MEMORIAL OF SAINT HELEN (HELENA), EMPRESS AND SAINT AGAPETUS, MARTYR

MONDAY OF THE TWENTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: AUGUST 18, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT HELEN (HELENA), EMPRESS AND SAINT AGAPETUS, MARTYR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

( Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Helen, and Saint Agapitus |  https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-18th/)

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | August 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-163/

NOVENA TO SAINT MONICA | Especially prayed for wayward children | Praying for the Conversion of a Loved One? Turn to Saint Monica’s Powerful Intercession – EWTN https://share.google/ySufvzJba2FnMIwla | Novena starts today, August 18-26. The Feast of Saint Monica is August 27th.

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, Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time, we thank the good Lord for the gift of this day! During this month of August, we entrust our lives, our plans, our fears, and our dreams into God’s loving hands. We pray that this month will be filled with divine blessings, new opportunities, and the strength to overcome every challenge that may come our way.

We pray and celebrate with those marking birthdays, anniversaries, new jobs, weddings, and other joyful milestones this August. May this be a month of peace for the anxious, healing for the sick, comfort for the brokenhearted, and provision for the needy. As we walk through the days ahead, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ go before us, the love of God surround us, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit guide every decision we make. May this month bring us closer to holiness, deeper in faith, and stronger in hope. In all things, may God’s name be paised. Amen🙏🏽

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

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” ~ Proverbs 3:5-6 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” ~ James 1:5

On this feast day, as our children and children all over the world begin the new school year, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we pray for their safety and well-being, especially those beginning the new school year. May God grant them the ability to accept one another and courage to stand against any form of violence in treating others and courage to face new challenges and wisdom to make good choices. We pray for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding and for God’s guidance and protection upon them during this school year and always. We pray for safe travels, to and from school. We also pray for all teachers, staff and parents, and guardians. May the good Lord provide for those in need. And we continue to pray for peace, love, and unity in our families and our world. May God keep us all safe and well. Amen 🙏🏽

May Saint Joseph of Cupertino, Patron Saint of Students intercede for all students. Amen 🙏🏽

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

We remember in prayer all who began this journey of life with us but are no longer here. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died, that the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom.

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & 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 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯️✝️🕯️✝️🕯️

With special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we continue to humbly pray for the well-being and safety of all parents, grandparents and the elderly. We pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world today. We continue to pray for all families and for the safety and well-being of our children and children all over the world. We pray for all those who are marginalized in our society, the poor and the needy. We 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. May God protect us all and keep united in peace, love and faith. Amen 🙏🏽

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 and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of the Ordinary Time. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of August.🙏🏽

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

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

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

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

Today’s Bible Readings: Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time | August 18, 2025
Reading 1: Judges 2:11–19
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 106:34–35, 36–37, 39–40, 43ab and 44
Gospel: Matthew 19:16–22

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 19:16–22

“If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me”

“A young man approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him, “Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

In today’s Gospel reading, a young man approached Jesus with a sincere question: “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” He had kept the commandments faithfully, yet he sensed something was missing. Jesus invited him to a deeper step of discipleship to let go of earthly attachments, give to the poor, and follow Him. Sadly, the young man went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions. His wealth had become a barrier to radical trust in God. Today’s Gospel confronts us with a challenging truth: eternal life is not simply about obeying rules but about surrendering our whole heart to God. The call of Jesus is not just to keep the minimum, but to embrace the maximum to let His love transform us into generous, selfless disciples. The young man reminds us that it is possible to appear righteous outwardly while still clinging to idols of comfort, wealth, or self-reliance. True perfection is not found in what we keep, but in what we are willing to give up for the sake of Christ.

The young man in today’s Gospel reading is clearly a very well intentioned person and also a very good living person. He has been faithful to the commandments that Jesus cites. Yet, he senses that is being called to something more, and, so he probes Jesus with his question, ‘What more do I need to do?’ For all that, when it comes to the personal call that Jesus addressed to him, he could not answer it. For this particular young man, the call to follow Jesus required him to let go of his great wealth. Jesus was asking him to put his trust in God rather than in his great wealth. He could not bring himself to do this, and, so, he went away sad. He could not live with the answer to his own question and, as a result, he remained deeply dissatisfied. Jesus addresses a personal call to each one of us; it will take a different form for each of us and will have different implications for each of us. However, whatever form Jesus’ call takes for us, it will always involve the call to find our security in God as Jesus reveals Him to us, rather than in anything we possess or achieve. Our ultimate treasure is to be found in heaven, not on earth. As Jesus says in the Gospels, it is God we are to love with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. Only then will we have the freedom to hold everything else lightly.

In the first reading, the story of Israel in the time of the Judges mirrors this same struggle. God had delivered them, yet they repeatedly abandoned Him for false gods. Each time, they cried out in distress, and God, in His mercy, raised up judges to save them. But once the judge died, they fell back into sin, often worse than before. This cycle of infidelity reveals the human tendency to forget God’s goodness when comfort returns. It challenges us to ask: do we serve God only when it is convenient, or with a constant and faithful heart?

Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist laments the people’s unfaithfulness, yet also highlights God’s compassion: “Yet He had regard for their affliction when He heard their cry.” This is a reminder that even in our failures, God remains merciful. When we fall into sin or cling to false idols, the Lord is always ready to restore us when we turn back with sincerity.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, together, these readings call us to examine where our hearts truly lie. Do we, like Israel, quickly forget God’s saving works when life is comfortable? Do we, like the rich young man, hold on to possessions, status, or attachments that prevent us from following Christ wholeheartedly? Or do we, like the psalmist, learn to cry out to God in humility, trusting His mercy? Jesus’ invitation “Come, follow me” remains alive today. It is a radical call to discipleship, not half-hearted, not convenient, but total. To follow Him means to let go of whatever binds us and to treasure Him above all else. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace as we remain faithful and continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽

Lord Jesus, You know my heart better than I do. Teach me not to cling to possessions or fleeting comforts, but to treasure You above all things. Give me the courage to let go of whatever hinders me from following You fully. Like Israel, I often stray, yet in Your mercy, You always hear my cry. Strengthen me to walk faithfully in Your ways, and help me to use all I have for the good of others and for Your glory. Amen. 🙏🏾

MEMORIAL OF SAINT HELEN (HELENA), EMPRESS AND SAINT AGAPETUS, MARTYR ~ FEAST DAY – AUGUST 18TH: Today, the Church honors two holy witnesses of Christ: Saint Helen (Helena), Empress (Patroness of difficult marriages, divorced people, converts, and archaeologists) and Saint Agapitus, Martyr (Patron of Palestrina, Italy, and protector against colic). Though different in life’s circumstances one a queenly mother, the other a youthful martyr both show us that holiness is possible at any stage of life, in every vocation, and under every trial. Through their intercession, we pray today for married couples, especially those in difficult or broken unions, for the divorced and those seeking healing, and for all families that they may be places of love, peace, and unity. We lift up the sick and dying, particularly those suffering from cancer and other terminal illnesses; the poor and needy; and persecuted Christians around the world. We also pray for our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV, the bishops, clergy, and religious, asking the Lord to send more laborers into His vineyard and to grant the conversion of sinners everywhere. 🙏🏾

Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | August 18th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Helen, and Saint Agapitus | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-18th/)

SAINT HELEN (HELENA), EMPRESS: Born around 248 AD in Drepanum (modern-day Turkey), Saint Helen came from humble beginnings yet rose to become one of the most influential women of her time. She married Constantius Chlorus and bore a son, Constantine, who would later become Emperor and legalize Christianity in the Roman Empire. Though abandoned in marriage for political reasons, Helen remained strong in faith and love for her son.

At around 65 years of age, she embraced Christianity wholeheartedly. As Empress, Helen dedicated her final years to the service of Christ. She made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in her 80s, where she oversaw the search for the True Cross of Christ. After discovering it along with the nails and inscription, she built churches at sacred sites including Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives, and Gethsemane, leaving behind a legacy of faith and devotion that shaped Christian history. Helen’s life teaches us that it is never too late to turn to God. Despite her personal trials and late conversion, her zeal bore extraordinary fruit. She reminds us that God’s mercy has no time limits, and His call to holiness reaches us whether we are young or old.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, You revealed the power of Your Cross to Saint Helen. Through her intercession, help us to carry our crosses faithfully and discover in them the treasure of everlasting life. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT AGAPITUS, MARTYR: Saint Agapitus was a noble-born youth of Palestrina, Italy, who embraced the faith with courage at the age of fifteen. During the persecution under Emperor Aurelian (c. 274 AD), he boldly professed Christ and endured brutal tortures: scourging, starvation, smoke, boiling water, and finally beheading when wild beasts refused to harm him.

Though only a teenager, Agapitus’s heroic martyrdom converted many onlookers and inspired the Church of Rome for centuries. His name appears in the sacramentaries of Popes Gelasius and Gregory the Great, and a church was built in his honor as early as the 5th century. His cult became a source of strength for Christians facing trial and persecution. Saint Agapitus reminds us that holiness is not measured by years lived but by love and courage shown for Christ. Even the young are called to witness with their lives, and in him we see how faith can triumph over fear.

PRAYER: O God, who gave Saint Agapitus the strength to endure torture and death for Your Name, grant us the grace to be steadfast in faith, courageous in witness, and joyful in bearing Your Cross. Amen. 🙏🏾

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Helen, and Saint Agapitus ~ 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 AUGUST: For mutual coexistence. Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.

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

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST | MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY: August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, inviting us to reflect on her pure love, deep sorrow, and unwavering obedience to God. Her heart, aflame with charity and pierced by suffering, mirrors the life of Christ and calls us to follow Him more closely through her example. This month, the Church encourages us to console her sorrowful heart and grow in holiness through prayers like the Rosary, the Litany of the Immaculate Heart, and the First Saturday Devotion. Through Mary’s heart, we are led ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“O Immaculate Heart of Mary, be our refuge and the way that leads us to God.”

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and draw us into deeper love and trust in your Son. Amen🙏🏽

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: We pray for the Church throughout the world, that her leaders and members may remain faithful to God’s commandments and not be led astray by the idols of this age. May the faithful, like the rich young man in the Gospel, learn to place their trust not in wealth or earthly security but in Christ alone, who is the source of true life. We remember all who struggle with attachments that keep them from following God wholeheartedly that they may receive the grace of detachment and courage to say “yes” to Christ’s call. Through the intercession of Saint Helen, who sought the true Cross with unwavering devotion, may we seek Christ above all things. Through Saint Agapetus, young martyr of Rome, may the youth of today be strengthened in purity, faith, and perseverance in trials. We also lift up those who suffer persecution for their faith, that they may find hope and consolation in Christ’s victory.

LET US PRAY:

My loving Lord, You invited the rich young man to strive for perfection. You also invite me and all Your children to this holy and high calling. Give me the grace I need to detach from all that hinders this goal so that I can make You and Your holy will the central and only goal of my life. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

Lord God, You alone are our true treasure. Free our hearts from the distractions and false gods that draw us away from You. Give us the courage to follow Your Son with generosity and perseverance, even when sacrifice is required. Through the prayers of Saint Helen and Saint Agapetus, may we remain steadfast in faith and grow in love for the Cross of Christ. Grant us the grace today to seek first Your kingdom and to walk in fidelity to Your commandments. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Helen, and Saint Agapitus ~ 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 as we now enter the 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, grace-filled Monday and a fulfilling week 🙏🏽

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