SAINT BERNARDINE OF SIENA, PRIEST, FEAST DAY ~ MAY 20TH: Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Bernardine of Siena. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Bernardine of Siena on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from respiratory diseases, cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for the poor and the needy all over the world, for gamblers, for advertisers, those in public relations, Evangelists and all those who proclaim the good news of our Lord.
SAINT BERNARDINE OF SIENA, PRIEST: St. Bernardine (1380–1444) is known as “the Apostle of Italy” for his efforts to revive the country’s Catholic faith during the 15th century. Born Bernardine Albizeschi in 1380 to upper-class parents in the Italian republic of Siena. Misfortune soon entered the boy’s life when he lost his mother at age three and his father four years later. His aunt Diana cared for him afterward, and taught him to seek consolation and security by trusting in God. Even at a young age, Bernardine demonstrated a remarkable concern for the poor as an outgrowth of his love for God. Having become accustomed to fasting, he preferred at times to go without any food in order to help someone in greater need. From the ages of 11 to 17 he focused on his studies, developing the eloquence and dedication that would serve his future work as an evangelist. Before becoming a preacher, however, Bernardine spent several years ministering to the sick and dying. He enrolled in a religious association that served at a hospital in the town of Scala, and applied himself to this work from 1397 to 1400. During that time, a severe plague broke out in Siena, causing a crisis that would eventually lead to the young man taking charge of the entire hospital. Inside its walls, up to 20 people were dying each day from an illness that also killed many of the hospital workers. The staff was decimated and new victims were coming in constantly. St. Bernardine persuaded 12 young men to help him continue the work of the hospital, which he took over for a period of four months. Although the plague did not infect him, the exhausting work left him weak and he contracted a different sickness that kept him in bed for 4 months After recovering, he spent over a year caring for his aunt Bartholomaea before her death.
Then the 22-year-old St. Bernardine moved to a small house outside the city, where he began to discern God’s will for his future spending much time praying and fasting to know God’s will for his life. He discerned a call to Holy Orders and the religious life, and eventually chose to join the Franciscans of the Strict Observance in 1403 at the age of 22, embracing an austere life focused on poverty and humility. During this time, while praying before a crucifix, Bernardine heard Christ say to him: “My son, behold me hanging upon a cross. If you love me, or desire to imitate me, be also fastened naked to your cross and follow me. Thus you will assuredly find me.” After Bernardine was ordained a priest, his superiors commissioned him to preach as a missionary to the Italians who were falling away from their Catholic faith. The Dominican evangelist St. Vincent Ferrer, just before leaving Italy, preached a sermon in which he predicted that one of his listeners would continue his work among the Italians – a prophecy St. Bernardine heard in person, and went on to fulfill. He lived in solitude for over a decade before being sent to preach in the streets, which he did with incredible skill, so much so that he became the most renowned preacher of his day. He traveled on foot to strife-torn cities, attacking sin and paganism and encouraging all to a life of faith and virtue. Huge crowds numbering in the tens of thousands would come to hear him preach in the public square. His fame and effectiveness as a preacher caused the pope to compare him to St. Paul the Apostle. St. Bernardine’s personal devotion to God, which amazed even the strict Franciscans, made his preaching extremely effective. He moved his hearers to abandon their vices, turn back to God, and make peace with one another. He promoted devotion to the name of Jesus as a simple and effective means of recalling God’s love at all times. When other priests consulted him for advice, St. Bernardine gave them a simple rule: “In all your actions, seek in the first place the kingdom of God and his glory. Direct all you do purely to His honor. Persevere in brotherly charity, and practice first all that you desire to teach others.” By this means, he said, “the Holy Spirit will be your master, and will give you such wisdom and such a tongue that no adversary will be able to stand against you.”
St. Bernardine was especially known for his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and for promulgating devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. It was he who devised the IHS symbol over a blazing sun as a monogram and logo for the Holy Name of Jesus (in Greek) to replace the public display of insignias of rival family tribes which disturbed the peace. This symbol of Christ began appearing in churches and on public buildings, even to this day.
St. Bernardine’s own life attested to this source of strength in the face of trials. He patiently suffered an accusation of heresy – which Pope Martin V judged to be false – and refused to abandon his bold preaching when a nobleman threatened him with death. But St. Bernardine was also widely admired throughout Italy, and he was offered the office of a bishop on three occasions. In 1427, he refused the Bishopric of Siena; in 1431, that of Ferrara; and again, in 1435, that of Urbino. Each time, however, he turned down the position, choosing to fulfill the prediction of St. Vincent Ferrer through his missionary work. St. Bernardine preached throughout most of Italy several times over, and even managed to reconcile members of its warring political factions. Saint Bernardine was appointed Vicar General of his Order in 1438, which office he held for five years, and revived the practice of its strict rule of life, then preached again for a time until his last illness forced his retreat in 1444. He was instrumental in effecting many conversions. Then in 1444, forty years after he first entered religious life, St. Bernardine became sick while traveling. He continued to preach, but soon lost his strength and his voice. St. Bernardine of Siena died at Aquilea in the midst of his missionary labors, on May 20, 1444, on Ascension Eve of that year, while his brethren were chanting the antiphon, Father, I have manifested Thy Name to men. Only six years later, in 1450, a Jubilee year, Pope Nicholas V canonized him as a saint. When he began as the head of his Franciscan community there were 300 friars; when he died there were over 4,000. He’s the Patron Saint of advertisers; advertising; publicists; against hoarseness; communications; compulsive or uncontrolled gambling; gambling addicts; lungs; public relations; chest, respiratory, or lung problems; Aquila, Italy; diocese of San Bernardino, California; Italy.
“Whenever the divine favour chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfil the task at hand.” ~ St. Bernardine of Siena
PRAYER: “St. Bernardine of Siena, you were healed of respiratory illness and preached the love and mercy of God everywhere you went. I come to you now seeking your prayers for all who suffer respiratory illnesses. Plead their cases in union with Mary, the Mother of God, and seek healing for them if that is God’s holy will. Pray, dear saint, that they suffer with joy, persevere with hope, and that they join their afflictions with Jesus’ for the salvation of souls. I ask your intercession on their behalf in Jesus’ holy Name… Amen”
O God, You gave St. Bernardine Your Priest an exceeding love for the Holy Name of Jesus. Through his merits and prayers grant that we may ever be inflamed with the spirit of Your love…. Amen
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | May 19, 2025 | “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-76/
Greetings and blessings, dear beloved family. Happy Monday of Fifth Week of Easter!
We thank God for the gift of life and particularly pray for all those who celebrate their birthdays in the month of May. We also pray for all those graduating during this season. May the good Lord bless and favor them, direct their path and grant them good health of body and mind. Amen
May this new week be filled with peace, joy, and the renewed hope that comes from Christ’s Resurrection. Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands
The entire month of May is dedicated to our beloved Mother Mary, the Mother of God. As we continue to rejoice in the victory of Christ’s Resurrection, we give heartfelt thanks to God for the gift of life and for bringing us safely into the month of May. May this Easter season renew our strength, deepen our faith, and fill our hearts with the peace of the Risen Lord. May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for us and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Easter. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, blessed start to the month. Amen
We thank God for the successful celebration of the Inauguration Holy Mass for Pope Leo XIV. May the Holy Spirit guide him as he shepherds the faithful, and may his pontificate be a source of renewal and unity for the Church. Amen
HABEMUS PAPAM! A PRAYER FOR OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE LEO XIV
As the Papal Conclave to elect the next Roman Pontiff comes to an end, with profound reverence we give thanks to Almighty God for the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he becomes the first American-born pontiff in the Church’s two-millennia history. The announcement was made on May 8, 2025, following the traditional white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the conclusion of the conclave.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American and a member of the Order of St. Augustine is known as Pope Leo XIV. A missionary bishop and former Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Pope Leo XIV has served the Church faithfully in Chiclayo, Peru, and brings with him a pastoral heart deeply shaped by the Gospel and the spirituality of St. Augustine.
LET US PRAY:
Almighty God, we thank You for the gift of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Grant him wisdom, courage, and humility as he leads the Church in truth and love. May the Holy Spirit guide his every word and action, and may he be a bridge of unity for all nations. Through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace, strengthen him in his mission to proclaim Christ to the world. Amen
Heavenly Father, You have raised Your servant, Pope Leo XIV, to the Chair of Saint Peter. Pour out Your abundant blessings upon him. Through him, guide Your pilgrim Church along the path to Heaven. Grant him wisdom to discern Your will, Courage to fulfill it, And charity to shepherd Your people with the Heart of Christ. In this time of transition, Bring peace to troubled hearts, Joy to those who suffer, And hope to the despairing. May he be a faithful successor to Peter, A humble servant of Your Word, And a fearless herald of Your Divine Mercy and Truth. Strengthen him with the grace of the Holy Spirit, That he may lead the Church in unity, holiness, and fidelity. We entrust him to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, And to the prayers of all the saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Watch “POPE LEO XIV’S INAUGURATION MASS | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN, ST. PETER’S SQUARE | MAY 18, 2025 |https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/pope-leo-xivs-inauguration-mass-live-from-the-vatican/ | Live from St. Peter’s Square for the historic Eucharistic Celebration for the Start of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV. At the end of the Holy Mass, the Holy Father prayed the Regina Caeli prayer.
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. 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
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
“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
Still rejoicing in the light of the Resurrection, the Church joyfully celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we also honor three radiant saints whose lives bore powerful witness to faith, service, and self-giving love: Saint Peter Celestine (Patron of bookbinders and those who suffer rejection), a humble pope; Saint Pudentiana (Patroness of the Philippines and Catholic young women), a young virgin and martyr of the early Church; and Saint Yves of Brittany (Patron of lawyers and abandoned children), a priest and lawyer who championed justice for the poor. Through their intercession, and that of our Blessed Mother Mary, we pray for a renewal of justice, peace, and love in our world. May all in positions of authority, especially lawyers, judges, and civic leaders, be guided by truth and compassion. We pray for the sick and the dying, especially those suffering from terminal illnesses, and for the safety and well-being of the poor and needy. May the Holy Spirit strengthen the Church, sustain the clergy, comfort persecuted Christians, and draw all sinners to conversion.
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
Today’s Bible Readings: Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter | May 19, 2025 Reading 1, Acts 14:5-18 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16 Gospel, John 14:21-26
Gospel Reading ~ John 14:21-26
“The Advocate whom the Father will send will teach you everything”
“Jesus said to His disciples: “Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.” Judas, not the Iscariot, said to him, “Master, then what happened that you will reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Father who sent me. “I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name – he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
Today’s Gospel reading speaks of our love for Jesus, Jesus’ love for us, and God the Father’s love for us. God the Father expresses his love for us by giving us the Son. Jesus expresses His love for us by laying down His life for us, and by making known to us all He has learnt from the Father. We express our love for Jesus by keeping His word, by living according to His teaching, which, in John’s Gospel, is summed up as ‘love one another as I have loved you’. Jesus offers a powerful truth: authentic love for Him is shown not merely through feelings or words, but through obedience to His commandments. The one who loves Jesus is the one who listens to His word and lives it out. In return, Jesus promises something deeply personal and intimate: He and the Father will come and make their home within that person. This is not merely a future reward, but a present reality an indwelling presence of God in the heart of the faithful. Judas (not Iscariot) asks an honest and relatable question: Why does Jesus reveal Himself to His disciples and not to the world? Jesus’ answer emphasizes the quiet, hidden nature of divine love it’s not about external displays or public proof, but about a relationship rooted in love, obedience, and trust. The world often seeks signs and wonders, but Jesus reveals Himself to those who open their hearts in faith and humility.
Today’s Gospel reading also makes reference to the Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send. This Spirit will not only teach the disciples but also remind them of all that Jesus has said. As the Father expresses His love for us by giving us the Son; the Father and Son together express their love for us by giving us the Holy Spirit. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to lead us into a deeper understanding of all that Jesus did and said. In that sense, the Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus, just as Jesus leads us to the Father. According to our reading, is to be our teacher, to keep bringing to our minds the teaching, the word, of Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps us to keep Jesus’ word, especially His command to ‘love one another as I have loved you’. It is the Holy Spirit who helps us to hear what Jesus said as a word addressed to us today; the Holy Spirit brings Jesus close to us, makes Him present and brings His word to life for us. That is why as we listen to the Lord’s word it is good to invoke the coming of the Holy Spirit, and to invite the Spirit to bring that word alive for us. The Holy Spirit helps us to listen fruitfully to the Lord’s word; the Holy Spirit enables us also to make a heartfelt response to that word, both in prayer and in how we live. Todays Gospel reading is a whole vision of the Christian life, of God’s relationship with us as Father, Son and Spirit, and of our relationship with each other. As we draw gradually closer to the feast of Pentecost, this reminder is crucial because we are prone to forget, especially when trials arise. The Holy Spirit becomes the divine voice whispering God’s truth to our hearts in moments of fear, doubt, or confusion. Jesus assures us that we are not alone; even when He is no longer physically present, the Spirit will remain to guide, teach, and comfort. We very much need the Holy Spirit; that is why the church encourages us to pray, ‘Come Holy Spirit’ especially in the during these weeks as we prepare for the feast of Pentecost.
The first reading vividly shows the challenges Paul and Barnabas faced while spreading the Good News. Despite attempts on their lives, they continued their mission with courage and fidelity. In Lystra, Paul heals a crippled man, and the people, mistaking them for gods, attempt to offer sacrifices to them. But instead of receiving praise, Paul and Barnabas tear their garments and correct the crowd, reminding them they are only human and redirecting all glory to the living God. This moment teaches a profound lesson about humility and authentic witness. In a world obsessed with fame and recognition, the apostles remind us that our mission is not to elevate ourselves, but to point others to Christ. Even when misunderstood or wrongly praised, they remained faithful to their calling to preach the living God who nourishes, sustains, and reveals Himself through creation and mercy. Their rejection of false worship also speaks to modern idols those things we exalt above God, whether they be power, fame, technology, or even people. Like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to redirect hearts toward the true God.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, “Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory.” This psalm echoes the humility of the apostles. It reminds us that all good things every blessing, healing, or success come from God alone. It also contrasts the living God with lifeless idols, warning us not to place our trust in what is man-made. The psalmist invites us to bless the Lord, who made heaven and earth and entrusted the earth to humanity. In this entrustment lies both privilege and responsibility: to glorify God in how we live and care for the world He has given us.
Do I love Jesus by keeping His commandments, or do I merely say I love Him without living it out? How open am I to the teaching and reminding presence of the Holy Spirit in my daily life? Do I seek recognition for the good I do, or do I, like Paul and Barnabas, redirect glory to God? Are there idols in my life things I unknowingly revere or prioritize more than God? The Christian life is a journey of obedience rooted in love. Jesus’ promise to dwell with those who keep His word assures us of divine intimacy and strength. The example of Paul and Barnabas reminds us that true discipleship demands humility and courage. As we walk through this Easter season, let us remain attentive to the Spirit’s voice and committed to living the Gospel, so that our lives may glorify God and bring others to faith in Him. Amen.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are reminded of the fact that we serve the Lord not for our own glory but for the greater glory of God, and we should always listen to the Lord and keep His commandments and words. We should always strive to proclaim the Lord’s truth, His love and Good News together, to glorify Him with all of our hearts and might at every opportunities provided to us. We must not be easily swayed by the temptations of worldly glory, ambition and all the other things that may easily mislead us down the wrong path in life. We must always be focused on the Lord and do our very best in our every moments in life so that we will always be firmly rooted in our faith and commitment to Him, to live our lives as Christians each day and every moments to the best of our abilities. Let us all therefore continue to put our trust and focus on the Lord, doing our very best to let Him be known to everyone we meet and encounter in life, not just through words but also through our actions in being good role models as faithful disciples and followers of Christ. In everything that we say and do, in all of our interactions, let us all be good and worthy bearers of our Christian faith and examples at all times, being the beacons of God’s light to everyone whom we encounter in our lives, to our communities and in our world today. That is what all of us have been entrusted by God to do as Christians, as those whom He has called and chosen, and entrusted with the truth and commandments that He has given us all through His Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the Risen Lord continue to help and guide us all in our journey in life, and may He continue to strengthen us all in our every good efforts, works and endeavours, doing them for the greater glory of God and for the salvation of more souls. May all of us continue to be blessed with the strength and courage to carry out the missions entrusted to each one of us in our various and unique circumstances and opportunities, now and always. Amen
Lord Jesus, help me to love You not just in word but in action. Give me a heart that treasures Your commandments and a will that seeks to live them out each day. Teach me through the Holy Spirit and remind me of Your truth when I forget. May I never take glory for myself but always direct it to You, the source of all goodness. Help me to recognize and tear down the idols in my heart so that You alone may reign there. Amen.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PETER CELESTINE, POPE; SAINT PUDENTIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR AND SAINT YVES OF BRITTANY (IVO OF KERMARTIN), PRIEST AND LAWYER ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 19TH: Still rejoicing in the light of the Resurrection, the Church joyfully celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we also honor three radiant saints whose lives bore powerful witness to faith, service, and self-giving love: Saint Peter Celestine (Patron of bookbinders and those who suffer rejection), a humble pope; Saint Pudentiana (Patroness of the Philippines and Catholic young women), a young virgin and martyr of the early Church; and Saint Yves of Brittany (Patron of lawyers and abandoned children), a priest and lawyer who championed justice for the poor. Through their intercession, and that of our Blessed Mother Mary, we pray for a renewal of justice, peace, and love in our world. May all in positions of authority, especially lawyers, judges, and civic leaders, be guided by truth and compassion. We pray for the sick and the dying, especially those suffering from terminal illnesses, and for the safety and well-being of the poor and needy. May the Holy Spirit strengthen the Church, sustain the clergy, comfort persecuted Christians, and draw all sinners to conversion.
SAINT PETER CELESTINE, POPE: Born Pietro Angelerio around 1221 into a large and humble family in Apulia, Italy, Peter was drawn to solitude and prayer from an early age. After receiving a basic education thanks to his devout mother’s faith in his future sanctity he embraced a life of radical asceticism, inspired by the example of Saint John the Baptist. Living in caves and forests, he wore a hair shirt, fasted rigorously, and spent hours in prayer.
Attracting followers by his holiness, Peter eventually founded a monastic community that became the Celestine branch of the Benedictine Order. Despite his love for solitude, he was unexpectedly elected pope in 1294 after the papacy had been vacant for over two years. Taking the name Celestine V, he humbly accepted the call but struggled with the burden of the office. After just five months, recognizing his limitations, he made the rare and courageous decision to resign an act of humility almost unheard of in papal history.
He lived his final years in seclusion and prayer, experiencing heavenly consolations. On Pentecost Sunday in 1296, he foretold his death and peacefully entered eternal life later that week. He was canonized in 1313.
PRAYER: Saint Peter Celestine, you who embraced humility and silence over power and prestige, intercede for us that we may seek God’s will above our own desires. May we, like you, find peace in surrender and strength in simplicity. Pray for those rejected or burdened by failure, that they may find consolation in God’s embrace. Amen.
SAINT PUDENTIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR: Saint Pudentiana was a second-century Roman virgin and martyr, the daughter of the senator Pudens and sister of Saint Praxedes. Raised in a devout Christian home that welcomed the apostles Peter and Paul, Pudentiana devoted herself wholly to Christ. She distributed her wealth to the poor, assisted in burying the bodies of persecuted Christians, and courageously refused to offer worship to the emperor, choosing instead to remain faithful to Christ.
Tradition holds that she died around the year 160 at the young age of sixteen. Her home became the site of one of Rome’s earliest churches Santa Pudenziana considered among the oldest in Christendom. Though her feast was removed from the Roman Martyrology in 2001 due to uncertainties in early sources, her legacy of charity and courage continues to inspire.
PRAYER: Saint Pudentiana, pure and courageous, you gave your life in steadfast love for Christ and His Church. Inspire in us a youthful zeal and unwavering faith, especially in times of persecution or doubt. Pray for young people around the world to remain rooted in Christ and joyful in their witness. Amen.
SAINT YVES OF BRITTANY (IVO OF KERMARTIN), PRIEST AND LAWYER: Born in 1253 to a noble family in Brittany, France, Saint Yves (also known as Ivo or Ives) is celebrated as the patron of lawyers and advocates for the poor. He studied civil and canon law at Paris and Orléans, excelling in philosophy, theology, and jurisprudence. Upon returning to Brittany, he served as an ecclesiastical judge, known for his integrity, humility, and passionate defense of the poor.
Yves often represented the marginalized at no cost, visiting them in prison and paying their court fees. He worked tirelessly to bring reconciliation and peace between feuding parties, striving to prevent unnecessary litigation. His life was marked by personal austerity, deep prayer, and generous charity. A member of the Franciscan Third Order, he embodied the Gospel through his work, simplicity, and justice.
Saint Yves died in 1303 and was canonized in 1347. He remains a powerful model of how faith and justice can work hand-in-hand.
PRAYER: Saint Yves, defender of truth and friend of the poor, you served with justice and charity in the courts and in the Church. Intercede for all who work in law and governance, that they may uphold the dignity of every person. Teach us to be generous and just, merciful and firm in the truth. Amen.
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Peter Celestine, Saint Pudentiana, and Saint Yves of Brittany ~ Pray for us.
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MAY: For Working Conditions ~ Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.
PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF MAY ~ POPE FRANCIS: For Working Conditions ~ Jesus, You knew work in this world, and You understand its hardships and joys… Hear our prayer today. Working is a human trait… Work is sacred… The beauty of the earth and the dignity of work were meant to be united… The earth becomes beautiful when man works… Lord, You see that we believe this with conviction, but we desire even more for it to become a reality among us.
We are saddened when people can’t find work and lack the dignity of bringing bread to their home. Give us the light of your Spirit, open our hearts, do not let indifference overcome us. Help us recover the gift of universal brotherhood. We ask for a heart as big as Jesus’s so we can embrace the call to work to give dignity to people and families. Amen
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY | MONTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and our spiritual Mother. This month invites the faithful to draw closer to Mary through prayer, reflection, and imitation of her virtues especially her humility, obedience, purity, and unwavering faith. As the first and most perfect disciple of Christ, Mary leads us gently but firmly to her Son. Throughout Church history, May has been a time to honor Mary with special devotions such as the Rosary, May Crownings, Marian processions, and prayers like the Litany of Loreto. The Church teaches that Mary, assumed body and soul into Heaven, intercedes for us as Queen of Heaven and Mother of the Church. During this month, we are called to renew our relationship with her and seek her maternal care in our joys, sorrows, and needs. Mary said “yes” to God’s plan with total trust: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her faithful surrender encourages us to say “yes” to God’s will in our own lives. As we meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary and contemplate her role in salvation history, we grow in our love for her and our desire to follow Christ more closely.
In this beautiful month of blooming flowers, may our hearts also blossom with deeper devotion to the Mother of our Savior. Let us bring her our prayers, our homes, and our lives, asking her to accompany us with her love and protection.
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Hail Mary, full of grace! Teach us to love Jesus as you loved Him. Cover us with your mantle of mercy, and help us to walk always in the light of your Son. Amen
PRAYER INTENTIONS: We pray today for the Church throughout the world, that guided by the Holy Spirit, she may remain faithful in proclaiming the living God to all peoples. May those in positions of leadership, especially in law and government, be inspired by Saint Yves of Brittany to act with justice, mercy, and integrity. We entrust to God all young women who strive to live faithfully amid trials, that through the example of Saint Pudentiana, they may remain courageous and steadfast in Christ. May those discerning difficult paths be strengthened by the humility and surrender of Saint Peter Celestine, choosing God’s will above worldly recognition. We remember the poor, the suffering, the sick, and the forgotten may they find hope and healing in the name of Jesus. And for ourselves, we ask for open hearts to love Christ more deeply, to keep His commandments, and to welcome the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.
LET US PRAY
Most glorious Lord Jesus, You promised the disciples and all Your people that the Holy Spirit would be sent to us to remind us of all that You have revealed. Holy Spirit, please continuously descend upon me, teach me and guide me. Help me to never forget the many lessons I have been taught so that I will never let fear lead to confusion. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen
Heavenly Father, You are the true and living God, full of compassion and steadfast love. We praise You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who calls us to love Him by keeping His commandments. Send forth Your Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and guide us in truth. Strengthen us through the intercession of Saint Peter Celestine, that we may walk humbly and choose peace over pride. Inspire us through Saint Pudentiana to remain steadfast in our faith and generous in love. And lead us, like Saint Yves of Brittany, to pursue justice with compassion and serve the poor with joyful charity. Teach us to reject the idols of our time selfishness, pride, indifference and to live only for You, the God of heaven and earth. May we glorify You not only with our lips, but with our lives. Grant that, as we walk the path of Easter joy, we may be ever attentive to Your Spirit, trusting that You are near to all who call upon You in truth.Amen.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Save us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Peter Celestine, Saint Pudentiana, and Saint Yves of Brittany ~ Pray for us.
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, for the gift of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV 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. As we embrace the blessings of this new month, may God’s abundant grace continue to shower upon us, filling our hearts with peace, joy, and hope in His Resurrection. May this new week 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 Monday and joyful Fifth Week of Easter!
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PETER CELESTINE, POPE; SAINT PUDENTIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR AND SAINT YVES OF BRITTANY (IVO OF KERMARTIN), PRIEST AND LAWYER ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 19TH: As we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost today, we also celebrate the Memorial of Saint Peter Celestine, Pope; Saint Pudentiana, Virgin and Martyr and Saint Yves of Brittany (Saint Ivo of Kermartin), Priest and Lawyer. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for justice, peace and love in our world. We pray for all lawyers and those in authority. We pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from terminal diseases and for the safety and well-being of the poor and the needy all over the world. We continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world
SAINT PETER CELESTINE, POPE: St. Peter (1221- 1296) was born Pietro Angelerio in about 1221, also known as Pietro da Morrone, Peter of Morrone, and Pope Celestine V. He was the eleventh of the twelve children of a poor Italian farmer in Apulia, in the Neapolitan province of Moline. His parents, Angelo Angelerio and Maria Leone were very virtuous, and charitable to the poor to the uttermost of their abilities. As a child, Peter had visions of our Blessed Lady, Angels and Saints. His heavenly visitors encouraged him in his prayers and chided him when he fell into any fault. After his father’s death, his mother, though only a poor widow, seeing his extraordinary inclination to piety provided him with a literary education, she sent him to school, feeling sure that he would one day be a Saint. He retired into the desert when he was hardly an adolescent. His virtues soon drew disciples around him. This was the origin of the branch of the Benedictine order known as the Celestines. He became a Benedictine monk at the age of seventeen and was eventually ordained priest at Rome. His love of solitude led him first into the wilderness of Monte Morone in the Abruzzi, whence his surname, and later into the wilder recesses of Mt. Majella. He was strongly influenced by the life of John the Baptist, and took him as his model in his religious life. His hair-cloth was roughened with knots, he wore a chain of iron encompassing his emaciated frame, and he fasted every day except for on Sunday. Each year he kept four Lents, passing three of them on bread and water only, and he consecrated the entire day and a great part of the night to prayer and labour. At twenty years of age he left the schools, and retired to a solitary mountain of Apulia, where he made himself a little cell under ground, but so small that he could scarce stand or lie down in it. Here he lived three years in great austerities, during which he was often assailed by violent temptations and assaulted by evil spirits; but these he overcame by the help of such practices and austerities as the grace of God suggested to him. He was consoled by the visits of Angels. After this his seclusion was invaded by disciples who refused to be sent away; and the rule of life which he gave them formed the foundation of the Celestines, a branch of the Order of Saint Benedict. Angels assisted in the church which St. Peter built; unseen bells rang peals of surpassing sweetness, and heavenly music filled the sanctuary when he offered the Holy Sacrifice; he had consented to be ordained, to find in the Holy Eucharist assistance against temptation.
Suddenly the poor anchorite found himself torn from his loved solitude, having been named by acclamation to the Papal throne, which had remained vacant for twenty-seven months. Resistance was of no avail. He took the name of Celestine, to remind him of the heaven he was leaving and for which he sighed. He was seventy-two years old. He was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States for five months from July 5th to December 13, 1294. St. Peter judged himself unfit for the office, and summoning the cardinals to his presence, he solemnly resigned his trust. During the remaining three years of his life he worked many and great miracles. On the day after his abdication, his blessing after Mass healed a lame man. Saint Peter left the palace, desiring seclusion, but was brought back by the papal guards, for his successor feared a schism; crowds had followed Saint Peter. Lest he be prevailed upon to take back his office, he was put under surveillance at Anagni. Content, he remarked: I desired nothing but a cell, and a cell they have given me. And there he enjoyed his former loving intimacy with the Saints and Angels, and sang the Divine praises almost continually. At length, on Pentecost Sunday he told his guards he would die within the week, and immediately fell ill. He received the Last Sacraments, and the following Saturday, as he finished the concluding verse of Lauds, Let every spirit bless the Lord! he closed his eyes to this world and opened them to the vision of God. He died on May 19,1296 and was Canonized May 5, 1313 by Pope Clement V. He’s the Patron Saint of Aquila, Italy; bookbinders; Papal resignations, Urbino, Molise, Sant’Angelo Limosano.
Saint Peter Celestine, Pope ~ Pray for us
SAINT PUDENTIANA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR: St. Pudentiana of Rome was Virgin, Martyr, Friend to the Apostles. She was the sister of St. Praxedes, and daughter of Pudens a Roman senator, who was converted to the faith by the apostles SS. Peter and Paul. They cared for Christians and buried their bodies during the persecutions of Marcus Antoninus. A traditional Christian saint and martyress of the 2nd century who refused to worship the Roman Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Antoninus Pius as deities. She gave away her wealth to the poor, aided the burials of Christians, and consecrated herself wholly to Christ and died in the year 160 when she was sixteen. Her church in Rome is esteemed the most ancient that is known in the world. It was in the first ages called the church of the Pastor, and is said to have been the palace of Pudens, in which St. Peter lodged and celebrated the divine mysteries.
According to an ancient tradition, St. Peter was the guest of the senator Pudens during his stay in Rome. Pudens had two daughters, Pudentiana and Praxedes, virgins who dedicated themselves wholly to acts of charity. After the death of their parents, Pudentiana and her sister Praxedes distributed their patrimony to the poor. The fact that Puden’s entire household of some 96 persons were baptized by Pope Pius I (d. 154) is ascribed to their zealous activities. When Christian services were forbidden by the Emperor Antoninus Pius, Pius I celebrated Mass in their home. The saints were buried next to their father in the catacomb of St. Priscilla. One of Rome’s most ancient stational churches is dedicated to St. Pudentiana. Despite being in the Tridentine Missal and having a church dedicated to her in Rome, she was removed from the Roman Martyrology, 2001. Her uncertain status is the result of not being listed in the earliest martyrologies.
St. Pudentiana of Rome was Virgin, Martyr ~ Pray for us
SAINT YVES OF BRITTANY, PRIEST AND LAWYER: St. Yves also known as Ives or Ivo of Kermartin (1253–1303) worked hard for justice both as a civil and canon lawyer, often working without charge for the poor. He worked to help the less fortunate, building hospitals, orphanages, and helping widows and the poor. St. Yves was born to a noble family at Kermartin, near Tréguier, Brittany, France on October 17, 1253. He was the son of Helori, lord of Kermartin, and Azo du Kenquis. The lessons his pious mother instilled in the heart of the boy through Christian training, preserved him amid the grave dangers to which he was exposed during his student years at Paris and Orleans. In 1267 at the age of 14, St. Yves was sent by his landowning father to Paris to receive a higher education, he went to the University of Paris, where he graduated in civil law. He went to Orléans in 1277 to study canon law and at the end of ten years he had gained distinction in Philosophy, Theology, and Canon Law, as well as Civil Law. He went on to practice law for many years in both the civil and ecclesiastical courts. On his return to Brittany he was appointed a diocesan judge, first to the Bishop of Rennes and later to the Bishop of Treguier. In this capacity, he carried out his duties with equity, incorruptibility, and concern for the poor and lowly. St. Yve’s fame quickly spread and he became known as “the poor man’s advocate.” He pleaded for the poor in other courts, going so far as pay their expenses and even visiting them in prison while they awaited trials; his constant concern was to obtain justice for all. Accordingly, he constantly tried to reconcile quarreling parties and have them arrive at an amicable agreement without incurring the cost of unnecessary lawsuits. St. Yves also practiced a life of asceticism; he wore a hairshirt under his clothing, fasted regularly, and became a Franciscan Tertiary. These spiritual disciplines aided him in his practice of virtue in the courtroom: he fought the State in court on behalf of the rights of the Church, and became a diocesan judge who was unable to be tempted by bribes. St. Ivo eventually resigned from practicing law and joined the priesthood.
In 1284, St. Yves became a priest and having been ordained he was appointed to the parish of Tredrez in 1285 and eight years later to Louannee, where he died. From 1287 onward he devoted himself to parish work. But he made his legal knowledge ever available to any of his parishioners who needed it. He lived frugally and unassumingly, instructed the people in both spiritual and temporal matters, and preached the Word of God with power. He is noted as being a great preacher and arbitor. He built a hospital with his own money, providing for the sick poor. He is known as a miracle worker, with an instance of feeding hundreds from a single loaf of bread. Saint Yves of Brittany’s labors and his strict life sapped all his energy. He was hardly fifty years old when he felt his end nearing. Fortified with the last sacraments, he commended his soul to the hands of his Creator and died with a smile on May 19, 1303, this “attorney who was a holy man” appeared before the Ultimate Judge to receive his reward. St. Yves died at Louannee, May 19, 1303 and was buried in Tréguier. He was canonized in 1347 by Pope Clement VI. He’s the Patron Saint of abandoned people; advocates; attorneys; bailiffs; barristers; Brittany; canon lawyers; canonists; judges; jurists; lawyers; notaries; orphans.
PRAYER: God, You taught Your Church to observe all the heavenly commandments in the love of God. Help us to practice works of charity in imitation of Your Priest, St. Yves, and merit to be numbered among the blessed in Your Kingdom. Amen
Live from St. Peter’s Square for the historic Eucharistic Celebration for the Start of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV. At the end of the Holy Mass, the Holy Father prayed the Regina Caeli prayer.
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | May 18, 2025 | “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-75/
Greetings and blessings, dear beloved family. Happy Sunday of Fifth Week of Easter!
We thank God for the successful celebration of the Inauguration Holy Mass for Pope Leo XIV. May the Holy Spirit guide him as he shepherds the faithful, and may his pontificate be a source of renewal and unity for the Church. Amen
HABEMUS PAPAM! A PRAYER FOR OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE LEO XIV
As the Papal Conclave to elect the next Roman Pontiff comes to an end, with profound reverence we give thanks to Almighty God for the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he becomes the first American-born pontiff in the Church’s two-millennia history. The announcement was made on May 8, 2025, following the traditional white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the conclusion of the conclave.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American and a member of the Order of St. Augustine is known as Pope Leo XIV. A missionary bishop and former Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Pope Leo XIV has served the Church faithfully in Chiclayo, Peru, and brings with him a pastoral heart deeply shaped by the Gospel and the spirituality of St. Augustine.
LET US PRAY:
Almighty God, we thank You for the gift of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Grant him wisdom, courage, and humility as he leads the Church in truth and love. May the Holy Spirit guide his every word and action, and may he be a bridge of unity for all nations. Through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace, strengthen him in his mission to proclaim Christ to the world. Amen
Heavenly Father, You have raised Your servant, Pope Leo XIV, to the Chair of Saint Peter. Pour out Your abundant blessings upon him. Through him, guide Your pilgrim Church along the path to Heaven. Grant him wisdom to discern Your will, Courage to fulfill it, And charity to shepherd Your people with the Heart of Christ. In this time of transition, Bring peace to troubled hearts, Joy to those who suffer, And hope to the despairing. May he be a faithful successor to Peter, A humble servant of Your Word, And a fearless herald of Your Divine Mercy and Truth. Strengthen him with the grace of the Holy Spirit, That he may lead the Church in unity, holiness, and fidelity. We entrust him to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, And to the prayers of all the saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
May this new week be filled with peace, joy, and the renewed hope that comes from Christ’s Resurrection. Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands
The entire month of May is dedicated to our beloved Mother Mary, the Mother of God. As we continue to rejoice in the victory of Christ’s Resurrection, we give heartfelt thanks to God for the gift of life and for bringing us safely into the month of May. May this Easter season renew our strength, deepen our faith, and fill our hearts with the peace of the Risen Lord. May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for us and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Easter. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, blessed start to the month. Amen
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. 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
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
“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
Still rejoicing in the light of the Resurrection, the Church commemorates three great saints who witnessed to Christ in distinct yet powerful ways Saint John I (Patron of prisoners and diplomats), a Pope and martyr; Saint Venantius (Patron of Camerino, youth, and protection against earthquakes), a young and courageous martyr; and Saint Felix of Cantalice (Patron of beggars, the Capuchin Order, and children), a humble Capuchin friar and model of charity. Through their intercession, and under the maternal mantle of our Blessed Mother Mary, we offer prayers for the sick and the dying especially those suffering from terminal illnesses. We lift up the poor and the abandoned, beseeching the Lord’s mercy and protection over them. We pray for the Church and her clergy, for persecuted Christians around the world, for the conversion of sinners, and for the unity of all believers in Christ.
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
Today’s Bible Readings: Fifth Sunday of Easter | May 18, 2025 Reading 1: Acts 14:21–27 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145:8–9, 10–11, 12–13 Reading 2: Revelation 21:1–5a Gospel: John 13:31–33a, 34–35
Gospel Reading ~ John 13:31–33a, 34–35
“I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you”
“When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and God will glorify him at once. My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of His call to love one another as He has loved us as a new commandment. What is new about this commandment? The call to love our neighbour as ourselves was already present in the Jewish tradition and Jesus quotes that commandment in the Gospels with approval. What is new about the love commandment in today’s Gospel reading is the little phrase, ‘as I have loved you’. The word ‘love’ has come to mean many things. However, it is clear what it means to Jesus. According to John’s Gospel, He gave this new commandment to His disciples immediately after washing their feet. Even though He was their Lord, He got down on His knees and washed their feet as if He was their servant. Included among the feet He washed were the feet of Judas, whom He knew at the time was about to betray Him. By this action of humble, loving, service towards all His disciples, including one who had become His enemy, Jesus was showing us what He meant by love. Actions can speak louder than words. His laying down His garments to wash the feet of His disciples in love pointed ahead to His laying down His life on the following day out of love for the world. He would go on to say at this last supper, ‘No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends’, and He had chosen to befriend all of humanity, including those responsible for His death.
Jesus gave Himself, emptied Himself, so that others would have life and have it to the full. This is the love Jesus refers to when he commands us to love one another as he has loved us. We are to give of ourselves in loving service to others so that they may live more fully human lives. He goes on to say, in the Gospel reading, ‘By this love you have for one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples’. Jesus is saying there that his true disciples are those who give expression to his love in their lives. This is how his disciples are to be identified and not in any other way. It is a sobering thought. We all fall short of this commandment of Jesus. Unlike Jesus, we are not God in human form, perfect love in human form. Jesus is well aware of our weaknesses, as he was aware of the weaknesses of the disciples whose feet he washed. Nevertheless, He calls us to love one another as he has loved us. Jesus’ call or commandment to love others presupposes the good news that he has loved and continues to love us. It is only in receiving, in opening ourselves up, to the Lord’s love for us that we can possibly go on to love others as he has loved us. The Lord stands before us today as our loving servant, just as He stood before His disciples as their loving servant at the last supper. If we can open our hearts to the gift of his love, the gift of His Holy Spirit of love, we will be empowered to give expression to His love in our relationship with others, even if only imperfectly. If Judas betrayed Jesus, Saint Paul persecuted Jesus by persecuting His followers. Yet, on the road to Damascus, he had an overpowering sense of the Lord’s gracious love for him. From that moment on, His life was given over to proclaiming, making present, what He refers to as the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord from which nothing can separate us. This is what we find St Paul, with St. Barnabas, doing in today’s first reading. They were putting ‘fresh heart into the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in the faith’. Whenever we put fresh heart into others, whenever we encourage and build up all that is good in them, we are loving others with the Lord’s love, because so much of His ministry was about putting fresh heart into others and building them up. If together we try to live in this loving way, then, in the words of the second reading, God will make his home among us, and something of the new, heavenly, Jerusalem, will begin to come into being on earth.
Reflecting further on the Gospel reading, as Jesus prepares for His Passion, He leaves His disciples with this commandment that echoes through the ages: “Love one another as I have loved you.” This is not a call to ordinary affection or tolerance it is a radical, sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s own love on the Cross. His love is patient, forgiving, merciful, and willing to suffer for the sake of others. In this love, Jesus reveals the true glory of God. The glorification He speaks of is not about earthly triumphs, but about self-giving love that redeems and restores. This commandment is “new” not because love was never commanded before, but because of the measure of love: as I have loved you. This sets the standard for Christian discipleship. Love becomes the badge of authenticity for every believer. Jesus doesn’t say people will know us by our knowledge, our rituals, or our arguments but by our love. Today, we are invited to reflect on how well we embody this love in our homes, churches, communities, and even toward our enemies. Do we love as Jesus loves?
In the First Reading, Sts. Paul and Barnabas return to the cities where they first preached the Gospel, despite the dangers they faced there. Their journey is not marked by comfort, but by perseverance. They exhort the new disciples, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” This truth remains relevant today. The Christian path is not one of ease, but of grace-filled endurance. The apostles also appoint elders to shepherd the young communities, reminding us that leadership in the Church is not about power but about service, prayer, and trust in the Lord. The culmination of their mission is marked by joyful testimony: they report what God has done and how He opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Evangelization is God’s work through willing hearts. This passage calls us to persevere in faith, to support one another, and to boldly witness to the Gospel no matter the obstacles.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist beautifully proclaims God’s character: gracious, merciful, kind, and compassionate. Psalm 145 is a hymn of praise that celebrates the everlasting reign of God and the universality of His kingdom. “Your kingdom is a kingdom for all ages,” we read, and this ties into the Gospel’s universal call to love. We are reminded that God’s love extends to all His works, and we, His faithful ones, are called to speak of His might and make His deeds known to every generation. This psalm becomes our song of gratitude for a God who not only reigns with justice but rules with tenderness.
In today’s second reading, John the seer shares his vision of the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. This new Jerusalem is an image of the Church at its best. The new Jerusalem is the community of believers who love one another as Jesus loves us. It is said of this new community in that reading, ‘Here God lives among men and women’. According to the words of the song, ‘Where charity and love are found, there is God’. The fullest revelation of God is a community of believers who love and encourage one another with the Lord’s own love. This is what we, the church, are called to become. St. John’s vision offers hope: a new heaven, a new earth, and a holy city the new Jerusalem. This is the fulfillment of God’s promise not only restoration but total transformation. “God’s dwelling is with the human race” points to the ultimate union between God and humanity. All sorrow, death, and pain will pass away. This reading assures us that love, suffering, and perseverance are not in vain. God is actively “making all things new.” In a world of loss and instability, this vision lifts our eyes to the eternal, urging us to live with joyful hope. The promise of no more tears and a renewed creation is God’s answer to the brokenness we see and endure.
Do I truly live out the commandment to love others as Christ has loved me? Am I willing to love those who have hurt me or whom I find difficult to love? How do I respond to the hardships of Christian life with resignation or with perseverance in faith? In what ways can I speak of God’s kingdom to others, especially those outside the Church? Do people recognize me as a disciple of Jesus by the way I love? Let us go forth today as disciples marked by love the kind of love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. In a world desperate for compassion and truth, let our lives be a living sign of the love of Christ. Let us persevere, encourage one another, and proclaim boldly: “Behold, He makes all things new.” Amen.
Lord Jesus, You have shown us what love truly means a love that lays down its life, a love that forgives and never fails. Teach us to love one another as You have loved us not just in words but in deeds, not just in comfort but in sacrifice. Strengthen our hearts to persevere through trials, and open our eyes to the ways You are working even in hardship. Help us to be bold witnesses of Your Gospel and humble servants in Your Church. May our love bear the mark of Your cross and the fragrance of Your mercy. Amen.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN I, POPE AND MARTYR; SAINT VENANTIUS OF CAMERINO, MARTYR; AND SAINT FELIX OF CANTALICE, RELIGIOUS ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 18TH: Still rejoicing in the light of the Resurrection, the Church commemorates three great saints who witnessed to Christ in distinct yet powerful ways Saint John I (Patron of prisoners and diplomats), a Pope and martyr; Saint Venantius (Patron of Camerino, youth, and protection against earthquakes), a young and courageous martyr; and Saint Felix of Cantalice (Patron of beggars, the Capuchin Order, and children), a humble Capuchin friar and model of charity. Through their intercession, and under the maternal mantle of our Blessed Mother Mary, we offer prayers for the sick and the dying especially those suffering from terminal illnesses. We lift up the poor and the abandoned, beseeching the Lord’s mercy and protection over them. We pray for the Church and her clergy, for persecuted Christians around the world, for the conversion of sinners, and for the unity of all believers in Christ.
SAINT JOHN I, POPE AND MARTYR: Pope Saint John I served as the Bishop of Rome from 523 until his death in 526. Born in Tuscany, he began his ecclesial life as an archdeacon and was later elected Pope during a turbulent era. At the time, Italy was ruled by Theodoric the Great, an Ostrogothic king who adhered to Arianism a heresy denying the divinity of Christ.
When Emperor Justin I in Constantinople took action against Arian churches in the East, Theodoric, fearing a threat to his religious allies, sent Pope John to negotiate more lenient treatment for the Arians. Though Pope John was received with great honor in Constantinople crowning the emperor and celebrating Easter at the famed Hagia Sophia he refused to compromise the Catholic faith. His diplomatic efforts were not enough to appease Theodoric, who, upon his return to Italy, accused the Pope of conspiracy. The saintly pontiff was imprisoned in Ravenna and subjected to cruel neglect, ultimately dying of starvation on May 18, 526.
His martyrdom was the fruit of unwavering fidelity to the truth of Christ and the authority of the Church. His relics are venerated in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
PRAYER: O God, who rewarded the faithfulness of Pope Saint John I with the crown of martyrdom, grant that we, persevering in the truth of the Gospel, may be strengthened by his intercession to endure all trials for the sake of Christ. Amen.
SAINT VENANTIUS OF CAMERINO, MARTYR: Saint Venantius was a 15-year-old youth from Camerino, Italy, who bravely gave his life for Christ during the persecution under Emperor Decius in the year 250. Arrested for publicly preaching the Gospel, Venantius boldly professed his faith and denounced idolatry before the governor, Antiochus. His young age did not hinder his courage he endured vicious tortures: scourging, burning with torches, attempted suffocation, being thrown into fire, and having his jaws broken. Miraculously, he was delivered repeatedly by divine intervention.
One of the persecutors witnessed an angel extinguish the flames meant to consume the saint, and was converted along with his household. Despite further torments, including being dragged over thorns and stoned, Venantius remained steadfast. Eventually, he and several of his companions were beheaded. His body rests in a church in Camerino, where miracles continued in his name.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, in Saint Venantius you gave us a fearless witness to youth and faith. Help us to emulate his strength and purity of heart, and may he intercede for our young people today, that they may remain faithful amidst trials. Amen.
SAINT FELIX OF CANTALICE, RELIGIOUS: Saint Felix of Cantalice (1515–1587) was a humble Capuchin friar known for his deep devotion, simplicity, and radiant charity. Born into poverty in Cantalice, Italy, Felix worked as a shepherd and farm laborer before joining the Capuchins as a lay brother. After taking vows in 1545, he was assigned to Rome, where he spent over 40 years as a quaestor, going door-to-door begging alms not for himself, but for the poor and the sick.
Though unlettered, Felix was rich in wisdom and spiritual insight. He walked barefoot through the streets of Rome, clutching his rosary and blessing everyone he met. People affectionately called him “Brother Deo Gratias” because of his constant thanksgiving to God. He was a friend and spiritual companion to saints like Philip Neri and Charles Borromeo.
Saint Felix died on May 18, 1587, and was canonized in 1712. His life reminds us that true holiness lies not in status, but in serving Christ through simplicity and love.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You taught us that the greatest in Your Kingdom are those who serve with humility. By the example and intercession of Saint Felix, teach us to embrace poverty of spirit and to love generously. Amen.
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint John I, Saint Venantius, and Saint Felix of Cantalice ~ Pray for us.
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MAY: For Working Conditions ~ Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.
PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF MAY ~ POPE FRANCIS: For Working Conditions ~ Jesus, You knew work in this world, and You understand its hardships and joys… Hear our prayer today. Working is a human trait… Work is sacred… The beauty of the earth and the dignity of work were meant to be united… The earth becomes beautiful when man works… Lord, You see that we believe this with conviction, but we desire even more for it to become a reality among us.
We are saddened when people can’t find work and lack the dignity of bringing bread to their home. Give us the light of your Spirit, open our hearts, do not let indifference overcome us. Help us recover the gift of universal brotherhood. We ask for a heart as big as Jesus’s so we can embrace the call to work to give dignity to people and families. Amen
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY | MONTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and our spiritual Mother. This month invites the faithful to draw closer to Mary through prayer, reflection, and imitation of her virtues especially her humility, obedience, purity, and unwavering faith. As the first and most perfect disciple of Christ, Mary leads us gently but firmly to her Son. Throughout Church history, May has been a time to honor Mary with special devotions such as the Rosary, May Crownings, Marian processions, and prayers like the Litany of Loreto. The Church teaches that Mary, assumed body and soul into Heaven, intercedes for us as Queen of Heaven and Mother of the Church. During this month, we are called to renew our relationship with her and seek her maternal care in our joys, sorrows, and needs. Mary said “yes” to God’s plan with total trust: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her faithful surrender encourages us to say “yes” to God’s will in our own lives. As we meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary and contemplate her role in salvation history, we grow in our love for her and our desire to follow Christ more closely.
In this beautiful month of blooming flowers, may our hearts also blossom with deeper devotion to the Mother of our Savior. Let us bring her our prayers, our homes, and our lives, asking her to accompany us with her love and protection.
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Hail Mary, full of grace! Teach us to love Jesus as you loved Him. Cover us with your mantle of mercy, and help us to walk always in the light of your Son. Amen
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we celebrate this Fifth Sunday of Easter and honor the memory of Saint John I, Saint Venantius, and Saint Felix of Cantalice, we bring our heartfelt intentions before the Lord. We pray for the Church and her leaders, that they may be steadfast in proclaiming the Gospel with truth and love, even amidst trials, like Saint John I. We lift up the youth of the world, asking for strength and holiness in their journey, inspired by the courage of Saint Venantius. We remember the poor, the abandoned, and the overlooked in society, praying they may be embraced with charity and mercy, as exemplified by Saint Felix. We intercede for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from terminal illnesses, that they may experience God’s healing presence. We pray for all prisoners, especially those unjustly detained, for persecuted Christians around the globe, for the unity of all believers in Christ, and for the transformation of our world through the power of divine love. For the renewal of the world, that all creation may one day share in the fullness of God’s promise where “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes”
LET US PRAY
My loving Lord, You transformed death itself into the perfect means by which You gave glory to Your Father and were glorified Yourself. Please help me to enter into Your mind so that I can see my life as You see it and to live for that eternal glory to which I am called. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen
God of infinite mercy and eternal love, You call us to reflect Your glory through lives of sacrificial love and service. As we walk in the footsteps of Your saints Saint John I, Saint Venantius, and Saint Felix of Cantalice grant us the grace to remain faithful in trials, joyful in poverty, and courageous in witness. May the command of Your Son to love one another as He has loved us become the rule of our lives. As we await the day when You will make all things new, may we be instruments of Your renewing love in the world today. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Save us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint John I, Saint Venantius, and Saint Felix of Cantalice ~ Pray for us.
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, for the gift of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV 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. As we embrace the blessings of this new month, may God’s abundant grace continue to shower upon us, filling our hearts with peace, joy, and hope in His Resurrection. May this new week 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 Sunday and joyful Fifth Week of Easter!
Watch “POPE LEO XIV’S INAUGURATION MASS | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN, ST. PETER’S SQUARE | MAY 18, 2025 |
Live from St. Peter’s Square for the historic Eucharistic Celebration for the Start of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV. At the end of the Holy Mass, the Holy Father prayed the Regina Caeli prayer.
We thank God for the successful celebration of the Inauguration Holy Mass for Pope Leo XIV. May the Holy Spirit guide him as he shepherds the faithful, and may his pontificate be a source of renewal and unity for the Church. Amen
HABEMUS PAPAM! A PRAYER FOR OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE LEO XIV
As the Papal Conclave to elect the next Roman Pontiff comes to an end, with profound reverence we give thanks to Almighty God for the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he becomes the first American-born pontiff in the Church’s two-millennia history. The announcement was made on May 8, 2025, following the traditional white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the conclusion of the conclave.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American and a member of the Order of St. Augustine is known as Pope Leo XIV. A missionary bishop and former Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Pope Leo XIV has served the Church faithfully in Chiclayo, Peru, and brings with him a pastoral heart deeply shaped by the Gospel and the spirituality of St. Augustine.
LET US PRAY:
Almighty God, we thank You for the gift of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Grant him wisdom, courage, and humility as he leads the Church in truth and love. May the Holy Spirit guide his every word and action, and may he be a bridge of unity for all nations. Through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace, strengthen him in his mission to proclaim Christ to the world. Amen
Heavenly Father, You have raised Your servant, Pope Leo XIV, to the Chair of Saint Peter. Pour out Your abundant blessings upon him. Through him, guide Your pilgrim Church along the path to Heaven. Grant him wisdom to discern Your will, Courage to fulfill it, And charity to shepherd Your people with the Heart of Christ. In this time of transition, Bring peace to troubled hearts, Joy to those who suffer, And hope to the despairing. May he be a faithful successor to Peter, A humble servant of Your Word, And a fearless herald of Your Divine Mercy and Truth. Strengthen him with the grace of the Holy Spirit, That he may lead the Church in unity, holiness, and fidelity. We entrust him to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, And to the prayers of all the saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN I, POPE AND MARTYR, SAINT VENANTIUS OF CAMERINO, MARTYR AND SAINT FELIX OF CANTALICE, RELIGIOUS ~ MAY 18TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John I, Pope and Martyr, Saint Venantius of Camerino, Martyr and Saint Felix of Cantalice, Religious. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from terminal diseases. We also pray for the safety and well-being of the poor and the needy all over the world. We continue to pray for for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world
SAINT JOHN I, POPE AND MARTYR: Pope John I (died May 18, 526) was the bishop of Rome from August 13, 523 to his death. St. John I was a martyr for the faith, imprisoned and starved to death by a heretical Germanic king during the sixth century. He was a friend of the renowned Christian philosopher Boethius, who died in a similar manner. He was a native of Siena (or the “Castello di Serena”, near Chiusdino), in Italy. The future Pope John I was born in Tuscany, and served as an archdeacon in the Church for several years. He was chosen to become the Bishop of Rome in 523, succeeding Pope St. Hormisdas. He was sent on a diplomatic mission to Constantinople by the Ostrogoth King Theoderic to negotiate better treatment for Arians. Although St. John was relatively successful, upon his return to Ravenna, Theoderic had him imprisoned for allegedly conspiring with Constantinople. The frail pope died of neglect and ill-treatment.
During his papal reign Italy was ruled by the Ostrogothic King Theodoric. Like many of his fellow tribesmen, the king adhered to the Arian heresy, holding that Christ was a created being rather than the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Arianism had originated in the Eastern half of the Roman Empire during the fourth century, and subsequently spread among the Western Goths. By the sixth century the heresy was weak in the East, but not dead. In 523, the Byzantine Emperor Justin I ordered Arian clergy to surrender their churches into orthodox Catholic hands. In the West, meanwhile, Theodoric was angered by the emperor’s move, and responded by trying to use the Pope’s authority for his own ends. Pope John was thus placed in an extremely awkward position. Despite the Pope’s own solid orthodoxy, the Arian king seems to have expected him to intercede with the Eastern emperor on behalf of the heretics. St. John’s refusal to satisfy King Theodoric would eventually lead to his martyrdom.
St. John did travel to Constantinople, where he was honored as St. Peter’s successor by the people, the Byzantine Emperor, and the Church’s legitimate Eastern patriarchs. (The Church of Alexandria had already separated by this point.) The Pope crowned the emperor, and celebrated the Easter liturgy at the Hagia Sophia Church in April of 526. But while St. John could urge Justin to treat the Arians somewhat more mercifully, he could not make the kind of demands on their behalf that Theodoric expected. The gothic king, who had recently killed St. John’s intellectually accomplished friend Boethius (honored by the Church as St. Severinus Boethius, on Oct. 23), was furious with the Pope when he learned of his refusal to support the Arians in Constantinople. Already exhausted by his travels, the Pope was imprisoned in Ravenna and deprived of food. The death of St. John I came on or around May 18, 526 which became his feast day in the Byzantine Catholic tradition and in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, he is celebrated on May 27, the date on which his exhumed body was returned to Rome for veneration in St. Peter’s Basilica.
PRAYER: God, the rewarder of those faithful to You, on this day You consecrated the martyrdom of Pope St. John. Hear the prayers of Your people and grant that we who venerate his merits may imitate the constancy of his Faith… Amen
SAINT VENANTIUS OF CAMERINO, MARTYR: Saint Venantius was a 15-year old who was tortured, and martyred by decapitation at Camerino during the persecutions of Decius. Martyred with him were 10 other Christians, including the priest Porphyrius, Venantius’ tutor; and Leontius, bishop of Camerino. St. Venantius (died in 250) was born at Camerino in Italy, during the persecution of Decius. He was taken into custody at the age of fifteen years as a Christian who was preaching Christ to others. His history is one of the most miraculous in the annals of the early martyrs. Having learned that he was about to be arrested, he presented himself to the governor of Camerino, Antiochus, at the city gates, and said to him that the lives of the gods were filled with every kind of crime, that there was only one God, whose unique Son had become a man to deliver his fellow humans from the tyranny of sin. When it was found impossible to shake his constancy either by threats or promises, he was condemned to be scourged, but was miraculously saved by an Angel. He was then burnt with torches and suspended over a low fire that he might be suffocated by the smoke. The judge’s secretary, while admiring the steadfastness of the Saint, saw an Angel robed in white, who stamped out the fire and again set free the youthful martyr. This man proclaimed his faith in Christ and was baptized with his whole family. Shortly afterwards he won the martyr’s crown. Venantius was summoned to appear before Antiochus. Unable to make him renounce his faith, the governor cast him into prison with an apostate soldier, who strove in vain to tempt him. Antiochus, furious, then ordered his teeth and jaws to be broken and had him thrown into a furnace, from which the Angel once more delivered him. The Saint was sent to a city magistrate to be condemned, but this judge after hearing his defense of Christianity, fell headlong from his seat and expired, saying, The God of Venantius is the true God; let us destroy our idols.
When this circumstance was told to Antiochus, he ordered Venantius to be thrown to the lions. These brutes, however, forgetting their natural ferocity, crouched at the feet of the Saint. Then, by order of the tyrant, the young martyr was dragged through a heap of brambles and thorns and retired half-dead, but the next day he was cured; God had manifested the glory of His servant once more. On behalf of soldiers who had dragged him outside the city over stones and rocks, and were suffering from thirst, the Saint knelt on a rock and signed it with a cross; immediately a jet of clear, cool water welled up from the spot. This miracle converted many of those who beheld it. The rock remained imprinted by his knees and was placed in a church in Camerino, where it still remains. The governor finally had Venantius and his converts beheaded on the same day, in the year 250. The bodies of these martyrs are kept in the same church at Camerino. The Acts of Saint Venantius’ martyrdom have been carefully studied and declared authentic by the Church
Saint Venantius of Camerino, Martyr ~ Pray for us
SAINT FELIX OF CANTALICE, RELIGIOUS: St. Felix (May 18, 1515 – May 18, 1587) was an Italian Capuchin friar of the 16th century. He was the first Capuchin friar to be named a saint. St. Felix was the third of four sons born in Italy in a small village at the foot of Mount Appenine named Cantalice, to a pious but poor parents , whose names were Santi and Sainta Porri. It was not long before the little boy, when he approached the other children, was hailed by them: Here comes Felix, the Saint! He showed a predilection for solitary prayer from his earliest youth, and as a little shepherd used to retire to a quiet place to kneel there and meditate on the Passion of Jesus. At about the age of ten, St. Felix was hired out first as a shepherd to a family at Cittàducale, where he later worked as a farm hand. Until the age of twenty-eight he worked as a farm laborer and shepherd. He developed the habit of praying while he worked. Toward the end of autumn 1543, Felix entered the newly founded Capuchin friars as a lay brother at the Citta Ducale friary in the municipality of Anticoli Corrado and pronounced his vows in 1545. It is said that he was well noted for his piety. In 1547 he was sent to Rome as quaestor of the Capuchin Friary of St. Bonaventure, where he spent his remaining 40 years begging alms for the community to help in the friars’ work of aiding the sick and the poor. His characteristic words to his companion were: Let us go, my Brother, with rosary in hand, our eyes to the ground and our spirit in heaven. He was of an exquisite politeness, extreme gentleness and great simplicity. The sick persons he visited at night became attached to him, and for his part, he sought them out everywhere in Rome, insofar as obedience permitted.
One day on the street he met two duelists with sword in hand. He begged them to repeat after him, Deo gratias! which finally they did, and after taking him as arbiter of their quarrel, they separated as good friends. Saint Felix met Saint Philip Neri in Rome, and they became friends who wished one another all possible torments for the love of Jesus Christ. They sometimes remained together without speaking for considerable periods, seemingly transported with joy. Saint Felix had a great devotion to the most Blessed Virgin, reciting Her rosary with such tenderness that he could not continue at times. He loved the Holy Name of Jesus, and invited the children he would meet to say it with him. He slept only for about two hours, going afterwards to the church and remaining there in prayer until the office of Prime; then he would serve the first Mass and receive Communion every day.
When he was sick and was given the last Sacraments, he saw the Blessed Virgin and a beautiful troop of Angels coming to fortify him in this last journey. He cried out in joy, and gave up his soul peacefully to his Creator in 1587. Saint Felix died in Rome, Italy on May 18, 1587 on his 72nd birthday and was buried in the crypt of the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini. He was canonized by Pope Clement XI in 1712. His body is in the Capuchin Church of Rome; a plenary indulgence is granted to those who, fulfilling the ordinary conditions, visit a church of his Order on his feast day, May 18th.
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | May 17, 2025 | “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-74/
Greetings and blessings, dear beloved family. Happy of Saturday the Fourth Week of Easter!
We continue to celebrate the election of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. May the Holy Spirit guide him as he shepherds the faithful, and may his pontificate be a source of renewal and unity for the Church.
May this new week be filled with peace, joy, and the renewed hope that comes from Christ’s Resurrection. Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands
The entire month of May is dedicated to our beloved Mother Mary, the Mother of God. As we continue to rejoice in the victory of Christ’s Resurrection, we give heartfelt thanks to God for the gift of life and for bringing us safely into the month of May. May this Easter season renew our strength, deepen our faith, and fill our hearts with the peace of the Risen Lord. May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for us and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Easter. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, blessed start to the month. Amen
HABEMUS PAPAM! A PRAYER FOR OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE LEO XIV
As the Papal Conclave to elect the next Roman Pontiff comes to an end, with profound reverence we give thanks to Almighty God for the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he becomes the first American-born pontiff in the Church’s two-millennia history. The announcement was made on May 8, 2025, following the traditional white smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel, signaling the conclusion of the conclave.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American and a member of the Order of St. Augustine is known as Pope Leo XIV. A missionary bishop and former Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, Pope Leo XIV has served the Church faithfully in Chiclayo, Peru, and brings with him a pastoral heart deeply shaped by the Gospel and the spirituality of St. Augustine.
LET US PRAY:
Almighty God, we thank You for the gift of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Grant him wisdom, courage, and humility as he leads the Church in truth and love. May the Holy Spirit guide his every word and action, and may he be a bridge of unity for all nations. Through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace, strengthen him in his mission to proclaim Christ to the world. Amen
Heavenly Father, You have raised Your servant, Pope Leo XIV, to the Chair of Saint Peter. Pour out Your abundant blessings upon him. Through him, guide Your pilgrim Church along the path to Heaven. Grant him wisdom to discern Your will, Courage to fulfill it, And charity to shepherd Your people with the Heart of Christ. In this time of transition, Bring peace to troubled hearts, Joy to those who suffer, And hope to the despairing. May he be a faithful successor to Peter, A humble servant of Your Word, And a fearless herald of Your Divine Mercy and Truth. Strengthen him with the grace of the Holy Spirit, That he may lead the Church in unity, holiness, and fidelity. We entrust him to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, And to the prayers of all the saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
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. 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
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
“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
Still rejoicing in the light of the Resurrection, the Church honors today two holy souls who gave their lives entirely to God in different yet profound ways Saint Paschal Baylon (Patron of Eucharistic associations, shepherds, cooks, vocations to the priesthood, and the poor), a humble lay brother of the Franciscan Order known for his intense devotion to the Holy Eucharist, and Blessed Antonia Mesina (Patron of victims of rape and sexual violence, youth, the Diocese of Nuoro, and Orgosolo), a young martyr of purity who died defending her dignity. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother and these holy saints, we offer prayers especially for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, particularly for seminarians preparing for ordination. We also remember youths, victims of rape and sexual violence, and all who suffer silently. May their witness strengthen the Church, uplift the brokenhearted, and inspire Christians across the world to seek holiness in daily life.
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
Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter | May 17, 2025 Reading 1: Acts 13:44–52 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 Gospel: John 14:7–14
Gospel Reading ~ John 14:7–14
“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”
“Jesus said to His disciples: “If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues His heartfelt dialogue with His disciples as He prepares them for His departure. His words reveal the deep unity between Him and the Father. Philip’s request, “Show us the Father,” reflects the longing of every human heart to see God, to know Him personally. Jesus answers with a profound truth: to see Him is to see the Father. In Christ, the invisible God becomes visible. This is a cornerstone of our Christian faith Jesus is the perfect image of the Father, the living revelation of divine love. He is not merely a messenger or a prophet; He is God-with-us.
Jesus also reassures His disciples that belief in Him will empower them to do great things. His promise, “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do,” emphasizes the power of prayer rooted in relationship with Him. It’s not a blank check, but an invitation to pray in harmony with His will and mission to glorify the Father through the Son. Today, we are reminded that Jesus is both our window to the Father and our advocate before Him. We are called not just to admire Him, but to believe in Him deeply, and to live as His instruments in the world.
Reflecting on today’s First Reading from Acts, we see the power of the Gospel to stir hearts and resistance. Paul and Barnabas proclaim the Word of God with boldness in Antioch, and the response is dramatic. While the Gentiles rejoice and embrace the message, some of the Jews react with jealousy, inciting persecution. Paul and Barnabas respond not with fear or bitterness, but with courage and clarity: “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first… we now turn to the Gentiles.” Their mission is rooted in Scripture and in divine mandate “I have made you a light to the Gentiles.” This moment marks a significant shift in the early Church’s outreach and reminds us of our own call to be lights in a world darkened by disbelief and division. The joy of the disciples, even in the face of opposition, reveals the power of the Holy Spirit at work in them. True discipleship may cost us comfort and approval, but it fills us with a deeper joy the joy of knowing we walk in God’s will.
Reflecting on today’s Psalm, we sing with the psalmist: “All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.” Psalm 98 is a joyful proclamation of God’s mighty deeds and the universal reach of His salvation. The Psalm reminds us that the Gospel is for all nations every land, every people. God’s salvation is not a hidden secret but a revealed truth. His victory is not for a select few but for all who open their hearts to Him. Singing a new song to the Lord, as the Psalm invites us, means embracing the freshness of God’s mercies each day and witnessing to His love with renewed zeal. Even in the face of trials, our lives can sing His praise.
Am I truly recognizing Jesus as the full revelation of the Father, or do I still seek signs beyond what He has already revealed? How can I grow in deeper trust that He is who He says He is? Do I pray in His name with confidence, aligning my will with His mission? How do I respond when I face rejection for my faith with fear or with bold joy like Paul and Barnabas? Am I willing to be a light to others, even if it means stepping out of my comfort zone?
Let us rest today in the assurance that to know Jesus is to know the Father. Let us believe more deeply in His promises, pray in His name, and walk with courage as disciples in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let our lives bear witness to the truth that Christ is alive, and His saving power is reaching to the ends of the earth. Amen.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PASCHAL BAYLON, RELIGIOUS, AND BLESSED ANTONIA MESINA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 17TH: Still rejoicing in the light of the Resurrection, the Church honors today two holy souls who gave their lives entirely to God in different yet profound ways Saint Paschal Baylon (Patron of Eucharistic associations, shepherds, cooks, vocations to the priesthood, and the poor), a humble lay brother of the Franciscan Order known for his intense devotion to the Holy Eucharist, and Blessed Antonia Mesina (Patron of victims of rape and sexual violence, youth, the Diocese of Nuoro, and Orgosolo), a young martyr of purity who died defending her dignity. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother and these holy saints, we offer prayers especially for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, particularly for seminarians preparing for ordination. We also remember youths, victims of rape and sexual violence, and all who suffer silently. May their witness strengthen the Church, uplift the brokenhearted, and inspire Christians across the world to seek holiness in daily life.
SAINT PASCHAL BAYLON, RELIGIOUS (1540–1592): Born on the feast of Pentecost in 1540 in Torre Hermosa, Spain, Saint Paschal Baylon came from a humble shepherd family. Even as a boy, he displayed deep piety, often praying in the fields and seeking to educate himself despite having little access to formal schooling. Drawn to a life of poverty and penance, he eventually joined the Order of Friars Minor as a lay brother, refusing the clerical state out of humility. For twenty-eight years, he lived a life marked by austerity, charity, and profound devotion to the Eucharist.
Saint Paschal was renowned for his mystical experiences, often entering into ecstasies during prayer. On one occasion, while longing for the Eucharist during Mass, he witnessed a miraculous vision of the Host surrounded by angels. He spent many nights in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament and is considered one of the great champions of Eucharistic devotion. His humility and compassion attracted many who sought his guidance, and miracles were reported at his tomb following his death on May 17, 1592.
Canonized by Pope Alexander VIII in 1690 and later declared the Patron of Eucharistic congresses and associations by Pope Leo XIII, Saint Paschal reminds us that sanctity is found not only in grand gestures but in humble faithfulness to God’s presence in the Eucharist.
Patron of: Eucharistic associations, shepherds, cooks, vocations to the priesthood, and the poor. “God is as really present in the consecrated Host as He is in the glory of Heaven.” – St. Paschal Baylon
PRAYER: O God, who adorned Saint Paschal with a burning love for the Sacred Mysteries of Your Body and Blood, grant that we too may draw from this Divine Banquet the same spiritual nourishment he received. May our love for the Eucharist deepen, and may we, like him, live lives of humility and reverence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSED ANTONIA MESINA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR (1919–1935): Blessed Antonia Mesina was born into a large, humble family on June 21, 1919, in Orgosolo, Sardinia, Italy. As the second of ten children, Antonia took on many family responsibilities at a young age, especially after her mother became bedridden. Despite her burdens, she was filled with joy, humility, and devotion, becoming an active member of Catholic Action and encouraging others in her parish to live faithfully.
At just sixteen years old, on May 17, 1935, Antonia was gathering firewood with a friend after Mass when she was violently assaulted by a young man who attempted to rape her. Antonia fiercely resisted, defending her purity and dignity to the end. Her attacker struck her seventy-four times with a stone, ending her life in a brutal act of violence. Her unwavering courage and refusal to submit marked her as a martyr of chastity.
Her sacrifice deeply moved the Church and local community. Pope Pius XI was personally informed of her death by Armida Barelli of Catholic Action, and in 1987, Pope Saint John Paul II beatified her, raising her as a model of purity, courage, and youthful holiness.
Patron of: Victims of rape and sexual violence, youth, the Diocese of Nuoro, Orgosolo.
PRAYER: Lord God, You chose Blessed Antonia Mesina to bear witness to the dignity of the human body and the strength of chastity. Through her courageous martyrdom, inspire young people to embrace holiness, and console those who suffer violence and abuse. Strengthen in us the resolve to protect and uplift the vulnerable, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Paschal Baylon and Blessed Antonia Mesina ~ Pray for us.
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MAY: For Working Conditions ~ Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.
PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF MAY ~ POPE FRANCIS: For Working Conditions ~ Jesus, You knew work in this world, and You understand its hardships and joys… Hear our prayer today. Working is a human trait… Work is sacred… The beauty of the earth and the dignity of work were meant to be united… The earth becomes beautiful when man works… Lord, You see that we believe this with conviction, but we desire even more for it to become a reality among us.
We are saddened when people can’t find work and lack the dignity of bringing bread to their home. Give us the light of your Spirit, open our hearts, do not let indifference overcome us. Help us recover the gift of universal brotherhood. We ask for a heart as big as Jesus’s so we can embrace the call to work to give dignity to people and families. Amen
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY | MONTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and our spiritual Mother. This month invites the faithful to draw closer to Mary through prayer, reflection, and imitation of her virtues especially her humility, obedience, purity, and unwavering faith. As the first and most perfect disciple of Christ, Mary leads us gently but firmly to her Son. Throughout Church history, May has been a time to honor Mary with special devotions such as the Rosary, May Crownings, Marian processions, and prayers like the Litany of Loreto. The Church teaches that Mary, assumed body and soul into Heaven, intercedes for us as Queen of Heaven and Mother of the Church. During this month, we are called to renew our relationship with her and seek her maternal care in our joys, sorrows, and needs. Mary said “yes” to God’s plan with total trust: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her faithful surrender encourages us to say “yes” to God’s will in our own lives. As we meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary and contemplate her role in salvation history, we grow in our love for her and our desire to follow Christ more closely.
In this beautiful month of blooming flowers, may our hearts also blossom with deeper devotion to the Mother of our Savior. Let us bring her our prayers, our homes, and our lives, asking her to accompany us with her love and protection.
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Hail Mary, full of grace! Teach us to love Jesus as you loved Him. Cover us with your mantle of mercy, and help us to walk always in the light of your Son. Amen
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we reflect on today’s readings and the lives of Saint Paschal Baylon and Blessed Antonia Mesina, we pray for a deeper love and reverence for the Holy Eucharist in the hearts of all believers, inspired by the devotion of Saint Paschal. We lift up young people around the world, especially those facing peer pressure, temptation, or violence, that they may be strengthened in purity and courage like Blessed Antonia. May seminarians and religious in formation be rooted in humility, service, and Eucharistic love. We pray for all victims of sexual violence and abuse, that they may find healing, justice, and peace through the mercy of God and the support of the Church. For missionaries and evangelizers who face opposition, may they remain steadfast like Paul and Barnabas, proclaiming the Gospel with boldness and joy. We also pray for those struggling with doubt or seeking signs of God’s presence, that they may encounter Christ and know Him as the Way to the Father. May we all grow in faith, believe in the power of prayer, and reflect Christ in all we do.
LET US PRAY
Providential Lord, Your will is perfect and glorious. Please help me to humble myself before You, every day, so that I will understand Your will for my life and choose it always. May I be an instrument of Your saving grace to all whom You wish to touch through me. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the visible face of the invisible God, the One who reveals the Father to us. Strengthen our faith so that we may truly believe in Your name and live in the light of Your truth. Through the intercession of Saint Paschal Baylon, inflame our hearts with love for the Holy Eucharist, that we may recognize Your presence in the Blessed Sacrament and find strength for the journey. Through the courageous witness of Blessed Antonia Mesina, inspire us to purity, fortitude, and trust, especially in times of trial. May the power of Your Resurrection give hope to the broken, courage to the faithful, and unity to Your Church. Hear the prayers we offer today and transform our lives into living testimonies of Your saving love. Amen.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Save us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Paschal Baylon and Blessed Antonia Mesina ~ Pray for us.
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, for the gift of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV 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. As we embrace the blessings of this new month, may God’s abundant grace continue to shower upon us, filling our hearts with peace, joy, and hope in His Resurrection. May this weekend 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 Saturday and joyful Fourth Week of Easter and relaxing weekend
“God is as really present in the consecrated Host as He is in the glory of Heaven.” – St. Paschal Baylon