FRIDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT | DECEMBER 5, 2025
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 5, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
MEMORIAL OF SAINT GERALD, BISHOP OF BRAGA AND SAINT SABAS, ABBOT | DECEMBER 5TH | Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Gerald, and Saint Sabas | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-december-5th/
FIRST FRIDAYS AND FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/01/first-fridays-and-first-saturdays-devotions/
FIRST FRIDAYS DEVOTION: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/03/first-friday-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | December 5, 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-december-5-2025/
POPE LEO XIV ON HIS FIRST FOREIGN TRIP AS PONTIFF TO TURKEY AND LEBANON | TRIP BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/pope-leo-xivs-on-his-first-foreign-trip-as-pontiff/
NOVENA TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION | DAY 7: Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Immaculate Conception Starts, November 29 – December 7th. Traditionally prayed in preparation for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-the-blessed-virgin-mary-the-immaculate-conception/
ADVENT SEASON AND IT’S SIGNIFICANCE IN THE LITURGICAL YEAR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/advent-season-and-its-significance-in-the-liturgical-year/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA: [The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve] | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-dayfeast-day-november-30th/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today, Friday of the First Week of Advent, is the First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The devotion is a way to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to atone for sins.
On this day, the Church commemorates the Memorial of Saint Gerald of Braga, Bishop, and Saint Sabas, Abbot, two holy men whose lives radiated deep faith, discipline, and unwavering devotion to God. As we continue our journey through the First Week of Advent, today’s Scriptures invite us to trust in God’s promise to restore what is broken, open the eyes of the blind, and bring light to those who walk in darkness. This day also marks the First Friday Devotion, a time when the faithful honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus, seeking His mercy, healing, and peace. On this blessed Friday of the Advent season, may the Lord strengthen our hope, deepen our desire for His coming, and inspire in us the humility, perseverance, and holiness exemplified by Saints Gerald and Sabas.
We joyfully thank God for the gift of life and for leading us safely into the month of December. As we continue this sacred journey of faith, we give thanks for God’s boundless mercy and the hope of eternal life promised to those who believe in Him. May the witness of the Saints and the faith of our loved ones inspire us to live each day in holiness, humility, and love. This month of December, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, invites us to grow in grace and devotion, following her example of purity, obedience, and complete trust in God’s plan. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of All Saints, may God fill our hearts with hope, strengthen our faith, and guide us in holiness throughout this Advent season. May this month bring light to our minds, peace to our hearts, and strength to our souls. Amen 🙏🏽
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” ~ Matthew 5:4
We join our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV to pray for the gentle repose of the souls of our dear beloved late Pope Francis, the Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Religious who have gone to be with the Lord. We also 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.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His Saints.” ~ Psalm 116:15
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 🙏🏽
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🙏🏽✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
Lord Almighty, we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your unfailing love, protection, and mercy that carried us through the past month. We entrust the days of December into Your hands, asking for Your blessings, guidance, and peace upon our lives and families. May this month be for us a time of renewed faith, deeper hope, and overflowing joy. We pray especially for all families, for children, parents, and teachers, that they may be strengthened and protected. Bless those who will celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, new opportunities, and milestones this month, and comfort those who enter it with heavy hearts or struggles. Lord, go before us, walk beside us, and remain with us always, now and forever. Amen. 🙏🏽
Today, we humbly pray for the poor, abandoned, 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 charitable organizations, asking God’s blessing upon their mission and we lift our prayers for peace, love, justice and unity in our families, marriages and our world. May God protect us all and keep us safe and united in peace, love and faith. Amen 🙏🏽
Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary on this special Feast day, we lift our prayers for the protection, safety and well-being of healthcare professionals, educators, missionaries, pilots, and all travelers. 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 🙏🏾
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 Advent. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of December. 🙏🏽
FIRST FRIDAYS AND FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTIONS:
The FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION is a Catholic practice that involves attending Mass, receiving Holy Communion and praying and adoring before the Blessed Sacrament on the first Friday of each month for nine months in a row. The devotion originated in the 17th century after Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary and spoke of His Sacred Heart. Jesus promised that those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays of nine consecutive months will receive the grace of final perseverance. The devotion is a way to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to atone for sins. The devotion is also known as the Communions of Reparation to the Sacred Heart or the Nine First Fridays Devotion. The Roman Catholic Church fully approved the devotion.
Some elements of the First Fridays Devotion include:
Sacramental Confession: A preparation for the devotion
Holy Communion: Received on the first Friday of each month for nine months in a row
Holy Hour: Spent in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
Prayer for the Holy Father: A prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father
The devotion is said to offer many spiritual blessings, including:
Increased Grace: The soul is strengthened and intimacy with Christ is deepened through the frequent reception of the Eucharist
Inner Peace: Trusting in Jesus’ promises can bring comfort in times of trial
Forgiveness and Healing: Reparation for sins can bring peace to the heart and renewal in Christ
Final Perseverance: Those who complete the devotion with love and faith are assured of Christ’s presence at the moment of death
The FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTION originated from the 1917 apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal. During these apparitions, Our Lady asked for acts of reparation to be made on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, with the intention of atoning for the sins committed against her Immaculate Heart. While the Sacred Heart of Jesus promises abundant blessings, including peace, consolation, and assistance at the hour of death, to those who faithfully observe nine consecutive First Fridays. Similarly, Our Lady extends her maternal protection and the promise of salvation to those who commit to five consecutive First Saturdays in honor of her Immaculate Heart.
Our Lady promises her assistance and graces especially at the hour of death, as well as peace and consolation in families and eventual salvation for those who faithfully practice the First Five Saturdays devotion. It involves attending Mass, receiving communion, praying the Rosary, and meditating on its mysteries on 5 consecutive first Saturdays with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The promises of Mary for the First Five Saturdays devotion:
On each First Saturday, after receiving communion, reciting the Rosary, and meditating for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary, Our Lady promised to assist at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for salvation all those who make this devotion in reparation to Her Immaculate Heart.
Our Lady promised to grant peace to families who fulfill this devotion.
Those who fulfill the devotion will be consoled by Our Lady and will see Her eventually in heaven.
Our Lady promised to assist in the salvation of those who practice this devotion by the graces of Her Immaculate Heart.
These First Saturday Prayers to the Immaculate Heart of Mary are recommended for those participating in the Five First Saturdays devotion.
Please see links below for both First Fridays and First Saturdays Devotions:
First Fridays Devotion: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/03/first-friday-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/
First Fridays and First Saturdays Devotions: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/03/first-fridays-first-saturdays-devotions/
ADVENT SEASON AND IT’S SIGNIFICANCE IN THE LITURGICAL YEAR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/advent-season-and-its-significance-in-the-liturgical-year/
Advent is the sacred four-week season that opens the Church’s Liturgical Year, inviting us to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus Christ and to look forward with hope to His Second Coming. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival,” reminding us that this season is marked by both joyful expectation and spiritual readiness. Traditionally, Advent is represented by the wreath and its four candles symbols of hope, peace, joy, and love, guiding us week by week as we reflect on the unfolding mystery of our salvation.
As we enter this holy season, the Church calls us to step back from the noise and hurry that often fill this time of year. Advent is not merely a countdown to Christmas; it is a grace-filled invitation to renew our relationship with God, deepen our prayer life, and open our hearts to the transforming light of Christ. Through Scripture, quiet reflection, and acts of charity, we are encouraged to grow in faith and to make room for the Lord who desires to dwell within us. This season also reconnects us with the longings of God’s people throughout history, those who waited in hope for the Messiah and trusted in God’s promises even in times of darkness.
As we journey through these weeks, may Advent help us rediscover what truly matters: the gift of God’s love made flesh in Jesus Christ. May it inspire us to embrace a spirit of watchfulness, simplicity, and gratitude, allowing Christ’s light to shine through our words and actions. And as we prepare to celebrate His birth, may our hearts be renewed with the hope that He who came once in humility will come again in glory.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, as we begin this season of Advent, open our hearts to Your presence and fill us with the hope, peace, joy, and love that only You can give. Teach us to wait for You with faith, to prepare for You with sincerity, and to welcome You with humility and gratitude. May Your light guide our steps and renew our spirits as we journey toward Christmas. Amen 🙏🏾
ADVENT PRAYER – FIRST WEEK: The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first week. After the prayer, the family’s youngest child lights the first purple candle. (Family members can also take turns lighting and blowing out the candles on each night.)
LEADER: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance. Through Christ our Lord.
ALL: Amen🙏🏽
(The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first week.)
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Friday of the First Week of Advent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Friday of the First Week of Advent | December 5, 2025
Reading 1: Isaiah 29:17–24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–14
Gospel: Matthew 9:27–31
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 9:27–31
“Let it be done for you according to your faith.”
“As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed Him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When He entered the house, the blind men approached Him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to Him. Then He touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of Him through all that land.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus draws our attention to the profound connection between faith and healing. Two blind men follow Him, crying out in trust and desperation, addressing Him with a Messianic title “Son of David, have pity on us!” They were blind, and, yet, they followed Jesus as He went on His way. It seems that even though they were physically blind, their spiritual eyes were wide open. They saw more deeply than many of those whose physical sight were perfect. They saw with the eyes of faith. Their persistence reveals a faith that refuses to be silenced by obstacles or ignored by circumstances. When Jesus questions them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” He is not testing their curiosity but inviting them to make a personal act of trust, a surrender of the heart. Their confident “Yes, Lord” becomes the doorway through which healing enters their lives. Jesus’ response “Let it be done for you according to your faith” reminds us that miracles often unfold where hearts are willing to believe, where trust is deeper than fear, and where hope perseveres even in darkness.
The opening of their eyes symbolizes more than physical healing; it reveals the transforming power of faith that allows us to see God’s presence, goodness, and truth more clearly. Many of us experience forms of spiritual blindness, discouragement, confusion, doubt, sin, or emotional heaviness that clouds our vision. Learning to see deeply, seeing with the eyes of faith, is what we are all called to. The Psalmist today declares, ‘I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living’. The two blind men saw the Lord’s goodness in Jesus before they could see physically; that is why they followed Him. There are signs of the Lord’s goodness all around us, if we have the eyes to see it. Today we ask the Lord who is our light to open our eyes so that we too might come to see His goodness – even when it is to be found in places and in people where it is not immediately apparent. Advent calls us, like the blind men, to approach Jesus with sincerity, to cry out with confidence, and to allow His divine touch to restore our sight. Yet Jesus also warns them not to publicize the miracle. This teaches us humility: true faith is not about spectacle but about intimate transformation. The Gospel invites each of us to ask: Do I truly believe God can heal what is wounded in me? Do I trust Him enough to surrender my fears and let His grace open my eyes?
In the First Reading, Isaiah prophesies a time of reversal, restoration, and renewal, a world made new by the mercy of God. The deaf will hear, the blind will see, the lowly will rejoice, the tyrant will vanish, and justice will flourish. Isaiah announces that those who once erred in spirit will gain understanding, and those who murmured will accept instruction. This vision mirrors the miracle in the Gospel: God’s saving action transforms His people, heals their limitations, and restores dignity. Advent echoes this prophetic promise, a season when God draws near to heal what is broken, to reverse what seems impossible, and to plant hope where despair once lived.
The Responsorial Psalm proclaims: “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” Light is a central image of Advent, and today’s psalm celebrates God as the One who dispels fear, strengthens the weary, and fills the heart with courage. The Psalmist expresses a single longing: to dwell in the house of the Lord, to gaze upon His beauty, and to remain in His presence. Advent invites us to cultivate this same desire to seek God above all things, to wait for Him with courage, and to trust that we shall indeed “see the bounty of the Lord in the land of the living.” Like the blind men who sought Christ with persistence, we too are called to seek God with unwavering trust, believing that He hears our cries and sees our needs more clearly than we do.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, the Word of God invites us to pause and ask ourselves: What areas of my life need Christ’s healing touch? Do I approach Jesus with persistent faith, or do discouragement and delay weaken my trust? Am I spiritually blind in any area, unable to see God’s work, God’s goodness, or God’s presence in my circumstances? During this Advent season, how is God calling me to wait courageously, to trust more boldly, and to hope more deeply? May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to respond like the blind men with humility, perseverance, and unwavering faith, believing that He can do all things.🙏🏽
Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the world and healer of our blindness, open our eyes to see Your presence in our lives and to recognize Your saving power at work within us. Strengthen our faith, deepen our trust, and grant us the courage to seek You with persistence and hope. Remove every darkness that clouds our vision, fear, doubt, sin, weariness and touch our hearts with the grace that renews and restores. In this holy season of Advent, help us to wait for You with steadfast hope and to walk in the light of Your truth. Amen🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT GERALD, BISHOP OF BRAGA, AND SAINT SABAS, ABBOT – FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 5TH: Today, the Church joyfully commemorates the Memorial of Saint Gerald, Bishop of Braga (Patron of the Diocese of Braga and Reforming Bishops) and Saint Sabas, Abbot (Patron of Eastern Monasticism and Hermits). These two great saints, one a shepherd who renewed the Church through discipline and pastoral wisdom, the other a monk whose holiness shaped Christian monasticism for centuries witness to the power of humility, prayer, and steadfast fidelity to God. Their lives remind us that sanctity takes many forms: in governing a diocese with justice, in living the hidden life of contemplation, and in courageously defending the truth during times of crisis. As we honor them today, may their intercession help us grow in holiness, perseverance, and purity of heart. 🙏🏾
Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections | December 5th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Gerald, and Saint Sabas | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-december-5th/)
SAINT GERALD, BISHOP OF BRAGA: Saint Gerald of Braga (†1109), a Benedictine monk from Cahors in Gascony, first served the Church in Spain as a reformer under Archbishop Bernard of Toledo. Known for his deep piety, musical skill, and pastoral zeal, he soon became a beloved spiritual guide to clergy and laity alike. When the See of Braga in Portugal became vacant, Gerald was unanimously chosen as bishop. As Bishop of Braga, he dedicated his life to renewing the faith, correcting abuses, and strengthening ecclesiastical discipline. His leadership restored order to the local Church and guided countless souls toward holiness. He baptized Afonso I, the first king of Portugal, and remained a tireless shepherd until his death on December 5, 1109. His sanctity continues to shine through the legacy of the reformed and flourishing Church he helped build.
PRAYER: O God, Light and Shepherd of souls, You raised Saint Gerald to guide and renew Your Church with wisdom and devotion. Through his intercession, help us remain faithful to the truth he taught and to follow the path of holiness he modeled. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾
SAINT SABAS, ABBOT: Saint Sabas (439–532), one of the great Fathers of Eastern monasticism, was born in Cappadocia to a noble family but fled worldly disputes at a young age to embrace the monastic life. Entering the religious life as a child, he grew quickly in virtue, prayer, and humility. Drawn to deeper solitude, he became a hermit under the guidance of Saint Euthymius and later lived in the desert near Jericho. His holiness attracted many disciples, leading him to found the great Mar Saba Monastery, one of the most revered and enduring monastic communities in the world. Though he longed for silence, he became a spiritual father to hundreds of monks, a defender of orthodoxy, and a courageous advocate for persecuted Christians. Even in old age, he traveled to Constantinople to protect the faithful from injustice. Saint Sabas died at over ninety years of age, leaving behind a legacy of prayer, courage, and unwavering fidelity to Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You strengthened Saint Sabas with the grace of holy perseverance and made him a guiding light for monastics and all who seek You in prayer. Grant that through his example and intercession, we may grow in purity of heart, steadfast faith, and deeper love for You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Gerald, and Saint Sabas — Pray for us. 🙏🏾
SAINT ANDREW PRAYER: St. Andrew Christmas Novena begins on the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th). The following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen”🙏🏾
GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS | PRAYERS FOR PEACE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/general-prayers-and-intentions/
Watch “HOLY MASS PRESIDED BY POPE LEO XIV IN TURKEY | LIVE FROM ISTANBUL VOLKSWAGEN ARENA | VIGIL OF THE 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT | November 29, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-november-30-2025/
LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of December | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-december/
COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/
THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/
KIND REMINDER: JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE 2025 HOLY DOOR SCHEDULE TIMELINES | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/jubilee-of-hope-2025/
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 DECEMBER: For Christians in areas of conflict. Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER | MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a celebration of God’s most wondrous work in preparing a pure and spotless Mother for His Son. From the first moment of her existence, Mary was preserved from the stain of Original Sin by a singular grace and privilege, in view of the merits of Christ’s saving passion. She is the “all-holy,” full of grace, the radiant dawn announcing the coming of our Savior, and the perfect model of what God desires for every Christian—a life transformed by grace.
This devotion reaches its summit on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, one of the most cherished Marian feasts of the Church. Throughout this month, the Church invites us to contemplate Mary’s unique call, her purity of heart, and her total openness to God’s will. As we enter the Advent season and prepare for the birth of Christ, Mary stands before us as the first and most faithful disciple—the woman whose “yes” changed the course of salvation history.
In honoring Mary Immaculate, we are drawn into the mystery of God’s redeeming love and reminded that holiness is possible for us too through God’s grace. May this month awaken in us a deeper devotion to the Mother of God and inspire us to imitate her virtues of humility, purity, obedience, and trust.
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we honor Saint Gerald, Bishop of Braga, a defender of truth and a shepherd of deep humility, and Saint Sabas, Abbot, whose life of prayer, discipline, and fidelity strengthened the early monastic tradition, we turn to God with renewed trust. On this Friday of the First Week of Advent, the Scriptures invite us to believe in the God who opens blind eyes, restores understanding to the wayward, and brings light to those who dwell in darkness. We pray for the grace to recognize Christ’s presence even in moments of uncertainty, just as the two blind men believed before they could see. May the intercession of Saints Gerald and Sabas inspire us to grow in holiness, perseverance, and purity of heart. We lift before God all who seek clarity, healing, and direction; those burdened with spiritual or emotional blindness; and all who struggle to hold onto hope. We pray for leaders in the Church, for religious communities, and for every family facing challenges, that the Lord may strengthen their faith and illuminate their path. May Advent be for us a season of renewed vision, deeper trust, and unshakable confidence in God’s saving love.
LET US PRAY:
My healing Lord, though Your many miracles show Your divine power over nature, demons, and every illness—even death—the greatest healing You offer is the healing of my soul from sin. Please have pity on me, Lord. Heal the spiritual blindness I have so that I may come to know You, follow You, and live according to Your will. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord our God, You are our light, our salvation, and our constant refuge. As we await the coming of Christ, open the eyes of our hearts that we may walk in Your truth and recognize Your grace at work in our lives. Through the example and prayers of Saint Gerald and Saint Sabas, purify our intentions, deepen our faith, and make us steadfast in prayer. Heal all forms of blindness within us, fear, doubt, sin, and discouragement, and fill us with the joyful hope that comes from trusting in Your promises. Strengthen those in need today, comfort the afflicted, and guide all who long for Your peace. May this Advent journey draw us closer to Your heart and prepare us to welcome Christ with renewed joy and readiness. Amen🙏🏾
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Gerald, and Saint Sabas ~ 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 on this Friday of the First Week of Advent, may our hearts remain open to the quiet working of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide, renew, and strengthen us each day. As we begin the month of December, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the blessings of the past and entrust the days ahead into God’s loving hands. In this sacred season of hopeful expectation, may our Advent journey be filled with light, peace, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ, our long-awaited Savior, walks with us always. Alleluia! May God grant journey mercies to all those traveling this week. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled December, a fruitful season of Advent, a relaxing weekend and a peaceful month of December 🙏🏽
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
DR. PHILOMENA IKOWE AND HER JOYFUL CATHOLIC WITNESS | LIGHTS, CATHOLIC, ACTION! | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/dr-philomena-ikowe-and-her-joyful-catholic-witness/