MEMORIAL OF SAINT DAVID OF WALES, BISHOP AND SAINT ALBINUS OF ANGERS, BISHOP |

SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time!

We thank God for the gift of life and for the new month of March. May His name be praised forever and ever. May God’s grace and mercy be with us all as we prepare to begin our Lenten journey in a few days (March 5th). Amen🙏

Today, the 1st Saturday of the month of March is the Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Our Blessed Mother Mary. The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ.

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 1, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT DAVID OF WALES, BISHOP AND SAINT ALBINUS OF ANGERS, BISHOP | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

FIRST FRIDAYS AND FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/01/first-fridays-and-first-saturdays-devotions/

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/01/catholic-daily-mass-daily-tv-mass-1-2025/

WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/

PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS: May we all unite as one voice to lift up the Vicar of Christ in prayer today as his health continues to improve after a prolonged respiratory crisis. We continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis’ speedy recovery and God’s Divine healing and intervention.

Almighty God, we thank you for the loving service of Pope Francis and the hope he has inspired in so many in Your great mercy. Have mercy on him in his illness now, we pray, and guide the medical staff in his care. Grant him peace and healing. Through Christ our Lord. Amen🙏🏽

On this day, with special intention, we pray for the eternal repose of the soul of our beloved Late Uncle and Archbishop, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, MOST REVEREND JOSEPH EDRAH UKPO on the second year memorial anniversary of his passing to eternal glory. We thank the good Lord for blessing us all with the special gift of Late Archbishop Emeritus Ukpo, for his faithful, selfless, generous, dedicated and loving service in the Lord’s vineyard. We are all consoled knowing that he’s now resting in the bosom of the Lord, where there is neither pain nor sorrow. He’s an Angel watching over us all. We continue to keep Late Archbishop Ukpo’s family, Catholic Diocese of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, Late Fr. Thomas Kennedy, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and the entire Churh in our thoughts and prayers as we celebrate his one year rememberance today.

Eternal rest grant unto Archbishop Emeritus Joseph Ukpo, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul 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🙏

FIRST FRIDAYS AND FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTIONS:

The FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION is a Catholic practice that involves attending Mass, receiving Holy Communion and praying and adoring before the Blessed Sacrament on the first Friday of each month for nine months in a row. The devotion originated in the 17th century after Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary and spoke of His Sacred Heart. Jesus promised that those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays of nine consecutive months will receive the grace of final perseverance. The devotion is a way to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to atone for sins. The devotion is also known as the Communions of Reparation to the Sacred Heart or the Nine First Fridays Devotion. The Roman Catholic Church fully approved the devotion. 

Some elements of the First Fridays Devotion include:

• Sacramental Confession: A preparation for the devotion 
• Holy Communion: Received on the first Friday of each month for nine months in a row 
• Holy Hour: Spent in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament 
• Prayer for the Holy Father: A prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father 

The devotion is said to offer many spiritual blessings, including:

• Increased Grace: The soul is strengthened and intimacy with Christ is deepened through the frequent reception of the Eucharist
• Inner Peace: Trusting in Jesus’ promises can bring comfort in times of trial
• Forgiveness and Healing: Reparation for sins can bring peace to the heart and renewal in Christ
• Final Perseverance: Those who complete the devotion with love and faith are assured of Christ’s presence at the moment of death

The FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTION originated from the 1917 apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal. During these apparitions, Our Lady asked for acts of reparation to be made on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, with the intention of atoning for the sins committed against her Immaculate Heart. While the Sacred Heart of Jesus promises abundant blessings, including peace, consolation, and assistance at the hour of death, to those who faithfully observe nine consecutive First Fridays. Similarly, Our Lady extends her maternal protection and the promise of salvation to those who commit to five consecutive First Saturdays in honor of her Immaculate Heart.

Our Lady promises her assistance and graces especially at the hour of death, as well as peace and consolation in families and eventual salvation for those who faithfully practice the First Five Saturdays devotion. It involves attending Mass, receiving communion, praying the Rosary, and meditating on its mysteries on 5 consecutive first Saturdays with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The promises of Mary for the First Five Saturdays devotion:
* On each First Saturday, after receiving communion, reciting the Rosary, and meditating for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary, Our Lady promised to assist at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for salvation all those who make this devotion in reparation to Her Immaculate Heart.
* Our Lady promised to grant peace to families who fulfill this devotion.
* Those who fulfill the devotion will be consoled by Our Lady and will see Her eventually in heaven.
* Our Lady promised to assist in the salvation of those who practice this devotion by the graces of Her Immaculate Heart.

These First Saturday Prayers to the Immaculate Heart of Mary are recommended for those participating in the Five First Saturdays devotion.

Please see below links for both First Fridays and First Saturdays Devotions:

First Fridays Devotion: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/03/first-friday-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/

First Fridays and First Saturdays Devotions: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/03/first-fridays-first-saturdays-devotions/

FIRST FRIDAYS AND FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTIONS:

THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH – For families in crisis: Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences. (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

BLACK HISTORY MONTH | Saturday, February 1, 2025 – Saturday, March 1, 2025 | Read the Full Article | Black History Month | February 2025* | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/16/black-history-month/

Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/

Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/

DAILY SAINTS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint David of Wales, Bishop (Patron Saint of Wales; Pembrokeshire; Naas; vegetarians; poets; newborns) and Saint Albinus of Angers, Bishop and miracle-worker (Patron Saint invoked for children in danger of death; invoked against pirate attacks). Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for poets who speak the Word and for the safety and well-being of our children and children all over the world. We continue to pray for the intentions of our Holy Father. We pray for the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and all the ministers, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, all religious, for vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated life. For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. We pray for the Divine healing upon those who are sick and dying, particularly pray for the speedy recovery and Divine healing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, we pray for those suffering from mental illness, cancers and other terminal diseases. We continue to pray for those who are physically and mentally suffering from stressful life events at these incredibly challenging times. We pray for the Church, for captives, prisoners, persecuted Christians, the conversion of sinners and all who have fallen away from the joy of living in God’s loving presence and grace. We pray for the renewal of our spirit and a burning desire to serve God all the days of our lives. We continue to pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, and Christians all over the world. We continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. May the Saints intercede for our children, children all over the world and us all. Amen 🙏🏽

Saint David of Wales, Bishop and Saint Albinus of Angers, Bishop and miracle-worker ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

We 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! May the good Lord grant us His grace during this Ordinary Time as we continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽

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/

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT DAVID OF WALES, BISHOP AND SAINT ALBINUS OF ANGERS, BISHOP – FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 1ST: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint David of Wales, Bishop (Patron Saint of Wales; Pembrokeshire; Naas; vegetarians; poets; newborns) and Saint Albinus of Angers, Bishop and miracle-worker (Patron Saint invoked for children in danger of death; invoked against pirate attacks). Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for poets who speak the Word and for the safety and well-being of our children and children all over the world. Amen 🙏🏽

Saint David of Wales, Bishop and Saint Albinus of Angers, Bishop and miracle-worker ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

Saint(s) of the Day | March 1st | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

SAINT DAVID OF WALES, BISHOP: St. David of Wales (6th c.), also called Dewi Sant by the Welsh, was a missionary priest, Celtic monk, archbishop, miracle-worker, and the founder of many monasteries in Wales and western England during the sixth century. St. David was a popular namesake for churches in Wales prior to the Anglican schism, and his feast day is still an important religious and civic observance. He was descended from Welsh royalty, and in medieval times many believed he was the nephew of the famed King Arthur. St. David lived during the golden age of Welsh Saints in the 5th and 6th centuries. His mother, Saint Nonna, or Nonnita, is also reckoned a Celtic saint, has her traditional feast day on March 3. St. David appears to have been the cousin of his contemporary Saint Teilo, another Welsh bishop and monk and was a cousin of St. Cadoc, who founded the great monastery at Llancarfan.

St. David studied under St. Paulinus, another of the learned monks of the age, and in turn began his ministry as a founder of missions in southwestern Wales. St. David served as the Bishop of Menevia, an important port city linking Wales and Ireland in his time. The last monastery he founded was in Mynyw (Menevia) in far Southwestern Wales. Twelve monasteries have their founding ascribed to St. David. He lived by a strict monastic rule that was patterned after the Desert Fathers of Egypt and developed a reputation for strict asceticism. His monks modeled their lives on the earliest desert hermits – combining hard manual labor, silence, long hours of prayer, and a diet that completely excluded meat and alcohol. The monks did not use animals to take care of their fields, and lived off of only bread, vegetables, and water. His great leadership abilities gave him influence over many Church affairs.

St. David is often depicted standing on a mound with a dove on his shoulder. According to legend, one day while preaching a dove rested on his shoulder, and the earth rose to lift him above the crowd so that all could hear him speak. During a battle with the Saxons, St. David advised the Welsh soldiers to wear leeks in their hats to distinguish themselves from their enemy; this is the origin of the leek as an emblem of Wales. St. David is one of the great saints of the 6th century whose work helped to establish Christianity in Europe. He is the patron saint of Wales, and his feast, “St. David’s Day,” is a popular cultural celebration. The Cathedral of St. David’s in Pembrokeshire was built over his remains and became a pilgrimage destination for centuries. St. David of Wales died in the 540s at an advanced age.  Pope Callistus II canonized St. David of Wales in 1120. St. David is  remembered as a missionary bishop and the founder of many monasteries and the Patron Saint of Wales; Pembrokeshire;  Naas; vegetarians; poets; newborns.

St. David’s dying words to his monastic brethren: “Brothers and sisters, be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do.”

PRAYER:  O God, who graciously bestowed on your Bishop Saint David of Wales the virtue of wisdom and the gift of eloquence, and made him an example of prayer and pastoral zeal; grant that, through his intercession, your Church may ever prosper and render you joyful praise. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever….Amen🙏

SAINT ALBINUS OF ANGERS, BISHOP: St. Albinus of Angers (470-550) also known as Aubin of Angers, Albino of Angers was a French Bishop, Confessor, Monk, Abbot, miracle-worker. St. Albinus was a monk and from 504 C.E. Abbot of Tintillac. His reputation spread during the twenty-five years in which he served as abbot. St. Albinus was so well known for working miracles that faithful people all over Europe, from Spain to Poland, prayed for his intercession. Many French parishes are named after him to this day. St. Albinus was born in 470 to a noble Gallo-Roman family  at Vannes, Brittany, northern France. His family landed there from England or Ireland. In his early youth he was fervent in the practice of piety and as a young man embraced the monastic state at Cincillae, a nearby monastery near Angers. In 504, at thirty-five years of age, he was chosen Abbot, which office he filled for twenty-five years, until he became Bishop of Angers when Angers, France, needed a bishop in 529, the people turned to him. He governed his diocese until his death, which occurred about the year 550.

As a monk, St. Albinus was a perfect model of virtue, especially of prayer, mortification of the senses, and obedience. He was entirely dead to himself, living only for Christ. As Bishop, St. Albinus governed his See with zeal, restoring discipline everywhere, while in his private conduct he lived the same life of sanctity as he had liven when a monk. His humility equaled his other virtues, so that he looked on himself as the most unprofitable among the servant of God. Many Christians of his diocese had fallen into slavery through the invasions of the barbarians, and Saint Albinus used every resource available to him for their redemption. He preached every day, and took great care of the sick and the poor. He had a special care for widows who were raising large families. He also was famous for his work ransoming captives. Nearby barbarian forces would raid the cities, and he spent large amounts of money to buy back prisoners who had been enslaved. Once, the king himself carried off a beautiful young girl and locked her away for his own pleasure. When Albinus heard about it, he went directly to the castle and demanded her freedom. The guards dared not oppose him and handed her over. The king did not pursue, but had the gall to demand a ransom for her freedom, which Albinus paid himself.

St. Albinus was known for freeing captives, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind, and even raised the dead, one boy named Alabald. St. Albinus died on March 1, 550 AD, Angers, France of natural causes after making a long journey which he undertook to consult Saint Cesarius, Bishop of Arles, concerning matters of episcopal government. He had been the benediction of his diocese for twenty-one years. He’s the Patron Saint invoked for children in danger of death; invoked against pirate attacks.

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

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time | Saturday, March 1, 2025
Reading 1, Sirach 17:1-15
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 103:13-14, 15-16, 17-18
Gospel, Mark 10:13-16

Gospel Reading ~ Mark 10:13-16

“Whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it”

“People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Then he embraced the children and blessed them, placing his hands on them.”

In today’s Gospel reading, parents try to bring their children to Jesus for Him to bless them. Jesus’ disciples try to prevent the parents from doing this. Jesus indignantly rebukes His disciples and insists that the children be allowed to come to Him. He then pointedly tells His disciples that unless they become like the very children they are turning away from Jesus they will not enter the kingdom of God. Finally, Jesus does what He and the children’s parents both wanted; He puts His arms around the children, laid His hands on them and gave them His blessing. Jesus showed more respect to the children and their parents than His disciples did. The disciples have forgotten that a short time ago Jesus had put his arms around a child and declared to His disciples, ‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me and whoever welcome me welcome not me but the one who sent me’. In turning the children away from Jesus, they were turning Jesus away, and God whom Jesus embodied. Instead, the disciples must always allow children to come to Jesus, because Jesus wants them to experience the gift of the Kingdom of God here and now. Jesus’ words are a reminder to us that, as people of faith, we need to do all we can to introduce children to Jesus. They have a right to hear the good news and to experience God’s unconditional love for them through Jesus. It is a Gospel reading which reveals, beyond any doubt, just how important children were to Jesus. If His ministry was primarily to adults, nonetheless, children meant a great deal to Him. He was clear that they were as entitled to receive God’s blessing from Him as much as any adult. They had the same entitlement before God, in Jesus’ eyes, as any adult had. That conviction of Jesus was not the norm in that culture where children were valued more as adults in waiting than for themselves. On the social scale of the time, they were just above slaves. Today’s gospel reading calls on us to share Jesus’ desire to bring children into the realm of God’s blessing. As followers of Jesus, we are to be channels of God’s blessing to our children, mediating God’s life-giving love to them all.

Reflecting on the Gospel in reference to people bringing children to Jesus is reflected in the parents who bring their children for baptism. The Lord blessing the children speaks of the wonderful way He blesses them through baptism. The contrast between how the disciples, on the one hand, and Jesus, on the other, reacted to the parents bringing children to Jesus is very striking. The disciples turned the parents and their children away, whereas Jesus insisted that the children come to Him and that nothing be placed in the way of their coming to Him. Jesus suggests that we all have to do what we can to bring children into a relationship with Himself, to support them in coming to Him. Jesus also declares in the Gospel reading that as well as the responsibility we have to children we also have a lot to learn from them. We have to learn to welcome the kingdom of God as children do. Children are very receptive to good things, to gifts that come their way, including the gift of the kingdom of God, the gift of the Lord. They are open to that gift; they are very receptive to it. We can easily loose that receptiveness, the openness to the Lord, as we grow older. As adults we have to keep on recovering it; we need to keep learning to become like children so that we can welcome the gift of the Lord as openly as they do. This is the essence of the first beatitude, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’.

Our first reading today is the continuation of the Book of the prophet Sirach, the prophet mentioned to the people of God about how God created all of them and all mankind, and all of creation, and how mankind, having been formed and made in the very image and appearance of God, had received the great gift of Wisdom and power from God, and how this gift of Wisdom has been granted to them so that they may all discern the ways of the world and the path towards righteousness and truth, to follow whatever it is that God has taught them and shown to them, and allowing them to obey Him as their Father, just as faithful and loving children obeying their parents, and walking in the path that God has led them through, so that they would not end up falling into the wrong path of evil and wickedness. Prophet Sirach lived and compiled his works about two centuries before the coming of Christ, at a time of great change and turbulence in the community of the people of God, at a point of time when the Jewish community in Judea, Galilee and elsewhere were facing pressures and challenges, in particular with regards to their way of life and their faith and belief in God. At that time, during the height of the Hellenistic Era, many among the Jewish people and other people in the region began to be strongly influenced by the ways and beliefs of the Greeks, which led to many people to begin abandoning the ways of their ancestors, and for the people of God, it led to them abandoning the Law and commandments of God for the pagan practices and beliefs of the Greeks. And all of that had led to the conflict and disagreements among the people of God regarding which path they ought to be following and obeying, and hence, the prophet Sirach reminded them all that since God had created all of them good and wonderful, perfect and full of wisdom, therefore, all of them should continue to serve the Lord and following His path, dedicating themselves and their time, their efforts and works to glorify God by their lives, lived in obedience and commitment to the path of the Lord. We are reminded of the good that are in us, which although it has been marred and corrupted by sin, by the corruption of evil and darkness, the fact remains that there is still this good within us as God has given and blessed us with.

As we reflect on the Sacred Scriptures today, all of us are reminded of the great love which the Lord our loving God and Father has for each and every one of us, His beloved children and creation, whom He had created out of His overflowing and most generous love. God has always loved each and every one of us and despite our sins and wickedness, all the evils and waywardness of our lives, but God never gave up on us, and His love still persisted and remained nonetheless throughout all the struggles that He had to go through in reaching out to us and loving us persistently. It is God’s ever enduring and persistent, most generous and genuine love that has given us this sure hope and the certainty of salvation, because it is through God alone that we can have the hope of salvation. The faith of the little children is something that is pure and exemplary, as the faith that each and every one of them had, were truly free from the corruption of worldly desires, ambitions and pressures, all of which only grew to influence us as we grew up in age, and became no longer innocent and pure in our thoughts and ways. That is why the Lord used those little children as examples and reminders for all of His disciples and also for all of us that this purity and truth, they are all our true nature, the true nature of our humanity, that has been made all wonderful and perfect in the image of God, and meant to glorify Him by our lives and existence, and as His beloved children and people, we should always walk in His Presence, and remain loved and cared for by His loving kindness as always. That is why the Lord has always been active in reaching out to us, His children, because He truly loves each and every one of us, without exception. He wants all of us to be reunited to Him and no longer be separated from Him because of our many sins and wickedness. He has provided us with the various means and methods through which we can truly find our way back to Him. But whether we want to follow Him or not, and whether we want to embrace God’s ever generous love and mercy or not, is entirely up to us, because God has also given us the free will and the freedom to choose our path in life. Yet, let us all realise that without God by our side, and if we continue to walk down the path of rebellion against Him, in the end, there will be nothing for us but an eternity of regret. It is in the Lord alone that we can have the sure hope of eternal happiness and joy, together with our Father Who loves us all. We are called to emulate the Holy men and women and all the Saints, particularly the Saints we celebrate today, Saint David of Wales, Bishop and Saint Albinus of Angers, Bishop and miracle-worker. May the good Lord, our ever loving God and Father, continue to love each and every one of us as His beloved children, and may He continue to strengthen and encourage us all in the respective journey that we encounter in this life so that in whatever challenges and trials, difficulties and all sorts of obstacles we may encounter, we will continue to remain faithful and true in our love for Him, and that we may be strong and resilient in resisting the various temptations and pressures all around us, trying to drag us away from the Lord, our loving Father, and bringing us into the path of darkness and sin. Let us all keep in mind that all of us should obey the Lord and His commandments, and strive to be truly good, holy and worthy of our loving God and Father, by doing our best to live a truly Christian life at all times. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and bless us in our every efforts and endeavours, now and always. Amen 🙏🏽

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH | MONTH OF ST. JOSEPH: The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. “His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade”. “This patronage must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization,” wrote St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer). St. John Paul II further said, “Because St. Joseph is the protector of the Church, he is the guardian of the Eucharist and the Christian family. Therefore, we must turn to St. Joseph today to ward off attacks upon the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and upon the family. We must plead with St. Joseph to guard the Eucharistic Lord and the Christian family during this time of peril.”

The first four days of March fall during the liturgical season known as Tempus per Annum or Ordinary Time (formerly known as Time after Epiphany) which is represented by the liturgical color green. Green, the symbol of hope, is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. The remainder of the month of March is the liturgical season of Lent which is represented by the liturgical color violet or purple — a symbol of penance, mortification and the sorrow of a contrite heart. All saint days that are usually Memorials are shifted to Optional Memorials during the season of Lent. As we continue our journey “up to Jerusalem” during the month of March, three prominent ideas are proposed for our contemplation by the liturgy of Lent: the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, baptism, and penance. The Solemnity of St. Joseph (March 19) is a special landmark this month in which we will celebrate the great honor bestowed upon the foster father of Jesus. The Solemnity of the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25. And if you are Irish, St. Patrick’s feast is another cause for a joyful celebration. The Saints that we will focus on this month and try to imitate are: St. Katharine Drexel (March 3); St. Casimir (March 4); Sts. Perpetua and Felicity (March 7); St. John of God (March 8); St. Patrick (March 17); St. Cyril of Jerusalem (March 18); and St. Joseph (March 19). The Optional Memorials of St. Frances of Rome (March 9) and St. Turibio de Mogrovejo (March 23) are superseded by the Lenten Sunday liturgy.

A Time of Penance and Promise: The Church’s vibrant new life has been obscured by the austerity of the penitential season of Lent. But that life is indisputable, and it will burgeon forth on Easter as Christ coming forth from His tomb! At the beginning of this month we will embark on our journey to the cross by receiving ashes and donning the purple of penance. During this month our journey to the cross with our acts of penitence. We will reflect on our mortality (Remember man thou art dust) and the shortness of life (and to dust thou shall return). We will heed the call, Now is the acceptable time, now is “the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).” Just like Our Lord’s earthly life every moment of our lives is leading up to the last moment—when for eternity we will either go to God or suffer the fires of hell.
The Solemnity of the Annunciation bravely appears during Lent; a pure white flower in the purple Lenten landscape. It seems to be, at first glance, a Christmas feast, but upon reflection we grasp that the feast is intimately linked to the Paschal mystery. For what Christ inaugurated at His Incarnation in accepting to offer Himself for the human race, He will complete in His sacrifice on the cross. We prepare to accept the cross of blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday, falls on March 5, 2025, marking the beginning of the Lenten season and plunge ourselves into anticipating the major exercises of Lent–fasting, prayer, almsgiving–laying our thoughts and prayers on the heart of our Mother Mary. She, who offered her Son in the temple and on the Cross, will teach us how to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow after her Son. As the weeks of Lent progress let us not be tired of doing our good works and penance, but continue with the enthusiasm of the catechumens on their way to Easter and Baptism. May our Lenten observance be a joyful journey — and not a forced march. 🙏🏽

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PRAYER INTENTIONS: We thank God for the gift of His Son and pray for His grace as we serve Him in truth and love. During this Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother and the Saints we honor today, we pray for the sick and suffering, especially children and those battling epilepsy, strokes, heart disease, cancer, and other terminal illnesses. May God restore them to health and bring them comfort and peace. Every life is a gift.

We pray for the safety of our families and loved ones, for healing in marriages, and for unity in a world divided by violence and conflict. May God deliver us from hopeless situations and impossible causes.

We remember the souls in Purgatory, asking for God’s mercy upon them. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

We pray for widows, widowers, and all who are grieving. May the Lord strengthen them in their trials.

We continue to pray for Pope Francis, the Clergy, and all those spreading the Gospel. May God bless vocations to the priesthood and religious life and protect persecuted Christians worldwide. We pray for peace in our families and throughout the world. Amen. 🙏🏽

Let us pray:

Loving Father, I turn to You in complete trust as a small child turns to a loving parent. May I never become so self-sufficient that I fool myself into thinking I am capable of finding my own fulfillment in life. Instead, may I always see You as the one and only source of true fulfillment and always trust in You alone. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint David of Wales, Bishop and Saint Albinus of Angers, Bishop and miracle-worker ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

With gratitude for the gift of this new year, we pray for justice, peace, love, and unity within our families and throughout the world. May God’s Divine Mercy and Grace be upon us all during this Ordinary Time. Wishing us all a blessed, safe, grace-filled and relaxing weekend. May God keep us all safe and well. Amen 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖