SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER
FEAST AND SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MAY 3, 2025
FEAST OF SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the full article on Saint Philip and Saint James| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-may-3rd/ )
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis | EWTN | May 3, 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-60/
FIRST FRIDAYS AND FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTIONS | First Fridays Devotion: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/03/first-friday-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/ [Please see details and prayer links below]
Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy 1st Saturday, Second Week of Easter!
Today, the 1st Saturday of the month of May is Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Our Blessed Mother Mary. The entire month of May is dedicated to our beloved Mother Mary, the Mother of God. As we continue to rejoice in the victory of Christ’s Resurrection, we give heartfelt thanks to God for the gift of life and for bringing us safely into the new month of May. May this Easter season renew our strength, deepen our faith, and fill our hearts with the peace of the Risen Lord. May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for us and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Easter. May this weekend be filled with peace, joy, and the renewed hope that comes from Christ’s Resurrection. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, blessed start to the month. Amen 🙏🏽
Watch “EIGHTH NOVENDIAL MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL ANGEL FERNANDEZ ARTIME | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | MAY 3, 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 | 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/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS AND SUCCESS 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 🙏🏽
FIRST FRIDAYS AND FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTIONS:
The FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION is a Catholic practice that involves attending Mass, receiving Holy Communion and praying and adoring before the Blessed Sacrament on the first Friday of each month for nine months in a row. The devotion originated in the 17th century after Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary and spoke of His Sacred Heart. Jesus promised that those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays of nine consecutive months will receive the grace of final perseverance. The devotion is a way to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to atone for sins. The devotion is also known as the Communions of Reparation to the Sacred Heart or the Nine First Fridays Devotion. The Roman Catholic Church fully approved the devotion.
Some elements of the First Fridays Devotion include:
Sacramental Confession: A preparation for the devotion
Holy Communion: Received on the first Friday of each month for nine months in a row
Holy Hour: Spent in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
Prayer for the Holy Father: A prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father
The devotion is said to offer many spiritual blessings, including:
Increased Grace: The soul is strengthened and intimacy with Christ is deepened through the frequent reception of the Eucharist
Inner Peace: Trusting in Jesus’ promises can bring comfort in times of trial
Forgiveness and Healing: Reparation for sins can bring peace to the heart and renewal in Christ
Final Perseverance: Those who complete the devotion with love and faith are assured of Christ’s presence at the moment of death
The FIVE FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTION originated from the 1917 apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal. During these apparitions, Our Lady asked for acts of reparation to be made on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, with the intention of atoning for the sins committed against her Immaculate Heart. While the Sacred Heart of Jesus promises abundant blessings, including peace, consolation, and assistance at the hour of death, to those who faithfully observe nine consecutive First Fridays. Similarly, Our Lady extends her maternal protection and the promise of salvation to those who commit to five consecutive First Saturdays in honor of her Immaculate Heart.
Our Lady promises her assistance and graces especially at the hour of death, as well as peace and consolation in families and eventual salvation for those who faithfully practice the First Five Saturdays devotion. It involves attending Mass, receiving communion, praying the Rosary, and meditating on its mysteries on 5 consecutive first Saturdays with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The promises of Mary for the First Five Saturdays devotion:
* On each First Saturday, after receiving communion, reciting the Rosary, and meditating for 15 minutes on the mysteries of the Rosary, Our Lady promised to assist at the hour of death with all the graces necessary for salvation all those who make this devotion in reparation to Her Immaculate Heart.
* Our Lady promised to grant peace to families who fulfill this devotion.
* Those who fulfill the devotion will be consoled by Our Lady and will see Her eventually in heaven.
* Our Lady promised to assist in the salvation of those who practice this devotion by the graces of Her Immaculate Heart.
These First Saturday Prayers to the Immaculate Heart of Mary are recommended for those participating in the Five First Saturdays devotion.
Please see below links for both First Fridays and First Saturdays Devotions:
First Fridays Devotion: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/03/first-friday-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/
First Fridays and First Saturdays Devotions: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/03/first-fridays-first-saturdays-devotions/
As we continue to rejoice in the glory of Christ’s Resurrection during this Easter season, today, we celebrate the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles (Patrons of the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome), two of the Twelve chosen by Christ to spread the Gospel. While their lives differed, their mission was the same: to lead souls to Christ and lay the foundation of the Church through their preaching and martyrdom. Both were martyred in the first century, enduring great sacrifices to proclaim Christ’s truth. Through the intercession of Saints Philip and James, we pray for the sick, the poor, the needy, and for justice and peace in the world. We lift up the souls in purgatory and all the faithful departed, asking that they be welcomed into God’s eternal light. Let us also pray for Pope Francis, all the clergy, and those persecuted for their faith, that they may be sustained by God’s grace.
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/
(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, Saturday of the Second Week of Easter | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles | Saturday, May 3, 2025
Reading 1, First Corinthians 15:1-8
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 19:2-3, 4-5
Gospel, John 14:6-14
Gospel Reading ~ John 14:6-14
“Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father”
“Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”
In today’s Gospel reading, the words of Philip to Jesus, ‘Lord, let us see the Father and we shall be satisfied’, might well resonate with us. Perhaps we too sense that we will really only be satisfied when we see God, or, in other words, when we are in Heaven. Yet, Jesus replies to Philip that God the Father whom he longs to see he already sees in Jesus, ‘to have seen me is to have seen the Father’. The Lord told His disciples that He has indeed come from the Father, showing them all the fullness of God’s love and truth to them, and seeing Him is in truth the same as having seen God in His fullness of glory and love. That is because He was indeed the Love of God made manifest and perfect in this world, incarnate in the flesh as the Son of God and as the Son of Man. In those words, Jesus is letting us all know that He has already begun to satisfy our deepest longings, our longing for God. Jesus has shown us the face of God in Himself, in His life, death and resurrection. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus we will already begin to see the face of God and the Heaven for which will become a present reality, to some extent. Jesus is reminding St. Philip and all of us that we have already been given a great deal. What we need to do is to appreciate what we have been given, to experience the presence of God in the person of Jesus who is with us always until the end of time; He is with us in His word, in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and in each other. God has not hold back from us even His own most beloved Son, but sending Him into our midst so that all of us may experience the fullness of God’s love manifested in the flesh, as He appeared before us as the Son of Man, born of His blessed mother Mary, becoming the tangible expression of God’s ever generous love and grace. Through Christ His Son, God wants us all to experience the fullness of His love, and He wants us all to pass that love to more and more people we encounter in our own lives.
Reflecting further on today’s Gospel, we encounter a powerful dialogue between Jesus and His disciples, particularly Philip. Jesus declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” revealing His unique role as the path to the Father. These words are not merely theological statements—they are deeply relational and personal. Jesus is not just a way or a guide; He is the Way. To see Him is to see the Father. When Philip says, “Show us the Father,” Jesus responds with a gentle rebuke: “Have I been with you for so long and still you do not know me?” This moment highlights a truth that is both humbling and reassuring—God is not distant. In Jesus, the fullness of God is revealed. Every word, every action of Christ reflects the heart of the Father. Jesus invites us to believe not just in His words, but in His works. Through His miracles, compassion, and self-giving love, He shows us the Father. And then He adds something astonishing: “Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.” This isn’t about surpassing Jesus but continuing His mission with the help of the Holy Spirit. Faith in Christ unleashes divine possibilities in our lives. As we believe in Him and live in Him, our prayer becomes powerful: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do.” Today’s Gospel invites us to deepen our intimacy with Christ, to see Him as the full revelation of God, and to walk with courage in the path He has laid before us.
Our first reading today from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, describes the testimony of faith that St. Paul delivered to the faithful in the city of Corinth, reminding them all to pass on the truth, knowledge and the wisdom of God’s truth which they had received from the hands of the Apostles and the other missionaries. St. Paul shared with them how he himself has received the same truth and teachings from the Apostles, who shared and passed on to him the truth about what happened in the Lord’s ministry, in everything that He had done for the sake of the salvation of the whole world. St. Paul himself did not witness everything that had happened but he received the same truth from the hands of the other Apostles and also through the wisdom and inspiration from the Holy Spirit. The Apostles have been called and chosen to bring the Good News of the Lord to the nations, and in the case of St. Paul, while he himself never journeyed together with the Lord and His group, and in fact was an ardent and overzealous persecutor of Christians in his early moments, but this did not prevent the Lord from calling St. Paul and making him to be one of His greatest missionaries, proclaiming the message of His truth to more and more people that had not yet known Him and had not yet heard His words of truth and experienced His love. St. Paul hence shared to the people of God, the faithful in Corinth that each and every one of them ought to be missionary and evangelising as well, in committing their lives and works to the glorification of God and the proclamation of His truth and salvation. St. Paul lists James as one of those to whom the risen Lord appeared and then to all the Apostles. On this feast day, we celebrate and mark the great memories of these two wonderful saints, the Holy Apostles of Our Lord, St. Philip and St. James, we are all called to reflect on ourselves and on our own calling in life. Each one of us as Christians are disciples and followers of the Lord, and we are all called to the same mission that the Lord has entrusted to His Apostles. The Lord has given to us the mission to reach out to more people among the nations, that we may be the genuine witnesses of His truth, love and resurrection among all the people of God. We are the ones to be the beacons of God’s light in our respective communities today.
Reflecting further on today’s first reading, Saint Paul’s words are a powerful summary of the Gospel. He reminds the Corinthians and us all of the foundation of Christian faith: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to many, including the Apostles. What Paul proclaims is not mere tradition or secondhand knowledge. It is a testimony rooted in encounter. “I handed on to you what I also received,” he says. This passage highlights the continuity and reliability of the apostolic witness. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became a passionate preacher because he too encountered the risen Christ. What stands out is the emphasis on seeing. Jesus appeared to Peter, the Twelve, James, and finally to Paul. This visual, personal encounter with the risen Christ is what transformed fearful followers into bold witnesses. The Feast of Saints Philip and James reminds us that these men did not follow cleverly devised myths. They encountered the risen Lord, gave their lives to proclaim Him, and passed on the Gospel at great cost. Like Paul, we are called to stand firm in the faith we have received, to let it shape how we live and how we witness to others.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, “Their message goes out through all the earth.” The psalm today reminds us of the universality of the Gospel. Just as the heavens declare the glory of God without words, so too the message of the Apostles resounds throughout the world. Saints Philip and James, though simple men, became voices of God’s glory. They did not rely on eloquence or prestige but on the power of the Spirit. Their message, like the stars in the sky, quietly but powerfully declares the truth of Christ.
Are we still saying, “Show us the Father,” when Christ is already in our midst through His Word, the Sacraments, and His people? Do we truly believe that in seeing Jesus, we see God? Do we live as those who know the Way, follow the Truth, and receive Life from Christ? And how are we, like the Apostles, passing on what we ourselves have received? As we honor Saints Philip and James today, let us renew our commitment to be witnesses of the risen Lord. May we treasure the faith we have received, live it courageously, and pass it on through our words and actions. Christ is the Way let us walk in Him with joy and conviction. Amen. 🙏🏽
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, each and every one of us are reminded that we should walk in the footsteps of the Holy Apostles. We are all reminded to do our best to serve the Lord by our every contributions, even to the smallest and seemingly least significant actions we do. For it is by our combined works and efforts that God will extend His reach and works ever more gloriously among His people. Let us all spend more time in building up our relationship with God and in deepening our understanding of our faith, so that we may be truly inspirational to all those who witness our lives and works. Let us walk in the path of the Apostles and do whatever we can to proclaim the Lord in each and every moments of our lives. Let us all therefore be inspired by the dedication and examples showed by the Holy Apostles, St. Philip and St. James, and be strengthened and inspired to walk in the same path that they had walked. Let us all turn towards the Lord faithfully and dedicate ourselves to Him thoroughly, doing our very best to be faithful missionaries and evangelisers of our Christian faith, not just through mere words only, but also through genuine actions and works, in doing God’s will and obeying His Law and commandments, becoming true shining beacons of the Light of Christ in the midst of our community. May the Lord continue to be with us always and may He empower each one of us to walk in His presence at all times. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, bless us always and grant us His grace in our every efforts and good works, now and forevermore. St. Philip and St. James, Holy Apostles and devout servants of God, pray for us all. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In You, we see the Father and know His heart. Help us to believe more deeply in Your words and works. Strengthen our faith like that of Saints Philip and James, that we may proclaim You boldly and live out the Gospel faithfully. May our lives echo the message of Your love to the ends of the earth. Amen. 🙏🏽
FEAST OF SAINTS PHILIP AND JAMES, APOSTLES: MAY 3RD: Today, we celebrate the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles (Patrons of the Church of the Twelve Apostles in Rome), two of the Twelve chosen by Christ to spread the Gospel. While their lives differed, their mission was the same: to lead souls to Christ and lay the foundation of the Church through their preaching and martyrdom. Both were martyred in the first century, enduring great sacrifices to proclaim Christ’s truth. Through the intercession of Saints Philip and James, we pray for the sick, the poor, the needy, and for justice and peace in the world. We lift up the souls in purgatory and all the faithful departed, asking that they be welcomed into God’s eternal light. Let us also pray for Pope Francis, all the clergy, and those persecuted for their faith, that they may be sustained by God’s grace.
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | May 3rd https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to the full article on Saints Philip and Saint James | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-may-3rd/ )
SAINT PHILIP, APOSTLE: Saint Philip was born in Bethsaida in Galilee and was one of the first disciples called by Jesus. His call to follow Christ is noted in the Gospel of John (1:43-44), where Jesus says, “Follow Me,” and Philip immediately responds. After receiving the Holy Spirit, Philip traveled far and wide to preach the Gospel, including areas like Scythia and Phrygia, where he converted many to the faith. He is also credited with bringing his friend Nathanael (Bartholomew) to Jesus, proclaiming, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and the Prophets wrote” (John 1:45).
Saint Philip, though married with daughters, left everything to follow Christ, exemplifying the sacrifice and commitment required to be a true disciple. His evangelization efforts were marked by both success and hardship, and he ultimately died a martyr’s death in Hierapolis, Phrygia, where he was crucified and stoned.
As the patron of pastry chefs, hatters, jockeys, horsemen, and countries like Uruguay and Luxembourg, Saint Philip is a model of zeal for spreading the Gospel, no matter the personal cost.
PRAYER: O Saint Philip, chosen disciple of the Lord, who brought others to Christ with zeal and fervor, grant us the courage to follow your example by bringing others to the truth of the Gospel. Help us to live with the same zeal, offering ourselves entirely to God’s will. Through your intercession, may we be faithful in spreading His love and truth, no matter the challenges we face. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT JAMES THE LESSER, APOSTLE: Saint James the Lesser, also known as James the Just, was the son of Alpheus and a relative of Jesus. Sometimes called the “brother of the Lord,” he was highly revered in the early Church. As the first Bishop of Jerusalem, James was known for his piety, humility, and commitment to the Christian community. His leadership helped shape the early Church, and he presided over the Council of Jerusalem, where the apostles decided how Gentiles could be incorporated into the faith without having to follow the entire Law of Moses (Acts 15).
James’ austere life as a Nazarite was marked by prayer, fasting, and dedication to God. He is said to have spent so much time in prayer that his knees were as calloused as a camel’s hooves. His martyrdom came when he was thrown from the Temple and then stoned to death by those who opposed his teachings. He is remembered for his prayerful spirit and his call for justice, mercy, and humility.
Saint James is the patron saint of apothecaries, pharmacists, and the dying, as well as of various cities such as Frascati and Monterotondo. His steadfast faith and unwavering commitment to the Church make him a powerful intercessor for all who seek justice and peace.
PRAYER: O Saint James, who lived a life of humility and devotion, pray for us that we may follow your example of prayer, penance, and justice. Help us to remain steadfast in our faith, especially in the face of trials, and to always seek the will of God above all else. May we, like you, strive for holiness in all aspects of our lives. Amen. 🙏🏽
Lord God, on this feast day of your holy Apostles, Saints Philip and James, we rejoice in the gifts of faith and courage they imparted to Your Church. Through their intercession, may we grow in our own faith, perseverance, and love for You. Help us to follow their example in proclaiming Your truth and living lives of devotion, justice, and service to others. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Philip and Saint James ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MAY: For Working Conditions ~ Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.
PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF MAY ~ POPE FRANCIS: For Working Conditions ~ Jesus, You knew work in this world, and You understand its hardships and joys… Hear our prayer today. Working is a human trait… Work is sacred… The beauty of the earth and the dignity of work were meant to be united… The earth becomes beautiful when man works… Lord, You see that we believe this with conviction, but we desire even more for it to become a reality among us.
We are saddened when people can’t find work and lack the dignity of bringing bread to their home. Give us the light of your Spirit, open our hearts, do not let indifference overcome us.
Help us recover the gift of universal brotherhood. We ask for a heart as big as Jesus’s so we can embrace the call to work to give dignity to people and families.
Amen 🙏🏽
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY | MONTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and our spiritual Mother. This month invites the faithful to draw closer to Mary through prayer, reflection, and imitation of her virtues—especially her humility, obedience, purity, and unwavering faith. As the first and most perfect disciple of Christ, Mary leads us gently but firmly to her Son. Throughout Church history, May has been a time to honor Mary with special devotions such as the Rosary, May Crownings, Marian processions, and prayers like the Litany of Loreto. The Church teaches that Mary, assumed body and soul into Heaven, intercedes for us as Queen of Heaven and Mother of the Church. During this month, we are called to renew our relationship with her and seek her maternal care in our joys, sorrows, and needs. Mary said “yes” to God’s plan with total trust: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her faithful surrender encourages us to say “yes” to God’s will in our own lives. As we meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary and contemplate her role in salvation history, we grow in our love for her and our desire to follow Christ more closely.
In this beautiful month of blooming flowers, may our hearts also blossom with deeper devotion to the Mother of our Savior. Let us bring her our prayers, our homes, and our lives, asking her to accompany us with her love and protection.
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Hail Mary, full of grace! Teach us to love Jesus as you loved Him. Cover us with your mantle of mercy, and help us to walk always in the light of your Son. Amen 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Today, as we honor Saints Philip and James, Apostles, we also lift up our prayers for the eternal repose of Pope Francis’ soul. May he rest in the peace of Christ, whose service he dedicated his life to, and may the grace of God be with him as he enters into eternal life. We pray for the College of Cardinals as they embark on the sacred task of electing a new Pope. May the Holy Spirit guide them in this crucial decision, granting them wisdom, discernment, and unity as they choose a successor who will continue to lead the Church with faith, love, and truth. We also pray for the sick, the poor, the marginalized, and all who are in need. May they find comfort and strength in God’s love through the intercession of Saints Philip and James. We lift up our families, that they may grow in faith and unity, and we pray for the souls in purgatory, asking that they be welcomed into the eternal light of God’s Kingdom. Amen. 🙏🏽
LET US PRAY:
My divine and personal Lord, it is the deepest desire of Your Sacred Heart to know me and to love me. Fill my heart with this same desire so that I will not only know You, dear Lord, but also the Father in Heaven. Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your perfect love and pray that I may open myself to that love more fully each and every day. Saints Philip and James, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We entrust Pope Francis to Your eternal love, and we ask for Your guidance as the College of Cardinals seeks Your will in choosing a new Pope. Strengthen the Church in this time of transition and help us all to continue living out the Gospel with faith, hope, and love. May the Holy Spirit lead us in this journey, and may the Church remain a beacon of Your light in the world. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Philip, and Saint James ~ 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. As we embrace the blessings of this new month, may God’s abundant grace continue to shower upon us, filling our hearts with peace, joy, and hope in His Resurrection. May this Saturday 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 Weekend and joyful Second Week of Easter and month of May 🙏🏽
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 |