAINT ATHANASIUS THE ATHONITE, ABBOT AND SAINT ZOE OF ROME, MARTYR ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 5TH Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Priest; Saint Athanasius the Athonite, Abbot and
Saint Zoe of Rome, Martyr. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancer and other terminal diseases. We pray for the poor, the needy and most marginalized, for justice, peace and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏

SAINT ANTHONY MARY ZACCARIA, PRIEST: St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 – 1539) is a renowned Priest, preacher and promoter of Eucharistic adoration, he founded the order of priests now known as the Barnabites. St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria was born into an Italian family of nobility in Cremona during 1502. His father Lazzaro died shortly after Anthony’s birth, and his mother Antonietta – though only 18 years old – chose not to marry again, preferring to devote herself to charitable works and her son’s education. Antonietta succeeded in compensating for her son’s loss, and saw to it that he received a solid training, inculcating, in him compassion for the poor and afflicted. St. Anthony took after her in devotion to God and generosity toward the poor. He studied Latin and Greek with tutors in his youth, and was afterward sent to Pavia to study philosophy. He went on to study Medicine at University of Padua and returned home to Cremona at age of twenty-two as a full-fledged physician. Despite his noble background and secular profession, the young doctor had no intention of either marrying or accumulating wealth. But he quickly realized that his vocation consisted in healing souls as well as bodies. While caring for the physical conditions of his patients, he also encouraged them to find spiritual healing through repentance and the sacraments. At the same time, he assisted the dying spiritually, taught catechism to children, and went on to participate in the religious formation of young adults and placed himself completely at the service of everyone. Accordingly, the devoted young man studied Theology but continued to practice Medicine. He eventually decided to withdraw from the practice of medicine, and with the encouragement of his spiritual director he began to study for the priesthood and was ordained a priest at age 26 in 1528. St. Anthony is said to have experienced a miraculous occurrence during his first Mass, being surrounded by a supernatural light and a multitude of angels during the consecration of the Eucharist. Contemporary witnesses marveled at the event, and testified to it after his death.

Church life in Cremona had suffered decline in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The new priest encountered widespread ignorance and religious indifference among laypersons, while many of the clergy were either weak or corrupt. In these dire circumstances, St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria devoted his life to proclaiming the truths of the Gospel both clearly and charitably. Within two years, his eloquent preaching and tireless pastoral care is said to have changed the moral character of the city dramatically. St. Anthony was encouraged to go to Milan where there were greater opportunities for serving his fellowman. In 1530, St. Anthony moved to Milan, where a similar spirit of corruption and religious neglect prevailed. There, he joined the Confraternity of Eternal Wisdom whose purpose was to carry out various works of mercy, St. Anthony and two other zealous priests decided to form a priestly society, the Clerics Regular of St. Paul, a congregation of priests to help regenerate and revive the love of Divine worship and a proper Christian way of life by frequent preaching and faithful administration of the Sacraments. The early members of the Order of Clerks Regular of St. Paul banded with St. Anthony to minister night and day to the people of Milan, who were stricken by wars, plague, and neglect of the clergy. Inspired by the apostle’s life and writings, the order was founded on a vision of humility, asceticism, poverty, and preaching. After the founder’s death, they were entrusted with a prominent church named for St. Barnabas, and became commonly known as the “Barnabites.” The priest with help of Luigia Torelli, Countess of Guastella, founded a community of women religious order called the Angelicals, the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul; with the aim of rescuing fallen women and girls and those in danger of falling into sin; and an organization, the Laity of St. Paul, geared toward the sanctification of those outside the priesthood and religious life. He pioneered the “40 Hours” devotion, involving continuous prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. St. Anthony was a zealous and untiring preacher and completely wore himself out at this work. In 1539, at length, after many labors, he fell grievously sick at Guastalla, and returned to his mother’s house in Cremona and died there amid the tears of his religious and in the embrace of his pious mother, whose approaching death he foretold. He died on July 5, 1539, during the liturgical octave of the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul at thirty-seven, worn out by his many labors. At the hour of his death he was consoled by a vision of the apostles, and prophesied the future growth of his Society. The people began immediately to show their devotion to this saint on account of his great holiness and of his numerous miracles. Nearly three decades after his death, St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria’s body was found to be incorrupt. He was Beatified by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1849, and his cult was approved by Leo XIII, who solemnly Canonized him on Ascension Day, 1897.

St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria Quote: “We manifest our love for God in our observance of His commandments and in our readiness to obey, even His smallest decree.” 

PRAYER: Lord, grant us, in the spirit of St. Paul the Apostle, to learn the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which surpasses all understanding. Taught by this knowledge, St. Anthony continually preached the word of salvation in Your Church. Amen 🙏

SAINT ATHANASIUS THE ATHONITE, ABBOT: St. Athanasius the Athonite (c. 920 – c. 1003), was a Byzantine monk who in 963 founded the monastic community on the peninsula Mount Athos, which has since evolved into the greatest centre of Eastern Orthodox monasticism – but only after he had overcome the opposition of the hermits who were there first. St. Athanasius, also called Athanasios of Trebizond, was born on c. 920; Trebizond, Byzantine Empire and his parents were from Antioch. He was patronized by Michael Maleinos, he studied at Constantinople and became famous there as Abraham, a fervent preacher who held great authority with Michael’s nephew, Nicephoros Phocas. By the time Phocas ascended the imperial throne, Abraham, ill at ease with the lax morals of the monks living in the capital, changed his name to Athanasios and joined the monks at Mount Kyminas in Bithynia. In 958, he relocated to Mount Athos. He helped defend the hermits, or sketes, there against the Saracens, and also started to incorporate the sketes already there into what would eventually become known as the Great Lavra, which Athanasios built with the financial assistance of Nicephoros. This monastery was dedicated in 963. It is still in use today, and is often referred to by people of the area simply as “Lavra”, or “The Monastery”. Three other foundations followed shortly thereafter, with all three of them remaining in place to the present. Athanasios met with considerable opposition from the hermits already at Mount Athos in the construction of his monasteries. They resented his intrusion and his attempts to bring order and discipline to their lives.

Upon Nicephoros’ death the enemies of Athanasios prevailed and he had to leave Athos for Cyprus, where he lived until the new emperor, John Tzimisces, resumed the patronage of the Great Lavra and bestowed upon the monastery its first charter in 971. Athanasios, spurred by a divine vision, returned at once to Athos as a hegumen (abbot) and introduced a typicon for cenobites, based on those compiled by Theodore Studites and Basil of Caesarea. In the words of Athanasius’s biographer, “Trebizonde witnessed his birth (about 920), Byzantium enabled him to grow spiritually, and Kyminas and Athos rendered him pleasing to God.” He died in c. 1003 at Mount Athos during an accident, killed by a falling masonry, when the cupola of his church collapsed. Upon his death, Athanasios was glorified as a saint. His feast day is July 5.

PRAYER: Lord, amid the things of this world, let us be wholeheartedly committed to heavenly things in imitation of the example of evangelical perfection You have given us in St. Athanasius. Amen🙏

SAINT ZOE OF ROME, MARTYR: St. Zoe of Rome (d. 286 A.D.) lived during the early stages of Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians, around the 280s AD. She was a noble woman in the imperial court of Rome, married to a high Roman court official named Nicostratus during the reign of the infamous Emperor Diocletian. But even that status didn’t save her from Diocletian’s wrath. Something miraculous happened to St. Zoe, for an unknown reason, Zoe couldn’t speak for six years, she suffered from a condition that left her unable to speak; when she met St. Sebastian she fell at his feet so that he would heal her. St. Sebastian made the Sign of the Cross over her, and from that moment her speech miraculously returned,  she began to speak and glorify God. As she was being healed she had a vision of an angel standing next to St. Sebastian holding a book in which was written everything that St. Sebastian preached. Her first words were ones of thanks and praise to God, and many witnesses of the miracle were brought to faith in Christ. St. Zoe and her husband then received baptism at the hands of St. Polycarp, along with many others who had come to believe in Christ through St. Sebastian’s miracles. Of this new group of Christians, St. Zoe was the first to be martyred for her faith.

She was also greatly devoted to St. Peter the Apostle. Diocletian’s henchmen found her praying at his tomb one day and arrested her. She was martyred by being hung from a tree branch by her hair, with a fire lit underneath her feet. St. Zoe died of asphyxiation (not by burning to death). After her death her body was thrown into the Tiber River. Apparently, the symbolism of the Tiber was lost on Diocletian and his henchmen as “swimming the Tiber” is an analogy for converting to Catholicism and being thrown in the Tiber is a symbol of baptism. St. Zoe then appeared in a vision to St. Sebastian, who was in prison awaiting his execution, to tell him of her martyrdom and subsequent glory. St. Zoe of Rome’s feast day is July 5th.

[Worthy of note: in Greek, zoë means life, as does bios. However! Bios refers to the biological life or physical and modal life. Zoë, on the other hand, refers to the spiritual life or a sense of transcendence. When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” the word for life used was zoë.]

Saint Zoe of Rome, Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 9:9-13

“Those who are well do not need a physician; I desire mercy, not sacrifice”

“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Today’s Gospel reading details the story of the calling of Levi, the tax collector by the Lord Jesus. Levi decided to follow the Lord, leaving behind his post at the tax collector’s office and committing himself to be a disciple of the Lord. He would henceforth be known as Matthew, and as with other people who changed their names in the other parts of the Scriptures, like Abraham, Jacob, Peter and Paul, this name change indicated the new life and path which Levi had committed himself to take, by which he embraced the Lord fully, and becoming Matthew, a committed disciple and servant of God, a member of the Twelve Apostles and later on as one of the Four Evangelists. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were quick to criticise the Lord when He went to have dinner with Levi and the other tax collectors, as at the time, the tax collectors were widely seen as traitors to the nation and the people of God for their role in collecting taxes on behalf of the rulers and the Romans. They were also seen as sinners and people who were unworthy of God’s grace and salvation, and as common at the time, no one especially the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law would associate themselves with those considered as sinners, like the tax collectors, the prostitutes and those afflicted with certain illnesses and diseases, because they could make them to be considered unclean as well.

The Pharisees ask a question about Jesus, ‘Why does Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ Why does Jesus share table, enter into communion, with people whom many religious people of the time would have shunned. The answer to that question is that Jesus’ primary mission was to reveal God’s mercy and forgiveness to those who had sinned in some way. The word of God in the prophet Hosea which Jesus quotes in today’s Gospel reading inspired Jesus and shaped His mission, ‘What I want is mercy, not sacrifice’. God is a merciful God who showers Him mercy upon all and who looks to those who have received God’s mercy to extend it to others. Jesus is comfortable in the company of those who were classified as ‘sinners’ at the time because they were seen to be breaking God’s Law. Jesus wanted them to know that God was more interested in their future than in their past. When Jesus saw Matthew, He saw Matthew’s future, not just his past. Matthew may have exploited his own people to enrich himself, as tax collectors often did at that time, but Jesus saw his potential to be a true disciple. Indeed, Matthew went on to become one of the twelve Jesus gathered about Himself, and would give His name to one of the four Gospels. Our failings do not drive Jesus away. On the contrary, they can bring Him closer to us, if we acknowledge them and open our hearts to the boundless mercy He offers us. The church is a community of forgiven sinners. All of us always stand in need of God’s forgiveness. Jesus shows us that God’s forgiveness is in plentiful supply, if we only acknowledge our need of it. The call of Matthew shows us that the Lord continues to call us into communion with Himself, regardless of how often we might have broken communion with Him in the past.

Our first reading today is the continuation of the reading from the Book of the prophet Amos which we have heard in the past one week or so, in which the prophet spoke of the Lord’s words to His people, the Israelites living in the northern kingdom, also known as Israel, who have disobeyed and disregarded His Law and commandments. The prophet Amos was sent to the people of Israel during the last years of the existence of the northern kingdom of Israel to bring about God’s warning and the revelation of the fate that would soon befall all those people who had hardened their hearts and acted wickedly for so many years in refusing to believe in God and persecuting the many prophets and messengers which God had sent them constantly to help and guide them in their path. God thus spoke through the prophet Amos, chastising those same people of their many sins and wickedness, according to our first reading today, stating how they had behaved inappropriately as God’s holy and beloved people by manipulating and exploiting the weak and the less privileged for their own personal benefits and ambitions, through their self-serving attitudes and actions, all of which had brought about a lot of misery and hardships for others, leading to more and more wicked actions and things that were truly unbecoming of a people whom God had called and chosen to be His own people. And the Lord also told His people that they were to be chastised and punished so that they might see the errors of their ways, and thus, hopefully that they could then turn away from those sins and wickedness before it was too late for them.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all called to abandon our past sinful way of life and embrace from now on, God’s righteousness and virtues in our lives, in each and every one of our actions, words and deeds. We are all reminded that if we continue to walk in the path of sin and disobedience against God, and if we continue to allow the darkness of this world to mislead and bring us down the path to ruin, then in the end, we will regret our choice and path. The Lord reminded us all that we have been called by Him and given the opportunity to embrace His love and generous mercy, but we must also be willing to make the commitment and to embrace wholeheartedly this love and mercy, or else, we will continue to be separated from Him. Let us all therefore continue to do our part in following the Lord ever more faithfully, in doing His will and obeying His Law and commandments at all times. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the Lord continue to help and guide us in our journey throughout life, to do what He has entrusted to us to do. May He continue to bless us all in our every good efforts, works and endeavours, and help us to be His faithful and committed disciples in all things and may we do our very best to be inspiration and role models to one another, so that we may help to bring God’s truth, love and salvation to more and more people out there, as genuine Christians, now and always. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

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

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, 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. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. 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, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. 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 forgiving Lord, You are the Divine Physician Who has come to forgive and heal all of our ills. Remove my pride and self-righteousness so that I can be filled with humility and see clearly the sin in my life. As I see my sin, help me to turn to You and to trust in Your abundant mercy. You came for sinners, dear Lord, and I am one of those sinners in need. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria; Saint Athanasius the Athonite and Saint Zoe of Rome, Martyr ~ Pray for us🙏

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen🙏

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 relaxing weekend 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖

THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 4, 2024

Greetings beloved family and Happy Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

Happy 4th of July, USA Independence Day!🙏🇺🇸 May God continue to bless the United States of America and bless the whole world and may He keep us all united in peace, love and faith… Amen🙏

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

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

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

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 4, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 4, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 4, 2024 |

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

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

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Thursday, July 4, 2024
Reading 1, Amos 7:10-17
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Gospel, Matthew 9:1-8

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL, RELIGIOUS; SAINT BERTHA OF ARTOIS, WIDOW, ABBESS; SAINT ULRIC OF AUGSBURG, BISHOP AND BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 4TH Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, Religious; Saint Bertha of Artois, Widow, Abbess; Saint Ulric of Augsburg, Bishop and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for all expectant mothers, for difficult marriages, for the poor, the needy and most marginalized, for justice, peace and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏

SAINT ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL, RELIGIOUS: St. Elizabeth of Portugal was a Spanish princess, whose parents were Peter III, King of Aragon and Constance of Sicily, Queen of Aragon. She came into the world at the royal palace in Saragossa in 1271, and received the name of Elizabeth after her great-aunt, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, who several years before had been canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1235. Their lives were similar in some important ways: both of them were married at very young ages, they sought to live the precepts of the Gospel despite their status as royalty, and finished their lives as members of the Third Order of St. Francis. St. Elizabeth’s grandfather, James I, who then occupied the throne of Aragon, took charge of her education, but he died before she was six years of age. Her early years were spent in the most extraordinary pieta and at the age of twelve she was given in marriage to King Denis (Dionysius), King of Portugal who was 20 at the time. She was very beautiful and very lovable. They were blessed with two children, a daughter, Constance of Portugal (Constantia) and a son, Alfonso IV of Portugal, however, king Denise fathered an additional seven children with other women. Her husband left her free to practice her devotions, and she lived on the throne with the virtue and regularity of a Religious. She was very devout, and went to Mass every day. St. Elizabeth was a holy wife, but although her husband was fond of her at first, he soon began to cause her great suffering. Though a good ruler, King Denis was faithfully devoted to his country, known as the “Worker King” because of his diligence. Unfortunately, he generally failed to live out the same faithfulness toward his wife, he did not imitate his wife’s love of prayer and other virtues. In fact, his sins of impurity gave great scandle to the people. St. Elizabeth was upset about her husband’s sinful ways, less because he was unfaithful but more so as he was offending God. She prayed with great devotion and did many penance on her husband’s behalf to win him back. Eventually, her prayer, patience and gentleness bore fruit and she succeeded in converting her husband, who had been leading a licentious life and he asked forgiveness of her. Many members of the king’s court likewise embraced or accepted various forms of immorality, and it would have been easy for the young queen to fall into these vices herself. But Elizabeth remained intent on doing God’s will with a humble and charitable attitude. Rather than using her status as queen to pursue her own satisfaction, she sought to advance Christ’s reign on earth. Like her namesake and great-aunt St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Elizabeth of Portugal was a devoted patroness and personal friend of the poor and sick, and she compelled the women who served her at court to care for them as well. The queen’s bishop testified that she had a custom of secretly inviting lepers, whom she would bathe and clothe, even though the law of the land barred them from approaching the castle.

St. Elizabeth’s virtue also had to pass through the crucible of suffering. Her commitment to the Gospel also became evident when she intervened to prevent civil war in the kingdom on two occasions. Saint Elizabeth helped her country avoid war during the 13th and 14th centuries. One of the keenest pangs she endured came from the revolt of her son, Alfonso, the only son of king Denis and St. Elizabeth, he resented the king’s indulgent treatment of one of his illegitimate sons, to the point that the father and son gathered together rival armies that were on the brink of open war in 1323. On this occasion, St. Elizabeth placed herself between the two opposing armies, insisting that Denis and Alfonso come to terms and make peace with one another. The King, however, soon acknowledged his error and made amends, and the saintly woman succeeded in effecting a reconciliation between father and son. In 1336, the last year of her life, she intervened in a similar manner to prevent her son from waging war against the King of Castile for his poor treatment of Alfonso’s own daughter. King Denis died in 1325 and his son Alfonso succeeded him. After the death of her husband, St. Elizabeth became a  Franciscan, she took the habit of the Third Order of St. Francis and retired to a convent of Poor Clares, she had established some years before devoting her life to the poor, the sick and the most marginalized. Hearing that her son, Alphonsus IV, King of Portugal, had gone to war with her grandson, Alfonso XI, King of Castile, she set out on a journey to reconcile them and succeeded. This was the Saint’s last act of mercy, for having arrived at Estremoz, on the frontiers of Castile where her son was, she fell ill. After receiving the Last Sacraments, she died on July 4, 1336. The testimony of miracles accomplished through her intercession, after her death in 1336, contributed to her canonization by Pope Urban VIII in 1625. Charity to the poor was one of her characteristic virtues, and her works for the good of her fellowmen knew no bounds. Because St. Elizabeth was faithful to daily Mass, she found strength to carry her many great crosses. We should try our best to make it a habit to go to Mass daily. St. Elizabeth is the Patron Saint of  brides; charitable societies; against jealousy; charitable workers; charity workers; charitiesm; Coimbra, Portugal; difficult marriages; falsely accused people; invoked in time of war; peace; queens; tertiaries; victims of adultery; victims of jealousy; victims of unfaithfulness; widows.

PRAYER: God, Author of peace and Lover of charity, You endowed St. Elizabeth with the wondrous grace of bringing dissidents together. Through her intercession enable us to practice works of peace so that we may be called children of God. Amen. Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, Religious ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT BERTHA OF ARTOIS, WIDOW, ABBESS: St. Bertha (644-723) was born in France in the year 644, was the daughter of Count Rigobert, who served in the court of Clovis II, and Ursanna, daughter of the king of Kent in England. In the twentieth year of her age this beautiful and pious maiden was married to the cousin of the king, the noble Sigfried, who determined to advance with his spouse along the paths of Christian perfection. They were blessed with five daughters, of whom two died in infancy; two others, Gertrude and Deotila, are canonized Saints like their mother. After several years of the most harmonious union, Sigfried died in 672, and Saint Bertha took the veil in a monastery which by divine instructions she built at Blangy in the district of Artois, France, a little distance from Hesdin. The monastery was solemnly consecrated in January of the year 682, and the holy widow endowed it with her terrains. Her daughters Gertrude and Deotila, greatly impressed by their mother’s act, soon followed her example.

St. Bertha was persecuted by Roger, or Rotgar, a young lord of the court of King Thierry III, who was furious over her refusal to give him Gertrude, already a professed religious, in marriage. He endeavored to slander her mother as being opposed to the succession of Thierry and involved with the English royalty in a conspiracy. The King sent for the Abbess to defend her cause, not sure that such conduct could be attributed to this holy woman. He took her in fact under his protection, and the persecution was halted. On her return to Blangy, St. Bertha had three churches built, to honor Saint Omer, Saint Vaast, and Saint Martin of Tours, and completed the construction of her convent. And then, after establishing the Rule of Saint Benedict and a regular observance in her community, she named Saint Deotila to replace her as abbess, and retired to a solitary cell to spend the remainder of her days in prayer. At the age of 79, having already buried her two daughters Deotila and Emma, she left Gertrude as Abbess in the monastery of Blangy, and died peacefully in the year 723.

Saint Bertha of Artois, Widow, Abbess ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT ULRIC OF AUGSBURG, BISHOP: St. Ulric (890-973) was born in 890 at Kyburg, Zurich, Switzerland as the son of Count Hucpald and Thetbirga. He was related to the dukes of Alamannia and the imperial family of the Ottos. He was a sickly child, but as a boy was educated at the monastic school of Saint Gall and proved to be an excellent student. He also served as chamberlain to his uncle, Blessed Adalbero, bishop of Augsburg and later ordained him. The young man was wise in the ways of God and carried out his duties with utmost reverence and great prudence. He was zealous at prayer, diligent in study, and magnanimous toward the poor. Aware of the fragile character of chastity, he shunned every hint of danger, saying: “Take away the fuel, and you take away the fire.” He was ordained as Bishop of Augsburg on December 28, 923. During his time as bishop, he built churches, visited from parish to parish, worked with the sick in hospitals and provided for the instruction, relief, and comfort his flock—working long hours and praying unceasingly. He set a good example for his priests to follow, and brought relics from Rome. He made a visitation of his diocese annually and held synods of the clergy semi-annually. His good works paid off in the form of improved moral and social conditions for both the clergy and laity.

In 955, the Magyars plundered Germany and once again attacked Augsburg. This time, however, they were stopped and hurled back. Due to St. Ulric’s courage, his leadership, and his ability to organize the resistance, Augsburg held firm until Emperor Otto arrived and the people attributed this triumph to the prayers of their holy Bishop who had continued in prayer for his flock, like Moses on the mountain. On August 10, 955, a battle was fought in Lechfeld, and the invaders were finally defeated. Some legends say that St. Ulric actually fought in the battle, but that was impossible.

After 48 years as bishop, an ill and exhausted Ulric resigned his seat, and handed the diocese over to his nephew-a move which had the blessing of the emporer, but which the Synod of Ingelheim ruled uncanonical, and they charged and tried the aging bishop for nepotism. St. Ulric apologized, did penance, and was forgiven, the message of which reached him on his death bed. St. Ulric died on July 4, 973 at Augsburg, Germany of natural causes. He was buried in the Church of Saint Afra. A letter circulated for a while that indicated St. Ulric did not support priestly celibacy, seeing it as an unnecessary burden. However, this was later proven a forgery, and St. Ulric had certainly enforced the discipline upon himself as well as his clergy. St. Ulric was the first saint to be canonized by a Pope, which led to the formal process that continues today. Legend has it that pregnant women who drank from his chalice had easy deliveries, and thus developed his patronage of pregnant women and easy births. The touch of his pastoral cross was used to heal people bitten by rabid dogs. Miracles recorded at his tomb influenced Pope John XV to canonize St. Ulric on February 3, 993. He’s Patron Saint against birth complications, against faintness, against fever, against mice and moles (except those in holes); diocese of Augsburg, Germany; happy death, weavers, San Dorligo della Valle, Creazzo, Italy.

PRAYER: God, You willed that St. Ulric, Your Bishop, should shine forth with pastoral solicitude and compassion for the poor. Help us who celebrate his merits to imitate his charity. Amen. Saint Ulric of Augsburg, Bishop ~ Pray for us🙏

BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI: Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) was born in Turin, Italy, to a wealthy and prominent Italian family on on April 6, 1901. He was a handsome, vibrant, joyful, courageous, devout Catholic and athletic youth with an adventurous spirit and a strong zest for life. He loved mountain climbing, the theater, opera, and literature. He also had a deep spiritual life and a strong devotion to the Holy Eucharist and the Virgin Mary, even while his piety provoked criticism from his parents. He challenged his friends to a life of virtue, leading them in spiritual exercises such as daily Mass and the rosary. He joined the Saint Vincent de Paul Society in 1918 and became a Lay Dominican in 1922. He was also politically active in resisting fascism and communism; he took part in public  demonstrations and joined religious-political organizations such as the Catholic Students Federation and Catholic Action. He also spent much time caring for the sick and poor to a heroic degree, yet his parents punished him when they caught him giving away his money and possessions. While ministering to the sick he contracted polio and died just six days later at the age of 24. His family, thinking he suffered from a mild sickness, did not realize the seriousness of his condition until it was too late. At his funeral his parents were shocked to find thousands of the city’s poor, whom their son had helped in some way, arrive to pay their respects. He died too soon at just 24 but has since become the model for lay people – and future popes! – all over the world. He’s a saint for the modern world, and especially for the young people of our time.

These are 12 amazing facts of his short but very intense life: 1. Despite being raised by agnostic parents, Pier Giorgio’s inclinations to help others manifested in his childhood. Once as a child, he answered the door to find a mother begging with her son who was shoeless. He took off his own shoes and gave them to the child; 2. At an early age, Pier Giorgio joined the Marian Sodality and the Apostleship of Prayer, and obtained permission to receive daily Communion, which was rare at the time. 3. At the same time, Pier Giorgio was known among his friends as “Il Terrore” (“the Terror”) due to his fondness for practical jokes. 4. At 17, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and dedicated much of his spare time to take care of the poor, the homeless, the sick and the demobilized servicemen returning from World War I. 5. In 1919, he joined the Catholic Student Foundation and the Popular Party, whose principles were based in the Social Doctrine of the Church. He strongly opposed the rise of Fascist leader Benito Mussolini and was jailed in Rome after joining the protest of the Catholic Workers’ Association. 6. Pier Giorgio would be notable for giving literally everything he had to the poor. He would even use his bus fare for charity and then run home to be on time for meals. 7. An avid and accomplished mountain-climber, he saw many parallels between Catholic life and his favorite pastime. He would regularly organize trips into the mountains with occasions for prayers and conversations about faith on the way up or down from the summit. 8. After what would become his final climb he wrote a simple note on a photograph: “Verso L’Alto” (“To the Heights”)–a phrase that has become a popular Catholic motto. 9. At 24, Pier Giorgio became very ill with polio. Some of his friends believed that he contracted the disease from the people in the slums of Turin. In his last days, he whispered the names of people who still needed assistance to his family and friends who gathered at his bedside. He died on July 4, 1925 (aged 24) at Turin, Kingdom of Italy. Bl. Pier Giorgio’s mortal remains were found incorrupt in 1981 and were transferred from the family tomb in the cemetery of Pollone to the Cathedral of Turin. 10. Frassati was declared “Blessed” on May 29, 1990 by Pope St. John Paul II, who called him a “Man of the Eight Beatitudes” and a “joyful apostle of Christ.” A year before, after visiting his tomb, Pope John Paul II revealed that he also had felt in his own youth “the beneficial influence of his example.” He left the world rather young,” he said, “but he made a mark upon our entire century.” 11. In her biography of her brother, Pier Giorgio’s sister, Luciana wrote that “he represented the finest in Christian youth: pure, happy, enthusiastic about everything that is good and beautiful.” 12. Pier Giorgio’s popularity is big among young people, especially in America. Many apostolates have been created with his name and he is currently regarded as the Catholic patron of Students (mainly because he wasn’t good at school), Young Catholics, Mountaineers, Youth groups, Catholic Action, Dominican tertiaries (he became one), and World Youth Day. According to the website dedicated to him by the USCCB, for years he has been “a significant global patron for youth and young adults – and has a special place in the hearts of young people across the United States as well. Pope St. John Paul II declared him a patron for World Youth Days and deemed him the “Man of the Eight Beatitudes” as he exemplified those blessings in his everyday life” at his beatification on May 20, 1990 at Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City. His feast day is July 4th.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati ~ Pray for us🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 9:1-8

“They glorified God who had given such authority to men”

“After entering a boat, Jesus made the crossing, and came into his own town. And there people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.” At that, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” Jesus knew what they were thinking, and said, “Why do you harbor evil thoughts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”– he then said to the paralytic, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He rose and went home. When the crowds saw this they were struck with awe and glorified God who had given such authority to men.”

In today’s Gospel reading, people carried a paralyzed man to Jesus on a stretcher. He couldn’t make his own way to Jesus in search of healing, so they carried him. It was an act of love, of care and compassion. There are times in all our lives when, like the paralytic, we need to be carried by others, even if not physically carried. There comes a time in our lives when we need the support of others to take us places we cannot reach ourselves. There are other times when we might find ourselves in the role of the people who carried the paralytic. We find ourselves in a position of being able to support someone who needs our support at that time. We help carry them until they can find their own feet. This is the human story at its best. It is also, of course, the Christian story. It is said in today’s Gospel reading that when people brought the paralytic to Jesus, he saw their faith, ‘seeing their faith’. Underpinning this act of love was a deep faith. Saint Paul in one of his letters speaks about faith working through love, or faith expressing itself in love. Genuine faith will always find expression in acts of loving service. Nothing is said of the faith of the paralytic. Seeing the faith of the people who carried the paralytic, Jesus then addresses Himself to the man Himself. It was the faith of others that brought this man to Jesus. There is an image here of the church. As people of faith, we are called to bring each other to the Lord. When our own faith is weak, we need the faith of others to bring us to the Lord, to open us up to the Lord’s presence. Today’s Gospel reading invites us to give thanks to God for all those who have brought us to the Lord in some way, perhaps teachers, Priests, religious sisters or brothers, friends and, for most of us, parents who were the first to bring us to the Lord when they presented us for baptism.

Our first reading today is the continuation of the story of the prophet Amos and his ministry among the people of the northern kingdom of the Israelites, where today we heard of the encounter and confrontation between Amaziah, a priest of Bethel against Amos. In order to understand better the context of what we heard of this confrontation and the exchange between the two of them, we must understand the history of how the Bethel priesthood even came to be, which was actually a history spanning few centuries earlier before the time of Amos. Back then, during the time when the kingdom of Israel under David and Solomon was still united, the whole people of God, the Israelites had one King and they all worshipped the Lord in His Temple in Jerusalem, where the Ark of the Covenant was placed in. However, once the kingdom was divided into two parts because of the sins of Solomon and his descendants, the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah respectively became embroiled in conflicts and wars, and one of the initiatives of the northern kingdom was to establish a rival priesthood and temple in Bethel to rival that of Jerusalem, obliging the people of Israel to go to Bethel instead of Jerusalem. Not only that but the then king Jeroboam also built a golden calf idol to represent their god, and this led the people of Israel into sin against God, as they came to worship false idols and pagan gods instead of obeying the Lord’s Law and commandments and worshipping Him alone as they were supposed to do. The prophet Amos was sent like the many other prophets of God before him to tell the people of Israel to abandon their sinful ways, and to bring forth the premonition and warning of the punishments they would have to endure for their disobedience. Prophet Amos answered Amaziah’s rebuke of him with stern words of the Lord, and told him that he had been sent by God Himself to prophesy among the Israelites, with the mission from God to bring this truth and the revelations to the people who have disobeyed Him and refused to believe in Him despite the constant efforts and outreach from the Lord to them, in sending them help, guidance, reminders and assistance one after another. The Lord has always been patient in loving and caring for all of them, however, there is indeed a limit to His patience, and all the sins and wickedness that those people had committed, those things could not be ignored either. The prophet Amos told the people of their impending fate of being defeated, conquered and exiled by their conquerors, which would happen at that time, when the Assyrians conquered Israel, the northern kingdom, destroyed its cities and brought the people into exile in far-off lands.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, each and every one of us are reminded that we must always have faith and trust in the Lord for each and every one of us are His followers and disciples, and we are all called and expected to do what He has commanded us to do, to obey His Law and commandments and to follow Him wholeheartedly in all of our ways. Each and every one of us who have put our faith and trust in the Lord, as Christians, we must always be genuine in how we live our lives with fullness of faith in the Lord, and our lives, our every actions, words and deeds should always be exemplary and filled with God’s love and grace, as much as possible. This is our calling as Christians, and we should do well to heed it. Let us all hence be inspired by the good examples of the Saints and Holy men and women, particularly St. Elizabeth of Portugal who we celebrate today, so that our own lives and examples may become good inspiration and role models for all others around us. Let us all renew our faith in the Lord, committing ourselves to live a more worthy and virtuous life, and no longer harden our hearts like our predecessors, like those Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, and like the Israelites before them. Let us all be humble and allow the Lord to lead and guide us all in our journey through life, and may He continue to bless us all in our every good works, efforts and endeavours, now and always. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to see God’s love and presence in others and may all of us grow ever more in our faith and trust more in the Lord with each and every passing days as we continue journeying together in faith, now and forevermore. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

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

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, 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. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. 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, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. 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 merciful Lord, You desire reconciliation with me, in the innermost depths of my heart, to be my daily priority in prayer. You desire to forgive and to heal me so that I will grow closer to You. Please do forgive me for my sins, dear Lord, and help me to become more attentive to the ways that I sin against You and others every day. Thank You in advance for this saving grace and mercy. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Elizabeth of Portugal; Saint Bertha of Artois; Saint Ulric of Augsburg and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati ~ Pray for us🙏

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen🙏

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 and safe 4th of July and fruitful month of July🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖

THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 3, 2024

Greetings, beloved family and Happy Wednesday, Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

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

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

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 3, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 3, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 3, 2024 |

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

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

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Reading 1, Ephesians 2:19-22
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 117:1, 2
Gospel, John 20:24-29

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST OF SAINT THOMAS, APOSTLE AND MARTYR; SAINT LEO II, POPE AND SAINT HELIODORUS OF ALTINUM, BISHOP ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 3RD Today, we celebrate the Feast of Saint  Thomas, Apostle and Martyr; Saint Leo II, Pope and Saint Heliodorus of Altinum, Bishop. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases and eye diseases. We pray for all architects and construction workers. We pray for the poor and needy, for justice, peace and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏

SAINT THOMAS, APOSTLE AND MARTYR: St. Thomas also called Didymus (twin) was a Jew and one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament.  St. Thomas is commonly known as “Doubting Thomas” because he doubted Jesus’ resurrection when first told of it; later, he confessed his faith on seeing Jesus’ crucifixion wounds. He has become for the Church one of the first witnesses to her faith. St. Thomas was a dedicated but impetuous follower of Christ. When Jesus said that He was returning to Judea to visit His sick friend Lazarus, St. Thomas immediately exhorted the other Apostles to accompany Him on the trip, which involved certain danger and possible death because of the mounting hostility of the authorities,, he immediately said to the other apostles, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him” (Jn 11: 16).  At the Last Supper, when Christ told His Apostles that He was going to prepare a place for them to which they also might come because they knew both the place and the way, St. Thomas pleaded that they did not understand and received the beautiful assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But St. Thomas is best known for his role in verifying the Resurrection of His Master. St. Thomas’s unwillingness to believe that the other Apostles had seen their Risen Lord on the first Easter Sunday merit for him the title of “doubting Thomas”.  Denying their story, he told them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe” (Jn 20:25). Eight days later, on Christ’s second apparition, St. Thomas was gently rebuked for his skepticism and furnished with the evidence he had demanded— Christ appeared and said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” At this, St. Thomas became convinced and exclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” thus making a public Profession of Faith in the Divinity of Jesus. St. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another Resurrection appearance of Jesus—at Lake Tiberias when a miraculous catch of fish occurred.

After Pentecost, St. Thomas is traditionally believed to have evangelize and preached the Gospel to the Parthians, Persians and Medes, until he reached India, carrying the faith to the Malabar coast, which still boast a large native population calling themselves “Christians of St. Thomas”. He capped his life by shedding his blood for his Master, speared to death at a place called Calamine, where he evangelised and was eventually martyred in 72 A.D. He converted many to Christ, worked miracles, and established the Church in the East. One tradition holds that on his way to India he met and baptized the Three Wise Men of the Nativity who first venerated Jesus at Bethlehem. St. Thomas is also remembered for being a skilled carpenter, and according to Indian tradition he built the first churches in India with his own hands. Due to his main work and martyrdom to India, he is also called the “Apostle of India.”  In his general audience on September 27, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of St. Thomas, explaining that we can learn from his doubts, which show us “that Jesus can now be recognised by his wounds rather than by his face.” “The Apostle Thomas’ case is important to us for at least three reasons,” said the Pope.  “First, because it comforts us in our insecurity; second, because it shows us that every doubt can lead to an outcome brighter than any uncertainty; and, lastly, because the words that Jesus addressed to him remind us of the true meaning of mature faith and encourage us to persevere, despite the difficulty, along our journey of adhesion to him.” He’s the Patron Saint of architects; against doubt; blind people; builders; construction workers; Malaysia; Indonesia; East Indies; geometricians; India; masons; Pakistan; people in doubt; Sri Lanka; stone masons; stonecutters; Singapore; surveyors; theologians. His feast day is July 3rd.

PRAYER: PRAYER: Grant, almighty God, that we may glory in the Feast of the blessed Apostle Thomas, so that we may always be sustained by his intercession and, believing, may have life in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, whom Thomas acknowledged as the Lord. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever… Amen🙏

SAINT LEO II, POPE: Pope Saint Leo II (611-683) was the bishop of Rome from August 17, 682 to his death on June 28, 683. He was one of the last Popes of the early Middle Ages. The pontificate of this great Pope was very brief (682-683)  but very fruitful, since in the ten months of his reign he accomplished good works which have caused his name to be blessed by all succeeding generations. His short pontificate marked by his translation of sections of the acts of the Sixth Ecumenical Council of Constantinople from Greek to Latin so bishops and kings in Western churches could understand them. He also called out Pope Honorius for not opposing the long-running Monothelite heresy, the belief that Jesus Christ had two natures but only one will. St. Leo II also perfected the melodies of the Gregorian chant for the Psalms and composed some new hymns.

Born in the seventh century in Sicily, St. Leo II had been a Canon Regular, that is, an ecclesiastical dignitary who resided in his bishop’s palace, was charged with recitation of the Office in the cathedral, and was relied upon to serve as the auxiliary of the Ordinary. Saint Leo was a devout student of Holy Scripture, and was well versed in the Greek as well as the Latin language. In his day grave difficulties frequently arose between the Holy See and the emperors of Constantinople, whose representatives at Ravenna tried to control the bishops of that see; the latter had been striving to become autonomous. Saint Leo published a decree ordering that in the future no bishop of Ravenna could enter into function before being consecrated for that office at Rome, by the Roman Pontiff.

He built three churches in Rome, to honor Saint Paul the Apostle, Saint Sebastian, and Saint George. Saint Leo was highly gifted in the domain of music, and he renovated the Gregorian literature or library, then in a state of confusion; he also composed new hymns, still conserved by the Church. He took special care of widows and orphans and the poor in general, relieving their sufferings with a truly apostolic charity. Saint Leo confirmed the Acts of the Sixth Ecumenical Council which his predecessor had convoked at Constantinople against the Monothelite heresy, and translated its acts into Latin for the benefit of the Occidentals. When he died in June of 683, his death was deeply regretted by all the faithful. He was interred according to established custom in the church of Saint Peter. He is ordinarily pictured embracing a beggar or holding a book of music.

Saint Leo II, Pope ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT HELIODORUS OF ALTINUM, BISHOP: St. Heliodorus (332-390), also known as Heliodorus of Altino and Eliodoro. A soldier in his youth. Close friend and financial supporter of Saint Jerome, and helped with the logistics of the translation of the Vulgate Bible. Followed Jerome to the east, but declined the life of a desert hermit.  Bishop of Altinum, a small town near Venice, Italy which has since disappeared. Fierce opponent of Arianism.

Saint Heliodorus was born in 332 AD in Croatia, Dalmatia, a Roman Province northeast of the Adriatic Sea, which was also the native land of Saint Jerome. He ended up working in Altinum, Italy. He soon Stoughton out that great Doctor, not only to follow his advice in matters relating to Christian perfection, but also to profit by his deep learning. The life of a recluse held great attractions for him, but to enter a monastery it would have been necessary to leave his spiritual master and director, a sacrifice he was not prepared to make. He therefore remained in the world, though not part of it, and following the example of the holy anchorites, passed his time in prayer and devout reading. He accompanied Saint Jerome on his voyage to the Holy Land, visiting the various churches of the Orient, and remained with him for a time, but a desire to revisit his native land and to see his parents once more drew him back to Dalmatia. Saint Jerome tried to persuade him to remain with him, and Heliodorus was intending to return, as soon as he had fulfilled the duties he owed his parents.

Finding his absence had grown prolonged, and fearing that love for his family and attachment to worldly things might lure him from his vocation, Saint Jerome wrote him an earnest letter. He exhorted his good disciple to break entirely with the world and to consecrate himself to the service of God. But the Lord, who disposes all things, had a mission of activity reserved for His servant. After the death of his mother, Heliodorus went to Italy and soon was remarked for his eminent piety. He was made Bishop of Altino, and became one of the most distinguished prelates of an age fruitful in great men. He sustained the Catholic faith against the Arian heresy, assisting at the Council of Aquilea in northeastern Italy, called for that purpose in 381. Saint Jerome never forgot his former student, and in one of his letters testifies that he was a bishop who lived in his episcopal dignity with as much fervor and regularity as in a monastery. Saint Heliodorus died about the year 390 A.D. of natural causes.

St. Heliodorus, Bishop of Altinum ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time | Feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ John 20:24-29

My Lord and my God!

“Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Today’s Gospel reading gives an account of how the Lord appeared to St. Thomas the Apostle and the other disciples and proved to St. Thomas that He was truly risen from the dead. Initially, the Lord appeared to all the Apostles and disciples of the Lord except for St. Thomas himself, who was away and not present. When the other disciples approached St. Thomas, with the good news of Easter, ‘We have seen the Lord’, their message did not resonate with him in any way. The darkness of Good Friday was still too real for him and prevented him from being moved by their Easter proclamation. His own reasoning did not allow him to believe that life had triumphed over death, that the crucified Jesus was now the risen Lord. Thomas stood in the light of Easter, yet that light did not dispel his darkness. If his fellow disciples were full of Easter faith, he was full of doubt. They claimed to have seen the risen Lord; Thomas declared that he would not believe until he not only saw the Lord but touched his wounds. In his doubting, Thomas may be like many other disciples today. Many believers can be troubled by their sense that the light of Easter does not seem to have penetrated their lives sufficiently. We can be distressed at the degree of doubt that we experience within ourselves, troubled that such doubts may even become more pronounced as we get older. Like Thomas, we can struggle to identify fully with those whose faith seems so much more assured than ours. The prayer of one of the more minor Gospel characters, ‘Lord, I believe, help my unbelief’, may find a ready place in our heart. Today’s Gospel reading assures us that the Lord understands a doubting, questioning, faith. When the Lord appeared to Thomas, He did not rebuke him. His first words to him were, ‘Peace be with you’. He invited Thomas to touch His wounds as he had requested, and then called on him to ‘doubt no longer but believe’. The Gospel reading does not state that Thomas actually touched the wounds of Jesus. Seeing the risen Lord was enough to dispel his doubt. Then, out of the mouth of the great sceptic came one of the most complete professions of faith in Jesus to be found in all the Gospels, ‘My Lord and my God’. We are being reminded that serious doubt and great faith can reside in one and the same person. The Lord considers anyone who is a seeker and who wishes to believe as a believer already. If we remain true to our spiritual search, even as we struggle with doubt, the Lord will keep drawing near to us, inviting us, as He invited Thomas, ‘Doubt no longer but believe’.

Our first reading today from the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians, speaks of the nature that all the faithful people of God are parts of the Church, the Body of Christ. The Apostles meanwhile are the foundations and the pillars, as were the prophets and other great saints and messengers of God. Each one of them are important parts of the Church, which allowed the Church to grow ever larger and prosper among the people of God. St. Thomas the Apostle was one of these many pillars, and the contributions and works he had done, all were meant to strengthen the structure and the support of the Church. St. Paul also mentioned how all the whole structure is joined together, and rises to be a holy Temple in the Lord, representing how each and every one of us as those who believe in the Lord are Temples of the Lord’s Holy Presence. The significance of those words, is that the Apostles and the many other Saints are the good role models and inspirations for all the other faithful people of God, and through the holiness and sanctity that they had shown, in their lives and works, St. Thomas the Apostle, the other Apostles and the innumerable other holy men and women of God, those who have been declared Saints and Blesseds, all these helped us all in our own lives, by inspiring and showing us all what it truly means for us to be Christians, to be God’s people and members of His one Body, the Body of Christ the Church. Each and every one of us should be strengthened and empowered by the Apostles and all that they had done for the good of the Church and all the whole people of God.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today on this great feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, we are called to seek to do our best to do God’s will in each and every moments and opportunities provided to us, so that we may continue to glorify Him by our lives, by our every actions, works and deeds, as well as in our every words and interactions with one another. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to remain faithful and believe in Him and may the good Lord continue to bless us and guide us in our every efforts and good endeavours, so that we may continue to inspire each other and more people, just as how St. Thomas had inspired countless people throughout the history of the Church and the world. St. Thomas, Holy Apostle of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, pray for us all who are sinners and are weak in our faith, that God may also strengthen our faith in Him and our love and dedication to Him, as He has done with you. Amen 🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

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

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance, we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way, may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, 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. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. 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, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. 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 most generous Lord, You pour forth Your blessings upon others, day and night. As I see those blessings, help me to overcome all temptations toward envy so that I may rejoice in Your grace given to all. You are my Lord and my God, and I thank You for every way that You bless my life and the lives of those around me. Fill me with a deeper gratitude, dear Lord, for every grace and blessing I see every day, especially those graces not given directly to me. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Thomas, Apostle and Martyr; Saint Leo II, Pope and Saint Heliodorus of Altinum, Bishop ~ Pray for us🙏

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this special  feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and we continue to pray 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 and fruitful month of July 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 2, 2024

Greetings beloved family and Happy Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

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

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

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 2, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 2, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 2, 2024 |

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

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

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Reading 1, Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 5:4-6, 6-7, 8
Gospel, Matthew 8:23-27

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT BERNARDINO REALINO, PRIEST; SAINTS PROCESSUS AND MARTINIAN, MARTYRS; SAINT SWITHIN (SWITHUN), BISHOP AND SAINT OTTO OF BAMBERG, BISHOP: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Bernardino Realino, Priest; Saints Processus & Martinian, Martyrs; Saint Swithin (Swithun), Bishop and Saint Otto of Bamberg, Bishop. Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for the poor and needy, for justice, peace and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏

SAINT BERNARDINO REALINO, PRIEST: St. Bernardino Realino (1530–1616) was born in Capri, Italy to a noble family in 1530. After receiving a thorough and devout Christian education at the hands of his mother, he went on to study medicine at the University of Bologna, but after three years he switched to law and received his doctorate in 1563. He grew into an accomplished “Renaissance Man” of his day. He had a successful career as an attorney and judge, and served as the mayor of three cities. Word of his learning, dedication, and legal brilliance spread rapidly, and in 1554 he was summoned to Naples to assume the position of auditor and lieutenant general.

At the age of 34 he completed an eight-day retreat with Jesuit priests, and during this time he discerned a call to the religious life. He entered the Jesuit order and was ordained a priest in 1567. As a priest he preached, taught, and visited the sick and poor in the areas of Naples and Lecce. He was much loved and venerated by the people he ministered to, especially because of the miracles he performed. It was commonly believed among the people that he was a living saint. Even public scandal and civil strife were calmed due to his holy influence. While he was on his death bed, the city leaders of Lecce came to request of him that he become the official patron saint of their city once he entered heaven. He is often referred to as the “Apostle of Lecce” for his commitment to the poor, the sick and for his preaching abilities. He died in 1616 with the names of Jesus and Mary on his lips. After St. Bernardino’s death, vials of his blood were kept for veneration, which were observed to liquefy and exhibit unusual phenomena for more than a century. St. Bernardino Realino’s feast day is July 2nd. 

Saint Bernardino Realino, Priest ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINTS PROCESSUS AND MARTINIAN, MARTYRS: Sts. Processus and Martinian were imperial soldiers, pagans and they served as guards at the Mamertine prison in Rome. State criminals were held in this prison, among them some Christians. Watching the Christian prisoners and listening to their preaching, Sts. Processus and Martinian gradually came to the knowledge of the Savior. According to legend, the Holy Martyrs Processus and Martinian, having been assigned the task of guarding St. Peter and St. Paul in the Mamertine prison in Rome, when they were arrested by the Romans, fell under the spell of his preaching and were converted. The apostles converted their jailers after a spring flowed miraculously in the prison. St. Peter then baptized them in the miraculous waters. After they accepted holy Baptism from the apostle, they released the Apostle from prison.

After being baptized, the jailer Paulinus learned about this, and he demanded that Sts. Processus and Martinian renounce Christ. But they fearlessly confessed Christ, and they spat at the golden statue of Jupiter. Paulinus ordered that they be slapped on the face, and then seeing the resolute stance of the holy martyrs, he subjected them to torture. The martyrs were beaten with iron rods, scorched with fire, and finally, thrown into prison. A certain illustrious and pious woman by the name of Lucina visited them in prison and gave them help and encouragement. The torturer Paulinus was soon punished by God. He fell blind and died three days later. The son of Paulinus went to the city ruler demanding that the martyrs be put to death. Saints Processus and Martinian were finally beheaded by order of the emperor Nero (+ ca. 67). After their martyrdom with St. Paul, a sympathizer called Lucina buried them in her own cemetery. Their bodies were buried in the catacombs of St. Agatha, on the Via Aurelia, where they remained until Paschal I (817-824) removed them for safekeeping to the Vatican basilica. Transplanted to St. Peter’s, the cult of Processus and Martinian flourished. Today their tomb is in the south transept of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Reflection: Wherever you find yourself, even at the end of your life, you can still convert and save a soul. May God’s grace sustain us. Amen.

Sts. Processus and Martinian, Martyrs ~ Pray for us. Amen🙏

SAINT SWITHIN (SWITHUN), BISHOP: St. Swithin (also known as St. Swithun) was born in Wessex, England and was educated at the old monastery, Winchester, where he was ordained. St Swithun died in 862 as bishop of Winchester. He was a secular clerk with something of a reputation for virtue and learning. He was attached to the West Saxon court and was one of King Egbert’s principal advisers. He became Chaplain to King Egbert of the West Saxons, who appointed him tutor of his son, Ethelwulf,  the father of Alfred the Great, to educate; and to him must go some of the credit for the strongly religious tone of the West Saxon court under Ethelwulf and his sons.

St. Swithun was consecrated bishop of Winchester, England in 852, when Ethelwulf succeeded his father as king. As bishop was something of a builder, Swithun built several churches and was known for his humility and his aid to the poor and needy. He may also have been one of the first contributors to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. A number of agreeably humble miracles were attributed to him – he was said to have restored a basket of eggs dropped by an old market woman when crossing a bridge. His great reputation for sanctity is, however, largely owing to the cult which sprang up at Winchester a hundred years after his death, in the time of St Ethelwold and the monastic reformation, when his body was translated. His shrine was splendid, but when it was looted by Henry VIII in 1538 its gold and jewels were found to be false. When he died he was buried at his own request in the churchyard, in order that the passers-by would walk over his grave and the rain fall upon it. It is always said that if it rains on his feast day, it will rain for forty days after, but it is not known how St. Swithun came to be associated with the weather. Similar stories are told of SS Medard, Gervase and Protase in France.

His holiness was made known by miracles. He died on July 2, but “St. Swithin’s Day” is held on July 15 in England, the day his relics were transferred. He is another of the “weather saints” — if it rains on July 15, it will rain forty more days. If no rain, it will be fair for forty more days, as the old rhyme says: St. Swithin’s day if thou dost rain, For forty days it will remain, St. Swithin’s day if thou be fair, For forty days ‘twill rain nae mair. This weather patronage traces back to July 15, 871 when the monks were translating his body (relics) from the outdoor grave to an indoor shrine in the Cathedral. The saint apparently did not approve, as it rained for 40 days afterward. St. Swithin is the Patron Saint of drought relief; Stavenger, England; Winchester, England.

St. Swithin (St. Swithun), Bishop ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT OTTO OF BAMBERG, BISHOP: St. Otto of Bamberg (1060 – 1139) was German missionary and papal legate who converted much of medieval Pomerania to Christianity. He was the bishop of Bamberg from 1102 until his death, an indefatigable evengelizer, and the apostle of the Pomeranians. He was born in 1060 in Swabia, Mistelbach, Germany of noble rank and ordained a priest sometime before the age of 30. He joined the service of Emperor Henry IV in  1090 and became his chancellor in 1101. He served Henry IV and his successor, Henry V, loyally, but he disaproved of the latter’s disgraceful treatment of Pope Paschal.

Otto was consecrated a bishop on May 13, 1106, and set to work founding new monasteries, reforming existing ones, building schools and churches, and completing the construction of the cathedral.  He lived a poor and simple life, and was called the “Father of the monks” for the concern he showed toward religious orders. In 1122 Otto was commissioned by the Polish Duke Boleslaw III to convert Pomerania to Christianity, and he set about this mission in 1124. He traveled across Pomerania twice, and won over the people with his holiness, quiet generosity, and gentle, inspiring sermons. The conversion of Pomerania was his greatest apostolic work. He baptized over 22,000 people and established 11 churches. Many miracles were attributed to him throughout his two journeys, and many more after his death. He died on June 30, 1139, Bamberg, Germany and was Canonized in 1189, Rome by  Pope Clement III.

Saint Otto of Bamberg, Bishop ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Bible Readings for today,Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week of Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070224.cfm

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 8:23-27

“Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm”

“As Jesus got into a boat, his disciples followed him. Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but he was asleep. They came and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. The men were amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?”

In today’s Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew, the Lord calmed a great storm that threatened the boat in which He and His disciples were travelling in. The disciples of the Lord were terrified by the great waves and winds battering their boat, and they cried out to the Lord for help, which the Lord answered with a rebuke to them for their lack of faith and trust in Him. The Lord told them they should not be afraid and believe in Him, and showed them that He is truly in control over all things by calming the great storm with His mere words. According to the Gospel reading, Jesus was asleep during the storm on the Sea of Galilee. He was in a small fishing boat in the midst of the storm with the waves breaking into the boat, and, yet, He was asleep. The disciples reacted more as we all would. Not only were they awake, but they were in a state of panic, ‘Save us, Lord, we are going down!’ The evangelist is depicting Jesus as at peace in the storm, suggesting that such was His trust in God His Father’s providential care that the storm did not trouble Him. The disciples lacked that trust in God; Jesus rebuked them as ‘men of little faith’. Jesus was like that house He spoke about that was battered by a storm but did not collapse because it was built on rock. Jesus’ life was built on God and so He was secure even in the heart of life’s storms. We are all called to share in Jesus’ own relationship with God. We can call God ‘Abba, Father’, as Jesus did. Like Jesus, we too can know the peace and security which that relationship gives us, even when the storms of life threaten to engulf us. We can easily identify with the prayer of the man in the Gospels, ‘Lord, I believe, help my unbelief’. Jesus, who had been asleep in the storm, brought the fragile boat with its fearful disciples through the storm into a place of calm. In stormy times that expose our vulnerability and frailty, the Lord remains with the church and with each of us as individuals, keeping us steady and guiding us to our destination. This passage would have reassured Matthew’s church and can reassure us today that the Lord is always stronger than the storm which threatens to overwhelm us. Like that of the words of the prophet Amos in our first reading today, we heard how God showed through His Son, before the eyes of His disciples, that He is truly the Lord and Master over all things. He calls on us to have faith in Him especially when the storms threaten to engulf us.

In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Amos, the Lord speaks to His people, the Israelites in the northern kingdom of Israel, of His words of displeasure and disappointment with them because of their constant and persistent disobedience against Him, in them having continued to commit sin after sin, indulging in worldly wickedness and all the temptations of worldly pleasures which distracted and pulled them away from the path of God towards the path of worldliness and sin. They have profaned His temples and sanctuaries, worshipped pagan idols and gods in violation of God’s commandments and laws, trusting in their own human ways and instincts rather than to trust in God, their Lord and Master. This is why the Lord reminded them all through His prophet Amos of the power that He has over all things, and how everything that had happened, is happening and will happen all came to be because of Him and what He had willed to happen. He also spoke of the moment of reckoning and punishment that the disobedient ones would have to endure as a just consequence for their many sins and wickedness, reminding them all of what had happened to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Each and every one of these were highlighted to the people through the prophet Amos, who went to the land of the northern kingdom of Israel from Judah to proclaim God’s judgment on the people who have repeatedly refused to embrace God’s path, persecuting those messengers and prophets, including that of Amos himself, whom God had sent to them to remind and help them.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded that we must always have faith and trust in the Lord at all times. We must always remain steadfast in our commitment to God and be exemplary in our way of life, in our every actions and deeds so that by our good role model and examples, by our courageous commitment to the path of the Lord, we will always exude the shining light of God’s truth and grace in our everyday moments in life, that everyone who witness our works and interact with us may come to realise God’s Presence through us, His works and love being made manifest through our own lives and actions. Each and every one of us are called to be these shining beacons of God’s light and love at all times. May the Lord continue to guide us all, strengthening us in faith and give us His protection and power, so that amidst all the hardships, trials and challenges that we may encounter in our paths through life, we may always be firm in our conviction and desire to follow the Lord ever more wholeheartedly and so that we may continue to walk ever more worthily in the path that God has shown us, that our lives may be great role models and examples for all those whom we meet and encounter in life. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and bless us always, and be with us in all circumstances, throughout our lives, now and always. Amen 🙏🏾

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

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

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, 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. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. 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, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. 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 powerful Lord, I am amazed at Your divine power and ability to perfectly calm the storms that afflict Your people. Please fill me with hope and humility so that I will never hesitate to turn to You in my need and to also cry out to You for Your continuous intervention in the lives of others. Awake, oh Lord, and save Your people, for we will truly perish without You! Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Bernardino Realino; Saints Processus & Martinian; Saint Swithin (Swithun) and Saint Otto of Bamberg ~  Pray for us🙏

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this special  feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and we continue to pray 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 and fruitful month of July 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 1, 2024

FEAST OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Greetings beloved family and Happy New Month of July! We thank God for the gift of life and the gift of a new month🙏

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

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

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

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 1, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 1, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 1, 2024 |

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

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

Today’s Bible Readings, Monday, July 1, 2024
Reading 1, Amos 2:6-10, 13-16
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 50:16-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23
Gospel, Matthew 8:18-22

FEAST AND SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST; MEMORIAL OF SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA, PRIEST; SAINT OLIVER PLUNKETT,  BISHOP AND MARTYR; SAINT GAL, BISHOP OF CLERMONT AND BLESSED ANTONIO ROSMINI, PRIEST ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 1ST: Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We also celebrate the Memorial of Saint Junipero Serra, Priest; Saint Oliver Plunkett, Bishop, Martyr; Saint Gal, Bishop of Clermont and Blessed Antonio Rosmini, Priest. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancer and other terminal diseases. We pray for the poor and needy, for justice, peace and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏

FEAST OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: During the month of July, we celebrate the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, the Redeemer. Supreme homage is given to the Sacred Blood. As we adore the Sacred Heart, because it is the Heart of Jesus, who is God, so we adore the Most Precious Blood. It is the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, which cleanses us from sin—therefore the Church developed a devotion to Jesus’ physical blood and its mystical power, just as it did for His Sacred Heart from which His blood poured out on the Cross. The Precious Blood of Jesus courses through the Church spiritually, giving eternal life to the Body of Christ through the sacraments. The Blood of Jesus is the fountain of salvation. Each drop that flowed from the wounds of the Saviour is a pledge of man’s eternal salvation. All races of the earth have been ransomed, and all individuals, who will allow the saving power of the Sacred Blood to be applied to their soul, are heirs of heaven. St. John Chrysostom calls the Precious Blood the saviour of souls; St. Thomas Aquinas, the key to heaven’s treasures; St. Ambrose, pure gold of ineffable worth; St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, a magnet of souls and pledge of eternal life. The sins of mankind, in their number, in their offense to the Supreme Being, in the effects on transgressors, are immense; yet, the Precious Blood of Jesus is not frightened by numbers, it has in Itself the power to appease an angered God and to heal wounded creatures.

The Precious Blood is a cleansing bath. Unlike all other blood, which stains, the Blood of Jesus washes clean and white. According to the words of St. John, in the Apocalypse, the Angels wonder, and the question is asked: These that are clothed in white robes, who are they? The Lord answers: These are they that have washed their robes, and have made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. For no other reason did the Precious Blood flow but to regain for the souls of men the beautiful dress of innocence, and , once regained, to preserve it throughout life and into eternity. The Blood of the Saviour is a well of consolation for troubled hearts. Can anyone, confidingly, look at the Sacred Blood trickling down from the Cross without taking courage to carry on, in spite of the difficulties which are the common lot of all? One glance at the Cross must be able to drive away fear. And, another, must be able to instill trust in Him who did not rest until the last drop, mingled with water, flowed out of an opened Heart. He, who was willing to do so much for men, must be willing to overlook and forget the frailties which they deeply regret; He must be willing to come to their assistance when harassed, to defend them when tempted, to comfort them when afflicted. The Blood of Jesus must be for Christians what the north-star is to sailors. Would that men on earth honored the Precious Blood in the manner in which they who are in heaven give honor and praise and thanksgiving! They proclaim that It purchased the glory which they enjoy. Without It, they would have remained slaves of Satan and outcasts from the eternal mansions of God. Let us profess that we owe to the Sacred Blood of Jesus all that we have in this life, and that to It we shall owe all that we shall enjoy in a better and eternal life! Many saints had a devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus, especially St. Catherine of Siena. Devotion to the Precious Blood spread widely through the preaching of Saint Gaspar del Bufalo, who was a 19th-century priest and the founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. This devotion was later approved and recommended by the Holy See. Pope Pius IX instituted this celebration in 1849 and it has since been observed around the world for centuries. The feast day offers a great opportunity for us to reflect on what the blood of Jesus means for us in our personal lives and walk of faith. The feast day of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus is July 1st. This feast recalls the various titles of the Redeemer.

Precious Blood of our Savior, the life-giving spring made ever open by the redeeming Cross! You wash away the stains of the whole world and in the Church, Paradise regained, you bring forth flowers of sanctity.🙏

SAINT JUNIPERO SERRA, PRIEST: St. Junipero Serra (1713 – 1784), born Miguel José Serra in 1713 on the Spanish island of Majorca on November 24, 1713, to a farming family and he was baptized the same day he was born, and was later sent to be educated by the Franciscans. In 1730 he joined the Franciscans and was ordained to the priesthood in 1737. When he entered the Franciscan order at the age of 17, he took the name of Junipero, who was a friend of St. Francis and one of his first followers. St. Junipero was considered brilliant by his peers; he was well-trained in Philosophy and Theology, and taught at the University of Padua until 1749. In 1750, at the age of 37, he traveled to the New World and began ministering to the people of Mexico City. St. Junipero landed in Mexico City on January 1, 1750, and spent the rest of his life working for the conversation of the peoples of the New World. In 1768 he moved north and began working in the Californian missions. Father Serra took over the missions of the Jesuits (who had been wrongly expelled by the government) in the Mexican province of Lower California and Upper California (modern California). As a result of his tireless missionary efforts, this indefatigable worker, the holy man is largely responsible for the foundation and spread of Catholicism along the Western coast of the United States when it was still mission territory —as testified by the many Californian cities with Spanish Christian names. He founded the first nine of twenty-one Catholic missions that spread along the California coast. He converted thousands of Native American Indians to the Christian faith and taught them new and sound methods of agriculture, animal husbandry, cattle raising, arts and crafts – craftsmanship. St. Junipero was a dedicated religious and missionary. He was imbued with a penitential spirit and activities.

On August 28, 1784, worn out by his apostolic labors, Father Serra was called to his eternal rest. He died from tuberculosis at the age of 71, and he is buried at the church of San Carlos Borromeo in Carmel, California. The Native Americans he ministered wept at his death out of their love for him. St. Junipero Serra was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II on September 25, 1988 and canonized in September 23, 2015, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., by Pope Francis, the first canonization Mass to ever take place on American soil. His statue, representing the State of California, is in National Statuary Hall. He’s referred to as the apostle and founder of California. His personal motto was, “Always go forward, never turn back.” He is Patron Saint of vocations to Church ministry. His feast day is July 1st.

PRAYER: Almighty, eternal God, You dedicated the joy of this day to the glorification Blessed Junipero. Mercifully grant that we may strive to retain and complete by our works that faith which he continually proclaimed with insatiable zeal. Amen🙏

SAINT OLIVER PLUNKETT, BISHOP AND MARTYR: St. Oliver Plunkett (1625 – 1681) was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. He maintained his duties in Ireland in the face of English persecution and was eventually arrested and tried for treason in London and martyred. St. Plunkett was born on November 1, 1625 into an influential Anglo-Norman family at Loughcrew, near Oldcastle, Co Meath, Ireland, related to several aristocratic families. In 1647, he went to the Irish College in Rome to study for the priesthood and was ordained a priest in 1654. The arrival of Cromwell in Ireland in 1649 initiated the massacre and persecution of Catholics. Cromwell left in 1650 but his legacy was enacted in anti-Catholic legislation. During the 1650s, Catholics were expelled from Dublin and landowners were dispossessed. Catholic priests were outlawed and those who continued to administer the sacraments were hanged or transported to the West Indies. To avoid persecution, Plunket petitioned to remain in Rome, and in 1657 became a professor of theology. When anti-Catholicism eased, Plunket returned to Ireland. In 1657 he became archbishop of Armagh. He set about reorganizing the ravaged Church, and built schools both for the young and for clergy whom he found ‘ignorant in moral theology and controversies’. He tackled drunkenness among the clergy, writing ‘Let us remove this defect from an Irish priest, and he will be a saint.’ In 1670, he summoned an episcopal conference in Dublin, and later held numerous synods in his own arch diocese. However, he had a long standing difference with the archbishop of Dublin, Peter Talbot, over their rival claims to be primate of Ireland. He also antagonized the Franciscans, particularly when he favored the Dominicans in a property dispute.

With the onset of new persecution in 1673, St. Plunket went into hiding, refusing a government edict to register at a seaport and await passage into exile. In 1678, the so-called Popish Plot concocted in England by Titus Oates led to further anti-Catholicism. Archbishop Talbot was arrested, and St. Plunket again went into hiding. The privy council in London was told he had plotted a French invasion. In December 1679, St. Plunket was imprisoned in Dublin Castle, where he gave absolution to the dying Talbot. Taken to London, he was found guilty in June 1681 of high treason on perjured evidence from two disaffected Franciscans. On 1 July 1, 1681, St. Plunket became the last Catholic martyr in England when he was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn. He became the first Irish martyr to be formally canonised and the last Roman Catholic to be martyred for the faith at Tyburn in England. Saint Oliver Plunkett was beatified in 1920 and canonised in 1975, the first new Irish saint for almost seven hundred years. He’s the Patron Saint of Archdiocese of Armagh, Ireland.

Saint Oliver Plunkett, Bishop and Martyr ~ Pray for us🙏

SAINT GAL, BISHOP OF CLERMONT: Saint Gal, Bishop of Clermont (489 – 553) was born at Clermont in Auvergne, about the year 489. His father was of the first families of that province, and his mother a descendant of the celebrated Roman martyr Vettius Apagatus, who suffered at Lyons for the faith of Christ. They both took special care of the education of their son, and when he reached a suitable age proposed to have him marry the daughter of a senator. The Saint, who had taken a resolution to consecrate himself to God, left his father’s house and went to the monastery of Cournon near the city of Clermont. He earnestly prayed to be admitted there among the monks, and having soon afterwards obtained the consent of his parents, with joy he renounced all worldly vanities to embrace religious poverty.

His virtues distinguished him and recommended him to Quintianus, bishop of Clermont, who taught him theology and was his spiritual director; he then promoted him to Holy Orders. When the bishop died in 527, Saint Gal was appointed to succeed him. In this new character his humility, charity, zeal, and above all his patience in bearing injuries, were conspicuous. Once when struck on the head by a brutal man, Saint Gal did not reveal the slightest emotion of anger or resentment, and by this meekness disarmed his attacker’s rage.Saint Gal participated in the important Council of Clermont in 535; six years later he took part in the Fourth Council of Orleans. He died in the year 553 after an illness which, by the sufferings it occasioned him, manifested once more his remarkable patience. After singing the Psalm Miserere, and another in thanksgiving, he gave up his holy soul to God. Many miracles occurred at his tomb; he is invoked especially against fevers.

Saint Gal, Bishop of Clermont ~ Pray for us 🙏

BLESSED ANTONIO ROSMINI, PRIEST: Bl. Antonio Francesco Davide Ambrogio Rosmini-Serbati, an Italian Roman Catholic priest and philosopher. He founded the Rosminians, officially the Institute of Charity or Societas a charitate nuncupata, pioneered the concept of social justice, and was a key figure in Italian Liberal Catholicism. Bl. Antonio was born on March 24, 1797 to Pier Modesto and Giovanna dei Conti Formenti di Riva at Rovereto, Austrian Tyrol (modern Trent, Italy), a very “Italian” town although part of the Austrian Empire since 1509. He was baptized the following day and received his early education locally. In 1816 he enrolled at the University of Padua, Italy, where he received doctorates in theology and canon law. After his studies he returned to Rovereto to prepare for Holy Orders. In February 1820 he accompanied his sister, Margherita, to Verona where the Marquess Maddalena of Canossa (now Blessed) had founded a religious institute. During the visit Maddalena invited him to found a male religious institute as a twin to her own institute. While the young man politely declined, her invitation in time proved prophetic. Bl. Antonio was ordained a priest on 21 April 1821 at Chioggia, Italy. In 1823 he travelled to Rome with the Patriarch of Venice, who arranged an audience for him with Pope Pius VII. In that audience the Pontiff encouraged him to undertake the reform of philosophy.

In 1826 he went to Milan to continue his research and publish the results of his philosophical studies. He wrote on many subjects, including the origin of ideas and certitude, the nature of the human soul, ethics, the relationship between Church and State, the philosophy of law, metaphysics, grace, original sin, the sacraments and education. On Ash Wednesday, 20 February 1828, Fr Rosmini withdrew to write the Constitutions of the budding Institute of Charity, in which he incorporated the principle of passivity (to be concerned with one’s personal sanctification until God’s will manifests itself to undertake some external work of charity) and the principle of impartiality (to free one of any personal preference in assuming a work of charity). To assure himself of God’s will in his philosophical and foundational work, Rosmini went to Rome a second time, in November 1828, and there received Pope Leo XII’s support. On 15 May 1829 he met with the new Pope, Pius VIII, who confirmed his double mission as philosopher and founder.
During this visit to Rome, Fr Rosmini published “Maxims of Christian Perfection” and “Origin of Ideas”, winning the admiration of many scholars. By 1832 the Institute of Charity had spread to Northern Italy and by 1835 it reached England, where the community enjoyed substantial growth. In England the Rosminians are credited with introducing the use of the Roman collar and cassock and the practice of wearing the religious habit in public. They were known for preaching missions, the practice of the Forty Hours, May devotions, the use of the scapular, novena celebrations, public processions and the blessing of throats on the feast of St Blaise. Pope Gregory XVI approved the Constitutions of the Institute of Charity on 20 December 1838. On 25 March 1839 vows were taken by 20 Italian and 6 British priests. On 20 September 1839 Fr Rosmini was appointed provost general for life. This happy period of growth and apostolic success, however, was tempered by opposition to his intellectual and philosophical writings from 1826 until his death.

Primarily his “Treatise on Moral Conscience” (1839) led to a sharp, 15-year controversy which required more than one Papal injunction to silence the “Rosminian Question”. Another important, controversial work was “The Five Wounds of the Church” (1832). Fr Rosmini found himself wedged between the obligation to renew Catholic philosophy and finding his works on the Index. But his obedience to the Church was admirable: “In everything, I want to base myself on the authority of the Church, and I want the whole world to know that I adhere to this authority alone” (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, “Note on the Force of the Doctrinal Decrees”, L’Osservatore Romano English edition [ORE], 25 July 2001, p. 9). To close the issue definitively, the Pontiff submitted all Rosmini’s works to examination by the Congregation of the Index. On 3 July 1854, it was decreed: “All the works of Antonio Rosmini-Serbati that have recently been examined are to be dismissed, and this examination in no way detracts from the good name of the author, nor of the religious Society founded by him, nor from his life and singular merits towards the Church” (R. Malone, “Historical Overview of the Rosmini Case”, ORE, 25 July 2001, p. 10). Less than a year after this Decree, Fr Antonio Rosmini died on 1 July 1855 at Stresa, Italy, at age 58 on the feast day of the Precious Blood of JESUS. Found on his bedside cabinet was a worn-out booklet of personal prayers entitled, “Jesu Christi Passio”, containing some devotions to the Precious Blood of Jesus given to him by St. Magdalene of Canossa in the distant 1821. He had written on it, as a reminder to himself: “The Commemorations in honour of the most precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ are to be recited daily, so that our own blood may be offered to the heavenly Father in union with that of Jesus”.

Blessed Antonio Francesco Davide Ambrogio Rosmini-Serbati, Priest ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 8:18-22

“Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead”

“When Jesus saw a crowd around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other shore. A scribe approached and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus answered Him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest His head.” Another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But Jesus answered Him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.”

In today’s Gospel reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is very clear about the demands involved in following Him and becoming His disciple. He declares to a scribe who wants to become a disciple that following him will often mean having no place to call home, having nowhere to lay one’s head. To someone who is already a disciple Jesus declares that following Him takes priority over even the most sacred of family duties such as burying one’s father. The demands that Jesus highlights in our Gospel reading are particular to the circumstances of Jesus’ own public ministry. Yet, it remains the case that following Jesus, living as His disciple, will always make demands on us, regardless of the circumstances of our lives. The call of the Gospel is not easy. The particular path that Jesus puts before us is hugely challenging. It will always stretch us. We only have to think of the message of the Sermon on the Mount. It is when we are most aware of the challenge of the Gospel that we need to hear most clearly that other aspect of the Gospel message, the promise of the Lord’s help for those who take His path. At one point in Matthew’s Gospels, the disciples ask, ‘Who can be saved?’ to which Jesus replies, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible’. Only with God’s help can we take the path that Jesus calls us to take.

In our first reading today, the Lord spoke to His people through the prophet Amos, speaking about His grievances and anger against them because of their lack of faith in Him and their lack of virtue and their wickedness, all of the evil and unworthy deeds and actions which they had carried out in violation to God’s Law and commandments. The prophet Amos was sent to the northern kingdom of Israel, and he was entrusted with the message of God speaking to the people who have disobeyed Him for a long time, constantly and persistently refusing to follow Him and obey Him despite repeated reminders and help from the Lord through His many prophets and messengers. The people of Israel instead persecuted and oppressed those prophets and messengers that had been sent to them. That was why the prophet Amos voiced out God’s disapproval and disappointment with the behaviour and attitude shown by His people, who have repeatedly committed all sorts of wicked and sinful actions, deeds and works which were abhorrent to God. The prophet Amos reminded the people both of everything that God had done for the sake of His beloved ones, all the works and efforts He had done in caring and bringing God’s people ever nearer to Him, from His liberation of the Israelites in Egypt, to the things He had done in protecting and providing for the people throughout their way to the Promised Land and protecting them, giving them His blessings, guidance and help throughout the time when they were dwelling in that Promised Land. Yet, they still rebelled and disobeyed God, and God showed His displeasure by warning them of the impending disaster and hardships that they all would have to face as the consequences of their many sins, evils and wickedness. God has always been patient with His people, loving them and caring for them even despite all these wicked and unruly behaviour that they have displayed before Him and before all the other people. This is therefore a reminder for all of us that while God’s love and mercy are truly enduring and wonderful in all of their richness and perseverance, but ultimately we must embrace this love and mercy wholeheartedly, so that we can be forgiven from our sins and wickedness, and therefore gain the assurance of eternal life. This is because no sin can exist before God, and since sin is a corruption and dark stain on our souls and our beings, we cannot truly experience the fullness of God’s love and grace as long as our lives continue to be overshadowed by sin and evil in our midst. That was also what happened to the Israelites in the past, as their sins and wickedness were great obstacles which prevented them all from truly being able to come to the Lord and gain the fullness of His grace and love. All of their sins and wickedness have to be answered for and settled, and the same applies to us all as well. If we do not get our sins and faults sorted out before the time of the reckoning of our lives, then we must suffer the consequences of our sins, just as the Israelites had suffered.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, all of us are reminded that each and every one of us as God’s beloved and holy people ought to listen to Him and obey His Law and commandments. We should not harden our hearts and minds, being stubborn or disobedient against God as many of us and our predecessors had done, which had led them all into sin and wicked ways, and which had brought some of them into the path towards downfall and eternal damnation. As God’s people we must truly be wholehearted in our commitment to Him, in doing what He has taught and shown us all to do, so that we are truly worthy to be called as His disciples and followers, and as His holy and beloved people. All of us are reminded to live our lives in accordance with the way of the Lord, abandoning our past sinfulness and wickedness, embracing Him and His love wholeheartedly at all times. We are all called to seek the Lord, His forgiveness, compassion and grace, all that He has ever generously presented to us. All of us are called to a life of virtue, acting in the manner that is acceptable and truly worthy of the Lord at all times. Each and every one of us have been shown how to do this by the Lord Himself and taught of His Law and commandments through His Church. Now what matters is for us to answer God’s call and renew our commitment to Him, to be a people that is truly committed and full of love and faith in Him. May the Lord continue to bless us all and strengthen each and every one of us in our journey in life. May He continue to guide us all in His Church so that in everything that we say and do, we will continue to do so with true faith and devotion to God, that we will continue to do our best to glorify God through each and every parts of our lives. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and be with us always, and may He empower us all to live faithfully ever in His path, now and always. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

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

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, 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. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. 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, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. 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 glorious Lord, You walked through this world in poverty, rejection and suffering. You had no earthly home of Your own but now live in the riches of Heaven. Help me to follow You, dear Lord, wherever You lead me in this life. If You lead me to worldly poverty and suffering, I thank You. I thank You and choose to follow You no matter what. Give me the grace I need to follow You purely out of love for You, for You are God and are worthy of all my praise and worship. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Junipero Serra, Saint  Oliver Plunkett, Saint Gal, Bishop of Clermont and Blessed Antonio Rosmini ~ Pray for us🙏

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this special  feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and we continue to pray 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 and fruitful week🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖