FIFTH WEEK OF LENT
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ APRIL 9, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT GAUCHERIUS, ABBOT; SAINT DEMETRIUS, MARTYR AND BLESSED KATARZYNA FARON, POLISH MARTYR | Lives of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family, and Happy Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent!
Today, as we walk through the sacred path of Lent, we commemorate three heroic witnesses of Christ: Saint Gaucherius, Abbot (Patron Saint of Wood Cutters); Saint Demetrius, Martyr (Patron Saint of Thessaloniki, agriculture, peasants, and shepherds); and Blessed Katarzyna Celestyna Faron, Polish Martyr. Their lives of solitude, courage, and self-offering in the face of suffering reflect the heart of the Gospel. Through their intercession and the loving care of our Blessed Mother Mary, we pray for persecuted Christians, the conversion of sinners, and for all who journey through this Lenten season seeking holiness. We especially lift up all farmers and agricultural workers that God may bless their efforts, strengthen them in trials, and provide for their needs. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Gaucherius, Saint Demetrius, and Blessed Katarzyna Faron ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
We thank God for the gift of life and for the gift of this day. May this season of Lent bring renewal in faith, deepening our journey through Lent and drawing us closer to Christ. May God’s grace guide and strengthen us every day, and may His grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey.🙏🏽
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN” | “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/2025/04/09/catholic-daily-mass-36/
DAY 31: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/09/day-31-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/
DAILY REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/
LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/
STATIONS OF THE CROSS | A JOURNEY WITH CHRIST | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/stations-of-the-cross/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
Watch “HOLY MASS ON THE JUBILEE OF THE SICK AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS | Presided by H.E. Most Rev. Rino Fisichella | Live from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican | April 6, 2025” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/06/holy-mass-on-the-jubilee-of-the-sick-and-healthcare-workers/
WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/
PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS
“Loving God, we thank you for the unwavering faith and leadership of Pope Francis. As he recovers from his hospitalization, we humbly ask for your healing touch upon his body, your peace upon his mind, and your comfort for his spirit. Grant him strength, renewed energy, and a continued ability to serve your flock with compassion and wisdom. We entrust him to your loving care, and we pray that he may soon be restored to good health, if it be your will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen”🙏🏽
On this special feast day, as we continue our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the sick and dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, and we continue to pray for the repose of the gentle 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 labors 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 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL: For the use of the new technologies ~ Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
PRAYER OF THE MONTH ~ POPE FRANCIS: Lord, Good Father, as I look at the world and see men and women working in it and beautifying it, a great “Thank You!” springs from my heart. The action of Your Spirit among us encourages us to grow in the progress of science and technology in the service of human dignity for integral and inclusive human development. Because we know You desire the good of all, from the heart of Your Church, Your Son calls us to ensure that technology does not replace “person-to-person” contact, that the virtual does not replace the real, and that social networks do not replace social settings. Help us develop the ability to live wisely, to think deeply, to love generously, without losing heart, promoting scientific and technological growth that increasingly aligns with human development in responsibility, values, and awareness.
Amen 🙏🏽
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS :
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
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/
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT GAUCHERIUS, ABBOT; SAINT DEMETRIUS, MARTYR AND BLESSED KATARZYNA FARON, POLISH MARTYR – FEAST DAY: APRIL 9TH: Today, as we walk through the sacred path of Lent, we commemorate three heroic witnesses of Christ: Saint Gaucherius, Abbot (Patron Saint of Wood Cutters); Saint Demetrius, Martyr (Patron Saint of Thessaloniki, agriculture, peasants, and shepherds); and Blessed Katarzyna Celestyna Faron, Polish Martyr. Their lives of solitude, courage, and self-offering in the face of suffering reflect the heart of the Gospel. Through their intercession and the loving care of our Blessed Mother Mary, we pray for persecuted Christians, the conversion of sinners, and for all who journey through this Lenten season seeking holiness. We especially lift up all farmers and agricultural workers that God may bless their efforts, strengthen them in trials, and provide for their needs. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | April 9th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Julie Billiart, Saint Perpetuus, and Franciscan Missionary | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/08/saints-of-the-day-april-9th/ )
SAINT GAUCHERIUS, ABBOT: Born in Meulan-sur-Seine, France in 1060, Gaucherius (also known as Walter) received a solid Christian education and was ordained a priest. Yet his heart longed for something deeper a life completely given to God. At just eighteen, he withdrew from worldly comforts and chose the solitude of the forest near Limoges to live as a hermit with his friend Germond. Their humble and holy example soon attracted others, forming a growing eremitical community. To guide this flourishing group, Saint Gaucherius founded St. John’s Monastery at Aureil and a convent for women, both under the Rule of Saint Augustine. His model of sanctity shaped future saints like Saint Lambert of Angouleme, Saint Faucherus, and Saint Stephen of Muret, founder of the Grandmont monastery. Gaucherius died around the year 1140 and was canonized in 1194 by Pope Celestine III. He continues to inspire those drawn to simplicity, solitude, and service to God.
PRAYER: Lord God, through the life of Saint Gaucherius, You have shown the beauty of detachment from the world and complete trust in You. Help us to seek solitude with You amid life’s noise, and to live as faithful disciples, walking the narrow path of holiness.
Saint Gaucherius, pray for us. 🙏🏽
SAINT DEMETRIUS, MARTYR: Saint Demetrius, believed to have been martyred during the Diocletian persecution in the early 4th century, is one of the most beloved saints in the Eastern Church. Though accounts of his life vary, many traditions hold that he was either a proconsul or a soldier in Salonika (Thessaloniki), who fearlessly proclaimed his Christian faith. Arrested and confined to a bathhouse, he was slain without trial for his steadfast witness to Christ. His veneration quickly spread, and churches were built in his honor in Salonika and Sirmium. Demetrius was especially loved by Christian soldiers and peasants. He was even seen as a heavenly protector of crusaders during the Battle of Antioch in 1098. Today, his feast is solemnly celebrated in the Eastern Church, and his life remains a symbol of fearless faith and martyrdom.
PRAYER: Almighty God, You strengthened Saint Demetrius to stand firm in the face of persecution. Through his powerful intercession, grant us courage to endure trials and remain faithful to Your truth, even to the point of sacrifice.
Saint Demetrius, pray for us. 🙏🏽
BLESSED KATARZYNA (CELESTYNA) FARON, POLISH MARTYR: Born in 1913 in Zabrzez, Poland, Katarzyna Faron was orphaned at age five and raised by devout relatives. Her early love for Jesus and the Virgin Mary blossomed into a religious vocation, and she joined the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, taking the name Sister Celestyna. A devoted catechist and kindergarten teacher, she led her community’s house and ran an orphanage during WWII. In 1942, she was arrested by the Gestapo for suspected anti-Nazi activity. After being held in Polish prisons, she was deported to Auschwitz in 1943, where she was forced to perform grueling labor. Despite severe illness typhoid, tuberculosis, and hemorrhage she never ceased praying. On December 8, 1943, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, she received Holy Communion secretly from a fellow prisoner priest.
With heroic faith, she offered her suffering for the conversion of a fallen-away bishop who later returned to the Church. On Easter Sunday, April 9, 1944, Sister Celestyna died and was cremated. She was beatified by Saint John Paul II on June 13, 1999, as one of the 108 Polish Martyrs of World War II.
PRAYER: O God of mercy and love, You raised Blessed Katarzyna Celestyna Faron as a witness of hope amidst suffering. Teach us to offer our pain and trials for the salvation of souls. Strengthen persecuted Christians and grant us unwavering faith.
Blessed Katarzyna Faron, pray for us. 🙏🏽
Saint Gaucherius, Saint Demetrius, and Blessed Katarzyna Faron ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent | Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Reading 1, Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95
Responsorial Psalm, Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56
Gospel, John 8:31-42
Gospel Reading ~ John 8:31-42
“If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”
“Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will become free’?” Jesus answered them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. A slave does not remain in a household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son frees you, then you will truly be free. I know that you are descendants of Abraham. But you are trying to kill me, because my word has no room among you. I tell you what I have seen in the Father’s presence; then do what you have heard from the Father.” They answered and said to him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works of Abraham. But now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God; Abraham did not do this. You are doing the works of your father!” So they said to him, “We were not born of fornication. We have one Father, God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am here; I did not come on my own, but he sent me.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of Himself as the source of true freedom. He says, ‘if you make my word your home… you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free’, and again, ‘if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed’. Some people see religion, and Christianity in particular, as a threat to freedom, as undermining of human freedom. Yet Jesus declares in the Gospel reading today that if we make His word our home we will be free, even in these times when so much of our freedom is curtailed. If we allow our lives to be shaped by the word of Jesus we will experience what Paul in his letter to the Romans calls ‘the glorious freedom of the children of God’. If we allow the Lord’s word to shape our lives we will begin to love one another as the Lord has loved us and, then, we will be truly free with the freedom of the Holy Spirit. In the teaching of Jesus and in the New Testament as a whole, the free person is the loving person, the person who is free to love as Jesus loved. Paul declares in his second letter to the Corinthians, ‘where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom’, and the fruit of the Spirit is love. Jesus was the freest person who ever lived, even when His freedom was taken from Him in the hour of His passion and death, because He was the most loving person, the fullest revelation of God’s love. He calls us to share in His freedom through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Reflecting on today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about the liberating power of truth. He tells the Jews who believed in Him that by remaining in His word, they will come to know the truth and this truth will set them free. Yet, His listeners do not understand, claiming they are already free because they are descendants of Abraham. Jesus gently but firmly redirects their attention, revealing that true slavery is not political or physical, but spiritual—the slavery of sin. Freedom is not found in ancestry, heritage, or even religious practice, but in the saving relationship with Christ, the Son who alone can free us. Jesus then draws a sharp distinction between being children of Abraham and acting in accordance with Abraham’s faith. He exposes the inner contradiction of those who claim religious identity but reject the truth of God’s presence in Him. This passage challenges us: Do we merely profess belief, or do we remain in His word and allow it to transform our lives? Remaining in Jesus’ word is not passive it’s a continuous choice to follow the path of discipleship, even when it costs us comfort, pride, or control. It is in this obedient love that we find true freedom.
In our first reading today from the Book of Daniel is the story of three young men of Israel, Azariah, Mishael and Hananiah, known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who remained faithful to the God of Israel, even though threatened with the loss of their lives unless they abandoned their faith. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were preserved alive by God, after they had been thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. The three men walked about freely in the fiery furnace, completely unharmed by the fire, in the company of a fourth man who looked ‘like a son of the gods’ and the king and everyone present witnessed the great miracle, and saw the Angel of God that God sent to safeguard them as the mysterious fourth man present in the fire with them. The Lord protected the three of them for their faith in Him and to show Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon the futility of his hubris, pride and ego. In the end, God rescued His faithful ones and those who pride themselves in their own power and glory were ashamed and put down. This story emerged from a time at the beginning of the second century before Christ when Jews were being persecuted for refusing to worship the gods of Greece. It was intended to inspire and give courage to the author’s contemporaries. Here were young men who had the freedom to remain faithful to God and the ways of God, in spite of the enormous pressure on them to do otherwise. Even while they were imprisoned in the fiery furnace, they remained free, free to live according to God’s will as revealed in God’s laws or God’s word. This is the kind of freedom that Jesus refers to in today’s Gospel reading. As God’s Word in human form, the freedom to live according to God’s will is now the freedom to live by Jesus’ word. As Jesus says in the Gospel reading, ‘if you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free’.
Reflecting on today’s first reading, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the Book of Daniel stands as a powerful witness of courageous faith in the face of persecution. These three young men refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, choosing fidelity to the one true God over submission to a tyrannical decree. Their trust in God was so complete that they were willing to be thrown into the blazing furnace rather than betray Him. And even more striking is their statement: “Even if He does not save us, we will not serve your god.” This is the essence of faith not only believing that God can save, but being willing to remain faithful even if He does not intervene in the way we hope. God did, indeed, deliver them and not only were they unharmed, but a fourth figure appeared with them in the fire, a sign of God’s abiding presence in the midst of trial. This reminds us that when we are faithful to God, we are never alone in our sufferings. Like these three holy men, we are called to remain steadfast in truth, trusting that God walks with us through the fire.
Reflecting on our Responsorial Psalm, the psalm today continues the theme of praise and exaltation of God’s majesty. Despite being in the fire, the three men praised God, recognizing His greatness in all places His throne, His temple, even the firmament of heaven. This litany of blessings reminds us to always lift our hearts in praise, especially when facing trials. Our God is worthy of glory and praise forever.
Are there areas in my life where I have allowed sin to make me a slave whether through habits, fears, or lies I believe? Do I truly remain in Christ’s word by reading, meditating, and living it daily? Am I willing to stand firm in faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, even when the world demands compromise? Let us carry today’s message deep in our hearts: freedom comes not from status or circumstances, but from living in the truth of Jesus Christ. May we remain in His word and walk with the confidence that He is with us, even in the fire. Like the three young men in Daniel, may we shine with the light of unwavering faith.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all called to follow the Lord and to remember His providence and love, the compassion which He has shown to each and every one of us that we will be willing to open ourselves to Him, opening our hearts and minds so that we may listen to the words that our Lord and Father speak to us in the depth of our hearts and minds. Let us all therefore seek the Lord with renewed faith and desire to love Him from now on. Let us humble ourselves before Him and not be like those who kept their prideful ways, like the king of Babylon or the people at the time of the Lord Jesus, who refused to believe in God and His truth, and even persecuted the faithful. Instead, we should be inspired by the faith of Azariah, Mishael and Hananiah, known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and remain firmly strong in our faith and dedication to God from now and always. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace during this season of Lent and always to remain faithful and may He bless us all and be with us all, through our journey of faith in life. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You are the Truth that sets us free. Help us to remain in Your word and to trust in Your presence, especially when we are tested. May we have the courage to stand for You like the three faithful men in Babylon, and the humility to be taught by Your Spirit. Strengthen our faith, and let us be bold in witnessing Your love to the world. Amen 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF APRIL | MONTH OF HOLY EUCHARIST: April is dedicated to the Holy Eucharist, the greatest gift of Christ to His Church. In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity offering Himself as the Bread of Life. This month invites us to deepen our love and reverence for the Eucharist, especially as we approach Holy Week and Easter, celebrating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord. The Eucharist was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper when He said, “Take and eat; this is My Body… Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the Covenant” (Matthew 26:26-28). In receiving the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and His Church. It is the source of our strength and the culmination of our salvation, as Christ Himself said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” As we journey through Lent, we are called to renew our reverence for the Eucharist. During Holy Week, we remember that Christ instituted this sacrament on Holy Thursday, offering us a way to remain in union with Him. Let us take this opportunity to attend Mass regularly, spend time in Eucharistic adoration, and reflect on the mystery of Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
In this season of penance and reflection, may our devotion to the Eucharist strengthen our commitment to living as true disciples of Christ, leading us to the joy of Easter and the Resurrection.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine! Lord Jesus, You have given Yourself to us in the Eucharist. May we receive You with reverence and love, and let Your grace transform us this Lenten season and always. Amen 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: We pray for all who are enslaved by sin, fear, or falsehood, that they may encounter the liberating truth of Jesus and find the courage to remain in His word each day. May the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego strengthen us to stand firm in faith even when tested by fire. Through the intercession of Saint Gaucherius, may all pastors, religious, and those called to contemplative or missionary life be renewed in their zeal to live and preach the Gospel in purity of heart. We pray for those who seek silence, solitude, and holiness, that they may, like him, inspire communities centered on Christ. We ask for the strength to endure suffering with love, as Saint Demetrius did in laying down his life for Christ. May persecuted Christians around the world be upheld in their faith and protected in God’s mercy. We remember the quiet heroism of Blessed Katarzyna Faron, who embraced martyrdom in the darkness of a concentration camp. May her intercession bring hope and perseverance to those enduring hardship, and may her life remind us that no suffering is hidden from God.
May we live not as slaves to sin but as free children of God, rooted in truth, radiant in faith, and confident that Christ walks with us even in the fire. Amen 🙏🏽
LET US PRAY:
God of all Truth, Your Word is liberating, transforming and fills us with hope. May I turn my mind to You and to Your holy Word so that I may know the Truth as You speak it and allow that transforming Truth to set me free. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You are the Truth that sets us free. You invite us to remain in Your word and to walk in Your light, yet so often we cling to false securities. Give us hearts that are humble enough to be taught, bold enough to stand for what is right, and faithful enough to follow You wherever You lead. Help us to remain in Your truth when we are tempted, to remember Your presence when we feel alone, and to praise You like the three faithful men even in the furnace. May we live with courageous faith like Saint Demetrius, with humble devotion like Blessed Katarzyna Faron, and with the contemplative spirit of Saint Gaucherius, always seeking You above all else. Lord, make us free—free from fear, from sin, from the lies we believe. Let us be Your witnesses in a world hungry for truth. Jesus, we trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Save us, Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint Gaucherius, Saint Demetrius, and Blessed Katarzyna Faron ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for us all during this season of Lent, let us be renewed by prayer, fasting, and giving to the poor. We pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world. May this Lenten season deepen our trust in God’s providence and open our hearts to His transforming grace. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times and may this season of Lent bring us all true salvation in Christ as we remain united in peace, love and faith. Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled and fruitful Fifth Week of Lent. Amen 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖
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