MEMORIAL OF SAINTS ANDREW KIM TAE-GÕN, PRIEST, AND PAUL CHÕNG HA-SANG, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS AND SAINT EUSTACE AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS

SATURDAY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 20, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS ANDREW KIM TAE-GÕN, PRIEST, AND PAUL CHÕNG HA-SANG, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS AND SAINT EUSTACE AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS| SEPTEMBER 20TH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, Companions, and Saint Eustace | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-20th/)

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | September 20, 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-196/

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025: JUBILEE PRAYER | Link to the prayer of the Jubilee of Hope 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/08/the-jubilee-prayer/

Greetings and blessings, beloved family.

Today, Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time.

We joyfully welcome the gift of this month, September and thank God for the gift of life! Lord Almighty, we thank You for granting us the grace to see this new beginning, and we entrust every day of this month into Your loving hands. May September be a season of renewal, hope, and abundant blessings for us and our families. We continue to pray for all families and for the safety and well-being of children all over the world, especially those beginning the new school year. Bless those who will celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, new opportunities, and milestones this month, and be near to those who carry heavy burdens in their hearts.

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary on this special Feast day, we ask for healing for the sick and dying, especially those who are suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases, strength for the weary, peace in troubled homes, and provision for all in need. Guide our steps in righteousness, protect us from harm, and fill our hearts with faith, joy, and gratitude. May this month draw us closer to Your will, and may every day be a testimony of Your goodness and mercy in our lives. We begin this month with trust in Your unfailing love, Lord, and we surrender all that lies ahead into Your hands. Amen 🙏🏾

On this feast day, through the intercession of the Saints we celebrate today, we humbly pray for the poor and those in need, for all those who are marginalized in our society. For those who are imprisoned, especially those who are unjustly imprisoned. We pray for those who fight for truth, peace, justice, love, and unity in our families and our world. May God protect us all and keep us safe and united in peace, love and faith. Amen 🙏🏽

We continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, that they be sanctified in their ministry to God’s people. We pray for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world suffering from political and religious unrest.

Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, mothers, workers, and all those who labor in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands, and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Ordinary Time. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of September. 🙏🏽

We remember in prayer all who began this journey of life with us but are no longer here. We pray for the gentle repose of the souls of our loved ones who recently passed away, and we continue to pray for the souls in Purgatory; lost souls. For the repose of the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” ~ Matthew 5:4

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🙏🏽

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of September | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-september/

COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/

PRAYER FOR THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/prayer-for-the-beginning-of-a-new-school-year/

MEET THE NEW SAINTS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/canonization-of-carlo-acutis-pier-giorgio-frassati/

SAINT CARLO ACUTIS (1991–2006): a teenager from Milan, passionate about computer science, he used new media to spread the faith and love for the Eucharist. Beatified in 2020, he is a model of digital evangelization. | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-carlo-acutis/

PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI (1901–1925): a young man from Turin, sportsman and mountain enthusiast, he stood out for his charity towards the poor and his joyful witness to the Gospel. Beatified in 1990, he is the patron of young people and students. | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-pier-giorgio-frassati/

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordina ry Time | September 20, 2025
Reading 1: 1 Timothy 6:13–16
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:1b–2, 3, 4, 5
Gospel: Luke 8:4–15

*Gospel Reading ~ Luke 8:4–15

“As for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who embrace the word and bear much fruit through perseverance; The seed is the word of God.”

“When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another journeying to Jesus, He spoke in a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as He sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, He called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” Then His disciples asked Him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but to the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand. “This is the meaning of the parable. The seed is the word of God. Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved. Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, but they have no root; they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation. As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit. But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the sower to teach us about the power of God’s word and the different ways people receive it. The parable of the sower and its interpretation is a realistic portrayal of the obstacles Jesus encountered in His preaching of God’s word. Those same obstacles are alive and well today in all of our lives as the risen Lord continues to proclaim God’s word. Like the seed that fell on the path, which the birds immediately consume, the Lord’s word often makes little impact on us. As we might say today, it goes in one ear and out the other. Like the seed that fell on rock and that grew initially but then died away because it had no root, we can hear the Lord’s word and receive it but we don’t really make it our own. We don’t make a real home for it in our hearts. Our response to the Lord’s word is a very surface one and easily falls away when living the word starts to make demands on us and to cost us something. Like the seed that fell among thorns and initially took root but was then choked by the thorns, the word can take deep root in our hearts but over time we allow the pleasures and the anxieties of life to choke the word. Life takes us over in various ways and the Lord and His word get squeezed out. This realistic analysis of the obstacles to hearing and living the Lord’s word could leave us a bit discouraged. However, this is not the purpose of this parable. The sower is aware that a lot of the seed he sows will never mature, but he continues to sow because he is confident that some of that seed will fall on good soil and bear a wonderful harvest. The sower did not get discouraged. The Lord who sows the seed of his word today does not get discouraged either. He keeps sowing in the knowledge that there is good soil out there somewhere. He knows that such good soil is to be found in all of our lives. He will not give up on us; he keeps sowing. We should not give up on ourselves either. The Lord’s labour in the field of our lives will bear fruit, whenever we strive ourselves anew to his good work within us and among us.

Jesus scatters the word of God liberally. He offers the gift of God’s loving and life-giving presence to everyone, without discrimination, just as the sower sows the seed indiscriminately, even though, as a result, some seed will fall on the path, some will fall on rock and other seed on thorns. The seed is the Word of God, full of life and potential. Yet its fruitfulness depends on the soil of the human heart. Some hearts are hardened, distracted, or consumed by worldly concerns; others, open and persevering, allow God’s word to bear abundant fruit. Today’s parable reminds us that God generously scatters His word, but it is our responsibility to prepare our hearts as good soil nurturing faith, resisting temptation, and persevering in love so that His grace may transform us and bring forth a harvest of holiness.

In the first reading, Saint Paul exhorts Timothy to keep the commandment pure and to remain faithful until Christ’s coming, declaring Christ as the eternal “King of kings and Lord of lords, who dwells in unapproachable light.” His words remind us that fidelity to God’s command is not a temporary duty but a lifelong calling. Just as good soil must continually receive rain and nourishment, so must we continually nurture our faith until the Lord returns in glory.

The Responsorial Psalm complements these readings by inviting us to “Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.” This joy springs not from earthly riches or fleeting pleasures, but from belonging to God as His people, the flock He tends. True fruitfulness is rooted in recognizing God as our Creator, Shepherd, and source of everlasting love.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are challenged to ask ourselves: What kind of soil am I? Do I allow worries, riches, or distractions to choke God’s word in me, or do I embrace it with a faithful heart? Am I cultivating a life of prayer, humility, and perseverance so that the Word can transform me and bear fruit for others? May we not only hear God’s word but also live it, allowing it to take deep root in our hearts and produce the fruit of holiness and love that will endure unto eternal life. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to remain steadfast in faith and continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽

Lord Jesus, You are the Divine Sower who scatters the seed of eternal life into the world. Help me to be rich soil that welcomes Your Word with faith and perseverance. Remove from me every distraction, fear, or attachment that chokes Your grace. Strengthen me, Lord, to live faithfully until the day of Your glorious return, so that my life may bear fruit that glorifies You and draws others into the joy of Your Kingdom. Amen 🙏🏽

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS ANDREW KIM TAE-GŎN, PRIEST, AND PAUL CHŎNG HA-SANG, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS; AND SAINT EUSTACE AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS ~ FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 20TH: Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and their Companions, Martyrs (Patrons of Korea and the clergy), as well as Saint Eustace and His Companions, Martyrs (Patrons of firefighters, hunters, and those facing difficult trials). Their lives remind us of the courage to witness Christ in the midst of persecution and the hope that springs from unwavering faith. Through their intercession, and with the help of our Blessed Mother Mary, we pray for the persecuted Church, for the safety of all firefighters, and for protection against fire and disaster. We lift up the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancer, mental illness, and terminal diseases. We remember the poor, widows, and the needy, asking God for peace and unity in marriages, families, and across the world. We entrust to the Lord our Holy Father, bishops, priests, religious, and all Christians, praying for perseverance in faith and renewed love for God. May the souls in Purgatory and all the faithful departed rest in eternal peace. Amen. 🙏🏾

Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections | September 20th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, Companions, and Saint Eustace | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-20th/)

SAINT ANDREW KIM TAE-GŎN, PAUL CHŎNG HA-SANG, AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS (D. 19th Century): Christianity in Korea began through the zeal of lay faithful in the late 18th century, long before missionaries arrived. Despite brutal persecution, the faith grew rapidly, sustained by ordinary men and women. Between 1839 and 1867, over 10,000 Korean Catholics were martyred for Christ. Among them were Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, the first native Korean priest, and Saint Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, a courageous lay leader. Andrew Kim, ordained in Shanghai in 1845, was arrested while aiding missionaries and was martyred in 1846 at only 25 years old. Paul Chŏng defended the faith and helped organize the persecuted Church until his martyrdom in 1839. Together with bishops, priests, and countless lay faithful, they shed their blood for Christ. Pope John Paul II canonized 103 Korean martyrs in 1984, calling the Korean Church a unique witness of faith founded by laypeople and watered by the blood of martyrs. Today, they inspire us to live courageously and faithfully in the face of trials.

PRAYER: O God, You raised up Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and their Companions to be witnesses of Your love in the midst of fierce persecution. Grant that, through their intercession, we may remain steadfast in faith, courageous in trials, and joyful in proclaiming Your Gospel. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT EUSTACE AND HIS COMPANIONS, MARTYRS (D. 2nd Century): Saint Eustace, originally a Roman general named Placidus, was converted to Christianity after a miraculous vision of Christ crucified between a stag’s antlers while hunting. He and his wife, Theopista, along with their sons Agapitus and Theopistus, were baptized and devoted themselves to Christ. Their fidelity was tested by poverty, separation, and persecution, yet they remained steadfast. Eventually reunited, they refused to offer sacrifice to pagan gods under Emperor Hadrian and were condemned to death. Miraculously spared from wild beasts, they were martyred together by being enclosed in a heated bronze bull. Their story, though surrounded by legend, has long inspired devotion. They became widely venerated in the Middle Ages as protectors against fire, plague, and trials.

PRAYER: O God, who granted Saint Eustace and his family strength to endure suffering for the sake of Christ, grant us through their intercession the courage to remain faithful in trials, trust in Your providence, and hope in the joy of eternal life. Amen. 🙏🏾

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, Companions, and Saint Eustace ~ Pray for us 🙏🏾

GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/general-prayers-and-intentions/

Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation, and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER: For our relationship with all of creation. Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER | MONTH OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS: September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, inviting us to unite our hearts with Mary in her profound sharing of Christ’s Passion. As Simeon foretold, “a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35), and throughout her life Mary endured deep sorrows that culminated at Calvary. In her silent strength and unwavering faith, she became the compassionate Mother of all Christians, offering her suffering with Christ for the salvation of the world.

This month, the Church calls us to meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary: Simeon’s prophecy, the Flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple, meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary, standing at the foot of the Cross, receiving His lifeless Body, and placing Him in the tomb. By reflecting on these sorrows, we learn patience in trials, compassion for the suffering, and a deeper love for Jesus who suffered for us.

Prayers such as the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, the Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, and the Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows help us to walk with Mary in her suffering and to discover hope and consolation in her maternal heart.

“Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, teach us to stand with you at the Cross, sharing in Christ’s love and redemptive sacrifice.”

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. Amen 🙏🏾

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Heavenly Father, as we meditate on the parable of the sower, we ask for hearts like good soil, ready to receive Your Word and bear abundant fruit. Through the witness of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, their companions, and Saint Eustace with his family, may we grow in courage to profess our faith even in the face of trials and persecution. We pray for the persecuted Church across the world, for missionaries and priests who sow the seed of the Gospel, and for families enduring suffering, separation, or hardship. We remember the sick and dying, especially those with cancer, mental illness, and terminal diseases, and entrust to You the poor, widows, and all in need. Strengthen our Holy Father, bishops, priests, religious, and the faithful, that we may persevere in holiness and remain firm in hope until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the souls in Purgatory and all the departed rest in Your eternal peace. Amen. 🙏🏾

LET US PRAY:

My divine Sower, You sow the perfect seeds of Your Word in abundance. Please help me to open my heart to receive that Word so that an abundance of good fruit can be born. Please free me from the anxieties and deceptions of life so that I can hear clearly Your holy Word and nurture that Word in my heart. I rejoice, dear Lord, in all that You have and continue to do in and through me. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

Lord God, You are the sower of every good gift. Plant within us the seed of faith that, watered by Your grace and strengthened by the prayers of Your saints, it may grow to yield fruits of love, mercy, and steadfastness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, Companions, and Saint Eustace and Companions ~ Pray for us 🙏🏾

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽

Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, and during this gentle rhythm of Ordinary Time, may our hearts remain open to the quiet working of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide, renew, and strengthen us each day. May this new month be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ walks with us always. Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe, Saturday, relaxing weekend and a fulfilling month of September🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | Global Missions Now Awards |

North Texas Catholic Magazine | Dr. Philomena Ikowe – Life on Purpose (pages 44-45) | https://www.flipsnack.com/A9DFE877C6F/north-texas-catholic-magazine-mar-apr-issue-2025/full-view.html