MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT AND BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR AND SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP |

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, LAETARE ‘REJOICE’ SUNDAY (YEAR C)

SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 30, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT AND BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR AND SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP | Lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/

DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/

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/2025/03/30/catholic-daily-mass-26/

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT | LENTEN MEDITATION AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/30/fourth-sunday-of-lent-lenten-meditation-reflection/

Greetings and blessings, beloved family! Happy Laetare “Rejoice” Sunday, Fourth Sunday of  Lent and Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, mothers to be and mother figures (celebrated today in the UK, Africa and other countries).

Today, as we celebrate Laetare ‘Rejoice’ Sunday, in the UK, Africa and other countries, Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday, is celebrated on this day, the fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday). Due to the movable date of Easter, the date for Mother’s Day also shifts each year. This year, 2025, it falls on Sunday 30 March. We thank God for His mercy and the gift of family and gift of all mothers. 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🙏🏽

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/

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. 🙏🏽

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, LAETARE ‘REJOICE’ SUNDAY: Today is the halfway mark of Lent and we celebrate what is known as Laetare Sunday. The word Laetare has the meaning of ‘rejoice’ just as Gaudete is, both having similar meanings. This name Laetare comes from the beginning of this Sunday Introit at the start of the Holy Mass, namely, ‘Laetare Jerusalem, et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam…’ which means ‘Rejoice, o Jerusalem, and gather round, all you who love her…’ a reminder for all of us that amidst all the penitential and more sombre nature of this season of Lent, we are actually looking forward to the arrival of Easter, when we shall rejoice together commemorating the glorious Resurrection and the salvation which the Lord has shown us through His Son, Jesus Christ, Our Risen Lord and Saviour. This Sunday is our foretaste of Easter joy, it marks the halfway point through the Lenten season of fasting, abstinence, and penance, and because of this it is a day of joy in anticipation of the close arrival of Easter.

Laetare Sunday is one of the only two occasions in the entire liturgical year when the color rose is used. The other occasion is the Gaudete Sunday during the season of Advent. Like that of its Advent counterpart, the Gaudete Sunday or the Third Sunday of Advent, which marks the joyful expectation of the coming of the Messiah in Christmas, Laetare Sunday marks this joyful expectation of the salvation of all mankind, amidst our deep and intense preparation and self-retrospection this Lenten season. Today, just as on Gaudete Sunday in Advent, we have a reprieve and more joyful celebration amidst the more sombre and penitential nature of this season. The Priests wear rose-colored liturgical vestments and the altar is decorated with flowers, often roses, offering a temporary reprieve from the Lenten austerity. We have something like a break amidst the usually more toned down nature of our Lenten observances, as music and flowers are allowed to be used again, unlike how it is during the other parts of the Lenten season. This is because the rose liturgical color used today is a reminder that all of these things we have practiced and prepared for this Lent, are all ultimately in expectation of the joy that is to come through Christ, Our Lord and Savior. We focus on the Joy that we are looking forward to and have been preparing ourselves for in these past few weeks of Lent. We look forward to the joy of the coming of Christ, and the salvation that He has given to all of us in Easter. All of our Lenten observances are meant to help us to be able to enter more deeply into the mystery and nature of the work of salvation which God has done in our midst through His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.  

In some Christian traditions, Laetare Sunday is also observed as Mothering Sunday, a time to honor mothers, and historically this day was a time when people returned to their “mother church” or home parish. It is also a time where some will take the opportunity to enjoy a slightly more festive meal with loved ones, while others might focus on acts of charity or service, as a small break from the normal lenten practices.

May the Lord have mercy on us all. Happy Laetare “Rejoice” Sunday 🙏🏽”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

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

Today’s Bible Readings: Laetare Sunday | Sunday, March 30, 2025
Reading 1, Joshua 5:9a, 10-12
Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Reading 2, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Gospel, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

[Note: When the Scrutinies are used at Mass, the reflection and readings for Year A may be used in place of this one]

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 15:1–3, 11–32

“Your brother was dead and has come to life again”

“Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable: “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son, a story of sin, repentance, and the boundless mercy of God. A younger son, after squandering his inheritance in reckless living, finds himself in misery and decides to return to his father in repentance. Rather than rejection, he is welcomed with love, embraced, and restored to dignity. Meanwhile, his older brother, resentful of this mercy, struggles to understand the depth of the father’s love. Jesus spoke this parable in response to those who criticized Him for sharing table with sinners. The implication of the criticism was that, as a man of God, Jesus should only share table with those who kept God’s law. The story Jesus told was inviting His critics to look at what He was doing with new eyes. Jesus’ critics may have thought of themselves as experts in the Law of God, but perhaps they had lost sight of the God of the Law. What was Jesus saying about Himself, and about God, through this story? The younger son was only entitled to his share of the inheritance on the death of his father. In asking for his inheritance immediately, he was wishing his father dead. The son compounded this insult to his father by wasting the value of his inheritance in a far country. When he sunk as low as he could go, the son began to come home to himself, taking responsibility for what he had done, declaring, ‘I have sinned against heaven and against you’. That coming home to himself was the beginning of his coming home to his father. One might wonder what kind of reception is this scoundrel going to get when he arrives home?’ However, the younger son’s hesitant and anxious journey towards home was enough to release his father’s deep love for him. At best, the son had hoped to be taken back as a hired servant, but he was welcomed back as an honoured son, with appropriate dress and a village meal to celebrate his homecoming. He was welcomed back not for what he had done or failed to do, but for who he was. The story suggests that this is the way God relates to us all. Regardless of what we have done or failed to do, we remain God’s beloved sons and daughters. Any effort on our part to return home to God will be responded to with love beyond all telling.

Just as the younger son insulted his father by demanding his share of the inheritance, the elder son insulted his father by refusing to join in the celebration for his younger brother. For the second time in the story the father has to go out to an estranged son, leaving the feast at which he was the host and which required his presence. The older son’s speech, so full of anger towards his father and contempt for his brother, revealed a king of loveless fidelity. He has spent his life doing what the father wanted but had never learnt to love either his father or his brother. Yet, there was no doubting the father’s love for his eldest son, ‘My son, you are always with me and all I have is yours’. The lost younger son allowed himself to be embraced by the father’s love. We are left wondering if the lost older son will also allow himself to be caught up in the father’s boundless love for him. Through this story, Jesus was revealing a God who loves all his sons and daughters equally and who is always seeking out the lost. The question the story raises is, ‘Will we allow ourselves to be found by the God who keeps seeking us out in love?’

Reflecting on the Gospel reading, Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most powerful illustrations of God’s mercy. The younger son represents all who stray from God, seeking fulfillment in the world but ultimately finding themselves lost and broken. Yet, when he returns home, his father does not reject him; instead, he welcomes him with open arms, clothing him in dignity and restoring him as a beloved son. This is the essence of God’s love—He does not treat us as our sins deserve, but rather, He rejoices when we return to Him. The father’s response is a reminder that no matter how far we have fallen, God is always ready to forgive us when we turn back to Him. The older son, however, struggles to accept this mercy. He is resentful, believing his obedience should earn him more than his wayward brother. This challenges us to examine our hearts: do we sometimes withhold forgiveness, expecting others to “earn” their redemption? The father’s words remind us that God’s mercy is abundant and available to all. During this Lenten season, we are invited to experience the joy of reconciliation—not only with God but also with others. Are there relationships in our lives that need healing? Have we, like the prodigal son, strayed from God in any way? Now is the time to return to the Father, who is always waiting with open arms.

Our first reading this Sunday from the Book of Joshua highlights the story of the time when Israel, the people of God finally reached the Promised Land after forty years long of sojourning in the desert during their journey from Egypt to the land of promise. The people of Israel had been punished and forced to endure the consequences of their rebellions and disobedience, their lack of faith and trust in God, when they constantly rebelled against God and refused to follow His path, and ultimately, when they, lacking trust and faith in God, grumbled and complained in fear of their lives when scouts sent to observe the Promised Land of Canaan told them of the mighty people who lived there. Despite the assurances from God and Moses, and the other faithful members of the people, many of the Israelites rebelled against God and therefore, God made them to wander in the desert for the whole period of forty years long, until almost the whole rebellious generation had perished. The Book of Joshua reminds us of God’s faithfulness in leading His people to a new beginning. After years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites finally enter the Promised Land, and with this transition, the miraculous provision of manna ceases. No longer do they rely on food from heaven; instead, they eat the produce of the land, a sign that they have arrived at their destination. This shift represents a deeper spiritual truth. Just as God provided for Israel in the wilderness, He provides for us in our spiritual journey. There are times when we rely on extraordinary graces, but as we mature in faith, God calls us to trust in His continuous presence, even when it is not as visibly miraculous. The transition from manna to the produce of the land invites us to reflect: How has God been providing for us? Do we recognize His daily blessings? This Lent, let us cultivate gratitude for the ways He sustains us, both in times of trial and in times of abundance.

Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist calls us to “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” This verse is a beautiful invitation to trust in God’s mercy. Just as the prodigal son returned home and experienced his father’s goodness, we too are called to turn to the Lord, knowing He will receive us with love. The psalm also reminds us that those who seek God will never be abandoned. “When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress He saved him.” No matter our struggles, God is near, ready to deliver us when we cry out to Him. This Lent, let us make an effort to “taste” God’s goodness by spending more time in prayer, scripture, and acts of kindness.

In our second reading, from the second Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Church and the faithful people of God in the city and region of Corinth, Saint Paul reminds us of a profound truth: “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This passage speaks directly to the theme of renewal and reconciliation that runs throughout today’s readings. We are all reminded yet again that through Christ, that is Jesus Christ, the Son of God manifested in this world as Man, and by everything that He had done, in bearing our sins and all the punishments and pain associated with all those sins, He has won for all of us the greatest triumph and victory, and showed us all that sin and death do not have the final say over us and our fates. Instead, through Him, and by our faith in Him, Christ, Our Lord and Saviour has opened for us the way to reconciliation and reunion with our most loving God and Father. And therefore, all of us should appreciate just how beloved and fortunate all of us are, to have received such a great grace from God, and we should truly be sincere in repenting from our many sins and faults.

Just as the Prodigal Son was restored to his father, we too are restored to God through Christ. Sin separates us, but through Jesus, we are reconciled and made new. Paul emphasizes that this reconciliation is not something we earn—it is a gift from God, freely given through Christ’s sacrifice. Additionally, Paul calls us to be “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). This means that just as we have received mercy, we are called to extend it to others. The older son in the Gospel struggled with this concept—he wanted justice, not mercy. But Paul reminds us that we must embrace our role as peacemakers, showing the world the same love that God has shown us. This Lent, let us not only seek personal renewal but also strive to be agents of reconciliation in our families, communities, and the world. Today’s readings invite us to ask ourselves, ‘To what extent am I engaged in God’s work of reconciliation’. Not many of us may find ourselves in a situation where we can engage in the work of reconciling whole communities that have been estranged from each other, like many are constantly engaged in. We are called to seek the opportunity from time to time to work for reconciliation between individuals who are estranged. Our own families will often provide us with such an opportunity.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures on this Fourth Sunday of Lent, as the Church celebrates the occasion of Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday, we are all reminded this day that we are looking forward to celebrate the most joyful and glorious moments of the salvation of all mankind at the Lord’s Passion during the Holy Week and Easter, which were all possible because God has truly loved us all so much that He was willing to do everything for our sake, to liberate us all from the dominion and tyranny of sin, leading us all back to His loving care, embrace and filling us once again with His grace and kindness, blessings and love. That is why we should continue to do our best so that our Lenten observances and practices, our acts of deepening our prayer and spiritual life, our fasting and abstinence to control our worldly desires and temptations, as well as our charitable efforts and generosity may continue to bear rich fruits for our benefits, and to bring us ever closer to the Lord our God. As we have all been reminded of the great love of God and all that He has done for us, and as we anticipate the great joy of our full and complete reunion with Him in the world that is to come, in the everlasting life and bliss that He has promised and reassured us all, let us all therefore strive to be exemplary in all things, in doing God’s will and in coming ever closer to His Throne of mercy and love. As we continue to journey through this blessed time and opportunity this Lenten season, let us all realise how fortunate we are to have been given such a wonderful opportunity for reconciliation with our loving God and Father, and make good use of the great opportunity given to us to seek His love and mercy once again. Let us all not harden our hearts and close our minds anymore to Him, but do our best instead to glorify Him by our lives, by our humble obedience and desire to be forgiven and to be fully loved again by God, our loving Father, Who loves each and every one of us equally without exception. And as those who have received this faith and blessing from God, we, as the elder children, should also be welcoming to our fellow brethren, especially all those who have not known God and His mercy, reaching out to them and sharing God’s love with them instead of judging them and being prejudiced against them, or being jealous of God’s love and mercy which have been shown to them too. That is why let us all pray fervently today, on this occasion of Laetare Sunday, that God may continue to show us all His mercy and kindness, His compassion and love. Let us remind ourselves of the great joy that we are expecting and coming soon with the glorious season of Easter to come. Let us rejoice because God’s salvation has been shown to us, and He has been willing to welcome us all, His beloved though prodigal children so that by His compassion and love, all of us may be forgiven our sins and be reunited with Him. May the Lord our most loving Father continue to be with us throughout this season of Lent, and help us to remain firm and steadfast in our faith in Him, now and always. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the good Lord, our ever loving and compassionate, most merciful and kind Master and Creator, our patient and loving Father be with us always and may He bless us in all of our good efforts and endeavours. Amen 🙏🏽

Heavenly Father, You are rich in mercy and slow to anger. Thank You for never turning away from us, even when we stray. Help us to recognize our need for Your grace, to return to You with humble hearts, and to rejoice in the salvation of others. May we never take Your love for granted but strive to live as true sons and daughters of Your kingdom. Amen 🙏🏽

SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT AND BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR AND SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP – FEAST DAY: MARCH 30TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Climacus, Abbot, a great ascetic and the revered author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent (Patron Saint of spiritual directors); Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, Martyr, a courageous nurse who defied the Nazi regime and was martyred for her faith (Patron Saint of nurses and those persecuted for their beliefs); and Saint Fergus of Scotland, Bishop, a missionary bishop who tirelessly spread the Gospel throughout Scotland (Patron Saint of Wick, Glamis, and Lungley).

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and these Holy Saints, we pray for the strength to live lives of holiness, courage in the face of trials, and a deep commitment to prayer and service. May we, like them, remain steadfast in our faith and bring Christ’s love to the world. Amen. 🙏🏽

Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, and Saint Fergus of Scotland ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽

Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | March 30th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

(Direct link to detailed history of the lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/)

SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT: “God rests within gentle hearts. The gentle and merciful shall sit fearless in His regions, and will inherit heavenly glory.” – St. John Climacus. Saint John Climacus (579–649), also known as John of the Ladder, was a monk and abbot of Mount Sinai Monastery, renowned for his profound spiritual wisdom. At the age of sixteen, he renounced the world to embrace the monastic life, spending forty years as a hermit in prayer and contemplation. His humility and holiness led him to become the abbot of the monastery, where he guided many souls toward perfection.

His most famous work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a spiritual masterpiece that describes thirty steps leading to holiness, symbolizing Jacob’s ladder. This book remains a treasured guide for Christians seeking union with God through humility, detachment, and love. Despite his leadership role, St. John sought to avoid worldly honors, preferring the solitude of prayer.

He passed away on March 30, 649, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual wisdom that continues to inspire countless souls. His life teaches us the power of humility, silence, and total surrender to God.

PRAYER: Lord, through the intercession of St. John Climacus, grant us the wisdom to seek You above all things, the humility to embrace the path of holiness, and the strength to overcome spiritual struggles. Amen. 🙏🏽

Saint John Climacus ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽

BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR: “It does not matter how far we are separated from everything, no matter what is taken from us: the faith that we carry in our hearts is something no one can take from us.” – Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka. Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka (1894–1943) was an Austrian nurse and martyr who stood firm in her faith against the Nazi regime. Born as Helena Kafka in the Czech Republic, she became a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity and served as a dedicated nurse in Austria. She was known for her compassion, strength, and unwavering commitment to Christ.

During the rise of the Nazi regime, she openly opposed their oppressive rule. When she placed crucifixes in the rooms of hospital patients, she was ordered to remove them—but she refused. Her defiance led to her arrest, imprisonment, and eventual execution by beheading on March 30, 1943. She was only 48 years old.

Her courage and faith in the face of persecution stand as a powerful witness to Christian steadfastness. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998.

PRAYER: Lord, grant us the courage of Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, that we may stand firm in our faith and defend the truth even in the face of opposition. May we always seek to serve others with love and humility. Amen. 🙏🏽

Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽

SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP: Saint Fergus of Scotland (d. 730) was an Irish bishop and missionary who traveled to Scotland to spread the Gospel. He preached tirelessly, establishing churches and converting many to Christianity. His deep faith and dedication to evangelization made him a beacon of light in a land that had not fully embraced the Gospel.

He is known to have attended the Council of Rome in 721 A.D., where he upheld the Church’s teachings. His missionary efforts led to the founding of several churches, and he became venerated as a patron of various regions in Scotland. His relics were honored for centuries, and his holy life continues to inspire Christians today.

PRAYER: Lord, through the intercession of St. Fergus, may we have the zeal to share Your Gospel, the patience to guide others to You, and the courage to stand firm in our beliefs. Amen. 🙏🏽

Saint Fergus of Scotland ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽

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: As we honor Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, and Saint Fergus of Scotland, we pray for all who seek holiness through prayer, sacrifice, and service, that they may be strengthened in their journey toward God. We lift up those who suffer persecution for their faith, asking for courage and perseverance, especially for Christians who, like Blessed Maria Restituta, face trials for standing firm in the truth. May missionaries and all who spread the Gospel, following the example of Saint Fergus, be blessed with wisdom and zeal as they bring Christ’s light to the world. We pray for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, that they may experience God’s love through the care and compassion of others. As we continue our Lenten journey, may we embrace humility, deepen our trust in God, and grow in love for Him and our neighbors.

LET US PRAY

Most loving and compassionate Lord, tax collectors and sinners were drawn to You. They found in You someone Who could free them from the burdens they carried within. Please help me to see myself as one of those humble souls in need of You and Your mercy. I reject my pride that leads me to self-justification and pray for humility so that I can come to You and gladden the Heart of the Father in Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

Heavenly Father, You call us to follow the example of the saints who have gone before us, living lives of faith, courage, and unwavering devotion to You. Through the intercession of Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, and Saint Fergus of Scotland, grant us the grace to seek You above all things, to stand firm in truth, and to serve others with love. Strengthen us in times of trial, protect those who suffer for their faith, and guide us along the path that leads to eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen 🙏🏽

Save us Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph and Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, and Saint Fergus of Scotland ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for us all during this season of Lent, let us be renewed by prayer, fasting, and giving to the poor. We pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world. May this Lenten season deepen our trust in God’s providence and open our hearts to His transforming grace. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times and may this season of Lent bring us all true salvation in Christ as we remain united in peace, love and faith. Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled Laetare ‘rejoice’ Sunday and fourth Week of Lent ~ Amen 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

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