SECOND WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FEAST AND SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 21, 2025
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF HIGH GRACE (OUR LADY OF ALTAGRACIA)
Today is day four of the week of prayer for Christian Unity, and day six of the novena for the protection of human life. As we continue this year’s week of prayer for Christian Unity, and novena for life, we join our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world in praying for the safety, well-being and protection of the life of every human person, from conception to natural death and for peace, love, justice and unity in our divided and conflicted world so we can better build God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time!
We pray for God’s grace and mercy upon us through this Ordinary Time, and may the Lord grant us the grace to serve Him in spirit and in truth🙏
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2025: Started Saturday, January 18, 2024 and ends Saturday, January 25, 2025 [Reflections and Prayer links below]
9 DAYS FOR LIFE: PRAY TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE 9 Days for Life is a novena for the protection of human life. January 16-24, 2025 [Prayer and Novena link below]
OPENING OF THE HOLY DOORS | JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025 [Details and links below]
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN | January 21, 2025” |
Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | January 21, 2025 |
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | LIVE Basilica of St. Mary Major | October 6, 2024 |
Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | January 21, 2025 |
Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| January 21, 2025 |
Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” oùn YouTube |
Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |
Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Reading 1, Hebrews 6:10-20
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 111:1-2, 4-5, 9-10
Gospel, Mark 2:23-28
A PRAYER FOR PEACE:* Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
9 DAYS FOR LIFE: PRAY TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE
9 Days for Life Novena Prayer Link | January 16-24, 2025 | USCCB | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/17/9-days-for-life-novena-usccb/
9 Days for Life is a novena for the protection of human life. Each day’s intention is accompanied by a short reflection and suggested actions to help build a culture of life. We continue our novena for life prayer, we pray for the protection of human life. We particularly pray for the safety and well-being of the unborn and all children. May the good Lord protect the life of every human person, from conception to natural death. Amen 🙏🏽
“Thus says the LORD who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.” ~ Isaiah 44:2
PRAYER FOR THE UNBORN: Lord, Creator of Life, You have blessed us with the privilege of bringing new life into the world. Open our hearts and minds to recognize Your special gift of children and Your great love for each of us created in Your image and likeness. Through love, You sent your Son Jesus to redeem us, and through love, He entered our world as an unborn child in the womb of Mary, His mother. We now turn to Mary for her prayers and intercession as we struggle to protect innocent unborn children from decisions that seek to destroy them. Following Mary’s example as mother and disciple, let us proclaim the truth of our faith, assist those in crisis, and protect those most vulnerable, unwanted, and unloved. May the good Lord protect the life of every human person, from conception to natural death. Amen 🙏🏽
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2025: January 18-25, 2025
Theme for 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26)
DAY 4: THE PASCHAL MYSTERY: THE INCARNATION, PASSION, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/21/2025-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-4-day-4/
Today is day four of the week of prayer for Christian Unity, which is celebrated around the world from January 18th – 25th. As we continue this year’s week of prayer for Christian Unity, we join our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world in praying for peace, love, justice and unity in our divided and conflicted world so we can better build God’s Kingdom here on earth. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, look down with pity upon us and keep us all united in peace, love and faith, so that we may all be truly one in Christ…Amen🙏
All Christian Churches and communities worldwide are invited to use the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 resources to pray together for the unity among churches throughout the year.
Material for each day of the Week of Prayer. The texts provided for personal or communal prayer for each of the eight days include two scripture readings and a psalm. The biblical texts for each day highlight in turn key statements of the Nicene Creed.
Day 1: The fatherhood and care of God who rules the universe
Day 2: Creation as God’s work
Day 3: The Incarnation of the Son
Day 4: The Paschal Mystery: The Incarnation, Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus
Day 5: The Holy Spirit, the giver of life and joy
Day 6: The Church: Community of believers
Day 7: Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord
Day 8: Waiting for the Kingdom and the life to come
Reflections and Prayer Links for 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:
Reflections and Prayers for the Eight Days: A Journey through the Nicene Creed | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/18/2025-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity/
Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and throughout the year | 2025 EN WPCU.pdf| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/18/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2025-january-18-25-2025/
On this Feast day, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and all the Saints, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, our Savior Jesus Christ! For the safety and well-being of all our children and children all over the world. We pray for God’s guidance and protection upon them. We continue to pray for peace all around the world, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine-Russia and other parts of the world. We pray for an end to the wars and conflicts, and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. For the gentle repose of the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏
PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF WILDFIRES AND DISASTERS: We continue to pray for the victims of the current wildfires in the United States (Los Angeles, California) and victims of natural disasters across the world. We especially pray for those that have lost their lives and their families.
“Most Merciful God, Be “our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress” (Psalm 46:1). You created us and sustain us by Your almighty power. Your mercy knows no bounds. At this time of great suffering, we entrust all victims of the wildfires to You. Comfort them, fill them with Your grace, and provide for their needs. We entrust all who have died to Your merciful Heart. Cleanse them of their sins and welcome them into Your heavenly Kingdom. Give wisdom and prudence to those managing this disaster. Give courage and resolve to those on the front lines. Keep them safe and successful in their efforts. Command the winds and the flames to obey You, Lord, as You once calmed the stormy seas. Pour the water of Your grace upon these destructive fires. Stay them with Your powerful hand. Angels of God, come to the aid of those most in need of God’s mercy. Protect them, guide them, and reveal to them God’s holy will. St. Florian, patron of firefighters, pray for those bravely battling the flames. St. Michael the Archangel, defend them in their peril. Saints in Heaven, we beseech your prayer. Intercede for those most in need. From this tragedy and chaos, bring hope and peace. Turn sorrow into compassion. Turn confusion into faith. Turn despair into divine hope. We place all our trust in You, Most Merciful God, knowing that You will bring forth new life and healing from the ashes of this trial. May Your name be glorified now and forever. Amen” 🙏🏽
FEAST AND SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST OF OUR LADY OF HIGH GRACE (OUR LADY OF ALTAGRACIA) | MEMORIAL OF SAINT AGNES, VIRGIN AND MARTYR – FEAST DAY ~ JANUARY 21ST: Today, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of High Grace (Our Lady of Altagracia) and the Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr.
OUR LADY OF HIGH GRACE (OUR LADY OF ALTAGRACIA): Also referred to as “Our Lady of la Altagracia” and “the Virgin de la Altagracia”. The image of Our Lady of Altagracia has long been venerated in the Extremadura region of Spain. It dates back to when Spain first colonized the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola (today, Dominican Republic and Haiti) since early 1500’s. According to popular legend, two Spanish brothers, Alfonso and Antonio de Trejo, brought a painting of the Virgin to Hispaniola from their home in Placencia, in the region of Extremadura in 1502 to their new home in Higuey, located in the southeastern corner of the island of Santo Domingo. The brothers were the first European settlers of the Island and when they moved to the city of Higuey, they took the image with them. Later they offered it to the parish church so that everyone could venerate it. The first shrine was completed in 1572. The painting was moved to the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia after the cathedral was made a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI in December 1970 and in 1971 the present Basilica was consecrated.
Popular piety has it that the devout daughter of a rich merchant had asked her father to bring her a portrait of Our Lady of Altagracia from Santo Domingo, which she had dreamt about. The father tried to get it for her, but with no success. Neither clergymen nor tradesmen had ever heard that Marian title. Back at Higuey, the merchant decided to stay overnight at a friend’s house. After dinner, feeling sorry for his daughter’s disappointment when he should arrive empty-handed, he described to those present his unsuccessful search. As he spoke, an old man with a long beard, who was passing by, took out of his knapsack a rolled up painting and gave it to the merchant saying, “This is what you are looking for.” It was the Virgin of Altagracia. At day break the old man had disappeared. The merchant’s daughter cherished her painting, but every morning, she would awake to find the picture had moved from her house and was always found outside her house, under a small orange tree. This continued until the girl told her parents, these events were interpreted to mean that the image did not belong to one family, but to all Dominicans and should be displayed publicly in the local parish. The first shrine and larger temple was dedicated in 1572 and the current Basilica in 1971 to display the image of the “Highest Grace” or Divine Maternity to signify the grace of the Virgin Mary.
The image, encompassing the Holy Family, is the Nativity scene: Jesus in the manger (naked and poor in his humanity; asleep, but he will rise); Mother Mary with a ray of light “white as snow” (adorned with stars and crowned; veiled as the virgin bride) with hands in prayer, clearly plays the central role; Saint Joseph with a candle (in the background as he is only the adopted father of Jesus; haloed for his sanctity; offering light as a service); The star of the Magi (God; light; guide) and The dark, cave-like background (the world in sin). The image of Our Lady of Altagracia had the privilege of being crowned twice: on August 15, 1922 – during the pontificate of Pius XI – It was declared that January 21st would be a National holiday by the President of the Dominican Republic, Doctor Joaquin Antonio Balaguer Ricardo. And Pope John Paul II, on January 25, 1979, during his visit to Santo Domingo at the Puerta del Conde, personally crowned the image with a golden silver tiara, his personal gift to the Virgin, the first evangelizer of the Americas. Our Lady of Altagracia is the Patroness of the island of Hispaniola, the island containing the nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic where the evangelization of the New World began. The two national holiday dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Dominican Republic are: Our Lady of High Grace, Protector and Queen of the hearts of the Dominicans, celebrated on January 21st and Our Lady of Mercy, the principal patroness who was so proclaimed in 1616 during the Spanish colonial rule, celebrated on September 24th.
PRAYER: Most Holy Virgin of Altagracia, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for the continuous blessings you pour down on us. From your hands and from your maternal heart we receive, each day, the sustenance given to us by our Heavenly Father. You are our defender when we are in danger, our aid when we are in need and our hope in the sacrifices proper of our Christian life. Through your Immaculate Heart we want to sing a song of thanksgiving to God for all the blessings he has given us. We promise you, O Mother, gratitude and fidelity. You will reign forever in our homes and our town where we will venerate you as our Lady and Mother by growing in all your virtues. Make us worthy of being called your daughters so that serving God and you on this world, we will obtain the highest grace you bring to us: a holy death that will open to us the gates of heaven. Amen🙏
SAINT AGNES, VIRGIN AND MARTYR: St. Agnes also known as Saint Agnes of Rome (c. 291–304 A.D.) was born to a wealthy noble Roman family during the last decade of the third century in 291. On the feast day of St. Agnes, whose name means “lamb” in Latin – the Pope traditionally blesses lambs, whose wool will be used to make the white pallium worn by archbishops. The name “Agnes” in Greek means “chaste, pure, sacred”. St. Agnes suffered martyrdom for her consecration to Christ during the bloody persecution of the Emperor Diocletian around 304 at the age of the thirteen and became one of the best known and most highly regarded of the Roman Martyrs. Her name is still retained in the First Eucharistic Prayer for Holy Mass. St. Agnes is one of the seven women, besides the Virgin Mary, commemorated by name in the Roman Canon of the Mass.
St. Agnes lived in Rome during the last major persecution of the early Church under the Emperor Diocletian. Though he was lenient toward believers for much of his rule, Diocletian changed course in 302, resolving to wipe out the Church in the empire. St. Agnes came of age as the Church was beginning to suffer under a set of new laws decreed by Diocletian, and his co-ruler Galerius, in 303. The emperor and his subordinate called for churches to be destroyed and their books burned. Subsequent orders led to the imprisonment and torture of clergy and laypersons, for the sake of compelling them to worship the emperor instead of Christ. Meanwhile, Agnes had become a young woman of great beauty and charm, drawing the attention of suitors from the first ranks of the Roman aristocracy. But in keeping with the words of Christ and Saint Paul, she had already decided on a life of celibacy for the sake of God’s kingdom. To all interested men, she explained that she had already promised herself to a heavenly and unseen spouse. These suitors both understood Agnes’ meaning, and resented her resolution. Some of the men, possibly looking to change her mind, reported her to the state as a believer in Christ. Agnes was brought before a judge who tried first to persuade her, and then to threaten her, into renouncing her choice not to marry for the Lord’s sake. When the judge showed her the various punishments he could inflict – including fire, iron hooks, or the rack that destroyed the limbs by stretching, St. Agnes smiled and indicated she would suffer them willingly. But she was brought before a pagan altar instead, and asked to make an act of worship in accordance with the Roman state religion. When Agnes refused, the judge ordered that she should be sent to a house of prostitution, where the virginity she had offered to God would be violated. Agnes predicted that God would not allow this to occur, and her statement proved true. Legends say that the first man to approach her in the brothel was struck blind by a sudden flash of light, and others opted not to repeat his mistake.
But one of the men who had at first sought to make Agnes his own, now lobbied the judge for her execution. In this respect, the suitor obtained his desire, when the public official sentenced her to die by beheading. The executioner gave her one last chance to spare her life, by renouncing her consecration to Christ – but St. Agnes refused, made a short prayer, and courageously submitted to death. Amid the tears of the spectators, she was put her to death by beheading. She was buried on the Via Nomentana, and Constantine erected a church in her honor. St. Agnes, who died in 304, was venerated as a holy martyr from the fourth century onward. She’s Patron Saint of girls, virgins, children, Affianced couples; betrothed couples; bodily purity; chastity; Children of Mary; Colegio Capranica of Rome; crops; engaged couples; gardeners; Girl Scouts; rape victims; diocese of Rockville Centre, New York.
ST. AGNES PRAYER FOR PROTECTION OF THE YOUNG: O Little St. Agnes, so young and yet made so strong and wise by the power of God, protect by your prayers all the young people of every place whose goodness and purity are threatened by the evils and impurities of this world. Give them strength in temptation and a true repentance when they fail. Help them to find true Christian friends to accompany them in following the Lamb of God and finding safe pastures in His Church and in her holy sacraments. May you lead us to the wedding banquet of heaven to rejoice with you and all the holy virgin martyrs in Christ who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen🙏
PRAYER: All-powerful and ever-living God, You choose the weak in this world to confound the powerful. As we celebrate the anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Agnes, may we like her remain constant in Faith. Amen🙏
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass: Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time (Year B) | Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Gospel Reading ~ Mark 2:23-28
“The sabbath was made for people, not people for the sabbath”
“As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the bread of offering that only the priests could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions?” Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.”
In today’s Gospel reading, there is a sharp contrast between how the Pharisees interpreted the Jewish Law relating to the Sabbath and how Jesus interpreted that Law. The Pharisees were quite rigid in their interpretation of the Sabbath Law. The Pharisees are portrayed as people who are very conscientious about upholding the religious law, in this case the law of the Sabbath. Jesus’ disciples were picking ears of corn as they walked along and then eating the corn. The Pharisees saw this as a form of reaping, an activity that was forbidden on the Sabbath. The Lord rebuked those Pharisees by quoting the example from the Scripture, how the venerated and well-respected King David of Israel and his companions were allowed to eat from the bread reserved only for the priests at the House of God. Neither David nor his companions were members of the priestly order, but they were allowed to eat when they were very hungry. Jesus, while respectful of the Jewish religious law, was much more sensitive to human needs and to the necessity for such needs to be met, in this case the need for food. For Jesus, law, including religious law, should be at the service of people’s basic human needs, rather than be an obstacle to having them met. In that sense, people were more important than regulations. As Jesus said, ‘the Sabbath was made for humanity, not humanity for the Sabbath’. The Gospel reading raises the question of priorities. What is it that really matters? Jesus would say that people’s basic human needs are what matter. That is why there is and should be an outcry about what is happening in those parts of the world where people’s basic human needs for food, water and shelter are being denied in pursuit of some goal or ideal. Our basic humanity, with its primary needs and basic rights, is what unites us as human beings. Our faith calls upon us to be humanists, in the sense of reverencing our own humanity and the humanity of others and working to ensure that people’s basic human needs and rights are being met. Jesus’ understanding of the religious law of His time was always shaped by His compassion for those in greatest need. He embodied God’s gracious presence, which made him master of the Sabbath and of all religious law. To walk in the way of Jesus is always to give greater priority to the total well being of people than to the laws of the institution.
Our first reading today from the Epistle to the Hebrews are reminders from the author directed to the Jewish community and people of everything that the Lord their God has promised and reassured to them again and again throughout history, referring to the promises of the Covenant He had made with Abraham and others among His servants and people, and how it was the perseverance shown by Abraham and those who are faithful to the Lord which has earned them all their inheritance and blessings from God. Through God and His love, and their constant and enduring obedience and faith in Him, all of those faithful people of God have been truly blessed and become reminders for us all that God has given us all so wonderful a blessing.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded and reassured of the constant and ever enduring love of God which He has always shown us throughout time and history, and which He has again and again renewed through His many promises made to us through His own words and through the prophets. And all these promises were not just mere empty words, as they all had been formalised and made complete, fulfilled and accomplished through none other than Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the whole world, Who has come into our midst to reveal to us the fullness of God’s love and grace, His mercy and kindness made tangible and real, approachable to us all. We are therefore reminded through these Scripture passages today that we must always be truly faithful to the Lord and put our whole trust in Him, be filled with true and genuine love in Him and not merely observing His Law and commandments without truly understanding and appreciating their true importance, purpose and significance. If we want to be truly faithful to the Lord, then we must not be like those Pharisees who placed greater importance in their own selfish desires and personal ambitions in achieving their pious actions and practices so that they might be praised by others and be honoured for doing so. This is why all of us as Christians should always put God first and foremost in our lives, as Abraham and many of our predecessors had done before us. We are all called to emulate the Holy men and women of God, the Saints, particularly the Feast of Our Lady of High Grace (Our Lady of Altagracia) and the Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, we celebrate today, the life and examples of Our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Agnes, holy woman and martyr of the Church. Let us all therefore learn to commit ourselves ever more, in each and every moments given to us, in every opportunities so that we may ever be courageous and most dedicated servant of God, with our lives and examples be the shining beacons of truth and the guiding light for everyone around us. May everyone know the Lord and His love by the love He has shown us and which we have reflected in our own lives, in our complete trust in God and in our love for our fellow brothers and sisters, for those who are less fortunate and in need for our love. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the Lord continue to guide and strengthen each one of us so that we may draw ever closer to Him and His Presence, and may we all be found worthy to receive the fullness of His grace and love, in time to come. May God, our ever loving Master and Creator be with us all, and may He bless us in all our lives and in everything we do. Amen🙏
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JANUARY | MONTH OF THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS: The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name.
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12538
THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY – FOR THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION: Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.
https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2025
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints, on this feast day, we humbly pray and thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, may we be saved by the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! And as we begin the Ordinary Time, may the Lord grant us the grace to serve Him in spirit and in truth. We pray for peace, love and unity in our marriages, our families and our world today, as we face these incredibly challenging times. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are sick with heart diseases, strokes, mental illness, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed and for all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world… Amen🙏
Let us pray:
My merciful Judge, give me a heart of compassion and mercy toward all. Remove from my heart all judgmentalness and criticalness. I leave all judgment to You, dear Lord, and seek only to be an instrument of Your love and mercy. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Mother Mary, Our Lady of Altagracia and Saint Agnes ~ Pray for us🙏
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines:
DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
SIR G.L.I OPIEPE’S HEALTH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION | https://gliopiepehe.org
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
OPENING OF THE HOLY DOORS SCHEDULES | JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door Ushering in the Jubilee of Hope | ‘Hope is Alive’ | Vatican News | December 24, 2024 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/25/pope-francis-opens-the-holy-door-ushering-in-the-jubilee-of-hope-hope-is-alive-vatican-news-december-24-2024/
THE JUBILEE PRAYER
Link to the prayer of the Jubilee of Hope 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/08/the-jubilee-prayer/
Thanking God for the gift of this new year and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all as we begin this Ordinary Time. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous and grace-filled New Year and week. Amen🙏
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖