Author: Resa

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 14, 2024

Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest – Optional Memorial celebrated on July 14th, on the anniversary of his death in the general Roman Calendar (In the United States this memorial is transferred to July 18th).

Greetings, beloved family and Happy Sunday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube | July 14, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 14, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 14, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 14, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 14, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 14, 2024
Reading 1, Amos 7:12-15
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Reading 2, Ephesians 1:3-14
Gospel, Mark 6:7-13

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Mark 6:7–13

“He began to send them out”

“Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick— no food, no sack, no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second tunic. He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave. Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, leave there and shake the dust off your feet in testimony against them.” So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus sends out the Twelve, two by two. Rather than sending them out as twelve individuals, He sent them out as six groups of two. Some might say that twelve individuals would cover more ground than six pairs. Yet, Jesus knew the importance of disciples working together to bring the Gospel to others. Elsewhere in the gospels, Jesus sent out a larger group of seventy two, and, again, he sent them out two by two. The very first disciples He called were two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew, and James and John. It is together that we come to discover the Lord and it is together that we share Him with others. The journey of faith is never a solitary one. That is why we feel the need to gather together to celebrate our Sunday Eucharist. Our presence at Mass reminds us that we are interconnected in the Lord. We receive the body of Christ as members of His body. As Saint Paul says in one of his letters, ‘Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread’. Even when we cannot get to church physically for whatever reason, we are united in spirit with other believers, especially with the members of our parish community. We often give expression to our journeying together in faith in other ways. Some of us might come together to reflect on the Gospel readings and others may be part of a faith group. The greatest source of strength for our faith is when a person of faith is walking alongside us. The Lord comes to us through the faith of others, and He comes to others through our faith. In today’s second reading, Saint Paul reminds us that it has always been God’s purpose to bring people together around His Son, Jesus. Indeed, St. Paul declares in that reading that God ‘would bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on the earth’.

In our Gospel reading, it is on mission that Jesus sends out His disciples two by two. Their mission is to be an extension of Jesus’ mission. They have received a great deal from Jesus and now they are to share what they have received with others. They are to bring Jesus’ healing presence to those who need it most, and they are to do this together. According to the Gospels, the disciples have shown themselves to be very flawed, somewhat unreceptive to Jesus. On one occasion, during the storm at sea, Jesus had to rebuke them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’ Yet, Jesus dares to send out these flawed disciples on mission. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why Jesus sent them out in pairs. The strengths of one could compensate for the weaknesses of the other, and vice verso. The Lord continues to send us out together on mission to share the treasures of the Gospel we have received. Like the first disciples, we too are flawed; we all have a long way to go in our relationship with the Lord. Yet, the Lord wants us to share in His mission together, knowing that together we are more likely to reveal His loving and healing presence to others that just as lone individuals. The Lord has gifted each of us in a unique way through the Holy Spirit. We each have something to give out of what the Lord has given us and something to receive from others out of what the Lord has given them. The Lord needs us all if his mission in today’s world is to be a dynamic one. He needs both our willingness to give from what we have received from him and our willingness to receive from what he has given to others. In the second reading, St. Paul speaks about ‘the richness of the grace which God has showered on us’. That richness of grace that God has showered on us through His Son becomes evident only when we journey together, when we share together in the mission of Jesus. Again in the words of that reading, individually, ‘we have been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit’. The Spirit has stamped us in a way that is unique to each of us. When we come together to share in the Lord’s mission, the full richness of the Spirit’s life within us and among us will become evident to all.

In our first reading this Sunday from the Book of the prophet Amos is the interactions between King Amaziah of the northern kingdom of Israel and the prophet Amos, who hailed from the land of Judah. At that time, both the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the two kingdoms where the people of Israel, the chosen people of God lived in, had been separated for a long time, for about a few centuries. The northern kingdom of Israel came to be because many of the Israelites rebelled against the House of David after the reign of King Solomon because they were taxed and exploited, which made them to declare independence under a new king, who then also led the people into sin because he established an independent centre of worship in Bethel. The king of the northern kingdom of Israel ever since the first one, Jeroboam, up to that of Amaziah had been carrying out the worship of idols in the temple built in Bethel, in opposition to God’s Law, which stated that the people of God, the Israelites, must go to Jerusalem, to the Temple of God there where the Lord’s Holy Presence resided, to worship Him. Jeroboam established instead a golden calf idol, which was reminiscence of what the Israelites did during their Exodus from Egypt, in rebellion against God. In addition to that, King Jeroboam also established a new order of priesthood not in accordance with God’s Law which decreed that the priests were to be selected only from among the Levites. As such, ever since, the people of Israel had disobeyed the Lord, committed great sins against Him. Yet, despite all of that, the Lord still loved His people and cared for them all nonetheless, as He continued to sent prophets after prophets to help and guide them all in their paths. The Lord continued to try to reach out to them even when they continued to close their hearts and minds against Him, like how King Amaziah of Israel attempted to harass the prophet Amos to go back to the land of Judah. But Amos stood his ground and told the king that God had sent him to the land of Israel to do His will, to bring His people back to Him.

In our second reading today, from the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Church and the faithful in the city of Ephesus, the Apostle spoke of the great love of God which He has always shown and poured down upon us as he wrote about all the grace, love, kindness, wisdom and all the things He has revealed to us, especially through His beloved Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. St. Paul told the faithful people of God and hence reminded us all of the intentions which the Lord, our loving God and Master has always had for us from the very beginning. God has created all of us as the most perfect and beloved ones among all that He had created. He has intended for us to share in the fullness of His overflowing and ever generous love. Unfortunately, through our disobedience and refusal to listen to Him, we have spurned God’s love and squandered everything which He has prepared and intended to give to us. That is why we have been cast out of the Gardens of Eden, from God’s Holy Presence. It was not because God despised us or hated us, and it was not because God intended or wanted us all to suffer in this world from all the various sufferings and hardships, and less still from the unavoidable fate of death. Rather, it was our own disobedience and sins which had led us into this fate, our conscious rejection of God’s love and grace, choosing to allow Satan to tempt us and to persuade us to turn away from God and His path of righteousness and virtue. We chose to listen to his lies and sweet false promises, rather than to trust in God.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures this Sunday, we are all reminded first of all of the great and ever enduring love which the Lord our God has for each and every one of us, of His patience in seeking us out and in helping us to find our way back to Him. He has always been sending out His servants and disciples to reach out to us, to help and guide us in our journey back to Him. Through all that He has done for us, God has opened for us the path to eternal life and true happiness through Him, and all of us should then remember of every efforts that He had done in loving us despite all of our rebellious behaviours and disobedience against Him. May the Lord, our most loving, compassionate and merciful God and Father continue to watch over us and be gracious to us. May He continue to be patient in loving and caring for us all, His often wayward children, who have often disobeyed and angered Him by our many sins and wickedness. Let us all commit ourselves to turn away from those sins and reject this path of evil, and commit ourselves anew to the path of righteousness and virtue from now on. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and be with us all, and may He empower us all so that we can continue to be courageous to live our lives worthily as His disciples and followers, and as His beloved ones, now and always. Amen 🙏🏾

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA, VIRGIN AND SAINT FRANCIS SOLANO, PRIEST ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 14TH

Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest—Optional Memorial celebrated on July 14th, on the anniversary of his death in the general Roman Calendar (In the United States this memorial is transferred to July 18th).

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha and Saint Francis Solano, Priest. The General Roman Calendar celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. Camillus de Lellis, priest on July 14th, but the particular calendar for the United States transfers Camilius to July 18th so as to not conflict with St. Kateri. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for those who have lost their parents, children or loved ones, we pray for those going through difficulties during these challenging times, for the poor and the needy, for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. We pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏 

SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA, VIRGIN: St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680), also known as the ‘Lily of the Mohawks,’ is the first Native American to be canonized. St. Kateri lived a life of holiness and virtue, despite obstacles and opposition within her tribe, she incurred the hostility of her tribe because of her faith. She was devoted to the Eucharist, and to Jesus Crucified. St. Kateri was born in present-day New York, near the town of Auriesville, New York in 1656. She was the daughter of a Mohawk warrior, a pagan chief and her mother an Algonquin who had been converted to the Christian faith by Jesuit missionaries. Her mother was a Christian Algonquin, taken captive by the Iroquois and given as wife to the chief of the Mohawk clan, the boldest and fiercest of the Five Nations. When St.  Kateri was four years old, a smallpox epidemic killed her entire family, parents and little brother and left her partially blind, disfigured, and crippled. Her uncle, who had now become chief of the tribe, adopted her and raised her. Her uncle detested the Christians, he hated the coming of the Blackrobes (missionaries), but could do nothing to them because a peace treaty with the French required their presence in villages with Christian captives. She was moved by the words of three Blackrobes who lodged with her uncle, but fear of him kept her from seeking instruction. Her aunts began planning her marriage while she was still very young. As she grew up, Kateri longed for the Catholic faith of her mother, and was very drawn to the missionaries evangelizing near her village. At the age of twenty, St. Kateri was baptized by Jesuit missionary Fr. Jacques de Lambertville on Easter of 1676. St. Kateri’s baptismal name is “Catherine,”(which was translated as “Kateri”) after St. Catherine of Siena. Her uncle opposed her conversion to Christianity, and as a result she was ostracized by her people and treated harshly. When it was clear that her life was in danger, a priest helped her flee to a French Jesuit mission in Montreal, Canada. A Christian Native American village at Sault St. Louis, near Montreal, a journey of over 200 miles alone and on foot. There she lived a solitary life, devoting her life to prayer, penitential practices, and the care of the sick and aged in Caughnawaga near Montreal (where her relics are now enshrined). She rejected an opportunity for marriage. Every morning, even in bitterest winter, she stood before the chapel door until it opened at four and remained there until after the last Mass. She was devoted to the Eucharist and to Jesus Crucified. Her great sanctity, virtue, and love for Christ amazed everyone who knew her. She was also known as a miracle-worker.

For three years she grew in holiness under the direction of a priest and an older Iroquois woman, giving herself totally to God in long hours of prayer, in charity and in strenuous penance. At twenty three she took a vow of virginity, an unprecedented act for a Native American woman, whose future depended on being married. She found a place in the woods where she could pray an hour a day and was accused of meeting a man there! Her dedication to virginity was instinctive: She did not know about religious life for women until she visited Montreal. Inspired by this, she and two friends wanted to start a community, but the local priest dissuaded her. She humbly accepted an “ordinary” life. She practiced extremely severe fasting as penance for the conversion of her nation. She was said to have reached the highest levels of mystical union with God, and many miracles were attributed to her while she was still alive. She died the afternoon before Holy Thursday on April 17, 1680 at the age of 24. Witnesses reported that within minutes of her death, the scars from smallpox completely vanished and her face shone with radiant beauty and the touch of a smile came upon her lips. Devotion to Kateri began immediately after her death and her body, enshrined in Caughnawaga, is visited by many pilgrims each year. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980, and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI, Vatican City on October 21, 2012. St. Kateri is the Patron Saint of Ecologists; ecology; environment; environmentalism; environmentalists; exiles; loss of parents; people in exile; people ridiculed for their piety; Native Americans and World Youth Day.

PRAYER: Lord, You called the Virgin, Blessed Kateri, to shine forth among the Native American people as an example of purity of life. Grant, through her intercession, that all peoples of every tribe, tongue, and nation, may be gathered into Your Church and proclaim Your greatness in one song of praise. Amen 🙏

SAINT FRANCIS SOLANO, PRIEST: St. Francis Solano, also known as Francis Solanus (1549 – 1610) was a Franciscan missionary in Lima, Peru. He was born in Andalusia, Spain, on March 10, 1549 to Mateo Sánchez Solano and Ana Jiménez. The diocese of Cordova, in Spain, was the birthplace of St. Francis, who won many thousands of souls to God. From his earliest years he was characterized by a modest behavior, prudent silence, and edifying meekness. His education was entrusted to the Jesuit Fathers, and later he entered the Order of St. Francis and became a Franciscan in 1569. Soon he excelled every one in the house in humility, obedience, fervor in prayer, and self-denial. St. Francis labored for two decades in Spain and sailed to Peru in 1589. He sailed for South America to preach the Gospel to the Indians in Peru. While near shore the ship struck rocks, and there was danger of drowning. The captain hurried the officers and principal passengers into the only boat there was, and tried to induce the missionary to accompany them; but he refused to do so. Consoling the remaining passengers, he prayed fervently and alone kept up his hope in God’s mercy. At last rescuers arrived and all were taken off in safety.

The missionary, St. Francis did not confine his ministry to Lima. He visited the forests and deserts inhabited by the Indians, and by degrees he won their trust and in this way baptized nine thousand Indians. He was then recalled to Lima, which at that time was like a godless Ninive. St. Francis preached to the hardened sinners, and the whole city became converted. He worked until his death in Lima and elsewhere in South America. Finally after a painful sickness his last words being, “God be praised!” his soul departed this earth on July 14, 1610. He was renowned for his preaching, miracles and virtues. He was declared Blessed by Pope Clement X on June 20, 1675, Rome, Papal State and canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. He’s the Patron Saint of Argentina; Bolivia; Chile; Paraguay; Peru. Saint Francis’ feast is July 14th and held on July 24th traditionally in Hispanic Countries.

St. Francis Solano, Franciscan ~ Pray for us 🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My providential Lord, You always provide for us in every way. You know our every need and always meet those needs. Please help me to trust in You in every way and to learn to rely upon Your providential grace. Please use me as You will and work powerfully through me so that my life produces an abundance of good fruit for Your Kingdom. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha and Saint Francis Solano ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled Sunday and week🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖

FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 13, 2024

Greetings, beloved family and Happy Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube | July 13, 2024 |

https://www.youtube.com/live/CiYEVDDUmtI?si=B__KuAk7D7ndZWIf

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 13, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 13, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 13, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 13, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday, July 13, 2024
Reading 1, Isaiah 6:1-8
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 93:1, 1-2, 5
Gospel, Matthew 10:24-33

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT HENRY II, EMPEROR; SAINT ANACLETUS, POPE AND MARTYR; SAINT MILDRED, RELIGIOUS; SAINT CLELIA BARBIERI, RELIGIOUS AND SAINT EUGENIUS, BISHOP ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 13TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Henry II, Emperor; Saint Anacletus, Pope and Martyr; Saint Mildred; Saint Clelia Barbieri and Saint Eugenius, Bishop. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for those seeking for the fruit of the womb, may God bless them with the gift of children, we pray for those going through difficulties during these challenging times, for the poor and the needy, for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. We pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏 

SAINT HENRY II, KING OF GERMANY AND EMPEROR; St. Henry II (972-1024 A.D.) was a German king who led and defended Europe’s Holy Roman Empire at the beginning of the first millennium. He became successively Duke of Bavaria, King of Germany and Emperor, devoted himself to the spread of religion by rebuilding churches and founding monasteries. St. Henry II was born in 972 to Duke Henry of Bavaria and Princess Gisela of Burgundy. During his youth, St. Henry received both an education and spiritual guidance from a bishop who was himself canonized, St. Wolfgang of Regensberg. St. Henry was an intelligent and devout student, and for a period of time he was considered for the priesthood. St. Wolfgang’s lessons in piety and charity left a lasting mark on St. Henry’s soul. But it was ultimately in the political realm, not the Church, that he would seek to exercise these virtues. He took on his father’s position as Duke of Bavaria in 995, one year after St. Wolfgang’s death and took a holy woman as his wife. Upon the sudden death of his cousin he also became the King of Germany. The Church supported his accession to the throne as King of Germany in 1002. As king, St. Henry encouraged the German bishops to reform the practices of the Church in accordance with canon law. During the same period he is said to have brought a peaceful end to a revolt in his territory, which ended with the king mercifully pardoning the rebels. St. Henry also acted decisively, but not harshly, against an Italian nobleman who set himself up as a rival king.

In 1014, the German king journeyed to Rome where Pope Benedict VIII formally crowned him as head of the Holy Roman Empire. The emperor demonstrated his loyalty to the Pope by confirming Benedict VIII’s authority over the city of Rome. St. Henry made his journey from Rome back to Germany into a pilgrimage of sorts, stopping at various monasteries along the way. St. Henry was determined to rule the empire with justice for the greater glory of God. He was known for his virtue and great faith; when entering any town, he would first pray in a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He also invoked the saints to help him in battle against pagan armies. St. Henry became a great patron of churches and monasteries, donating so much of his wealth to them that his relatives complained that he was behaving irresponsibly. But St. Henry was far from irresponsible, as his leadership of the Western Empire in both war and peace demonstrated. The emperor was also a great patron of the poor, making enormous contributions for their relief. The emperor’s extraordinary generosity was made possible in part by his lack of an heir. He was married to a woman who was later canonized in her own right, St. Cunigunde of Luxembourg, but the two had no children. Some accounts say that the couple took vows of virginity and never consummated their marriage, though this explanation of their childlessness is not universally accepted.

Both St. Henry and his wife, St. Cunegundes, lived in perpetual chastity, to which they had bound themselves by vow during their marriage and therefore remained childless. The Saint made numerous pious foundations, gave liberally to pious institutions and built the Cathedral of Bamberg. For the last several years of his life, St. Henry had to deal with serious illness, and an additional ailment that crippled his left leg, along with his imperial responsibilities. He found support in prayer during these trials, and seriously considered resigning his imperial leadership in order to become a monk. St. Henry tried to enter a monastery after the death of his wife, however, his application was refused because it was thought he would continue to do much good if he remained in the world. After several years of illness he died in July of 1024 at the castle of Grone, near Halberstad, and was buried in the cathedral there; his holy wife was laid by his side fifteen years later. The public mourned sincerely for the monarch who had managed to lead his earthly kingdom so responsibly without losing sight of the Kingdom of God. He was canonized in 1146 by Pope Eugene III. He’s Patron Saint of the disadvantaged, childless people; infertility; of Dukes; of the handicapped and those rejected by Religious Order; Basel, Switzerland; Benedictine Oblates;  physically challenged people; sterility.

PRAYER: God, You filled St. Henry with the abundance of Your grace to govern his earthly empire worthily, and called him to share Your glory in heaven. Through his intercession help us to shun the allurements of the world and come to You with pure minds. Amen 🙏

SAINT ANACLETUS, POPE AND MARTYR: Saint Anacletus, also known as Cletus, was the third bishop of Rome, following Sts. Peter and Linus. St. Anacletus served as pope between c. 79 and his death, c. 92. Cletus was a Roman who, during his tenure as pope, ordained a number of priests and is traditionally credited with setting up about twenty-five parishes in Rome. Saint Anacletus was a successor to Saint Peter, by whom he was converted to the faith. He was also ordained a deacon and consecrated priest by Christ’s own first Vicar, as Saint Ignatius of Antioch affirms. He was Greek by origin, born in Athens; in the year 83 he was chosen to succeed Saint Linus, who had been martyred. The emperor Domitian had begun a violent persecution which increased in fury as time passed; but the faith of the Christians did not diminish, only receiving new force from the blood of the martyrs. This holy Pontiff omitted no solicitude which could animate the faithful to expose their lives generously for the glory of Jesus Christ. During his nine years of reign, he consecrated six bishops. The last of these bishops was Saint Evaristus, who would succeed him; Saint Anacletus consecrated him the year before his death, foreseeing he could not long escape the fate of all the first Vicars of Christ.

One of his enduring ordinances was the law that for the consecration of a bishop, three bishops must participate; that practice had been established by Saint Paul. He also required that all ordinations be accomplished in public. He built a church in honor of Saint Peter, to whom he owed his conversion, at the site of Saint Peter’s burial; the original structure was conserved by Providence amid many tempests. He reserved burial sites for future martyrs in the Christian cemeteries, because multitudes were being condemned under Domitian. He also designated and adorned sites for the interment of future Pontiffs in the Vatican. Saint Anacletus was highly praised by Saint Ignatius of Antioch in a well-known letter. He died on July 13th in the year 96, and was buried in the Vatican. Certain authors would confound Saint Cletus and Anacletus and make of them one person. Their father’s names are known, however, as well as their place of birth — the one in Italy, the other in Greece; moreover, Saint Cletus was consecrated bishop by Saint Peter, saint Anacletus was ordained a priest by him.

Saint Anacletus, Pope and Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT MILDRED, RELIGIOUS: St. Mildred was the first abbess of the English monastery of Minster-in-Thanet founded by her mother, Saint Ermenburga. As a nun who mortified herself with frequent fasts, St. Mildred was characterized by an exceptional humility, gentleness, and serenity of spirit. She was remembered for her compassion to widows, orphans, the poor, and the troubled. St. Mildred was the daughter of King Merewald of Magonset and his wife, St. Ermenburga, and sister of Sts. Milburga and Milgith. At an early age, her mother sent her to be educated by an abbess at Chelles in France, where many English ladies were trained to a saintly life. A young nobleman, related to the Abbess of Chelles, asked the abbess for her hand in marriage. Despite a favorable recommendation from the abbess, St. Mildred told her that she had been sent there to be taught, not to be married. All the abbess’s advice, threats and blows failed to persuade Mildred from entering into marriage. Finally, the abbess threw Mildred into a large hot oven. After three hours, the abbess opened the oven door expecting to find ashes, but instead, Mildred came out unscathed and radiant. Hearing of the miracle, the faithful venerated St. Mildred as a saint; but the abbess threw her on the ground, beat, kicked and scratched her and tore out a handful of her hair. St. Mildred was able to send her mother a letter, enclosing some of the hair that had been torn from her head; and Queen Ermenburga immediately sent ships to fetch her daughter. The abbess, fearing that her evil deeds should come to light, would not permit Mildred to leave. However, St. Mildred escaped during the night; but, having forgotten some ecclesiastical vestments and a nail of the cross of Christ, she managed to return for them and brought them home safely. Upon her arrival back in England, she landed at Ebbsfleet where she found a great square stone, miraculously prepared for her to step on from the ship. The stone received, and retained, the mark of her foot and was afterwards moved to the Abbey of Minster-in-Thanet and kept there in memory of her. Many diseases are said to have been cured for centuries afterwards by water containing a little dust from this stone. With her mother’s consent, St. Mildred joined her at her monastery at Minster-in-Thanet. She was given the veil by Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury, at the same time as seventy other nuns. Upon St. Ermenburga’s death, St. Mildred succeeded her as Abbess of the community and set a holy example of patience, love and kindness.

An old story is recorded that one night, while St. Mildred was praying in the church of her monastery, the devil blew out her candle, but an angel drove him away and re-lighted it for her. In 732, St. Mildred died at Minster from a lingering and painful illness. She was succeeded by St. Edburga of Minster-in-Thanet. During St. Edburga’s rule, the bell-ringer fell asleep before the altar. The departed St. Mildred awoke him by hitting him on the ear, exclaiming, “This is the oratory, not the dormitory!” St. Mildred continued to be an extremely popular saint, eclipsing the fame of St. Augustine in the immediate neighborhood of her monastery where the place that used to be proudly pointed out as that of his landing came to be better known as “St Mildred’s Rock.” In 1033, St. Mildred’s relics were transferred to St. Augustine’s Abbey in Canterbury and minor relics also were taken to Deventer in Holland where she was also honored. Following the translation of Mildred’s body to Canterbury in 1033, her relics became highly revered by the city’s pilgrims. There was, however, another set of relics which were said to have been hidden at Lyming, with those of her sister, Milgitha, during the Viking devastation. These were given to the Religious Hospital of St. Gregory in Canterbury, by Archbishop Lanfranc in 1085. Through constant prayer and frequent fasting, by ceaseless hymnody and great humility, the glorious St. Mildred forsook the allurements of her royal rank, trampling underfoot all worldly pride and presumption. Wherefore, let us imitate her virtues, that, free from all earthly attachments, we may join her at the wedding feast of Christ our Saviour.

Saint Mildred, Religious ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT CLELIA BARBIERI, RELIGIOUS: St. Clelia Barbieri (1847 – 1870) was an Italian Roman Catholic and the founder of the Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows. She is regarded as the youngest founder of a religious congregation in the history of the Catholic church, as she was just twenty-three when she died. St. Barbieri declined the married life in her adolescence – even when pressured – in favor of leading a life dedicated to the needs of others; she served as an educator for a while and joined a religious movement which made her a notable figure in her village. St. Clelia Barbieri was born in Bologna on February 13, 1847 to the poor workers Giuseppe Barbieri and Giacinta Nannetti. Her little sister was Ernestina (b. 1850). St. Barbieri was baptized straight after her birth as “Clelia Rachele Maria”. Her father died in 1855 due to a cholera epidemic, St. Barbieri was just eight years old, so she started to work alongside her mother spinning hemp to support her siblings. During this time her mother and Ernestina moved into a house near the local parish church due to her doctor uncle’s personal intervention. The girl started to spend her time in deep contemplation during her childhood and despite her poverty, she was raised in a pious household in which religious education was imparted to her and she made her First Communion on June 17, 1858. St. Barbieri later joined “The Workers of Christian Catechism” as an assistant teacher in 1861 and became such an inspirational leader that the parish priest – Father Gaetano Guido – entrusted her with the teaching and guidance of girls in doctrine. Up until 1864, she rejected marriage offers put forth to her and opted instead to lead a pious life of service to others. St. Barbieri soon founded a separate group known as the “Suore Minime dell’Addolorata” (01-05-1868) aged 21. The group began to minister to the poor and sick in the local community, teaching the faith to the children of the town.

Two years after founding the congregation, Clelia Barbieri died of tuberculosis on July 13, 1870. Her religious order operates in places such as Italy, Brazil, Tanzania and India and in 2008 there were 296 religious houses in 36 different communities. St. Barbieri’s death soon resulted in an unusual and unexplained occurrence that has often been reported in the various parishes that she visited and in the houses in which her order is located. Her voice is often heard during scriptural readings and songs and this voice never speaks alone but is heard as part of a group. People from various backgrounds have reported hearing the voice which is described to be unlike any they have ever heard. The first reported occurrence happened in 1871 when the sisters of her congregation were in their usual evening meditation. The informative and apostolic processes for the beatification all occurred in Bologna before the theologians collated and inspected her spiritual writings while confirming on 2 April 1935 that such writings did not contravene official doctrine; the formal introduction to the cause came under Pope Pius XI on March 15, 1930 and Barbieri was titled as a Servant of God as a result. The confirmation of her life of heroic virtue on February 22, 1955 allowed for Pope Pius XII to name her as Venerable while the confirmation of two miracles attributed to her intercession allowed for Pope Paul VI to celebrate her beatification in Saint Peter’s Basilica on October 27, 1968. The third miracle – definitive for her eventual canonization – was investigated in its place of origin and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints validated this diocesan process after it was held on 18 April 18, 1986 while medical experts approved this miracle on March 23, 1988 as did theologians on June 17, 1988; the C.C.S. met and also assented to it on 6 December 1988 while Pope John Paul II issued definitive approval to it on 11 February 11, 1989. St. Pope John Paul II canonized Barbieri as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church on April  9, 1989 in Saint Peter’s Square. She’s Patron Saint of Little Sisters of the Mother of Sorrows; Catechists and People ridiculed for their piety.

SAINT EUGENIUS, BISHOP: St. Eugenius (died 505) was unanimously elected Bishop of Carthage in 480 to succeed St. Deogratias of Carthage (died 456). He was caught up in the disputes of his day between Arianism and mainstream Christianity.  In the year 480, the episcopal see of Carthage had been vacant for twenty-four years, when Huneric, barbarian King of the African Vandals, decided to allow the Catholics to fill it, provided certain conditions be met. The people, impatient to enjoy the consolation which a pastor would bring to the church, chose Eugenius, a citizen of Carthage, eminent for his learning, zeal, piety and prudence. His charities to the distressed had already been very abundant, and in his new office he refused himself the slightest convenience, in order to be able to give all he had to the poor. His virtue gained him the respect and esteem even of the Arians; but at length envy and blind zeal overcame their better sentiments, and Huneric sent Saint Eugenius an order never to sit on the episcopal throne, preach to the people, or admit into his chapel any Vandals, even if Catholic. The Saint courageously replied that the laws of God commanded him not to shut the door of His church to any who desired to serve Him there. The Vandal king, enraged at this answer, persecuted the Catholics in various ways. Many nuns were so cruelly tortured that they died on the rack. Great numbers of bishops, priests, deacons, and eminent Catholic laymen were banished to a desert filled with scorpions and venomous serpents. Many also were put to death. During this persecution the people followed their bishops and priests to execution with lighted tapers in their hands. Mothers carried their little infants in their arms and laid them at the feet of the confessors, crying out with tears, On your way to receiving your crowns, to whom do you leave us? Who will baptize our children? Who will impart to us the benefit of penance, and free us from the bonds of sin by the grace of reconciliation and pardon? Who will bury us with solemn prayers at our death? By whom will the divine Sacrifice be offered?

By the intervention of Providence, Saint Eugenius was liberated on the very scaffold, but exiled to an uninhabited desert in the province of Tripoli and committed to the guard of Anthony, an inhuman Arian bishop. The latter treated him with the utmost barbarity, shutting him up in a narrow cell and allowing no one to visit him. Before entering that prison, however, he had found a way to write to his diocesans a splendid letter, in which he said: If I return to Carthage, I will see you in this life; if I do not return, I will see you in the other. Pray for us and fast, because fasting and almsgiving have always obtained the mercy of God; but remember above all, that it is written we must not fear those who can kill only the body. When a new king named Gontamund succeeded to Huneric, he recalled Saint Eugenius to Carthage, opened the Catholic churches, and allowed all the exiled clergy to return. After reigning twelve years, Gontamund died, and his brother Thrasimund was called to the crown. Under that prince Saint Eugenius was again banished. He died in exile in France on July 13, 505, in a monastery which he had built and governed, at Albi, near Toulouse. Saint Gregory of Tours assures that many miracles occurred at his sepulchre.

Saint Eugenius, Bishop of Carthage
~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for day, Saturday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 10:24-33

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body

“Jesus said to His Apostles: “No disciple is above his teacher, no slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, for the slave that he become like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! “Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus says to His disciples multiple times, ‘Do not be afraid’. He was sending them out on mission. He had just been very honest with them about the hostility they were likely to encounter. He calls on us not to be afraid of those who are hostile to our faith. We can be courageous in our witness to Jesus, because God is taking care of us, as He took care of Jesus. As Jesus says in the Gospel reading, if they have called the master of the household, Jesus, Beelzebul, accusing Him of being in league with Satan, what will they not say of the members of His household, Jesus’ followers. When it comes to witnessing publicly to our faith in the Lord, we can all be held back by fear. Yet, it is striking how many times in the Gospels Jesus calls on His disciples not to be afraid. On one occasion, He said to His disciples in the boat in the midst of a storm on the Sea of Galilee, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Jesus identifies fear as a sign of little faith. So often in the Gospels the opposite of faith is not doubt but fear. Genuine faith is always a courageous faith. In the Gospel reading today, Jesus gives us a reason why we can be courageous in witnessing to our faith in Him. God who cares for the humble sparrow cares for us even more, we who are worth ‘more than hundreds of sparrows’. God holds us in the palm of His hand, especially when we witness publicly to our faith in His Son, when, in the words of Jesus at the end of the Gospel reading, we declare ourselves publicly for Him before others. It is above all at such times that God is our refuge and our strength, in the language of one of the Psalms. God speaking through the prophet Isaiah says to Israel, ‘You are precious in my sight, and honoured, and I love you’. Jesus shows us that we are all precious in God’s sight. If God values us, if God knows our worth, then we must value ourselves and each other. Each human life is precious to God. A price cannot be put on a human life. We are called to cherish every human life as deeply and passionately as God does, and we begin by cherishing ourselves as much as God does.

Our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Isaiah gives the account of how Isaiah was called by God in a heavenly vision. Isaiah saw the vision of the Lord seated at His Temple in all His glory, attended by the Angels and surrounded by the mighty Seraphim, who forever adore Him singing the praises of His glory and power. The Lord is the King and Master over all of these mighty spiritual beings, and hence, from this account we can see how the Lord is truly the Almighty Lord and Master over all of the whole Universe, over all Creation, the One and only True God, the Lord of all. Amidst all these, one of the Seraphim came to Isaiah, who was bowed down in fear of the great glory of God, taking the hot coal from the altar of the heavenly Temple and purified Isaiah with it. Through this action, God was calling upon Isaiah to follow Him and to be His mouthpiece among His people, sending him to be the bearer of words and will to those whom he had been sent to, that is the people of the kingdom of Judah. He was to be God’s prophet, as the one to deliver God’s will and to make His thoughts and desires known to the people who have long erred and disobeyed the Lord. God sent Isaiah to help all those people to find their path once again back towards His love, mercy and kindness. God called on all of the people to embrace His love and mercy, to change their ways for the better, reminding them of their responsibilities and obligations as God’s beloved people to be always committed and dedicated in all things to Him, to be the bearers of God’s light and examples for all the people of all the nations.

As we reflect on the words of the Scriptures today, we are all reminded first of all that God is the source of all of our lives, the One Who is the Ruler and Author of all things, the Master of all the whole Universe. He loves each and every one of us, His beloved people, Whom He has called and gathered from among all the nations, from all the ends of the earth, to come and share once again in His joy, to be reconciled to Him through forgiveness of our many sins and wickedness. God had created us all out of His pure and ever enduring love for each one of us, and He has intended to share this love with us if not for our disobedience and refusal to obey His will; which resulted in our separation from Him and the loss of grace, leading to sin and death. But God never gave up on us, and He kept on reaching out to us to help us out of our predicament and to return us all to His loving Presence. As we reflect on the lives and examples of the Saints, particularly examples of the great servant of God, St. Henry, Holy Roman Emperor, who we celebrate today, although powerful and mighty, remained humble and committed to glorifying God through his contributions and efforts to serve Him, let us all therefore also strive to do the same in our own lives. Let us all continue to do God’s will and obey Him in all the things He had told us to do, so that we always keep in mind His precepts and laws, and enthrone Him truly as the one and only Lord and Master over all of our lives. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to respond to the many graces the Lord is always offering us and may God bless us all and our every good works and endeavours, for His greater glory. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My good Jesus, You desire to speak to me and all Your children in ways that are deep, profound and beyond words. Please do draw me deeper into these communications of Your love so that I may see beyond the veil and come to know You as You are. Please also use me, dear Lord, to speak to others as You choose. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Henry II; Saint Anacletus; Saint Mildred; Saint Clelia Barbieri and Saint Eugenius ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled and relaxing weekend 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖

FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 12, 2024

Greetings, beloved family and Happy Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube | July 12, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 12, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 12, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 12, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 12, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Friday, July 12, 2024
Reading 1, Hosea 14:2-10
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-13, 14, 17
Gospel, Matthew 10:16-23

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN GUALBERT, ABBOT; SAINT VERONICA; SAINTS LOUIS AND ZELIE MARTIN AND SAINTS NABOR AND FELIX, MARTYRS ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 12TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Gualbert, Abbot; Saint Veronica; Saints Louis and Zélie Martin and Saints Nabor and Felix, Martyrs. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for all marriages, especially those facing challenges, we pray for those going through difficulties during these challenging times, for the poor and the needy, for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. We pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏 

SAINT JOHN GUALBERT, ABBOT: St. John Gualbert is also known as Giovanni Gualberto (c. 993-1073) was an Italian Roman Catholic abbot and the founder of the Vallumbrosan Order. St. John was born into a noble Florentine family about the year 985. Although he enjoyed the benefits of an early Christians education, his youthful heart was soon attracted to the vanities of the world. St. Gualbert was a predictably vain individual who sought pleasure in vanities and romantic intrigues. A painful incident was the means God made use of to open his eyes. Hugo, his only brother, had been murdered and St. John was so overtaken with grief that he resolved to avenge his death. His father was arranging for him to become a soldier when Hugo, the only other child, was murdered by a relative. Gualbert then set out for revenge of his older brother’s murder. It was Good Friday, and Gualbert, accompanied by an armed escort, met the murderer in a narrow pass in Florence. There was no way to avoid one another. They met, and the murderer, with arms crossed on his breast, threw himself at Gualbert’s feet. Moved by his plea for mercy and the remembrance of Christ’s dying act of forgiveness, he spared the murderer’s life and lifted him up as a brother. St. Gualbert continued his journey. Arriving at the Church of St. Minias, he prayed before a picture of the Crucified which appeared to move its head toward him. Thereupon he determined to dedicate his life to God in spite of his father’s opposition. After this encounter, he went straight to a monastery and begged to join. As a sign of his earnest desire, he shaved off all his hair. The abbot, who had been reluctant to admit St. John because he feared the displeasure of his influential father, agreed and St. John lived in the monastery and took the habit of a monk and soon became a member of the Order of Saint Benedict and in a short time attained such perfection that his life and work were a model for others. He made such great progress in virtue that after the death of the Abbot the monks wished to impose this dignity upon him, but St. John absolutely refused to accept it. Sometimes, later, he left the monastery with one companion in quest of great solitude and strict life.

Discovering that many of the orders that he had looked into joining were tainted with the corruption that was rampant in the Church at the time, he decided that God was calling him to find something new. Having visited the hermitage of Camaldoli, the Saint finally settled at Valle Ombrosa in Tuscany. On a plot of land east of Florence called Vallombrosa, together with men who were equally committed to observing a more austere and stricter following of the primitive Rule of St. Benedict, he founded his own congregation, the Order of Vallombrosa, a humble monastery devoted to contemplation and prayer and care of the poor and sick. He became the founder of the Vallombrosian monks, a branch of the Benedictine family. St. John is renowned for his humility, holiness of life, and his wisdom,  he refused any office of privilege, and declined to receive holy orders of any kind, he would never allow himself to be promoted, even to Minor Orders. His charity for the poor caused him to make a rule that no indigent person should be sent away without an alms. He founded several monasteries, reformed others, and succeeded in eradicating the vice of simony from the part of the country where he lived. St. John condemned nepotism 
and all simoniacal actions and was known for the pureness and meekness of his faith. Even Popes held him in high esteem, and he was often consulted by Popes. He died on July 12, 1073, at about eighty years of age. Miracles were reported at his tomb after his death. Pope Celestine III canonized St. John Gualbert on October 24, 1193. The Vallombrosan Benedictines are still existent today, mainly in the region of Tuscany and Lombardy, and number a handful of monasteries. Saint John Gualbert and his model of forgiveness is well worth reflecting upon today, especially during times of social unrest. St. John Gualbert is the Patron Saint of Forest workers; Foresters; Park services; Park rangers; Parks; Badia di Passignano; Vallumbrosan Order; Italian Forest Corps; Brazilian forests.

PRAYER: Lord, amid the things of this world, let us be wholeheartedly committed to heavenly things in imitation of the example of evangelical perfection You have given us in St. John the Abbot. Amen🙏

SAINT VERONICA: St. Veronica (1st c.) is also known as Berenike, was a woman from Jerusalem who lived in the 1st century AD. St. Veronica is one of the holy women of Jerusalem who accompanied Jesus on the Way of the Cross. Out of her sorrow and compassion, she offered Jesus her veil to wipe the blood and sweat from his face as He carried the cross on the way to His crucifixion. In gratitude for her simple yet gracious act, Jesus left an image of His face on the cloth. According to tradition, when St. Veronica saw Jesus fall beneath the weight of the cross. He carried to His pending crucifixion, she was so moved with pity she pushed through the crowd past the Roman Soldiers to reach Jesus. She used her veil (sometimes called the “sudarium”) to wipe the blood and sweat from His face. The soldiers forced her away from Jesus even as He peered at her with gratitude. She bundled her veil and did not look at it again until she returned home. When she finally unfolded the veil (history does not clarify exactly what kind of material the veil was made from) it was imprinted with an image of Christ’s face. According to tradition, St. Veronica afterwards went to Rome and brought the cloth with her. This piece of cloth, known as Veronica’s Veil, has been venerated as a holy and miraculous image of Jesus Christ ever since. St. Veronica’s veil (the “Veronica”, also called the “Sudarium”) is one of the Vatican’s most treasured relics, kept since ancient times at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican at Rome. Annually on the occasion of the 5th Sunday of Lent, Passion Sunday, St. Peter’s Basilica displays the relics, Veronica’s veil. On the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) in Jerusalem there is a small chapel called the Chapel of the Holy Face that was built on the site of St. Veronica’s home and the location where the miracle took place. Tradition calls this woman “Veronica” but it has been said this might be an attributed name for her work. There are other images reputed to be St. Veronica’s Veil, including the one in Manoppello, Italy.

Some stories have alluded to St. Veronica being present at the beheading of St. John the Baptist. Others claim Veronica (Bernice) was a woman whom Jesus cured from a blood issue before His arrest in Jerusalem. There is no reference to the biography of St. Veronica in the canonical Gospels. St. Veronica’s beautiful act of kindness and charity is commemorated and represented in the Sixth of the Fourteen Stations of the Cross. St. Veronica is believed to be buried in the tomb in Soulac or in the church of St. Seurin at Bordeaux, France. St. Veronica is the Patron Saint of Laundry workers; photographers; images; pictures, Santa Veronica, San Pablo City, Laguna. St. Veronica’s feast day is July 12th.

St. Veronica ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINTS LOUIS AND ZELIE MARTIN: Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin are best known as the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (the Little Flower), but they are models of holiness in their own right. They are only the second married couple to be canonized. Beatified on October 19, 2008 and Pope Francis canonised the couple at a ceremony in Rome on October 18, 2015 during a Vatican synod of bishops which was focusing on pastoral challenges to the family. Though they are best known as the devout parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux, the ‘Little Flower’, Saints Louis and Zélie have come to be regarded as exemplars of the vocations of parenting and family life, introducing their children to a life of holiness and God’s call in their lives. Saints Louis and Zélie are remembered for their unwavering faith even as they encountered many of the struggles families and parents will be familiar with, including cancer, death, financial worries, depression and other challenges.

Louis Martin was born in Bordeaux in 1823 and baptised Louis-Joseph-Aloys-Stanislaus. He grew up in Alençon and after school learned clock-making eventually opening his own watch-making and jewellery business on the rue du Pont-Neuf in Alençon. As a young man he wished to become a priest but it was not to be. Prayer was an important part of his life. He liked reading, fishing and walking in the countryside. His travels included his well-known pilgrimage to Rome in 1887 with his daughters Therese and Celine on the occasion of which Therese—still not fifteen years old—asked Pope Leo XIII for permission to enter Carmel. Zelie Guerin (christened Marie-Azelie) was born in 1831 near Alençon. She had a strong faith. She too wished to embrace the religious life and again it was not to be. Much is written of her great energy and capacity for work. She became a professional and talented maker of Alençon point lace and she also started her own business in Alençon. When Zelie was 26 years old she encountered Louis Martin on the Bridge of St Leonard over the Sarthe River in Alençon and had a premonition that they would marry. Three months later on July 13, 1858 the wedding took place in the Church of Notre-Dame now the Basilica of Notre-Dame in Alençon. The couple lived in Alençon, initially at 15 rue du Pont-Neuf and later at 35 rue Saint-Blaise, where St Therese was born. They had nine children only five of whom survived infancy and early childhood. The surviving children were Marie, Pauline, Leonie, Celine and Therese all of whom embraced the religious life. Marie, Pauline, Celine and Therese became Carmelite Sisters in Lisieux and were known respectively as Sr Marie of the Sacred Heart, Mother Agnes of Jesus, Sr Genevieve of the Holy Face and Sr Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. Leonie became a Visitantine Sister, in Caen, and was known as Sr Françoise Therese. Therese, their youngest daughter, was only four-year-old when Zelie died in 1877. After this Louis and his five daughters moved to Les Buissonnets in Lisieux. In 1887 Therese asked for and received her father’s permission to enter Carmel which she did in 1888. Saints Louis and Zelie Martin were canonized on October 18, 2015 by Pope Francis during the Synod on the Family at Rome, Italy.

Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINTS NABOR AND FELIX, MARTYRS: The holy martyrs, Nabor and Felix, suffered in the persecution of Maximian. They were Christian Roman soldiers from Mauretania Caesariensis serving in the army of Emperor Maximian Hercules. Because of their Christian faith they were condemned and tried in Milan and executed by decapitation in Laus Pompeia (Lodi Vecchio) during the Great Persecution under the Roman emperor Diocletian in 303 or 304. Their bodies were interred in Milan (Martyrology). A tomb in Milan is believed to contain their relics. When Emperor Frederic Barbarossa captured Milan in the twelfth century, he gave the sacred relics to Reinald, archbishop of Cologne. Soon after, Reinald transferred the bodies of the holy martyrs to his episcopal see, where they are still venerated in one of the cathedral’s magnificent chapels.

Saint Nabor and Felix, Martyrs ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Friday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 10:16-23

“For it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you”

“Jesus said to his Apostles: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to another. Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

In today’s Gospel reading, our Lord Jesus sends out His disciples to carry out His works ahead of Him, sending them in pairs to go forth to the many places that He Himself would be visiting, to prepare His path and to extend the outreach of His love and kindness, to fulfil everything that God had said that He would do to His people. The Lord told His disciples how they would be sent like the sheep among wolves, and there would be challenges and difficulties that they would face along their journey and missions, but they must remain firm in their faith in the Lord and they were reassured of God’s guidance, which He would give them all through the Holy Spirit, strengthening and guiding them in what they ought to do. In our Gospel reading, Jesus paints a stark picture of the hostility that His followers can expect from the surrounding society. They will be dragged before both Jewish and pagan authorities; some of them will be betrayed to those authorities by members of their own families. This was the stark reality of life for many of Jesus’ followers in the early decades, indeed the first two centuries, of the church’s existence. The sombre picture Jesus paints in the Gospel reading may seem very far from our own experience today. Yet, in every age, in every generation, there are Christians who are experiencing the kind of hostility that Jesus describes in the Gospel reading. Jesus promises His disciples that when they are handed over to governors and kings for His sake, they should not worry about how to speak or what to say because ‘what you are to say will be given to you when the time comes, because it is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you’. There are times in the living out of our faith when we simply cannot find the right words for ourselves; we need them to come to us from the Lord. The readings assure us that the Lord stands ready to give us the words we need when the time comes, whether it is words that allow us to communicate with the Lord, as in the first reading, or words that allow us to communicate the Lord to others, as in the gospel reading. In relation to prayer, Saint Paul declares in his letter to the Romans, ‘the Spirit (of the risen Lord) helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words’. Our awareness of our ‘weakness’ creates an opening for the Lord to help us, to give us the words we need, whether for prayer or for witnessing to Him before others. In our hour of need, we can pray with confidence the prayer of today’s responsorial psalm, ‘Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me’. We are just as much in need of the Holy Spirit today, as the first disciples were, if we are to bear witness to the Lord and all He stands for. We still need the Holy Spirit to inspire our witness to the Lord. The church is as dependant on the Holy Spirit today as it ever was. The good news is that the Holy Spirit is just as available to us today as He was in the earliest days of the church, because the Lord needs our witness today as much as He did then. Earlier in Gospel of St. Matthew, Jesus had urged His disciples, ‘Ask (keep on asking) and it will be given you’.

In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Hosea, the Lord speaks to His people, the people of Israel in the northern kingdom, also known as Israel, in which He told them all of the call which He presented to them to return to Him, His love and His compassionate care, abandoning their sinfulness and wickedness which had caused them to turn away from God’s path and righteousness in life. The prophet Hosea at that time was sent to the Israelites at the time which was just not long before the destruction of the kingdom by the conquering Assyrians who would subjugate the kingdom of Israel and destroy its cities and towns, bringing many of its people into exile in distant and foreign lands, uprooted from their ancestral lands, the land which they had been given by the Lord from the time of their ancestors. The Lord had loved His people greatly and showed them all His providence, His guidance and protection, and yet, as highlighted in our today’s first reading, we are also reminded of how those people had disobeyed Him, offering sacrifices to the false idols and pagan gods of their neighbours, of how they had profaned the sanctity of His sanctuaries and temples, turning away from the Lord Who has always loved them and cared for them. They instead sold themselves off to the wickedness of their neighbours, to the wicked practices that were abhorrent to God, disobeying and disregarded His Law and commandments. When He sent to them His prophets and messengers to remind them, they persecuted those servants of God and hardened their hearts. But God showed them all that His love was truly great and He was indeed patient in caring and guiding them, as He had told and revealed to them through the prophet Hosea. He told them that He would eventually liberate them and bring them free from the yoke and the tyranny of those who would persecute and oppress them, just as He had done before against the Egyptians and all the others who had made His beloved people suffer and oppressed throughout their history. He would bring them to dwell once again in His loving Presence, and He would love them all again, blessing and returning them to their glorious days. Through these words, we are in fact also reminded that He also sought the same for all of us as well, all of us who are His children. That is because each and every one of us have also rebelled against God by our conscious choice to follow the temptations and the falsehoods of Satan and the other evil ones, in disobeying God and His Law, His commandments and words. We chose to listen to the evil ones, who tempted and persuaded us to give in to our desired and to worldly ambitions and glory, seeking to satisfy us with all these false pleasures and joys. But God is still ever patient in loving us and leading us all to Himself, and He never gave up on us, giving us all the means and help to allow us to find Him, to be forgiven from our sins and to be fully reconciled to Him. He sent us all His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, as the proof of all this love manifested.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, each and every one of us are reminded yet again that we have been truly blessed and beloved by the Lord, our God and Master. He has always given us His wonderful love at all times, helping and guiding us all back to His path whenever we erred and fell away from His path of righteousness and virtues in life. He has showed us His compassion and mercy as a loving Father to His children, that while He chastised and punished us for our many sins, He did all of them with the intention to discipline and help us to find the path back to Him, so that we may not be lost to Him. God has never desired our destruction and He wished for us to find our path towards salvation and eternal life through His guidance and help. Let us all therefore be the worthy, courageous and shining beacons of God’s Light, hope and truth in our world today, so that God’s Light may dispel the darkness around us, and His truth may dispel all the falsehoods and all the distractions present around us, and through His love, may all of us, by our genuine and vibrant lives accentuated by our Christian love and virtues, be the good role models and inspirations for all our fellow brothers and sisters around us. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may He bless our every good works, efforts and endeavours for His greater glory, now and always, evermore. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My patient Lord, You, Who are the Savior of the World and the God of all, allowed Yourself to be falsely accused, judged, and condemned. During it all, You remained silent and spoke only when the Father spoke through You. Help me to be freed of all pride, dear Lord, so that I will speak only Your holy words, think only the thoughts inspired by You and act only on Your holy command of love. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint John Gualbert; Saint Veronica; Saints Louis and Zélie Martin and Saints Nabor and Felix ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love, and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled, and relaxing weekend 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖

FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 11, 2024

Greetings, beloved family and Happy Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube | July 11, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 11, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 11, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 11, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 11, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Thursday, July 11, 2024
Reading 1, Hosea 11:1, 3-4, 8-9
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 80:2, 3, 15-16
Gospel, Matthew 10:7-15

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT PIUS I, POPE AND MARTYR; SAINT BENEDICT, ABBOT; SAINT JAMES, BISHOP OF NISIBIS AND SAINT OLGA OF KIEV, PRINCESS OF KIEVAN RUS ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 11TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Pius I, Pope and Martyr; Saint Benedict, Abbot; Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis and Saint Olga of Kiev, Princess of Kievan Rus. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children, Youths and Students all over the world, we pray for their protection and well-being. We pray for those going through difficulties especially during these challenging times, for the poor and the needy, for peace, love and unity in our families and our world. We pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from terminal diseases. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏 

SAINT PIUS I, POPE AND MARTYR: Pope Pius I, a native of Aquileia was born on September 7, 81 AD, Aquileia, Italy. He was elected pope c. 140. He was the bishop of Rome from c. 140 to his death in c. 154 according to the Annuario Pontificio. Successor was Anicetus. He is considered to have opposed both the Valentinians and Gnostics during his papacy. The Holy See remained vacant for three days, then Pope Pius, an Italian from Aquileia, stepped into the shoes of the Fisherman. His father’s name was Rufinus, and his brother Hermas was a former slave and the author of the early Christian document, The Shepherd, whose contents would seem to indicate that a monarchial episcopate was now recognized in Rome. Pope Pius was preoccupied with the challenge of the Gnostic leaders who by this time had been joined by Marcion of Pontus, and who continued to disseminate their system of belief widely. In July of 144, Pius presided over the assembly of presbyters that excommunicated Marcion from the orthodox community. But just as tormented as Pope Pius was with the Gnostics, he was comforted in his friendship with Justin Martyr, that tremendous defender of Christ’s doctrines, who now resided in Rome. A converted pagan, Justin sought the truth and through various schools of philosophy found it in Christianity.

According to Catholic tradition, Pope Pius I governed the Church in the middle of the 2nd century during the reigns of the Emperors Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. He is held to be the ninth successor of Saint Peter, who decreed that Easter should only be kept on a Sunday. Although credited with ordering the publication of the Liber Pontificalis, compilation of that document was not started before the beginning of the 6th century. He is also said to have built one of the oldest churches in Rome, Santa Pudenziana. Saint Justin taught Christian doctrine in Rome during the pontificate of St Pius I but the account of his martyrdom does not name him, an unsurprising occurrence, considering the brevity of the account. The heretics Valentinus, Cerdon, and Marcion visited Rome during that period. Catholic apologists see this as an argument for the primacy of the Roman See during the 2nd century. Pope Pius I is believed to have opposed the Valentinians and Gnostics under Marcion, whom he excommunicated.

There is some conjecture that Pius was a martyr in Rome, a conjecture that entered earlier editions of the Roman Breviary. The study that had produced the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar stated that there were no grounds for his consideration as a martyr, and he is not presented as such in the Roman Martyrology. Pope Pius died c. 154  AD, Rome, Italy and was buried on Vatican Hill. Tradition holds that he died a martyr and is first mentioned as a martyr in the IX Century. In 1862, Mariano Rodríguez de Olmedo, bishop of San Juan, Puerto Rico, attempted to bring the remains of Pius to the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista after these were gifted to him by Pope Pius IX during Rodríguez Olmedo’s visit to the Vatican City. They were finally exported to the cathedral from Madrid, Spain in 1933. The remains are coated in wax skin and are kept in a glass structure in the church, which is the second oldest in the Americas, and Pope Pius persists as the only pope whose remains are kept outside of Europe. Pope Pius I’s feast day is July 11th.

Saint Pius I, Pope ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT BENEDICT, ABBOT: St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547 A.D.) known as the the Patriarch and Founder of Western Monasticism established the greatest and most famous of all monasteries at Monte Cassino, which became the home of the Benedictine Order. St. Benedict and his twin sister, St. Scholastica, were born to a Roman nobleman and his wife in Nursia, Italy in about the year 480 A.D. He spent his childhood with his parents in Rome. St. Benedict was sent to Rome to study the humanities. However, he soon became disgusted with the loose morals that prevailed among the students. In his youth, as a young man seeing the corruption of the world, he found in himself a strong desire to escape the trifling things of the world and serve God. He left his family and wealth and settled in a cave in the mountainous region of Subiaco, near Rome, living a hermit’s life of penance and prayer, where he was instructed in Christian asceticism by St. Romanus, a Solitary of the vicinity. After three years living in solitude as a cave-dwelling hermit, facing and overcoming severe temptations through prayer and asceticism. He was asked to lead a monastery in the place of an abbot who had died. St. Benedict did as they asked, but his way of life was too extreme for the monks and they tried to poison him. He thwarted their evil designs by blessing the poisoned cup, rendering it ineffective. St. Benedict returned to his cave, where news of his sanctity and miracles began to spread. Soon a community of men surrounded him wanting to adopt his way of life. St. Benedict’s reputation for sanctity gathered a large number of disciples around him, for whom he erected monasteries in which they lived a community life under a prescribed rule. His first monasteries were established in the Anio valley outside Subiaco. St. Benedict’s monasteries in Subiaco became centers of education for children, a tradition which would continue in the order during his lifetime and beyond. His monastic movement, like its forebears in the Christian East, attracted large numbers of people who were looking to live their faith more deeply. During 529, St. Benedict left Subiaco for Monte Cassino, 80 miles south of Rome and there founded the great Abbey that became the center of religious life in Europe. The move was geographically and spiritually significant, marking a more public emergence of the Western monastic movement. St. Benedict destroyed a pagan temple atop the mountain, and built two oratories in its place. It was most likely at Monte Cassino that the abbot drew up a rule of life, the famous “Rule of St. Benedict,” it became the basis of religious life for all Western religious orders and congregations after his time. It shows the way to religious perfection by the practice of self-conquest, mortification, humility, obedience, prayer, silence, retirement, and detachment fro the world and its cares. It emphasised prayer, work, simplicity, and hospitality. Though known as a rule for monks, it is addressed to all those who seek “to do battle for Christ the Lord, the true King.” St. Benedict’s life was marked by various intrigues and miraculous incidents, which are described in his biography written by Pope St. Gregory the Great. One of the most remarkable was his meeting in 543 with Totila, King of the Goths, in which the abbot rebuked the king’s lifestyle and prophesied his death.

St. Scholastica, St. Benedict’s twin sister, also embraced religious life as a nun. She was the first Benedistine nun. She presided over a monastery of nun near Monte Cassino. She most likely died shortly before him, around the year 543. In his final years, the abbot himself had a profound mystical experience, which is said to have involved a supernatural vision of God and the whole of creation. Around the age of 63, St. Benedict suffered his final illness. He was carried into the church by his fellow monks, where he received the Eucharist for the last time as he stood before the altar of Monte Cassino held up by his disciples, he raised his hands in prayer for the last time, before dying in their arms. St. Benedict died March 21, 547. When he died there were 14 Benedictine communities, and by the 14th century there were over 30,000. There established his famous Rule which changed and renewed the monastic life of Europe. For his historic role as the “Father of Western Monasticism,” St. Benedict was declared a co-patron of Europe (along with Saints Cyril and Methodius). St. Benedict is also the patron saint of Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate. In a 2005 general audience, Pope Benedict XVI said St. Benedict was a “powerful reminder of the indispensable Christian roots” of Europe. He cited the monk’s instruction to “prefer nothing to the love of Christ,” and asked his intercession “to help us keep Christ firmly at the heart of our lives.” Saint Benedict is also the Patron Saint of students, and Benedictine monasticism, monks, farmers, all of Europe, and more. He is also especially known for his intercession against poison, temptations, and witchcraft. His feast day is July 11th in the Latin rite, while the  Benedictines celebrate his feast on March 21st. Although his influence was primarily felt in Western Europe, St. Benedict is also celebrated by the Eastern Catholic churches, and by Eastern Orthodox Christians, on March 14.

PRAYER: God, You established St. Benedict the Abbot as an admirable teacher in the school of Divine servitude. Teach us never to prefer anything to Your love and always to run the way of Your Commandments with most generous dispositions. Amen🙏

SAINT JAMES, BISHOP OF NISIBIS: Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis and Doctor of the Syrian Church († 350) was a native of Nisibis, a city near the border of the Roman Empire and Persia. St. James  was a Syrian monk and first cousin of St. Gregory, was appointed the bishop of the Christian city Nisibis in Mesopotamia in 308 A.D. St. James was the son of prince Gefal (Armenia) and received a fine upbringing. From the time of his youth he loved solitude, entering the world, he trembled at the sight of its vices and the slippery downhill path of its pleasures. He thought it wise to adopt retirement, that he might gain strength and afterwards be better able to stand his ground in the field. He therefore chose the highest and most inaccessible mountain for his dwelling place, with a cave for shelter in winter, while for the rest of the year he lived in the forest, continually exposed to the open air. Notwithstanding his desire to live unknown to men, he was discovered. He was highly favored with the gifts of prophecy and miracles, and many were not afraid to climb the rugged rocks that they might recommend themselves to his prayers, and receive the comfort of his spiritual advice. After a number of years he left his solitude to enter Persia, where he knew that there was a virtually infinite multitude of idolaters. For a long time he lived in the mountains around about the city of Niziba (on the border of the Persian and Roman Empires), where he carried out strict ascetic exploits: he lived under the open sky, fed himself with tree fruits and greens, and dressed himself in goat-skins. The monk passed all this time in prayerful conversations with God. There his prayers wrought miracles which changed the attitude of a considerable number. When he returned to Nisibis, he found the bishop’s palace vacant after the death of the prelate. The clergy and people unanimously chose Saint James to replace him, overcoming his humility by their persistent persuasion.

One day, as the bishop was traveling, he was accosted by a gang of beggars intending to extort money from him under the pretext of having to bury one of their companions. The latter had stretched out on the ground as though dead. The holy man gave them what they asked, and offering up supplications to God as for a soul departed, he prayed that His Divine Majesty would pardon that man the sins he had committed while he lived, and admit him into the company of the Saints. As soon as the Saint had passed on, the beggars called out to their companion to get up and receive his share of the booty. How amazed they were to find him genuinely dead! Seized with sudden fear and grief, they cried out in the utmost consternation and immediately ran after the man of God, casting themselves at his feet and confessing their fraud. They begged his forgiveness and besought him by his prayers to restore their unhappy companion to life, and this the Saint did.

The most famous miracle of our Saint was that by which he protected his native city from the barbarians. According to his disciple, St. Ephraem, St. James founded the basilica and theological School of Nisibis. Additionally, he was recorded as a signatory for the canons produced at the first of three ecumenical councils accepted by the Armenian Church: the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. St. James played a leading role among the 318 Christian leaders present during the sessions of the Council of Nicaea, and merited the attention of St. Athanasius and other bishops of the Eastern as well as the Western churches. The most important canon created at the Nicaean Council was the Nicaean Creed, or the official declaration of the principal doctrines of the Armenian Church. We solemnly chant the Creed at every Divine Liturgy as a formal declaration that we are unified by the same understanding of who God is, and who we are relative to Him—a declaration of faith that has united Christians throughout the world for 1,700 years. We affirm that our own faith is rooted and nourished by the “one, catholic and apostolic holy Church” with Jesus Christ as its head (Colossians 1:18). St. James is also known for his divine vision on Mount Ararat, where he found the sacred relic of Noah’s Ark and brought it to the Armenian people. Saint James died peacefully in about the year 350.

Saint James, Bishop of Nisibis ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT OLGA OF KIEV, PRINCESS OF KIEVAN RUS: St. Olga of Kiev  (879-969) called by the honorific Isapóstolos, “Equal to the Apostles”, was the 10th-century princess of Kievan Rus who enacted bloodthirsty revenge on the tribe that killed her husband, the Grand Prince Igor I. Saint Olga of Kiev was born in 879 at Pskov, Russia into a family of Varyag origin according to tradition. Varyags were also known as Vikings or Norsemen, who came to the territory of current Russia, Ukraine and Belarus during the 8th and 9th centuries. This theory about Olga’s birth also explains the origin of her name, which is derived from the Scandinavian “Helga.” Other historical versions state that Olga was either a daughter of Oleg Veshchy, the founder of the state of Kievan Rus, or had Bulgarian roots. Oleg Veshchy initiated Olga’s marriage with Prince Igor, who was the son of the Novgorod Prince Rurik, a founder of the Rurik Dynasty of Russian tsars. After the death of Oleg in 912, Igor became the ruler of Kievan Rus. In 945 Prince Igor went to the Slavic tribe of the Drevlyans to gather tributes. After he demanded a much higher payment, the Drevlyans killed him. The death of the Kievan Prince raised a question about the next ruler of the country. Igor’s son, Svyatoslav, was only three years old, and hence Olga took the power into her hands. Interestingly, she had the full support of the Rus army, which attests to the great respect she held among the people. After killing Igor, the Drevlyans sent their matchmakers to propose that Olga marry their Prince Mal. The Princess took revenge upon her husband’s death, killing all of the ambassadors. There are stories of her being quite the warrior queen.

St. Olga ruled Kievan Rus after Igor’s assassination in 945. Following her conversion and baptism in 957 in Constantinople, when she took the name Helena, she tried to introduce Christianity to the Ukraine on a wide scale, but failed. When her son Sviatoslav reached adulthood, she handed the throne to him, c.963. Apparently, she had a big influence on her grandson, Vladimir the Great, who in 988 made Christianity the official religion of Kievan Rus. She is the grandmother of Saint Vladimir, great-grandmother of Saint Boris and Saint Gleb. Saint Olga died on July 11, 969 in Kiev, Kievan Rus of natural causes. St. Olga is the Patron Saint of widows and converts.

St. Olga of Kiev, Princess of Kievan ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | Memorial of Saint Benedict, Abbot | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 10:7-15

“Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give”

“Jesus said to His Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words – go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus sends out the twelve on mission so that He can work through them for the benefit of others. They are to proclaim the same message Jesus proclaimed, ‘the kingdom of heaven is at hand’, and He empowered them to do the same life-giving work He had been doing. The Lord wants to work through all of our lives. Sometimes, as in the case of Joseph, it is only looking back that we can see how the Lord was present in our lives, how He was working through our lives, even in those moments when, at the time, we thought he had abandoned us because life was so difficult. The Lord is with us always, working for our good and the good of others, even in those times when He seems to be absent. As Paul says in his letter to the Romans, ‘all things work together for good for those who love God’. Jesus is the fullest revelation possible in a human life of God’s tender love. Yet, He experienced the turning away of people from this love, their refusal to respond to it in any meaningful way. When Jesus sends out His disciples in today’s Gospel reading He warns them to expect the same. They are to proclaim the good news that the kingdom of God is at hand, that the reign of God’s life-giving love is present, but they will encounter those who will not welcome them and will not listen to what they have to say. Jesus insists that this negative response is not to deter them from their mission of proclaiming God’s loving presence by what they say and do. It certainly did not deter Jesus. Even as He suffered the ultimate rejection on the cross, he continued to proclaim the same good news of God’s unconditional love for all, even for those who were responsible for His crucifixion. We too are to reveal the loving presence of God, regardless of how we are received by others. As Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel reading, we have received without charge. God has graciously loved us in Christ even while we are sinners. In response, we are to give without charge; we are to pass on the love we have received without asking for anything in return.

In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Hosea, God after having told His people of the coming destruction and sufferings that they had to face, the punishments and hardships that they would have to endure for their sins and wickedness, their disobedience and refusal to follow the path which He has shown them, He then told them of the mercy and love which He, as their loving God and Father, has for each and every one of us. The Lord told His people, the Israelites, that they would be brought back eventually from their misery and sufferings, just like how they had once been rescued from their enslavement and sufferings in the land of Egypt, under the rule and yoke of the Pharaoh and the Egyptians. God highlighted to them all His frustrations and all the problems that His people had caused Him, that despite all the things which He had done for them, in patiently instructing and guiding them, they kept on getting further and further away from Him, abandoning His Law and precepts, worshipping and following pagan idols and false gods rather than obeying Him and worshipping Him alone. Nonetheless, despite this, God kept on caring for His beloved ones, and still watched over them, sending His servants again and again to help them on their paths. He never gave up on them, and later on, afterwards, He gathered them back from their exile and helped them to return once again to their homeland, fulfilling all the promises and predictions He had spoken to them through the prophets as mentioned in today’s reading from the prophet Hosea.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded that each and every one of us are truly beloved by God, He Who has always been patient in loving and caring for us, and Who has always reached out to us to help bring us back from the darkness into the light of His grace. God has always been kind to us, in sending to us His guidance and providence, through all those servants, messengers and helpers that had assisted us in our journey back towards Him all these while. And while He did chastise and punish us whenever we erred and made mistakes, He did all these not because He despised or hated us, but instead, His love for us truly endured, so much so that He wanted us all to be redeemed and forgiven from the many sins we have committed, which is what He despises. Through the holy lives of the Saints and the Holy men and women of God, let us all therefore now spend some time to reflect upon our lives and our path in walking down this life, on whether we have truly been faithful to the Lord or whether we have allowed ourselves to be tempted and swayed by the temptations of this world, of pleasures and human greed, the desires for power and worldly fame, glory and ambitions, all of which could mislead us away from the path towards God’s salvation and grace. Instead, let us all be committed to the Lord wholeheartedly like the Saints, particularly how St. Benedict who we celebrate today had done in his life, and let us also be good examples ourselves in our own lives, so that we may truly embody the light of God’s grace and salvation forever. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to be faithful to the Lord’s very personal call to each of us and may the Lord continue to guide and strengthen us, and may He empower us all to live ever more worthily in His Presence, now and always. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy, and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My compassionate Lord, Your firmness and chastisements are an act of Your utmost mercy for those who are hard of heart. Please soften my heart, dear Lord, and when I am stubborn and closed, please rebuke me in Your great love so that I will always turn back to You and Your saving message with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Pius I, Saint Benedict and Saint James; Saint Olga of Kiev ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love, and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled, and fruitful week 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖

FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 10, 2024

Greetings, beloved family and Happy Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube | July 10, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 10, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 10, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 10, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 10, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Reading 1, Hosea 10:1-3, 7-8, 12
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Gospel, Matthew 10:1-7

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT CANUTE, KING OF DENMARK, MARTYR; SAINT FELICITY AND HER SEVEN SONS, MARTYRS; SAINTS RUFINA AND SECUNDA, MARTYRS AND SAINT AMALBERGA, RELIGIOUS AND SAINT AMELIA, RELIGIOUS ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 10TH Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Canute, King of Denmark, Martyr; Saint Felicity and her Seven Sons, Martyrs; Saints Rufina and Secunda, Martyrs; Saint Amalberga, Religious and Saint Amelia, Religious. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for the poor, the needy and most marginalized, for justice, peace and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the protection and safety of Christians all over the world and we pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians and for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world.🙏

SAINT CANUTE, KING OF DENMARK, MARTYR: St Canute (Knute), King of Denmark (c. 1042 – 1086 ), also known as Canute IV or Canute the Holy, was King of Denmark from 1080 until 1086. Saint Canute was an ambitious king who sought to strengthen the Danish monarchy, devotedly supported the Roman Catholic Church, and had designs on the English throne. Slain by rebels in 1086, he was the first Danish king to be canonized. St. Canute (Knute) of Denmark was born in 1042, the son of Swein Estrithson, whose uncle Canute had reigned in England from 1016 to 1035. In 1081, St. Canute became King of Denmark, succeeding his brother Harold. Denmark had been evangelized by the English and was now a Christian nation. Canute restrained the power of the earls, fostered Divine Worship, improved the condition of the clergy, decreed the payment of tithes for their livelihood, and built many churches.

In 1085, the King reasserted a claim on England that he had made previously and planned to invade that country. However, the plans went to naught when the earls rebelled against his policies and led by his brother Harold besieged him at the Church of St. Alban in Odensee. On July 10, 1086, after receiving the Sacraments of Penance and Communion, St. Canute was killed kneeling before the altar along with seventeen of his followers and his brother Benedict. Miraculous healing at his tomb led Pope Paschal II to approve his cult in 1101 and he was recognized by the Roman Catholic Church as patron saint of Denmark in 1101. He was the first Danish king to be canonized.

PRAYER: God, You enabled St. Canute, Your Martyr, to sacrifice his life in the cause of justice. Through his intercession, help us to give up our lives for Christ in this world so that we might find eternal life in heaven. Amen 🙏

SAINT FELICITY AND HER SEVEN SONS, MARTYRS: The Roman widow Felicity and her seven sons (Alexander, Felix, Januarius, Martialis, Philip, Silvanus, Vitalis) were martyred in about the year 162. St. Felicity was arrested for her faith and ordered to worship pagan gods; she refused. Her sons were arrested and given the same order; they refused. After a series of appeals, all of which were turned down, they were all ordered and executed by emperor Antoninus. Saint Felicity was a noble Roman matron, distinguished above all for her virtue. This mother of seven children raised her sons in the fear of the Lord, and after the death of her husband, served God in continence, concerning herself only with good works. Saint Felicity was devoted to charity and caring for the poor. Her good examples and those of her children brought a number of pagans to renounce their superstitions, and also encouraged the Christians to show themselves worthy of their vocation. The pagan priests, furious at seeing their gods abandoned, denounced her. She appeared with her pious sons before the prefect of Rome, who exhorted her to sacrifice to idols, but in reply heard a generous confession of faith. Wretched woman, he said to her, how can you be so barbarous as to expose your children to torments and death? Have pity on these tender creatures, who are in the flower of their age and can aspire to the highest positions in the Empire! Felicity replied, My children will live eternally with Jesus Christ, if they are faithful; they will have only eternal torments to await, if they sacrifice to idols. Your apparent pity is but a cruel impiety. Then, turning to her children, she said: Look towards heaven, where Jesus Christ is waiting for you with His Saints! Be faithful in His love, and fight courageously for your souls.

The Judge, taking the children one by one, tried to overcome their constancy. He began with Januarius, but received for his answer: What you advise me to do is contrary to reason; Jesus, the Saviour, will preserve me, I hope, from such impiety. Felix, the second, was then brought in. When they urged him to sacrifice, he answered: There is only one God, and it is to Him that we must offer the sacrifice of our hearts. Use all artifices, every refinement of cruelty, you will not make us betray our faith! The other brothers, when questioned, answered with the same firmness. Martial, the youngest, who spoke last, said: All those who do not confess that Jesus Christ is the true God, will be cast into a fire which will never be extinguished. When the interrogation was finished, the Saints underwent the penalty of the lash and then were taken to prison. Soon they completed their sacrifice in various ways: Januarius was beaten until he died by leather straps capped with lead; Felix and Philip were killed with bludgeons; Sylvanus was thrown headfirst from a cliff; Alexander, Vitalis and Martial were beheaded. Felicity, the mother of these new Maccabees, was the last to suffer martyrdom. St. Felicity was forced to watch as her children were murdered one by one; after each one she was given the chance to denouce her faith, eventually she was beheaded. Patron Saint against the death of children; against sterility; martyrs; to have male children; widows; Badia di Cava, Italy, Abbey.

Saint Felicity and her Seven Sons, Martyrs ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINTS RUFINA AND SECUNDA, VIRGINS MARTYRS: St. Rufina and Secunda were sisters and Roman virgins. Daughters of a wealthy Roman senator named Asterius, who suffered in 287 during the persecution of Emperor Valerian. Their parents had betrothed them to two suitors, Armentarius and Verinus, who had apostatized from the Christian religion but they refused to marry, saying that they had consecrated their virginity to Jesus Christ. Escaping to Etruria, Sts. Rufina and Secunda were captured, apprehended and brought before a prefect during the reign of the Emperors Valerian and Gallienus. When Junius, the prefect, saw he could not shake their resolution either by promises or by threats, they were tortured, he first ordered Rufina to be beaten with rods. While she was being scourged, Secunda thus addressed the Judge: “Why do you treat my sister thus honorably, but me dishonorably? Order us both to be scourged, since we both “confess Christ to be God.”

Enraged by these words, the Judge ordered them both to be cast into a dark and foetid dungeon – immediately a bright light and a most sweet odour filled the prison. They were then shut up in a bath, the floor of which was made red-hot but ,from this also, they emerged unhurt. Next they were thrown into the Tiber with stones tied to their necks but an Angel saved them from the water and they were finally beheaded ten miles out of the City on the Aurelian Way. Their bodies were buried by a matron named Plautilla, on her estate and were afterwards translated into Rome. Their place of burial was at the ninth milestone of the Via Cornelia, as is stated in the Berne manuscript of the “Martyrologium Hieronymianum” (ed. De Rossi-Duchesne, 89). These martyrs are also recorded in the Itineraries of the seventh century, as on the road just mentioned (De Rossi, “Roma sotterranea,” I, 18283). Pope Damasus erected a Church of Sante Rufina e Secunda over the grave of the Saints in their honor in Rome. The Town on this spot named after St. Rufina, became the See of one of the Suburbicarian Diocese that was later united with Porto.

Saint Rufina and Secunda, Virgins and Martyrs ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT AMALBERGA, RELIGIOUS: Saint Amalberga of Maubeuge (d. 690), also known as Amalia, or Amelia of Lobbes or Binche was a Merovingian nun and saint who lived in the 7th century. St. Amalberga was born at Brabant Belgium and was in some way related to Pepin of Landen. Whether she was a sister or niece, the Bollandists are not sure. She was married young to Count Witger and became the mother of three saints: Saint Gudula of Brussels, Saint Emebert, and Saint Reineldis, all of whom she taught herself, including religion. When the youngest was grown, both St. Amalberga and her husband ultimately withdrew from the world; he becoming a monk, and she a nun. They retired to Benedictine houses, the Count to Lobbes, Belgium, and St. Amalberga to Maubeuge  Abbey where she embraced a life of asceticism and prayer. She received the veil from Saint Willibrord of Echternach. St. Amalberga died in 690 and is buried beside her husband at the Lobbes monastery. Her relics have been in Saint Peter’s abbey church in Ghent, Belgium since 1073. She is a Patron Saint of and known to protect people against arm pain, bruises, and fever.

There is very great confusion in the records of this saint, and of a virgin who came a century after. To add to the difficulty a third St. Amalberga, also a virgin, appears in the twelfth century. The first two are celebrated simultaneously on July 10.

Saint Amalberga, Religious ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT AMELIA, RELIGIOUS: St. Amelia (741-772 A.D.) was born into a noble and pious Christian family in the land of the Ardennes, bordering what is today Belgium and Luxembourg. She was a devout child of strong character who committed her virginity to Christ from a young age. However, because she was such a beautiful and virtuous woman, she was pursued for several years by the young Charlemagne who was obsessed with her beauty and virtue. She denied this young man who became known as King Charlemagne. In one account, Charlemagne accidentally broke her arm in a physical struggle to hold her hand, and afterwards her arm was miraculously healed. His romantic interest was rebuffed, and Amelia was eventually able to realize her desire to enter the convent. She spent the rest of her life in the Benedictine abbey of Münster-Bilzen in Belgium, and helped to build a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the Belgian town of Temsche. St. Amelia is said to have performed many miracles, the most famous being the one in which she crossed the Schelde River miraculously while standing on the back of a giant sturgeon fish. St. Amelia is the Patron Saint of farmers, fishermen, and those suffering from arm and shoulder pain. Her feast day is celebrated on July 10th.

PRAYER: Heavenly Patron, in whose name I glory, Pray ever to God for me; strength me in my faith; establish me in virtue; guard me in the conflict; that I may vanquish the foe malign and attain to glory evaluating. Amen. Saint Amelia, Religious ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings today, Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 10:1-7

“Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”

“Jesus summoned His Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. The names of the Twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus; Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

In today’s Gospel reading, from the growing number of disciples Jesus has been gathering since the beginning of His public ministry, He called twelve to whom He gave authority and power to share in His healing ministry. The number twelve was significant; it is a reminder of the twelve tribes of Israel. This group of twelve were to symbolize the renewed Israel that Jesus was working to form. Jesus chose these twelve very deliberately. They were to receive intensive training and instruction so as to share in His ministry in a special way. Yet, by the end of the Gospel, everyone of this group had deserted Him, the first mentioned of the group, Peter, had denied Him publicly, and the last mentioned, Judas Iscariot, had betrayed Him to His enemies. These Twelve Apostles were entrusted with the power and authority to do many great signs and wonders, casting out demons and performing many other miracles. They were sent out with the missions and the tasks to prepare the way for the Lord, to proclaim His Good News and truth among the people and to call upon everyone to repent from their sins and wickedness. The Lord entrusted to them the mission and the outreach to His people, revealing His love and salvation to them through these disciples. In spite of the fact that these twelve had been given special authority and power and had spent more time in his company than others, listening to Him and seeing what He did, they failed Him when the cross came into view. They were not faithful to their calling. In the words of today’s first reading, their hearts were divided. Although Jesus calls people, calls each one of us, He cannot force us to respond to His call. Although He has a purpose for our lives, He is somewhat helpless before our refusal to co-operate with His purpose for us. Yet, in the Gospel story, the failure of the twelve was not the end of their relationship with Jesus. After He rose from the dead, He appeared to them in Galilee and renewed His relationship with them, sending them out to preach the Gospel to all nations. The Lord may be helpless before our failure but He remains faithful to us in spite of our unfaithfulness to Him and He is always at work to bring some good out of our failures. All he asks is that, in the words of today’s first reading, we continue to ‘go seeking the Lord’. According to the Gospel of Luke, Jesus says more broadly, ‘the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost’. Jesus is like the shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, the woman who seeks her lost coin, the father who seeks out his lost sons. Jesus is always seeking us, especially when we turn from Him. When we ‘constantly seek His face’ we discover that the Lord is constantly seeking us. Our seeking of Him is always a response to His seeking us, even when we are not aware of it.

Our first reading today is the continuation of the account from the Book of the prophet Hosea in which the Lord continued to detail the revelation of the downfall and destruction that would await the kingdom of Israel, referring to the northern half of the once united kingdom of Israel ruled by David and Solomon. The prophet Hosea had been sent to that place in order to reveal all the words of the Lord and the fate of the people, who had disobeyed the Lord and refused to obey Him so many times, that their sins were truly enormous and unimaginable in scale. They had indeed committed many mistakes, in building up idols and worshipping them, making altars to worship those false gods instead of the Lord, their one and only true God. They had scandalised His Holy Name, spurning the ever generous love, kindness and mercy which He has always shown them from the very beginning. God has sent to His people numerous prophets, messengers and guides with the intention to help them all to realise the errors of their ways and to remind them to return to the path of righteousness and virtue before it was too late for them. They revealed God’s words and told them of the many sins which they had committed time and again before God and mankind alike, and all these were exactly what the prophet Hosea has repeated once again among all of them. Yet, they still refused to listen to God and they continued to walk down the path of rebellion and sin, hardening their hearts against God. That was why the Lord told them all everything that they would have to suffer for their continued obstinate and wicked attitudes, in their refusal to turn away from their dark path. They persecuted the prophets and messengers of God sent to them, and therefore, in their pride, they would be humiliated and made to face the consequences of their actions just as the Lord had predicted and revealed to them. The Lord wanted them and also all of us to know that while He truly loves each and every one of us greatly and while He wants to forgive us from our many sins and wickedness, as is His nature to be full of love and compassion, mercy and kindness upon us, the most beloved among all of His creations. However, at the same time, sin is truly a grievous error and is something that can harm us all, by separating us from God and His love, and as long as we continue to live in the state of sin, then we may find ourselves locked out of God’s inheritance and grace.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are reminded that each and every one of us must focus our lives and our whole attention on the Lord, and we must abandon all of our past sins, wickedness and all the things which had kept us away from the path of the Lord. If we allow all those things and the temptations of the world to distract and pull us away from the path of God’s righteousness and virtues, from His loving care and Presence, then in the end we shall regret our choice of siding not with the Lord but with the evil one and all the wickedness of this world. As Christians, each and every one of us are reminded to truly embody our faith and to be truly faithful to God in all things, and not just in formality only. As we have listened from the words of the Sacred Scriptures and pondered upon them, let us all continue to do our part so that in each and every actions of our lives so that we may be truly evangelising, missionary and active disciples of the Lord. All of us must continue to do our best to proclaim the Lord, His truth and Good News in the midst of our respective communities, that all of us may continue to touch the lives of more and more people around us. It is through all of us and our efforts and contributions to the Church’s missions and works in this world that will help so many lost souls, our fellow brothers and sisters, to find their path towards God, to His love and grace, to be saved by Him and assured the gift of eternal life. May the Lord our loving God and Father, our most generous and merciful Creator and Master continue to help, protect and guide us in all things. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to trust in the Lord, be courageous and remain faithful to Him. May He bless us in our every actions, our every efforts and works, and our interactions with one another, so that we may truly bear rich fruits of faith, and be good and worthy disciples in proclaiming His truth and salvation to the whole world. Amen 🙏🏾

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My universal King, You came to establish Your Kingdom in the lives of all people. You call all Your creatures to faith in You. Help me to be among the first who turn to You with my whole heart. Please also use me to become an instrument of Your saving grace to those whom You’ve put into my life. My life is Yours, dear Lord. Use me as You will. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Canute, King of Denmark, Martyr; Saint Felicity and her Seven Sons; Saints Rufina and Secunda;  Saint Amalberga and Saint Amelia ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled and fruitful week 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖

FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 8, 2024

Greetings, beloved family and Happy Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube | July 8, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 8, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 8, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 8, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 8, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Monday, July 8, 2024
Reading 1, Hosea 2:16, 17-18, 21-22
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Gospel, Matthew 9:18-26

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINTS PRISCILLA (PRISCA) AND AQUILA, MARTYRS; SAINT EDGAR THE PEACEMAKER; SAINT KILIAN ( ST. CILLIAN), BISHOP AND MARTYR AND BLESSED PETER VIGNE, PRIEST ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 8TH Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saints Priscilla and Aquila, Martyrs; Saint Edgar, the Peacemaker; Saint Kilian (St. Cillian), Bishop and Martyr and Blessed Peter Vigne. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for the poor and needy, for justice, peace and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏

SAINTS PRISCILLA (PRISCA) AND AQUILA, MARTYRS: Sts. Prisca and Aquila, were Coworkers of St. Paul. St. Aquila and his wife St. Priscilla (or Prisca) were 1st century  Jewish couple from Pontus who settled in Rome, where they worked as tent-makers. When the Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome in 49-50, they moved to Corinth. In Corinth they hosted the Apostle Paul, who lived and worked with them for awhile (Acts 18:1-3). They worked diligently with the Apostle, traveled with him, and were considered worthy to bring Apollos (December 8) to a full knowledge of the Faith (Acts 18:26). Sts. Priscilla and Aquila returned to Rome around 58, and later went to Ephesus; they were living there when St Paul asked his disciple Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus, to greet them (2 Tim. 4:19).

All that is known of this converted Jewish couple is from the New Testament. Aquila, a Jew from Pontus, and his wife Pricsa (Priscilla) were expelled from Rome by the edict of Emperor Claudius in 50 A.D. (Acts 18:1-3). They went to Corinth and opened a tent-making business. When Paul the Apostle was returning from Athens, he called on Prisca and Aquila and learned that they had the same occupation he did as well as the same faith, they hospitably received the Apostle in their home, where he remained for a year a half, preaching the Gospel to Jews and Greeks (Acts 18:4). Sts. Aquila and Prisca followed St. Paul to Ephesus (Acts 18:19), where they then instructed the outstanding preacher Apollos who was proclaiming the teaching of Jesus although knowing only the baptism of John (Acts 18:24-28). They had a church in their house, and during his third missionary journey St. Paul made his headquarters there also (1 Cor 16:19). At the outbreak of Nero’s persecution, the saintly couple were again in Rome but left for Ephesus (2 Tim 4:19). Later, they returned to Rome and had a church in their home. St. Paul called them his “coworkers in Christ” and declared: “They have risked their lives for me, and to them not only I am grateful but also all the Churches of the Gentiles” (Rom 16:3-4). According to tradition, it was in Ephesus, Asia Minor that they were martyred by the pagans, although there is a tradition that they achieved martyrdom in Rome on their return, probably around the same time as St. Paul.

PRAYER: Lord God, You taught the Gentiles through St. Paul’s coworkers in Christ, Sts. Prisca and Aquila. As we celebrate their feast, grant that, following their example, we may be witness to Your truth in this world. Amen 🙏

SAINT EDGAR THE PEACEMAKER: St. Edgar the Peacemaker (AD 943-975) known as the Peaceful or the Peaceable, was King of the English from 959 until his death. King Edgar was the youngest child of King Edmund the Magnificent and St. Aelfgith. His mother died the year after his birth and his father when he was only three. He was, therefore, fostered by Aethelstan Half-King, the Ealdorman of East Anglia, and his wife, Aelfwinn. The family were keen supporters of monastic reform and Edgar’s education was therefore placed in the hands of the movement’s mastermind, St. Aethelwold, Abbot of Abingdon. In AD 955, Edgar’s uncle, King Edred, died and his elder brother, the fourteen year old Edwig, became King. However, when Edgar reached the same age two years later, the kingdom was divided and he was given the Northern regions of Mercia and Northumbria, while Edwig retained Wessex. Edgar immediately recalled his uncle’s advisor, St. Dunstan, from exile and made him Bishop of Worcester, before his transfer to London. Edwig died in AD 959 and Edgar became King of all England. Dunstan was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and Edgar naturally associated himself with the prelate’s extension of monastic reforms. The establishment of English Benedictine monasteries across the country became the central policy of Edgar’s reign. Though hugely successful, it was not universally popular. Vast areas of land were arbitrarily put under Church control, provoking considerable resentment which was to destabilize his son’s reign.

Though a good king, Edgar was not overly religious. His sexual appetite was legendary and gave rise to a number of stories. Soon after ascending the throne, he is said to have fallen for the beautiful daughter of a nobleman of Andover (Hampshire). While visiting the town, he demanded that she enter his bed that night. Her parents were, understandably, shocked and sent a maidservant to join the King in her place. After a long night of unbridled passion, Edgar was disappointed to find that his new conquest hurried from his bed early the next morning. The deception was thus revealed, as the girl explained that she must start work before the rest of the household arose. In a mad fury, the King confiscated all his hosts’ lands and made his bed-fellow their mistress. About AD 960, he married Ethelflaed Eneda (White-Duck), the daughter of a Hertfordshire nobleman named Ordmaer. She seems to have been some relation of Edgar’s foster-father, Aethelstan of East Anglia. They had one son, Edward, before the lady died, around AD 963. During this marriage, the King was by no means monogamous and seduced a young nun, named Wulfthrith, from Wilton Abbey (Wiltshire), carrying her off to Kemsing in Kent where their extended affair led to the birth of a daughter. The following year, Edgar heard of another great beauty, Aelfthrith the daughter of the Devonshire Thegn, Ordgar. He sent his foster-brother, Ealdorman Aethelwold of East Anglia to check her out; but the young man found her so stunning that he secretly married her and settled in distant Devon. Hearing that his foster-brother had married, but not to whom, the King insisted the newly-weds visit him at Court. Discovering Aethelwold’s duplicitous nature, Edgar took him out hunting in Harewood Forest (Hampshire) and thrust a javelin through his back! After Ethelflaed’s death, Edgar tried to persuade his lover, Wulfthrith, to marry him but the relationship seems to have been somewhat one-sided and she fled back to the safety of the confines of Wilton. He turned to Aethelwold’s widow instead and the two were married in AD 964.

Though Edgar had almost certainly been crowned King of Wessex at Kingston-upon-Thames, early in his reign, by AD 973, he wished to mark a new stage in the development of Anglo-Saxon kingship with a great coronation ceremony on the Mercian-Wessex border at Bath. In this ancient Imperial city, he was officially declared King of the English. Then he showed his extensive and effective military power, by marching his army north – swelled with Viking warriors – in a great show of strength. His navy joined him in Chester where the kings of the north assembled to submit to his overlordship: King Kenneth of Scots, King Malcolm of the Cumbrians, King Magnus of Man and the Isles, King Donald of Strathclyde, King Hywel Dda of Deheubrath, King Iago of Gwynedd, King Idwallon of Morgannwg and King Sigefrith (possibly a deputy in Norse York). According to tradition, originating with Florence of Worcester, they rowed King Edgar up River Dee, from the Royal palace to the monastery of St. John the Baptist. King Edgar died on 8th July AD 975 and was buried in St. Dunstan’s abbey at Glastonbury (Somerset) where he was revered as a saint, presumably for his monastic reforms and the stability he brought to the country, rather than his sexual conquests. After his death he was succeeded by his son Edward, although the succession was disputed. He’s Patron Saint of kings and widows and widower.

Saint Edgar the Peacemaker ~ Pray for us 🙏

SAINT KILIAN ( ST. CILLIAN), BISHOP AND MARTYR: ) St. Kilian (c. 640-689 A.D.), also known as St. Cillian, was born to a noble family in Ireland. As a child he was known for his piety and love of study, which led him to the priesthood. He became a traveling bishop on the island, and in 686 A.D. left Ireland with eleven companions to travel throughout Gaul (present day France and parts of Germany) to preach the Gospel. From there he traveled to Rome to get official sanction from the Pope to become a missionary. Once obtained, St. Kilian returned north and settled in Würzburg as his base of activity along with two of his original companions. He began his work evangelizing the pagans in large parts of Franconia and Thuringia (north and central Germany), earning the name ‘Apostle of Franconia.’ Saint Kilian converted the Duke of Würzburg and convinced him to end his unlawful marriage. This greatly angered the Duke’s wife, who resisted St. Kilian’s attempts to convert her. While her husband was away, she had St. Kilian and his two missionary companions beheaded as they were preaching. A cathedral was built on the spot of their martyrdom by the first bishop of Würzburg. On St. Kilian’s feast his relics, along with those of his two companions, are paraded through the streets and put on display in the Würzburg Cathedral, which is dedicated to him. St. Kilian’s feast day is July 8th.  

BLESSED PETER VIGNE, PRIEST: Blessed Peter Vigne (1670-1740), was a French Roman Catholic Priest, who established the Blessed Sacrament Sisters of Valence. He born on August 20, 1670. He grew up in a united family. He was a bright child and already at the age of eleven, he undertook some small tasks in St. Thomas Parish. On the 18th of September 1694 he was ordained priest by the bishop of Viviers (Ardeche). At 24 he is appointed to St Agreve Parish. From the beginning of his priestly life, meditation on the Word of God and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament were the driving force of his life. He undertook his ministry with generosity and worked tirelessly to draw people to GOD and help them in any way he could. He truly was a missionary. He left St Agreve in 1700 and joined the Vincentian Fathers, missionaries in Lyon, acting as a missionary and a preacher. This congregation preached missions in parishes. After a period of in initiation, Bl. Peter Vigne was sent with other priests to many different places around Lyons. His preaching was much appreciated and people flocked to hear him. His talent was being applauded by many because he preached with such conviction. Bl. Peter left the Vincentians in 1706 and became known as a travelling priest for the next three decades. He would preach and celebrate Mass at the places he visited and also visited the sick and carried out confessions. In 1712, he first came to hear of Boucieu, which was later to become the place of two great achievements for him. The Way of the Cross which he erected and the foundation of the Blessed Sacrement Sisters of Valence on November 30th 1715 and following this established schools for children.

A long-standing tradition relates that as a teenager, Peter Vigne, of Privas, France, abandoned the Catholic faith and set out for Geneva, Switzerland with the intent of becoming a Protestant minister. Along the way, he passed a priest carrying Viaticum to an invalid. Peter’s refusal to acknowledge the Blessed Sacrament with any act of reverence did not sit well with his horse, for it reared itself and threw him to the ground. The young man suddenly found himself on his knees before the Eucharist. The remarkable incident brought about an immediate conversion, prompting Peter to re-direct his steps to the Catholic seminary of Viviers. After becoming a priest and a Vincentian religious, he obtained permission from his superiors to serve as an itinerant preacher in the French countryside. In and around the village of Boucieu-le-Roi, he erected a series of thirty-nine Stations of the Cross, for which he recruited several young women to assist pilgrims in praying at the outdoor shrines. From this apostolate arose a new congregation, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, devoted to perpetual Eucharistic adoration. Bl. Peter Vigne died on July 8, 1740. He was beatified on October 3, 2004 by Pope John Paul II and proposed to the universal Church as an example of a tireless missionary and apostle of the Most Holy Sacrament.

“Lord, give me a love which is ever eager to live as You would have me live. May I always wish to glorify You and never forget Your Presence.” ~ Blessed Peter Vigne

Blessed Peter Vigne, Priest ~ Pray for us🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 9:18-26

“My daughter has just died, but come and she will live; Courage, daughter! Your faith has restored you to health”

“While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward, knelt down before Him, and said, “My daughter has just died. But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus rose and followed him, and so did His disciples. A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the tassel on His cloak. She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured. When Jesus arrived at the official’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion, He said, “Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. When the crowd was put out, He came and took her by the hand, and the little girl arose. And news of this spread throughout all that land.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is approached by two members of God’s people who were very different. They came to Jesus in their need. One was a synagogue official, who would have had a certain status in the community, he had a recognized and important religious role within the community. He approaches Jesus in a public and confident way, as befits his status, and asked Jesus to lay hands on his seriously ill daughter so that her life will be saved. The other was a woman who suffered from a flow of blood, a condition that would have left her somewhat isolated in her community at that time and who, in virtue of that condition, would have been considered ritually unclean, and, therefore, excluded from the synagogue. She approaches Jesus in a very secret, hidden, way. She only wanted to touch Jesus’ cloak, without making herself known to anybody. However, Jesus refused to treat her as if she were invisible. As the synagogue official spoke directly to Jesus, Jesus wanted to speak directly to the woman. He wanted to speak to her heart, as God wanted to speak to the heart of His people in the first reading. In spite of their different standing within the community and their different approaches to Jesus, what they had in common was their great faith in Jesus and in His saving power. Jesus saw no essential difference between the synagogue official and this woman. They were both in need and both had the faith to approach Him for help, even if in very different ways. Jesus responded equally generously to both of these people, healing the official’s daughter and healing the woman of her condition. We all have our own way of approaching the Lord. We do so in a way that is unique to us and that reflects the circumstances of our lives. However, the Lord relates to all of us equally. The Gospel reading suggests that what matters to the Lord is not our standing in the community or how we approach Him, how we pray, but the strength of our faith in Him, the quality of our relationship with Him. According to the opening line of today’s first reading, the Lord lured the people of Israel into the wilderness to speak to their heart. The Lord speaks to the heart of all of us who approach Him and He always responds to our plea for help. In the words of the first reading, He wants to speak to the heart of each of us, drawing us to Himself with tenderness and love. Regardless of how we are seen by others, the Lord looks upon us in a way that recognizes our dignity. In the words of today’s psalm, the Lord is ‘kind and full of compassion… abounding in love’ towards all.

In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Hosea, the Lord spoke to His people, the people of God in the northern kingdom also known as Israel, of what He had intended for all of them, reminding them all of His ever enduring love and kindness, His desire to see them reconciled and reunited with Him. The prophet Hosea was sent to the Israelites of the northern kingdom, who had long disobeyed God and disregarded His Law and commandments, refusing to listen to the many prophets and messengers that God had sent to them to help and guide them to the right path. They persecuted those prophets and messengers, silencing and killing them because they refused to turn away from the path of sin and evil, from their wickedness and disobedience. But the prophet Hosea, while delivering God’s displeasure and warnings to His people, the premonition of the destruction and sufferings that they would have to endure because of their sins and wickedness, which was imminent, at the same time, and according to our first reading, God reassured and encouraged His people of His continued providence and love. He reminded them of all of His wonderful deeds in protecting and providing for their ancestors since the time He had brought them out of the land of Egypt out of their slavery, and how He had guided them safely and well throughout the way, loving them patiently all throughout their journey. He was patient with them even when they repeatedly disobeyed Him, chastising and punishing them to help them see the error of their ways and that they might return to Him with repentance and sincerity of heart.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are called to always put our faith and trust in the Lord, our God and Saviour. All of us are reminded that God truly loves each and every one of us, and we are all precious to Him. He has also done a lot to reach out to us, to embrace us all with His love and kindness, showing us all His mercy. Through everything that He had done and shown us, we are all reminded that as Christians, that is as those whom He had called and chosen, and we who have answered His call, and taken Him as our Lord and Saviour, our Master and King, we must always put God as the centre and as the very focus of our lives and existence. We must always have faith in Him and commit ourselves and every moments of our lives to serve and glorify Him. May the Lord therefore continue to bless us and love us at all times, and may He continue to empower and strengthen us in our journey of faith and life so that we may continue to persevere in faith despite the many challenges and difficulties, trials and obstacles that we may encounter in our lives. Let us all renew our commitment and conviction to serve the Lord ever more faithfully and to do His will in all that we do in our lives, to do His Law and commandments and to entrust ourselves to His love and kindness. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to reveal the loving presence of God, regardless of how we are received by others. May God be with us always and bless our every good works and endeavours, for His greater glory, now and always. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My gentle Lord, You speak to me day and night, calling me to the healing I need. Help me to hear Your Voice and to respond to You in faith. May my faith and confidence in You grow strong and become the source of Your glorious action in my life. Jesus, I do trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Priscilla and Aquila; Saint Edgar, the Peacemaker; Saint Kilian (St. Cillian) and Blessed Peter Vigne ~ Pray for us🙏

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled and fruitful week 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖

“FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (YEAR B)”

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 7, 2024

Greetings, beloved family and Happy Sunday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube | July 7, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 7, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 7, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 7, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 7, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) | July 7, 2024
Reading 1, Ezekiel 2:2-5
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 123:1-2, 2, 3-4
Gospel, Mark 6:1-6
Reading 2, Second Corinthians 12:7-10

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Bible Readings for today, Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel (USA) Mark 6:1–6

“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place”

“Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.,”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus returns to His home town of Nazareth, having left there some time previously. He had spent the best part of thirty years in Nazareth. During that time He was known by all as the carpenter, the son of Mary. However, since leaving Nazareth, Jesus’ life had taken a new direction. He had thrown Himself into the work that God had given Him to do. He had left Nazareth as a carpenter; He returned as a teacher and a healer. There was in fact much more to Jesus that His own townspeople had ever suspected while He was living among them. The Gospel reading suggests that they could not accept this ‘more’; they rejected Him. They wanted Him to be the person they had always known; they would not allow Him to move on from that. Jesus’ homecoming turned out to be more painful than His leaving home. God’s unique Son who proclaimed the presence of God’s kingdom was experienced by the people of Nazareth as a thorn in the flesh, to use an image from today’s second reading. The people of Nazareth thought they knew Jesus. The image they had of
Him, which they held on to with great tenacity, became a block to their learning more about Him. We too can easily assume that we know someone, when, in reality, we only know one side to them. We can form strong opinions about people on the basis of past experiences. We can become so attached to these opinions that even when the evidence is there to challenge them, we are completely unmoved. There was more to Jesus than the people of Nazareth were aware of. Indeed there is always more to every human being than we are aware of. That is true even of those we would claim to know well, such as family members and good friends. We are each made in God’s image. There is a profound mystery to each one of us. We can never fully probe the mystery of another person’s life. We each need to approach everyone with the awareness that there is more here than I can see. It was Jesus’ very ordinariness that made it difficult for the people of Nazareth to see Him as He really was, in all His mystery. God was powerfully present to them in and through someone who was as ordinary, in many respects, as they themselves. God continues to come to us today in and through the ordinary, in and through those who are most familiar to us. In the religious sphere there can be a certain fascination with the extraordinary and the unusual. The Gospels suggest that the primary way the Lord comes to us is in and through the everyday. This is what we mean by the incarnation. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The ordinary is shot through with God’s presence.

The Lord can even come to us in and through what we initially experience as something very negative. St Paul made this discovery for himself, according to our second reading today. He struggled with what he called a thorn in the flesh. It is not easy to know what he means by this. Whatever it was, St. Paul wanted to be rid of it. He saw no good in it and he prayed earnestly to the Lord to take it from him, fully expecting that his prayer would be heard. St. Paul’s prayer was answered, but not in the way he had expected. In prayer he came to realize that God was powerfully present in and through this thorn in the flesh. When we find ourselves struggling with something inside ourselves or with something outside ourselves, some person perhaps, we can be tempted to see the struggle as totally negative and just want to be rid of it. Like Paul, however, we can discover that this difficult experience is opening us up to God’s presence. The very thing we judge to be of little or no value can create a space for God to work powerfully in our lives. There is something of a paradox in what Paul hears the risen Lord say to him, ‘My power is at its best in weakness’. It is often when we most feel life as a struggle that God can touch our lives most powerfully and creatively.

In our first reading this Sunday, from the Book of the prophet Ezekiel, God called Ezekiel and sent him to the people of Israel in exile in Babylon, to speak to them all at the place of their exile to remind them all of their loving God and Master, the One Who had chastised and punished their ancestors and predecessors for their sins and wickedness, but One Who also would embrace them all once again with His ever generous and enduring love because after all, despite all the anger and punishments that He had given against those same people. This is because ultimately, God has always loved His people, whom He had called and chosen to share in His love and inheritance, and as a loving Father to His beloved ones, that He had treated as His children, He wanted them all to grow up well and to follow the path that He has shown them. Therefore, God’s chastisements and punishments to the Israelites were ultimately meant to lead those wayward people back towards Him. He wanted them all to repent from their sinful ways and to remember His love for them, and how as God’s chosen people, they were supposed to live righteously and virtuously in God’s path, and not to give in to the wickedness of the world, all the temptations of sin that could bring them all into destruction and damnation. Their exile in Babylon was meant to remind them all that without God, there would be no good future for them, and there would only be desolation and suffering if they continued to disobey the Lord. On the other hand, if they embraced God’s mercy and love, His compassion and kindness, then there will be path out of the darkness and despair for them.

In our second reading today, from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Church and the faithful in Corinth, the Apostle St. Paul reminded the faithful there about the dangers of temptations and the corruptions of human desires and pride, all of which can lead the people into the path of sin and evil. He used himself as an example and told the faithful in Corinth about how he has constantly been reminded by the ‘thorn of Satan’ to keep him reminded of his own imperfections and frailty, lest he became too proud because of all of his works and achievements in proclaiming the Good News of God to more and more people among the Gentiles in his missionary journeys. Through this example, St. Paul wanted to remind and warn the other faithful people of God not to give in to the very dangerous allures and temptations of worldly fame, glory and ambitions which could lead them astray from the path of God’s righteousness. When we come face to face in our own lives with failure, loss, rejection, we often need to stand back so as to see these painful experiences with the eyes of faith, rather than just with the eyes of our culture, the eyes of the world. We reflect on these experiences with the conviction that the Lord may be powerfully present here in a life-giving way. We face our failures, our weaknesses, our brokenness, with hope, recognizing, with Saint Paul, that the Lord’s power is always at work somewhere in our weakness.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, that we must always be obedient to God, be humble in all things and keep in mind that no matter how great we are, ultimately everything that we have, and all of our greatness and achievements, all of these are only possible because of God, His guidance and blessings towards us. Through God’s help and guidance all of us have received the strength and the means to persevere through the challenges of life, and by His providence, we have been guided to reach the path towards salvation and eternal life with God. However, we must always be ever vigilant and careful, lest the many temptations present around us may lead us astray into the path of ruin and damnation. As we listened and remembered the words of the Lord contained within the Scripture readings which we have received this Sunday, let us all therefore reflect on our own way of life, our own actions and all the things which we had done. Let us all ask ourselves whether we have allowed our pride, ego, desires, ambitions and all the things that often distracted and misled us in this life to bring us away from the path of God’s salvation. Let us all continue to dedicate ourselves and our every moments in life to serve the Lord ever more faithfully, and let us continue to be humble, to be willing to listen to God speaking to us all through His Church and through everyone we encounter in life, so that by listening to Him and obeying His will, we may find our path in life, and be guided ever more to walk in the path towards God’s salvation and grace. May the Lord, our ever loving God and Creator, continue to love and help us in our journey, and may He continue to bless us all in our every actions, words, deeds, and our every efforts to carry out His Law and commandments in every moments of our lives. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and be with us all, His beloved people and His Church, so that by His Presence and ever loving guidance in our lives, we may continue to walk faithfully in His path, and be the good and worthy role models and inspirations for one another, that our lives may always be illuminated with God’s light, His love and truth, at all times. Let us always remember God’s ever enduring love, and be thankful for all that He had done for us, now and always. Amen 🙏🏾

SAINTS OF THE DAY: SAINT PALLADIUS, BISHOP; SAINT PANTÆNUS, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH AND APOSTLE TO THE INDIES; BLESSED PETER TO ROT, CATECHIST AND MARTYR; BLESSED ROGER DICKENSON, PRIEST, BLESSED RALPH MILNER AND BLESSED LAWRENCE HUMPHREY, MARTYRS AND BLESSED POPE BENEDICT XI ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 7TH Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Palladius, Bishop; Saint Pantænus, Doctor of the Church and Apostle to the Indies; Blessed Peter To Rot;  Blessed Roger Dickenson, Priest,  Ralph Milner and Lawrence Humphrey, Martyrs and Blessed Pope Benedict XI. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the protection and safety of Christians all over the world and we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians and for the conversion of sinners. We also pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. We pray for the poor, the needy and most marginalized, for peaceful marriages, for justice, peace and unity in our families and our world.🙏

SAINT PALLADIUS, BISHOP: St. Saint  Palladius (d. 450) was First Bishop and Apostle of the Scots. The first bishop of the Christian mission to Ireland, preceding Saint Patrick; the two were perhaps conflated in many later Irish traditions. The name Palladius marks Saint Palladius as a Roman; and a seventh century Irish biography of Saint Patrick identifies him as Archdeacon of the Roman Church under Pope Celestine. Saint Prosper of Aquitaine, his contemporary, informs us in his historical chronicle that when Agricola, a noted Pelagian, had corrupted the churches of Britain by introducing that pestilential heresy, Pope Celestine,  at the instance of Palladius the deacon, in 429 sent there Saint  Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre, as his legate. He, after having ejected the heretics, brought back the Britons to the Catholic faith.

The same Pope sent St. Palladius to the Celts. The Irish writer of the life of Saint Patrick says that Palladius preached in Ireland some time before Saint Patrick, but that he was soon sent away by the King of Leinster and returned to North Britain, where he had opened his mission. Saint Prosper says that he was consecrated bishop by the same Pope Celestine, and then sent with relics of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, as first bishop to the nation of the Christian Scots. Several colonies of these had passed from Ireland into North Britain and taken possession of the part of the country since called Scotland. Later Saint Palladius also founded three churches in more hospitable regions of Ireland. St. Palladius was accompanied by four companions: Sylvester and Solinus, who remained after him in Ireland; and Augustinus and Benedictus, who followed him to Britain, but returned to their own country after his death. He preached to the Scots with great zeal, and formed a considerable church. The Scottish historians tell us that the Faith was first planted in North Britain about the year 200, in the time of King Donald, when Saint Victor I was Pope; but they all acknowledge that St.  Palladius was the first bishop of that country, and they call him their first Apostle. Saint Palladius died at Fordun, fifteen miles from Aberdeen, about the year 450.

PRAYER: O God, who in the abasement of your Son have raised up a fallen world, fill your faithful with holy joy, for on those you have rescued from slavery to sin you bestow eternal gladness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen🙏

SAINT PANTÆNUS, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH AND APOSTLE TO THE INDIES: Saint Pantænus, Father of the Church (Died c 216) Theologian, Philosopher, Teacher, Confessor and Defender of the Faith, Writer and interpreter of the Bible, the Trinity, and Christology, Missionary. An apostolic man, filled with wisdom. He had such affection and love for the word of God, and was so inflamed with the ardor of faith and devotion, that he set out to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles inhabiting the farthest recesses of the East. At length returning to Alexandria, he rested in peace, under Antoninus Caracalla. This learned Doctor and apostolic man flourished in the second century. Born in Sicily, he was a Hebrew Christian who had studied Holy Scripture and also Greek philosophy. His esteem for virtue had led him into an acquaintance with the Christians, and being charmed with the innocence and sanctity of their conversation, he opened his eyes to the truth. It was under the disciples of the Apostles that he studied Holy Scripture in the orient, before his thirst for sacred learning brought him to Alexandria in Egypt, where the disciples of Saint Mark had instituted a celebrated school of Christian doctrine.

St. Pantænus did not seek to display his talents in that center of literature and commerce; but his great progress in sacred learning was discovered, and he was drawn out of the obscurity in which his humility had sought to bury itself. He was placed at the head of the Christian school some time before the year 179. His learning and excellent manner of teaching raised the school’s reputation above all schools of the philosophers, whom he strove to win to Christianity. The lessons which he read and commented, gathered from the prophets and Apostles, conveyed light and knowledge into the minds of all his hearers. The Indian traders who came to Alexandria entreated Saint Pantænus to pay their country a visit and vanquish false philosophy by the true faith. He was advised by the bishop of Alexandria to consent, and therefore left the school and went to preach the Gospel to the eastern nations. In India he found some seeds of the faith already sown, and there he was shown the Gospel of Saint Matthew in Hebrew, which according to Eusebius’ account in his History of the Church, was taken there by Saint Bartholomew. He brought it back with him to Alexandria, where he returned after he had zealously employed several years in instructing the Indians in the faith. Saint Pantænus continued to teach privately until about the year 214, when he closed a noble and excellent life by a holy and happy death.

Saint Pantænus,, Doctor of the Church and Apostle to the Indies ~ Pray for us 🙏

BLESSED PETER TO ROT, MARTYR: A beloved World War II Papuan catechist and martyr  who died to defend marriage. A devoted husband and loving father, he fought to uphold the indissolubility of matrimony. Many wagered he would become a priest. Instead, he not only started a family but also lay down his life to defend marriage. He stood firm in the faith during the Japanese occupation of his homeland in World War II. He was arrested for his opposition to polygamy. He was poisoned and suffocated to death presumed to be on July 7, 1945 in a Japanese concentration camp at Rakunai. Bl. Peter To Rot was born in 1912 in Papua New Guinea, the city of Rakunai (near Rabual), a  village on the Melanesian island of New Britain, today an eastern province of the  independent nation of Papua, New Guinea. A place where His father, Angelo To Puia, an influential and charismatic chieftain who was among the first converts to Catholicism, played a pivotal role in spreading the Gospel in his land. Bl. Peter’s mother, Maria la Tumul, was a fervent Catholic who knew how to form the family as the first European missionaries had taught. Both parents were baptized as adults belonged to the region’s first generation of  Catholics. From his father, Bl. Peter inherited the qualities of a leader; from his mother, a particular sensibility for religion. Perhaps it was this happy fusion of natural gifts, coupled with a wholly unique devotion and inclination toward study, which led the local missionary priest to believe he had identified the seeds of a priestly vocation in him, and to consider sending him to Europe for studies. It was his father (providentially, in hindsight) who decided Bl. Peter’s future course as a lay leader and catechist. Bl. Peter therefore prepared himself for this ministry, thus confirming everything others had seen in him: a surprising ability as a teacher, a keen knowledge of the Bible, the ability to relate to everyone, and a powerful influence over others, especially young people. In short, he was a born leader. At just 21 years of age, Bl. Peter was already an invaluable catechist and served as the missionary parish priest’s right hand man and collaborator. In 1936, at the age of 24, Peter married Paula la Varpit, a 16-year old who seemed to have been made just for him. For she shared his faith, his ideals, his aspirations and his commitment. Theirs was a union sustained by daily prayer and the reading of the Bible: their home was imbued with a lived faith that was first witnessed and then passed on to their three children.

Over the years Bl. Peter’s spirituality matured, his natural ability to relate to others was transformed into a kind and gracious availability to all, he increasingly took on a role as an undisputed leader: in addition to winning the esteem and appreciation of others, he also won their love. People realized that Peter lived what he taught and they admired his strength of character, his integrity and the generosity he showed toward others. In 1942, Japanese imperial forces attacked and occupied the entire region and immediately began targeting the religion that had been brought by Westerners: all European missionaries were captured and interned in concentration camps, and all Catholic chapels were destroyed. The only person left “in the field” was Bl. Peter: first, because he was a native and second, because he was a layman and therefore not held on the same par with the missionaries the Japanese wanted to strike. With great ease and simplicity, he took charge of the community, yet without a parish priest: he baptized, visited the sick and the dying, assisted at marriages, and protected and guarded the Holy Eucharist. He knew the risks, but he was utterly convinced of the need “to give primacy to the things of God.” The Japanese watched him closely, aware that he was the worst of enemies, the one reference point for Catholics in the area. Things turned very bad for Bl. Peter when he took a clear stance against the decision of Japanese authorities to introduce polygamy: unity and indissolubility are essential characteristics of Catholic marriage, and Bl. Peter repeatedly and forcefully proclaimed this truth with the power of John the Baptist, who from his prison cell had denounced Herod’s sin of adultery. Amid great suffering yet as constant as ever, he denounced even his own brother who had taken a second wife. Bl. Peter knew that in doing so he was irrevocably marking his fate, but with great serenity he told everyone: “It is beautiful to die for the faith.” On Christmas 1944, Japanese officials arrested and imprisoned him in a concentration camp. There, his serenity would only be disturbed at the thought of his community being without a leader. Every attempt to have him released failed, even one organized by Methodists in cooperation with several Catholics. The Japanese wanted quickly to rid themselves of this uncomfortable witness of the Gospel. One night, on July 7, 1945, a Japanese doctor accompanied by two officials killed him by lethal injection. A martyr for the faith and in defense of marriage, the catechist Bl. Peter To Rot, “a devoted husband, a loving father and a dedicated catechist,” was beatified by Pope John Paul II on January 17, 1995. He’s Patron Saint of Married couples; Catechists; Rakunai, World Youth Day 2008.

Blessed Peter To Rot, Martyr ~ Pray for us🙏

BLESSED ROGER DICKENSON, PRIEST, BLESSED RALPH MILNER AND BLESSED LAWRENCE HUMPHREY, MARTYRS: These holy men were executed on July 7, 1591 in Winchester under Elizabeth I. Blessed Roger Dickenson was executed for being a Catholic priest present in England, Blessed Ralph Milner for being a Catholic layman who assisted a Catholic priest (Father Dickenson), and Blessed Lawrence Humphrey, like Milner a convert and layman. Blessed Ralph, a farmer and father of a family was rich in faith, was arrested and executed together with Father Dickenson.

BLESSED RALPH MILNER: Bl. Ralph Milner was an elderly and illiterate farmer from the district of Flacsted in Hampshire brought up as a Protestant. Influenced by the good lives led by his Catholic neighbors, he took instructions in the faith and was received into the Church. On the very day of his First Communion, this devout convert was seized and imprisoned. Though he remained in prison for a number of years, he was often granted parole. At such times he would obtain alms and spiritual succor for his fellow prisoners, and by utilizing his overall knowledge of the country he would help missionary priests move about and work more easily. It was in this way that he met and aided a secular priest named Roger Dickenson.

BLESSED ROGER DICKENSON: Bl. Roger Dickenson was a native of Lincoln and a priest of the College of Rheims who was sent on mission in 1583. He had already been arrested once but been able to escape when his guards got drink. The second time he was arrested with Ralph Milner and both were put on trial for the faith. The judge took especial pity on Milner who was getting old and had eight children. Seeking any pretext to set him free, he urged the saintly farmer to make a visit to the nearby parish church as a matter of form and he would be freed since this would be tantamount to reconciliation with the Church of England. However, the blessed Martyr, aided by God’s grace, stood firm and refused to make the least deceitful gesture, preferring to share the fate of his friend Father Dickenson. Accordingly, both of these servants of God were executed at Winchester on July 7, 1591. They were beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius XI.

BLESSED LAWRENCE HUMPHREY: Bl. Lawrence Humphrey was a convert and layman. Bl. Lawrence is commemorated on this day because the exact date of his death is uncertain. He was executed for a most unusual reason: he spoke against the Queen while delirious.

These holy men lived at a time in the history of England when Catholics of that country risked imprisonment and death to practice and spread of their faith. They faced persecution and death without fear, confident in the Lord and ready to die for their faith.

PRAYER: God, You surround and protect us by the glorious confession of Your holy Martyrs, Blessed Ralph and Roger. Help us to profit from their example and be supported by their prayer. Amen🙏

BLESSED POPE BENEDICT XI: Bl. Pope Benedict XI (1240-1304) was born in Italy with the name Nicholas Boccasini. At the age of 14 he entered the Dominican Order, and went on to become a theology professor before being named Master General of the Order in 1296. As Master of the Dominicans, Bl. Boccasini defended Pope Boniface VIII when the hostility of secular rulers towards the Roman Pontiff grew, especially during the pope’s open conflict with the King of France. In reward for his loyalty, Bl. Boccasini was elevated to Cardinal and then Bishop of Ostia. When Hungary was torn with civil war, Bl.  Boccasini was sent there by the Holy See to restore peace. When he  returned to Rome, the Pope’s conflict with France reached its height; Pope Boniface VIII was seized, beaten, and driven from the Sacred Palace by his enemies, while Bl. Boccasini was one of only two cardinals who defended the Holy Father to the end. After Pope Boniface VIII died, Bl. Boccasini was elected in his place and took the name Pope Benedict XI. He excommunicated all those who had taken part in the seizure and abuse of his predecessor, while at the same time restoring peace with the French court. In this time of tumult he repaired the damage with leniency, yet without compromising the Holy See or the good memory of the previous pope. His reign was brief; he died suddenly of a suspected poisoning after only eight months in office. Bl. Pope Benedict XI was the author of a volume of sermons and commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew, Psalms, Job, and Revelation. His feast day is July 7th.

Bl. Pope Benedict XI ~ Pray for us 🙏🏾

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My revealing Lord, You continuously speak to me in the depths of my heart, revealing to me Your divine presence and love. Give me a heart that is truly open to You on the deepest level, so that my faith will grow and I will know for certain Your divine love. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Palladius; Saint Pantænus; Blessed Peter To Rot and Blessed Roger Dickenson, Ralph Milner and Lawrence Humphrey and Blessed Pope Benedict XI ~ Pray for us🙏

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled Sunday and week 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖

THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 6, 2024

Greetings, beloved family and Happy Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube | July 6, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 6, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 6, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday, July 6, 2024
Reading 1, Amos 9:11-15
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 85:9, 11-12, 13-14
Gospel, Matthew 9:14-17

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARIA GORETTI, VIRGIN AND MARTYR; SAINT GODELIEVE, MARTYR; SAINT GOAR OF AQUITAINE, PRIEST AND HERMIT; AND BLESSED MARIA THERESA LEDÓCHOWSKA, RELIGIOUS ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 6TH Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr; Saint Godelieve, Martyr; Saint Goar of Aquitaine, Priest and Hermit and Blessed Maria Theresa Ledochowska, Religious. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the safety and well-being of children all over the world and victims of rape. We pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases and diseases of the throat. We pray for the poor, the needy and most marginalized, for peaceful marriages, for justice, peace and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏

SAINT MARIA GORETTI, VIRGIN AND MARTYR: St. Maria Goretti (1890–1902), a young virgin and martyr whose life is an example of purity and mercy for all Christians. St. Maria Goretti is best known for her commitment to purity and the courageous defense of her faith at the young age of eleven that made her willing to undergo death rather than participate in a sin against God. She is also remarkable for the forgiveness she willingly granted her attacker as she lay on her deathbed. St. Maria was born in Corinaldo, Italy on October 16, 1890 to a humble farming family. Her father, a farmer, died of malaria when she was young, at about the age of 9, leaving the family destitute and her mother had to work to support their six children. Her mother and older siblings worked in the fields while Maria managed the household chores and cared for her younger siblings. St. Maria prayed the Rosary every night for the repose of her father’s soul. She grew in grace and maturity, and her cheerful obedience and piety were noticed by those around her. She received First Communion at eleven and strove to do better each day. On July 5, 1902, one summer day while the family was in the fields, St. Maria was attacked by their neighbor, a 19-year-old boy named Alessandro (Alexander) Serenelli, who attempted to rape her. St. Maria wasn’t yet 12 years old. The Goretti family shared a home with the partner of their father and his son, Alessandro (Alexander), a wicked-minded youth who began making sinful advances toward St. Maria on several prior occasions, he had harassed St. Maria with impure advances, all of which she had vehemently rejected. She repelled them immediately but said nothing about them for he threatened to kill her and her mother if she did. This time, he locked her in a room and tried to force himself upon her. She fought against him, shouting, “No! It is a sin! God does not want it!” and warning him that this was the path towards hell. When St. Maria declared that she would rather die than submit to this sin, Alessandro angrily grabbed her and stabbed her 14 times with a knife. St. Maria was found bleeding to death and rushed to the hospital at Nettuno and surgeons worked feverishly to save her life, without anesthesia but it soon became evident that nothing could be done. The next morning she was given Communion but first queried about her attitude toward Alessandro. She verbally forgave Alessandro for the crime he had committed against her, saying, “Yes, for the love of Jesus I forgive him…and I want him to be with me in Paradise.” She offered her suffering to God. Although the doctors tried to save her, on July 6, 1902, this saintly maiden died and went to meet her heavenly Spouse for Whose love she had been willing to give her life. She died while holding a crucifix, only eleven years old.

Alessandro was sentenced to 30 years in prison. He remained unrepentant until one night, eight years into his prison term, when St. Maria appeared to him, dressed in white, gathering lilies in a garden. She smiled, turned towards Alessandro, and offered him the flowers. She placed 14 white lilies, one at a time, into his hands; one for each of the times he stabbed her. Each lily he took transformed into a white flame. Then St. Maria disappeared. This stunning experience of forgiveness brought him to repentance, and Alessandro was converted and found peace. He repented of his crime and changed his life and was released from prison three years early. Upon leaving prison he sought reconciliation and begged forgiveness from the church and St. Maria’s mother, which she duly granted. Alessandro called St. Maria “his little saint” and prayed to her daily. Alessandro moved to a Capuchin monastery and joined the Franciscans as a lay brother, working in the garden as a tertiary for the remainder of his life, until his death in 1970. Alessandro was one of the witnesses who testified to St. Maria’s holiness during her cause of beatification, citing the crime and the vision in prison. He sat next to St. Maria’s mother at the beatification. Alessandro also attended her canonization Mass in 1950 and St. Maria’s mother, brothers and sisters were present at her canonization, a unique event in the history of the Church, the first time a parent was present for a child’s canonization. Many miracles were attributed to Maria Goretti after her death. On July 25, 1950, she was canonised by Pope Pius XII, becoming the youngest Roman Catholic saint officially recognised by name. St. Maria Goretti is the Patron Saint of children, youth, young girls, children of Mary,  young women, the poor, martyrs, purity, poverty, chastity, rape victims, against impoverishment, against poverty, loss of parents, martyrs, rape victims; young people in general and forgiveness. Her feast day is celebrated by the Church on July 6th.

On her feast day in 2003, Pope John Paul II spoke about St. Maria Goretti at his Sunday Angelus, noting that her life provides an exemplary witness of what it means to be “pure of heart.” “What does this fragile but christianly mature girl say to today’s young people, through her life and above all through her heroic death?” asked the Pope. “Marietta, as she was lovingly called, reminds the youth of the third millennium that true happiness demands courage and a spirit of sacrifice, refusing every compromise with evil and having the disposition to pay personally, even with death, faithful to God and his commandments.” “How timely this message is,” the Holy Father continued. “Today, pleasure, selfishness and directly immoral actions are often exalted in the name of the false ideals of liberty and happiness. It is essential to reaffirm clearly that purity of heart and of body go together, because chastity ‘is the custodian’ of authentic love.”

PRAYER: God, Author of innocence and Lover of chastity, You conferred on St. Maria Your handmaid the grace of martyrdom at a youthful age. Through her intercession grant us constancy in Your commandments, You Who gave the crown to a virgin who fought for You. Amen🙏

SAINT GODELIEVE, MARTYR: St. Godelieve is a Flemish saint, martyred wife, strangled by her husband Bertolf of Ghistelles, a Flemish lord. Accepting an arranged marriage as was the custom, her husband and family turned out to be abusive, whereas she behaved with charity & gentleness to all. Eventually he had her strangled by his servants.

St. Godelieve was born in 1052, County of Boulogne. She was pious as a young girl, and became much sought after by suitors as a beautiful young woman. St. Godelieve, however, wanted to become a nun. A nobleman named Bertolf of Gistel, however, determined to marry her. He successfully invoked the help of her father’s overlord, Eustace II, Count of Boulogne. Berthold’s servants were ordered to provide only bread and water to the young bride. St. Godelieve shared this food with the poor. St. Godelieve managed to escape to the home of her father, Hemfrid, seigneur of Wierre-Effroy. Hemfrid, managed to have Bertolf restore St. Godelieve to her rightful position as his wife. In July 1070, St. Godelieve returned to Gistel. Soon after, at the order of Bertolf, she was strangled by two servants. Then she was thrown into a pool, to make it appear as if she had died a natural death. St. Godelieve died on July 6, 1070 at Gistel, Belgium. She’s Patron Saint of weather; peaceful marriage and invoked against throat trouble.  Feast: July 6th; July 30th

Saint Godelieve, Martyr ~ Pray for us🙏

SAINT GOAR OF AQUITAINE, PRIEST AND HERMIT: Saint Goar (d. 575) was a priest and hermit of the seventh century. He was offered the position of Bishop of Trier, but prayed to be excused from the position. St. Goar is noted for his piety and is revered as a miracle-worker. Saint Goar was born in the time of Childebert I, son of Clovis, of an illustrious family in Aquitaine. From his youth he was noted for his earnest piety, and having been raised by his bishop to sacred orders, he converted many sinners by the force of his example and the fervor of his preaching against all the contemporary disorders. But wishing to serve God entirely unknown to the world, he went into a region where he would be unidentified, and settling in the neighborhood of Trier in Germany, he built a small church and a hermitage, then retired into prayer. He came forth after a time and began preaching in the area to the pagans, who opened their eyes to the truth of the Gospel. Miracles seconded his teaching; he cured the sick and the lame by prayer and the sign of the cross. Saint Goar reached so eminent a sanctity as to be esteemed the oracle and miracle of the whole country. He practiced hospitality to the poor and to pilgrims, lodging them in his hermitage which he enlarged for that purpose; hospitality is the particular virtue for which he is and was then known.

Nonetheless certain jealous persons calumniated him as a hypocrite, and the bishop of Trier sent for him. When he entered the episcopal palace, Saint Goar mistook a ray of sunshine for a coat hook and suspended his cloak upon it. The bishop took this for a sign he was a magician. He excused himself for the miracle he had not even noticed. He told his bishop that if sometimes he had served an early breakfast on the days when fasting was not obligatory, he had done so out of charity for his guests, not by  intemperance. And he added that it was a great error to place all perfection in fasting and abstinence, since the greatest Saints have always recognized that charity is to be preferred. The King of Austrasia, Sigebert, learning of the sanctity of Saint Goar, wished to have him consecrated a bishop, and for that purpose summoned him to court. The Saint had already offered to do penance for seven years for a fault of the bishop of Trier which had become known. Saint Goar feared the responsibilities of the episcopal office and prayed that he might be excused, saying that his role was a different one. He was seized with a fever, from which he suffered as an invalid for seven years before he died in 575. A city in Germany is named for him, near Coblentz.

Saint Goar of Aquitaine, Priest and Hermit ~ Pray for us🙏

BLESSED MARIA THERESA LEDÓCHOWSKA, RELIGIOUS: Bl. Maria Theresa was a Polish Roman Catholic Religious Sister and missionary, who founded the Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver, dedicated to service in Africa. Mary Theresa, led by the Holy Spirit, enlisted “auxiliary missionaries” and placed her work under the patronage of the Spanish Jesuit missionary, St. Peter Claver, whose life ministry earned him the title of Apostle to the Slaves. Blessed Maria Theresa Ledóchowska was the eldest of seven children. She was born in Austria on April 29, 1863, to a Polish noble, Count Anthony, and his wife, Josephine. From her parents Maria Theresa inherited not only their noble blood, but also a heart sensitive for the needy. Even though she grew up in a very religious family, Bl. Maria Theresa did not hear much about the missions in her youth. In 1885 Maria Theresa became a lady-in-waiting to the Grand Duchess Alice of Tuscany. In the midst of the glamour of court life, she was exposed for the first time to the needs of the missionary world. Two Franciscan Missionaries of Mary came to Salzburg to seek financial help for their missionary work. The lady-in-waiting listened raptly as the two women religious shared their experiences of working with the lepers in Madagascar. “I don’t know of anything more beautiful than to co-operate with God in the salvation of souls.” ~Bl. Mary Theresa Ledochowska. This spark of interest in missions was fueled to a full flame when Bl. Maria Theresa read a pamphlet on Cardinal Lavigerie’s anti-slavery campaign. The prelate of Africa called for the women of Europe to support his crusade against slavery. His call bore fruit in Bl. Maria Theresa, who would one day say, “I myself would not be here before you today, and I would probably still be a lady-in-waiting at a court in Austria, if by chance I had not seen a pamphlet by Cardinal Lavigerie, which gave me the incentive to devote myself to the missions.”

As Bl. Maria Theresa’s involvement with the missions grew, she began a mission page in a Catholic periodical. These mission features, called Echo From Africa, were based on correspondence from African missionaries. The page of letters evolved into a monthly magazine, which made its debut in 1889, even though the nineteenth century was not ready for a woman publisher. “It is a grace to understand the essence of the missionary ideal and to work for it.” ~Bl. Mary Theresa Ledochowska. The magazine soon became a full-time job, and Emperor Franz Joseph personally released Mary Theresa from her court duties in 1891 so that she could devote all of her time and energy to the missions. Soon the work of promoting and supporting the needs of missionaries in Africa could no longer be considered one’s woman effort. Bl. Maria Theresa, led by the Holy Spirit, enlisted “auxiliary missionaries” and placed her work under the patronage of the Spanish Jesuit missionary, St. Peter Claver, whose life ministry earned him the title of Apostle to the Slaves. Bl. Maria Theresa’s vision took shape gradually, emerging in wonderful form. First on April 29, 1894, Pope Leo XVIII formally blessed Maria Theresa’s enterprise, deeming the St. Peter Claver Sodality a pious association, which gradually developed into a religious community. On September 8, 1897, Bl. Maria Theresa and her first companion professed their final vows as Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver.

For the next twenty-five years, the Foundress roamed Europe, enlisting people of all walks of life to help her congregation’s support for evangelization in Africa. Realizing that the missionaries were in urgent need of books in local languages, she expanded her work, producing everything from Bibles and hymnals to dictionaries in local languages. Pope St. Pius X gave his final approval to the constitutions in 1910. The lady-in-waiting’s dream blossomed into an international mission aid network. Her reward came when the recipients of her generous support offered gratitude for the assistance, calling Bl. Maria Theresa “Mother of the Africans.” The grueling schedule of appearances and editing took its toll on Bl. Maria Theresa. Despite suffering from tuberculosis, she worked to the very end, passing away on July 6, 1922. The thousands of missionaries she had supported through prayers, encouragement and material help felt as though they had lost a mother. Bl. Maria Theresa Ledochowska was beatified by Pope Paul VI, on October 19, 1975, Mission Sunday. The Holy Father cited her selfless, creative response to Jesus’ command to “go and teach all nations.” In advance of Vatican II, Bl. Maria Theresa proclaimed that every Christian is a missionary by means of Baptism.  She left her spiritual daughters with the responsibility of informing all Catholics of their duty to bring the Good News of God’s love to the whole world. “God must reign everywhere and His Gospel must be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.”

Blessed Maria Theresa Ledóchowska ~ Pray for us🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 9:14-17

“Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?”

“The disciples of John approached Jesus and said, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one patches an old cloak with a piece of unshrunken cloth, for its fullness pulls away from the cloak and the tear gets worse. People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus refers to Himself as the bridegroom and to His disciples as the bride. The prophets often spoke of God as a bridegroom and His people as His bride. Jesus claims to embody this divine bridegroom. He further suggests that His public ministry is like a wedding celebration in that it is a time for rejoicing. Jesus informs the Pharisees that during this special time of His public ministry, fasting is not appropriate. It is, rather, a time for sharing table, and Jesus shared table with all sorts of people. At table He revealed God’s hospitable love, especially to those who felt beyond the reach of God’s love. In keeping with that wedding image for this public ministry, Jesus goes on to speak of the new wine of His ministry. Wine is associated with sharing table, especially in the setting of a wedding feast. Jesus reminds His interrogators that the new wine of his ministry calls for new wineskins, a way of life in keeping with the good news proclaimed by His life. We are always in the presence of the risen Lord, the divine bridegroom, and He is always offering us new wine, the new wine of God’s kingdom. One of the privileged moments when we are offered this new wine is at the Eucharist. Jesus’ gift of new wine, the good news of God’s hospitable love, will always call on us to keep abandoning old wineskins, ways of life that are not in keeping with the good news He brings. We always stand before the Lord’s call for a renewal of life that is worthy of the presence of the bridegroom, a way of life that is capable of containing in some way the new wine of God’s loving presence in Jesus. In the Gospel reading, Jesus is reminding us that at the heart of our faith is good news, the good news of God’s faithful and merciful love for us all. We are all invited to what the last book of the Bible, the Book of Revelation, calls ‘the wedding feast of the Lamb’.

Our first reading today, is s continuation of the reading from the Book of the prophet Amos in which after almost a week hearing about the anger of God and the punishments which God would bring upon His people, the Israelites living in the northern kingdom of Israel, the promises of God’s salvation and redemption for His people, the same ones that He had chastised and punished. According to our first reading, the Lord promised that He would restore all the destroyed places and towns of His people, restoring them into His favour and blessing, giving them once again the promises and inheritance that He has given to their ancestors, but which those ancestors and people had spurned and rejected out of disobedience and sin, through their stubbornness and wickedness. God showed His love, compassion and mercy to His beloved ones, just like that of a father caring for his children, and we are all truly God’s beloved children, the ones whom He had created out of love, taken upon Himself to be His own people, to be loved and cared dearly by Him, and to receive the fullness of His grace and love. But at the same time, because we as His children had become wayward and disobedient in our way of life, in our actions, words and deeds, then just like a father disciplines his children to ensure that the children grew up well and did not turn out to be a delinquent and failure, thus, God, our loving Father, Creator and Master had also disciplined us, chastising us and making us to understand that as His beloved children, His disciples and His followers, all of us must adhere to His ways and act according to His Law and commandments.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded of the need for each and every one of us as Christians, as God’s holy people to be truly obedient to God and to follow Him wholeheartedly in all of our lives. It is part of our Christian obligation and calling for us to do what God has commanded and told us all to do, and to leave behind our past, sinful way of life which are not in accordance with God’s will. If we profess to be a Christian, as someone who believes in Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, and yet, in our attitudes and behaviours, in our words, actions and deeds, we do things that are contrary to our beliefs, then we are truly hypocrites and no better than unbelievers. Let us all therefore renew our commitment henceforth to the Lord our God, doing whatever we can so that in our every words, actions and deeds, in our every moments in life, we will always be truly worthy of the Lord. Let us all continue to walk ever more faithfully in God’s path, remembering the love and mercy that He has shown us, and like the Saints and Holy men and women, particularly St. Maria Goretti, who we celebrate today. Let us all show the same love and mercy to one another, and love the Lord our God with all of our strength and might, now and always, that one day, we may truly be worthy to receive the fullness of inheritance that God had promised to all of us. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to invite the Spirit of God into our lives so that we can see more clearly the signs of God’s presence and activity all around us. May all of us dedicate ourselves with ever greater commitment and faith, now and always, and be ever great role models and inspirations for our fellow Christian brothers and sisters all around us. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My transforming Lord, You continuously offer to renew me, transform me and elevate me to the life of grace. I thank You for this Gift and desire to accept it with all my heart. May I always be ready and willing to say “Yes” to You and the transformation that awaits me as I discover this ever new treasure of Your Grace. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Maria Goretti; Saint Godelieve; Saint Goar of Aquitaine; and Blessed Maria Theresa Ledochowska ~ Pray for us🙏

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe and relaxing weekend 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖

THIRTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 5, 2024

[Please note: Saint Elizabeth of Portugal—Optional Memorial (Celebrated on July 4th outside the USA, but celebrated in the USA on July 5th.)]

Greetings beloved family and Happy Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time!

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world. We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN on YouTube | July 5, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 5, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from Lourdes, France” |July 5, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 5, 2024 |

Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy | from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | July 5, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) |

NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS | https://novenaprayer.com/novena-to-the-precious-blood-of-jesus/ (When to begin: Any time – The whole month of July)

Today’s Bible Readings: Friday, July 5, 2024
Reading 1, Amos 8:4-6, 9-12
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 119:2, 10, 20, 30, 40, 131
Gospel, Matthew 9:9-13

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT ANTHONY MARY ZACCARIA, PRIEST; SAINT ATHANASIUS THE ATHONITE, ABBOT AND SAINT ZOE OF ROME, MARTYR ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 5TH Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Priest; Saint Athanasius the Athonite, Abbot and
Saint Zoe of Rome, Martyr. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancer and other terminal diseases. We pray for the poor, the needy and most marginalized, for justice, peace and unity in our families and our world. And we continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world.🙏

SAINT ANTHONY MARY ZACCARIA, PRIEST: St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 – 1539) is a renowned Priest, preacher and promoter of Eucharistic adoration, he founded the order of priests now known as the Barnabites. St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria was born into an Italian family of nobility in Cremona during 1502. His father Lazzaro died shortly after Anthony’s birth, and his mother Antonietta – though only 18 years old – chose not to marry again, preferring to devote herself to charitable works and her son’s education. Antonietta succeeded in compensating for her son’s loss, and saw to it that he received a solid training, inculcating, in him compassion for the poor and afflicted. St. Anthony took after her in devotion to God and generosity toward the poor. He studied Latin and Greek with tutors in his youth, and was afterward sent to Pavia to study philosophy. He went on to study Medicine at University of Padua and returned home to Cremona at age of twenty-two as a full-fledged physician. Despite his noble background and secular profession, the young doctor had no intention of either marrying or accumulating wealth. But he quickly realized that his vocation consisted in healing souls as well as bodies. While caring for the physical conditions of his patients, he also encouraged them to find spiritual healing through repentance and the sacraments. At the same time, he assisted the dying spiritually, taught catechism to children, and went on to participate in the religious formation of young adults and placed himself completely at the service of everyone. Accordingly, the devoted young man studied Theology but continued to practice Medicine. He eventually decided to withdraw from the practice of medicine, and with the encouragement of his spiritual director he began to study for the priesthood and was ordained a priest at age 26 in 1528. St. Anthony is said to have experienced a miraculous occurrence during his first Mass, being surrounded by a supernatural light and a multitude of angels during the consecration of the Eucharist. Contemporary witnesses marveled at the event, and testified to it after his death.

Church life in Cremona had suffered decline in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The new priest encountered widespread ignorance and religious indifference among laypersons, while many of the clergy were either weak or corrupt. In these dire circumstances, St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria devoted his life to proclaiming the truths of the Gospel both clearly and charitably. Within two years, his eloquent preaching and tireless pastoral care is said to have changed the moral character of the city dramatically. St. Anthony was encouraged to go to Milan where there were greater opportunities for serving his fellowman. In 1530, St. Anthony moved to Milan, where a similar spirit of corruption and religious neglect prevailed. There, he joined the Confraternity of Eternal Wisdom whose purpose was to carry out various works of mercy, St. Anthony and two other zealous priests decided to form a priestly society, the Clerics Regular of St. Paul, a congregation of priests to help regenerate and revive the love of Divine worship and a proper Christian way of life by frequent preaching and faithful administration of the Sacraments. The early members of the Order of Clerks Regular of St. Paul banded with St. Anthony to minister night and day to the people of Milan, who were stricken by wars, plague, and neglect of the clergy. Inspired by the apostle’s life and writings, the order was founded on a vision of humility, asceticism, poverty, and preaching. After the founder’s death, they were entrusted with a prominent church named for St. Barnabas, and became commonly known as the “Barnabites.” The priest with help of Luigia Torelli, Countess of Guastella, founded a community of women religious order called the Angelicals, the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul; with the aim of rescuing fallen women and girls and those in danger of falling into sin; and an organization, the Laity of St. Paul, geared toward the sanctification of those outside the priesthood and religious life. He pioneered the “40 Hours” devotion, involving continuous prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. St. Anthony was a zealous and untiring preacher and completely wore himself out at this work. In 1539, at length, after many labors, he fell grievously sick at Guastalla, and returned to his mother’s house in Cremona and died there amid the tears of his religious and in the embrace of his pious mother, whose approaching death he foretold. He died on July 5, 1539, during the liturgical octave of the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul at thirty-seven, worn out by his many labors. At the hour of his death he was consoled by a vision of the apostles, and prophesied the future growth of his Society. The people began immediately to show their devotion to this saint on account of his great holiness and of his numerous miracles. Nearly three decades after his death, St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria’s body was found to be incorrupt. He was Beatified by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1849, and his cult was approved by Leo XIII, who solemnly Canonized him on Ascension Day, 1897.

St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria Quote: “We manifest our love for God in our observance of His commandments and in our readiness to obey, even His smallest decree.” 

PRAYER: Lord, grant us, in the spirit of St. Paul the Apostle, to learn the knowledge of Jesus Christ, which surpasses all understanding. Taught by this knowledge, St. Anthony continually preached the word of salvation in Your Church. Amen 🙏

SAINT ATHANASIUS THE ATHONITE, ABBOT: St. Athanasius the Athonite (c. 920 – c. 1003), was a Byzantine monk who in 963 founded the monastic community on the peninsula Mount Athos, which has since evolved into the greatest centre of Eastern Orthodox monasticism – but only after he had overcome the opposition of the hermits who were there first. St. Athanasius, also called Athanasios of Trebizond, was born on c. 920; Trebizond, Byzantine Empire and his parents were from Antioch. He was patronized by Michael Maleinos, he studied at Constantinople and became famous there as Abraham, a fervent preacher who held great authority with Michael’s nephew, Nicephoros Phocas. By the time Phocas ascended the imperial throne, Abraham, ill at ease with the lax morals of the monks living in the capital, changed his name to Athanasios and joined the monks at Mount Kyminas in Bithynia. In 958, he relocated to Mount Athos. He helped defend the hermits, or sketes, there against the Saracens, and also started to incorporate the sketes already there into what would eventually become known as the Great Lavra, which Athanasios built with the financial assistance of Nicephoros. This monastery was dedicated in 963. It is still in use today, and is often referred to by people of the area simply as “Lavra”, or “The Monastery”. Three other foundations followed shortly thereafter, with all three of them remaining in place to the present. Athanasios met with considerable opposition from the hermits already at Mount Athos in the construction of his monasteries. They resented his intrusion and his attempts to bring order and discipline to their lives.

Upon Nicephoros’ death the enemies of Athanasios prevailed and he had to leave Athos for Cyprus, where he lived until the new emperor, John Tzimisces, resumed the patronage of the Great Lavra and bestowed upon the monastery its first charter in 971. Athanasios, spurred by a divine vision, returned at once to Athos as a hegumen (abbot) and introduced a typicon for cenobites, based on those compiled by Theodore Studites and Basil of Caesarea. In the words of Athanasius’s biographer, “Trebizonde witnessed his birth (about 920), Byzantium enabled him to grow spiritually, and Kyminas and Athos rendered him pleasing to God.” He died in c. 1003 at Mount Athos during an accident, killed by a falling masonry, when the cupola of his church collapsed. Upon his death, Athanasios was glorified as a saint. His feast day is July 5.

PRAYER: Lord, amid the things of this world, let us be wholeheartedly committed to heavenly things in imitation of the example of evangelical perfection You have given us in St. Athanasius. Amen🙏

SAINT ZOE OF ROME, MARTYR: St. Zoe of Rome (d. 286 A.D.) lived during the early stages of Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians, around the 280s AD. She was a noble woman in the imperial court of Rome, married to a high Roman court official named Nicostratus during the reign of the infamous Emperor Diocletian. But even that status didn’t save her from Diocletian’s wrath. Something miraculous happened to St. Zoe, for an unknown reason, Zoe couldn’t speak for six years, she suffered from a condition that left her unable to speak; when she met St. Sebastian she fell at his feet so that he would heal her. St. Sebastian made the Sign of the Cross over her, and from that moment her speech miraculously returned,  she began to speak and glorify God. As she was being healed she had a vision of an angel standing next to St. Sebastian holding a book in which was written everything that St. Sebastian preached. Her first words were ones of thanks and praise to God, and many witnesses of the miracle were brought to faith in Christ. St. Zoe and her husband then received baptism at the hands of St. Polycarp, along with many others who had come to believe in Christ through St. Sebastian’s miracles. Of this new group of Christians, St. Zoe was the first to be martyred for her faith.

She was also greatly devoted to St. Peter the Apostle. Diocletian’s henchmen found her praying at his tomb one day and arrested her. She was martyred by being hung from a tree branch by her hair, with a fire lit underneath her feet. St. Zoe died of asphyxiation (not by burning to death). After her death her body was thrown into the Tiber River. Apparently, the symbolism of the Tiber was lost on Diocletian and his henchmen as “swimming the Tiber” is an analogy for converting to Catholicism and being thrown in the Tiber is a symbol of baptism. St. Zoe then appeared in a vision to St. Sebastian, who was in prison awaiting his execution, to tell him of her martyrdom and subsequent glory. St. Zoe of Rome’s feast day is July 5th.

[Worthy of note: in Greek, zoë means life, as does bios. However! Bios refers to the biological life or physical and modal life. Zoë, on the other hand, refers to the spiritual life or a sense of transcendence. When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” the word for life used was zoë.]

Saint Zoe of Rome, Martyr ~ Pray for us 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 9:9-13

“Those who are well do not need a physician; I desire mercy, not sacrifice”

“As Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Today’s Gospel reading details the story of the calling of Levi, the tax collector by the Lord Jesus. Levi decided to follow the Lord, leaving behind his post at the tax collector’s office and committing himself to be a disciple of the Lord. He would henceforth be known as Matthew, and as with other people who changed their names in the other parts of the Scriptures, like Abraham, Jacob, Peter and Paul, this name change indicated the new life and path which Levi had committed himself to take, by which he embraced the Lord fully, and becoming Matthew, a committed disciple and servant of God, a member of the Twelve Apostles and later on as one of the Four Evangelists. The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law were quick to criticise the Lord when He went to have dinner with Levi and the other tax collectors, as at the time, the tax collectors were widely seen as traitors to the nation and the people of God for their role in collecting taxes on behalf of the rulers and the Romans. They were also seen as sinners and people who were unworthy of God’s grace and salvation, and as common at the time, no one especially the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law would associate themselves with those considered as sinners, like the tax collectors, the prostitutes and those afflicted with certain illnesses and diseases, because they could make them to be considered unclean as well.

The Pharisees ask a question about Jesus, ‘Why does Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ Why does Jesus share table, enter into communion, with people whom many religious people of the time would have shunned. The answer to that question is that Jesus’ primary mission was to reveal God’s mercy and forgiveness to those who had sinned in some way. The word of God in the prophet Hosea which Jesus quotes in today’s Gospel reading inspired Jesus and shaped His mission, ‘What I want is mercy, not sacrifice’. God is a merciful God who showers Him mercy upon all and who looks to those who have received God’s mercy to extend it to others. Jesus is comfortable in the company of those who were classified as ‘sinners’ at the time because they were seen to be breaking God’s Law. Jesus wanted them to know that God was more interested in their future than in their past. When Jesus saw Matthew, He saw Matthew’s future, not just his past. Matthew may have exploited his own people to enrich himself, as tax collectors often did at that time, but Jesus saw his potential to be a true disciple. Indeed, Matthew went on to become one of the twelve Jesus gathered about Himself, and would give His name to one of the four Gospels. Our failings do not drive Jesus away. On the contrary, they can bring Him closer to us, if we acknowledge them and open our hearts to the boundless mercy He offers us. The church is a community of forgiven sinners. All of us always stand in need of God’s forgiveness. Jesus shows us that God’s forgiveness is in plentiful supply, if we only acknowledge our need of it. The call of Matthew shows us that the Lord continues to call us into communion with Himself, regardless of how often we might have broken communion with Him in the past.

Our first reading today is the continuation of the reading from the Book of the prophet Amos which we have heard in the past one week or so, in which the prophet spoke of the Lord’s words to His people, the Israelites living in the northern kingdom, also known as Israel, who have disobeyed and disregarded His Law and commandments. The prophet Amos was sent to the people of Israel during the last years of the existence of the northern kingdom of Israel to bring about God’s warning and the revelation of the fate that would soon befall all those people who had hardened their hearts and acted wickedly for so many years in refusing to believe in God and persecuting the many prophets and messengers which God had sent them constantly to help and guide them in their path. God thus spoke through the prophet Amos, chastising those same people of their many sins and wickedness, according to our first reading today, stating how they had behaved inappropriately as God’s holy and beloved people by manipulating and exploiting the weak and the less privileged for their own personal benefits and ambitions, through their self-serving attitudes and actions, all of which had brought about a lot of misery and hardships for others, leading to more and more wicked actions and things that were truly unbecoming of a people whom God had called and chosen to be His own people. And the Lord also told His people that they were to be chastised and punished so that they might see the errors of their ways, and thus, hopefully that they could then turn away from those sins and wickedness before it was too late for them.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all called to abandon our past sinful way of life and embrace from now on, God’s righteousness and virtues in our lives, in each and every one of our actions, words and deeds. We are all reminded that if we continue to walk in the path of sin and disobedience against God, and if we continue to allow the darkness of this world to mislead and bring us down the path to ruin, then in the end, we will regret our choice and path. The Lord reminded us all that we have been called by Him and given the opportunity to embrace His love and generous mercy, but we must also be willing to make the commitment and to embrace wholeheartedly this love and mercy, or else, we will continue to be separated from Him. Let us all therefore continue to do our part in following the Lord ever more faithfully, in doing His will and obeying His Law and commandments at all times. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the Lord continue to help and guide us in our journey throughout life, to do what He has entrusted to us to do. May He continue to bless us all in our every good efforts, works and endeavours, and help us to be His faithful and committed disciples in all things and may we do our very best to be inspiration and role models to one another, so that we may help to bring God’s truth, love and salvation to more and more people out there, as genuine Christians, now and always. Amen🙏

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY:

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The feast of the Precious Blood of our Lord was instituted in 1849 by Pius IX, but the devotion is as old as Christianity. The early Fathers say that the Church was born from the pierced side of Christ, and that the sacraments were brought forth through His Blood.

“The Precious Blood which we worship is the Blood which the Savior shed for us on Calvary and reassumed at His glorious Resurrection; it is the Blood which courses through the veins of His risen, glorified, living body at the right hand of God the Father in heaven; it is the Blood made present on our altars by the words of Consecration; it is the Blood which merited sanctifying grace for us and through it washes and beautifies our soul and inaugurates the beginning of eternal life in it.”

PRECIOUS BLOOD PRAYER: Almighty, and everlasting God, who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvation, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us for ever hereafter in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord.
Amen 🙏🏾

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2024: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY – FOR THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2024

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

We have tried so many times and over so many years to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms. How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced; how much blood has been shed; how many lives have been shattered; how many hopes have been buried… But our efforts have beķķen in vain. Now, Lord, come to our ajnid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”; “With war everything is lost”. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love, you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters. Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace; enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister. Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace, our trepidation into confident trust, and our quarreling into forgiveness. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph at last, and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war” be banished from the heart of every man and woman. Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands. Renew our hearts and minds, so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”, and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen🙏

During this Ordinary Time, please let us all continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. Amen 🙏

Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

PRAYER INTENTIONS: During this season of the Ordinary Time, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for our children and children all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being, we particularly pray for those who have no one to care for them and those who are terminally ill, we pray for God’s Divine healing upon them. Every life is a gift. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle soul of our beloved family members who recently passed away and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. For all widows and widowers. And we continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Bishops, the Clergy and all those who preach the Gospel. We pray for Vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life. We particularly pray for all Youths and all Seminarians, with special intention for those Seminarians who will be ordained into Priesthood. For the Church, for persecuted Christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners and Christians all over the world. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My forgiving Lord, You are the Divine Physician Who has come to forgive and heal all of our ills. Remove my pride and self-righteousness so that I can be filled with humility and see clearly the sin in my life. As I see my sin, help me to turn to You and to trust in Your abundant mercy. You came for sinners, dear Lord, and I am one of those sinners in need. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and Most Precious Blood of Jesus, have mercy on us. Our Most Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria; Saint Athanasius the Athonite and Saint Zoe of Rome, Martyr ~ Pray for us🙏

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for justice, peace, love, and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all. Have a blessed, safe, and relaxing weekend 🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena💖