TUESDAY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

TUESDAY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/tuesday-of-the-twenty-fourth-week-in-ordinary-time-september-15-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 15, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-15th/

MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS

MEMORIAL OF SAINT NICOMEDES OF ROME, MARTYR ON THE VIA NOMENTANA AND ST CATHERINE OF GENOA, WIDOW

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

👉🏾  Watch the YouTube Video of Our Lady of Sorrows Here | https://youtube.com/shorts/17m0qnZqkJI?si=N8an5pJBWW7lbAez

👉🏾  Watch the YouTube Video of Saint Nicomedes of Rome, and Saint Catherine of Genoa Here | https://youtu.be/yBGHCkZiPQ4?si=vON6RaITagdGMiLt

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

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | September 15, 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-15-2026/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, on the poignant Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Church fixes its gaze upon the deep grief and steadfast courage of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she stood beneath the cross, uniting her maternal heart completely to the redemptive suffering of her Divine Son. In today’s Gospel, Simeon’s ancient prophecy is fulfilled, and Jesus entrusts His grieving mother to the beloved disciple, making her our mother and refuge in every trial. Grounded in this profound mystery of compassion, the Church also honors Saint Nicomedes of Rome, an early martyr who sealed his faith with his blood, and Saint Catherine of Genoa, a noble widow who endured a difficult marriage, experienced a profound mystical conversion, and dedicated her life to caring for the sick and poor while writing deeply on the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Inspired by Our Lady’s sorrowful grace and the inspiring witness of these saints, let us bring our own trials to the foot of the cross, trusting completely in God’s mercy.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

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

Today’s Bible Readings: Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows | Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
Gospel: John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35

Gospel Reading ~ John 19:25-27

“‘Woman, behold, your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

On this poignant Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Church turns its gaze from the triumph of the Cross yesterday to the agonizing, faithful presence of Mary standing beneath it. In the Gospel passage from John, we witness the deeply tender and profoundly theological moment as Jesus, hanging in agony upon the cross, entrusts His grieving Mother to the beloved disciple, and by extension, to the entire Church. Mary’s sorrow is not a passive grief; it is a courageous, unyielding participation in the redemptive suffering of her Divine Son. As Simeon prophesied(in Luke 2:33-35) when Jesus was presented in the Temple, a sword of sorrow truly pierced her soul, uniting her maternal heart completely to the sacrifice that won our salvation.

This profound sense of unity and shared suffering echoes through the First Reading from Saint Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Paul uses the powerful imagery of the human body to describe the Church: “As a body is one though it has many parts… so also Christ. Now you are Christ’s Body, and individually parts of it.” Just as every part of the physical body suffers and rejoices together, Mary’s suffering at the foot of the cross reminds us that we are intimately bound to Christ’s passion and to one another. The optional sequence, the Stabat Mater, captures this deeply personal call to spiritual intimacy, inviting us to weep with the mournful Mother, bear Christ’s anguish in our hearts, and allow our souls to be melted by His love. The Responsorial Psalm gently reassures us of our ultimate security within God’s care: “We are his people: the sheep of his flock… the LORD, whose kindness endures forever.”

Today, Our Lady of Sorrows stands as the model of steadfast faith amid life’s deepest trials. When we experience pain, grief, or heartbreak, we are invited to look to Mary, who teaches us how to stand faithfully beneath our own crosses, trusting in God’s eternal mercy.

Are there sorrows or heartbreaks in your life that you have struggled to surrender to God? How can you draw closer to the foot of the cross today, uniting your trials with the suffering and love of Christ?

Heavenly Father, You have knit us together into one body in Christ, uniting our joys and our sorrows in the mystery of Your redemption. Forgive us for the times we have grown weary beneath our crosses or sought to distance ourselves from the suffering of others. Grant us the grace to stand faithfully with Mary at the foot of the cross, embracing our place in Your holy Body with humility and love. May our hearts be pierced with a true devotion to Your Son, so that sharing in His pain on earth, we may one day share in the glory of His eternal resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

MEMORIAL OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS: Today, the Church honors the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, recalling the Blessed Mother’s profound participation in the suffering and Passion of her Son, Jesus Christ. On this day, through her powerful intercession, we pray for couples longing for the gift of children, for healing in difficult marriages, and for widows and widowers. We entrust to her care the sick and the dying, especially those battling cancer, mental illness, and other terminal conditions. We pray for peace, unity, and love in our families and communities, for the poor and needy, for the souls in Purgatory, and for the repose of all the faithful departed. We remember our Holy Father, the bishops, priests, and religious, praying for holy vocations, for persecuted Christians, and for the conversion of sinners. May Our Lady of Sorrows, who shared so closely in the sufferings of Christ, console us in our trials and lead us ever closer to her Son. 🙏🏽

HISTORY & SIGNIFICANCE: The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, also known as Mater Dolorosa (Mother of Sorrows) or the Feast of the Seven Dolors, highlights Mary’s intimate sharing in the suffering of her Son. Placed on September 15, immediately after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, it reminds us of the inseparable bond between the sacrifice of Christ and the sorrows of His Mother.

This devotion has roots as early as the 11th century and became widespread in the 14th century, promoted especially by the Servite Order. In 1817, Pope Pius VII extended the feast to the universal Church in thanksgiving for his release from exile through Mary’s intercession. The devotion centers on the “Seven Sorrows of Mary,” drawn from Scripture and Tradition, which reflect her spiritual martyrdom as she united her heart to her Son’s suffering.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary are:

• The Prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25–35)
• The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13–15)
• The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:41–50)
• Mary Meets Jesus on the Way to Calvary (Luke 23:27–31; John 19:17)
• The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25–30)
• The Body of Jesus Placed in Her Arms (Luke 23:50–54; John 19:31–37)
• The Burial of Jesus (Luke 23:55–56; John 19:38–42)

Through these sorrows, Mary shows us that to love deeply often means to suffer deeply, but with faith, sorrow is transformed into redemptive grace.

SPIRITUAL REFLECTION: Mary’s tears remind us of the cost of sin and the depth of God’s love. She stood beneath the Cross not in despair, but in steadfast faith, offering her maternal heart in union with the sacrifice of her Son. Her sorrows teach us compassion for others’ sufferings, courage in our trials, and the grace of redemptive love. Just as Christ gave Mary to us as our Mother, so too does she stand at our side in every cross we carry. To walk with Mary in her sorrows is to learn how to follow Jesus faithfully, even when the path is marked by suffering.

PRAYER: O most sorrowful Virgin Mary, Mother of our Redeemer, you stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross, sharing in your Son’s sufferings with unwavering love. Intercede for us in our sorrows, strengthen us in our trials, and draw us ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May your maternal compassion inspire us to bear our crosses with faith, until we too share in the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 15TH:

Direct link to the detailed history of Our Lady of Sorrows, Saint Nicomedes of Rome, and Saint Catherine of Genoa | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-15th/

SAINT NICOMEDES OF ROME, MARTYR (1st–4th century): St. Nicomedes was an early Roman martyr, venerated since ancient times though the exact details of his life remain uncertain. He was buried along the Via Nomentana, where a cemetery basilica was later built in his honor. A titular church in Rome also bore his name, and his cult endured for centuries as a witness to his faith and courage. Though little is known of his death, his steadfastness stands as a silent testimony to the countless unnamed martyrs who gave their lives for Christ.

PRAYER: Lord, through the intercession of St. Nicomedes, grant us steadfast courage in times of trial and fidelity to You until the end. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT CATHERINE OF GENOA, WIDOW (1447–1510): Born into nobility in Genoa, Catherine married young but endured a difficult and painful marriage. After a profound conversion through the Sacrament of Confession, she devoted herself to a life of prayer, penance, and charity. She and her husband later reconciled, together serving the sick and poor in Genoa’s hospital, where Catherine eventually became administrator. Favored with mystical visions, she authored the famous Treatise on Purgatory, offering deep insights into God’s mercy and the purification of souls. She is honored as the patroness of widows, those in difficult marriages, and victims of infidelity.

PRAYER: O God of mercy, You filled Saint Catherine of Genoa with compassion for the poor and with wisdom about Your purifying love. Grant that through her intercession we may serve others with charity and long for the eternal joy of Your presence. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, Saint Nicomedes of Rome, and Saint Catherine of Genoa ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Our Lady of Sorrows, Saint Nicomedes of Rome, and Saint Catherine of Genoa, we also honor: SAINT VALERIAN, SAINT AICHARDUS, SAINT APRUS, SAINTS EMILAS & JEREMIAH, SAINT EUTROPIA, SAINT HERNAN, SAINT JOSEPH ABIBOS, SAINT LEOBINUS, SAINT MAMILIAN, SAINT MAXIMUS, SAINT MELITINA, SAINT MERINUS, BLESSED PAOLO MANNA, SAINT RIBERT (SAINT RITBERT), BLESSED ROLAND DE’MEDICI, AND SAINT VITUS. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR COMFORT IN SORROW, HEALING IN BROKENNESS, AND DEVOTION TO OUR LADY

Heavenly Father, as we honor the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we thank You for the gift of a Mother who understands our deepest griefs and walks with us through our darkest valleys. Through her powerful intercession, we pray for those seeking the fruit of the womb, for healing in difficult marriages, for widows and widowers, and for all who are carrying heavy burdens of pain, sickness, or heartbreak. Through the prayers of Saint Nicomedes and Saint Catherine of Genoa, grant us the courage to endure our trials with patience and the grace to turn our hearts entirely to Your love. Lord Jesus, keep us close to Your cross, that sharing in Your sufferings on earth, we may one day share in the joy of Your resurrection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows, Saint Nicomedes of Rome, Saint Catherine of Genoa , 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/