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

SATURDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 11, 2025

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

Today, as we approach the end of this current joyful season of Christmas, and as we are soon about to enter into the new season of the Ordinary Time after tomorrow’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we are all reminded of our calling and mission in life as Christians, as all those whom the Lord had called and chosen to be His people, that we have the mission and obligation to help one another to reach the Lord and His salvation, to encourage everyone to walk ever more faithfully in the path that He has shown to all of us. As God’s children and His holy people, all of us should always strive to obey the commandments of God and to love one another just as He has always loved us, as His Law and commandments are all about love. May the Lord grant us the grace to serve Him in spirit and in truth🙏

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 11, 2025 on EWTN” |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | January 11, 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 11, 2025 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| January 11, 2025 |

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

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

https://youtu.be/vVc782kcDds

Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday After Epiphany | January 11, 2025
Reading 1, First John 5:14-21
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 149:1-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
Gospel, John 3:22-30

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/

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 HYGINUS, POPE; SAINT THEODOSIUS, ABBOT AND SAINT PAULINUS, PATRIARCH OF AQUILEIA – FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 11TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Hyginus, Pope; Saint Theodosius, Abbot and Saint Paulinus, Patriarch of Aquileia.

SAINT HYGINUS, POPE: St. Hyginus was a philosopher born in Athens and became the ninth Pope circa 138. He reigned about 138-142; succeeded Pope Telesphorus, who, according to Eusebius died during the first year of the reign of the Emperor Antonius Pius in 138. During the four years of his pontificate (138-142), St. Hyginus had to oppose the heresy of Valentinus who at this period came to propagate his errors in the heart of the Christian community in Rome. He organized church hierarchy of the Clergy and established the order of ecclesiastical precedence among priests and deacons. It is likely that he addressed the Roman Clergy on the subjects of sin in general and of obedience to the Church.

The emergence of Gnosticism is probably the most significant development of Hyginus’ pontificate. According to Irenaeus, the Gnostic Valentinus came to Rome from Egypt in Hyginus’s time, remaining there until Anicetus became pontiff. Cerdo, another Gnostic and predecessor of Marcion, came from Syria and also lived at Rome in the reign of Hyginus. Together they taught this system of mystical belief, which was a combination of Greek philosophy and Oriental superstitions regarding Christ. For years Cerdo vacillated between teaching error and repenting, returning to the Church, then falling from grace, he fell back into the heresies and was expelled from the Church. Valentinus, however, staunchly defended his cause. Hyginus perceived this as heresy, for it deviated greatly from the true teachings of the Apostles. Pope St. Hyginus was said to have suffered gloriously and died four years into his papacy and buried on the Vatican Hill near the tomb of St. Peter.

Saint Hyginus, Pope ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT THEODOSIUS, ABBOT: St. Theodosius (423-529) was born to a pious family in 423 A.D., at Cappadocia in the village of Magarisso. Theodosius began his studies at an early age, and became a lector while still an adolescent. St. Theodosius was so inspired by Abraham’s example of leaving his loved ones and homeland for God that he left his homeland of Cappadocia to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He met Saint Simeon Stylites in Antioch, and Simeon recognized him as a holy man and leader, and invited Theodosius onto his pillar for prayer, blessing, and advice. He then traveled to Jerusalem where legend says he worked with Saint Longinus, who would have been nearly 500 years old at the time. After a time, he was given charge of a small church near Bethlehem, however his time there did not last long. Dreading the vanity that comes from the esteem of men and unable to live in solitude with the multitude of admirers, he retired to a cave in the desert of Judah where he led a hermit’s life. Word of his holiness began to attract disciples, and Theodosius built a monastery at Cathismus to house them. So many came that there had to be sections built for Greeks, for Armenians, for Persions, etc., but they all happily worked and prayed together. Next to the monastery he built a hospital for the sick, a hospice for the aged, and a mental hospital. He became a friend of and co-worker with Saint Sabbas, and was later appointed visitor to all cenobitical communities of Palestine, the patriarch of Jerusalem.

He opposed heresies, including Eutychianism and Monophysitism. Emperor Anastatius was a supporter of Eutychianism and Emperor Anastasius was persecuting Christians who did not accept the Eutychian heresy, which states that Christ has only one nature, St. Theodosius preached orthodoxy throughout Palestine, even stating from the pulpit in Jerusalem: “If anyone receives not the four general councils as the four gospels, let him be anathema.” The Saint renewed the courage of those in whom the Emperor’s edicts had instilled fear. Emperor Anastatius, once sent Theodosius a large bribe, hoping to sway the influential monk to his thinking, however Theodosius distributed the money to the poor, and continued to preach against heresy. Because of his orthodox views, Anastatius removed him from his position in 513 and banished but he soon resumed his duties under Anastasius’ successor, Emperor Justinian. St. Theodosius, the holy abbot who after having endured great sufferings for the Catholic faith suffered a long and painful illness and refused to pray to be cured, calling it a salutary penance for his former successes. He took his rest in peace at the monastery which he had erected on a lonely hill in the diocese of Jerusalem at the age of a hundred and six (106);  many miracles occurred at his funeral. He’s the Patron Saint of file-makers.

PRAYER: “God of strength, grant me courage to live out the vision of the good life that you have planted in me. Help me to be strong in doing right in the face of opposition.”Amen🙏

SAINT PAULINUS, PATRIARCH OF AQUILEIA: St. Paulinus was born about 726 on a country farm in Premariacco near Cividale del Friuli, Italy. He spent his youth tilling the soil for engage in scholarly pursuits. So adept did he became at these pursuits that he gained a reputation as a grammarian and professor, and was invited by Charlemagne to come to his court, around 776. Here he met the noted Alcuin of York, and the two became fast friends.

In 787, the Emperor appointed Paulinus Patriarch of Aquileia near his birthplace in northern Italy, and he gave great luster to that Church by his outstanding zeal, solid piety, and extraordinary talents. He attended all the great councils that were convoked in his day, and he himself called a synod at Friuli in 791 (or 796) to combat the errors than circulating against the mystery of the Incarnation. He even wrote two tracts against the more serious of these errors, Adoptionism, which maintained that Christ as man is only the adoptive Son of God. He also wrote hymns, poems, and other works.

When Pepin conquered the Avars, St. Paulinus immediately dispatched missionaries to convert these pagans who were now accessible to the Faith. However, he vigorously condemned the practice that in vogue of baptizing uninstructed converts or imposing Faith by force on unwilling ones. On January 11, 802, the earthly life of this holy man came to an end. Died of natural causes and relics are under the altar of the crypt of the basilica of Cividale del Friuli, Italy

PRAYER: God, You made St. Paulinus 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, Saturday after Epiphany | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

“Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him.  The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”

Today’s Gospel reading from the Gospel according to St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, details the works of the Lord Jesus and His Herald, St. John the Baptist, who were both working on the people, baptising them and calling them to repent from their sins and return to the Lord. And we heard of how the Lord Jesus at that time was becoming more and more popular, while less and less people were coming to St. John the Baptist. Prior to this, thousands upon thousands of people came flocking to St. John the Baptist, wanting to listen to him and to be baptised by him, and some even thought of him as the Messiah. But he told them all clearly that he was not the Messiah and was merely just the one sent ahead of the Lord to prepare the way for him. Hence, when some of the disciples of St. John the Baptist told him of the issue, St. John the Baptist humbly said that it was how things were meant to be, that he should decrease and decline in importance and popularity while the Lord became more and more renowned and popular among the people. He had done what he was tasked to do, preparing the path for the Lord’s coming. It was indeed easy for one like St. John the Baptist to seek popularity and support from the people, as some other false Messiahs at that time had tried to do, gaining the support of many people and rising up in rebellion against the Romans, claiming to be the Messiah, only to have their rebellions failed and themselves killed and destroyed, because they did not represent the truth of God. But St. John the Baptist remained obedient and committed to the mission which he has been entrusted with, resisting the temptations of worldly glory and ambitions, and did what he was tasked to do, to proclaim the Saviour of the world to everyone. And as he did so, he reminded all of us as Christians that we are also tasked and entrusted with the responsibility to proclaim the salvation of God and His truth, His love and hope to everyone whom we encounter daily in our lives. Each and every one of us have been given the opportunities and the grace to reach out to others whom we meet and encounter, interact and work with in our respective lives so that we may show to them the love of God, His truth and Good News through our own exemplary lives and actions.

In our first reading today from the Epistle of St. John the Apostle, St. John spoke clearly about the salvation which all of us have received from God, and which He has revealed and made clear to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, the One Who has come into our midst and brought us all the promise of eternal life and redemption. And because all of us as Christians have received the revelation, truth and knowledge about God’s salvation and grace, hence, all of us ought to live our lives worthily and embrace the salvation which our Lord has provided most generously for us, being ever mindful of the dangers of sin and evils all around us and in all of our actions, words and deeds so that we do not end up falling again and again into the trap of sin and darkness. The Lord our Saviour has shown us the path out of the darkness and into the light of His salvation. However, it requires our cooperation and commitment that we may resist the temptations of sin and evil, temptations of worldly pleasures, ambitions and other desires of the world, the desire for the pleasure of the flesh, for fame and renown, for riches and worldly glory, among many other things, all of which may corrupt us and lead us astray in the path towards God and His grace. St. John the Apostle spoke clearly about how sin can lead us to damnation and death, but at the same time, we must have hope with us because the Lord Jesus, our Saviour has brought the forgiveness of sins and the perfect manifestation of God’s love into our midst. We must not take this great love and generosity which we have received for granted, as if we are not careful then the allures of sin can lead us astray once again into the path towards damnation and Hell. But the Lord has given us all His providence and protection, the great love which He has shown us through His Son. And since all of us are the beloved children of God, we shall be protected and guided in our paths in life, and God will always be with us, by our side, with His Spirit and Wisdom lighting our path forward. However, we still have to cooperate with what the Lord has given to us, His love and providence so that we will be able to move forward ever closer towards His Light and salvation, towards the eternal joy and true happiness that we can find in Him alone, and not be distracted by the pursuit of false pleasures all around us.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, as we approach the end of this current joyful season of Christmas, and as we are soon about to enter into the new season of the Ordinary Time after tomorrow’s Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we are all reminded of our calling and mission in life as Christians, as all those whom the Lord had called and chosen to be His people, that we have the mission and obligation to help one another to reach the Lord and His salvation, to encourage everyone to walk ever more faithfully in the path that He has shown to all of us. As God’s children and His holy people, all of us should always strive to obey the commandments of God and to love one another just as He has always loved us, as His Law and commandments are all about love. Let us all therefore remember always that as Christians we are expected to centre our lives, existence and all of our works on the Lord, and we should always proclaim His truth and love in our community and among all those whom we encounter each day in our lives. We are called to emulate the Holy men and women and the Saints, particularly the Saints we celebrate today, Saint Hyginus, Pope; Saint Theodosius, Abbot and Saint Paulinus, Patriarch of Aquileia. Let us all continue to be exemplary and be good inspiration to our fellow brothers and sisters around us, doing our best to live a most Christian living, full of faith and commitment to God, and be the shining beacons of His Good News, light and hope, and show His love manifested through His Son, by our own love for Him and our love for our brethren around us. May the Lord continue to guide us and strengthen us, and may He empower each and every one of us to live ever more worthily each day, following His Law and commandments. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may He strengthen and encourage us in our faith, and help us to grow ever stronger in our love and devotion for Him, and may God bless all of us in our every efforts and endeavours, in our every good works and deeds, 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 give myself to You for Your service and glory. Use me as You will. As You use me, please give me the humility I need to always remember that I serve You and Your will alone. Free me from jealousy and envy and help me to rejoice in the numerous ways that You act through others in my life. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Hyginus; Saint Theodosius and Saint Paulinus ~ 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 and relaxing weekend! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena 💖