THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/thursday-of-the-twenty-fourth-week-in-ordinary-time-september-17-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-17th/

MEMORIAL OF SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR; SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH AND THE STIGMATA OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

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

👉🏾  Watch the YouTube Video of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, and the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi Here | https://youtu.be/MveKqGdK5I0?si=4A3LJW0lrwFxNXHf

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

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | September 17, 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-17-2026/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, on the Feast of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, we also celebrate the Optional Memorial of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Virgin and Doctor, alongside the profound commemoration of the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi. Today’s Gospel reminds us of the extravagant, life-changing mercy shown to the sinful woman who wept at Jesus’ feet, while Saint Paul reminds us in the First Reading that everything we are is a gift of God’s grace. Inspired by the brilliant intellect of St. Robert, the visionary wisdom of St. Hildegard, and the deep, sacrificial love of St. Francis bearing the wounds of Christ, let us bring our humble gratitude and love to the Lord today.

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: Thursday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time | Thursday, September 17, 2026
Reading 1: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1b-2, 16ab-17, 28
Gospel: Luke 7:36-50

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 7:36-50

“So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

“A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ … ‘So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ … ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the staggering reality of God’s grace, mercy, and the deep love that flows from a heart truly forgiven. In the Gospel, we encounter a dramatic and touching scene at the home of Simon the Pharisee. While the host looks down with judgmental skepticism upon a woman known as a sinner, Jesus looks at her with eyes of divine mercy. Through the parable of the two debtors, Jesus exposes Simon’s self-righteous blindness and highlights the profound truth: the one who recognizes the depth of their brokenness and experiences abundant mercy will respond with profound, overwhelming love. The woman’s tears, anointings, and humble posture are outward expressions of a soul set free by grace.

This same life-transforming power of grace is beautifully articulated by Saint Paul in the First Reading. Reminding the Corinthians of the core of the Gospel, Paul recounts the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and His appearances to the apostles. He humbly acknowledges his own unworthiness, noting that he had once persecuted the Church of God. Yet, looking back at his entire life and ministry, Paul declares with profound humility: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective.” Whether it is Paul transformed from a persecutor into a tireless apostle, or the sinful woman transformed by forgiveness, both stand as living testaments to the mercy celebrated in the Responsorial Psalm: “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.”

Today, let us examine our own hearts. Do we approach God with the self-sufficient pride of the Pharisee, or with the humble, grateful surrender of the woman at His feet? Recognizing how much we have been forgiven calls us to love deeply and live in His peace. How often do you recognize your own need for God’s mercy in daily life, and how does that realization shape the way you love and forgive others?

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your boundless mercy and the grace that sustains us each day. Forgive us for the times we have grown proud, judgmental, or blind to our own faults, looking down on others instead of recognizing our shared need for Your healing. Grant us the humble, contrite heart of the woman in the Gospel, that we may bring our brokenness to Jesus and let His forgiveness wash over us. Fill our souls with such profound gratitude that our lives overflow with genuine love, patience, and compassion for everyone we meet. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 17TH:

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Robert Bellarmine, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, and the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-17th/

SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR (1542–1621): St. Robert was an Italian Jesuit cardinal, brilliant theologian, and Doctor of the Church who defended the faith during turbulent times, wrote an influential catechism, and reminded believers that preparing for death is life’s most important business. He is honored as the patron saint of catechists and catechumens.

PRAYER: God, in order to vindicate the faith of Your Church You endowed Saint Robert with wondrous erudition and virtues. Through his intercession, grant that Your people may ever rejoice in the integrity of that faith. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT HILDEGARD OF BINGEN, VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH (1098–1179): St. Hildegard was a renowned German Benedictine abbess, mystic, composer, visionary, and Doctor of the Church known as the “Sibyl of the Rhine.” She used her remarkable intellect and spiritual gifts to counsel popes and leaders, writing deeply on the harmony of creation and God’s love.

PRAYER: Almighty God, who filled Saint Hildegard with heavenly wisdom and a burning love for Your creation, grant that through her intercession we may walk closely in Your light and live in harmony with Your holy will. Amen. 🙏🏽

THE STIGMATA OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI: Today the Church commemorates the miraculous imprinting of the sacred wounds of Christ upon the body of Saint Francis on Mount Alverno. Deeply meditating on the Passion of our Lord, Saint Francis was graced to bear the marks of the crucifixion, offering a powerful witness of total union with Christ and reminding a cold world of the burning power of divine love.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, who reproduced in the flesh of the most blessed Francis the sacred marks of Your sufferings, graciously enable us by his merits and prayers to bear the cross without faltering and to bring forth worthy fruits of penitence. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Robert Bellarmine, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, and Saint Francis of Assisi ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saint Robert Bellarmine, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, and the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi, we also honor: SAINT AGATHOCLIA, SAINT ARIADNE, SAINT BROGAN, SAINT COLUMBA OF SPAIN, SAINT EMMANUEL TRIEU, SAINT FLOCELLUS, SAINT JUSTIN, SAINT LAMBERT OF MAASTRICHT, SAINTS NARCISSUS AND CRESCENTIO, SAINT PETER ARBUES, SAINT RODINGUS, SAINT SATYRUS OF MILAN, SAINT THEODORA, SAINT UNI, AND SAINTS VALERIAN, NIACRINUS, & GORDIAN. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR WISDOM, DEEP CONTRITION, AND A BURNING LOVE FOR CHRIST

Heavenly Father, You enriched Your Church with the brilliant wisdom of Saint Robert Bellarmine, the mystical vision of Saint Hildegard, and the profound, cruciform love of Saint Francis of Assisi. Through the intercession of these holy saints, grant us the grace to appreciate the infinite depth of Your mercy, that like the woman in the Gospel, our many sins may be forgiven and our hearts may overflow with genuine love. Strengthen our Holy Father, bishops, and all the clergy, and guide our minds and hearts to walk always in the integrity of the faith. Help us to embrace our daily crosses without faltering, to cherish the gift of Your grace, and to serve You with unwavering devotion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Robert Bellarmine, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi, 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/