FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | AUGUST 28, 2026

FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | AUGUST 28, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/friday-of-the-twenty-first-week-in-ordinary-time-year-a-august-28-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | AUGUST 28, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-28th/

MEMORIAL OF SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH AND SAINT HERMES,  MARTYR

HISTORY OF THE SAINTS SERIES ON YOUTUBE CHANNEL | https://www.youtube.com/@dailyreflectionswithphilomena

👉🏾 Watch the YouTube Video of Saint Augustine of Hippo and Saint Hermes Here |

History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | August 28, 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-august-28-2026/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, on the Memorial of Saint Augustine of Hippo, the Gospel of the Ten Virgins calls us to spiritual wisdom and vigilance, keeping our lamps trimmed and filled with the oil of grace as we await Christ. Today, we celebrate Saint Augustine, a Doctor of the Church whose dramatic journey from a wayward life of sin to becoming one of Catholicism’s greatest theologians reveals the boundless power of God’s mercy. We also honor Saint Hermes, an early Roman martyr who laid down his life for Christ and has long been invoked for those suffering from mental illness. Inspired by Saint Augustine’s transformed heart, let us turn away from worldly distractions and seek our true rest in God alone.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings for Friday, August 28, 2026 | Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 10-11
Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 25:1-13

“Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

“Jesus told his disciples this parable: ‘The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, “Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise ones replied, “No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.” While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, “Lord, Lord, open the door for us!” But he said in reply, “Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.” Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.'”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents the Parable of the Ten Virgins to teach us the necessity of spiritual readiness and inner substance. The oil in the lamps represents a heart rich in faith, grace, good works, and continuous love for God, things that cannot be borrowed at the last minute or transferred from someone else. The foolish virgins had lamps (the outward appearance of faith), but no oil (the interior life and readiness required to meet Christ). Saint Augustine, whose memorial we celebrate today, understood this contrast deeply. For years, he pursued worldly glory and worldly philosophy, leaving his spiritual lamp empty. But when God’s grace touched his heart, his life became a burning lamp filled with the oil of divine love, leading him to write: “Late have I loved You, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved You!”

In the First Reading, Saint Paul reminds the Corinthians that human wisdom and eloquence are nothing compared to the power of God revealed in the Cross of Christ. To the worldly mind, the Gospel appears foolish, yet Christ crucified is the very wisdom and strength of God. Saint Augustine dedicated his brilliance after his conversion to defending this ultimate truth—demonstrating that all human knowledge finds its true fulfillment only in Christ. The Responsorial Psalm reinforces this truth with Psalm 33: “The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” It reminds us that while human plans fail, the design of the Lord’s heart stands firm through all generations.

These readings challenge us to inspect our own spiritual lamps today. Is our faith sustained by active prayer, reception of the sacraments, and genuine love, or are we running on empty routine? We are called to reject worldly distractions, embrace the wisdom of the Cross, and keep our lamps trimmed and burning brightly as we wait for the Bridegroom. Is your spiritual lamp filled with the oil of prayer, faith, and good works, or have you allowed routine to dry up your inner devotion? How can you cultivate deeper interior grace today?

Lord Jesus Christ, divine Bridegroom of our souls, grant us the wisdom to keep our lamps trimmed and burning with the oil of faith, hope, and charity. Through the intercession of Saint Augustine, ignite within us a restless longing for You, that our hearts may never find rest until they rest in You. Protect us from spiritual sloth, false confidence, and worldly wisdom, and keep us ever watchful, so that when You come, we may joyfully enter the eternal wedding feast of Heaven. For You live and reign forever and ever. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | AUGUST 28TH:

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Augustine of Hippo and Saint Hermes |https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-28th/

SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (354–430): Today we celebrate Saint Augustine, one of the greatest theologians, writers, and thinkers in the history of the Catholic Church. Born in Tagaste, North Africa, Augustine spent his youth pursuing worldly pleasures, lust, and heretical philosophies, causing his holy mother, St. Monica, immense grief. However, through her unceasing tears and prayers, combined with the powerful preaching of St. Ambrose in Milan, Augustine underwent a profound conversion and was baptized in 387. He went on to become a priest, the Bishop of Hippo, and the founder of a religious order, authoring timeless spiritual classics like Confessions and The City of God. His life stands as a powerful testament to the triumph of divine grace, reminding us that no soul is ever beyond God’s mercy. As he famously wrote: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You, O Lord.”

PRAYER: Lord, renew in Your Church the spirit You inspired in Saint Augustine. Filled with this same spirit, may we thirst for You as the true source of wisdom and seek You as the Author of heavenly love. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT HERMES, MARTYR (D. C. 120): Today we also remember Saint Hermes, an early Christian martyr who died for his faith in Rome. A wealthy freedman, Hermes renounced worldly status to embrace Christ, ultimately giving his life under Roman persecution. Buried along the Salarian Way, his early veneration grew rapidly, and over the centuries, pilgrims frequently sought his heavenly intercession for healing, particularly for those suffering from mental illnesses and brain disorders. Saint Hermes reminds us to stand firm in our Christian commitment regardless of the cost.

PRAYER: O God, who granted Saint Hermes the courage to lay down his life for the Gospel, grant through his intercession that we may remain faithful to You in all trials and find strength in Your grace. Amen. 🙏🏽

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saint Augustine of Hippo and Saint Hermes, we also honor: SAINT ALEXANDER OF CONSTANTINOPLE, BLESSED AURELIO DA VINALESA, SAINT EDMUND ARROWSMITH, SAINT FACUNDIUS, SAINT FORTUNATUS, SAINT GORMAN, BLESSED HUGH MORE, BLESSED JOHN ROCHE & MARGARET WARD, SAINT JULIAN OF AUVERGNE, BLESSED LAURENTIA HERASYMIV, SAINT MOSES THE BLACK (SAINT MOSES THE ETHIOPIAN), SAINT PELAGIUS OF CONSTANCE, BLESSED ROBERT MORTON, SAINT RUMWALD, BLESSED TERESA BRACCO, BLESSED THOMAS FELTON, BLESSED THOMAS HOLFORD, SAINT VIVIAN, BLESSED WILLIAM DEAN, AND BLESSED WILLIAM GUNTEI. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR THE SICK, MENTAL HEALTH, EYE DISEASES, FAMILY UNITY, AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

Heavenly Father, on this Feast of Saint Augustine and Saint Hermes, we lift our hearts to You in humble trust. Through the powerful intercession of Saint Augustine, we pray for the conversion of sinners, especially those who have drifted far from the sacraments or succumbed to the illusions of the world; grant them the grace of a profound spiritual awakening. Through the prayers of Saint Hermes, extend Your healing and comforting hand upon all who are sick, especially those suffering from eye diseases, mental illnesses, brain disorders, cancer, and terminal conditions. We pray for our Holy Father, Bishops, Priests, and Religious, asking You to preserve them in truth and grant them pastoral wisdom. Bless our marriages, safeguard our children, comfort the poor and grieving, and grant that our hearts may find their true and lasting rest in You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Hermes, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

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

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings, and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/

DAILY PRAYERS: St. Michael the Archangel Prayer; Angelus Prayer; and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/st-michael-the-archangel-prayer-angelus-prayer-and-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy-prayer-2/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

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

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