Month: January 2025

Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Thursday after Epiphany of the Lord!

THURSDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 9, 2025

OPENING OF THE HOLY DOORS SCHEDULES | JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025 [Details and links below]

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and all the Saints, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Savior Jesus Christ! For the safety and well-being of all our children and school children as they return to school this new year after the Christmas holiday. We pray for God’s guidance and protection upon them. We continue to pray for peace all around the world, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine-Russia and other parts of the world. We pray for an end to the wars and conflicts, and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. For the gentle repose of 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 and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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

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

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | January 9, 2025 on EWTN“ |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | January 9, 2025 |

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

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 9, 2025 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| January 9, 2025 |

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

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

Today’s Bible Readings: Thursday after Epiphany | January 9, 2025
Reading 1, First John 4:19-5:4
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 72:1-2, 14-15, 17
Gospel, Luke 4:14-22

OPENING OF THE HOLY DOORS SCHEDULES | JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door Ushering in the Jubilee of Hope | ‘Hope is Alive’ | Vatican News | December 24, 2024 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/25/pope-francis-opens-the-holy-door-ushering-in-the-jubilee-of-hope-hope-is-alive-vatican-news-december-24-2024/

• On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the First Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica | Jubilee 2025 Inauguration | December 24, 2024 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/24/pope-francis-opening-of-the-holy-door-and-christmas-eve-mass/
• On Christmas Day, Pope Francis delivered his Urbi et Orbi message to the people of the city of Rome and the world from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at noon | https://youtu.be/jP2UZHtDjFg?si=tOfXdzrZ2vLPXRT3
• On 26 December, for the first time in the Jubilee tradition, Pope Francis opened a fifth sacred portal in a Roman prison – Rebibbia Prison, a gesture of hope that shows his ongoing closeness to detainees | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/26/watch-pope-francis-opens-the-holy-door-at-rebibbia-prison-and-presides-holy-mass-jubilee-2025-december-26-2024/
• On Sunday, 29 December, the Pope opened the Holy Door of his cathedral, Saint John Lateran, which on November 9, 2024 celebrated the 1700th anniversary of its dedication | Jubilee of Hope 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/29/full-rite-opening-of-the-third-holy-door-of-the-basilica-of-st-john-lateran-and-holy-mass-on-the-feast-of-the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-rome-jubilee-of-hope-2025-december-29-2024/
• Then, on 1 January 2025, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major was opened | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/01/opening-of-the-holy-door-of-basilica-of-st-mary-the-major-january-1-2025/
• Lastly, Sunday, 5 January 2025, marks the opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/05/opening-of-the-holy-door-basilica-of-saint-paul-outside-the-walls-jubilee-2025-live-from-rome-january-5-2025/

These last three Holy Doors will be closed on Sunday, 28 December 2025.

THE JUBILEE PRAYER
Link to the prayer of the Jubilee of Hope 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/08/the-jubilee-prayer/

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT ADRIAN OF CANTERBURY, ABBOT AND SAINTS JULIAN AND BASILISSA, MARTYRS – FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 9TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Adrian of Canterbury, Abbot and Saints Julian and Basilissa, Martyrs.

SAINT ADRIAN OF CANTERBURY, ABBOT: St. Adrian of Canterbury (d. 710 A.D.), also known as St. Hadrian, was a native of North Africa who was sent to England to accompany his friend, Theodore of Tarsus, who was appointed to the prestigious archbishopric of Canterbury. This learned and saintly man, St. Adrian became Abbot of monastery near Monte Casino, Italy. Pope St. Vitalian judged him to be the best person to fill the vacant post of Archbishop of Canterbury, for his talents were most suitable for instructing and nurturing a nation still young in the Faith. But St. Adrian, deeming himself unworthy, suggested St. Theodore of Tarsus in his place. The Pope agreed but sent him along to be the assistant and adviser of the Archbishop. Setting out in 668, the two holy men proceeding by way of France. There, St. Adrian was arrested by Ebroin, Mayor of Neustria, as an agent of the Eastern Emperor; and St. Theodore alone was able to go on. When St. Adrian was finally able to reach England, he found St. Theodore already confirmed in his See, and was named Abbot of the monastery of St. Augustine’s Abbey at Canterbury (originally called the Monastery of Sts. Peter and Paul at Canterbury).

Under St. Adrian’s administration, this monastic school attracted students from all over and had a far-reaching influence. The monastic school grew and thrived under his leadership, and became an important center of learning where many future scholars, bishops, and abbots were educated in Latin, Greek, scripture, theology, Roman law, arithmetic, and other subjects. Saint Adrian himself was learned in the Scriptures, was well known for being a great teacher of religion, math, science, and literature, well versed in the Fathers of the Church, and a fine Greek and Latin scholar. All these subject were taught there, as well as poetry, astronomy, and calendar calculation. He also served as the Holy Father’s assistant and adviser. During the lives of Adrian and Theodore, education and learning flourished in England. After his death, his tomb became famous for miracles. St. Adrian died on January 9, 710. His feast day is January 9th.

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. Adrian the Abbot. Amen🙏

SAINTS JULIAN AND BASILISSA, MARTYRS: Saint Julian, Martyr (died 313) and Saint Basilissa, his wife (died 4th century), though married, lived by mutual consent in perpetual chastity. They sanctified themselves by the most perfect exercises of an ascetic life, and employed their revenues in relieving the poor and the sick. For this purpose they converted their house into a kind of hospital, in which they sheltered up to a thousand poor people. Basilissa attended those of her sex in separate lodgings, and Julian, who for his charity is known as the Hospitaler, cared for the men.

Egypt, where they lived, was in those days blessed with persons who, either in the cities or in the deserts, devoted themselves to the most perfect exercises of charity, penance, and mortification. Conversions were numerous, and persecutions by furious pagans followed as the numbers of Christians increased. St. Basilissa, after having survived seven of those, died in peace, foretelling to her husband that he would die a martyr. St. Julian lived afterwards for a number of years, but eventually received the crown of a glorious martyrdom in 313. His interrogation and his tortures were accompanied by astonishing prodigies and numerous conversions. With him died thirty-one other persons, including a priest named Anthony, a new Christian named Anastasius, Celsus, the seven-year-old son of the judge who sentenced Julian, Marcianilla, the mother of Celsus, who when she came to visit her son was won over to the faith, and many other Christians. Spared by fire and wild beasts, Saint Julian finally was decapitated. His tomb became illustrious by many great miracles, including the cure of ten lepers on the same day. Many churches and hospitals, in both the East and in the West, bear the name of one or another of these martyrs. Four churches at Rome and three in Paris are dedicated to Saint Julian.

Reflection: God often rewards men for works that are pleasing in His sight by giving them grace and opportunity to do other works higher still. Such was the case for Saint Julian, whose posthumous miracles attained prodigious numbers. Saints Julian and Basilissa, Martyrs ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Thursday after Epiphany | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 4:14-22

“Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing”

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all. He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.”

Today’s Gospel reading details the moment when the Lord Jesus, early in His ministry returned to His hometown of Nazareth, and when He went to the local synagogue, at the appointed time, He proclaimed what the prophets like Isaiah and the ones before him had prophesied about the coming of the Messiah or the Saviour from God. And as Jesus proclaimed those words of the Scriptures, He proclaimed the fulfilment of everything that had been prophesied, how everything had indeed come true as it was meant to be, and everything that He had done, His teachings and great Wisdom, all the miracles and signs He had performed, all were the evidence that He was the Messiah that had been promised. In the Gospel, when Jesus was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue of Nazareth and He read a passage of His choosing, He was really making public His mission statement. He was saying to the people of His hometown, Nazareth, ‘this is what I am about’. His Spirit inspired mission was to give an experience of God’s favour to those who were most in need of it, the poor, be they the materially poor or the spiritually poor, the captives, be it those who were enslaved by their economic circumstances or enslaved by a way of life that was contrary to God’s desire for them, the blind, be it the physically blind or the spiritually blind. This remains the mission statement of the risen Lord who journeys with all of us, just as He journeyed with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and who is with us in the Eucharist, just as the two disciples recognized Him in the breaking of bread. The risen Lord continues to bring a sense of God’s favour to all who are in need of it. There can be times in all our lives when we feel poor, captive, blind and downtrodden in some way. There are moments when we feel out of favour, with ourselves, with others, and even with God. It is above all then that we must allow the Lord to find us, just as during His public ministry on earth he looked for and found those who were out of favour. The Lord seeks us out, especially in our times of greatest need; He seeks us out to shower us with God’s favour. He then sends us out to be channels of God’s favour to others, especially to those who experience themselves as as beyond the favour of others and, perhaps, even God. Having been graced by God’s favour, each of us is then called to be a unique revelation of God’s loving favour to others. In the words of today’s first reading, ‘we are to love, because God loved us first’.

Our first reading today is the continuation of the Epistle of St. John the Apostle, the exhortation from St. John to all the faithful reminding all of them to love one another, to show love to everyone without exception, and to show care and concern for each other, following the example and the teachings which the Lord Himself has shown to us by His words and actions amongst us. The Lord’s commandments and all of His Law, all of them are truly about love, on how we ought to love God with all of our strength and might, and then how we should love in the same manner as well to our fellow brothers and sisters around us, all those who need our love, care and attention. It is also important that we all should embrace God’s love wholeheartedly and be appreciative and thankful that God has shown us all so much love, even when we have often disobeyed Him and disregarded His Law and commandments. Our loving God and Father has often been patient in loving us and caring for us, and because He has taught us all how to love and to show His love in our actions, words and deeds, therefore, it is important that we are truly filled with love in everything that we do, or else, we cannot truly call ourselves as God’s children or people. St. John himself said it plainly that if we do not show love to our brothers and sisters, then we are not truly loving God, and we are in fact ‘liars’ in our proclamation of love for God. St. John made it clear that all those who love the Father, also loves the Son, and vice versa, and in order to be able to truly love God as we should, then we must be truly loving in all things, and we cannot be full of hatred or lacking in love towards anyone. If we ourselves are not showing love towards our fellow brothers and sisters, then how can we truly be genuinely loving towards God as well? And God Who loves everyone certainly will not find our lack of love and even hatred against our fellow brethren as something that is favourable. As Christians it is imperative that we follow the examples of Christ our Lord Himself, loving everyone around us generously and sincerely, to the best of our abilities. Indeed, this is something easier said than done, but we should at least make the effort to do so.

As we reflect on the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded again during the remaining time of this joyful season of Christmas that we truly are celebrating the love of God manifested in this world through the coming of His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all mankind and the whole world, by Whose arrival, presence and ministry, in all that He has done in our midst, in His teachings and outreach, all of us have seen and witnessed, experienced and learnt about what God truly wants from each and every one of us. And we are also reminded on how God is truly faithful and ever committed to the Covenant which He had made with us and all the promises He had given us. That is why, as Christians, all of us are challenged to be the ones to show the love of God as revealed to us through His Son to those whom we encounter in our lives in each and every interactions we have with them. We should show this through even the smallest parts of our lives, we can be the ones to show the love of God to everyone around us, in how we love our neighbours, all those whom we encounter in life, in our willingness to forgive those who have hurt us and to pray for them and their conversion of heart, among other things. This is why as we still continue to celebrate this joyful Christmas season, we are constantly being reminded to be always putting Christ, the manifestation of God’s love, at the centre of our lives. Let us all therefore truly become worthy children and followers of the Lord, to be truly worthy to call God our ‘Father’ because we are truly like Him in all things, especially in how we love generously from our hearts and continue to do so just as how the Lord Himself has loved us all so generously. We are called to emulate the Holy men and women and the Saints, particularly the Saints we celebrate today, Saint Adrian of Canterbury and and Saints Julian and Basilissa. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace to worship Him in spirit and in truth and let us all no longer be idle in our lives, in not realising that our every actions can be very important in showing the love of God to all the people, and let us all be proactive from now on in being evangelising and missionary in all of our actions, words and deeds, in our every interactions with our fellow brethren, even in the smallest things, now and always. Amen 🙏🏽

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY | MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12538

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY – FOR THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION: Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2025

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this special feast day, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Lord Christ! We pray for the safety and well-being of everyone and for all those traveling during this season of Christmas and new year. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and 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 vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

Let us pray:

Lord, I accept all that You have taught, and I choose to change those parts of my life that do not conform to Your most holy will. Give me wisdom to see the thing from which I must repent and soften my heart so that I will always remain open to You. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Adrian of Canterbury and Saints Julian and Basilissa ~ Pray for us 🙏

Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines:

DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

FOUNDATION | https://gliopiepehe.org

SIR G.L.I OPIEPE’S HEALTH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION | https://youtu.be/gB31nuOFx0A?si=mSoZs-wiByhGsY

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

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

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

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

Thanking God for the gift of this new year 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.  Journey mercies for all those traveling during this Christmas season and new year. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous, and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Wednesday after Epiphany of the Lord!

WEDNESDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 8, 2025

OPENING OF THE HOLY DOORS SCHEDULES | JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025 [Details and links below]

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and all the Saints, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Savior Jesus Christ! For the safety and well-being of all our children and school children as they return to school this new year after the Christmas holiday. We pray for God’s guidance and protection upon them. We continue to pray for peace all around the world, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine-Russia and other parts of the world. We pray for an end to the wars and conflicts, and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. For the gentle repose of 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 and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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

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

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | January 8, 2025 on EWTN” |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | January 8, 2025 |

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

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 8, 2025 |

https://www.youtube.com/live/n4dCH8OMhas?si=d-gmVxbH5y5YS4PU

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| January 8, 2025 |

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

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

Today’s Bible Readings: Wednesday After Epiphany | January 8, 2025
Reading 1, First John 4:11-18
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 72:1-2, 10, 12-13
Gospel, Mark 6:45-52

OPENING OF THE HOLY DOORS SCHEDULES | JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door Ushering in the Jubilee of Hope | ‘Hope is Alive’ | Vatican News | December 24, 2024 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/25/pope-francis-opens-the-holy-door-ushering-in-the-jubilee-of-hope-hope-is-alive-vatican-news-december-24-2024/

• On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the First Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica | Jubilee 2025 Inauguration | December 24, 2024 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/24/pope-francis-opening-of-the-holy-door-and-christmas-eve-mass/
• On Christmas Day, Pope Francis delivered his Urbi et Orbi message to the people of the city of Rome and the world from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at noon | https://youtu.be/jP2UZHtDjFg?si=tOfXdzrZ2vLPXRT3
• On 26 December, for the first time in the Jubilee tradition, Pope Francis opened a fifth sacred portal in a Roman prison – Rebibbia Prison, a gesture of hope that shows his ongoing closeness to detainees | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/26/watch-pope-francis-opens-the-holy-door-at-rebibbia-prison-and-presides-holy-mass-jubilee-2025-december-26-2024/
• On Sunday, 29 December, the Pope opened the Holy Door of his cathedral, Saint John Lateran, which on November 9, 2024 celebrated the 1700th anniversary of its dedication | Jubilee of Hope 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/29/full-rite-opening-of-the-third-holy-door-of-the-basilica-of-st-john-lateran-and-holy-mass-on-the-feast-of-the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-rome-jubilee-of-hope-2025-december-29-2024/
• Then, on 1 January 2025, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major was opened | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/01/opening-of-the-holy-door-of-basilica-of-st-mary-the-major-january-1-2025/
• Lastly, Sunday, 5 January 2025, marks the opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/05/opening-of-the-holy-door-basilica-of-saint-paul-outside-the-walls-jubilee-2025-live-from-rome-january-5-2025/

These last three Holy Doors will be closed on Sunday, 28 December 2025.

THE JUBILEE PRAYER

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.
 
May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.
 
May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT APOLLINARIS OF HIERAPOLIS, BISHOP – FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 8TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Apollinaris of Hierapolis, Bishop.

SAINT APOLLINARIS OF HIERAPOLIS, BISHOP: Saint Apollinaris Claudius (2nd c.), also known as Apollinaris the Apologist was a bishop in what is today Turkey. He was a Christian leader and writer of the 2nd century. He was one of the most illustrious Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia of the 2nd century who became famous for his polemical treatises against the heretics of his day, whose errors he showed to be entirely borrowed from the pagans. In 177 A.D. he published an “Apologia” for the defense of Christians, addressed to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and appealing to the Emperor’s own experience with the “Thundering Legion”, whose prayers won him the victory over the Quadi, a people inhabiting the country now called Moravia. One of his legions, the twelfth, was composed chiefly of Christians. When the army was perishing for want of water, the soldiers of this legion fell upon their knees and invoked the assistance of God. The result was sudden, for a copious rain fell, and aided by the storm, they conquered the Germans. The emperor gave this legion the name “Thundering Legion” and mitigated his persecution.

It was to protect his flock against persecution that St. Apollinaris addressed his apology to the Emperor to implore his protection and remind him of the favor he had received from God through the prayers of the Christians. In light of this miracle, Apollinaris requested the Emperor’s protection of Christians from persecution. St. Apollinaris’ work earned him the moniker, “Apollinaris the Apologist.” St. Appolinaris had written many excellent treatises against the heretics but none of his writings is still in existence. His writings are largely lost, and what we know of his work comes to us from other early Christian writers including St. Jerome and Eusebius. Eusebius, St. Jerome, Theodoret, and others speak of him in the highest terms and great eulogies and they furnish us with the few facts that are known of him. The exact date of the death of St. Apollinaris is not known, but it probably occurred before that of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the Roman Martyrology mentions him on the 8th of January.

PRAYER: God, You made St. Appolinaris an outstanding exemplar of Divine love and the Faith that conquers the world, and added him to the roll of saintly Pastors. Grant by his intercession that we may persevere in Faith and love and become sharers of his glory.
Amen🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Wednesday After Epiphany | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Mark 6:45-52

“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”

“After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And when he had taken leave of them, he went off to the mountain to pray. When it was evening, the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore. Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing, for the wind was against them.  About the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out. They had all seen him and were terrified. But at once He spoke with them, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” He got into the boat with them and the wind died down. They were completely astounded. They had not understood the incident of the loaves. On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.”

Today’s Gospel reading portrays Jesus at prayer. Jesus had been busy, He just spent the day teaching and helping to feed a crowd of five thousand people in the wilderness. Having sent His disciples away across the Lake of Galilee, He Himself went off into the hills to pray. According to the Gospel, although He went off alone to pray, Jesus’ prayer did not really remove Him from people. In fact, it seems to have made Him more sensitive to the struggles of others. As He was praying, Jesus became aware of His struggling disciples, battling against a head wind, and worn out with rowing. Jesus approached the boat of His disciples as they struggle with the strong wind, and when the disciples saw Him they were terrified. Jesus immediately confronts their fear, and spoke words of great reassurance to them, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid’. In the profound words of our first reading, ‘God is love’. The reading further states that God showed He was Love by giving us the most precious gift God could give us, His only Son. If God is Love, the godly person is the loving person, the holy person is the giving person, the one who gives generously of Himself or herself to others. The most god-like person, in that sense, the most loving person, was, of course, Jesus. If Jesus is the face of God, God in human form, then there is no need for His disciples to be afraid of Him, as if they might be afraid of ghosts. There is nothing sinister about the Lord’s coming over the waters. He comes in love to help and support them. The Lord comes to us in the same way. He comes in love to steady our ship, to calm and direct us. There is no place for fear in our relationship with Him. As we welcome His coming in love, as we receive Him into the boat of our lives, He calls on us to relate to each other as He relates to us, in the same loving way that leaves no place for fear. Just as no one should ever fear the Lord, no one should ever fear any of us, because in the words of the first reading, He is ‘perfect love’. The reading declares: ‘fear is driven out by perfect love’. That is why in the Gospel reading Jesus says to His struggling disciples, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!’ In prayer, we open ourselves to the Lord’s presence; we become attuned to the Lord who is present to us. The Lord whom we approach in prayer is full of love for others; as we draw near to Him, we are caught up into the Lord’s concern for others It is perhaps not surprising that all prayer tends to become intercessory prayer. Authentic prayer will deepen our communion with others, especially with those who are struggling, like the disciples in the Gospel reading. The Lord who was present to His disciples in their struggle with the elements is present to us in our struggles. His perfect love for us can give us courage as we face into the challenges of life.

In our first reading today from the Epistle of St. John the Apostle, St. John spoke to the faithful regarding the matter of love and how each and every one of them ought to show their love to one another, their compassion and care for those who are around them, because that was exactly what the Lord had done for us all, out of His endless compassion for us, His ever generous love and care, His patience in showing us His loving kindness, in His desire to see us all saved from our predicament and certain destruction because of our many sins. While it is true that because of our disobedience we have fallen into sin and been corrupted by those sins, but God never condemned us or desired our destruction. Instead, it is by those sins, unrepented and unforgiven that we have fallen into damnation. That is why as St. John mentioned very clearly in his Epistle that the salvation of God has come into our midst through His Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Divine Word Incarnate, the Divine Son of God Who assumed our human nature and existence so that by His entry and arrival into this world, He might manifest before us all, the love of God in all of its perfection, and showed it all to us. And that was exactly what the Lord had done. He has given us all His only begotten Son so that by His suffering and death, all of us may be saved and redeemed from our sins, and have the sure path towards Him and the eternal life and true joy that can be found in Him alone. Through His perfect and ever enduring love, God has opened for us the path to salvation.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded again of the love of God, His Presence in our midst and His faithfulness to the Covenant which He had made with all of us, and how we all should not be afraid or hesitant to follow Him because if we put our faith and trust in Him then rest assured that we will be well taken care of and provided for, and even though we may encounter challenges, difficulties, obstacles and trials in our path, but as long as we remain firmly faithful in Him, then we shall not falter and shall continue to sail through the storms and troubles of life with God by our side, as He leads us to the right path and true happiness with Him. We are called to put our trust and faith in the Lord, believing in Him, His love and providence, and not let our fears, uncertainties and doubts to cloud our judgment and path in life. We must do our very best to remain firm in our dedication and commitment to God, opposing the temptations to abandon the Lord and instead embracing the many other alternatives and false assurances of the world. We must not give in to our fears, but instead trust in the Lord, just as those disciples remained in the boat, and believed in the Lord, and did not abandon the ship to save themselves. Therefore, let us all remember our faith in God and also our obligation to take good care of one another, to help guide each other in our journey towards the Lord. We are reminded to emulate the Holy men and women and the Saints, particularly Saint Apollinaris of Hierapolis, Bishop, who we celebrate today. We are called to be good role models, inspirations and help for one another, to help lead and guide everyone towards the Lord and His salvation. As Christians, let us all be the bearers of the Good News of God, to be the shining beacons of His truth and love, to be His witnesses and courageous servants in our world today, so that by our exemplary living and actions, we may proclaim Him and His light, His love and truth to many more people around us, now and always. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and be with us all, and may He bless our every good works and endeavours, for His greater glory. Amen 🙏🏽

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY | MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12538

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY – FOR THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION: Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2025

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this special feast day, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Lord Christ! We pray for the safety and well-being of everyone and for all those traveling during this season of Christmas and new year. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and 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 vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

Let us pray:

Lord, once again I turn to Your most compassionate Heart. Help me to lift my eyes toward You and to turn away from the sources of my anxiety and fear in life. Fill me with faith and hope in You and give me the courage I need to put all my trust in You. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Apollinaris of Hierapolis, Bishop ~ Pray for us 🙏

Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines:

DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

FOUNDATION | https://gliopiepehe.org

SIR G.L.I OPIEPE’S HEALTH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION |

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

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

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

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

Thanking God for the gift of this new year 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.  Journey mercies for all those traveling during this Christmas season and new year. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous, and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖

Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Tuesday after Epiphany of the Lord!

TUESDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 7, 2025

OPENING OF THE HOLY DOORS SCHEDULES | JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025 [Details and links below]

On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and all the Saints, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Savior Jesus Christ! For the safety and well-being of all our children and school children as they return to school this new year after the Christmas holiday. We pray for God’s guidance and protection upon them. We continue to pray for peace all around the world, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine-Russia and other parts of the world. We pray for an end to the wars and conflicts, and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. For the gentle repose of 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 and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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

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

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | January 7, 2025 on EWTN” |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | January 7, 2025 |

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

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 7, 2025 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| January 7, 2025 | https://www.youtube.com/live/YT_zjA-2CoI?si=ArNBk7Nw71L3Mi5o

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

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

Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Reading 1, First John 4:7-10
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Gospel, Mark 6:34-44

OPENING OF THE HOLY DOORS SCHEDULES | JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door Ushering in the Jubilee of Hope | ‘Hope is Alive’ | Vatican News | December 24, 2024 |

https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/25/pope-francis-opens-the-holy-door-ushering-in-the-jubilee-of-hope-hope-is-alive-vatican-news-december-24-2024/

• On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the First Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica | Jubilee 2025 Inauguration | December 24, 2024 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/24/pope-francis-opening-of-the-holy-door-and-christmas-eve-mass/
• On Christmas Day, Pope Francis delivered his Urbi et Orbi message to the people of the city of Rome and the world from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica at noon | https://youtu.be/jP2UZHtDjFg?si=tOfXdzrZ2vLPXRT3
• On 26 December, for the first time in the Jubilee tradition, Pope Francis opened a fifth sacred portal in a Roman prison – Rebibbia Prison, a gesture of hope that shows his ongoing closeness to detainees | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/26/watch-pope-francis-opens-the-holy-door-at-rebibbia-prison-and-presides-holy-mass-jubilee-2025-december-26-2024/
• On Sunday, 29 December, the Pope opened the Holy Door of his cathedral, Saint John Lateran, which on November 9, 2024 celebrated the 1700th anniversary of its dedication | Jubilee of Hope 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/29/full-rite-opening-of-the-third-holy-door-of-the-basilica-of-st-john-lateran-and-holy-mass-on-the-feast-of-the-holy-family-of-jesus-mary-and-joseph-rome-jubilee-of-hope-2025-december-29-2024/
• Then, on 1 January 2025, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major was opened | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/01/opening-of-the-holy-door-of-basilica-of-st-mary-the-major-january-1-2025/
• Lastly, Sunday, 5 January 2025, marks the opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/05/opening-of-the-holy-door-basilica-of-saint-paul-outside-the-walls-jubilee-2025-live-from-rome-january-5-2025/

These last three Holy Doors will be closed on Sunday, 28 December 2025.

THE JUBILEE PRAYER

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.
 
May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.
 
May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT RAYMOND OF PENAFORT (PENYAFORT), PRIEST AND SAINT LUCIAN OF ANTIOCH, MARTYR – FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 7TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Raymond of  Penafort  (Penyafort), Priest and Saint Lucian of Antioch, Martyr.

SAINT RAYMOND OF PEÑAFORT (PENYAFORT), PRIEST: St. Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275), referred to  as the “Father of : Law” was a Dominican priest who worked to aid Christian captives during the era of the Crusades and also helped organize the Church’s legal code. A contemporary of Saint Thomas Aquinas, he inspired the theologian to write the “Summa Contra Gentiles” for the conversion of non-Catholics. At least 10,000 Muslims reportedly converted as a result of St. Raymond’s evangelistic labors. Born of a noble family in 1175, at the castle of Penafort in Catalonia, St. Raymond was allied to the King of Aragon. At the age of twenty he taught philosophy at Barcelona. Requiring no remuneration for his services, he endeavored to form the heart as well as the intellect of his students. At the age of thirty he went to Bologna to perfect himself in the study of Canon and Civil Law, and received the degree of Doctor. On his return to Barcelona in 1219, the Bishop made him canon, archdeacon, and vicar-general. A few years later, in 1222, he entered the Order of St. Dominic, eight months after the death of its holy founder. During his time in Barcelona, Raymond helped Saint Peter Nolasco and King James of Aragon to establish the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (Our Lady of Ransom), whose members sought to ransom those taken captive in Muslim territory. During this same period Raymond promoted the Crusades through preaching, encouraging the faithful to defend their civilization from foreign threats.

St. Raymond labored zealously for the conversion of the Moors and the Jews, and in the composition of a treatise for the instruction of confessors. Pope Gregory IX summoned him to Rome, appointing him auditor at the apostolic palace, penitentiary, and confessor to himself. While he was the confessor to Pope Gregory IX, the pope asked him to compile the church decrees concerning canon law of the past 80 years into a uniform collection that didn’t change until 1917. He composed his work of Canon Law known as the “Five Decretals.” On his return to his own country St. Raymond was elected general of the Dominican Order to succeed Blessed Jordan of Saxony, who had been the immediate successor of St. Dominic. After arranging and explaining the constitutions of the Order he resigned the office, and began again to apply himself to the exercises of an apostolic life. During this time he was able to focus on the fundamentals of his vocation: praising God in prayer, making him known through preaching, and making his blessings manifest in the world. St. Raymond’s later achievements included the establishment of language schools to aid in the evangelization of non-Christians. He wrote a book of moral theology for confessors, was a Bishop of the capital of Aragon (at 60), the head of the Dominican order (at 63), and his last 35 years combated heresy and prayed and converted 10,000 Muslims. He died on January 6, 1275 at Barcelona, Spain at about one hundred years of age and was canonized on April 29, 1601, Rome by Pope Clement VIII. St. Raymond is the Patron Saint of the Attorneys; barristers; canonists; canon lawyers; lawyers; medical record librarians; Barcelona, Spain; Navarre, Spain. His feast day is January 7th.

“The law, scripture, the Church, and love work harmoniously together”

PRAYER: St. Raymond, teach us to see the law of God and the law of the Church as one harmonious law meant to foster true communion among men and true communion between God and men. May God’s law be our law. And may the law never be an obstacle to true love and devotion.”…Amen

God, You endowed Your Priest, St. Raymond, with the gift of showing mercy to sinners and prisoners. Help us by his intercession to be freed from slavery to sin and with clear consciences to practice those things that are pleasing to You. Amen🙏

SAINT LUCIAN OF ANTIOCH, MARTYR: Saint Lucian of Antioch (c. 240–January 7, 312) also known as Lucian the Syrian was born at Samosata in Syria. Having lost his parents in his youth, he distributed to the poor all his worldly goods, of which he had inherited an abundant share, and withdrew to Edessa, to live near a holy man named Macarius, who imbued his mind with a knowledge of Holy Scripture and led him to the practice of the Christian virtues. Having become a priest, his time was divided between the external duties of his holy state, the performance of works of charity, and the study of sacred writings.

Saint Lucian revised the books of the Old and New Testaments, expunging the errors which had found their way into the text either through the negligence of copyists or the malice of heretics. His translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek was universally esteemed and was very useful to Saint Jerome, for whom he prepared the way. Soon afterwards the latter was to give to the world the Latin translation of the Bible known as the Vulgate.

Having been denounced as a Christian during the persecution of Maximin, Lucian was thrown into prison and condemned to torture, which was protracted for twelve whole days. A group of Christians visited him in prison on the feast of the Epiphany, and brought bread and wine to him; while bound and chained down on his back, he consecrated the divine mysteries upon his own breast, that the faithful who were present might receive Holy Communion. He finished his glorious career in prison, and died with the words, I am a Christian, on his lips. He died on January 7 312 AD and was buried in Drepanum, The Gulf of Nicomedia, which was later named Helenopolis. He was noted for both his scholarship and ascetic piety.

Saint Lucian of Antioch, Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass | Tuesday after Epiphany | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Mark 6:34-44

“The feeding of the five thousand; they all ate as much as they wanted”

“When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?  Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied.And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.”

In today’s Gospel reading, there is a sharp contrast between the disciples’ reaction to the hungry crowd in a lonely place and Jesus’ reaction. The disciples wanted Jesus to send the crowds away so that they can find food for themselves. Jesus insisted that the disciples take some responsibility for feeding the crowd, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves’. When the disciples resisted this suggestion of Jesus He kept insisting, telling them to find out how much food existed among the crowd. When they found out that there was five loaves and two fish out there, Jesus proceeded to feed the crowd with those few resources. There was no need to send the crowd away after all. According to the Gospel when Jesus saw the large crowd in a deserted place He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus’ compassion for the crowd was a revelation of God’s love. As profoundly stated in our first reading today, ‘God is love’. It goes on to state that ‘God’s love for us was revealed when God sent into the world His only Son so that we could have life through Him’. The coming of Jesus into the world is the revelation of God’s love for us. Jesus gave expression to His compassion for the crowd in two ways, firstly by teaching them at some length, then by feeding them with bread and fish. He fed their spiritual hunger by speaking His word to them and then fed their physical hunger with the small amount of food that the disciples had gathered from the crowd. Both forms of feeding were important to Jesus. As human beings, we need bread, physical food, to live, but we do not live on bread alone. Yes, we have basic physical needs that have to be met, but we also have deeper, spiritual needs that also cry out to be satisfied. Jesus, the revelation of God’s love, always attended to both sets of needs; He came to serve the whole person, body and spirit. He encourages us to serve ourselves and each other in that same complete way that He served and continues to serve us. Reflecting on the disciples’ reaction in the Gospel reading, there are times when we can be a little like the disciples. We feel powerless before some situation and we try to walk away from it. However, Jesus in that Gospel reading shows us that, no matter how difficult the situation may seem, there is always something we can do, even if it is only a little. We can find the equivalent of the five loaves and the two fish if we look for them. The Gospel reading assures us that if we do the little we can do, the Lord will often work powerfully through our efforts, small as they may seem to us. The Lord needs our efforts, even if they seem insignificant in the face of the problem to be resolved. Those efforts, weak as they appear to us, are the raw material through which the Lord can work powerfully, with results that will often surprise us.

In our first reading today from the Epistle of St. John the Apostle, St. John reiterated the great and most generous love which God has for all of us mankind, and this love is shown to us through the giving of His Son, and He gave us this Son so that He might be able to bring us all from the brink of destruction, and through His suffering and death, which He obeyed perfectly and carried out willingly, all of us have received the assurance of salvation and eternal life, because He offered for us all, on our behalf, the one and only perfect offering and sacrifice for the atonement of our innumerable sins, as the Lamb of God, the Sacrificial Lamb offering His own Most Precious Body and Blood, the perfect unblemished sacrifice that can heal us from all of our sins. That is why today as we continue to celebrate this joyous occasion of Christmas, at the same time we are also reminded that ultimately Christmas will not have its meaning, importance and relevance without what we will celebrate soon in Holy Week and Easter. For if Christmas is a celebration of the Lord’s coming into this world as a little Child, to be God Who dwells with His people, then it is in the Holy Week and Easter that everything He was about to do came into perfect fulfilment and completion. If Christ did not suffer and die on the Cross, and then rose in glory and triumph, conquering sin and death, then this birthday is just a celebration of the birthday of an ordinary person, not unlike any other person. But this is certainly not the case. It is precisely because Christ has become Man at Christmas and then went on to fulfil all that the Lord has planned perfectly at Holy Week and Easter, that we rejoice even all the more because we know that by becoming a Man like us all, He has united our humanity to Himself and gathered us all as one united people and flock of the Lord, and made us all to share in His death and Resurrection. He became the Mediator of the New Covenant between God and all mankind, an everlasting Covenant sealed with the Precious Blood of the Son of God, the Paschal Lamb of sacrifice. Truly, as the Lord Himself had said in the Gospel according to St. John, that ‘God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son, so that all who believe in Him may have eternal life.’ And these are the concrete proofs of this love.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, while we still continue celebrating the joyful time and season of Christmas, focusing our attention on the birth and coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ, bearing the salvation for everyone, we now begin to focus more on the works and actions of Christ during His ministry as we are about to come to the end of this season and begin the first round of the Ordinary Time. Through what we have heard in our Scripture passages today, we are reminded of God’s love which He has manifested before us through His Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all. We are reminded that by His coming into our world, the love of God and all has become real, tangible and approachable to us, which is what we celebrate at Christmas, that is the Love of God made Man. We are called to emulate and be inspired by the life of the Holy men and women and the Saints, particularly St. Raymond of Penyafort, who we celebrate today. Let us all therefore strive to love the Lord our God with all our heart and strength, and to be truly devoted to Him above all other things, doing whatever we can to glorify Him by our lives. Each and every one of us should be good examples and inspiration in how we live our lives with faith, much as how St. Raymond of Penyafort had done for us. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace and may the good Lord our loving God and Saviour continue to guide and strengthen us in our faith and path, now and always. Amen 🙏🏽

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY | MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12538

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY – FOR THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION: Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2025

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this special feast day, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Lord Christ! We pray for the safety and well-being of everyone and for all those traveling during this season of Christmas and new year. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for an end to wars, political and religious unrest. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and 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 vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏

Let us pray:

Lord, help me to see You as You gaze at me with the most heartfelt love and compassion. I know You know my every struggle and my every need. Help me to open myself up to You and Your mercy so that You become my true Shepherd. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Raymond of Peñafort (Penyafort) and Saint Lucian of Antioch ~ Pray for us 🙏

Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines:

DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

FOUNDATION | https://gliopiepehe.org

SIR G.L.I OPIEPE’S HEALTH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION |

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

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

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

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

Thanking God for the gift of this new year 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.  Journey mercies for all those traveling during this Christmas season and new year. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous and grace-filled New Year! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖