WEDNESDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ APRIL 30, 2025
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF AFRICA
MEMORIAL OF SAINT PIUS V, POPE; SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION AND SAINT JOSEPH BENEDICT COTTOLENGO, FOUNDER | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis | EWTN | April 30, 2025 | “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-57/
Watch “FIFTH NOVENDIAL MASS MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL LEONARDO SANDRI | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | APRIL 30, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/funeral-mass-of-pope-francis/
Novendiales (Nine Days of Mourning) Masses Schedule for Pope Francis (26 April 2025 – 4 May 2025)
Learn more about the Novendiales (Nine days of mourning) in the Papal Interregnum article below:
PAPAL INTERREGNUM (VACANCY OF THE APOSTOLIC SEE) | EWTN | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/papal-interregnum/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | Prayer for the Soul of Pope Francis | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/precious-in-the-sight-of-the-lord-is-the-death-of-his-saints-psalm-11615/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter!
As we continue to celebrate and rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we thank God for the gift of life and for bringing us successfully to the end of the month of April. May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Easter and always🙏
PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS AND SUCESS OF THE CONCLAVE
With the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for the College of Cardinals as they embark on their sacred duty to elect Pope Francis’ successor:
Heavenly Father, You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis, and now You have called him to Yourself. We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy. For his lifelong service, we thank You. For his care for the poor and marginalized, we thank You. For his witness to simplicity, we thank You. In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin. Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence. Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence, into which we all long to be drawn. Protect Your Church in this time of transition. Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty. Grant them Wisdom and Courage, Hope and Charity, and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.
Father Most Holy, our God and King, Creator of all that was, is, and is to come – You alone know the heart of the one You have chosen as the successor to Pope Francis. Reveal Your will to the College of Cardinals. Open their hearts to Your inspirations. Open our hearts to receive, with faith and obedience, the one whom You will raise up to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter. May he be a man of deepest compassion, a man of profound faith and hope, a man whose charity shines forth, permeating the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. You are God Most High, the God of the living and the dead, the Great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, Eternal Being and Source of all that is. May Your holy will be done, now and forever. Amen. Alleluia.
Merciful and loving God, We entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽
On this special feast day, as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, especially for our Holy Father, POPE FRANCIS, all those who died today, and 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 🙏🏽
As we continue to rejoice in the glory of Christ’s Resurrection during this Easter season, today we commemorate a rich tapestry of intercessors: Our Lady of Africa (Patroness of the African continent); Pope Saint Pius V (Patron of the Rosary, catechists, and the Latin Mass); Saint Marie of the Incarnation (Patroness of Christian education in Canada); and Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo (Patron of the sick, disabled, and those who serve them). Through their powerful intercession, we lift up heartfelt prayers for peace, love, justice, and unity in our world. May families find healing and reconciliation, may the poor and marginalized be uplifted, and may all who suffer especially the sick, the dying, and those battling cancer receive comfort and strength from the Risen Christ. We also remember the souls in purgatory, our departed loved ones, widows and widowers, the persecuted Church, and all vocations to priestly and religious life. Amen.🙏🏽
DAILY REFLECTIONS WITH PHILOMENA | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/
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/
Honoring a Legacy of Service: The 10th Memorial Anniversary of Late Noble (Sir) Gabriel Louis Ihieje Opiepe (KSJI) | https://gliopiepehe.org/2025/04/12/honoring-a-legacy-of-service-the-10th-memorial-anniversary-of-late-noble-sir-gabriel-louis-ihieje-opiepe-ksji/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
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, fro5m 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/
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter | April 30, 2025
Reading 1, Acts 5:17-26
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Gospel, John 3:16-21
Gospel Reading ~ John 3:16-21
“God sent His Son that the world might be saved through Him”
“God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because He has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God. And this is the verdict, that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that His works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that His works may be clearly seen as done in God.”
In today’s Gospel reading, the words of Jesus to Nicodemus are one of the strongest and most positive statements in the New Testament about God. It speaks of God’s love for the world, of God’s generous way of expressing His love by giving the world His Son and of God’s desire that all people would experience eternal life through receiving God’s Son in faith. It is a hugely positive image of God and of how God relates to the world. It is a verse worth pondering and reflecting upon at length. Yet, the Gospel reading acknowledges another reality. It recognizes that people can refuse God’s love, God’s gift of His Son, God’s offer of life. In the words of the Gospel reading, ‘though the light has come into the world, people have shown that they prefer darkness to the light, because their deeds were evil’. Those who might be up to no good prefer the cover of darkness. According to the words of the Gospel, ‘everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed’. Light exposes wrong doing. In a sense, it condemns the wrong doer. According to the Gospel reading, God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world. Jesus speaks of Himself as ‘the light of the world’. When the Gospel reading says that ‘the light has come into the world’, the reference is clearly to Jesus. Yet, the light of Jesus is not primarily a condemnatory light whose primary purpose is to expose evil. The light of Jesus is a light of love, the light of God who so loved the world that He gave His only Son. When we step into this light, there is a sense in which our sins are exposed. To see ourselves in the light of Jesus is to recognize how far we fall short of the person God has created us to be. Yet, the primary purpose of this loving light is to take away our sin. Jesus, the light of God, seeks us draw us to Himself so that we may have life and have it to the full. The Lord’s light is not in any way threatening. There is a fullness of life there from which we are all invited to receive.
Reflecting on today’s Gospel, Jesus’ words are among the most well-known in all of Scripture. They express the depth of God’s love and the purpose of His saving mission: not to condemn the world, but to save it through His Son. This is the heart of the Gospel the Good News that eternal life is offered to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. Yet, as Jesus continues, He speaks a hard truth: not everyone will accept this light. Some will prefer darkness, clinging to their sins out of fear or pride. The light reveals truth; it calls us to transformation. To live in the light is to live in truth and allow our actions to be seen as done in God. This Gospel challenges us to examine where we stand. Do we embrace the light, even when it exposes our weaknesses? Or do we retreat into the shadows, afraid to face the changes God calls us to make? Jesus is the Light of the World, not only illuminating our path but revealing what hinders us from fully loving God and neighbor. Belief in Him is more than an intellectual agreement it’s a surrender to a new way of life. Each day is an invitation to step further into that light, trusting that God’s love will not only expose our sins but heal and redeem us.
Our first reading today suggests that no human power can block the preaching of the Gospel, not even the imprisonment of the Apostles, Jesus’ closest associates. The risen Lord will always find a way for the Gospel to be proclaimed, in spite of people’s best efforts to silence it. Peter and the message he preaches cannot be confined behind bars, in spite of the best efforts of those who want to silence that message. The Easter proclamation cannot be imprisoned, just as the guards at the tomb of Easter could not prevent Jesus bursting forth into new life. The light which shone from the risen Lord and from the preaching of the Easter Gospel could not be extinguished by the powers of darkness. We are all called to make the effort to resist temptations and pressures, we may easily be swayed to follow the whims of worldly desires and attachments that we have, and end up walking down the wrong path in life. We have to realise that without God and His guidance, we will easily lose sight on what is truly important in our lives, and it is easy for us to do things that are contrary to God’s will. That was exactly the things that the members of the Sanhedrin, or the Jewish High Council were doing against God’s works and the works of His disciples. Many of them often resisted the Lord and criticised Him for many of His miracles and works, persecuting Him and His disciples. They were also the same ones who have arrested the Lord and condemned Him to death, handing Him to the Romans to be crucified. They refused to believe in the truth and all the words of Wisdom that the Lord Himself has shown them, patiently and consistently, as the Lord had always done, in reaching out even to those who have resisted and rejected Him. From His Cross, the Lord prayed for the sake of those who persecuted and condemned Him to death, and He did die for all of them as well. No one is truly beyond God’s forgiveness and mercy, and He has always been generous in giving us His love and mercy. However, it requires us all to embrace God’s mercy and love for us to gain the full benefit of His kindness and mercy. God gave us His compassion and forgiveness freely, but unless we accept His mercy and love, we will not be reconciled with Him. Without God’s forgiveness and grace, none of us can attain salvation and eternal life on our own, for it is by God’s grace and guidance alone that we can live our lives truly worthily of Him, and become closer to Him. Unless we open our hearts and minds to the Lord and allow Him to guide us in our path forward, the likelihood of us coming close to the Lord becomes truly minuscule, as our stubbornness and arrogance often got in our way of walking towards God’s love and grace, as what had happened to the Pharisees and the other members of the Sanhedrin.
Reflecting on our first reading today, the Apostles are imprisoned by the high priest and his followers, filled with jealousy over the impact of their ministry. Yet, in a miraculous twist, an angel of the Lord sets them free and commissions them to return to the temple to continue preaching “everything about this life.” Despite the threats and persecution, the Apostles obey without hesitation. They do not flee, hide, or remain silent—they go back to proclaim the truth with courage. This passage speaks powerfully to the resilience and obedience of the early Church. Their freedom did not lead to safety, but to deeper witness. The apostles’ trust in God’s providence allowed them to put mission before comfort, obedience before fear. The angel’s command “Go… and tell the people everything about this life” is also directed to us. Are we willing to share the truth of the Gospel, even when it comes with resistance? Do we trust that God will give us the strength and help to fulfill our mission?
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the Psalmist proclaims, “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.” This refrain echoes throughout the verses, assuring us that God is attentive to the needs of the lowly and brokenhearted. Those who call on Him are delivered from distress, saved by His mercy, and surrounded by His angelic protection. The psalm is a celebration of trust and divine faithfulness. It reminds us that when we seek the Lord with humble hearts, He listens and acts. The call to “taste and see the goodness of the Lord” invites us to a personal encounter with His kindness. Our God is not distant or indifferent—He is near to all who seek Him in truth.
Do I live in the light of Christ, allowing His truth to shape my actions? Am I willing to be a bold witness to the Gospel, even in the face of resistance or fear? Where in my life do I still choose comfort or secrecy over transformation? How can I become more attentive to the cries of the poor around me? As we journey through this Easter season, let us not shrink from the light of Christ but allow it to transform every area of our lives. Let us be bold like the apostles, faithful like the Psalmist, and open like Nicodemus. In a world that often prefers darkness, may we be radiant witnesses of God’s redeeming love.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, all of us are reminded to be courageous in living our lives as Christians, to proclaim the Risen Lord as the Hope, Light and Salvation of the whole entire world. Without Christ, all of us would have perished and we would have to suffer the consequences and the punishments for our many sins. But thanks to His kindness, generosity and compassion, and through the ever-enduring Mercy that He has shown us, the Risen Lord has shown us His great love manifested in the Person of His Son, through Whom we have received the fullness of God’s Love, as He reached out to us, desiring to be fully and completely reconciled with us. Although we have indeed sinned against the Lord and disobeyed Him, but God’s love for us surpasses even the disgust He had against our sins and wickedness. Let us all hence renew our faith in God, and let us all be the committed and loving disciples of the Lord once again. Let us all turn towards Him and focus our attention on Him, our Risen Lord and Saviour. May the Risen Lord continue to bless and guide us in our journey of faith, and may He continue to be generous in His mercy and love, and help us to humble ourselves and to put our trust in Him so that all of us may truly follow Him wholeheartedly, and allow Him to lead our path in life. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace and bless all of our actions and works, that in all things we will always glorify Him and bring His truth to ever more and more people, throughout the world, and bring the salvation He has promised us to those who have not yet known Him. May the good Lord bless our Easter observances and joyful actions, and guide us always. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You are the Light that pierces through the darkness of my heart. Thank You for loving me so deeply that You gave Your life for my salvation. Help me to believe, not only with words but with my whole being. When I am tempted to hide in fear or shame, draw me back to Your light. Like the apostles, give me the courage to proclaim Your truth, trusting in Your power to deliver and protect. May I never grow tired of sharing “everything about this life” that You offer. Amen.🙏🏽
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF AFRICA AND THE MEMORIAL OF SAINT PIUS V, POPE; SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION AND SAINT JOSEPH BENEDICT COTTOLENGO, FOUNDER: APRIL 30TH: As we continue to rejoice in the glory of Christ’s Resurrection during this Easter season, today we commemorate a rich tapestry of intercessors: Our Lady of Africa (Patroness of the African continent); Pope Saint Pius V (Patron of the Rosary, catechists, and the Latin Mass); Saint Marie of the Incarnation (Patroness of Christian education in Canada); and Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo (Patron of the sick, disabled, and those who serve them).
Through their powerful intercession, we lift up heartfelt prayers for peace, love, justice, and unity in our world. May families find healing and reconciliation, may the poor and marginalized be uplifted, and may all who suffer especially the sick, the dying, and those battling cancer receive comfort and strength from the Risen Christ. We also remember the souls in purgatory, our departed loved ones, widows and widowers, the persecuted Church, and all vocations to priestly and religious life. Amen.🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | April 30th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
( Direct link to the detailed history of Our lady of Africa Pope Saint Pius V, Saint Marie of the Incarnation, and Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-april-30th/
OUR LADY OF AFRICA: Patroness of Africa. The devotion to Our Lady of Africa began in 19th-century Algeria under difficult missionary circumstances. The first Bishop of Algiers, facing great poverty and a predominantly Muslim population, was gifted a bronze statue of the Immaculate Conception by the Sodality of Our Lady in Lyon. The statue dark in hue by design was entrusted with the mission of being a protectress of both Christians and Muslims.
This Marian devotion has become a bridge of peace between faiths. To this day, Muslims and Christians alike venerate the Blessed Virgin Mary whom Muslims call Lala Meriem in the great Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers. The inscription beneath the altar reads: “Our Lady of Africa, pray for us and for the Muslims.”
Mary, under this title, is a powerful symbol of unity and hope for the African continent one still wounded by colonialism, conflict, and division, yet filled with faith and devotion.
PRAYER: O Mary, Our Lady of Africa, Queen of Peace, we entrust to you the peoples of Africa and the entire world. Intercede for the poor, the wounded, the lost, and all who seek healing. May your maternal presence bring reconciliation where there is division, and hope where there is despair. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT PIUS V, POPE: Pope of the Rosary | Defender of the Faith. Born Antonio Ghislieri in 1504, Pope Pius V rose from humble beginnings as a shepherd to become one of the most reformative Popes in Church history. A Dominican friar and zealous theologian, he was known for his deep prayer life, austere discipline, and moral integrity. He became Pope in 1566, during a turbulent era following the Protestant Reformation.
As Pope, he was instrumental in enforcing the decrees of the Council of Trent, reforming clergy life, strengthening Church unity, and standardizing the Roman Rite. He supported missionary work and declared St. Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church. His most celebrated legacy is his promotion of the Holy Rosary, particularly in association with the miraculous Christian victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 a triumph he attributed to Our Lady’s intercession.
He died on May 1, 1572, and was canonized in 1712.
PRAYER: Saint Pius V, steadfast shepherd of the Church, inspire us to cling to truth and remain faithful amid confusion and error. Strengthen our devotion to the Holy Rosary, and help us to work for unity in Christ’s Body, the Church. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT MARIE OF THE INCARNATION, RELIGIOUS: Mystic, Missionary & Educator of the New World. Born Marie Guyart in 1599 in Tours, France, Saint Marie of the Incarnation was a mystic, widow, mother, and educator. Widowed at a young age, she raised her son Claude before entering the Ursuline convent. Compelled by divine visions and spiritual conviction, she journeyed to New France (Canada) in 1639, becoming the first woman missionary in North America.
In Quebec, she co-founded the Ursuline Order and opened the first school for girls in the New World, serving both French settlers and Indigenous communities. Her voluminous letters and writings offered profound spiritual insights and documented pioneer life in Canada.
She died on April 30, 1672, and was canonized in 2014 by Pope Francis.
PRAYER: St. Marie of the Incarnation, courageous missionary and spiritual mother, pray for all educators and those spreading the Gospel in new lands. Teach us to respond to God’s call with faith and joy, even when the path ahead is uncertain. Amen.🙏🏽
SAINT JOSEPH BENEDICT COTTOLENGO, FOUNDER: Apostle of Charity | Founder of the Little House of Providence. Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo was born in 1786 in Bra, Italy. Deeply moved by the plight of the poor and the sick, he founded the Little House of Divine Providence in Turin a vast charitable complex that provided care for the sick, orphans, disabled, and outcasts, regardless of creed or background.
His “Little House” grew into a city of mercy, staffed by doctors, religious sisters, and volunteers. Cottolengo once said, “God has placed me here to serve the poor and sick. They are my treasures.” His humble trust in Divine Providence and love for the marginalized continues to inspire Catholic social ministries worldwide.
He died in 1842 and was canonized in 1934 by Pope Pius XI.
PRAYER: St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo, model of charity and compassion, pray for those who care for the sick and abandoned. May we, like you, see Christ in the faces of the poor and serve them with unwavering love. Amen. 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of this holy day and the shining examples of Mary, Our Lady of Africa, and Saints Pius V, Marie of the Incarnation, and Joseph Benedict Cottolengo. May their witness inspire us to live with unwavering faith, profound charity, and courageous devotion. Through their intercession, grant peace to our world, healing to the sick, comfort to the sorrowing, and strength to the Church. May we serve You with love, as they did, until we come to share in the joy of Your eternal kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Pope Saint Pius V, Saint Marie of the Incarnation, and Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
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 always. Amen 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Today, through the intercession of Our Lady of Africa, Pope Saint Pius V, Saint Marie of the Incarnation, and Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo, we lift our prayers to the Risen Christ. We pray for a renewal of missionary zeal in the Church, for faithful catechists and educators, and for all who dedicate their lives to evangelization and service. We remember those caring for the sick, the poor, and the abandoned, especially in neglected regions of the world. May God bless those who suffer from chronic illness, disability, or isolation with strength and comfort. We entrust Africa and all troubled regions to Mary’s maternal protection and ask for justice, peace, and reconciliation among nations and peoples. We pray for the unity of the Church, for purity of worship, and for deeper devotion to the Eucharist. May families be renewed in love, and may those discerning their vocation find clarity and courage. We remember the souls in purgatory, the departed, widows and widowers, and all longing for God’s mercy. Through the power of the Resurrection, may light conquer every form of darkness in our world. Amen 🙏🏽
LET US PRAY:
My glorious Lord, You came to us as the greatest Gift ever imagined. You are the gift of the Father in Heaven. You were sent out of love for the purpose of saving us and drawing us into the glory of eternity. Help me to understand and believe all that You are and to receive You as the saving Gift for Eternity. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, Divine Healer and Risen Savior, You who strengthened Pope Saint Pius V to uphold the truth with courage, who guided Saint Marie of the Incarnation across oceans for the sake of the Gospel, and who moved the heart of Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo to embrace the sick and suffering renew our hearts with apostolic zeal and generous love. May Our Lady of Africa wrap all peoples in her mantle of mercy and draw us into deeper unity in Your Body, the Church. Grant us the grace to live with integrity, to serve with compassion, and to walk humbly with You in every trial and joy. Amen. 🙏🏽
O Risen Christ, may the radiance of Your Resurrection break forth in our lives and our world. Teach us to trust in the wisdom of Your will and the power of Your love, especially when we are weary or confused. You are the Light that no darkness can overcome shine in us and through us today. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save us, Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Africa, Saint Joseph, Pope Saint Pius V, Saint Marie of the Incarnation, and Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day and the immeasurable love shown through His Son, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. As we continue to rejoice in the glory of the Resurrection, may our hearts remain open to the peace and hope that flow from His victory over sin and death. During this joyful Easter season, we pray that our loving Savior will deepen our faith and draw us closer to the mystery of His Passion, death, and Resurrection. May we walk in the light of His risen life, renewed in spirit and overflowing with grace. Praying for us all and our loved ones today and we pray for journey mercies for all those traveling during this Easter season. May this Wednesday be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ is truly risen! Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled Wednesday and joyful Second Week of Easter🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | Global Missons Now Awards |