SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT ELPHEGE, BISHOP AND MARTYR; SAINT EXPEDITUS, MARTYR; AND SAINT TIMON, BISHOP AND MARTYR – FEAST DAY: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Elphege (Alphege, Aelfheah, also called Godwine ), Bishop and Martyr; Saint Expeditus, Martyr (He is considered the Patron Saint of emergencies; expeditious solutions; against procrastination; merchants and navigators) and Saint Timon, Bishop and Martyr. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners and for Christians all over the world. We also pray for the poor and the needy and God’s grace in times of urgent need. 🙏
SAINT ELPHEGE, BISHOP AND MARTYR: St. Elphege (Alphege, Aelfheah, also called Godwine ), Bishop and Martyr, who was venerated as a martyr after his murder by the Danes. St. Elphege, born of noble and virtuous parents, abandoned the world at an early age and entered the monastery of Derherste in Gloucestershire. After some years he began to lead the life of a recluse in a cell in the neighborhood of the Abbey of Bath, of which he was appointed Abbot until 984, when, through the instrumentality of Dt. Dunstan, he was elected Bishop of Winchester. In 1006, he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Pope John XVIII in Rome. This period in English history was greatly disturbed by the incursions of the Danes, who sacked and pillaged the country that was then governed by the weak King Ethelred. The Archbishop hurried to the scenes of blood and endeavored to turn the cruelty of the pagans from his people to himself.
Consequently, his cathedral was burned, he was made to endure great tortures, and for several months he was kept in prison. Refusing to use the goods of his Church for his ransom, he was put to death while he prayed for his enemies. His martyrdom occurred April 19, 1012. He eliminated poverty in his diocese through his aid to the poor.
PRAYER: God, You gave splendor to Your Church by granting St. Elphege the victory of martyrdom. Grant that, as he imitated the Lord’s Passion, so we may follow in his footsteps and attain everlasting joys. Amen🙏
SAINT EXPEDITUS, MARTYR St. Expeditus (died 303) also known as Expedite, was said to have been a Roman centurion in Armenia who was martyred around April 303 in what is now Turkey, for converting to Christianity. He is considered the Patron Saint of emergencies; expeditious solutions; against procrastination; merchants and navigators. At one time there was much talk of a Saint Expeditus, and some good people were led to believe that, when there was need of haste, petitioning Saint Expeditus was likely to meet with prompt settlement. However, there is no adequate reason to think that any such saint was ever invoked in the early Christian centuries; in fact it is more than doubtful whether the saint ever existed. In the “Hieronymianum” the name Expeditus occurs among a group of martyrs both on the 18th and 19th of April, being assigned in the one case to Rome, and in the other to Melitene in Armenia; but there is no vestige of any tradition which would corroborate either mention, whereas there is much to suggest that in both lists the introduction of the name is merely a copyist’s blunder. Hundreds of similar blunders have been quite definitely proved to exist in the same document.
There is also a story which pretends to explain the origin of this “devotion” by an incident of modern date. A packing case, we are told, containing a body of a saint from the catacombs, was sent to a community of nuns in Paris. The date of its dispatch was indicated by the use of the word “spedito”, but the recipients mistook this for the name of the martyr and set to work with great energy to propagate his cult. From these simple beginnings, it is asserted, a devotion to St. Expeditus spread rapidly through many Catholic countries. It should be pointed out that though the recognition of St. Expeditus as the patron of dispatch depends beyond doubt upon a play upon words – still the particular story about the Paris nuns falls to pieces, because as far back as 1781 this supposed martyr, St. Expeditus, was chosen patron of the town of Acireale in Sicily, and because pictures of him were in existence in Germany in the eighteenth century which plainly depicted him as a saint to be invoked against procrastination.
PRAYER: My Saint Expeditus of urgent and just causes, please intercede for me with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Succor me in this hour of affliction and despair, my Saint Expeditus. … My Saint Expeditus, help me to prevail through these difficult hours, protect me from all those who want to harm me, respond to my plea with urgency….Amen🙏
SAINT TIMON, BISHOP AND MARTYR St. Timon (1st c.) is mentioned by name in the Acts of the Apostles. He belonged to the group of seventy disciples who followed Jesus during his earthly ministry. After Jesus’ ascension into heaven, St. Timon was one of the original seven deacons, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, chosen by the Apostles to help with the work of ministering to the growing Christian community. Timon was later ordained a bishop by the Apostles.
He baptized many Greeks and Jews into the Christian faith. He also had the supernatural ability to heal the sick and to cast out devils. St. Timon suffered martyrdom for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. According to tradition he was thrown into a furnace, but by the power of God he came out of it unharmed, and later died by crucifixion. His feast day is April 19.
Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Holy Saturday of the Easter Triduum!
Holy Saturday calls us to pause and reflect on the mystery of salvation in motion. Let us not rush past the silence, for it is sacred. God’s greatest acts often begin unseen, hidden in the tombs of our despair. As we await the joy of Easter, may we embrace this quiet day with reverence, pondering the cost of love and the promise of resurrection. The darkness is not the end — it is the womb of new life.
We thank God for bringing us successfully to the end of our Lenten journey, a forty days long period of purification and reorientation of our lives, of more intense connection with God and renewal of our lives. This Jubilee Year of Hope invites us to reflect on the Gospel message of hope so that we can become people of hope in our world today. May God’s grace and mercy be with us all as we wait in anticipation for the resurrection of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ 🙏🏽
In silence, with special intention, we pray for all the victims of violent attacks, we particularly pray for victims of the recent mass shooting at the Florida State University. For all those who lost their lives, for their families and loved ones they left behind, may they find peace and comfort during this difficult time of loss.
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 peace. Amen 🙏🏽
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN” | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” |https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/19/catholic-daily-mass-46/
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 2: Link ~ https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/17/divine-mercy-novena/
Holy Saturday, or Sabbatum Sanctum, is the final and most silent day of the Sacred Paschal Triduum. The Church mourns the death of Christ and waits in quiet hope for His Resurrection. No Mass is celebrated during the day, the altar remains bare, and the faithful are invited into prayerful stillness. After His death, Jesus’ body lay in the tomb while His soul, united to His divinity, descended to the realm of the dead to free the righteous. This mystery, known as the Harrowing of Hell, reveals Christ’s triumph even in death. Traditionally, Holy Saturday is marked by fasting, silence, and anticipation. It culminates in the Easter Vigil, the “mother of all vigils,” where light returns and we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord. This day also belongs to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who waited in faith when all seemed lost. Her hope becomes our model as we remain with her, trusting in what is yet to come.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, as You rest in the tomb, teach me to wait with trust and silence. May my heart remain open to the hope of Your Resurrection. Mary, Mother of Hope, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Today, as we celebrate the Holy Week and Easter Triduum on this day holy saturday, we the Church commemorates three holy martyrs who bore courageous witness to Christ amid persecution and adversity. Saint Elphege (Patron of kidnap victims) (also known as Alphege or Aelfheah), Archbishop of Canterbury, laid down his life rather than see his people suffer further at the hands of invaders. Saint Expeditus (Patron of urgent causes, procrastinators, and expeditious solutions), though shrouded in mystery, is venerated as a martyr and a powerful intercessor in urgent causes and against procrastination. Saint Timon (Patron of deacons and cooks), one of the original seven deacons mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, served the early Church faithfully and sealed his ministry with the crown of martyrdom. Through their heroic sacrifices, we are inspired to pursue lives of selflessness, urgency in virtue, and steadfast love for the Church. May their lives and intercession stir in us a spirit of boldness in faith, compassion in leadership, and readiness to act in God’s will without delay. Amen. 🙏🏽
We thank God for the gift of life and for the gift of this day. May this season of Lent bring renewal in faith, deepening our journey through Lent and drawing us closer to Christ. May God’s grace guide and strengthen us every day, and may His grace and mercy be with us all during this final week of our Lenten journey. 🙏🏽
“Loving God, we thank you for the unwavering faith and leadership of Pope Francis. As he recovers from his hospitalization, we humbly ask for your healing touch upon his body, your peace upon his mind, and your comfort for his spirit. Grant him strength, renewed energy, and a continued ability to serve your flock with compassion and wisdom. We entrust him to your loving care, and we pray that he may soon be restored to good health, if it be your will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen”🙏🏽
On this special feast day, as we continue the Holy Week 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 and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, and we continue to pray for the repose of the gentle souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF 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 “Thank You!” 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 “person-to-person” 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 🙏🏽
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 🙏🏽
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
*”Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has been raised.” ~ Luke 24:5–6
“At daybreak on the first day of the week the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles, but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.”
In today’s Gospel reading, as dawn breaks on the first day of the week, the women come to the tomb with spices, prepared to care for a lifeless body—but instead, they encounter an empty grave and a stunning message: “He is not here, but He has been raised.” According to the Gospel of Luke, when the women discovered that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb and that the tomb was empty, ‘they stood there not knowing what to think’. They had come with great devotion to anoint the body of Jesus. To their amazement the closed tomb was open and the body of Jesus was not there. What were they to think? What were they to make of it all? The voice from the empty tomb interpreted for them this extraordinary discovery. ‘Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? He is not here; He has risen’. Jesus was alive not dead; the tomb could not contain the one who was the light of the world, the resurrection and the life. Jesus embodied God’s extraordinary love for humanity; such love cannot be buried; it is too powerful to be contained by a stone, no matter how large. Such love is too full of life to be contained by death. In the words of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, ‘love never ends’. Indeed, all authentic love continues into eternity. The one who is the fullest revelation of God who is Love endures beyond death. Because Jesus endures forever, because God’s love endures forever, we, who are the objects of that enduring love, will endure forever. God’s loving relationship with us need not be broken by death; all God asks is that we open ourselves to his love. Because Jesus is risen, not only are we destined to live beyond death, but resurrection can happen in our lives here and now. As we struggle daily with suffering, weakness, and death in its various forms, we can experience the power of the risen Lord. With Saint Paul, we can say, ‘I can do all things in him who strengthens me’. The risen Lord journeys with us as he journeyed with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. As He did for those two disciples, he can transform all our sad and tragic stories into stories of hope and new life. We always walk in the light of the risen Lord’s presence. We are an Easter people, not just tonight, but every night, every day of our lives.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading, when the women saw the empty tomb first, the Gospel says ‘they stood there not knowing what to think’. However, having heard the proclamation from the two heavenly messengers, they had a hopeful story to tell. Yet, when they told this story to the apostles, the Gospel says, ‘this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense’. Perhaps it is harder to believe in the good news of Easter than the good news of Christmas. It is only when the risen Lord appeared to the apostles and touched their lives personally, that they realized the women’s story was not nonsense. The risen Lord wants to touch each of our lives. If we allow Him to do so, then we too will realize that the Easter story, far from being nonsense, casts a marvellous light which allows us to see everything else, including death itself, with hopeful eyes. The Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ turns the logic of the world upside down. What was expected to end in death becomes the beginning of eternal life. The women’s journey of grief becomes a mission of proclamation. Though perplexed and afraid, they do not keep silent. They run to tell the apostles, becoming the first witnesses to the Resurrection. Yet, their testimony is met with disbelief—just as our modern world often meets the Gospel with skepticism. Still, like Peter who ran to the tomb and marveled at what he saw, we are invited to wonder, to seek, and to believe. In this sacred moment, we are reminded that the Resurrection is not just about what happened to Jesus. It is also about what is now possible for us. Sin no longer has the final say. Death is not the end. Christ is alive—and He is inviting us to rise with Him into a new life marked by grace, joy, and courage.This Jubilee Year of Hope invites us to reflect on the Gospel message of hope so that we can become people of hope in our world today.
Reflecting on the first reading, the reading takes us back to the pivotal moment in the life of Abraham, when God asks him to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. Abraham’s faith is tested to its limits, but in his obedience to God’s command, he receives a reward beyond measure. This story foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, and His willing submission to the Father’s will. Abraham’s faith serves as a powerful reminder for us to trust in God’s plan, even when it leads us into dark and difficult places. The near-sacrifice of Isaac is a symbol of God’s own sacrifice, offering His Son for the salvation of humanity. Just as Isaac was spared, so too are we spared through Christ’s death and resurrection.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 104 praises God for His creation, for His mighty works that sustain life. It is a song of gratitude and recognition of God’s omnipotence and mercy. The Psalmist acknowledges how God’s hand guides and upholds the world, bringing forth life from the earth and ensuring its continuation. In the context of the resurrection, this Psalm takes on a deeper meaning: just as God sustains the earth, He also sustains the new life given to us through the resurrection of Jesus. It is through His power that we are renewed and given hope.
In Exodus, the Israelites are delivered from slavery through the parting of the Red Sea. They pass from death to life as God makes a way where there seems to be no way. The Israelites’ song of praise in response to their miraculous deliverance becomes a foretaste of the joy that the resurrection brings. Just as they crossed through the waters of the sea to freedom, so too are we brought to new life through the waters of baptism and the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection is the ultimate deliverance, leading us from the slavery of sin into the freedom of the children of God.
In Isaiah, God speaks of a new covenant with His people, a covenant of peace and love that will never be shaken. This prophecy points to the restoration and redemption that Jesus’ resurrection brings to all of humanity. Through His sacrifice, the fractured relationship between humanity and God is restored. We are no longer rejected, but loved and embraced by the Father. This is the hope we receive from the resurrection: a hope that cannot be taken away, a peace that surpasses all understanding.
In this passage from Romans, Paul teaches us that through baptism, we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too are called to live a new life. The resurrection of Jesus is not only a future promise but a present reality that empowers us to live according to God’s will. The power of the resurrection is at work in us, transforming us into new creations. As we reflect on this, let us ask ourselves: How is the resurrection transforming my life? How can I live more fully in the light of Christ’s victory over death? How can I embrace the victory of Christ’s resurrection in my daily life? In what areas of my life do I need to experience the transformative power of the resurrection? How can I share the joy of the resurrection with others?
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today on this this Easter Vigil Mass, all of us finally have reached the end of our Lenten journey, a forty days long period of purification and reorientation of our lives, of more intense connection with God and renewal of our lives. Now, on this very evening we celebrate the glorious Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who has suffered and died for us, bearing all the burdens and punishments that are due for our sins and wickedness. Through His Resurrection, He has shown us the great triumph that He had won over sin and death, showing us that they no longer hold dominion and power over us. And tonight we have finally come to the culmination of our long wait for salvation, and rejoicing together as one Church and holy people of God, we cry and sing out together, ‘Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ has conquered death!’ Therefore, we are also reminded that as Christians, as Pope St. John Paul II once famously said, that we are all Easter people, and Alleluia is our song. This means that all of us are called to live a truly holy and worthy lives, lives that are truly active, committed to God and missionary, full of compassion for one another and righteousness, justice and virtues in all of our actions throughout life. We must have the right disposition and attitude in life in order for us to be able to follow the Lord worthily in our lives. And just as the Israelites still continue their journey after crossing the sea out of Egypt, which is a symbolism and prefigurement of our baptism, therefore, baptism is not the end of our journey towards God, but rather, marks the new beginning in this journey we have towards God. Essentially, we are called to proclaim the Lord and His Resurrection, His Good News and salvation to the world. But in order to do this, we must first live our lives worthily as good and faithful Christians, and this is something that many of us have difficulty doing because we face so many obstacles, temptations and challenges in our daily lives. And this is why as we enter into this joyful Easter season, we have to renew our commitment and dedication to the Lord, in doing our best to live our lives worthily and to commit ourselves to a truly holy and blessed existence in God, in all of our actions, words and deeds, and in how we interact with others around us. We cannot be hypocrites who claim to believe in the Lord and yet act in the manner that is contrary to our faith and beliefs in God. That is why as we all enter into this joyous season of Easter, celebrating the Lord’s glorious Resurrection, let us all strive to commit ourselves to be ever more faithful and sincere in following our Risen Lord in everything that we say and do. Let the transformations and conversions that we have experienced during the Lenten season continue to bear their fruits through this time of Easter and beyond. May all of us be faithful and ever more courageous witnesses of Our Lord and His Resurrection, being good role models and inspirations to our fellow brothers and sisters, helping ever more people to come closer to God and His salvation. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may our Risen Lord continue to bless us all and give us His light of Hope, and strengthen us in our resolve to follow Him wholeheartedly, now and always. Alleluia! Amen! 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, on this Holy Saturday, we await the joy of Your resurrection. Thank You for the hope that Your rising from the dead brings to our lives. We acknowledge the victory You won for us over sin and death. Help us to live in the power of Your resurrection, trusting in Your love and guidance. May we share this hope with others and live in the light of Your truth, now and forever. Amen 🙏🏽
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT ELPHEGE, BISHOP AND MARTYR; SAINT EXPEDITUS, MARTYR; AND SAINT TIMON, BISHOP AND MARTYR – FEAST DAY: APRIL 19TH: Today, the Church commemorates three holy martyrs who bore courageous witness to Christ amid persecution and adversity. Saint Elphege (Patron of kidnap victims) (also known as Alphege or Aelfheah), Archbishop of Canterbury, laid down his life rather than see his people suffer further at the hands of invaders. Saint Expeditus (Patron of urgent causes, procrastinators, and expeditious solutions), though shrouded in mystery, is venerated as a martyr and a powerful intercessor in urgent causes and against procrastination. Saint Timon (Patron of deacons and cooks), one of the original seven deacons mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, served the early Church faithfully and sealed his ministry with the crown of martyrdom. Through their heroic sacrifices, we are inspired to pursue lives of selflessness, urgency in virtue, and steadfast love for the Church. May their lives and intercession stir in us a spirit of boldness in faith, compassion in leadership, and readiness to act in God’s will without delay. Amen. 🙏🏽
Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Elphege, Saint Expeditus, and Saint Timon, we pray for the Church, the clergy, persecuted Christians, the poor and needy, and all who are in urgent spiritual or material need. May their witness encourage us to love courageously, act promptly, and trust God completely. Amen. 🙏
SAINT ELPHEGE, BISHOP AND MARTYR: Born of noble and virtuous parents in 10th-century England, Saint Elphege embraced the monastic life early and grew in holiness through silence, study, and service. He began as a monk in Deerhurst Abbey before becoming a hermit near Bath. His exemplary life led to his appointment as Abbot of Bath, and later, through the influence of Saint Dunstan, he became Bishop of Winchester.
In 1006, he was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury during a time of great unrest, as England suffered frequent attacks from Danish invaders. Known for his deep charity, Elphege fed the hungry and supported the afflicted, earning the love of the poor. When the Danes invaded Canterbury and demanded a ransom for the archbishop, Elphege refused to allow Church resources to be used. His captors beat and stoned him to death while he prayed for their forgiveness. His martyrdom on April 19, 1012 became a symbol of sacrificial leadership and pastoral courage.
PRAYER: O God, who crowned Saint Elphege with martyrdom for defending his flock, grant that we may imitate his compassion and stand firm in faith even when it costs us dearly. Through his prayers, may we care for the poor, speak truth with courage, and trust You in all things. Amen. 🙏
SAINT EXPEDITUS, MARTYR: Saint Expeditus is traditionally venerated as a Roman centurion who was martyred around the year 303 AD in Armenia for converting to Christianity during the Diocletian persecution. Though historical records are scarce and some suggest his name may have entered the martyrologies through a scribal error, devotion to Saint Expeditus spread widely, especially in times of urgent need.
He is revered as the Patron Saint of urgent causes, expeditious solutions, those struggling with procrastination, merchants, and navigators. Popular piety holds that when faced with the call to convert, the devil appeared to him in the form of a crow saying “Cras” (Latin for “tomorrow”). Expeditus responded with “Hodie!” (“Today!”), stamping out delay and choosing Christ immediately.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his historical existence, his spiritual symbolism reminds us of the need to act promptly in response to God’s grace.
PRAYER: Saint Expeditus, faithful martyr and helper in urgent needs, intercede for us in our times of trial. May we, like you, respond with haste to God’s call and overcome all temptation to delay in doing good. Amen. 🙏
SAINT TIMON, BISHOP AND MARTYR: Saint Timon is one of the original seven deacons appointed by the Apostles in Acts 6:1–6 to ensure fair distribution of aid within the early Church. Full of the Holy Spirit, he served the poor and upheld justice among the believers. Tradition holds that Timon later became a bishop—possibly in Greece or Arabia—and preached the Gospel with fervor.
He faced hostility and persecution in his mission field, ultimately suffering martyrdom for his fearless proclamation of the truth. His faithfulness from service to sacrifice makes him a model for deacons, clergy, and lay ministers alike.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, through the steadfast ministry of Saint Timon, You strengthened the foundations of the early Church. Help us to serve with humility, love others without discrimination, and remain faithful even when facing trials. Saint Timon, pray for us. Amen. 🙏
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 Christ’s 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 🙏🏽
PRAYER INTENTIONS: On this sacred day of stillness and expectation, we turn to God with hearts full of trust and longing. We pray for the Church throughout the world, that she may be strengthened in her mission to proclaim the light of the Resurrection with boldness and joy. We remember those who serve the Church, especially bishops, priests, and deacons, asking that through the intercession of Saint Elphege, who gave his life in sacrificial love, and Saint Timon, faithful servant of the early Church, they may be renewed in courage and zeal. We lift up all who are burdened by delay, doubt, or indecision, that with the help of Saint Expeditus, they may find urgency in grace and clarity in action. As we recall Abraham’s great act of trust and the people of Israel’s journey through the sea, we pray for all who are tested in faith, that they may experience the mercy of God who always provides and leads to freedom. We also entrust to God those preparing to receive the Easter sacraments tonight, that they may be filled with the joy of rebirth and transformed by the power of the Resurrection. In a world that still groans in suffering, may this holy night bring hope to the despairing, light to the searching, and new life to all. 🙏🏽
LET US PRAY
Dearest Mother Mary, on that first Holy Saturday, you kept vigil for your Son. You allowed the divine gift of hope to grow within you, and you allowed that hope to be your strength in the midst of the horror of the Cross. Pray for me that I may ponder your beautiful heart this day so that I, too, may be filled with hope as I endure the challenges of this earthly life. Give me a heart of joyful anticipation as I await the grace of new life our Lord so deeply desires to bestow upon me. Mother Mary, pray for me. Jesus, I do trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord God of glory and mercy, on this day of sacred waiting, we unite our hearts with the Church around the world and with the silent tomb of our Lord. As we contemplate the mystery of death conquered and hope reborn, stir within us the living fire of faith. May the example of Saint Elphege’s courageous sacrifice, Saint Expeditus’s bold urgency, and Saint Timon’s steadfast service guide us in our walk with You. May we trust, like Abraham, wait like the Israelites, and rejoice like the women at the tomb. Let the silence of this day deepen our love for You, so that when the stone is rolled away, we may rise with Christ into the joy of new life. Amen 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Joseph, Saint Elphege, Bishop and Martyr; Saint Expeditus, Martyr; and Saint Timon, Bishop and Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the gift of this day and the special gift of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ and praying for us all during this final days of the Holy week, may God, our Crucified Christ, Our most loving Saviour, be with us all as we journey through this Holy Week, that we may come to share ever more deeply in the mysteries of His Passion, His suffering, death and Resurrection… Amen. Praying for us all on this Holy Saturday as we wait in anticipation for the resurrection of our loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled Holy Saturday 🙏🏽
Easter Vigil Mass on the Holy Night from St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.
The Church celebrates the Resurrection of Christ: light that overcomes darkness and hope that renews the world. A central moment of the Easter Triduum, rich in symbolism, Word, and new life.
Holy Saturday, also known as Sabbatum Sanctum, is the silent heart of the Sacred Paschal Triduum. It is the day when the Church, in stillness and solemnity, keeps vigil at the tomb of the Lord. Between the agony of the Cross and the glory of the Resurrection, we are invited into a profound silence that speaks volumes—a silence of waiting, of mourning, of hope not yet fulfilled.
Unlike any other day in the Church’s liturgical calendar, Holy Saturday is marked by absence. Christ has died. The tabernacle is empty. The altar is bare. No Sacraments are celebrated—only the silent anticipation of something new. It is a pause that holds the weight of eternity.
Biblical & Historical Significance
Biblically, Holy Saturday is not merely a day between Good Friday and Easter. It is a sacred time that commemorates Christ’s descent into Hades, known as the Harrowing of Hell, when He opened the gates of salvation to the righteous who had gone before Him. This mystery is professed in the Apostles’ Creed: “He descended into hell…”
After His death on the Cross, Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb, while His soul, united to His divinity, descended to the realm of the dead to liberate the just souls awaiting redemption. This victorious descent affirms that not even death could imprison the Son of God.
Historically, the early Church observed Holy Saturday with fasting, prayer, and silence. The day culminated in the Easter Vigil—the “mother of all vigils”—where darkness gives way to light, and new life is born in Christ. This ancient liturgy, celebrated after sundown, includes the blessing of the new fire, the Paschal Candle, and the proclamation of the Exsultet. Catechumens are baptized, and the Church rejoices in the Resurrection.
The Role of Mary
Holy Saturday belongs especially to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tradition teaches that while the apostles hid in fear and grief, Mary remained steadfast in hope. Her sorrow was real, but so was her trust in the promise of the Resurrection. In her, the Church sees a model of faithful waiting.
Mary, the credentium collectio universa—the gathering of all believers—embodies the Church in vigil. As her Son lay lifeless in the tomb, she became the image of faith that does not waver, hope that does not fade. The “Ora di Maria,” or Hour of Mary, draws inspiration from her quiet strength on this day of stillness.
As we sit in darkness, we are invited to sit beside her—to grieve with her, to wait with her, and to let hope grow quietly in our hearts, as it did in hers.
Sacred Silence & Liturgical Customs
The Church observes Holy Saturday with sacred restraint. The Eucharist is not celebrated until the night, and Holy Communion may only be given as Viaticum. The altar remains stripped; the tabernacle is empty. The day is marked by a solemn, prayerful stillness—mirroring the silence of the tomb.
The faithful are encouraged to fast and keep vigil in quiet prayer. Many participate in the “Seven Sorrows of Mary” or meditate on the burial of Christ. In the evening, the long silence of Holy Saturday breaks with light and joy. The Church gathers to celebrate the Easter Vigil—called the “mother of all vigils”—the most sacred liturgy of the year, where we pass from death to life in Christ. This solemn and glorious liturgy includes:
Service of Light – The blessing of the Easter fire and the lighting of the Paschal Candle, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the world.
Liturgy of the Word – A series of Old and New Testament readings recounting God’s saving work throughout history.
Baptismal Liturgy – Catechumens are baptized and confirmed; the faithful renew their baptismal promises, proclaiming their belief in the Risen Christ.
Liturgy of the Eucharist – The first glorious Mass of Easter, rejoicing in Christ’s definitive victory over sin and death.
Spiritual Reflection: The Rest of God, the Hope of the Church
Holy Saturday is the Sabbath rest of the Son of God. Just as God rested on the seventh day after creation, so too does the Creator of all rest in the tomb after the work of redemption. This is the eternal Sabbath, the “second Sabbath,” where all creation holds its breath.
We are called today to be still—to mourn sin, to grieve suffering, and to sit with Christ in the silence of death. But we do so with the firm hope that death is not the end. The darkness of Holy Saturday holds the seed of Resurrection. It is the quiet before the dawn, the moment of stillness before life bursts forth again.
As we keep vigil, may we allow the silence to speak. Let it echo in our hearts the cost of love, the weight of sacrifice, and the triumph that lies just beyond the stone. May my soul, like the tomb, be a place where Your life may spring forth anew—where Resurrection dawns.
Prayer Meditation
Lord Jesus, Today all is silent. You have poured out Your life, emptied Yourself in love, and now You rest in the tomb. I kneel beside You in this stillness, not with despair, but with reverent awe. Help me to keep vigil—not only in body but in heart. May this silence open me to grace.
Fill me with hope in Your promises. Teach me to wait as Mary waited, to trust even in sorrow. Transform the silence of this day into a prayer of faith. May my soul, like the tomb, be a place where Your life may spring forth anew.
Jesus, I entrust my brokenness, my wounds, my fears to You. May Your holy rest bring healing and peace. I wait for You, Lord—not as one who grieves without hope, but as one who believes in Resurrection. Amen.
Prayer to Our Blessed Mother
Dearest Mother Mary, On that first Holy Saturday, your soul was pierced with grief, yet your heart held onto hope. You kept vigil with unshaken faith while all seemed lost. Pray for me to wait with you in the silence. Teach me to trust, even when I cannot yet see the dawn.
Give me a heart like yours—strong, quiet, and full of faith. Intercede for me as I await the Resurrection of your Son in my life. Jesus, I trust in You. Mary, Mother of Hope, pray for me. Amen.
Day Forty: A Day of Hope and Vigilance Holy Saturday
Scripture Passage: “He has been raised up; he is not here.” – Mark 16:6
Opening Reflection: On Holy Saturday, the Church rests at the tomb of Jesus, reflecting on His passion, death, and descent into hell. It is a day filled with mourning, waiting, and the profound silence of the tomb. Yet, within this silence, there is also a message of hope—a hope sustained by the faith of one person above all: the Blessed Virgin Mary.
While the world around her was filled with despair and confusion, Mary remained vigilantly in prayer, filled with certain hope. She knew her Son would rise, for she had been told from the moment of His conception that He was the Savior of the world. Her heart, though pierced by sorrow, was also a heart filled with anticipation, for she knew that the darkness of Good Friday was not the end. It was only a prelude to the great joy of the Resurrection.
Meditative Reflection: Mary’s vigil on Holy Saturday speaks deeply to us. While others might have been overcome with doubt, she exemplified perfect hope. Her faith did not waver, even as her Son lay dead in the tomb. This is a lesson for us today. In our own lives, we often face moments of despair, where we feel as though we are waiting for something that will never come. Yet, just as Mary clung to the hope of her Son’s resurrection, we too are called to cling to the hope of our own renewal in Christ.
Ponder Mary’s heart today—her sorrow, yes, but also her unwavering faith and joyful expectation of what was to come. Let this inspire us to hope against all odds, to trust in the promises of God, even when we cannot yet see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is in these moments of waiting that God refines our hearts, preparing us for the joy of the Resurrection.
Reflection Questions: How do you respond in times of waiting and uncertainty? Do you, like Mary, hold on to hope in the midst of sorrow? In what areas of your life do you need to allow the hope of the Resurrection to transform your despair or fear? What can you learn from Mary’s vigil and her unwavering faith, especially as we approach the Easter celebration?
Lenten Question: Q: What is the significance of Holy Saturday in the context of the Paschal Mystery? A:Holy Saturday stands as a quiet interlude between Christ’s death and Resurrection. It is a day of waiting, a day of mourning, but also a day filled with expectation. It highlights the mystery of Jesus’ descent into hell, where He offered salvation to the souls who awaited His coming. Holy Saturday calls us to reflect on the silence of the tomb and the hope that the Resurrection will come, just as it did for Mary.
Lenten Action: Today, take some time in silence to reflect on the sorrowful mystery of Holy Saturday. Join Mary in her vigil by praying for those in your life who need hope—the sick, the grieving, those lost in despair. Let your prayer be a way to unite with the Mother of God, keeping vigil in anticipation of the joy of Easter.
Concluding Prayer: Dearest Mother Mary, on that first Holy Saturday, you kept vigil in faith and hope. You waited with the knowledge that your Son would rise, and in that waiting, you gave us an example of trust in God’s promises. Help me to be filled with that same hope as I await the grace of new life that our Lord so deeply desires to bestow upon me. May my heart be filled with the joy of the Resurrection, and may I carry that joy into the world around me. Mother Mary, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion!
Good Friday invites us to contemplate the mystery of the Cross, the heart of our faith and the gateway to salvation On this Good Friday, may God’s grace and mercy be with us all as we commemorate the crucifixion and death of our Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. Amen 🙏🏽
DIVINE MERCY NOVENA: Novena in preparation for DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. Good Friday is the first day of the Divine Mercy Novena. Novena begins today, Friday, April 18, 2025, to Saturday, April 26, 2025, leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27, 2025 | DAY 1: Link ~ https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/17/divine-mercy-novena/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN” | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” |https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/18/catholic-daily-mass-45/
Friday of Holy Week is solemnly known as GOOD FRIDAY, the day the Church commemorates the Passion and Death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. On this most Sacred day, Christians around the world remember how Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, willingly suffered and died to redeem humanity from sin (cf. John 18–19; Isaiah 52:13–53:12). Though marked by sorrow, Good Friday is profoundly holy because it reveals the depth of God’s love—a love that embraces suffering and death to bring forth eternal life. Good Friday is the second day of the Easter or Paschal Triduum, the three-day liturgical journey beginning with Holy Thursday and culminating in the Easter Vigil. This day is unique: no Mass is celebrated, the altar remains bare, and the Church enters into deep silence and mourning. At 3:00 p.m., the Hour of Mercy, many gather for the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion, which includes the reading of the Passion according to John, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion with hosts consecrated the night before. As we stand at the foot of the Cross today, we are invited to behold our crucified Savior and contemplate the mystery of divine love poured out in sacrifice. Let us keep this day with reverence and gratitude, uniting our own sufferings to His, that we may one day share in His Resurrection and glory.
PRAYER: My suffering and sacrificial Lord, You have sanctified this day and endowed it with grace. As I commemorate Your saving sacrifice, draw me into this mystical act of love. Help me to remain prayerful and recollected throughout this day and into tomorrow. Invite me to stand before Your Cross and to gaze upon Your beaten and torn body. As I do, pour forth the abundance of Your mercy flowing from Your wounded side. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen. [Direct links to the full articles: GOOD FRIDAY OF THE LORD’S PASSION | APRIL 18, 2025| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/18/good-friday-of-the-lords-passion/ ]
Today, as we celebrate the Holy Week and Easter Triduum on this Good Friday, the Church honors four holy witnesses whose lives reflected profound faith and sacrificial love for Christ. Saint Galdinus, Archbishop of Milan (defender of the Church against heresy), stood firm in truth during times of political and doctrinal turmoil. Blessed Mary of the Incarnation (patroness of widows and Catholic reformers), devoted her life to prayer, service, and the spiritual renewal of society in post-Reformation France. Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur (patron of the homeless and missionaries to the poor), became a beacon of charity in Guatemala, caring for the sick and abandoned with tireless compassion. Saint Apollonius, Martyr (early Christian philosopher and defender of the faith), courageously proclaimed Christ before Roman authorities, choosing death over denial. Through their witness, we are called to greater fidelity, deeper charity, and unwavering hope in God.
May their lives and intercession inspire us to stand firm in truth, pursue holiness with zeal, and remain faithful witnesses even in adversity. Amen. 🙏🏽
We thank God for the gift of life and for the gift of this day. May this season of Lent bring renewal in faith, deepening our journey through Lent and drawing us closer to Christ. May God’s grace guide and strengthen us every day, and may His grace and mercy be with us all during this final week of our Lenten journey. 🙏🏽
“Loving God, we thank you for the unwavering faith and leadership of Pope Francis. As he recovers from his hospitalization, we humbly ask for your healing touch upon his body, your peace upon his mind, and your comfort for his spirit. Grant him strength, renewed energy, and a continued ability to serve your flock with compassion and wisdom. We entrust him to your loving care, and we pray that he may soon be restored to good health, if it be your will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen”🙏🏽
On this special feast day, as we continue the Holy Week 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 and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, and we continue to pray for the repose of the gentle souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF 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 “Thank You!” 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 “person-to-person” 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 🙏🏽
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 🙏🏽
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
Today’s Bible Readings: Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion | Friday, April 18, 2025 Reading 1: Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17, 25 Reading 2: Hebrews 4:14–16; 5:7–9 Gospel: John 18:1—19:42
Gospel Reading ~ John 18:1—19:42
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ
“It is finished”
“After this, aware that everything was now finished, in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.” There was a vessel filled with common wine. So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and put it up to His mouth. When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” ~ John 19: 28-30
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus says to Pilate that He came into the world to bear witness to the truth, in other words, to reveal God to us. The God he reveals to us is a God of love and a God of life. Jesus lived and died to make the God of love and life known to us. It is above all in the hour of His passion and death that Jesus reveals this God of love and life most fully. ‘God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him… may have eternal life’. It is God’s giving of His Son, the Son’s giving of Himself, that reveals God’s name to be ‘love’, and authentic love is always life-giving. In John’s Gospel the blood and water flowing from the side of Jesus is a symbol of the life-giving power of God’s love. At a surface level when we read the story of Jesus’ passion and death we are aware of human hatred and the human capacity to inflict death, at a deeper level we recognize God’s love and drawn to the God who is revealed by it. Indeed, Jesus says of Himself, ‘when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself’. It is above all when Jesus is lifted up on the cross and in glory that He draws people to Himself and to His Father. This Good Friday, we are invited, in the words of John’s passion, to ‘look on the one whom they have pierced’, and to allow the light of God’s life-giving love that shines through the cross to envelope us and to renew us. That light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading, today, all of heaven and earth stands still. It is the only day in the liturgical year where the Eucharist is not celebrated, and yet it is the day on which the greatest sacrifice the source of the Eucharist was made. The Passion according to John portrays Christ not as a victim of circumstance, but as a sovereign King embracing the Cross with deliberate love. Every moment of His suffering His arrest, His silence, His scourging, the crown of thorns, and finally His crucifixion is filled with divine purpose. In His words, “It is finished,” we do not hear resignation, but triumph. Christ fulfills the mission of salvation. He drinks the cup given by the Father to the dregs, and by doing so, redeems humanity from sin and death. The Cross becomes not a symbol of defeat, but of eternal victory. The Son of God, crucified between criminals, reveals His glory in suffering and humility. On Good Friday, we are called not only to mourn the cruelty inflicted upon our Lord but to recognize the depth of His love, poured out for each of us.
Reflecting on the first reading, Isaiah’s prophecy reveals the figure of the Suffering Servant, whose pain, rejection, and death are not in vain but are the means by which many are justified. “By his stripes we are healed.” The servant’s appearance is disfigured, and yet his endurance and silence in the face of oppression speak volumes. This prophetic poem finds its full realization in Jesus Christ, whose Passion fulfills each line. In a world that often flees from suffering, Isaiah reminds us that true glory is found in redemptive love a love willing to bear the guilt of many.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the words of Psalm 31 capture the anguish and surrender of Christ on the cross: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” These words, which Jesus himself uttered in his final moments, reflect absolute trust in the Father’s will, even amid suffering and abandonment. As we echo this psalm today, we too are called to surrender all our fears, sins, and burdens into the hands of our faithful God.
Reflecting on the second reading, the Letter to the Hebrews offers a profound insight into the priesthood of Christ. He is not a distant mediator, but one who fully entered into our human frailty. Tested and tempted, yet without sin, Jesus understands our pain. Through his tears and cries in Gethsemane, we see the full humanity of the Son of God. He did not merely teach obedience — he learned it through suffering, showing us how to endure trials with faith. As our great High Priest, he offers more than intercession; he offers himself as the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. In these verses, we are reminded that we can now approach the throne of grace with confidence, not because of our righteousness, but because Jesus has gone before us, opening the way by his Passion. His suffering was not in vain. It became the very path to our healing and hope.
Do I truly understand the depth of Christ’s sacrifice for me? When faced with trials, do I cling to the Cross or flee from it? How can I learn to surrender like Jesus did trusting the Father even in pain? What parts of my life still resist God’s plan for redemptive love? Today, let the Cross be more than a symbol—let it become the lens through which we see the world, our suffering, and our salvation. In the silence of Good Friday, may we gaze upon Christ crucified and find our peace. His death is not the end, but the gateway to eternal life.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, as we look upon the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, let us all spend the precious time to look deep within ourselves, and see in what way our actions and way of life had caused hurt and pain towards the Lord. Let us all not forget that all of the wounds and pain suffered by the Lord, are all of our sins, our evils, wickedness and unworthy actions, words and deeds. Each and every one of our iniquities are what causing the Lord all the wounds and hurts He experienced. As we recall the reading of Our Lord’s Passion, everything that He had done for our sake, let us be abashed and humbled, and reminded of just how wicked and sinful we had been. Let us commit ourselves to follow the Lord faithfully once again, and reject the wickedness of the world. Let us all seek the Lord with all of our might and focus our attention on Him, remembering His Passion and His love for us, which He has given us most generously from His Cross. And as we behold the Holy Cross of Christ, let us all remember that through the Cross, all of us have been brought into triumph in the great struggle against sin, evil and death. Now, let us all continue our faithful observance of the Easter Triduum, by keeping our focus on the Lord, our Crucified Christ, Who has died for us. Let us always remember that He did not remain in death, but rose gloriously in His Resurrection, conquering and defeating death in His wake. Through Christ, let us all therefore come ever closer to God and His salvation, and may all of us continue to grow ever stronger in faith and commitment, in our desire to love God and to follow Him wholeheartedly at all times. May our Lord Jesus, Who was crucified and died for us all out of His boundless love for each one of us, continue to watch over us as we journey in this world. May all of us remain strong in our faith, commitment and dedication to Our Lord, even as we encounter many challenges and trials in our path. May all of us persevere in faith in the same way that Our Lord has persevered through even the worst of sufferings, pain and humiliation that through Him we may have the hope and joy of eternal life, free forever from the bondage and tyranny of sin and evil, from death and damnation in hell. May all of us be exemplary Christians, as good and faithful disciples of Our Lord at all times. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to allow the love we have received from the cross to flow through us and embrace the wider human family, especially all those who are travelling the way of the cross today and may God bless us all in the remaining Easter Triduum celebrations and henceforth, that we will always grow ever closer to Him, now and always. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, today we kneel before your cross in awe and silence. You bore the weight of our sins, not with resentment, but with love. You were wounded for our healing, rejected so that we might be welcomed, crucified so that we might live. Teach us the way of the cross — the way of humility, surrender, and sacrificial love. May your Passion never be in vain in our lives. May we live each day under the shadow of your mercy, and may your resurrection hope light our darkest nights. Amen 🙏🏽
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT GALDINUS, ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN; BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION, RELIGIOUS; SAINT PETER OF SAINT JOSEPH BETANCUR, MISSIONARY AND SAINT APOLLONIUS, MARTYR – FEAST DAY: APRIL 18TH: Today, the Church honors four holy witnesses whose lives reflected profound faith and sacrificial love for Christ. Saint Galdinus, Archbishop of Milan (defender of the Church against heresy), stood firm in truth during times of political and doctrinal turmoil. Blessed Mary of the Incarnation (patroness of widows and Catholic reformers), devoted her life to prayer, service, and the spiritual renewal of society in post-Reformation France. Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur (patron of the homeless and missionaries to the poor), became a beacon of charity in Guatemala, caring for the sick and abandoned with tireless compassion. Saint Apollonius, Martyr (early Christian philosopher and defender of the faith), courageously proclaimed Christ before Roman authorities, choosing death over denial. Through their witness, we are called to greater fidelity, deeper charity, and unwavering hope in God.
May their lives and intercession inspire us to stand firm in truth, pursue holiness with zeal, and remain faithful witnesses even in adversity. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT GALDINUS, ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN: Saint Galdinus was born around the year 1100 into the noble Della Scala family of Milan. A devoted priest, he served as chancellor and archdeacon under two archbishops and gained the trust of the faithful through his dedication and pastoral care. In the political turmoil following the election of Pope Alexander III in 1159, Galdinus remained loyal to the true pope against the rival set up by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. For this allegiance, he was exiled alongside Archbishop Hubert when the emperor violently retaliated against Milan.
Upon Hubert’s death in 1165, Galdinus was appointed both Cardinal and Archbishop of Milan. In this role, he labored tirelessly to rebuild the Church and city after the emperor’s destructive campaigns. A gifted preacher, he used his voice to combat heresies like those of the Cathars and to heal the rift of schism. Known for his charity, especially to the poor and imprisoned, Galdinus was a model of compassion and moral courage. He died in 1176 while delivering a sermon against false teachings, just months before the Lombard League defeated the imperial army at the Battle of Legnano. His firmness in doctrine, gentleness in leadership, and unwavering love for the Church earned him veneration as a patron of the Archdiocese of Milan and the region of Lombardy.
PRAYER: O God, who made Saint Galdinus a faithful shepherd and defender of your Church, grant that through his prayers, we may always be blessed with pastors formed after Your own heart and strengthened to stand for truth in love. Amen. 🙏
BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION, RELIGIOUS: Born Barbe Avrillot in 1566 to a noble Parisian family, Blessed Mary of the Incarnation is hailed as the “Mother of the Discalced Carmel in France.” From a young age, her heart was drawn to God. Though she longed for the religious life, obedience to her parents led her to marry Pierre Acarie de Villemor. Together, they had six children, three of whom became Carmelites.
Despite a busy household and her husband’s political misfortunes, Blessed Mary became renowned for her charity, humility, and spiritual wisdom. During a famine, the rich entrusted their almsgiving to her discretion. She was instrumental in bringing the Carmelite reform of St. Teresa of Ávila to France, helping found several monasteries. Her work also extended to supporting the Ursulines and Oratorians, aiding in France’s spiritual renewal.
After her husband’s death, she entered the Carmelite convent at Amiens where her daughter was the superior as a humble lay sister. She spent her remaining years in prayer and penance, dying on Easter Wednesday in 1618. She was beatified in 1791 by Pope Pius VI. Her legacy remains one of obedience, resilience, and fervent love for God and the poor. She is a patron of those suffering from hepatitis and the destitute.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, through the life of Blessed Mary of the Incarnation, You showed us the beauty of perseverance, humility, and zeal. May we learn to find You in the trials of life and seek always to extend Your mercy to others. Blessed Mary of the Incarnation, pray for us. Amen. 🙏
SAINT PETER OF SAINT JOSEPH BETANCUR, MISSIONARY: Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur, affectionately known as “Hermano Pedro,” was born in 1626 in the Canary Islands. Born into poverty, he worked as a shepherd before traveling to Guatemala in hopes of becoming a priest. Though unable to complete his studies due to financial hardship, he joined the Third Order of Saint Francis and embraced a life of service.
With deep compassion, Saint Peter ministered to the sick, the imprisoned, slaves, and the destitute. He founded hospitals, shelters, and schools, and even carried a wooden cross through the streets as an act of penance and evangelization. His simple life of holiness inspired the creation of the Bethlemite Order, the first religious order born in the Americas.
He is credited with introducing the Posadas Advent procession and is often called the “St. Francis of the Americas.” He died in 1667 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II the first Central American saint.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, through the humble and holy witness of Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur, You revealed the power of loving the least of Your brethren. May we, like him, carry our crosses with joy and seek You in the poor and forgotten. Saint Peter of Saint Joseph, pray for us. Amen. 🙏
SAINT APOLLONIUS, MARTYR: Saint Apollonius of Rome was a distinguished senator in the 2nd century and a devout Christian during a time of rising persecution. Denounced by one of his own slaves, he was summoned to defend his faith before the Roman Senate. Rather than deny Christ, he delivered a powerful and eloquent apology for the Christian religion so profound that even Saint Jerome later praised it.
Though the law protected Christians from malicious accusations, it still penalized them if found guilty of the Faith. Saint Apollonius was condemned and martyred around the year 185. His courage and intellectual defense of Christianity continue to inspire theologians and apologists today.
PRAYER: O God of truth, who gave Saint Apollonius the strength to defend the Faith with wisdom and courage, grant that we too may be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us. Through his example, may we stand firm in times of trial. Saint Apollonius, pray for us. Amen. 🙏🏽
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 Christ’s 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 🙏🏽
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we contemplate the Passion of Christ on this solemn Good Friday, we lift up our hearts in prayer for a world in need of healing and redemption. We pray for all who suffer—those who are sick, oppressed, abandoned, or living in poverty that they may find comfort in the wounds of Christ and be upheld by His grace. Through the intercession of Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur, we pray especially for the marginalized and forgotten. We ask Saint Galdinusand Saint Apollonius to intercede for all who proclaim the Gospel in difficult circumstances, that they may be strengthened in courage and fidelity. We commend to the Lord the intentions of those who live lives of quiet devotion and service, inspired by the example of Blessed Mary of the Incarnation. May the suffering of Christ bring peace to divided hearts, and may His sacrifice inspire us to love more deeply, forgive more freely, and live more faithfully.
Let Us Pray
My dying Lord, You freely embraced human death for the salvation of the World. It was the greatest act of love ever known. As You hung upon the Cross in agony, Your own dear mother, the Immaculate Conception, stood by You, receiving Your love in its fullness and offering her love to console Your suffering soul. Please draw me into that love and help me to not only receive it but also to offer it to all in need. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus Christ, on this day when You embraced the Cross for our salvation, we stand in awe of Your boundless love and mercy. As we remember Your sacred Passion, may our hearts be opened to the mystery of Your suffering and the depth of Your sacrifice. Through the witness of Saint Galdinus, Blessed Mary of the Incarnation, Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur, and Saint Apollonius, may we be inspired to live with faith, hope, and charity, even amid trial and sorrow. Grant that, united with You in suffering, we may also share in the glory of Your Resurrection. You live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
Save Us Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint Galdinus, Archbishop of Milan; Blessed Mary of the Incarnation, Religious; Saint Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur, Missionary; and Saint Apollonius, Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for us all during this final days of the Holy week, may God, our Crucified Christ, Our most loving Saviour, be with us all as we journey through this Holy Week, that we may come to share ever more deeply in the mysteries of His Passion, His suffering, death and Resurrection… Amen. Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled Holy Triduum 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT GALDINUS, ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN; BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION, RELIGIOUS; SAINT PETER OF SAINT JOSEPH BETANCUR, MISSIONARY AND SAINT APOLLONIUS, MARTYR – FEAST DAY: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Galdinus, Archbishop of Milan; Blessed Mary of the Incarnation (Barbe Avrillot) and St. Peter of Saint Joseph Betancur. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick, the poor and the needy in our world. We also pray for all Christians, for increase in faith and devotion to God.🙏
SAINT GALDINUS, ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN: St. Galdinus was born in 1100 to the renowned Della Scala family of Milan, Galdinus became a priest and served as chancellor and archdeacon under two Archbishops of Milan. He diligently carried out his duties and gained the confidence of the people. At the election of Pope Alexander III in 1159, a few disgruntled Cardinals sought to establish a rival Pope who was more favorable to the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and his schemes to extend his power. However, the people chose to accept Alexander as their Pontiff and so aroused the ire of Barbarossa. Galdinus and Archhbishop Hubert were forced to flee, seeking exile outside the city for a time in 1161 when Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa took revenge on Milan in the dispute with the Holy See.
St. Galdinus was elected archbishop and created a cardinal in 1165. Galdinus was made a Cardinal and –the next year upon the death of Archbishop Hubert—Archbishop of Milan. In this position, Galdinus assisted in rebuilding Milan in the wake of Barbarossa’s occupation, which had begun in 1160. The Saint preached continuously and aided and comforted the poor. He restored discipline among the clergy, directed his wisdom against the schism, and strove to overcome the teaching of the Cathari, who were making inroads into Lombardi. He was a fierce opponent of the Lombards. In 1176, St. Galdinus died in the pulpit after delivering a passionate sermon against false teachings. That same year, the Lombard league overwhelmed the imperial army at the Battle of Legnano. In the wake of this defeat, in 1177 Barbarossa went humbly to meet the Pope in Venice, abjured his schism, and made his peace with the Church. St. Galdinus was known for his sweetness and goodness, welcoming all as equals, except in the case of defending his position, when he was an example of fortitude and vigor. He is remembered also for his charity in Milan to the poor and to those imprisoned for debt. He is a Patron Saint of both Lombardy and Archdiocese of Milan.
PRAYER: God, You made Your Bishop St. Galdinus an outstanding minister of Your Church by his prayer and pastoral zeal. Through his prayers grant that Your faithful flock may always find pastors after Your heart and salutary pastures. Amen🙏
BLESSED MARY OF THE INCARNATION, RELIGIOUS: Blessed Mary of the Incarnation, also as Madame Acarie or Barbe Avrillot (1566-1618) was the foundress of the nuns of the Discalced Carmelite Order in France, who later became a lay sister of the Order. She has been called the “mother of Discalced Carmel in France”. Blessed Mary of the Incarnation was born in Paris on February 1, 1566; both of her parents were members of the most ancient families of that great city. Before she was born, several other children had seen the light of day, but all died in their infancy. During the time her mother awaited this child, she vowed her to the Blessed Virgin and Saint Claude, promising to clothe her in white until the age of seven and to offer her in a church of the Blessed Virgin. She was born a very healthy babe, and baptized with the name of Barbara, on the day after the Purification of Our Lady. She was of a gentle temperament and an angelic modesty, and at the age of eleven was placed as a intern student in a religious house of the Order of Saint Clare near Paris, where she had a maternal aunt. She continually advanced in virtue and felt great distaste for all the things of this world, along with an insatiable ardor for those of heaven. When she returned home at the age of fourteen, she wished to enter a religious Order for the care of the sick in Paris, but her parents opposed this plan. Her mother informed her she would never permit her to become a nun. The young girl believed God was speaking to her through her mother and obeyed. Several offers of marriage were presented, and before her eighteenth birthday she married Pierre Acarie de Villemor, a man of great nobility, piety and charity. Six children were born to them, and their pious mother raised them with great care. She taught them never to complain of circumstances or persons, inspired in them horror for lying, and strove to make them recognize in their hearts any sentiments of vainglory. Her three daughters became Carmelites, and her three sons entered, in turn, the magistracy, the priesthood and the military career. In spite of her household duties and many hardships, she attained the heights of the mystical life. She was distinguished by her spirit of prayer and her zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith.
When her husband encountered difficulties of a political nature, his household was seized, and the very furniture where the family was seated at table was removed from beneath them. She accepted these circumstances without growing troubled, and in fact defended her husband in court, drafting memoirs, writing letters and furnishing proofs of his innocence. He was acquitted and enabled to return to the city after three years. Blessed Mary was so sage in her almsgiving that during a famine the wealthy persons who desired to help the poor caused their alms to pass through her hands, and this holy woman was universally honored. She entered into the spirit of the current reforms of the religious Orders and the foundation of new Congregations which were reviving the spirit of piety in France. Through her efforts she merited the title of Foundress of the Carmelites in France. Six nuns from Spain brought the spirit of Saint Teresa with them, and soon the principal cities of France had a house of this Order. Blessed Mary of the Incarnation also contributed to the works of the first Ursulines in Paris for the education of youth, and to the establishment of the Oratorians of Italy in France. Her worthy spouse died in 1613; she then requested admission to the Carmelite Order herself. She arrived saying, I am a poor mendicant who begs of you the divine mercy, and that I may cast myself into the arms of religion. At Amiens where she dwelt, her own daughter was Superior; and a perpetual contest in humility began, observed by all. She died in 1618, on Wednesday of Easter week, at the age of fifty-two years, loved and praised by all who had known her. She was Beatified on April 24, 1791 at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Papal States by Pope Pius VI; her mortal remains are in the chapel of the Carmelites of Pontoise. She’s the Patron Saint of those with Hepatitis and the poor.
Prayer From Blessed Mary of the Incarnation
“Lord Jesus “conform my spirit to your blessed humanity, filling my mind with knowledge and my memory with a continual recollection of You, my will with an ardent affection for your Majesty, [conform] my soul to your very holy soul… Enlighten me inwardly with the light of your Divinity, all the more so as I believe, by it, that you are totally within me. By this means, I very humbly beg you to look from now on through my eyes, speak by my tongue, and accomplish by all my members and senses the things which are agreeable to you.”
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you gave Blessed Mary of the Incarnation heroic strength in the face of the adversities she met along life’s road, and zeal for the extension of the Carmelite family. May we your children courageously endure every trial and persevere to the end in your love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever… Amen. Blessed Mary of the Incarnation, Religious ~ Pray for us🙏
SAINT PETER OF SAINT JOSEPH BETANCUR, MISSIONARY: St. Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur y Gonzáles or Pedro de San José Betancur (1626-1667), also known as Hermano Pedro, was a Spanish saint and missionary in Guatemala. He was born on March 21, 1626 in Vilaflor, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain in the Canary Islands, into poverty to Amador Betancur and Ana Garcia Gonzalez Betancur. He was a shepherd until the age of 24 at which time he traveled to Guatemala, then the capital of New Spain, hoping to connect with a relative and to begin training to be a priest. The journey so impoverished him that he entered a bread line served by the Franciscans. He took up work in a textile factory and later entered a Jesuit college to study for the priesthood. Being too poor to continue his studies, he instead became a Franciscan tertiary. He dedicated his life to helping the poor and oppressed in jails and hospitals, as well as ministering to African slaves, Native Americans, and anyone else in need. He also founded a hospital, a school for the poor, and a homeless shelter. He also preached to the rich, inviting them to repent of their sins.
Because of his effective apostolate he became known as “St. Francis of the Americas.” People were attracted to his way of life and followed him, leading to the founding of the Order of Bethlehemite Brothers and Sisters, Instituto de Hermanas Bethlemitas. In addition to serving the poor, they had the charism of special devotion to the Divine Child and the Blessed Virgin, and offered prayer and sacrifices for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Each night St. Peter would carry a heavy wooden cross through the streets as a form of penance and evangelization. It is also said that he was the first to start the Posadas procession during Advent. He died on April 25, 1667 at Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala and was buried at Iglesia Católica San Francisco el Grande, Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala. He was canonized by Pope St. John Paul II as the first saint from Central America. His feast day is April 18.
St. Peter of Saint Joseph de Betancur, Missionary ~ Pray for us🙏
SAINT APOLLONIUS, MARTYR: St. Apollonius the Apologist or Saint Apollonius of Rome was born in Rome Italy and died April 21, 185. He was a 2nd-century Christian martyr and apologist. His Apologia, or defense of the faith, is considered one of the most priceless documents of the early Church. Apollonius was a Roman senator who was denounced as a Christian by one of his slaves. The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius had persecuted the Christians, but his son Commodus, who in 180 succeeded to the throne, was favorable to them, out of regard to his Empress Marcia, an admirer of the Faith. During this calm the number of the faithful greatly increased, and many persons of first rank, among them Apollonius, a Roman senator, enlisted themselves under the banner of the cross. He was already very well versed both in philosophy and Holy Scripture, as we learn from Saint Jerome, who had read and admired his discourse in the Senate of Rome on behalf of the Christian religion. The loss of this document is much regretted.
In the midst of the peace which the Church enjoyed, Saint Apollonius was publicly accused of Christianity by one of his own slaves. What followed evokes our surprise. Marcus Aurelius, during his reign, had published an edict ordering that the accusers of Christians be put to death, but he had done so without repealing the former laws against convicted Christians. Thus the slave was immediately condemned to have his legs broken and be put to death; but immediately afterwards, to ascertain whether the accusation was true, the same judge sent an order to Saint Apollonius to renounce his religion if he valued his life and fortune. The Saint courageously rejected such ignominious terms of safety, whereupon the judge referred him to the Roman senate, to give an account of his faith to that body, very hostile to Christians. Persisting in his refusal to comply with the condition, Saint Apollonius was condemned by their decree and beheaded.
Watch “STATIONS OF THE CROSS ON GOOD FRIDAY FROM THE COLOSSEUM | WAY OF THE CROSS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL BALDASSARE REINA | LIVE FROM ROME | APRIL 18, 2025 |
The Way of the Cross from the Colosseum, presided over by Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicegerent of the Diocese of Rome.
This year’s meditation texts were personally written by Pope Francis, offering a profound journey of reflection and spiritual union with the suffering Christ. A central moment of Good Friday in the heart of Rome.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Pope Francis, as he continues to recover from his ill health. We pray for stable health of mind and body. Amen 🙏🏽
On this Good Friday, may God’s grace and mercy be with us all as we commemorate the crucifixion and death of our Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. Amen 🙏🏽
