THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | OCTOBER 1, 2026

THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | OCTOBER 1, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/thursday-of-the-twenty-sixth-week-in-ordinary-time-october-1-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | OCTOBER 1, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-october-1-2026/

MEMORIAL OF SAINT THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS (SAINT THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX), VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH AND SAINT REMIGIUS, BISHOP

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

👉🏾 Watch the YouTube Video of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and Saint Remigius Here | https://youtu.be/KJg-lUYiMX8?si=oYvFa6WSOJF5TFN5

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 | October 1, 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-october-1-2026/

Stay connected with us on social media:
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dailyreflectionswithphilomena/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587888688219
@dailyreflectionswithdrphilomena
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://www.instagram.com/gliopiepefoundation?utm_source=qr&igsh=Z29jcXN4Y3F0b2Zy

Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Welcome to October! May this new month bring you God’s blessings, peace, and joy in abundance. Lord Almighty, we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your unfailing love, protection, and mercy that carried us through the past month. As we begin this new month, we entrust every day into Your hands, asking for Your guidance, direction for the lost, comfort for the grieving, and strength to the weary. In all things, may His will be done and His name be glorified. Amen. 🙏🏽

Happy Independence Day to Nigeria! 🇳🇬 Today, October 1st, as Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, we lift up prayers for peace, unity, and justice. May the Lord bless her leaders with wisdom, integrity, and the fear of God, so they may govern with truth and fairness. May the dreams of her people be fulfilled, may righteousness flourish in the land, and may God’s will prevail over Nigeria now and always. Amen. 🙏🏽

Today, on the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church, and the commemoration of Saint Remigius, Bishop, the Church celebrates two extraordinary souls who poured out their lives to advance the Kingdom of God. Saint Thérèse, the “Little Flower,” taught the world her “Little Way” of radical trust, spiritual childhood, and finding holiness in ordinary daily duties with great love. Saint Remigius, the “Apostle of the Franks,” spent over seventy years as a zealous bishop and shepherd, bringing thousands to Christ and laying Christian foundations in France. As we step into this new month, today’s Gospel calls us to go forth like laborers into the harvest, stripped of worldly securities and carrying Christ’s peace into every corner of the world. Anchored in the simple trust of Saint Thérèse and the apostolic zeal of Saint Remigius, let us begin this new month with our hands steady on the plow.

🎀 OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 🎀

🎥 Watch the full Breast Cancer Awareness video:
https://youtu.be/h4qd-vY6Q0s?si=DogHjMVK682d1uxz

Awareness saves lives. Early detection can make a difference. Encourage loved ones to stay informed and take appropriate steps toward screening.

Early detection matters.

🕊️LATE MA WILLIANA NMEBE EYUAH (MAMA GHANA) — “IRON GIRL” | FUNERAL HIGHLIGHTS 🕊️ https://youtu.be/_SI-miAuDmg?si=RDo07RudLEFOysKW

Please let us continue to keep in our thoughts and prayers our beloved grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and matriarch, Late Ma Williana Nmebe Eyuah (Mama Ghana) our beloved “Iron Girl” as we commemorate the 1st anniversary of her passing to eternal glory. May the infinite mercy of God cleanse, purify, and welcome her gentle soul into the fullness of eternal peace. May her gentle soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 🙏🏽💜🕊️

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

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

Today’s Bible Readings: Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church | Thursday, October 1, 2026
Reading 1: Job 19:21-27
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:7-8a, 8b-9abc, 13-14
Gospel: Luke 10:1-12

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 10:1-12

“Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’”

“Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this household.” If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, “The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.” Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you, go out into the streets and say, “The dust of your town that clings to our feet, even that we shake off against you.” Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand. I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.'”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Today’s readings invite us into a profound trust in God’s ultimate redemption and an urgent call to carry His peace into the world. In the Gospel, Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples empty-handed, stripped of worldly securities so that they might rely entirely on divine providence and become pure instruments of His grace. They are sent like lambs among wolves, bearing a message of peace and healing, demonstrating that the proclamation of the Kingdom requires radical dependency on God rather than human wealth or preparation.

This absolute reliance on God shines through the First Reading from the Book of Job. Amid deep suffering, bodily torment, and the harsh accusations of friends, Job’s faith pierces through the darkness with one of the most magnificent declarations of hope in the Old Testament: “But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust… and from my flesh I shall see God.” Even when stripped of everything, Job’s inmost being remains consumed with longing for his Creator. The Responsorial Psalm echoes this courageous expectation: “I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.”

Today, on the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, who taught the world her “Little Way” of complete trust, spiritual childhood, and simple love in ordinary duties, let us examine our hearts. Do we rely on our own securities, or do we walk out into our daily mission trusting fully in the Lord? How can you practice radical trust and bring Christ’s peace into your interactions and challenges today?

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the promise of Your salvation and the vibrant hope anchored in our living Vindicator. Forgive us for the times we rely on our own strength and material securities rather than trusting completely in Your providence. Give us the grace to walk out into our daily missions as humble laborers, carrying Your peace to every home and heart we encounter. Strengthen our courage to wait upon You with stout hearts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | OCTOBER 1ST:

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and Saint Remigius | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-october-1-2026/

SAINT THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS (SAINT THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX), VIRGIN AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH: St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), known as “The Little Flower,” was a French Carmelite nun whose life of simplicity and love profoundly influenced the Church. Born Marie Françoise Thérèse Martin in Alençon, France, she grew up in a deeply devout family. Though her mother died when she was just four, Thérèse was nurtured in faith by her father, Louis, and her sisters, all of whom entered religious life. At the age of fifteen, Thérèse entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, where she embraced her “Little Way” a path of holiness rooted not in grand deeds but in small acts of love, humility, and trust in God. Despite her hidden life, her childlike confidence and profound spirituality earned her recognition as a model of sanctity for all Christians.

Thérèse’s writings, especially Story of a Soul, revealed her interior journey and became a spiritual classic read throughout the world. She reminded us that holiness is possible for everyone, not only through extraordinary works but through faithfulness in daily life. She once wrote, “Love is repaid by love alone,” a motto that guided her every action. Though she died of tuberculosis at just 24 years old, her influence spread rapidly. Canonized in 1925, she was later declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope St. John Paul II, the youngest person and only the third woman (after St. Teresa of Ávila and St. Catherine of Siena) to receive this title. She is the patron saint of missionaries, florists, aviators, and all who seek God in simplicity and trust.

QUOTES OF SAINT THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS:
☆ “Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you – for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart… The guest of our soul knows our misery; He comes to find an empty tent within us – that is all He asks.”
☆’You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them.”

PRAYER: O God, You filled St. Thérèse with the fire of Your love and called her to walk the little way of humility and trust. Grant that through her intercession, we too may follow this path of spiritual childhood and, by simple love and fidelity, attain the eternal glory You promise. Amen.

SAINT REMIGIUS, BISHOP: St. Remigius (437–533), known as the “Apostle of the Franks,” was born in Cerny-en-Laonnois, France. A man of learning and faith, he was appointed Bishop of Reims at just twenty-two years old. His long episcopacy of over seventy years was marked by tireless preaching, evangelization, and defense of orthodoxy.

His most famous legacy was the baptism of King Clovis of the Franks in 496, together with thousands of his soldiers, a pivotal moment that brought the Frankish kingdom into the Catholic faith. This event helped shape the history of Christianity in Western Europe. St. Remigius also worked many miracles, opposed heresies such as Arianism, and left a legacy of pastoral zeal and deep devotion to the Church. He is honored as the patron saint of France, against epidemics, fever, and religious indifference.

PRAYER: Lord God, You raised up St. Remigius as a tireless preacher of the Gospel and shepherd of Your people. Through his intercession, strengthen us in our faith, make us bold in witness, and help us to bring the light of Christ to all we meet. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and Saint Remigius ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and Saint Remigius, we also honor: SAINTS ABREHA AND ATZBEHA (AIZAN AND SAZANA), SAINTS ARETAS AND COMPANIONS, SAINT BAVO, BLESSED CASPAR FISOGIRO, SAINT DODO, BLESSED EDWARD JAMES, SAINT FIDHARLEUS, BLESSED JOHN ROBINSON, SAINT MELORIUS, SAINT NICETIUS OF TRIER, SAINT PIATON, BLESSED RALPH CROCKETT, BLESSED ROBERT WIDMERPOOL, BLESSED ROBERT WILCOX, SAINT ROMANUS THE MELODIST, SAINTS VERISSIMUS, MAXIMA, AND JULIA, AND SAINT VIRILA. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR RADICAL TRUST, NEW BEGINNINGS, AND GOD’S PROTECTION IN OCTOBER

Heavenly Father, we joyfully thank You for the gift of life and for leading us safely into the new month of October. As we begin this season, we pray for the eternal repose of our loved ones who recently passed, and we ask You to bring peace to troubled hearts, comfort to the grieving, and strength to those who enter this month with heavy hearts. Through the intercession of Saint Thérèse and Saint Remigius, we lift our prayers for the safety of missionaries, pilots, and all travelers. We ask for healing for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancer and terminal illnesses, provision for all in need, and protection for families, children, and teachers. Help us to imitate the Little Way of Saint Thérèse, walking in absolute trust and loving You with purity of heart every day of our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Saint Remigius, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER: For mental health ministry. Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.

(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF OCTOBER | MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY: October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, a powerful prayer that draws us into the heart of the Gospel through the eyes of Mary. The Rosary is more than repetition, it is a meditation on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, united with the loving presence of His Blessed Mother. As Pope St. John Paul II reminded us, the Rosary is “a compendium of the Gospel,” helping us to contemplate Christ’s face with Mary.

The twenty mysteries of the Rosary, Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous, invite us to journey with Christ from His Incarnation to His Passion and His triumph over death. Each mystery opens us to God’s saving love, strengthens our faith, and leads us to imitate the virtues of Jesus and Mary in our daily lives. This month, the Church invites us to renew our devotion to the Rosary by praying it daily, whether alone, in families, or in community. Through it, we find peace in times of trial, strength against temptation, and deeper trust in God’s providence. Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, intercedes for us and leads us always to her Son.

“O Mary, our Blessed Mother and Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, teach us to pray with a pure heart and a steadfast spirit. As we meditate on the mysteries of Christ, help us to grow in faith, hope, and love. Intercede for us before your Son, that our families, our Church, and our world may be filled with peace and the light of the Gospel. Amen.” 🙏🏽

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=10

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/