THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR C)

SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 23, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT TURIBIUS OF MOGROVEJO, BISHOP; SAINT REBECCA (SAINT RAFQA /RAFKA), RELIGIOUS AND SAINT VICTORIAN AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS| Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Greetings, and blessings, beloved family, and Happy Sunday, Third Week of Lent!

We thank God for His mercy and the gift of faith. May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey and may this Lenten season lead us to deeper conversion, greater love, and unwavering trust in His divine will. Wishing us all a love-filled and spiritually enriching Lenten journey. Amen🙏🏽

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/2025/03/23/catholic-daily-mass-19/

Pope Francis’ First Public Appearance Since Hospitalization | Live from the Gemelli Hospital | Sunday, March 23, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/23/pope-francis-angulus-live-from-the-gemelli-hospital-sunday-march-23-2025/

LIVE broadcast of Pope Francis’ first public apparition from the Gemelli Hospital of Rome after his hospitalization. The Holy Father gave his greeting and blessing to the faithful.

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/23/third-sunday-of-lent-lenten-meditation-reflection/

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

“Loving God, we thank you for the unwavering faith and leadership of Pope Francis. As he recovers from his hospitalization, we humbly ask for your healing touch upon his body, your peace upon his mind, and your comfort for his spirit. Grant him strength, renewed energy, and a continued ability to serve your flock with compassion and wisdom. We entrust him to your loving care, and we pray that he may soon be restored to good health, if it be your will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen”🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTER: We join our Holy Father, Pope Francis to pray for the people of Bahía Blanca, in Argentina, affected by the recent floods the area is suffering. We specifically pray for those who have lost their lives due to this natural disaster and their families and all those who are missing and displaced from their homes. May the good Lord grant them all peace and comfort during this challenging time.

On this special feast day, as we continue our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the dying, 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, for the victims of the recent flood in Argentina and we continue to pray for 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 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 labors 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/

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/

A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽

God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽

LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.

For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards

Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Sunday of the Third Week of Lent (Year C) | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Third Sunday of Lent (Year C) | Sunday, March 23, 2025
*Reading 1: Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15
*Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 6-7, 8, 11.
*Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12
*Gospel: Luke 13:1-9

Third Sunday of Lent | Scrutiny Year A Readings
*Reading 1: Exodus 17:3-7
*Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9
*Reading 2: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8
*Gospel, John 4:5-42

3RD SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C REFLECTIONS:

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 13:1-9

“If you do not repent, you will all perish as they did”

“Some people told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. Jesus said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them— do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!” And he told them this parable: “There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’ He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’”

In today’s Gospel reading, from the Gospel according to St. Luke the Evangelist, the words of the Lord reminds His disciples and all those people who were listening to Him, that all of them ought to be vigilant in their lives against sin, and pointed out the fact that everyone is a sinner, all in need of God’s mercy, forgiveness and healing. The Lord pointed out that just because some people suffered from certain tragedies and events, that does not mean they were greater in their sins or faults, and most importantly, there should be no prejudice, bias or attitudes that lead to elitist and exclusivist actions like what the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law had done against their fellow brethren, in thinking that they were better than those whom they considered to be unworthy and unclean, priding themselves in their own pious actions and observances of the Law. The Gospel reading also reminds us that we have been given this opportunity in this life to be truly fruitful in our every actions and moments, to be fruitful with the fruits of our faith and the gifts of the Holy Spirit that have been given to each one of us. As members of Christ’s body, we are called to share in His mission of giving people every opportunity to flourish. We must therefore remember our ultimate destination that is Heaven, God’s mercy and love, His promise of salvation and eternal life to all of us, distancing ourselves from all the wickedness and evils of this world, all those things that may lead us astray in our path towards the grace and love of God. Each and every one of us should do our very best to inspire and to be good and worthy role models to our fellow brothers and sisters. During this time and season of Lent, we are reminded to humble ourselves and to rend our hearts and our whole beings from pride, from all sorts of arrogance and wickedness, to distance ourselves from the path of evil, and wholeheartedly embracing the love and mercy of God.

Our first reading this Sunday, from the Book of Exodus gives an account of the moment when the Lord appeared for the first time to Moses, the moment when God went to call Moses to be His servant and to be the one to lead the Israelites, the people of God out of their slavery in the land of Egypt. And at that time, Moses had been in exile in the land of the Midianites away from Egypt because though he was raised as an Egyptian prince, but by his act of murdering an Egyptian that persecuted an Israelite slave, Moses feared the Pharaoh’s anger and hence fled to the land of the Midianites, where he established a family with the daughter of Jethro who took him in and cared for him. It was at that time when the Lord appeared before Moses at Mount Horeb as stated in today reading. In that apparition of the Lord in the miraculous burning bush, God tells Moses to go to Egypt, to confront Pharaoh and to tell him that he must let the Israelites go. He also told Moses that He knew and was fully aware of the sufferings and challenges that His people had faced in their lives in Egypt, persecuted and enslaved by the Egyptians, denied their basic rights and exploited, and even had attempts at genocide made against them when the earlier Pharaoh feared that the Israelites were continuing to flourish and grow in number despite their enslavement and persecution. And the Lord told Moses that this was why He sent Moses to set into motion everything that He has foretold and promised His people to do, to lead them out of the land of their sufferings and slavery into the land promised to them and their forefathers. In today’s reading, we are reminded that just as the Israelites were shown mercy of God and led through the guidance of Moses by the hands and power of God, out of the land of their slavery through the desert where they journeyed for forty years before they finally reached their promised land, therefore each and every one of us, the beloved people of God are also called to remember God’s generous love and mercy, which He has shown to us constantly and persistently despite our sins and disobedience against Him. But at the same time, whole He showed His love and compassion towards us, the examples of the Israelites and their journey in the desert should serve as an important reminder for us that this journey which we are going through in our own respective lives’ journey is not going to be an easy and smooth one.

In our second reading this Sunday, from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church and the faithful people of God in the city and region of Corinth, the Apostle spoke to the faithful regarding the reference that St. Paul made to the time of the Exodus of the Israelites as well. This reference to the time of the Exodus and how the Israelites stumbled and disobeyed God repeatedly during the Exodus, and how many of them perished on the way because of their sins is an important reminder for us that while God is truly loving and merciful, but He also abhors sin and evil, wickedness and disobedience against His Law and commandments. And that means, in our own lives, if we are to allow the temptations of sin to lead us astray, then we will have to account for them before the Lord at the time of the Final Judgment. This means that we cannot presume that we can continue on living in the state of sin without repentance and forgiveness for our many sins, wickedness and evil actions. Yes, God is indeed ever loving and merciful towards us, His beloved children, but at the same time, as mentioned, God is also a holy and just Lord, in Whose Presence no sin or evil can exist or remain. Therefore, we must make sure that we rid ourselves of all sorts of sin and impurities in us, repenting from our wicked ways and manners which are unbecoming of us as Christians, as God’s holy, chosen and beloved people. Each and every one of us ought to live our lives in the manner that is truly pleasing to God, committing ourselves to follow Him in His Law and commandment, obeying Him wholeheartedly and removing from ourselves the corruption of sin. We must remember how God’s love and compassion had made it possible for us to have hope today, the hope that we have received from the most loving and selfless sacrifice which Christ our Lord had offered on the Altar of His Cross at Calvary. Through this loving sacrifice, and the perfect offering He has offered for our sake, Christ Our Lord and Saviour has provided all of us the path out of the darkness and tyranny of sin, opening for us the gates of Heaven itself, giving us the straight path to salvation, should we be willing to commit ourselves to the path of repentance and embrace God’s mercy and forgiveness. We must be thankful that God our most loving and patient Father has always loved us so patiently and wonderfully all these while, and we truly should not take His love for granted.

As we reflect on his Sacred Scriptures on this third Sunday of Lent, all of us are called to examine our lives and actions, especially in how we have observed this Lenten season, this time provided for us to reorientate our lives so that we may once again be attuned to God, our most loving Father. We are all reminded that sin is something that can truly harm us and bring us into destruction unless we distance ourselves from those sins and wickedness. We must resist the temptations to sin against God, not allowing ourselves to be easily swayed by the devil’s lies and false promises, all of the things which may lead us into the path towards our downfall and destruction. This is something that the devil desires to do with us, and we must not let him easily have his way. May the Lord, our most loving God and Father, continue to strengthen our faith within us, empowering each one of us with the courage to continue glorifying Him by our lives, by our every moments and actions, through our devotion and commitment to His cause, now and always. As members of Christ’s body, we are called to share in His mission of giving people every opportunity to flourish. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may our Lenten observances and journey be blessed by God, and may they be truly blessed and fruitful. Amen 🙏🏽

SCRUTINY, YEAR A REFLECTIONS

Gospel Reading ~ John 4:5-42

In today’s Gospel reading, from the Gospel according to St. John, Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. Despite cultural divisions, He speaks with her and offers her “living water,” revealing Himself as the Messiah. As their conversation unfolds, she recognizes His divine knowledge and runs to tell her people about Him. Many Samaritans come to believe in Jesus, not only because of the woman’s testimony but also through their own encounter with Him. The story of the Samaritan woman is a profound illustration of Christ’s mission to reach all people, breaking barriers of ethnicity, gender, and social status. The woman comes to the well at midday, likely avoiding others due to her past. Yet, Jesus sees beyond her reputation and offers her the gift of eternal life. Her journey from skepticism to faith reminds us that true conversion begins with an encounter with Christ. Like the Samaritans, we are invited to move from secondhand faith believing because of others to personal conviction through our relationship with Jesus.

The Israelites, in their thirst, complain against Moses, questioning God’s presence among them. In response, God provides water from a rock, demonstrating His unfailing care. Their doubt mirrors our struggles when we face spiritual dryness or suffering. Yet, just as God quenched their thirst, Jesus, the true Living Water, satisfies our deepest longings. This reading challenges us to trust in God’s provision, even when His presence seems hidden.

In our Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist warns against hardening our hearts, recalling the Israelites’ doubt at Massah and Meribah. Instead, we are called to listen to God’s voice with openness and faith. Lent is a time to examine our hearts: Are we receptive to God’s will, or do we resist His guidance? Are there barriers in my life that prevent me from encountering Christ? Like the Samaritan woman, am I willing to acknowledge my need for His grace? In moments of doubt, do I trust in God’s provision, or do I harden my heart?

Lord Jesus, You are the Living Water that quenches every thirst. Open my heart to Your presence and remove anything that keeps me from receiving Your grace. May I seek You earnestly, just as the Samaritan woman did, and share the joy of knowing You with others. Amen. The Samaritan woman’s transformation reminds us that no one is beyond God’s love. As we journey through Lent, let us seek a deeper relationship with Christ, allowing Him to break through our doubts and transform our hearts. Amen 🙏🏽

SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT TURIBIUS OF MOGROVEJO, BISHOP; SAINT REBECCA (SAINT RAFQA /RAFKA), RELIGIOUS; AND SAINT VICTORIAN AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 23RD: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop (Patron of Latin American bishops, indigenous rights, and missionaries); Saint Rebecca (Saint Rafqa/Rafka), Religious; and Saint Victorian and Companions, Martyrs. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the evangelization of peoples, the grace to bear suffering with faith, and for all persecuted Christians throughout the world.

Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Saint Rebecca, and Saint Victorian and Companions ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

Visit the website for detailed history of the Saints | Saint(s) of the Day | March 23rd | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

SAINT TURIBIUS OF MOGROVEJO, BISHOP: Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo (1538–1606) was born in Spain and initially served as a professor of law before being unexpectedly appointed Archbishop of Lima, Peru, despite being a layman at the time. Recognizing the hand of God in this mission, he accepted ordination and took on the task of shepherding a vast and often neglected flock in the New World. He was a tireless missionary, traveling thousands of miles on foot and horseback to preach the Gospel to indigenous communities, often learning their languages to better communicate with them.

Saint Turibius upheld the dignity and rights of the native people, fighting against colonial oppression and corruption within the Church. He established seminaries, reformed clergy conduct, and was known for his deep humility and love for the poor. Among those he confirmed was the future Saint Rose of Lima. His dedication to evangelization and justice makes him a model bishop and missionary. He died while on a pastoral visit in 1606 and was canonized in 1726.

PRAYER: O God, You sent Saint Turibius to shepherd Your people with wisdom and courage. May his zeal for justice and the salvation of souls inspire bishops, missionaries, and all Your faithful to serve with humility and love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏

SAINT REBECCA (SAINT RAFQA/RAFKA), RELIGIOUS: Saint Rebecca (1832–1914), also known as Saint Rafqa, was a Lebanese Maronite nun who embraced a life of suffering as a means of uniting herself to Christ. After joining the Lebanese Maronite Order, she asked Our Lord for the gift of sharing in His Passion. Soon after, she was struck with painful illnesses, becoming blind and paralyzed. Despite her immense suffering, she never complained but offered everything to God in silent joy, teaching others the redemptive power of suffering.

Saint Rebecca spent her final years in deep prayer, inspiring those around her with her serenity and unwavering faith. Her holiness and miracles led to her canonization in 2001. She remains a powerful intercessor for those suffering from chronic illnesses and pain.

PRAYER: O Lord, through the patient endurance of Saint Rebecca, You showed us the power of redemptive suffering. Grant us the strength to carry our crosses with faith and joy, trusting in Your divine will. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏

SAINT VICTORIAN AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS: Saint Victorian and his companions were Christian martyrs who perished under the brutal persecution of King Huneric of the Vandals in North Africa during the 5th century. Saint Victorian was a high-ranking Roman official who refused to betray his faith despite the threats and offers of wealth from the king. His steadfastness led to his execution, along with other believers who similarly chose Christ over earthly security.

Their martyrdom reminds us of the cost of discipleship and the eternal reward that awaits those who remain faithful to Christ. They are honored as defenders of the faith and intercessors for those facing persecution.

PRAYER: O God, You strengthened Saint Victorian and his companions to endure martyrdom rather than renounce their faith. Through their example, grant us courage in trials and unwavering trust in Your promises. Through Christ our Lord. Amen 🙏🏽

May the lives of these Holy Saints inspire us to walk in faith, bear suffering with courage, and stand firm in the truth of the Gospel. 🙏🏽

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.”

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. 🙏🏽

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Lord Jesus, You are the Living Water that quenches every thirst. In today’s Gospel, You reveal Yourself to the Samaritan woman, offering her the gift of eternal life. Just as You broke through the barriers of her past, may we open our hearts to encounter You personally and trust in Your grace. Help us to move beyond secondhand faith to a deep, personal conviction in You. When we struggle with doubt, as the Israelites did in the wilderness, remind us that You are always present, providing for our needs. Through the intercession of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Saint Rebecca (Rafqa), and Saint Victorian and Companions, may we have the courage to proclaim Your truth and share the joy of knowing You with others.

Lent is a journey of reconciliation, a time to return to God with trust and humility. Let us embrace this call to repentance, knowing that no sin is too great for His mercy. May we strive to live in the joy of His forgiveness and share His love with all we encounter. The Father is always waiting with open arms—let us run back to Him.

We pray for all who feel distant from God, that they may find the courage to return to Him and experience the joy of His forgiveness. We also pray for those who struggle with self-righteousness and resentment, that they may be freed from pride and embrace the fullness of God’s mercy.

Joining Pope Francis in his March prayer intention, we pray for families in crisis, that they may experience healing, restoration, and the peace of Christ in their homes. May struggling marriages be strengthened, and may children find love and security in their families. 🙏🏽

Let Us Pray

My divine Gardener, You have committed Yourself to the humble work of tilling the soil of my heart and fertilizing it with Your abundant mercy. I choose, this day, to respond to Your grace and pray that my cooperation with You will produce an abundance of good fruit in my life for Your glory and the building up of Your Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You 🙏🏽

Lord Jesus, You came to seek the lost and offer salvation to all, breaking every human barrier that separates us from You. Like the Samaritan woman, we thirst for the life-giving water that only You can provide. So often, we hesitate, weighed down by sin, doubts, or feelings of unworthiness, yet You see beyond our failings and call us to transformation. Give us hearts that are open to Your voice, that we may not harden ourselves as the Israelites did in the desert but trust in Your unfailing care.

Through the example of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, who tirelessly preached Your Gospel, may we boldly witness to Your truth. Through the steadfast endurance of Saint Rebecca (Rafqa), who embraced suffering with faith, teach us to trust You in trials. Through the martyrdom of Saint Victorian and his companions, may we remain faithful, even in the face of opposition. Lord, remove every barrier that keeps us from You, and let us, like the Samaritan woman, go forth joyfully to proclaim Your saving love. Amen 🙏🏽

Save us Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Saint Rebecca, and Saint Victorian and Companions ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

May this Lenten season lead us to deeper conversion, renewed faith, and a heart open to God’s transforming grace. Wishing us all a safe, blessed, and grace-filled Third Sunday of Lent and fruitful week. Amen. 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖