ASH WEDNESDAY (YEAR C)
“Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” ~ Genesis 3:19
Greetings, and blessings, beloved family. Happy Ash Wednesday!
Thanking God for His love and the gift of this day and praying for God’s grace and mercy on us all as we embark on our Lenten journey today. Let us draw closer to God and be renewed by prayer, fasting, penance and giving to the poor. We pray for justice, peace, love, and unity in our families and our world that is torn apart by war, terrorism, and countless other acts of violence against human life. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times. Wishing us all a reflective and spiritually enriching Ash Wednesday and a most blessed, holy, safe, and grace-filled Lenten Season ~ Amen🙏
FEAST AND SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 5, 2025
ASH WEDNESDAY | MARCH 5, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/05/ash-wednesday-march-5-2025/
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN JOSEPH OF THE CROSS, PRIEST AND SAINT LUCIUS I, POPE | Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
DAY 1: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/05/day-1-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/
ASH WEDNESDAY PENITENTIAL PROCESSION, HOLY MASS, AND IMPOSITION OF THE ASHES | Presided by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis | March 5, 2025 | Live from Rome | with Message of the Holy Father Pope Francis for Lent* | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/05/ash-wednesday-penitential-procession-holy-mass-and-imposition-of-the-ashes-celebrated-by-cardinal-angelo-de-donatis-march-5-2025/
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/2025/03/05/catholic-daily-mass-daily-tv-mass-march-5-2025/
LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/
STATIONS OF THE CROSS | A JOURNEY WITH CHRIST | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/stations-of-the-cross/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
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 special feast day, as we begin our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and 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🙏
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/)
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
John Joseph of the Cross, Priest (Patron Saint of Ischia, Italy). St John-Joseph’s early life was one of poverty, homelessness and searching for work. And we also celebrate Saint Lucius I, Pope, who was a true shepherd of his flock during a time of violent persecution. He laid down his life for Christ. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children, all youths, our families, our leaders, the poor and the needy, for persecuted christians, for an end to religious and political unrest, for justice and peace, love and unity in our world that is torn apart by war, terrorism, racism and countless other acts of violence against human life. 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 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 John Joseph of the Cross, Priest and Saint Lucius I, Pope ~ 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/
ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025
Three Pillars of Lent: Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting!
“Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” ~ Genesis 3:19
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Holy Season of Lent, also known as Quadragesima, a time of preparation and reflection as we prepare ourselves well for the upcoming celebrations of Holy Week and Easter, the most important moments in our whole entire liturgical year. This is the time we contemplate our relationship with God and identify the areas in our spiritual life that need work. Season of Lent is 40 days of prayer, fasting, penance and almsgiving in preparation for the celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
At the beginning of Lent, on Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed during Mass, after the homily. The blessed ashes are then “imposed” on the faithful as a sign of conversion, penance, fasting and human mortality. The ashes are blessed at least during the first Mass of the day, but they may also be imposed during all the Masses of the day, after the homily, and even outside the time of Mass to meet the needs of the faithful. Priests or deacons normally impart this sacramental, but instituted acolytes, other extraordinary ministers or designated lay people may be delegated to impart ashes, if the bishop judges that this is necessary. The ashes are made from the palms used at the previous Passion Sunday ceremonies.
The ashes received on the head today is a sign of repentance and humility. It reminds us of our dependence on God and our call to turn away from sin. The act of putting on ashes symbolizes fragility and mortality, and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God. It is a symbolic representation of our desire to be forgiven from our sins, and as a sign of our repentance and regret from all the things that we have disobeyed the Lord for, and which therefore brought us into the path of sin and evil, out of which we are seeking the Lord for His help and grace, so that, He may free us from the shackles of our sins and evils. Far from being a merely external act, the Church has retained the use of ashes to symbolize that attitude of internal penance to which all the baptized are called during Lent.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the laws regarding abstinence and fasting are as follows: Abstinence from eating meat is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday. Since Jesus sacrificed His flesh for us on Good Friday, we refrain from eating flesh meat in His honor on Fridays. Abstaining from eating meat is also a form of penance– admitting to any wrongdoings and sins while turning back to belief in God. Abstinence applies to all persons 14 years of age and older. Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday applies to all Catholics who have completed their eighteenth year to the beginning of their sixtieth year. A person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together don’t equal that regular-sized meal. Fasting should be done out of love for God and of neighbor.
Lent is a Season of Reflection, Renewal and Preparation. As we begin our Lenten journey – the 40 days of preparation for Easter, we are called to make sacrifices and acknowledge our need for a Savior. The sacrifices we practice and the ashes we receive allow us to be a witness to others and a witness to Christ’s sacrifice. However, we are called not simply to choose a sacrifice, practice it for 40 days, and then go back to life as usual. We are called to truly deepen our relationship with Christ. Lent is traditionally a time of penance, when we try to die to ourselves in some way so as to live more fully to the Lord and to others. The traditional practices of Lent put before us the essentials for growth into the image of God’s Son. There are all in the service of love, a greater love of God (prayer), a more generous love of neighbour (almsgiving), and a truer love of ourselves (fasting). We recommit ourselves on Ash Wednesday to build our lives on those three loves, so that we may more fully become all that God is calling us to be.
In his message for Lent 2025, Pope Francis invites the faithful to embark on a journey of faith, community, and hope, reminding us that Lent is a time of renewal and conversion. He says:”The Jubilee motto, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ evokes the lengthy journey of the people of Israel to the Promised Land… A first call to conversion thus comes from the realization that all of us are pilgrims in this life.”
The Pope emphasizes three key aspects of our Lenten journey:
Journeying in faith, by reflecting on our spiritual progress and stepping out of our comfort zones.
Journeying together, by fostering unity and ensuring no one is left behind.
Journeying in hope, by trusting in God’s promise of eternal life.
He encourages us to examine whether we truly live as a community, embracing others with love and patience, and placing our hope in Christ, whose resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Concluding his message, Pope Francis entrusts our Lenten journey to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope.
During this season of Lent, in this Jubilee Year of Hope, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in the Middle East, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this Ash Wednesday, as we embark on our Lenten journey, we humbly pray for the poor and the needy, for persecuted Christians, for an end to religious and political unrest, for justice and peace, love and unity in our world that is torn apart by war, terrorism, and countless other acts of violence against human life. Amen 🙏🏽
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Ash Wednesday | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Ash Wednesday | Wednesday March 5, 2025
Reading 1, Joel 2:12-18
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 51:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17
Reading 2, Second Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Gospel, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
“Your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you”
“Jesus said to His disciples: “Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their appearance, so that they may appear to others to be fasting. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”
In today’s Gospel reading, our Lord Jesus was teaching His disciples and the people listening to Him regarding the matter of the practice of fasting. He taught them
about the right way how each and every one of them ought to be fasting, that is by doing so not because they wanted to be seen or witnessed, praised or honoured by others in doing that. In essence, the Lord reminded them and hence all of us as well, that our practice of fasting and abstinence which we always do today on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, abstinence itself which we practice on Fridays throughout the year, and other Lenten practices, like almsgiving and other devotions, should always be centred on God. Jesus’ comments on almsgiving, prayer and fasting, have been described as the three pillars of Lent. They are practices that are deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition. Jesus affirms their value in today’s Gospel reading, but He warns against engaging in these practices in a way that draws attention to ourselves. What seems like something virtuous can be very self-serving in reality. The three practices of almsgiving, prayer and fasting that Jesus speaks about in the Gospel reading are three traditional ways of responding to God’s love for us in Christ, three ways of journeying towards God who has journeyed towards us. They are three ways of responding to that call of God at the beginning of the first reading, ‘Come back to me with all your heart’. These three Lenten practices are closely interlinked. Fasting is in the service of prayer and almsgiving. We die to ourselves so as to live more fully towards God and our fellow human being.
In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Joel, the words of the Lord were spoken to the people, calling on all the people of God to return to their Lord and Master with repentance and sincere desire to turn themselves towards His mercy and forgiveness. The prophet Joel was sent by God to minister to the people of the southern kingdom of Judah, the southern half of the kingdom of God’s people, to remind them all of the Lord’s Law and commandments, calling upon all of them to restore the faithful practices of their ancestors and for them to turn away from their sins and wickedness. At that time, the kingdom of Judah and the people of God had fallen far away from the path of the Lord, disobeying and disregarding the commandments which God had taught to them and their ancestors and requiring them to follow and obey. And as a result, they had been beset by troubles, difficulties and persecution from their enemies. But the prophet Joel highlighted how God is truly loving and merciful, and all of us ought to come to Him seeking His mercy and forgiveness, as He forgives those who sincerely seeks Him and wants to be forgiven. This first reading of Lent captures the primary message of Lent, ‘Come back to me with all your heart… turn to the Lord your God again, for He is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness’. The call to come back, to turn, to the Lord is at the heart of Lent. It is a call to turn towards the one who is always turned towards us in tenderness and compassion. Coming back or turning suggests a change of direction. The word that is translated ‘repent’ in English means to have a change of mind or heart. We often think of repentance as a feeling of sorrow for any wrong we have done or good we have failed to do. However, repentance is a more positive movement. It is a turning towards the Lord, which will often mean a turning away from other directions we could take. That turning, that change of direction, that change of mind or heart, is supremely life affirming because the one who is turned towards us and who calls out to us to turn towards Him more fully is the one who is the source of our joy.
In today’s second reading, from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church and the faithful in the city and region of Corinth, the Apostle reminded all the faithful there of the great grace and mercy which God has shown to all of them, the beloved people of God, and how they all should seek the compassionate love and mercy from God because this very moment is indeed the favourable time to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. What St. Paul told to the faithful among the Corinthians is also a reminder for all of us that we should not procrastinate or delay in our efforts to seek the Lord, as some among us may delay in doing so because we think that we still have ample amount of time in our lives to be forgiven from our many sins and wickedness. Saint Paul reminds us that the God from whom we have turned away has sought us out and continues to seek us out in the person of His Son Jesus. ‘For our sake, God make the sinless one into sin, so that in Him we might become the goodness of God’. What a powerful statement that is! God sent His Son to become like us so that we might become like Him. God in His Son journeyed towards our sinful condition so that we might journey towards God’s goodness. The ashes that we wear on this day tell the world that we are sinners. Yet, those ashes we received are in the shape of a cross, which proclaims that we believe in a God whose love is stronger than our sin. As Paul declares in his letter to the Romans, ‘God demonstrates His love for us, in that while we still were sinners, Christ died for us’.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures as we enter into this Season of Lent today, being marked with the blessed ashes as a sign of our repentance, let us more importantly mark our hearts with the genuine sign of repentance and with the strong desire to seek God’s love and mercy, His compassion and forgiveness. The ashes should not be merely just an external symbol or formality, and it should not be the source of pride and ego, thinking that we are better or more righteous than others. Rather, it should remind us all of our sinfulness, and our weakness in our faith life, so that we may come to seek the Lord, to seek His loving compassion and mercy, that He may lead us all out of the darkness and into His light once again. All of us are called to spend more time with God, to be more faithful and committed to Him, and the practices that the Church has called us to do this Lent, which includes the fast and abstinence, as well as greater love and charity, generosity and almsgiving, all these should be done because we have the desire to love God more, to come closer to Him and be reconciled with Him. We are reminded that Lent is a time to reflect on how we might take up these three practices of almsgiving, prayer and fasting, so as to grow more fully into our baptismal calling. We take ashes on this Ash Wednesday as a sign of our desire, our commitment, to grow in our response to the Lord’s calling by means of these three great Lenten pillars. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and mercy and may He bless our Lenten journey and experience starting today, so that we may strive to be ever better Christians, not just in name, but also in words and deeds, in all things. Let us be more loving and charitable this Lent, and also resist the temptations to sin, in various forms and ways, by our faithful practice of fasting and abstinence, done right with the right focus and intent, not for ourselves but for the greater glory of God. May the Lord continue to bless us and empower us all in our every good efforts and endeavours, now and always, and may He bless our Lenten journey to come, that we will make best use of it. Amen 🙏🏽
SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN JOSEPH OF THE CROSS, PRIEST AND SAINT LUCIUS I, POPE – FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 5TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Joseph of the Cross, Priest (Patron Saint of Ischia, Italy). St John-Joseph’s early life was one of poverty, homelessness and searching for work. And we also celebrate Saint Lucius I, Pope, who was a true shepherd of his flock during a time of violent persecution. He laid down his life for Christ. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the poor and the needy, especially those who are suffering at these incredibly challenging times and we also pray for persecuted christians, for an end to religious and political unrest, for justice and peace, love and unity in our world that is torn apart by war, terrorism, racism and countless other acts of violence against human life… Amen 🙏🏽
Saint John Joseph of the Cross, Priest and Saint Lucius I, Pope ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day | March 5th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
SAINT JOHN JOSEPH OF THE CROSS, PRIEST: St. John-Joseph of the Cross (1654-1734) was a Confessor, priest, Franciscan Friar, born on the feast of the Assumption on August 15, 1654 on the beautiful island of Ischia, near Naples. He joined the Franciscan Order of the Strict Observance (the reform of St. Peter of Alcantara) at age sixteen. He was the first Italian to follow the reform movement of Saint Peter Alcantara. St. John Joseph was very ascetic even as a young man. He devoted himself even at his youngest years to a life of poverty and fasting. St. John’s influence was great despite his young age, his reputation for holiness prompted his superiors to put him in charge of establishing a new friary, after three years even before he was ordained. He was sent to help found a new order of friars in Piedmont in 1674 and he assisted with his own hands in the building. Much against his will, he was ordained to the priesthood. One day St. John Joseph was found in the chapel in ecstasy, raised far above the floor. He won the hearts of all his religious, and became a priest out of obedience to his Superiors. He obtained what seemed to be an inspired knowledge of moral theology, in prayer and silence. He assisted at the death of his dear mother who rejoiced and seemed to live again in his presence, and after he had sung the Mass for the repose of her soul, saw her soul ascend to heaven, to pray thereafter their God face to face. With his superiors’ permission St. John built another monastery and drew up rules for that community, he codified a set of guidelines for spiritual and daily life that were approved by the Holy See and became a lasting model for religious communities. He afterward became master of novices. Some time later he was made provincial of the province of Naples, erected in the beginning of the 18th century by Pope Clement XI. In 1702 he was appointed Vicar Provincial of the Alcantarine Reform in Italy. During his time as Vicar he implemented a rule that no beggar would be turned away without assistance, and in times of extreme scarcity he would offer his own portion to the poor. He labored hard to establish in Italy this branch of his Order, which the Sovereign Pontiff had separated from the same branch in Spain. His ministry brought him many sufferings, especially moral sufferings occasioned by numerous calumnies. Nonetheless, St. John Joseph succeeded in his undertakings, striving to inculcate in his subjects the double spirit of contemplation and penance which Saint Peter of Alcantara had bequeathed to the Franciscans of the Strict Observance.
Obedience moved St. John to accept appointments as novice master, guardian and, finally, provincial. His years of mortification enabled him to offer these services to the friars with great charity. He was known as a deeply holy man who served Christ and the monastic community through daily acts of mortification and humility. Despite his high ranking position, he continued to lead a life of service and took on menial tasks whenever possible. As guardian, he saw himself with no higher privilege and insisted on working in the kitchen or chopping and carrying the firewood and water needed by the friars. When his term as provincial expired, St. John Joseph dedicated himself to hearing confessions and practicing mortification, two concerns contrary to the spirit of the dawning Age of Enlightenment. St. John Joseph exemplified the most sublime virtues, especially humility and religious discipline. He also possessed numerous gifts in the supernatural order and he was said to have performed numerous miracles as well as the gift of prophecy. Finally, consumed by labors for the glory of God, he was called to his reward. Stricken with apoplexy, he died an octogenarian in his monastery at Naples on March 5, 1734. Countless posthumous miracles confirmed the sanctity and glory of the Saint. Self-denial is never an end in itself but is only a help toward greater charity—as the life of Saint John Joseph shows. St. John Joseph was beatified in 1789 and canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI. He’s the Patron Saint of Ischilia, Italy, the place where he was born.
PRAYER: St. John Joseph, pray for us that we will place our love for others before our love for ourselves. We ask today for your mighty intercession, to pray for us that we learn humility and seek an attitude of service so we, too, may follow in the footsteps of Jesus. In His Mighty Name we pray… Amen 🙏🏽
O God, You inspired St. John Joseph to strive for perfect charity and so attain Your Kingdom at the end of his pilgrimage on earth. Strengthen us through his intercession that we may advice rejoicing in the way of love. Amen 🙏🏽
SAINT LUCIUS I, POPE: His Holiness Pope St. Lucius I was born in Rome, Italy and his father’s name was Porphyrianus. He assumed the Throne on June 25, 253 A.D., and ruled only eight months until his death on March 5, 254 A.D. He was chosen as the 22nd Pontiff to succeed Pope St. Cornelius after his death in exile, forced to leave Rome by the Emperor Trebonianus Gallus. It was a very difficult phase for the Church still a long way from obtaining freedom of worship, which would only come with the edicts of 311 and 313. Pope St. Cornelius’ predecessor, Saint Fabian, had already died in prison among hardships under the persecution of Decius. Pope St. Lucius himself was exiled briefly immediately after his election as pope during the persecution of Emperor Gallus but a few weeks later when Valerian, who initially was not hostile to Christians, became emperor. he was then allowed to return to Rome.
During his brief reign, St. Lucius I was noted for his ascetic lifestyle, even while on the throne. St. Lucius continued the policy of Cornelius in admitting repentant apostates to communion after due penance. He forbade men and women not related by blood to live together, even decreeing that clergy should not live with deaconesses even if given lodging for reasons of charity. He condemned the Novatian heresy, which was held by Antipope Novatian, who taught that those baptized Christians who had denied their faith or performed the formalities of a ritual sacrifice to the pagan gods, under the pressures of the persecution sanctioned by Emperor Decius, in AD 250, were never to again be admitted to the Faith. A letter of St. Cyprian congratulated and celebrated St. Lucius memory with the highest praise for him on his return from exile and praising him for his confession of Christ and condemning the Novatians for their refusal of the sacraments to those who had fallen but were penitent. Pope St. Lucius I was a true shepherd of his flock during a time of violent persecution. He laid down his life for Christ on March 5, 254 A.D in Rome Italy, under a year into his reign. He was buried at Saint Callistus catacomb but his relics were later transferred to the church of Saint Cecilia in Rome, where they now lie, by order of Clement VIII. His successor was Stephen I.
PRAYER: O Eternal Shepherd, who appointed blessed Lucius shepherd of the whole Church, let the prayers of this martyr and supreme pontiff move You to look with favor upon Your flock and to keep it under Your continual protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ… 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 blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, may we be saved by the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! May the Lord grant us His grace as we continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth and as we begin the Lenten Season. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying. We particularly pray for sick children, those who are sick with convulsive disorder, mental illness, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. May God restore them to good health and grant them His Divine healing and intervention. May our Mother Mary comfort them, may the Angels and Saints watch over them and may the Holy Spirit guide them in peace and comfort during these challenging times. We pray for the safety and well-being of us all and our families, for peace, love and unity in our families, our marriages and our divided and conflicted world. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in peace with our Lord Jesus Christ Amen. For all widows and widowers. Please let us continue to pray for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen🙏
Let us pray:
My freeing Lord, help me to see my greatest sins this Lent and to begin the process of overcoming them. Please reveal to me the virtues I need to embrace so as to be freed of these burdens and to grow more firmly in my love of You and others. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint John Joseph of the Cross and Saint Lucius I ~ Pray for us🙏
Thanking God for the gift of this 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 as during this Ordinary Time. Have a blessed, safe, fruitful and grace-filled Lenten week. May God keep us all safe and well ~ Amen 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖