FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/wednesday-of-the-twenty-third-week-in-ordinary-time-year-a-september-11-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 11, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-11th/

SAINT PROTUS AND HYACINTH, MARTYRS; SAINT PAPHNUTIUS THE GREAT, BISHOP AND SAINT JOHN (JEAN) GABRIEL PERBOYRE, PRIEST AND MARTYR

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

👉🏾 Watch the YouTube Video of Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Saint Paphnutius the Great, and Saint John Gabriel Perboyre Here |

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

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS: The Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows begin September 6, and end on September 14 in preparation for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15^th. Novena Link | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-our-lady-of-sorrows/

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | September 11, 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-september-11-2026/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, on this Friday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time, the Gospel challenges us to embrace profound self-awareness and humility, reminding us to remove the wooden beam of our own faults before rushing to judge the minor flaws of others. In the First Reading, Saint Paul describes his apostolic ministry as a dedicated race, urging us to exercise strict spiritual discipline and run with purpose for an imperishable crown. Today, the Church honors Saints Protus and Hyacinth, courageous Roman brothers and servants who sealed their witness to Christ with martyrdom during the persecutions of Valerian; Saint Paphnutius the Great, a heroic Egyptian bishop and desert monk who endured terrible torture, lost an eye for the faith, and steadfastly defended Christ’s divinity at the Council of Nicaea; and Saint John Gabriel Perboyre, a Vincentian priest who became the first saint of China, offering his life in a martyrdom that mirrored the Passion of Christ. Inspired by their unyielding courage and depth of spirit, let us examine our hearts, put aside our judgments, and follow Christ with renewed dedication.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

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

Today’s Bible Readings for Friday, September 11, 2026 | Friday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 84:3, 4, 5-6, 12
Gospel: Luke 6:39-42

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 6:39-42

“You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.”

“Jesus told his disciples a parable: ‘Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,” when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.'”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In today’s Gospel, Jesus addresses the universal human tendency toward self-righteousness and quick judgment through a vivid and memorable image: the splinter and the wooden beam. He asks a piercing question about spiritual blindness, warning us against the hypocrisy of trying to correct the minor faults of others while ignoring our own major spiritual shortcomings. True Christian discipleship begins with radical self-examination and humility. Only when we first allow the Lord to clear our own vision by addressing our sins and blind spots can we approach our brothers and sisters with genuine charity, patience, and clarity to help them heal.

Saint Paul echoes this deep commitment to intentional, disciplined living in the First Reading from his letter to the Corinthians. Describing his apostolic ministry, Paul explains that he has made himself a servant to all so as to win as many as possible to Christ. He uses the imagery of an athlete training in a stadium, urging believers to run the race of faith with purpose and strict spiritual discipline: “Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it…” The Responsorial Psalm beautifully captures the heart’s deep longing for holiness and divine intimacy, echoing the sentiments of a soul yearning for God’s presence: “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God! My soul yearns and pines for the courts of the LORD.”

Together, these passages invite us to turn our critical gaze inward. Instead of focusing on the flaws of those around us, we are called to discipline our hearts, seek God’s mercy, and purify our intentions so that we can be true lights and faithful guides to others.

Are there areas in your life where you have been quick to judge others while overlooking your own faults? How can you cultivate greater spiritual discipline and self-awareness today?

Heavenly Father, You search our hearts and know all our ways. Forgive us for the times we have looked critically at the faults of others while ignoring the heavy beams of pride, judgment, and sin in our own lives. Grant us the grace of true self-awareness and humble repentance. Discipline our spirits so that we may run the race of faith with purpose, keeping our eyes fixed on Your holiness. Cleanse our vision, O Lord, that we may see our brothers and sisters through Your eyes of mercy and love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 11TH:

Direct link to the detailed history of Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Saint Paphnutius the Great, and Saint John Gabriel Perboyre | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-11th/

SAINTS PROTUS AND HYACINTH, MARTYRS (d. 3^rd century): Saints Protus and Hyacinth were Roman brothers and servants of St. Eugenia, a noblewoman who had converted to Christianity. After their baptism, they dedicated themselves to prayer and Scripture, living for a time as hermits in Egypt before returning to Rome. During the persecutions of Emperor Valerian (253–260), which were later continued by his son and co-emperor Gallienus (253–268), they were arrested with St. Eugenia. Refusing to deny Christ, they endured severe beatings and were beheaded for their faith. Their relics were later discovered in the Catacombs, and Pope St. Damasus honored their memory as courageous witnesses of the Gospel.

Reflection: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

PRAYER: O God, who crowned Your holy martyrs Protus and Hyacinth with the glory of eternal life, grant that through their prayers we may hold fast to our faith with courage and joy, and so be worthy of everlasting union with You. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT PAPHNUTIUS THE GREAT, BISHOP (4^th century): A disciple of St. Anthony of the Desert, St. Paphnutius embraced the monastic life in Egypt before being ordained bishop of the Upper Thebaid. Under Emperor Maximinus, he was tortured for his faith his right eye was gouged out, his leg maimed, and he was condemned to hard labor in the mines. Surviving persecution, he became a revered confessor of the faith. At the Council of Nicaea (325), he defended the divinity of Christ against Arian heresy and upheld the Church’s ancient discipline regarding married clergy. Known for his wisdom and steadfast orthodoxy, he remained a strong defender of Christian truth alongside St. Athanasius. His feast is kept on September 11^th.

PRAYER: Lord, through the steadfast witness of St. Paphnutius, strengthen us to defend the truth of the faith with courage and charity. May his prayers help us to endure trials with hope and remain faithful to Christ in all things. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT JOHN (JEAN) GABRIEL PERBOYRE, PRIEST AND MARTYR (1802–1840): Born in France, St. John Gabriel Perboyre was a Vincentian priest known for his holiness and dedication to formation of seminarians. Long desiring to serve in the missions, he was sent to China in 1835. There he ministered with zeal but was betrayed by a catechumen during a persecution. His Passion mirrored Christ’s: betrayed for silver, bound, flogged, and dragged before tribunals. On September 11, 1840, he was executed by strangulation while bound to a cross. Canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1996, he is honored as the first canonized saint of China.

PRAYER: O God, who granted St. John Gabriel Perboyre strength to endure suffering for the sake of Christ, grant us, through his intercession, the grace to remain faithful in trials and to proclaim Your love to the ends of the earth. Amen. 🙏🏾

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Saint Paphnutius the Great, and Saint John Gabriel Perboyre ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Saint Paphnutius the Great (Saint Paphnutius), and Saint John Gabriel Perboyre, we also honor: SAINT ADELPHUS, SAINT ALMIRUS, SAINT BODO, BLESSED CASPAR KOTENDA, SAINT DANIEL, SAINT DEINIOL, SAINT DIODORUS, SAINT EMILIAN, SAINTS FELIX & REGULA, BLESSED FRANCIS TAKEA, SAINT PATIENS, BLESSED PETER IKIEMON, SAINT PETER OF CHAVANON, SAINT THEODORA OF ALEXANDRIA, AND SAINT VINCENT OF LEON. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR SELF-AWARENESS, COURAGE IN TRIALS, AND ZEAL FOR THE GOSPEL

Heavenly Father, as we come before You today, we ask for the grace of true humility and self-awareness. Through the intercession of Saints Protus and Hyacinth, strengthen our faith and comfort us in times of trial, that we may never shrink from confessing Christ before the world. Through the prayers of Saint Paphnutius the Great, grant us unwavering courage to defend Your truth and uphold the integrity of the faith against all spiritual confusion. Through the martyrdom and zealous witness of Saint John Gabriel Perboyre, fill our hearts with a burning love for souls and a desire to be conformed entirely to Your divine image. Lord Jesus, clear our spiritual vision so that we may correct our own faults with honesty and treat our brothers and sisters with overflowing mercy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Saint Paphnutius the Great, Saint John Gabriel Perboyre, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER: For the care of water. Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

(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/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=9

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/