SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME [YEAR C]

PEACE SUNDAY 2025 [Details and prayer link below]

Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Sunday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time!

Today, we celebrate Peace Sunday, which is celebrated on the second Sunday in Ordinary Time. We continue to pray for peace all around the world, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine-Russia, Africa and other parts of the world. May the good Lord help us to be instruments of peace and reconciliation in our families and our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏🏽

Today is day two of the week of prayer for Christian Unity, which is celebrated around the world from January 18th – 25th. As we continue this year’s week of prayer for Christian Unity, we join our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world in praying for peace, love, justice and unity in our divided and conflicted world so we can better build God’s Kingdom here on earth. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, look down with pity upon us and keep us all united in peace, love and faith, so that we may all be truly one in Christ…Amen🙏

Theme for 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)

We continue our novena for life prayer, we pray for the protection of human life. We particularly pray for the safety and well-being of the unborn and all children. May the good Lord protect the life of every human person, from conception to natural death. Amen 🙏🏽

We pray for God’s grace and mercy upon us through this Ordinary Time, and may the Lord grant us the grace to serve Him in spirit and in truth🙏

SAINT(S ) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 19, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT CANUTE IV OF DENMARK, KING AND MARTYR; SAINT HENRY OF UPPSALA, BISHOP AND MARTYR AND SAINTS MARIUS, MARTHA, AUDIFAX AND ABACHUM, MARTYRS

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2025: Started Saturday, January 18, 2024 and ends Saturday, January 25, 2025 [Reflections and Prayer links below]

9 DAYS FOR LIFE: 9 Days for Life is a novena for the protection of human life. January 16-24, 2025 [Prayer and Novena link below]

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

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN | January 19, 2025” |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | January 19, 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 19, 2025 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| January 19, 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: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C | January 19, 2025
Reading 1, Isaiah 62:1-5
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
Reading 2, First Corinthians 12:4-11
Gospel, John 2:1-12

PEACE SUNDAY 2025

Peace Sunday 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/19/peace-sunday/

Peace Sunday is celebrated on the second Sunday in Ordinary Time. In 2025, Peace Sunday falls on Sunday 19th January. Since its establishment in 1967 by Pope St Paul VI, the Popes have taken the World Day of Peace on the 1st January as an opportunity to offer a message on peace related topics. Every year, with the support of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, England and Wales, Peace Sunday is promoted on the second Sunday in Ordinary Time as a way of observing the World Day of Peace and promoting the Pope’s message for that year. The theme this year is ‘Forgive us our trespasses: Grant us your peace’. The message speaks of how we must listen to the ‘pleas of an endangered humanity’, how the year of Jubilee inspires us to seek the liberating justice of God in our world and how by ‘opening our hearts to our brothers and sisters, we will restore God’s justice on earth’ and ‘move forward to achieve the goal of peace’. May the Lord help us to be instruments of peace and reconciliation in our families and our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏🏽

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS, POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 58TH WORLD DAY OF PEACE | JANUARY 1, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/01/message-of-his-holiness-pope-francis-for-the-58th-world-day-of-peace-january-1-2025/

PEACE SUNDAY 2025 PRAYER

God of mercy and compassion, where I have not loved my neighbour as I love myself,or done to others what I would have them do to me, held grudges, or tried to get even after I have been hurt: Father forgive.

Grant us your peace, that I might know peace within myself, seek to be a peacemaker in my daily life, grow in my conviction that we are all made in your image, love those I find it hard to love, forgive injuries and refuse to retaliate, and follow in the footsteps of the nonviolent Jesus. Amen 🙏🏽

9 DAYS FOR LIFE: PRAY TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE

9 Days for Life Novena Prayer Link | January 16-24, 2025 | USCCB | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/17/9-days-for-life-novena-usccb/

9 Days for Life is a novena for the protection of human life. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. Praying for the safety and well-being of the unborn and all children 🙏🏽

“Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.” ~ Isaiah 44:2

PRAYER FOR THE UNBORN: Lord, Creator of Life, You have blessed us with the privilege of bringing new life into the world. Open our hearts and minds to recognize Your special gift of children and Your great love for each of us created in Your image and likeness. Through love, You sent your Son Jesus to redeem us, and through love, He entered our world as an unborn child in the womb of Mary, His mother. We now turn to Mary for her prayers and intercession as we struggle to protect innocent unborn children from decisions that seek to destroy them. Following Mary’s example as mother and disciple, let us proclaim the truth of our faith, assist those in crisis, and protect those most vulnerable, unwanted, and unloved. May the good Lord protect the life of every human person, from conception to natural death. Amen 🙏🏽

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2025: January 18-25, 2025

Theme for 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)

Day 2: CREATION AS GOD’S WORK | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/19/2025-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-3-day-2/

All Christian Churches and communities worldwide are invited to use the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 resources to pray together for the unity among churches throughout the year.

Material for each day of the Week of Prayer. The texts provided for personal or communal prayer for each of the eight days include two scripture readings and a psalm. The biblical texts for each day highlight in turn key statements of the Nicene Creed.

Day 1: The fatherhood and care of God who rules the universe
Day 2: Creation as God’s work
Day 3: The Incarnation of the Son
Day 4: The Paschal Mystery: Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus
Day 5: The Holy Spirit, the giver of life and joy
Day 6: The Church: Community of believers
Day 7: Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord
Day 8: Waiting for the Kingdom and the life to come

Reflections and Prayer Links for 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:

Reflections and Prayers for the Eight Days: A Journey through the Nicene Creed | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/18/2025-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity/

Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and throughout the year | 2025 EN WPCU.pdf| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/18/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2025-january-18-25-2025/

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 children all over the world. 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🙏

PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF WILDFIRES AND DISASTERS: We continue to pray for the victims of the current wildfires in the United States (Los Angeles, California) and victims of natural disasters across the world. We especially pray for those that have lost their lives and their families.

“Most Merciful God, Be “our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress” (Psalm 46:1). You created us and sustain us by Your almighty power. Your mercy knows no bounds. At this time of great suffering, we entrust all victims of the wildfires to You. Comfort them, fill them with Your grace, and provide for their needs. We entrust all who have died to Your merciful Heart. Cleanse them of their sins and welcome them into Your heavenly Kingdom. Give wisdom and prudence to those managing this disaster. Give courage and resolve to those on the front lines. Keep them safe and successful in their efforts. Command the winds and the flames to obey You, Lord, as You once calmed the stormy seas. Pour the water of Your grace upon these destructive fires. Stay them with Your powerful hand. Angels of God, come to the aid of those most in need of God’s mercy. Protect them, guide them, and reveal to them God’s holy will. St. Florian, patron of firefighters, pray for those bravely battling the flames. St. Michael the Archangel, defend them in their peril. Saints in Heaven, we beseech your prayer. Intercede for those most in need. From this tragedy and chaos, bring hope and peace. Turn sorrow into compassion. Turn confusion into faith. Turn despair into divine hope. We place all our trust in You, Most Merciful God, knowing that You will bring forth new life and healing from the ashes of this trial. May Your name be glorified now and forever. Amen” 🙏🏽

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass | Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C | USCCB | January 19, 2025 | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ John 2:1–11

“Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee”

“There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings, each holding twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.” So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from —although the servers who had drawn the water knew—, the headwaiter called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.”

Today’s Gospel reading shows how Jesus worked to bring fullness or abundance out of a situation of loss in a domestic setting. In the Gospel reading, there was a young couple in Cana of Galilee who regarded Jesus and His mother and some of His disciples highly enough to invite them to their wedding, to share in their love and joy. This scene is the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in the Gospel of John. The young married couple ran out of wine on their wedding day. The loss of wine is an embarrassment to them; it would have entailed a loss of face. It was in that context of domestic loss that Jesus worked His first miracle, according to John the evangelist. Prompted by His mother, He worked powerfully in that situation of loss, transforming the embarrassing loss into an extraordinary abundance. Out of the loss came an abundance of better quality wine. As the steward went on to say to the bridegroom, ‘You have kept the best wine till now’. In placing this story at the beginning of His account of the public ministry of Jesus, the fourth evangelist was saying something important about who Jesus is and what Jesus can do. He is declaring that Jesus, the Lord, can transform our various experiences of loss into moments of extraordinary and surprising abundance. This evangelist has a strong conviction that there is a fullness within Jesus, the risen Lord, from which we can draw abundantly in those painful experiences of emptiness and loss. It is this conviction which led the evangelist in the Prologue of his gospel to speak of Jesus as full of grace and truth, and to declare that from His fullness we have, all of us, received. The Lord who worked powerfully in that situation of loss at Cana continues to work powerfully in our many situations of loss today. At Cana, however, He didn’t work alone; He needed others to work through for His transforming work to come to pass. There was His mother who brought the need to His attention; there were the servants who did what Jesus asked them to do. The Lord continues to need all of us if He is to work in transforming ways in our many situations of loss today. In the words of Saint Paul in today’s second reading, the Lord is ‘working in all sorts of different ways in different people’. The Lord is always seeking to work in all sorts of different ways in and through all of our lives. He is at work in and through all those who are desperately trying to bring some relief to people in desperate need. Saint Paul says in one of his letters that he once heard the Lord say to him, ‘my power is made perfect in weakness’. It is very often when we are at our weakest, when we experience the greatest sense of loss, that the Lord can work most powerfully in our lives, because it is at such times that we can be most open to the Lord’s transforming presence, especially as it comes to us in and through the active concern of others. Our own experiences of brokenness, loss and emptiness can turn out to be surprising moments of grace. We too can discover with Saint Paul that it is when we are weak that we are strong, because it is in moments of weakness that the Lord can often work most powerfully, especially through the generosity of others.

Today’s Gospel reading is a reminder for us that we have to obey God’s words and His will, and like Christ Himself, Who has made Himself a Man for our salvation, He showed what it means by true and perfect obedience, obeying the will of His heavenly Father to show His love to all of us. And Mary, the Mother of God is there by our side, helping and guiding us all to her Son, providing us with the sure path towards Him and His salvation so that none of us may be lost to Him. Each and every one of us are reminded today therefore of God’s ever enduring love for each one of us, and how fortunate all of us are for having so beloved and blessed by Him. All of us should not take for granted what the Lord has given to us, and we should make sure that in everything that we do from now on, we should make good use of them for the good and benefit of everyone around us, as we have all been entrusted to do by God. Let us all discern carefully our path in life and pray so that the Lord may show us how we can better use these gifts and blessings that He has given to us all.

In our first reading this Sunday from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, the Lord spoke of the salvation and the joy which He would bring to His people, the Israelites, freeing them from their sufferings, humiliations and exile, bringing them once again into their homeland, granting them His blessings and wonders, giving them all His strength and grace, empowering each and every one of them with the light of His salvation. He would indeed fulfil everything that He has promised through the sending of His Saviour, the One that the prophet Isaiah had made a lot of prophecies and predictions about, revealing to us all what He has planned for us and what He desires to do with us, through the Saviour that He would send into our midst, in Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son. During the time of the work and ministry of the prophet Isaiah, the people of Israel had been separated and divided into smaller groups, and many of their separated brethren had been defeated and conquered by the Assyrians who had destroyed the cities of the northern kingdom of Israel, conquered Samaria and destroyed the kingdom of Israel, bringing many of its people, a large proportion of the Israelites to exile in distant lands while bringing foreigners to dwell in their lands. And the people of Judah in the south did not escape harm either, as they were also almost defeated and conquered by the Assyrians if not for God’s providence and protection at the last moments. All of these showed the bleak and sad state of the Israelites during the time when Isaiah carried out his ministry among them. All of that had happened because the disobedience and sins which the people of God had committed against Him, in their refusal to obey His words and commandments, and that had led them to the consequences of having to endure the difficulties, challenges and obstacles brought about by their own refusal to obey the Lord. Nonetheless, God proved that His love for each and every one of us is truly so great that not even all those obstacles, challenges and trials can truly separate us all from His love and grace, and from the salvation that He has promised to each one of us. But He also gave us the freedom and the free will to choose whether we want to accept and embrace this salvation or not. Many of our predecessors have unfortunately chosen to continue disobeying the Lord and reject His generous offer of mercy and kindness.

In our second reading today from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church and the faithful people of God in the city and region of Corinth in Greece, we heard the Apostle reminding the faithful of the various gifts that God has given to each and every one of them through the Holy Spirit that He has given and imparted to them through the Church. St. Paul told them this so that they all first might realise the love and generosity that they all have received from the Lord, much as the prophet Isaiah had reassured the people of Israel, and then also the Apostle reminded all of the faithful, including us all listening to this message now on how blessed we all are to have experienced the revelation of God’s love through His Son, the fulfilment of His many promises through Christ. And we are all reminded of the many gifts which we have received from the Lord through the Holy Spirit, the various unique gifts presented to us so that we may make good use of them in our daily lives, and not be ignorant of what we are all able to do as Christians in living our lives to the best of our abilities and in doing God’s will. Many of us are either ignorant of this calling and mission which God has entrusted to us, or we are easily jealous and envious over what others have received, and which we also desire to have as well for ourselves. This is where we are reminded that God has given us all unique gifts and means suitable to our own situation and the opportunities which we have been provided, and we should not envy others for our own respective gifts. In fact, the greater is the blessings God had provided us, the greater is the responsibility for us to make good use of them. 

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are reminded of God’s calling for us to follow Him and His path, to do what is good and righteous, and in accordance with His Law and commandments. Each and every one of us as Christians should do what the Lord has shown and taught us, and also the examples set by His holy men and women, our holy predecessors, the Saints and martyrs throughout time and history, particularly the Saints we celebrate today, Saint Canute IV, King of Denmark, Martyr; Saint Henry of Uppsala, Bishop and Martyr and Saints Marius, Martha, Audifax, and Abachum, Martyrs. We must be strengthened and inspired by following the good examples of the Lord’s servants, His Saints, including those whom we celebrate today. May the Lord continue to bless us and guide us in our journey of faith so that we may continue to do our best in living our lives to the best of our abilities. May He empower each and every one of us, so that by our every actions, words and deeds, we will always be ever faithful and committed to the Lord, and our faith may truly be shown to all, and that through us and our works and efforts, more and more people may come to believe in God as well, like the many Holy Saints of God had inspired us all. May the Lord be with us always and may He empower us with His blessings and grace, so that in everything we do, we will always strive to do our best for the greater glory of His Name, and to touch the lives of others, of everyone around us with the generous love and kindness that God Himself has always shown us. May Mary, the Mother of God continue to help and intercede for each and every one of us, her beloved children, that we may find our way to her Son and the eternal life and salvation in Him. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may He guide us and give us the courage and strength to persevere through the many challenges and trials that we may have to face in our journey as Christians, in each and every moments. Amen🙏

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT CANUTE IV OF DENMARK, KING AND MARTYR; SAINT HENRY OF UPPSALA, BISHOP AND MARTYR AND SAINTS MARIUS, MARTHA, AUDIFAX AND ABACHUM, MARTYRS – FEASTDAY ~ JANUARY 19TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Canute IV, King of Denmark, Martyr; Saint Henry of Uppsala, Bishop and Martyr and Saints Marius, Martha, Audifax, and Abachum, Martyrs.

SAINT CANUTE IV OF DENMARK, KING AND MARTYR: St. Canute (1042 – 1086 A.D.), also known as Canutus or Canute the Holy, was one of thirteen sons born to the king of Denmark. St. Canute later succeeded his brother to the throne and reigned as king from 1080 to 1086. Saint Canute, King of Denmark, was endowed with excellent qualities of both mind and body. He was a devout Catholic, a zealous propagator of the faith, and a brave warrior, in addition to being a man of prayer, penance, austerity, and charity towards the poor and weak among his people. The happiness of his people and the interests of the Church were his motivation, often putting him in opposition to the aristocracy. He fought against the barbarian nations and worked to strengthen the power of the monarchy, but some of his laws were unpopular and caused unrest among the people. Canute sought to expand Denmak’s territory and believed he had a claim to the English throne. After having provided for the peace and safety of his country, he married Eltha, daughter of Robert, Earl of Flanders, who proved herself a spouse worthy of him. They are the parents of Blessed Charles, Count of Amiens and Flanders, a martyr for his faith, brutally slain like his father, while in prayer.

In 1085 he gathered his fleet and planned an invasion of England to overthrow William the Conquerer, a plan which was never realized. Instead, a revolt broke out against St. Canute, causing him to take refuge inside St. Alban’s Priory in Odense, a monastery which he had founded. Perceiving his danger, he confessed his sins at the foot of the altar and received Holy Communion. Stretching out his arms before the altar, the Saint fervently recommended his soul to his Creator; in this posture he was struck down on his knees by the enemies of his Christian reign. St. Canute, his brother, Prince Olaf, and seventeen of his men – the entire royal party were assassinated by rebels in front of the altar. St. Canute was buried in St. Alban’s, renamed c. 1300 St. Canute’s Cathedral. He was named a martyr for the faith and miracles were recorded at his tomb, and, at the request (1099) of King Erik III Evergood of Denmark, he was canonized in the year 1101 by Pope Paschal II, the first Danish saint. St. Canute is the Patron Saint of Zeeland, Denmark.

Saint Canute IV of Denmark, King and Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINTS MARIUS; MARTHA; AUDIFAX AND ABACHUM, MARTYRS: Saints Marius, Martha, Audifax, and Abachum (died 270) were, according to their largely legendary passio of the 6th century, four saints of the same family (a married couple and their two sons). They came from Persia to Rome, and were martyred in 270 for sympathizing with Christian martyrs and burying their bodies. Marius, a Persian nobleman, his wife Martha, and his sons Audifax and Abachum came to believe in Christ and became Christians. In imitation of the early Christians of Jerusalem, they gladly gave away their fortune to the poor. Then the family traveled to Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II (268-270) to venerate the tombs of the Apostles and lend their aid to the persecuted Christians. They visited the Christians in prison, encouraged them by word and deed, and shared with them their goods. And like Tobias of old, they buried the bodies of the saints and among other things, they gathered the ashes of the Martyrs and buried them with respect.

It was not long before they themselves were arrested; and when neither threats nor allurements could make them offer sacrifice to the idols, they were savagely flogged. Martha was the first to die, but not before she had fervently exhorted her husband and sons to endure steadfastly whatever tortures might be inflicted for the faith. Martha was drowned thirteen miles from Rome in a place known as Santa Ninfa. Marius and his sons were beheaded in the same place and their bodies thrown into the fire. Felicitas, a saintly Roman woman, succeeded in recovering the half-burnt bodies and buried them on her estate. The Roman Martyrology says this happened about the 4th century. These Saints are mentioned in all the western martyrologies.

PRAYER: Lord, we devoutly recall the sufferings of Sts. Marius, Martha, Audifax, and Abachum. Give success to our joyful prayers and grant us also constancy in our Faith. Amen🙏

SAINT HENRY OF UPPSALA, BISHOP AND MARTYR: St. Henry also known as Henrik was born in 1100 in the Kingdom of England. St. Henry was an Englishman living in Rome. He accompanied the papal legate and fellow Englishman Nicholas Cardinal Breakspear (later Pope Adrian IV) to Scandinavia in 1151 and was consecrated bishop of Uppsala, Sweden, the next year by the cardinal. St. Henry accompanied King Eric of Sweden on his crusade to Finland, where he converted many pagans. However, remaining behind after the king had returned home to Sweden. St. Henry was murdered on January 20, 1156 by a Finnish convert named Lalli, on whom he had imposed a penance for a murder he had committed. Reputedly, the murderer put on the bishop’s birretum, but when he tried to take it off his flesh adhered to it. This is noted as one of the saint’s outstanding miracles. The saint’s cult spread rapidly in Sweden and Finland, and with the growth of the bridgettine convents it was carried to the European continent. One historia rhythmica, Gaude cetus fidelium, and one Sequence, Cetus noster, are known. His epitaph may be found in Nousis, Finland, where his relics were kept, until they were translated in 1300 to the cathedral in Abo (Tartu). He was canonized in 1158. He is the national Patron Saint of Finland and one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages, and of today.

St. Henry of Uppsala, Bishop and Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

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 2025: 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 feast day, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, may we be saved by the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! And as we begin the Ordinary Time, may the Lord grant us the grace to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 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 sick with heart diseases, strokes, mental illness, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. 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:

My glorious Lord, Your entire earthly life was a preparation for the hour in which You gave Your life as a sacrifice on the Cross for the remission of sins. Please continuously prepare me to receive You more fully and to open my heart to You and all that You have bestowed upon me through Your perfect sacrifice of love. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Canute, King of Denmark, Saint Henry of Uppsala and Saints Marius, Martha, Audifax, and Abachum, Martyrs ~ 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/

SIR G.L.I OPIEPE’S HEALTH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION | https://gliopiepehe.org

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

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/

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

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 Sunday! Amen🙏

Blessings and  love always, Philomena💖