TUESDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
[Depending upon the practice of the local diocese or territory, the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is widely celebrated on January 6th, or on the first Sunday after January 1st in countries where this feast is not a Holy Day of Obligation. Roman Catholic dioceses in many countries celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th, some countries including the dioceses of the United States celebrate this feast on Sunday, January 4, 2026].
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JANUARY 6, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
MEMORIAL OF SAINT ANDRÉ BESSETTE, RELIGIOUS | JANUARY 6TH | Direct link to the detailed history of Saint André Bessette | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-january-6th/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | January 6, 2026 | “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-january-6-2026/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today, On this special Feast day, the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, also Tuesday after Epiphany, January 6, the Church commemorates the Memorial of Saint André Bessette, Religious. In today’s liturgy, we are reminded that God is love, revealed through compassion, self-giving, and care for the vulnerable. As Jesus feeds the hungry crowd and Saint André quietly serves the poor and the sick with humility and trust, we are invited to reflect on how God’s love is made visible through simple acts of kindness and faithful service. May this day’s reflection lead us to share generously what we have and to become living witnesses of God’s mercy in the world. 🙏🏽
We joyfully thank God for the gift of life and for bringing us safely into the new year. As we embark on this fresh 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 January, dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus, invites us to grow in grace and devotion, following His example of love, obedience, and trust in God’s plan. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Name of Jesus, may God fill our hearts with hope, strengthen our faith, and guide us in holiness throughout this new year. 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 months. We entrust the days of January 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 January. 🙏🏽
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD: Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Depending upon the practice of the local diocese or territory, the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is widely celebrated on January 6, or on the first Sunday after January 1 in countries where this feast is not a Holy Day of Obligation. Roman Catholic dioceses in many countries celebrates the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th, some countries including the dioceses of the United States celebrate this feast on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD: The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord is one of the oldest Christian feasts and one of the most important. The feast of the Epiphany also known as Theophany or the Feast of Manifestation which is traditionally celebrated on the 12th day after Christmas, on January 6th. However, in the Roman Catholic dioceses in many countries including the dioceses of the United States where the solemnity of the Epiphany is not observed as a holy day of obligation, this feast has been moved and assigned to a Sunday, which is then considered a proper day on the calendar, falling on the Sunday between January 2nd and January 8th. This year, others may celebrate the feast of Epiphany on Sunday, January 4, 2026 (from General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar).
The celebration of the Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian festivals on the Church’s calendar, celebrated since the end of the second century, it predates even the celebration of Christmas. It is commonly known as Twelfth Night, Twelfth Day, or the Feast of Epiphany. The word “epiphany” comes from the Greek word epiphaneia – a verb that means “to shine upon,” “to manifest,” “to reveal” or “to make known.” It means “manifestation” or “showing forth”. It is also called Theophany (“manifestation of God”), especially by Eastern Christians who remember the time when God ‘Theos’ manifested Himself before His people, a term known as ‘Epiphaneia’, that has the meaning of revelation, as He came forth bringing the Light and Hope to the nations, just as He has promised through His prophets and messengers. It refers to the great manifestations of our Lord’s incarnate nature as truly God and truly man, “God in flesh made manifest. Thus, the feast of the Epiphany celebrates the many ways that Christ has made Himself known to the world. Historically, Epiphany celebrated four events that manifested the mission and divinity of Christ: Jesus’ nativity; the visit of the Magi to the Holy Family to adore Him (Matthew 2:1-12); the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River where the Father revealed Him as His beloved Son (Mark 1:9-11); and Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11). Each biblical event is a theophany, or epiphany, a special manifestation of Jesus Christ to mankind. The relationship between these events is beautifully described in this antiphon from the Divine Office: “This day the Church is joined unto the Heavenly Bridegroom, since Christ hath washed away her sins in Jordan; the wise men hasten with gifts to the marriage supper of the King; and they that sit at meat together make merry with water turned into wine. Alleluia.” At one point in Church history all of these events were celebrated on the Epiphany, but now the liturgical calendar assigns particular feasts or proper days for each. The visit of the Magi is emphasized on Epiphany Day, and Christ’s baptism is celebrated the first Sunday that follows. In our day, the great Solemnity of the Epiphany primarily celebrates the visit of the Magi representing our Lord’s manifestation to all the Gentiles (the non-Jewish people of the world) and the corresponding call of the Gentiles to faith in Jesus Christ.
Through this important event of the Epiphany, God manifested Himself to the nations, represented by the Three Magi or the Three Wise Men, who came from very far lands to visit and pay homage to the One Whose coming they had predicted, and following the great Sign in the sky, the Star of Bethlehem, that appeared above the place where the Lord Jesus was born. All the Three Magi set off on a long journey from their lands, at a time when travel was arduous, difficult, lengthy and slow, traversing long distances so that they might come to and see the Holy One of God, the One Whose coming was proclaimed by the great Star. The Star of Bethlehem is a sign of the Messiah, and is also a symbol of faith or ‘Signum Fidei’ because the Three Wise Men went on that very long journey in seeking the One Whom they believed in, as a great Figure and Master, and although they did not yet know Who He truly was, but the Spirit of God present in all the peoples, even then, moved their hearts, and brought them on the journey of faith towards the Lord. The gifts which they brought to the Lord had made people to speculate the places of their origins, with the countries of Sheba and Seba in what is now Ethiopia and Yemen respectively as possible candidates. Those gifts echoed what the prophet Isaiah spoke about in the first reading today, of the caravan of camels from Sheba and Seba coming to the Lord, glorifying Him and praising Him.
The three gifts of the Three Magi are themselves very symbolic and a revelation of Who the Lord Jesus truly was, in the gift of the gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold represents the kingship and the glory of Christ, while the Frankincense represents both His Divinity and also His role as our Eternal High Priest, and lastly the Myrrh represents the way how the Lord would accomplish His mission, through the suffering and death that He would have to endure during His Passion, for our sake and our salvation. Through all these three gifts therefore, we all come to know the full extent of Who the Lord our God is, and what He has done for us through His Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is the essence of what the Epiphany celebration is all about.
PRAYER: We thank the Lord, for the gift of revealing Himself to all nations, and ask that He continue to be revealed in the works of His children… Amen 🙏🏽
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Tuesday after Epiphany | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday after Epiphany | January 6, 2026
Reading 1: 1 John 4:7–10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1–2, 3–4, 7–8
Gospel: Mark 6:34–44
Gospel Reading ~ Mark 6:34–44
“When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them.”
When Jesus saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. By now it was already late and his disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already very late. Dismiss them so that they can go to the surrounding farms and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” He said to them in reply, “Give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Are we to buy two hundred days’ wages worth of food and give it to them to eat?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out they said, “Five loaves and two fish.” So he gave orders to have them sit down in groups on the green grass. The people took their places in rows by hundreds and by fifties. Then, taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people; he also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve wicker baskets full of fragments and what was left of the fish. Those who ate of the loaves were five thousand men.
When Jesus disembarks from the boat and sees the vast crowd, He is deeply moved with compassion, for they are like sheep without a shepherd. Rather than turning them away or focusing on His own need for rest, Jesus responds to their hunger—first by teaching them and then by feeding them. His compassion is not distant or abstract; it is active, attentive, and generous. In this moment, we see the heart of Christ revealed: a Shepherd who notices the needs of His people and refuses to leave them unattended.
As the day draws to a close, the disciples see only scarcity, a deserted place, the lateness of the hour, and the impossibility of feeding so many people. Jesus, however, invites them into the miracle with a challenging command: “Give them some food yourselves.” He asks them to offer what they have, however small it may seem. Five loaves and two fish, placed in His hands, become more than enough. Through blessing, breaking, and sharing, Jesus satisfies the hunger of the crowd, leaving twelve baskets of fragments behind—a sign of abundance flowing from trust in God.
Reflecting more deeply on this Gospel, we are reminded that God’s compassion often works through human cooperation. Jesus does not act alone; He involves His disciples, teaching them that generosity and faith open the door for divine provision. This passage invites us to examine how we respond when confronted with the needs around us. Do we focus on our limitations, or do we trust that God can multiply what we offer in love?
In the First Reading, Saint John reminds us of the foundation of all Christian life: love. “God is love,” and this love is revealed not by our initiative, but by God’s action in sending His Son for our salvation. Love is not merely a feeling or ideal; it is self-giving and sacrificial. The feeding of the crowd in the Gospel becomes a living expression of this truth, God’s love poured out to sustain His people. When we love one another, we participate in God’s own life and make His presence visible in the world.
The Responsorial Psalm proclaims a vision of a just and compassionate king whose reign brings peace, care for the poor, and dignity to the afflicted. This Psalm points us to Christ, the true King, whose authority is expressed through mercy and service. His Kingdom is marked not by power or wealth, but by justice, compassion, and concern for the vulnerable. In Jesus, this promise is fulfilled as He feeds the hungry and restores hope to the weary.
As we reflect on today’s Sacred Scriptures, we are invited to trust more deeply in God’s love and providence. Are we willing to offer what little we have for the service of others? Do we allow Christ to shepherd our hearts and teach us through His Word? Today’s readings call us to become channels of God’s love, sharing generously, trusting boldly, and loving sincerely. May we allow Christ to multiply our small acts of faith and charity, so that through us, others may experience the abundance of God’s mercy and care. 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Shepherd who sees our needs and the Bread who satisfies our hunger. Teach us to trust in Your providence and to offer ourselves generously in love and service. Fill our hearts with compassion, so that we may reflect Your mercy to those in need and live as faithful witnesses of Your Kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT ANDRÉ BESSETTE, RELIGIOUS – FEAST DAY: JANUARY 6TH: Today, the Church commemorates the Memorial of Saint André Bessette, Religious (Patron of the Sick and Caregivers), affectionately known as the “Miracle Man of Montreal.” A humble member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Saint André lived a hidden life of service marked by simplicity, prayer, and unwavering trust in God. Through his deep devotion to Saint Joseph and his compassion for the suffering, he became a powerful instrument of God’s healing love. His life reminds us that holiness is often found in small duties faithfully carried out and in complete reliance on God’s grace. 🙏🏽
Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections | January 6th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint André Bessette | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-january-6th/)
SAINT ANDRÉ BESSETTE, RELIGIOUS: Saint André Bessette (1845–1937), born Alfred Bessette in Quebec, Canada, endured poverty, poor health, and the early loss of both parents. Barely educated and physically weak, he was accepted into the Congregation of Holy Cross only after much hesitation and was assigned the humble role of porter at Notre-Dame College in Montreal—a position he held for over forty years. Embracing obscurity with joy, Brother André transformed this simple duty into a ministry of prayer, welcome, and compassion.
Renowned for his profound devotion to Saint Joseph, he invited the sick and suffering to trust in God’s mercy through prayer. Countless people testified to healings and favors received through his intercession, yet Saint André consistently gave all glory to God and Saint Joseph. His faith led to the founding of Saint Joseph’s Oratory on Mount Royal, now one of the world’s great pilgrimage sites. Canonized in 2010, Saint André stands as a witness that God works wonders through humility, perseverance, and love.
PRAYER: O God, friend of the humble, You raised up Saint André Bessette as a witness to faith, prayer, and charity. Through his intercession, grant us trust in Your providence, love for the suffering, and perseverance in humble service. May we learn to see Your power at work in our weakness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint André Bessette — pray for us. 🙏🏽
GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS | PRAYERS FOR PEACE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/general-prayers-and-intentions/
LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of January | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-january-2026/
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 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY: For prayer with the Word of God. Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth, a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12538
PRAYER INTENTIONS: In today’s readings, we are reminded that God is love, revealed most fully in the self-giving of His Son, and made visible through compassion for the hungry, the suffering, and the forgotten. As we honor Saint André Bessette, whose life reflected humble service, deep trust in God, and tenderness toward the sick and poor, we pray for hearts that love generously and without condition. We lift up all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, especially those seeking healing, comfort, and hope. We pray for caregivers, ministers, and all who quietly serve others, that they may be strengthened in patience and compassion. May the Lord teach us to share what little we have, trusting that He will multiply our efforts for the good of many and draw all nations to adore Him.
LET US PRAY:
Loving Father, You revealed Your boundless love through the gift of Your Son and continue to nourish Your people with compassion and mercy. As You moved the heart of Jesus to feed the hungry crowd, so move our hearts to love one another in truth and action. Through the intercession of Saint André Bessette, grant us humility, faith, and trust in Your providence. Teach us to serve generously, to comfort the suffering, and to become instruments of Your love in the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint André Bessette ~ 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 for His faithful presence throughout the year now completed, we begin this new year in the joy of the of Christmas season, with hearts open to the wondrous mystery of Christ’s birth. As a new year dawns, we pause to reflect with gratitude on all that has been, entrusting our joys and sorrows, successes and shortcomings, into God’s merciful hands. We lift our hearts in thanksgiving for the greatest gift ever given: God Himself, born for us in humble love, bringing light, hope, and salvation to the world.
As we step forward into this new year, may this sacred season invite us to begin again with renewed faith, deeper trust, and a greater openness to God’s grace. May the peace, joy, and hope that flow from the presence of Emmanuel, God-with-us, guide our steps, shape our decisions, and strengthen our resolve to live each day in love and holiness. Alleluia! May God bless all families and loved ones as we welcome the year ahead, and may His light shine brightly in every home. May these last days of the Christmas season be grace-filled and joyful, drawing us ever deeper into the mystery of the Lord’s Incarnation and the quiet assurance of His abiding presence with us throughout the year to come. 🙏🏽
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 |
https://youtu.be/gB31nuOFx0A?si=mSoZs-wiByhGs
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! | Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/dr-philomena-ikowe-and-her-joyful-catholic-witness/