THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/thursday-of-the-twenty-fifth-week-in-ordinary-time-september-24-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-24th/

FEAST AND SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST OF OUR LADY OF RANSOM (OUR LADY OF MERCY) AND MEMORIAL OF SAINT PACIFICUS OF SAN SEVERINO, PRIEST AND SAINT GERARD SAGREDO OF CSANÁD, BISHOP AND MARTYR

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

👉🏾 Watch the YouTube Video of Our Lady of Ransom, St. Pacificus of San Severino, and St. Gerard Sagredo Here | https://youtu.be/qjAk1UiLUic?si=glnGxZNw2MxBvepQ

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

NOVENA TO SAINT THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX – THE LITTLE FLOWER: The Novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is scheduled to begin on September 22nd, and end on September 30th in preparation for her Feast day on October 1st. | Link to Novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux – The Little Flower | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-saint-therese-of-lisieux-the-little-flower/

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | September 24, 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-24-2026/

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, as we joyfully celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Ransom (Our Lady of Mercy), alongside Saint Pacificus of San Severino and Saint Gerard Sagredo, our hearts turn first to Our Blessed Mother, whose tender compassion and divine intervention broke the chains of captivity and point us toward ultimate freedom in Christ. As we also continue on the third day of our novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, we are invited to lean into her “little way” of absolute trust and spiritual surrender. Today’s Gospel recounts King Herod’s restless questioning and perplexity over Jesus, highlighting the emptiness of worldly power when the soul has not truly encountered God, while the First Reading from Ecclesiastes reminds us of the fleeting vanity of all things under the sun. Anchored in Our Lady’s saving mercy and the faithful witness of today’s saints, let us open our hearts to seek the true refuge found only in Christ.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

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

Today’s Bible Readings: Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time | Thursday, September 24, 2026
Reading 1: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17bc
Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 9:7-9

“John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”

“Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, ‘John has been raised from the dead’; others were saying, ‘Elijah has appeared’; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ But Herod said, ‘John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he kept trying to see him.”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on the transient nature of earthly life and the deep restlessness of a soul that has not truly encountered Christ. In the Gospel, King Herod is greatly perplexed and troubled by the reports of Jesus’ ministry. Haunted by his guilt over executing John the Baptist, Herod tries to figure out who Jesus is, driven by curiosity and inner turmoil rather than true faith. Earthly power, status, and worldly pursuits cannot satisfy the human heart, leaving leaders like Herod anxious and searching when confronted with the divine.

This restless search for meaning under the sun is echoed profoundly in the First Reading from Ecclesiastes, which famously declares, “Vanity of vanities… All things are vanity!” The author reminds us that human labor, generations passing, and the endless cycles of nature ultimately leave us empty if we look only to the material world for fulfillment. Yet, rather than leading to despair, this realization drives us to seek eternal refuge in God, as the Responsorial Psalm beautifully teaches us to pray: “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” When we anchor our lives in the Lord—who has been our refuge in every age—He fills us with His kindness and prospers the work of our hands.

Today, let us examine where we seek fulfillment and how we use the time God has given us. Are we caught up in the empty pursuit of worldly things, or are we allowing Christ to calm our restlessness and grant us true wisdom?

How can you refocus your daily labors and quiet your heart to seek God’s eternal presence today?

Heavenly Father, we thank You for being our refuge through every age and generation. Forgive us for the times we chase after empty vanities, worldly success, or let guilt and anxiety crowd out Your peace. Teach us to number our days aright so that we may gain wisdom of heart, recognizing that true life is found only in You. Fill us at daybreak with Your kindness, and prosper the work of our hands as we seek to follow Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | SEPTEMBER 24TH:

Direct link to the detailed history of Our Lady of Ransom, St. Pacificus of San Severino, and St. Gerard Sagredo | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-24th/

OUR LADY OF RANSOM (OUR LADY OF MERCY): The feast of Our Lady of Ransom, or Nuestra Señora de la Merced, celebrates Mary as Mother of Mercy and Deliverer of the captive. In 1218, the Blessed Virgin appeared separately to St. Peter Nolasco, St. Raymond of Peñafort, and King James of Aragon, asking them to establish an order dedicated to freeing Christians enslaved by the Moors. Thus began the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy (the Mercedarians), whose members took a unique vow: to offer themselves as hostages if necessary for the release of Christian captives. Their sacrificial love saved countless souls from apostasy and despair.

The feast, first kept by the Mercedarian Order, was later extended to the whole Church by Pope Innocent XII. Mary, under this title, remains a beacon of mercy for all who suffer bondage—whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. As Pope St. Pius X beautifully said, “In the midst of this tide of evil, the Virgin Most Merciful rises before our eyes like a rainbow as the arbiter of peace between God and man.” Today, we entrust to Our Lady of Ransom all who are enslaved by sin, addiction, or injustice, asking her to intercede for their deliverance. She is patroness of Barcelona, Spain, and of all who bear the names Mercedes, Mercy, or Clemency.

PRAYER: O Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Ransom, you broke the chains of captives and restored them to freedom. Intercede for us, that we may be delivered from every bondage of sin and despair, and live as true children of God. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT PACIFICUS OF SAN SEVERINO, PRIEST (1653–1721): St. Pacificus, whose name means peace, was an Italian Franciscan priest known for his patience, miracles, and deep union with God. Orphaned as a child, he entered the Franciscan Order at seventeen and was ordained in 1678. Though he began as a preacher and missionary, poor health confined him by the age of thirty-nine. For the remaining twenty-nine years of his life, he endured blindness, deafness, and chronic pain, yet bore his suffering with extraordinary patience.

Even in weakness, God worked powerfully through him, granting him mystical ecstasies, prophecy, and miracles. St. Pacificus became a living witness that holiness does not require strength of body, but faithfulness of spirit. He was canonized in 1839 and is honored as the patron saint of those who suffer from chronic pain and infirmities.

PRAYER: Loving God, through the intercession of St. Pacificus, grant us the grace to embrace suffering with patience and to seek Your presence in every trial. May we, like him, turn our weakness into an offering of love for You. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT GERARD SAGREDO OF CSANÁD, BISHOP AND MARTYR (980–1046): St. Gerard Sagredo, born in Venice, Italy, was a Benedictine monk who planned a pilgrimage to the Holy Land but was instead led by providence to Hungary. There, King St. Stephen entrusted him with the evangelization of his people and the education of his son, Prince Emeric. Appointed the first bishop of Csanád, St. Gerard became known as the Apostle of Hungary, tirelessly preaching the Gospel and helping to root Christianity in the nation.

After King Stephen’s death, pagan uprisings broke out, and Gerard was martyred in Budapest in 1046. According to tradition, he was placed in a spiked barrel and rolled down a hill, which now bears his name Gellért Hill. Canonized in 1083 by Pope St. Gregory VII, he is honored as the patron saint of Hungary and Budapest, remembered for his zeal, courage, and sacrificial witness to the faith.

PRAYER: O God, who gave St. Gerard Sagredo strength to preach the Gospel and courage to die for the faith, grant that we may imitate his zeal and fidelity, bearing witness to Christ in all circumstances. Amen. 🙏🏾

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Ransom, St. Pacificus of San Severino, and St. Gerard Sagredo ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Our Lady of Ransom, St. Pacificus of San Severino, and St. Gerard Sagredo, we also honor: MARTYRS OF CHALCEDON, SAINT ANATHALON, SAINT ANDOCHIUS, BLESSED ANTON MARTIN SLOMSEK, SAINT BERCTHUN, SAINTS CHUNIALD & GISLAR, SAINT PAPHNUTIUS, SAINT RUPERT OF SALZBERG (SAINT RUPERT OF SALZBURG), SAINT RUSTICUS, AND SAINT YSARN. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR DIVINE DELIVERANCE, PATIENCE IN SUFFERING, AND RENEWED FAITH

Heavenly Father, through the glorious Mother of Your Son, Our Lady of Ransom, You filled the Church with mercy and delivered the oppressed from the chains of captivity. Through her intercession, the prayers of Saint Pacificus and Saint Gerard, and the sweet spiritual companionship of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux during this novena, grant us the grace to break free from every slavery of sin, anxiety, and the distractions of this passing world. Forgive us for the times our hearts chase after empty vanities, and give us wisdom to number our days aright. Deliver those who suffer in body or spirit, and guide our steps always in the path of Your eternal truth and peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Ransom, St. Pacificus of San Severino, and St. Gerard Sagredo, 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/