FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MONTSERRAT | MEMORIAL OF SAINT ZITA OF LUCCA, VIRGIN ~ FEAST DAY: APRIL 27TH
As we continue to celebrate and rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, today, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Montserrat and the Memorial of Saint Zita of Lucca, Virgin (Patron Saint of Domestic Workers). Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Montserrat and Saint Zita, we humbly pray for the sick, we particularly pray for those who are terminally ill and dying. May God in His infinite grace and mercy grant them His divine healing and intervention. We also pray for the Church, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, for all maids, waitresses and other domestic workers and Christians all over the world. šš½
OUR LADY OF MONTSERRAT:Our Lady of Montserrat or theĀ Virgin of MontserratĀ is a Marian title associated with a statue of theĀ Madonna and ChildĀ venerated at theĀ Santa Maria de MontserratĀ monastery on the Montserrat Mountain inĀ Catalonia,Ā Spain. Legend relates that the original sculpture was carved by St. Luke and brought to Montserrat by St. Peter in 50 A.D. St. Ignatius of Loyola, a former Crusader, decided to become a missionary after having prayed before this image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The origin of the devotion to Our Lady at the shrine of Montserrat according to the earliest written records dates from 932, when the Count of Barcelona confirmed and renewed an endowment to the shrine made by his father in 888. This gift was again confirmed in 982 by Lothaire, King of France. Constant and unbroken tradition is that even previous to 888, an image of Our Lady was miraculously found among the rocks of Montserrat. Montserrat itself is a fantastic mountain group, four thousand feet high, about twenty miles from Barcelona. The name, Montserrat, of Latin origin, means saw-edged mountain. It is formed by huge boulders that raise their immense bulk perpendicularly to that four thousand foot summit. Outwardly, it resembles the seemingly inaccessible monasteries seen on high Mount Athos in Greece: “Montserrat is, and will forever be, a source of deep impressions caused by the singularity of the place. There, what is material becomes cyclopean, the mysterious is turned mystical and the picturesque is promoted to sublimity.” There is a story that the mountain was once a huge boulder with a smooth surface. At the time of the Crucifixion of Jesus, however, when the sun darkened, the rock was shaken to its very foundations and when light returned, the mountain had a thousand peaks.
The legend relates that the figure of Our Lady came from Jerusalem to Barcelona, and was brought into the mountains to save it from the Saracens. It is true that the Montserrat statue has oriental features, but this could well be traced to the Byzantine sculptors who were constantly employed in the West. The legend goes on to say that in the eighth century shepherds one night saw strange lights on the mountain and heard Seraphic music. Guided by the shepherds, the Bishop of Manresa found, in a cavern, a wooden figure of Our Lady and the Holy Child. He ordered that the statue be carried into the cathedral immediately. However, the procession with the statue never reached the cathedral because, after much marching, the small wooden figure became too heavy so that the Bishop decided to accept it as a sign and left it in a chapel of a nearby hermitage. The statue remained there until a church was built on the site of the present abbey on the top of the rocks near where the statue was discovered. Since that incident, this statue is the most celebrated, the most important of Spain; it is thirty-eight inches in height, and is known as “La Morenata”āThe Little Black Madonna. The wood is now black with age; one of its most striking features is the dignified expression of Our Lady. In her right hand, she holds a majestic orb. Our Lady of Montserrat is the Patron Saint of Catalonia, an honour she shares with Saint George. The famed image once bore the inscription ”Nigra Sum Sed Formosa” (Latin: I am Black, but Beautiful).
A historian wrote: āIn all ages the sinful, the suffering, the sorrowful, have laid their woes at the feet of Our Lady of Montserrat and none have ever gone away unheard or unaided.ā
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen šš½
PRAYER: O God, Giver of all good things, who didst choose Montserrat as a glorious ShrineĀ for the Mother of thy only begotten Son, and through her intercessionĀ there hast granted favors without number to those who sought them there:Ā bow down thine ears now to our petitions as we kneel and pray before Her image. Thou Who livest and reignest forever and ever⦠Amen šš½
SAINT ZITA OF LUCCA, VIRGIN: Saint Zita (1212-1272), also known as Sitha or Citha), was a 13th century Italian woman whose humble and patient service to God has made her a patron saint of maids and other domestic workers. St. Zita was born in 1212 at Monte Sagrati, near Lucca, Italy into poverty during the early 1200s, Zita was taught by her mother from an early age to seek God’s will in all circumstances. Her elder sister became a Cistercian nun and her uncle Graziano was a hermit whom the local people regarded as a Saint. Zita herself showed a marked tendency to do Godās will obediently whenever it was pointed out to her by her mother. She had already developed a strong prayer life by the time she was sent, at age 12, to work in the home of the Fatinelli family, a well-to-do weaver in Lucca, Italy, eight miles from her native village of Monte Sagrati. St. Zita’s employers lived near a church where she managed ā by waking up extremely early in the morning ā to attend daily Mass. She looked upon her work primarily as a means of serving God, and kept herself mindful of His presence during long hours of exhausting tasks. Her presence in the Fatinelli household, however, was inexplicably unwelcome and met with harsh treatment for a number of years. Zita suffered hostility and abuse from her employers, including fits of rage and beatings. The young woman faced these trials with patience and inner strength developed through a life of prayer. In time, the members of the household came to value her service, and appreciate the virtues she had acquired through God’s grace.
St. Zita maintained her humility when she was promoted to a position of responsibility within the Fatinelli home. She continued to view her earthly responsibilities as a service to God, and to seek his presence through prayer and fasting. She also refused to hold a grudge against those who once mistreated her. Within her new household role, St. Zita was faithful to Christ’s admonition that superiors should conduct themselves as the servants of all. St. Zita believed that “A servant is not pious if she is not industrious; work-shy piety in people of our position is sham piety.” According to her, “a servant is not Holy if she is not busy.” She was kind to those under her direction, and mindful of the poor through frequent almsgiving to the point of personal sacrifice. Throughout her life, St. Zita found a source of strength and consolation in the Mass and Holy Communion, which frequently moved her to tears. Despite her many responsibilities, she frequently set aside time to recall God’s presence through contemplative prayer in the course of the day. One anecdote relates a story of St. Zita giving her own food or that of her master to the poor. On one morning, St. Zita left her chore of baking bread to tend to someone in need. Some of the other servants made sure the Fatinelli family was aware of what happened; when they went to investigate, they claimed to have found angels in the Fatinelli kitchen, baking the bread for her.
After foretelling her own death and spiritually preparing for it, St. Zita died very peacefully while at prayer in Lucca, Italy on April 27, 1272 at about the age of 60, serving the same family, and after her death many miracles occurred through her intercession. Many residents regarded her as a saint and began to seek her intercession, to which a large number of miracles were attributed. Some writers even began referring to the city of Lucca as āSanta Zitaā in her honor.The Fatinelli family, which had once caused St. Zita such extreme suffering, eventually contributed to the cause of her canonization. The earliest account of her life was found in a manuscript belonging to the family, and published in 1688. The Church’s liturgical veneration of St. Zita was introduced in the early 1500s, and confirmed by Pope Innocent XII on September 5, 1696. In 1580, her body was exhumed and found to be miraculously incorrupt, but it has since been mummified. It is venerated today in the Basilica of St. Frediano, where she attended Mass during her life. Her humble and patient service to God has made her a Patron Saint of maids and other domestic workers, people ridiculed for their piety, single laywomen, waiters, waitresses, Italian City of Lucca and she is often appealed to in order to help find lost keys.
PRAYER: Lord God, You showered heavenly gifts on St. Zita the Virgin. Help us to imitate her virtues during our earthly life and enjoy eternal happiness with her in heaven⦠Amenšš½
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/catholic-daily-mass-53/
Let us join us in prayer for the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Basilica. The liturgical celebration presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. At the conclusion of the Mass, the coffin of the Holy Father was taken in procession to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where the burial took place. Let us pray together for the eternal rest of our beloved Pope Francis. šš½
DIVINE MERCY NOVENA: Novena in preparation for DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. Good Friday is the first day of the Divine Mercy Novena. Novena begins, Friday, April 18, 2025, to Saturday, April 26, 2025, leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27, 2025 | DAY 9: Link ~ https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/17/divine-mercy-novena/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Easter Saturday in the Octave of Easter!
Today concludes our Divine Mercy Novena. We thank God for the successful completion of our Novena to the Divine Mercy. May God grant us His grace and mercy as we prepare to celebrate the DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY!š
As we continue to rejoice and celebrate in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, during these first eight days of the Easter season (Easter octave), which are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord. Each day is another little Easter. The Alleluia verse is repeated throughout the octave: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia!” The Lord has risen from the dead, as He foretold. Let there be happiness and rejoicing for He is our King forever, Alleluia! May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this Easter season and always. šš½
PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS
As our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis is laid to rest today, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.
Merciful and loving God, we entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, whom You have called from this life to Yourself. We thank You for his faithful and courageous witness to the Gospel, his compassion for the poor and the marginalized, and his tireless devotion to building bridges of peace and unity in Your Church. Receive him into the joy of Your eternal embrace. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing, and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.
O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen šš½
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen šš½
Day 9 (Easter Saturday): Pray for the souls who have become lukewarm.
Prayer: āToday bring to Me the souls who have become lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: āFather, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.ā For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.ā
Most Compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls, who like corpses filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls, who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen šš½
On this special feast day, as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the sick and dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, especially for our Holy Father, POPE FRANCIS, all those who died today, and 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 šš½ āļøšÆāļøšÆāļøšÆ
“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 šš½
Today, as we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel and also we honor the lives and holy witness of Saint Paschasius Radbertus (Patron of Theologians), Abbot; Saints Cletus (Patron of Mariners) and Marcellinus (Patron of Prisoners), Popes and Martyrs; and Saint Rafael ArnĆ”iz Barón (Patron of Diabetics). Through the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and these faithful saints, we raise our prayers today: for the sick, especially those suffering from diabetes and terminal illnesses, may they be strengthened and healed by God’s loving mercy; for the Church, and all clergy, may they be renewed in faith and mission; for persecuted Christians and the conversion of sinners, may hope and grace abound; and for the youth of the world, may they find courage and holiness through Christ’s love. Amen. šš½
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCISā MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL: For the use of the new technologies ~ Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
PRAYER OF THE MONTH ~ POPE FRANCIS: Lord, Good Father, as I look at the world and see men and women working in it and beautifying it, a great āThank You!ā springs from my heart. The action of Your Spirit among us encourages us to grow in the progress of science and technology in the service of human dignity for integral and inclusive human development. Because we know You desire the good of all, from the heart of Your Church, Your Son calls us to ensure that technology does not replace āperson-to-personā contact, that the virtual does not replace the real, and that social networks do not replace social settings. Help us develop the ability to live wisely, to think deeply, to love generously, without losing heart, promoting scientific and technological growth that increasingly aligns with human development in responsibility, values, and awareness. Amen šš½
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 šš½
Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday in the Octave of Easter | April 26, 2025 Reading 1,Ā Acts 4:13-21 Responsorial Psalm,Ā Psalms 118:1, 14-15, 16-18, 19-21 Gospel,Ā Mark 16:9-15
Gospel Reading ~ Mark 16:9ā15
“Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature”
“When Jesus had risen, early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this He appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either. But later, as the Eleven were at table, He appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had been raised. He said to them, āGo into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.ā
In today’s Gospel reading, the first disciples found it very difficult to believe reports that Jesus who had been crucified was now alive. When Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and she went and told the disciples what had happened, they were in such deep mourning that they did not believe her. When Jesus appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and they went and told the disciples their news, they did not believe them either. It was only when the risen Lord appeared to the group of disciples themselves that they finally believed that Jesus who was crucified was now living with a new quality of life. On that occasion, the risen Lord rebuked them for refusing to believe the witness of those to whom He had appeared. We are asked to do what the original disciples failed to do, to believe that Jesus is risen on the basis of the witness of those to whom the risen Lord appeared. We find this witness in the Gospels and in the letters of Paul. Our belief in the risen Lord is also based on His coming to us personally. He may not appear to us in the way He appeared to the first disciples, but He touches our own lives in a very personal way. We are to belief on the basis of the written testimony of the first eye witnesses, and on the basis of our own personal experience of the risen Lordās presence in our lives. The risen Lord who comes to us sends us out in the same way He sent out the disciples in todayās Gospel reading, to āproclaim the good news (of Easter) to all creationā.
Reflecting on todayās Gospel reading, we are brought into the reality of the Resurrection and the initial struggle of the disciples to believe. Mary Magdalene, who had encountered the Risen Lord, eagerly shared the Good News, but her testimony was met with skepticism. Even when two others experienced the Risen Christ and reported it, disbelief persisted. Only when Jesus appeared personally to the Eleven did He confront their unbelief. Yet, despite their initial hardness of heart, Jesus does not reject them. Instead, He entrusts them with the greatest mission: to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. His call is a profound reminder that, even when our faith falters, Godās invitation remains. He transforms our doubts into missions of hope and love. The Risen Christ commissions us not because we are perfect, but because His grace is sufficient to work through our weaknesses.
Reflecting further, todayās Gospel highlights the persistent mercy and patience of the Risen Christ. He does not allow the disbelief of His closest followers to derail His plan. Rather, He addresses their weakness directly and then immediately commissions them for the mission ahead. Their failures did not disqualify them; instead, they became witnesses of God’s mercy and the transforming power of the Resurrection. We, too, are called in the midst of our imperfections. Even when we struggle to recognize His presence or believe in His promises, Jesus comes to us, reminding us that our journey of faith is ongoing. He sends us out, not because we are worthy on our own, but because He has made us new by His triumph over death.
In our first reading today, St. Peter and Saint John courageously spoke up and preached about the Risen Lord to all the people who witnessed the miracle and then later on to all the members of the Sanhedrin who opposed the Lord and His Apostles. The Sanhedrin upon listening to the words that St. Peter had spoken courageously before them, revealing the folly and error of their actions in having persecuted the Lord and His disciples. In their discussion and debate with each other, the members of the Sanhedrin could not agree on how to deal with the Apostles and their actions in preaching about the Resurrected Christ and the miracles that they had performed in His Name. They wanted to stop them and to order them not to do it again, but at the same time, they knew that what the Apostles had performed, all the miraculous occasions and healings performed had been witnessed by so many people that it would have been impossible for the Sanhedrin to refute and deny that the miracles had occurred. They should have been the first ones to believe in the Lord and to welcome Him and His disciples. Yet, most of them except some like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea chose to ignore the truth, hardened their hearts and minds, preferring to continue in their prejudices and in their judgmental attitudes towards the Lord. They saw the Lord as a great rival and threat to their power, influence and privileges in the community, and hence, they tried their best to curb the spread of the news and the truth behind the Resurrection, but they could not stop the Apostles and the other disciples from speaking up despite the threats and other efforts they made. And that was because the Lord was with His servants, and His Spirit strengthened them, giving them the courage to go up against even the opposition from the powerful Sanhedrin and others.
Reflecting on our first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, we see St. Peter and St. John standing boldly before the Sanhedrin. Just ordinary, “uneducated” men in the eyes of the world, they are filled with divine courage because they have been with Jesus. Despite the threats and warnings of the authorities, they refuse to remain silent about what they have seen and heard. They proclaim, “It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard.” Their courage is not rooted in human strength, but in their personal encounter with the Risen Lord. This reminds us that true Christian witness comes not from theological expertise or eloquence, but from a heart transformed by Christās love. When we have truly experienced the Risen Lord, we cannot help but share Him with others, even in the face of resistance or fear.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the Psalm echoes this theme of thanksgiving and victory: “I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me.” The Lord has shown His power, not through violence or dominance, but through mercy, salvation, and the victory of life over death. As we continue to journey through this Easter season, may we recognize that the Risen Christ is sending each of us, in our own circumstances, to proclaim His life and love to the world with courage, with joy, and with unwavering trust.
Am I willing to believe even when I do not fully understand? How has fear or doubt prevented me from witnessing to Christ? In what ways can I proclaim the Good News more boldly in my daily life? Do I trust that God can work through my weaknesses to spread His message of love? Today, let us renew our Easter mission. Despite our imperfections and doubts, Christ calls us to be messengers of hope in a world that often trembles in fear and sadness. Let us carry His light wherever we go, trusting not in our strength but in the power of His Resurrection. He is alive and He sends us forth!šš½
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are reminded again of our obligation as Christians, as those who believe in the Lordās resurrection and triumphant victory over sin and death, to be His witnesses and missionaries in our world today, in proclaiming His truth and love among all the people, continuing the many good works that His Apostles and disciples had begun, in all that we have heard in the past one week of this holy Easter Octave, the works of the Apostles in the Acts of the Apostles. Let us all allow the Lord to work through us and with us, and let us walk faithfully in His path, doing our very best to be good role models for our fellow brothers and sisters, for all those who have not yet seen the Lordās truth or known about His salvation and grace. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may all of us be the beacons of the Light of our Risen Lord and Saviour, and may He strengthen us all to walk ever more dedicatedly in His presence, now and always. Amen šš½
Risen Lord Jesus, You who conquered death and called even the doubting to bear witness, strengthen my heart to believe more deeply in Your Resurrection. Remove from me all fear, hesitation, and doubt. Fill me with the boldness of the Spirit so that I may proclaim Your Good News with my life and my words. When I am weak, be my strength; when I falter, lift me up. May my life be a living testimony that You are truly alive, now and forever. Amen. šš½
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PASCHASIUS RADBERTUS, ABBOT; SAINTS CLETUS AND MARCELLINUS, POPES AND MARTYRS; AND SAINT RAFAEL ARNĆIZ BARĆN, RELIGIOUS ā FEAST DAY: APRIL 26TH: Today, as we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel and also we honor the lives and holy witness of Saint Paschasius Radbertus (Patron of Theologians), Abbot; Saints Cletus (Patron of Mariners) and Marcellinus (Patron of Prisoners), Popes and Martyrs; and Saint Rafael ArnĆ”iz Barón (Patron of Diabetics). Through the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and these faithful saints, we raise our prayers today: for the sick, especially those suffering from diabetes and terminal illnesses, may they be strengthened and healed by God’s loving mercy; for the Church, and all clergy, may they be renewed in faith and mission; for persecuted Christians and the conversion of sinners, may hope and grace abound; and for the youth of the world, may they find courage and holiness through Christ’s love. Amen. šš½
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, after a painting said to be miraculous, now found in the thirteenth century Augustinian church at Genazzano, near Rome, Italy. Over the centuries, devotions to Our Lady of Good Counsel grew among saints and Popes, to the extent that a reference to it was added to the Litany of Loreto and the devotion spread throughout the world.
On the Feast of St. Mark, April 25, 1467, at the close of a festival in Genazzano, Italy, a cloud descended upon an ancient 5th-century deteriorated church, dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel. When the cloud disappeared, the festive crowd found a small, fragile image of the Blessed Virgin and Child on a thin sheet of plaster. The painting is said to have hung in mid-air, suspended without support, floating, on a small ledge. This particular fresco is said to date to the time of the Apostles. It had long been venerated in Albaniaās capital city, Scutari. Much of the church of Our Lady of Good Counsel was destroyed in World War II, but the image remained intact and in place. The miraculous image is still there today after more than 500 years. Countless miracles have been attributed to the prayerful intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Many pilgrims visit the church in Genazzano, and take part in the annual spring celebration, observed on April 25. Elsewhere in the world, the feast is celebrated April 26. Our Lady of Good Counsel is the Patron Saint of Albania, Missionary Sisters of Saint Peter Claver, Augustinian Province of Midwest US, ParaƱaque City, Philippines, Mother of Good Counsel Minor Seminary.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen
PRAYER: O Holy Virgin, to whose feet we are led by our anxious uncertainty in our search for and attainment of what is true and good, invoking you by the sweet title of Mother of Good Counsel, we beseech you to come to our assistance, when, along the road of this life, the darkness of error and of evil conspires towards our ruin by leading our minds and our hearts astray. O Seat of Wisdom and Star of the Sea, enlighten the doubtful and the erring, that they be not seduced by the false appearances of good; render them steadfast in the face of the hostile and corrupting influences of passion and of sin. O Mother of Good Counsel, obtain for us from your Divine Son a great love of virtue, and, in the hour of uncertainty and trial, the strength to embrace the way that leads to our salvation. If your hand sustains us, we shall walk unmolested along the path indicated to us by the life and words of Jesus, our Redeemer; and having followed freely and securely, even in the midst of this worldās strife, the Sun of Truth and Justice under your maternal Star, we shall come to the enjoyment of full and eternal peace with you in the haven of salvation ~ Amen
SAINT PASCHASIUS RADBERTUS, ABBOT: Saint Paschasius Radbertus (c. 785ā865) was left as an orphan on the steps of the convent of Notre-Dame de Soissons, France, where he was raised lovingly by the nuns. Educated among the monks of St. Peterās, Soissons, and later drawn into monastic life at Corbie Abbey, Paschasius became a scholar deeply devoted to the sacred mysteries. As a monk and later as abbot, he made lasting contributions to the Churchās understanding of the Holy Eucharist, writing the first systematic work on the doctrine of the Real Presence, De Corpore et Sanguine Domini (On the Body and Blood of the Lord). A humble servant of Christ, he spent his later years in retirement at Saint-Riquier Abbey, where he died around 865. His love for the Eucharist reminds us of the beauty of Christās abiding presence among us.
PRAYER: O God, who wonderfully raised up Saint Paschasius Radbertus to teach the sacred mysteries of the Eucharist, grant that, nourished by this divine Sacrament, we may grow in the unity of faith and love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SAINTS CLETUS AND MARCELLINUS, POPES AND MARTYRS: Saint Cletus and Saint Marcellinus were early Popes who courageously shepherded the Church during fierce persecutions. Saint Cletus (1st century), believed to be a disciple of Saint Peter, served as the third Bishop of Rome during the reigns of Emperors Vespasian and Titus. His fidelity unto martyrdom secured his place among the earliest witnesses to the Faith. Saint Marcellinus (3rd century) served as Bishop of Rome during the brutal persecution under Emperor Diocletian. Despite the Churchās challenges, he remained a pillar of hope and faith until he too gave his life for Christ. Both their names are forever honored in the Roman Canon, their sacrifices a testament to the enduring strength of the Church.
PRAYER: Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyrs Cletus and Marcellinus triumphed over suffering and death, strengthen us by their witness to remain firm in faith and constant in hope. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SAINT RAFAEL ARNĆIZ BARĆN, RELIGIOUS: Saint Rafael ArnĆ”iz Barón (1911ā1938) was a Spanish Trappist monk renowned for his deep mystical spirituality. Despite battling severe diabetes, he remained wholly devoted to a life of silence, prayer, and union with God. Rafaelās brief but holy life, filled with suffering and unwavering love for Christ, inspired many through his writings and humble witness. Called āone of the greatest mystics of the 20th century,ā he teaches us that sanctity is found in surrender, love, and perseverance through suffering. His intercession is especially powerful for diabetics and young people seeking to live authentic lives of faith.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, you filled Saint Rafael with a profound love for the cross and a longing for union with you. May his prayers inspire us to follow your way of humility and sacrifice, and may all who suffer from illness find strength and peace through your mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint Paschasius Radbertus, Saints Cletus and Marcellinus, Saint Rafael ArnĆ”iz Barón ā Pray for us. šš½
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF APRIL | MONTH OF HOLY EUCHARIST: April is dedicated to the Holy Eucharist, the greatest gift of Christ to His Church. In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity offering Himself as the Bread of Life. This month invites us to deepen our love and reverence for the Eucharist, especially as we approach Holy Week and Easter, celebrating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord. The Eucharist was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper when He said, “Take and eat; this is My Body⦠Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the Covenant” (Matthew 26:26-28). In receiving the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and His Church. It is the source of our strength and the culmination of our salvation, as Christ Himself said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” As we journey through Lent, we are called to renew our reverence for the Eucharist. During Holy Week, we remember that Christ instituted this sacrament on Holy Thursday, offering us a way to remain in union with Him. Let us take this opportunity to attend Mass regularly, spend time in Eucharistic adoration, and reflect on the mystery of Christās presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
In this season of penance and reflection, may our devotion to the Eucharist strengthen our commitment to living as true disciples of Christ, leading us to the joy of Easter and the Resurrection.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine! Lord Jesus, You have given Yourself to us in the Eucharist. May we receive You with reverence and love, and let Your grace transform us always. Amen šš½
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection, we lift our hearts in prayer to the Risen Lord. We pray for the intercession of Saint Paschasius Radbertus, who dedicated his life to the pursuit of truth and holiness, that all theologians and scholars may deepen their understanding of God’s Word and communicate it with clarity and reverence. Through the intercession of Saints Cletus and Marcellinus, Popes and Martyrs, we pray for the courage and fortitude of all leaders in the Church, that they may stand firm in faith amidst trials, bearing witness to Christ’s love and sacrifice. We also pray for the intercession of Saint Rafael ArnĆ”iz Barón, patron of diabetics, for all those suffering from chronic illness, particularly diabetes, that they may experience God’s healing and comfort. We bring before God the leaders of the Church, and all those who labor in service to the Gospel, that they may follow the example of Saint Cletus and Saint Marcellinus in their unwavering devotion to Christ. We pray for all who experience persecution for their faith, that they may receive the strength and courage to endure, just as the martyrs did. We lift up those who are called to evangelize and witness to Christ in our modern world, that they may be emboldened by the Holy Spirit, as the Apostles were after Pentecost. Finally, we pray for all who feel far from Christ, especially those who struggle with doubt, that they may encounter the Risen Lord in the simplest moments of life and experience the joy of His presence. May the hope of Easter and the courage of the saints be with us all. Amen. šš½
LET US PRAY:
My most merciful God, You love the sinner and hate the sin. You love me in ways that are beyond my understanding. Help me to understand how deeply You love my heart when I completely repent. And help me to see my heart only through Your eyes. I thank You for Your love and mercy, dear Lord. Help me to love You all the more. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen šš½
Lord Jesus Christ, Risen from the dead, we praise and adore You for the gift of new life that You bring to all of us. Through the intercession of Saint Paschasius Radbertus, may we grow deeper in our knowledge and love of Your sacred mysteries, and may our hearts be open to the truth You reveal through Scripture. Through the prayers of Saints Cletus and Marcellinus, we ask for the strength and courage to stand firm in our faith, just as they did in the face of persecution. May their example inspire us to live boldly for You in all areas of our lives, and to speak Your truth without fear. We also turn to Saint Rafael ArnÔiz Barón, asking for his intercession for those suffering from diabetes and chronic illness. May Your healing presence, O Lord, bring comfort and restoration to all those in need.
Lord, as we reflect on the Scripture readings today from Acts and Mark, we are reminded of the boldness and faith of the early Apostles. May we too, like Peter and John, proclaim the Good News with courage and conviction, knowing that there is no other name under heaven by which we are saved. Fill our hearts with the fire of Your love, O Lord, and help us to recognize You in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of our lives. Strengthen us to carry out the mission You have entrusted to us, and may we always be witnesses of Your Resurrection. We ask this in Your Holy Name, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen. šš½
Save us, Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint Paschasius Radbertus, Saints Cletus and Marcellinus, Saint Rafael ArnĆ”iz Barón ā Pray for us. šš½
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day and the immeasurable love shown through His Son, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. As we continue to rejoice in the glory of the Resurrection, may our hearts remain open to the peace and hope that flow from His victory over sin and death. During this joyful Easter season, we pray that our loving Savior will deepen our faith and draw us closer to the mystery of His Passion, death, and Resurrection. May we walk in the light of His risen life, renewed in spirit and overflowing with grace. Praying for us all and our loved ones today and we pray for journey mercies for all those traveling during this Easter season. May this Easter Saturday be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ is truly risen! Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled Easter Saturday and weekend šš½
We continue to celebrate and rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, today, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel. And we also celebrate the Memorial of Saint Paschasius Radbertus, Abbot; Saints Cletus and Marcellinus, Popes and Martyrs; and Saint Rafael ArnƔiz Baron, Religious (Patron Saint of Diabetics and World Youth Day ).
Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick, we particularly pray for those suffering from diabetes and those who are terminally ill and dying. May God in His infinite grace and mercy grant them His divine healing and intervention. We also pray for the Church, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Clergy, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, for all youths and Christians all over the world.
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary, after a painting said to be miraculous, now found in the thirteenth century Augustinian church at Genazzano, near Rome, Italy. Over the centuries, devotions to Our Lady of Good Counsel grew among saints and Popes, to the extent that a reference to it was added to the Litany of Loreto and the devotion spread throughout the world.
On the Feast of St. Mark, April 25, 1467, at the close of a festival in Genazzano, Italy, a cloud descended upon an ancient 5th-century deteriorated church, dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel. When the cloud disappeared, the festive crowd found a small, fragile image of the Blessed Virgin and Child on a thin sheet of plaster. The painting is said to have hung in mid-air, suspended without support, floating, on a small ledge. This particular fresco is said to date to the time of the Apostles. It had long been venerated in Albaniaās capital city, Scutari. Much of the church of Our Lady of Good Counsel was destroyed in World War II, but the image remained intact and in place. The miraculous image is still there today after more than 500 years. Countless miracles have been attributed to the prayerful intercession of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Many pilgrims visit the church in Genazzano, and take part in the annual spring celebration, observed on April 25. Elsewhere in the world, the feast is celebrated April 26. Our Lady of Good Counsel is the Patron Saint of Albania, Missionary Sisters of Saint Peter Claver, Augustinian Province of Midwest US, ParaƱaque City, Philippines, Mother of Good Counsel Minor Seminary.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amenšš½
PRAYER:Ā O Holy Virgin, to whose feet we are led by our anxious uncertainty in our search for and attainment of what is true and good, invoking you by the sweet title of Mother of Good Counsel, we beseech you to come to our assistance, when, along the road of this life, the darkness of error and of evil conspires towards our ruin by leading our minds and our hearts astray. O Seat of Wisdom and Star of the Sea, enlighten the doubtful and the erring, that they be not seduced by the false appearances of good; render them steadfast in the face of the hostile and corrupting influences of passion and of sin. O Mother of Good Counsel, obtain for us from your Divine Son a great love of virtue, and, in the hour of uncertainty and trial, the strength to embrace the way that leads to our salvation. If your hand sustains us, we shall walk unmolested along the path indicated to us by the life and words of Jesus, our Redeemer; and having followed freely and securely, even in the midst of this worldās strife, the Sun of Truth and Justice under your maternal Star, we shall come to the enjoyment of full and eternal peace with you in the haven of salvation ~ Amenšš½
SAINT PASCHASIUS RADBERTUS, ABBOT: St. Paschasius was an orphan abandoned on the steps of the convent of Notre-Dame de Soissons, France, at the beginning of the 9th century. He was adopted and raised by the nuns there and sent to the monks of St. Peterās, Soissons, for his education. He became very fond of the abbess, Theodrara. Theodrara was sister of St Adalard of Corbie (C 751-827) and St Wala of Corbie (c 755ā836), two monks (and both abbots prior to Paschasius) whom he admired greatly. Interested in the Latin classics, Paschasius spent a few years in the world before becoming a monk at Corbie, where he excelled in sacred studies. In 822, he was sent to found New Corbie in Westphalia and brought fame to the Corbie schools. He served as Master of Novices and later as Abbot for seven years, although he never became a priest.
For some years the Saint retired to the Abbey of Saint-Riquier and ended his life at Corbie about 865. His most well-known and influential work is an exposition on the nature of the Eucharist written around 831, entitled De Corpore et Sanguine Domini. Among his prolific works are commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew and the Book of Lamentations, the forty-fourth Psalm, biographies of St. Adalhard of Corbie and his brother Wala, and what is regarded as the first scientific monograph on the Holy Eucharist.
PRAYER:Ā Lord, amid the things of this world, let us be wholeheartedly committed to heavenly things in imitation of the example of evangelical perfection You have given us in St. Paschasius the Abbot. Amen šš½ Ā SAINT CLETUS AND MARCELLINUS, POPES AND MARTYRS:Ā St. Cletus (1st c.) and St. Marcellinus (3rd c.) were both Romans, popes, and martyrs who ruled the Holy See during the terrible persecution of Christians at the hands of the Roman Empire. Both served as Popes two centuries apart. SAINT CLETUS.was a convert and disciple of St. Peter the Apostle who became the third Bishop of Rome for twelve years from 76 to 89 A.D., under the reigns of Roman Emperors Vespasian and Titus. His name appears in the Roman Canon of the Mass. While SAINT MARCELLINUS was the twenty-ninth Bishop of Rome from 296 to 304 A.D. during the infamous persecution of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, on the eve of the legalization of Christianity across the Empire. What they share is that their pontificates occurred during times of great torture and persecution for professing Christians under Roman rule. Reflecting on the lives of Popes Cletus and Marcellinus puts into perspective the trials the faithful now are facing. Statues of these two Popes of the early Church sit on opposite corners of the portico ceiling of Saint Peterās Basilica in Rome. They share a feast day on April 26th.
PRAYER:Ā Lord, hear the prayers of the martyrs Sts.Ā Cletus and Marcellinus and give us courage to bear witness to your truth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and everā¦Amen šš½
SAINT RAFAEL ARNĆIZ, RELIGIOUS: St. Rafael was born in Burgos, Spain (April 9, 1911- April 26, 1938). He was a trappist monk and he is considered one of the greatest mystics of the twentieth century. He studied architecture in Madrid, but decided to cease his studies in favor of the religious life. This was often interrupted due to his struggle with diabetes and his being called for active service. But these never hindered his religious call and he did as best as he could to deal with his diabetes through his constant life of reflection and writing on spiritual subjects in his letters. Throughout 1937 and early 1938 his condition worsened and Rafael died from complications of diabetes on April 26, 1938. He was beatified on September 27, 1992 by Pope John Paul II and was canonized a saint of the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, 2009. St. Rafael ArnĆ”iz is the Patron Saint of Diabetics and World Youth Day
āThe angels and the saints rejoice at the sight of men on earth who struggle, suffer and labor for the love of Christā. ~ Rafael Arnaiz Baronās Quote
PRAYER:Ā O God, you made Saint Rafael an outstanding disciple in the knowledge of Christ crucified. Helped by his example and prayers to love you above all things. May our hearts be enlarged, so that we may run with inexpressible sweetness of love along the way of the cross and deserve to share the life and joy of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever⦠Amenšš½
Vacancy of the Holy See The period between the death or resignation of a Pope and the election of his successor, is formally referred to as āThe Vacancy of the Apostolic See.ā It can also be called the Papal Interregnum, from the Latin for between the reign (of one Pope and another). It is a period governed by papal law, which admits of no changes to Church governance, or to the spiritual or material patrimony of St. Peter, save the election of his successor.
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/catholic-daily-mass-52/
Let us join us in prayer for the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Basilica. The liturgical celebration will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. At the conclusion of the Mass, the coffin of the Holy Father will be taken in procession to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where the burial will take place. Let us pray together for the eternal rest of our beloved Pope Francis. šš½
DIVINE MERCY NOVENA: Novena in preparation for DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. Good Friday is the first day of the Divine Mercy Novena. Novena begins, Friday, April 18, 2025, to Saturday, April 26, 2025, leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27, 2025 | DAY 8: Link ~ https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/17/divine-mercy-novena/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Easter Friday in the Octave of Easter!
As we continue to rejoice and celebrate in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, during these first eight days of the Easter season (Easter octave), which are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord. Each day is another little Easter. The Alleluia verse is repeated throughout the octave: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia!” The Lord has risen from the dead, as He foretold. Let there be happiness and rejoicing for He is our King forever, Alleluia! May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this Easter season and always. šš½
PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS
As our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis will be laid to rest tomorrow, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for the College of Cardinals as they embark on their sacred duty to elect Pope Francisā successor:
Heavenly Father, You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis, and now You have called him to Yourself. We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy. For his lifelong service, we thank You. For his care for the poor and marginalized, we thank You. For his witness to simplicity, we thank You. In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin. Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence. Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence, into which we all long to be drawn. Protect Your Church in this time of transition. Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty. Grant them Wisdom and Courage, Hope and Charity, and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.
Father Most Holy, our God and King, Creator of all that was, is, and is to comeā You alone know the heart of the one You have chosen as the successor to Pope Francis. Reveal Your will to the College of Cardinals. Open their hearts to Your inspirations. Open our hearts to receive, with faith and obedience, the one whom You will raise up to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter. May he be a man of deepest compassion, a man of profound faith and hope, a man whose charity shines forth, permeating the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. You are God Most High, the God of the living and the dead, the Great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, Eternal Being and Source of all that is. May Your holy will be done, now and forever. Amen. Alleluia.
Merciful and loving God, We entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing, and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen šš½
Day 8 (Easter Friday): Pray for the souls detained in purgatory.
Prayer: āToday bring to Me the souls who are detained in purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.ā
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatoryāsouls who are very dear to You and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of blood and water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of the purifying fire, that in that place, too, the power of Your mercy may be praised.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way than through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen. šš½
On this special feast day, as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the sick and dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, especially for our Holy Father, POPE FRANCIS, all those who died today, and 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 šš½ āļøšÆāļøšÆāļøšÆ
“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 šš½
Today, still in the joy of the Easter season, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, author of the second Gospel and companion of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Saint Mark (Patron of notaries, lawyers, and Venice) is traditionally recognized as the founder of the Church in Alexandria, one of the earliest and most significant Christian centers in Africa. His Gospel, brief and dynamic, emphasizes the actions and miracles of Jesus, calling all to a living faith in the Risen Lord. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Mark, we raise our prayers today: For all preachers and writers of the Gospel may they proclaim Christ with clarity and conviction. For missionaries and evangelists may they be strengthened in their mission. For Africa and the Church in Alexandria may the faith flourish anew. For those seeking purpose and courage may they find guidance through the Word of God. Amen. šš½
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCISā MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL: For the use of the new technologies ~ Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
PRAYER OF THE MONTH ~ POPE FRANCIS: Lord, Good Father, as I look at the world and see men and women working in it and beautifying it, a great āThank You!ā springs from my heart. The action of Your Spirit among us encourages us to grow in the progress of science and technology in the service of human dignity for integral and inclusive human development. Because we know You desire the good of all, from the heart of Your Church, Your Son calls us to ensure that technology does not replace āperson-to-personā contact, that the virtual does not replace the real, and that social networks do not replace social settings. Help us develop the ability to live wisely, to think deeply, to love generously, without losing heart, promoting scientific and technological growth that increasingly aligns with human development in responsibility, values, and awareness. Amen šš½
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 šš½
Today’s Bible Readings: Friday in the Octave of Easter | April 25, 2025 Reading 1,Ā Acts 4:1-12 Responsorial Psalm,Ā Psalms 118:1-2, 4, 22-24, 25-27 Gospel,Ā John 21:1-14
Gospel Reading ~ John 21:1ā14
“Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.” (John 21:13)
“Jesus revealed Himself again to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed Himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedeeās sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, āI am going fishing.ā They said to him, āWe also will come with you.ā So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, āChildren, have you caught anything to eat?ā They answered him, āNo.ā So he said to them, āCast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.ā So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, āIt is the Lord.ā When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, āBring some of the fish you just caught.ā So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, āCome, have breakfast.ā And none of the disciples dared to ask him, āWho are you?ā because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.”
In today’s Gospel reading, the risen Lord comes to a group of His disciples. All of the disciples in that group had failed Him during the time of His passion, except one, the disciple Jesus loved. In spite of their failure the risen Lord comes to them. At the time of His coming they were failing again, failing to catch fish, even though they were experienced fishermen. Jesus came to them in the night of their failure. His presence had a transforming effect on them. In response to His word of invitation, they caught a huge haul of fish and they would soon become fishers of people, sharers in His missionary work. Jesus went on to speak a second word of invitation to them, āCome and have breakfastā. He, thereby, entered into communion with those who had broken communion with Him. Jesus did not reproach His disciples for their failure. He called out to them, spoke inviting words to them, built communion with them. The Lord relates to us as he related to those disciples. In the dark night of our own failures, the Lord stands on the shore of our lives; He comes to us, not to reproach us, but to speak a life-giving word to us, an inviting word, a transforming word. We pray that we would hear that word of the Lord as spoken to each of us this Easter season. Our relationship with the Lord always has a future that is full of hope. Easter is a season when we are invited to recognize the Lord on the shore of our lives calling out to us to follow where he is leading us.
Reflecting on todayās Gospel, we witness a tender moment of reunion and recognition. The disciples, still in the shadow of their recent confusion and grief, return to something familiar fishing. But after a fruitless night, the risen Jesus appears at dawn, standing on the shore, unrecognized at first. His instructions to cast the net on the right side of the boat yield a miraculous catch, a sign they cannot ignore. Immediately, the beloved disciple recognizes Him: āIt is the Lord!ā Peter, ever impetuous, dives into the water to reach Jesus, unable to contain his joy and longing.
This third appearance of the risen Christ to His disciples is deeply symbolic. The catch of fish signifies the mission of the Church abundant and fruitful when guided by Christ. The undamaged net reminds us of the unity we are called to preserve, even as we bring many into the fold. And on the shore, Jesus prepares breakfast. Itās such a simple act, yet filled with divine love: the Lord serves His disciples once more, just as He did at the Last Supper. There is no grand declaration, only the quiet breaking of bread and fish a sign of communion, presence, and peace. This moment reminds us that the risen Jesus meets us in the ordinary: on our shorelines, in our daily work, in the meals we share, in the silence of dawn. Even when we do not immediately recognize Him, He is near. And He continues to provide, to invite, and to nourish us not only with food, but with His enduring presence.
In our first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter and St. John, two of the Lordās Twelve Apostles had to face opposition due to their proclamation of the Lord Jesus and His salvation before the assembled people. At that time, based on our earlier readings from the Acts of the Apostles, the two Apostles had just miraculously healed a beggar who had been paralysed since birth, and whom everyone knew and recognised as being crippled. That this miracle had happened right by the gate of the Temple where the beggar usually lingered at, showed us how the chief priests and the members of the Sanhedrin could quickly find out about what had happened. The Sanhedrin, or the Jewish High Council, composed of the most influential members of the Jewish community at that time, had been firm in their opposition against the Lord, as most of its members had refused to listen to the Lord and His teachings, with some of them even branding the Lord as a blasphemous and heretical Man, Who was swaying the people to His side with His teachings and popularity. And that was why they judged and condemned the Lord in the first place, arresting Him and handing Him over to the Romans, that He might be condemned to death and crucified. That was why they were still adamant in their opposition against the Lord even when they heard that the Lord had risen from the dead just as He Himself had predicted and revealed. They spread false news that the disciples had stolen His Body and preached falsehoods in His Name, and expressly ordered that anyone who spoke in the Name of the Lord Jesus or supported His teachings would be arrested and persecuted. That was the obstacle facing the Apostles, who had to endure the opposition from the powerful members of the community, those who refused to believe in the Lord and His truth. But that did not stop the Apostles and the many other disciples from doing their best to proclaim the Good News whenever they could. St. Peter courageously spoke before the whole assembly of the Sanhedrin just as he had done so earlier before the people in Jerusalem. He spoke fearlessly regarding the Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God Who had been rejected by those to whom St. Peter was speaking to, right there and then, the same Sanhedrin and its members also condemned Christ to death and giving Him up to the Romans to be crucified. It was to these people that St. Peter testified again about the Lord, His truth and His resurrection. He proclaimed the truth courageously as he himself had seen and witnessed the Risen Lord as we heard in our Gospel reading today.
Reflecting on the first day, Peterās bold proclamation before the religious authorities reveals the transforming power of the Resurrection and the Holy Spirit. Just days ago, Peter denied knowing Jesus; now, filled with the Spirit, he stands firm before the very leaders who condemned Christ. He fearlessly declares that the crippled man was healed in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified and whom God raised from the dead. This passage echoes a fundamental truth of our faith: āThere is no salvation through anyone else⦠no other name under heaven⦠by which we are to be saved.ā The cornerstone once rejected is now the foundation of eternal life. Peterās courage, born of deep conviction and divine grace, reminds us that the Resurrection calls us to be witnesses not only by words, but by the boldness of our lives.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, āThe stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.ā The Psalm echoes the message of Acts and the Gospel: what was once cast aside has become central to Godās plan. This is the Lordās doing, and it is truly marvelous. The Psalm invites us to rejoice not just because of what God has done in history, but because of what He continues to do in our lives. Every day is āthe day the Lord has made.ā Let us receive it with thanksgiving and renewed trust.
How is Jesus calling me to recognize His presence in the ordinary moments of my life? Am I returning to āfishingā old habits, old fears when He is calling me to a new mission? Like Peter, am I willing to speak boldly of the hope I have in Christ, even when it is uncomfortable? As we continue this Easter season, let us be attentive to the risen Christ who meets us on the shore of our hearts. He calls us to deeper trust, courageous witness, and joyful communion. May our lives proclaim: āIt is the Lord!āšš½
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded of the trials and challenges that we will often have to face as Christians, as those who believe in the Lord and His Resurrection. We believe in the Risen Lord and like the Apostles, we may have to endure opposition and trials for our faith in His truth. Yet, we must never waver from our faith and from the commitment that we have to show in our daily lives, as those who have been entrusted with the same mission as that of the Apostles and disciples of the Lord, in proclaiming His Good News and salvation to all the peoples. Are we willing and able to follow in the footsteps of St. Peter and the many other holy men and women of God, many of whom had suffered trials and persecutions, opposition and oppressions for the sake of their faith in God? Are we willing to contribute our time and effort to glorify the Lord by our lives and by our actions? Each and every one of us should listen to the Lord calling on us to action, and to follow Him wholeheartedly from now on. Let us seek the Lord with a new spirit and commitment from now on. May God in His infinite grace and mercy be with us all and may He grant us His grace and bless us in our every actions and good works, all for the greater glory of His Name. May the blessings of the Risen Christ, our Lord be with us always this Easter season, with our loved ones, always! Amen šš½
Risen Lord, You meet us in our daily lives and call us gently into deeper communion with You. Open our eyes to recognize You in the quiet moments and in the people we encounter. Give us the courage of Peter to proclaim Your name with boldness, and the humility to receive Your love anew. Help us to trust in Your provision and rejoice always in the day You have made. Amen. šš½
MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST ā FEAST DAY: APRIL 25TH: Today, in the joy of the Easter season, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, author of the second Gospel and companion of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Saint Mark (Patron of notaries, lawyers, and Venice) is traditionally recognized as the founder of the Church in Alexandria, one of the earliest and most significant Christian centers in Africa. His Gospel, brief and dynamic, emphasizes the actions and miracles of Jesus, calling all to a living faith in the Risen Lord. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Mark, we raise our prayers today: For all preachers and writers of the Gospel may they proclaim Christ with clarity and conviction. For missionaries and evangelists may they be strengthened in their mission. For Africa and the Church in Alexandria may the faith flourish anew. For those seeking purpose and courage may they find guidance through the Word of God. Amen. šš½
SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST (1st Century AD): Saint Mark, also known as John Mark, was a disciple of Saint Peter and cousin to Saint Barnabas. Though not one of the original twelve Apostles, Saint Mark was a close companion of the Apostles Peter and Paul. He is traditionally believed to be the young man who fled naked from Gethsemane during Jesusā arrest (cf. Mark 14:51ā52), and he later became a vital figure in the spreading of the Gospel.
Saint Mark is the author of the earliest and shortest Gospel. His writings emphasize the suffering and servanthood of Christ, encouraging believers to respond with faith and action. The Gospel of Mark, thought to be based on the teachings of Saint Peter, is rich with immediacy and calls readers to witness the power of Godās Kingdom breaking into the world.
He is also credited with founding the Church in Alexandria, Egypt, making him the first bishop of that great Christian center. There, he zealously preached the Gospel and established a thriving Christian community, which would go on to produce some of the greatest early theologians of the Church. According to tradition, he was martyred around the year 68 AD, dragged through the streets for boldly proclaiming Christ.
Saint Mark is often represented by a winged lion, a symbol of courage and royal strengthāattributes that echo both the dignity of Christ and the boldness of Markās proclamation. His relics were later brought to Venice, Italy, where the grand Basilica of Saint Mark stands today, and he is venerated as the cityās patron saint.
PRAYER: O God, who raised up Saint Mark Your Evangelist and inspired him to proclaim the Gospel, grant that we may profit by his teaching and always follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. May we have the boldness to share the Word, the humility to serve others, and the perseverance to carry our cross with joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. šš½
Saint Mark the Evangelist ā Pray for us. šš½
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF APRIL | MONTH OF HOLY EUCHARIST: April is dedicated to the Holy Eucharist, the greatest gift of Christ to His Church. In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity offering Himself as the Bread of Life. This month invites us to deepen our love and reverence for the Eucharist, especially as we approach Holy Week and Easter, celebrating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord. The Eucharist was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper when He said, “Take and eat; this is My Body⦠Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the Covenant” (Matthew 26:26-28). In receiving the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and His Church. It is the source of our strength and the culmination of our salvation, as Christ Himself said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” As we journey through Lent, we are called to renew our reverence for the Eucharist. During Holy Week, we remember that Christ instituted this sacrament on Holy Thursday, offering us a way to remain in union with Him. Let us take this opportunity to attend Mass regularly, spend time in Eucharistic adoration, and reflect on the mystery of Christās presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
In this season of penance and reflection, may our devotion to the Eucharist strengthen our commitment to living as true disciples of Christ, leading us to the joy of Easter and the Resurrection.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine! Lord Jesus, You have given Yourself to us in the Eucharist. May we receive You with reverence and love, and let Your grace transform us this Lenten season and always. Amen šš½
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we continue to rejoice in the light of the Resurrection this Easter Friday, we lift up our hearts in prayer to the Risen Lord. We pray for all evangelists, missionaries, and Gospel writers, through the intercession of Saint Mark the Evangelist, that they may continue to proclaim Christ with clarity, courage, and humility. May the bold witness of the Apostles in the Acts of the Apostles inspire todayās leaders in the Church to preach without fear and to stand firm in the name of Jesus, the cornerstone rejected by the builders. We remember all those who feel empty or are returning to the Lord after a time of doubt like the disciples on the shore who did not first recognize Jesus may they encounter Him anew in the simple moments of daily life. We pray for all who labor tirelessly in service of others, especially fishermen, farmers, and workers, that they may receive the fruits of their labor and recognize Christ walking with them. For those who suffer rejection or feel unworthy, we ask for healing and courage, trusting in the words of the Psalmist: āThe stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.ā May all who are lost, discouraged, or in despair be lifted by the hope of Easter morning and nourished by the love of Christ made manifest in the breaking of bread. Finally, we pray for all who feel called to preach, write, or teach the faith may Saint Mark be their guide, and may the Spirit of the Risen Lord open their minds and hearts to share the Gospel with joy. šš½
LET US PRAY
My divine Lord, You are constantly present to me, day and night, and yet I so often fail to perceive You and adore You. Help me to become more aware of Your presence in my life. As I do, help me to enter more deeply into these holy mysteries with love, devotion and awe. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen šš½
Lord Jesus Christ, Risen and Glorious, You stood on the shore and called out to Your disciples, filling their nets and their hearts once again. As You revealed Yourself to them in the breaking of bread and the bounty of fish, reveal Yourself to us today in the ordinary and the sacred. Teach us to recognize You in our daily tasks, in the face of the stranger, and in the silence of our hearts. Through the intercession of Saint Mark the Evangelist, may we boldly proclaim Your truth with faith and simplicity. Open our minds to understand the Scriptures, just as You did for the apostles, and fill our hearts with burning love for Your Word.
Make us steadfast in our mission, O Lord. Like Peter before the Sanhedrin, may we never be ashamed to speak in Your Name, for there is no other name under heaven by which we are saved. Strengthen all evangelists and catechists, especially those working in dangerous or forgotten places. May their work bear great fruit for Your Kingdom. We ask this in Your Most Holy Name, Jesus Christ our Risen Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. šš½
Save us, Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint Mark the Evangelist ā Pray for us. šš½
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day and the immeasurable love shown through His Son, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. As we continue to rejoice in the glory of the Resurrection, may our hearts remain open to the peace and hope that flow from His victory over sin and death. During this joyful Easter season, we pray that our loving Savior will deepen our faith and draw us closer to the mystery of His Passion, death, and Resurrection. May we walk in the light of His risen life, renewed in spirit and overflowing with grace. Praying for us all andoour loved ones today and we pray for journey mercies for all those traveling during this Easter season. May this Easter Friday be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ is truly risen! Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled Easter Friday and weekend šš½
MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST ā FEAST DAY: Today, we celebrate the feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, one ofĀ Jesus ChristāsĀ original 12 disciples and the author of the second Gospel, the Book of Mark in the Bible. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Mark on this feast day, we humbly pray for the Church, the Clergy, Evangelists and all those who spread the Gospel.
SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST, MARTYR: St. Mark the Evangelist (1st c.) was one of Jesus Christās original 12 disciples and the author of the second Gospel, the Book of Mark in the Bible. He was born to Jewish parents living in Libya in North Africa, later settling in Cana of Galilee not far from Jerusalem. He was a member of the tribe of Levi. St. Mark is sometimes called John Mark in the New Testament. St. Mark was the son of that Mary who was proprietress of the Cenacle or āupper roomā. His motherās house or the upper room served as the meeting place for the first Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12). He was still a youth at the time of the Saviorās death. Both he and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church. During the years that followed, the rapidly maturing youth witnessed the growth of the infant Church in his motherās Upper Room and became acquainted with its traditions. This knowledge he put to excellent use when compiling his Gospel.
According to tradition, St. Peter the Apostle was married to a relative of St. Markās father, and after St. Markās father died, St. Peter looked after him like his own son. He was baptized and instructed by St. Peter. An intimate friendship existed between Sts. Mark and Peter; he played the role of St. Peterās companion, disciple, and interpreter. In about the year 42 A.D. he came to Rome with the Prince of the Apostles. There at the request of the faithful he wrote his Gospel about the year 50 A.D. Being a close disciple of St. Peter, the first Bishop of Rome, St. Mark wrote the Gospel in Greek addressed to Gentile converts to the Christian faith living in Rome. The Romans asked St. Mark to record St. Peterās teachings and preaching about Our Lord Jesus Christ and pays special attention to the head of the Apostles. In this way the second Gospel is a record of the life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of the Prince of the Apostles. He chronicled what the first Pope witnessed.
St. Mark was associated with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was Markās cousin) and accompanied them on their missionary journey to Antioch and on their first missionary journey. But St. Mark was too immature for the hardships of this type of work and therefore left them at Perge in Pamphylia to return home. As the two apostles were preparing for their second missionary journey, St. Barnabas wanted to take his cousin with him. St. Paul, however, objected. Thereupon the two cousins undertook a missionary journey to Cyprus. Time healed the strained relations between Sts. Paul and Mark, and during the formerās first Roman captivity (61-63), St. Mark rendered St. Paul valuable service (Col. 4:10; Philem. 24), and the Apostle learned to appreciate him. When in chains the second time St. Paul requested St. Markās presence (2 Tim. 4:11). Little is known of St. Markās later life. Tradition ascribes to him the founding of the Church in Alexandria. It is certain that he died a martyrās death as bishop of Alexandria in Egypt. He was martyred by the heathens in c. 68 A.D. by being dragged through the streets of Alexandria until his body was torn to pieces. His relics were transferred from Alexandria to Venice, where a worthy tomb was erected in St. Markās Cathedral.
The Gospel of St. Mark, the shortest of the four, is, above all, a Roman Gospel. It originated in Rome and is addressed to Roman, or shall we say, to Western Christianity. Another high merit is its chronological presentation of the life of Christ. For we should be deeply interested in the historical sequence of the events in our blessed Saviorās life. Furthermore, St. Mark was a skilled painter of word pictures. With one stroke he frequently enhances a familiar scene, shedding upon it new light. His Gospel is the āGospel of Peter,ā for he wrote it under the direction and with the aid of the prince of the apostles. āThe Evangelist Mark is represented as a lion because he begins his Gospel in the wilderness, `The voice of one crying in the desert: Make ready the way of the Lord,ā or because he presents the Lord as the unconquered King.ā St. Mark is the Patron Saint against impenitence; attorneys; barristers; captives; Egypt; glaziers; imprisoned people; insect bites; lions; notaries; prisoners; scrofulous diseases; stained glass workers; struma; Diocese of Venice, Florida; Venice, Italy.
PRAYER: Saint Mark, you were a friend of the Apostles and shared their commitment to spreading the faith. From your home in Heaven, may you strengthen all those who lack the courage to live the Gospel message in their own lives so they can witness it to othersā¦. Amen
God, You helped St. Mark the Evangelist with Your grace so that he could preach the Gospel. Grant that we may learn from his teaching to walk faithfully in the footsteps of Christā¦Amen
MEMORIAL OF SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN, PRIEST AND MARTYR; SAINT MARY EUPHRASIA PELLETIER; SAINT BENEDETTO (BENEDICT) MENNI, PRIEST; SAINT WILFRID, BISHOP OF YORK AND SAINT MARY OF CLEOPHAS (MARY OF CLOPAS) ~ FEAST DAY: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Fidelis Sigmaringen, Priest and Martyr; St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier; St Benedetto (Benedict) Menni; St. Wilfrid, Bishop of York and St. Mary of Cleophas. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this Divine Mercy Sunday, we humbly pray for the sick, we particularly pray for those with mental illness and those who are terminally ill and dying. May God in His infinite grace and mercy grant them His divine healing and intervention. We also pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners and for Christians all over the world. We pray for the poor and the needy and safety of all travellers, for God’s guidance and protectionš
SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN, PRIEST AND MARTYR: St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622) was born at Sigmaringen in Swabia in 1577. He was born with the name Mark Rey in what is today Germany. He studied and taught law. He practiced at first as a lawyer and so took to heart the cause of the needy and became known for his charity, austerities, and great devotion to God. He gained a reputation for being “the poor manās lawyerā because of his concern for the helpless. He eventually left his profession to join the Capuchin Friars Minor and become a Capuchin Franciscan friar and priest, taking the religious name āFidelis,ā meaning āfaithful.ā He was sent by the Holy See to the Grisons in order to bring back the inhabitants of this canton from Protestantism to the Catholic faith. His great influence earned him enemies. His work as a friar was fraught with danger. He lived during the Counter-Reformation, a time of great religious, cultural, and political upheaval in Western Europe. He zealously defended the teaching of the Catholic Church against the Protestant heretics. He wrote many pamphlets against Calvinism and Zwinglianism, and even traveled to Switzerland to preach against the Calvinists both in the pulpits and the public square. His untiring efforts to bring souls back to the Church was so successful that he became a threat to the heretic preachers. One day his preaching provoked a mob that confronted him and demanded he renounce his Catholic faith upon pain of death. He replied, “I came to extirpate heresy, not to embrace it,” after which he was bludgeoned to death. He was murdered at Seewis on April 24, 1622. Many miracles led to his canonization in the following century. St. Fidelis’ feast day is April 24.
PRAYER: O God, who were pleased to award the palm of martyrdom to Saint Fidelis as, burning with love for you, he propagated the faith, grant, we pray, through his intercession, that, grounded in charity, we may merit to know with him the power of the Resurrection of Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever⦠Amenš
SAINT MARY EUPHRASIA PELLETIER: St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier (1796-1868), was born Rose Virginie Pelletier. She was foundress of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, more commonly known as Sisters of the Good Shepherd, dedicated to work of supporting and promoting the welfare of women and girls experiencing poverty and marginalisation. She’s Patron Saint of travellers. On May 2, 1940, Pope Pius XII raised to the ultimate honors of the altar a most remarkable woman, Mother Mary Euphrasia Pelletier. As the solemn Te Deum swelled in gladness through the Vatican Basilica, its joyous strains were echoed and reechoed in quiet chapels found in virtually all the large cities of the world. Almost a hundred thousand women and girls and over ten thousand white-robed Sisters, in three hundred and fifty homes of charity, rejoiced with their Mother, the new Saint. For Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier is the Foundress and first General Superior of the large Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd of Angers, and one of the great sociologists of the ages. Rose Virginia Pelletier was born of pious parents on July 31, 1796 on the island of Noirmoutiers, during the terrible period of the French Revolution. So it was that her life began as a daughter of the suffering faith of her beloved France. Because of the suppression and expulsion of religious Orders, the education of the little girl had to be undertaken by her busy mother. At her knees Rose Virginia learned of God and His service. In 1814 she entered the Order of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge at Tours. After ten months as a postulant in this historic community at Tours, Rose Virginia received the habit and entered upon her life as a novice in September, 1815. For two years she remained in the novitiate, being formed to the religious life, studying and absorbing the history and work of her Order. Listening to the life of a Saint one day, she heard that he quickly attained sanctity by his perfect obedience. āObedience, then,ā reflected the young novice, āmust be the best means to become holy. If only I might take the vow of obedience at once!ā Sister Mary Euphrasia consulted her superiors, and was permitted to take a private vow of obedience. In 1817 she was professed, making then her first public vows.
In a few years her exceptional qualifications became so apparent to all that after having been Mistress of penitents, she was elected Superior of the house. A project which had been in her mind for a long time was then made a reality. She had found in many of the penitents a real attraction for the religious life, with no desire to return to the world after their conversion. Where could they go? It was very difficult, virtually impossible, to find a congregation suitable for them or willing to accept them. So Mother Euphrasia inaugurated a community called the Magdalene Sisters. She adapted the rule of Saint Teresa, drew up a set of Constitutions, and erected the first community of Magdalenes in the house at Tours. One of the greatest consolations Mother Euphrasia enjoyed in life was the sanctity attained by so many of these religious, bound by vows to a life of prayer and penance. During the thirty years she was Superior General, Mother Euphrasia sent out her Sisters from their mother house at Angers to found one hundred and ten houses in every land beneath the sun ā Sisters inflamed with her own zeal, trained at her hands. She died at Angers in her seventy-second year, having welcomed death with the faith and serenity which marked her entire life. Patron Saint of travelers.
PRAYER: Lord, by Your grace, we are made one in mind and heart. Give us a love for what You command and a longing for what You promise, so that, amid this worldās changes, our hearts may be one with each other and be set on the world of lasting joy. May the prayers of St Mary Euphrasia on our behalf, help us to achieve holy love for all Your children and our brothers. Through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever⦠Amenš
SAINT BENEDETTO (BENEDICT) MENNI, PRIEST: St. Benedetto (Benedict) Menni (1841-1914) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest. He was a professed member of the Hospitallers of Saint John of God and he went on to establish his own religious congregation known as the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. St. Benedict was a faithful follower of Saint John of God and, through his words and deeds, was a Herald of the Gospel of Mercy and a new Prophet of Hospitality. He was a man passionate about God and humanity, who dedicated his entire life to the practice of Hospitality in an effort to make the message of the Good Samaritan a reality. Brothers of St. John of God care for the sick and those in need. For this reason, from the very beginning, the Hospitaller Order was recognized by the Church as a Congregation of religious brothers with exception of not more than one priest in each community acting as chaplain. Saint Benedetto Menni was one exception, being an ordained priest in Rome on October 14, 1860. In those years, the Spanish branch of the Hospitallers Order died away as a consequence of some Masonic laws issued in Portugal in 1834 and in Spain in 1835. Saint Benedict was sent to Barcelona on April 6, 1867, to restore the Hospitaller Order in these countries. After a long struggle, oftentimes risky, he was not only able to gather many vocationsāalmost a thousand from 1867 to 1903ābut also founded in Spain, Portugal and Mexico, 22 hospitals for every kind of sickness, especially for mental patients and handicapped children. Those conditions were the most neglected by the public health care at that time.
St. Benedict also founded a female branch of the Order, the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today, the Sisters are present in 20 countries with almost 80 communities. What is amazing in the life work of Saint Menni is the number and complexity of the undertakings he faced; but, even more so for their validity, tested for more than a century. The secret lies in his true, heroic detachment by which he always considered himself a docile instrument in the hands of God, without giving room for his personal ambitions or human plans. Sy. Benedict is the Patron Saint of Sisters Hospitaller of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; People with mental health issues; the sick and Volunteers.
Reflection: Humanization and evangelization are challenges to the new millennium. St Benedict Menni recalls to us and enlightens the words of our Lord, “I was sick and you visited me⦠Come, O blessed of my Father”
PRAYER: Oh God, good and compassionate Father who called and sent St Benedict (Benito) Menni to announce your gospel of mercy by word and work, give us, through his intercession, the graces that we ask for, so that by following his example we may love you above all things and always serve our needy and sick brothers and sisters in all the work we do We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord⦠Amenš
SAINT WILFRID, BISHOP OF YORK: St. Wilfrid (634-709) was a Northumbrian of noble birth. He studied at Lindisfarne and Canterbury and became infected with a love both for learning and the monastic life. When quite a young man he traveled to Canterbury and then to Rome. On his return, he founded monasteries at Ripon and Stamford, and became prominent as the successful protagonist of the Roman customs at the Synod of Whitby, 664 A.D. He was then made Bishop of York, and went to France to be consecrated. In his absence Chad was consecrated and made Bishop of York in his place, and held the see for four years. During this time Wilfrid founded a monastery at Oundle and acted as bishop in Mercia. He was then installed at York by Archbishop Theodore, and ruled the see for nine years. He also founded the Abbey of Hexham. He managed to gain the ill-will of Egfrith, King of Northumbria, and Archbishop Theodore, who divided his diocese in four parts without his knowledge or consent. St. Wilfrid journeyed to Rome, and his appeal was successful, but on his return to Northumbria he was accused of having forged the pope’s bull, and was thrown into prison. After his release he went to Sussex, and for five years preached the Gospel to its pagan inhabitants. When he went there the country was suffering from famine, the result of three years’ drought, and its inhabitants were drowning themselves in despair. Wilfrid gained their goodwill by teaching them to fish. “By this benefit the bishop gained the affections of them all, and they began more readily to hope for heavenly blessings, since by his help they had already received those which are temporal.” His labors seem to have been abundantly successful, and he added to his success by establishing a monastery at Selsey. Archbishop Theodore, now on his deathbed, became reconciled to Wilfrid, and even wished to nominate him as his successor in the See of Canterbury. This, however, Wilfrid refused, but used Theodore’s good offices to secure his return to Northumbria.
After a few years St. Wilfrid’s enemies seem to have made his position so difficult that he retired to Mercia, and when St. Chad died he succeeded to his position as Bishop of Lichfield, and labored in that diocese for ten years. He was recalled to be tried by a Northumbrian council of nobles and bishops, was once more condemned, and once more appealed to Rome. Once again his appeal was successful, and this time the Roman judgment was accepted in Northumbria. The few remaining years of his life were spent in comparative retirement, principally at Hexham and Ripon. His last public act was the consecration of Evesham Abbey; he died on his way home at his monastery at Oundle in the year 709, and was buried at Ripon. St. Wilfrid was one of the most versatile and accomplished men of his own or any other age. He was a great builder, a lover of learning, and a musician; he knew how to create splendid effects through art and through religious ceremonial. He was also a founder and a builder in men as well as stones. He was, in fact, a great creative artist. St. Wilfrid is the Patron Saint of Middlesbrough, England; diocese of Ripon, England.
St. Wilfrid, Bishop of York ~ Pray for us š
SAINT MARY OF CLEOPHAS (MARY OF CLOPAS): St. Mary of Cleophas, Mother of St. James the Less and Joseph, wife of Cleophas (or Clopas or Alpheus). She was one of the “Three Marys” who served Jesus and was present at the Crucifixion , and accompanied Mary Magdalen to the tomb of Christ. “And there were standing by the cross of Jesus His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.” How should we understand “His mother’s sister,” literally, as in having the same parents, or in the same sense that Jesus’s “brothers” are to be understood as close relatives? The short answer is that Mary of Cleophas is probably the Blessed Virgin’s sister-in-law. Mary of Cleophas may have had a previous husband named Alpheus, or this Alpheus may have been Cleophas. The Blessed Virgin Mary, of course, only had one husband (Joseph) and remained a virgin. The long answer may be found here.
There is also a theory that Mary might have been the unnamed disciple on the road to Emmaus. Tradition reports that she went to Spain as a missionary. Mary reportedly died at Ciudad Rodrigo. Another tradition states that she went to France with St. Lazarus and his sisters.
Watch “NINTH NOVENDIAL MASS MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL DOMINIQUE MAMBERTI | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | MAY 4, 2025 |
Watch “EIGHTH NOVENDIAL MASS MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL ANGEL FERNANDEZ ARTIME | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | MAY 3, 2025 |
Watch “SEVENTH NOVENDIAL MASS MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL CLAUDIO GUGEROTTI | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | MAY 2, 2025 |
SIXTH NOVENDIAL MASS MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL VICTOR MANUEL FERNANDEZ | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | MAY 1, 2025 |
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PIUS V, POPE; SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION AND SAINT JOSEPH BENEDICT COTTOLENGO, FOUNDER | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | APRIL 30, 2025 |
FOURTH NOVENDIAL MASS MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL MAURO GAMBETTI | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | APRIL 29, 2025 |
Live from St. Peterās Basilica: Fourth Novendial Mass for the Holy Father Pope Francis. The Eucharistic celebration presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.
Let us pray together for the eternal rest of our beloved Pope Francis.
PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS AND SUCCESS OF THE CONCLAVE
With the passing of Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for the College of Cardinals as they embark on their sacred duty to elect Pope Francisā successor:
Heavenly Father, You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis, and now You have called him to Yourself. We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy. For his lifelong service, we thank You. For his care for the poor and marginalized, we thank You. For his witness to simplicity, we thank You. In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin. Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence. Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence, into which we all long to be drawn. Protect Your Church in this time of transition. Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty. Grant them Wisdom and Courage, Hope and Charity, and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.
Father Most Holy, our God and King, Creator of all that was, is, and is to come – You alone know the heart of the one You have chosen as the successor to Pope Francis. Reveal Your will to the College of Cardinals. Open their hearts to Your inspirations. Open our hearts to receive, with faith and obedience, the one whom You will raise up to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter. May he be a man of deepest compassion, a man of profound faith and hope, a man whose charity shines forth, permeating the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. You are God Most High, the God of the living and the dead, the Great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, Eternal Being and Source of all that is. May Your holy will be done, now and forever. Amen. Alleluia.
Merciful and loving God, We entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen šš½
Learn more about the Novendiales (Nine days of mourning) in the Papal Interregnum article below:
THIRD NOVENDIAL MASS MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL BALDASSARE REINA | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | APRIL 28, 2025 |
Live from St. Peterās Basilica: Third Novendial Mass for the Holy Father Pope Francis. The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome.
PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS AND SUCCESS OF THE CONCLAVE
With the passing of Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for the College of Cardinals as they embark on their sacred duty to elect Pope Francisā successor:
Heavenly Father, You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis, and now You have called him to Yourself. We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy. For his lifelong service, we thank You. For his care for the poor and marginalized, we thank You. For his witness to simplicity, we thank You. In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin. Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence. Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence, into which we all long to be drawn. Protect Your Church in this time of transition. Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty. Grant them Wisdom and Courage, Hope and Charity, and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.
Father Most Holy, our God and King, Creator of all that was, is, and is to come – You alone know the heart of the one You have chosen as the successor to Pope Francis. Reveal Your will to the College of Cardinals. Open their hearts to Your inspirations. Open our hearts to receive, with faith and obedience, the one whom You will raise up to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter. May he be a man of deepest compassion, a man of profound faith and hope, a man whose charity shines forth, permeating the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. You are God Most High, the God of the living and the dead, the Great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, Eternal Being and Source of all that is. May Your holy will be done, now and forever. Amen. Alleluia.
Merciful and loving God, We entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen šš½
Watch “NOVENDIALES MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS AND CLOSING CELEBRATION OF THE JUBILEE FOR TEENAGERS | CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | APRIL 27, 2025 |
Live from St. Peterās Square: The Church gathers for the second day of the Novendiales in memory of Pope Francis, alongside the closing celebration of the Jubilee for Teenagers. The Holy Mass is presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State.
As our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis is finally laid to rest, let us together continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.
Merciful and loving God, we entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, whom You have called from this life to Yourself. We thank You for his faithful and courageous witness to the Gospel, his compassion for the poor and the marginalized, and his tireless devotion to building bridges of peace and unity in Your Church. Receive him into the joy of Your eternal embrace. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.
O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen šš½
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen šš½
Learn more about the Novendiales (Nine days of mourning) in the Papal Interregnum article below:
Novemdiales (Nine Days of Mourning) Masses Schedule for Pope Francis (26 April 2025 ā 4 May 2025)
First Day (Saturday, 26 April 2025 at 10 am) Papal Funeral Mass at St. Peterās Square Celebrant: Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals
Second Day (Sunday, 27 April 2025 at 10.30 am) Novemdiales Mass at St. Peterās Square (for employees and faithful of Vatican City) Celebrant: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State
Third Day (Monday, 28 April 2025 at 5 pm) Novemdiales Mass at St. Peterās Basilica (for the Church and Diocese of Rome) Celebrant: Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome
Fourth Day (Tuesday, 29 April 2025 at 5 pm) Novemdiales Mass at St. Peterās Basilica (for the Chapters of the Papal Basilicas) Celebrant: Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican
Fifth Day (Wednesday, 30 April 2025 at 5 pm) Novemdiales Mass at St. Peterās Basilica (for the members of the Papal Chapel) Celebrant: Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Vice-Dean of the College of Cardinals
Sixth Day (Thursday, 1 May 2025 at 5 pm) Novemdiales Mass at St. Peterās Basilica (for the Roman Curia) Celebrant: Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
Seventh Day (Friday, 2 May 2025 at 5 pm) Novemdiales Mass at St. Peterās Basilica (for the Eastern Churches) Celebrant: Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches
Eighth Day (Saturday, 3 May 2025 at 5 pm) Novemdiales Mass at St. Peterās Basilica (for the members of the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life) Celebrant: Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime, Pro-Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
Ninth Day (Sunday, 4 May 2025 at 5 pm) Novemdiales Mass at St. Peterās Basilica (for the members of the Papal Chapel) Celebrant: Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Protodeacon of the College of Cardinals
FUNERAL MASS OF POPE FRANCIS
Watch “FUNERAL MASS OF POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL GIOVANNI BATTISTA RE | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | APRIL 26, 2025|
Let us join us in prayer for the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Basilica. The liturgical celebration will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the coffin of the Holy Father will be taken in procession to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where the burial will take place.
Let us pray together for the eternal rest of our beloved Pope Francis.
PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS
With the passing of Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for the College of Cardinals as they embark on their sacred duty to elect Pope Francisā successor:
Heavenly Father, You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis, and now You have called him to Yourself. We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy. For his lifelong service, we thank You. For his care for the poor and marginalized, we thank You. For his witness to simplicity, we thank You. In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin. Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence. Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence, into which we all long to be drawn. Protect Your Church in this time of transition. Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty. Grant them Wisdom and Courage, Hope and Charity, and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.
Father Most Holy, our God and King, Creator of all that was, is, and is to comeā You alone know the heart of the one You have chosen as the successor to Pope Francis. Reveal Your will to the College of Cardinals. Open their hearts to Your inspirations. Open our hearts to receive, with faith and obedience, the one whom You will raise up to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter. May he be a man of deepest compassion, a man of profound faith and hope, a man whose charity shines forth, permeating the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. You are God Most High, the God of the living and the dead, the Great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, Eternal Being and Source of all that is. May Your holy will be done, now and forever. Amen. Alleluia.
Merciful and loving God, We entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen šš½