Author: Resa

  • Catholic Dailly Mass

    Holy Mass & Rosary for the Election of the Pope – May 7, 2025

    Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | May 7, 2025 |

    Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | May 7, 2025 |

    Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” |

  • CONCLAVE 2025 |

    CONCLAVE 2025 |

    Watch “CONCLAVE 2025: HOLY MASS “PRO ELIGENDO ROMANO PONTIFICE” | ELECTION OF THE ROMAN PONTIFF | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL GIOVANNI BATTISTA RE | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | MAY 7, 2025 |

    Live from St. Peter’s Basilica, Holy Mass “Pro Eligendo Romano Pontifice” (“for the election of the Roman Pontiff” presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

    PAPAL CONCLAVE 2025: THE SECOND SMOKE | FUMATA OF THE CONCLAVE | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | MAY 8, 2025 |

    Live from St. Peter’s Square as the world watches the second fumata (smoke signal) of the 2025 Conclave. Cardinals from around the world are gathered in the Sistine Chapel, united in prayer and discernment, to choose the next Successor of St. Peter. The color of smoke rising from the chimney signals whether or not a new Pope is elected.

    One hundred thirty three cardinals gathered again on Thursday in the Sistine Chapel, where they’ve been casting their ballots to make one among them the next leader of the Catholic Church’s more than 1 billion members worldwide. Candidates need a two-thirds majority, or 89 votes to be elected. The cardinals failed to find a winner on the first ballot on Wednesday as black smoke—fumata nera—poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney. They will have two ballots in the morning and then two in the afternoon until a winner is found.

    Black smoke—fumata nera in Italian—again rose from the chapel chimney on Thursday morning, signifying the end of the second round of voting—and three ballots—with no consensus. A successful candidate to replace Pope Francis, who died April 21, will require the two-thirds majority of the voting cardinals.

    When the cardinals succeed, white smoke—fumata bianca—will rise, and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica will ring out in joyful announcement: Habemus Papam!

    WAITING FOR THE SMOKE | FIRST FUMATA OF THE CONCLAVE | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | MAY 7, 2025 |

    Live from St. Peter’s Square as the world watches the first fumata (smoke signal) of the 2025 Conclave. Cardinals from around the world are gathered in the Sistine Chapel, united in prayer and discernment, to choose the next Successor of St. Peter. The smoke determines the signal whether or not a new Pope is elected.

    PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS AND SUCESS OF THE CONCLAVE

    With the passing of Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul. As the Papal Conclave to elect the next Roman Pontiff begins today we join in praying for the success of the selection of our next Pope and for the College of Cardinals as they embark on their sacred duty to elect Pope Francis’ successor:

    Heavenly Father, You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis, and now You have called him to Yourself. We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy. For his lifelong service, we thank You. For his care for the poor and marginalized, we thank You. For his witness to simplicity, we thank You. In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin. Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence. Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence, into which we all long to be drawn. Protect Your Church in this time of transition. Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty. Grant them Wisdom and Courage, Hope and Charity, and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.

    Father Most Holy, our God and King, Creator of all that was, is, and is to come – You alone know the heart of the one You have chosen as the successor to Pope Francis. Reveal Your will to the College of Cardinals. Open their hearts to Your inspirations. Open our hearts to receive, with faith and obedience, the one whom You will raise up to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter. May he be a man of deepest compassion, a man of profound faith and hope, a man whose charity shines forth, permeating the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. You are God Most High, the God of the living and the dead, the Great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, Eternal Being and Source of all that is. May Your holy will be done, now and forever. Amen. Alleluia.

    Merciful and loving God, We entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.

    Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽

    Learn more about the Novendiales (Nine days of mourning) in the Papal Interregnum article below:

    PAPAL INTERREGNUM (VACANCY OF THE APOSTOLIC SEE) | EWTN | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/papal-interregnum/

    Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

  • SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY MAY 7TH

    SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY MAY 7TH

    MEMORIAL OF SAINT ROSA VENERINI, RELIGIOUS AND BLESSED GISELE, WIDOW ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 7TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint  Rosa Venerini, Religious and Blessed Gisele, Widow. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the poor and the needy, we pray for all mothers and women all over the world, we pray for their health, safety and well-being. We also pray for all youths and all teachers that they may be good examples to their students.

    SAINT ROSA VENERINI, RELIGIOUS: St. Rosa (February 9, 1656 – May 7, 1728) also known as St. Rose, recently-canonized Italian educator who founded Catholic schools for girls and young women during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Saint Rosa Venerini lived consumed by two great passions: passion for God and passion for the salvation of souls. She was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 15, 2006, who spoke in his canonization homily of her courageous work for “the spiritual elevation and authentic emancipation of the young women of her time.” Her work is continued today by the “Venerini Sisters.”

    St. Rose Venerini was born in the central Italian city of Viterbo on February 9, 1656, she was the daughter of an accomplished pious doctor, Goffredo, who raised four children with his admirable wife,  Marzia. At the age of seven she made a vow to consecrate her life to God. However, tjis resolution was tested during her adolescence. She was later conflicted between her vow and living in the world. At the age of 20 she knew she must make a decision between marriage and the cloister, the only two options available to women of her day, both of which she esteemed. After much prayer and suffering she entered a monastery. St. Rosa briefly joined a Dominican women’s community during 1676, but returned home to comfort her mother after her father, Goffredo’s unexpected death. One of Rosa’s brothers, Domenico, also died at age 27. Her mother, Marzia was heartbroken and died within months. In the wake of these family crises, St. Rosa invited local women to her home to pray the Rosary in a group. However, she was soon dismayed by the deficiencies she saw in their education and religious formation. This eye-opening experience shaped Rosa’s future, pointing her toward her ultimate vocation in the field of teaching. In 1685, with the help of two friends and the approval of her local bishop, Rosa opened Italy’s first public school for girls. It was supported by some Church and state officials, though others resisted an educational model that was, for its time, unconventional. Many of these critics were silenced by the school’s clear success in uplifting the character of young women. St. Rosa left Viterbo and founded ten schools in the Diocese of Montefiascone between 1692 and 1694. She also trained a local successor, the future Saint Lucia Filippini. Only after several years, and one disappointing failed attempt, did Rosa manage to start a school in Rome, during 1713. Three years later, Pope Clement XI paid a visit accompanied by eight cardinals. Witnessing the work of Rosa Venerini’s teachers, the Pope personally thanked her, declaring: “With these schools you will sanctify Rome.”

    The acceptance of Rosa’s work also increased her daily responsibilities. Governors and cardinals asked her to open schools in their areas. She undertook difficult journeys for the sake of her work, while maintaining a strong prayer life that kept her oriented toward God’s will in all of her undertakings. Spiritual direction from Jesuit priests helped her to combine an active apostolate with a life of contemplative prayer. She cultivated a close daily relationship to God while working to found over 40 schools. Over the course of her life she opened 40 schools across Italy dedicated to the education and promotion of women for the uplifting and ennobling of society. St. Rosa Venerini’s last illness came to an end during the evening of May 7, 1728 at the age of seventy-two. Her religious congregation, known in Italian as the “Maistre pie Venerini,” maintains an international presence. After having made its contribution to the Italian immigrants to the USA from 1909 and in Switzerland from 1971 to 1985, the Congregation extended its apostolic activity to other lands: India, Brazil, Cameroon, Romania, Albania, Chile, Venezuela and Nigeria. “Educate to save” became her motto. Her feast day is May 7th. 

    PRAYER: O God, who raised up blessed Rose Venerini in your Church to show others the way of salvation, grant us, by her example, so to follow Christ the master, that we may come with our neighbor into your presence. 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 🙏🏽

    BLESSED GISELE, WIDOW: Blessed Gisele also known as Gisela of Hungary or Gisele, Gizella of Bavaria (c. 985 – May 7, 1065) was the first queen consort of Hungary by marriage to Stephen I of Hungary, and the sister of Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor. Blessed Gisele was given in marriage to St. Stephen of Hungary in 1008. She bore his a son, who went on to become St. Emeric, and fully supported him in his work of evangelization. Blessed Gisela had great influence on the conversion of the Hungarians. After the death of her husband, Blessed Gisele retired to the Benedictine Abbey of Niederburg (later becoming its Abbess) and spent her time in prayer and self-denial until her death on May 7, 1065.

    PRAYER: God, You inspired Blessed Gisele to strive for perfect charity and so attain Your Kingdom at the end of her pilgrimage on earth. Strengthen us through her intercession that we may advance rejoicing in the way of love… Amen 🙏🏽

  • Catholic Daily Mass

    Holy Mass & Rosary for the Upcoming Conclave – May 6, 2025

    Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | May 6, 2025 |

    Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | May 6, 2025 |

    Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” |

  • MEMORIAL OF SAINT GOTHARD,  BISHOP; SAINT JUDITH (JUTTA) OF PRUSSIA, RELIGIOUS; SAINT ANGELUS OF JERUSALEM,  PRIEST AND MARTYR AND BLESSED CATERINA CITTADINI, RELIGIOUS

    MEMORIAL OF SAINT GOTHARD,  BISHOP; SAINT JUDITH (JUTTA) OF PRUSSIA, RELIGIOUS; SAINT ANGELUS OF JERUSALEM,  PRIEST AND MARTYR AND BLESSED CATERINA CITTADINI, RELIGIOUS

    MONDAY THIRD WEEK OF EASTER

    SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MAY 5, 2025

    MEMORIAL OF SAINT GOTHARD,  BISHOP; SAINT JUDITH (JUTTA) OF PRUSSIA, RELIGIOUS; SAINT ANGELUS OF JERUSALEM,  PRIEST AND MARTYR AND BLESSED CATERINA CITTADINI, RELIGIOUS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

    (Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Gothard, Saint Judith of Prussia, Saint Angelus of Jerusalem, and Blessed Caterina Cittadini | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-may-5th/ )

    Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary for the Upcoming Conclave | EWTN | May 5, 2025 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-62/

    Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Monday of the Third Week of Easter!

    May this new week be filled with peace, joy, and the renewed hope that comes from Christ’s Resurrection. Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of our hands 🙏🏽

    The entire month of May is dedicated to our beloved Mother Mary, the Mother of God. As we continue to rejoice in the victory of Christ’s Resurrection, we give heartfelt thanks to God for the gift of life and for bringing us safely into the new month of May. May this Easter season renew our strength, deepen our faith, and fill our hearts with the peace of the Risen Lord. May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for us and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Easter. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, blessed start to the month. Amen 🙏🏽

    NOVENDIALES MASSES FOR POPE FRANCIS | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/funeral-mass-of-pope-francis/

    Learn more about the Novendiales (Nine days of mourning) in the Papal Interregnum article below:

    PAPAL INTERREGNUM (VACANCY OF THE APOSTOLIC SEE) | EWTN | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/papal-interregnum/

    Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

    Daily Reflections with Philomena | Prayer for the Soul of Pope Francis | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/precious-in-the-sight-of-the-lord-is-the-death-of-his-saints-psalm-11615/

    PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS AND SUCESS OF THE CONCLAVE

    With the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for the College of Cardinals as they embark on their sacred duty to elect Pope Francis’ successor:

    Heavenly Father, You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis, and now You have called him to Yourself. We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy. For his lifelong service, we thank You. For his care for the poor and marginalized, we thank You. For his witness to simplicity, we thank You. In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin. Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence. Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence, into which we all long to be drawn. Protect Your Church in this time of transition. Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty. Grant them Wisdom and Courage, Hope and Charity, and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.

    Father Most Holy, our God and King, Creator of all that was, is, and is to come – You alone know the heart of the one You have chosen as the successor to Pope Francis. Reveal Your will to the College of Cardinals. Open their hearts to Your inspirations. Open our hearts to receive, with faith and obedience, the one whom You will raise up to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter. May he be a man of deepest compassion, a man of profound faith and hope, a man whose charity shines forth, permeating the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. You are God Most High, the God of the living and the dead, the Great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, Eternal Being and Source of all that is. May Your holy will be done, now and forever. Amen. Alleluia.

    Merciful and loving God, We entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.

    Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽

    On this special feast day, as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the sick and dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, especially for our Holy Father, POPE FRANCIS, all those who died today, and all the faithful departed may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

    “Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

    PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽

    As we journey through the radiant days of the Easter season, today we commemorate four holy souls Saint Gothard (patron of travelers and builders), Saint Judith of Prussia (patroness of widows and contemplatives), Saint Angelus of Jerusalem (patron of Palermo and invoked against evil spirits), and Blessed Caterina Cittadini (patroness of orphaned children and Christian educators). Each, in their unique vocation, bore witness to Christ through devotion, sacrifice, and fidelity to the Gospel.Through their intercession, we pray for all widows and orphans, travelers, priests, teachers, and those discerning a deeper call to prayer and service. May God bless all who spread the Good News and protect those who suffer for their faith.

    DAILY REFLECTIONS WITH PHILOMENA | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

    Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/

    Watch “HOLY MASS ON THE JUBILEE OF THE SICK AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS | Presided by H.E. Most Rev. Rino Fisichella | Live from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican | April 6, 2025” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/06/holy-mass-on-the-jubilee-of-the-sick-and-healthcare-workers/

    WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/

    Honoring a Legacy of Service: The 10th Memorial Anniversary of Late Noble (Sir) Gabriel Louis Ihieje Opiepe (KSJI) | https://gliopiepehe.org/2025/04/12/honoring-a-legacy-of-service-the-10th-memorial-anniversary-of-late-noble-sir-gabriel-louis-ihieje-opiepe-ksji/

    THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

    (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

    Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/

    Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/

    PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

    Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

    A PRAYER FOR PEACE : Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏🏽

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

    SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

    Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Monday of the Third Week of Easter | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

    Today’s Bible Readings: Monday of the Third Week of Easter | Monday, May 5, 2025
    Reading 1, Acts 6:8-15
    Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30
    Gospel, John 6:22-29

    Gospel Reading ~ John 6:22-29

    “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” ~ John 6:27

    “[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, His disciples saw Him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with His disciples in the boat, but only His disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found Him across the sea they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” So they said to Him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

    In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus presents Himself as the only one who can truly satisfy the deeper, spiritual, hunger in our lives. Jesus makes a distinction between food that cannot last and food that endures to eternal life. He had just fed the people in the wilderness with bread and fish; He was very aware that people’s physical hunger needed to be satisfied. As the people continued to look for more of this physical food, Jesus called on them to look for food that endures to eternal life, food that satisfies the deepest hunger in our lives. Jesus has come not just to give people physical food but to give them the spiritual food of God’s presence, God’s life and God’s Spirit. The Gospel reminds us that, while the physical and material is vital because we are physical and material beings, our searching must not stop at the physical and the material. There is a great deal more to life than the satisfaction of our physical needs. We have deeper, spiritual hungers and thirsts as well that we need to attend to if we are to live a truly balanced life and be at peace within ourselves. In the Gospel reading Jesus offers Himself to us as the one who offers us the food that endures to eternal life. We cannot ignore our physical hunger; when we are hungry, we eat. We can ignore those deeper hungers which Jesus alone can satisfy. This is why He draws attention so strongly in today’s Gospel to the importance of working for the food that endures to eternal life. Our Lord Jesus can satisfy the deepest hungers and thirsts in our hearts. Our seeking must ultimately be directed towards Him; it cannot stop at or be satisfied with anything less.

    Reflecting further on today’s Gospel reading, Jesus challenges the crowd to examine their motives. After experiencing the miracle of the loaves, they pursue Him not for deeper faith, but to receive more material satisfaction. Jesus responds with a wake-up call: Do not work for food that perishes. His words pierce through human desires to reveal a deeper hunger one that only He can satisfy. The true “work of God,” Jesus says, is not in our striving, but in believing in the One He has sent. We are invited to shift our focus from fleeting comforts to the eternal nourishment that comes from trusting in Christ. Our faith is not transactional; it is transformative.

    In our first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, St. Stephen, one of the first seven holy Deacons of the Church, appointed to assist in the works and mission of the Church, was confronted by those who opposed the Lord and His teachings, as they debated about the things which St. Stephen has been proclaiming and teaching to the people, regarding the truth and the Good News of the Lord, as well as His Resurrection from the dead. St. Stephen spoke with great wisdom, courage and strength despite all the challenges and the plotting against him. His opponents even bribed people to give false testimonies and accusations against St. Stephen, twisting the truth and the words that the Lord Himself has spoken, accusing St. Stephen for spreading the teachings of the Lord Jesus among the people. Those people were trying hard to drive the sentiments of the assembly and the members of the Sanhedrin to go against St. Stephen, with efforts and attempts to discredit the servant of God and to persecute him. However, no matter whatever accusations and falsehoods they tried to blame on him, St. Stephen, empowered, strengthened and guided by the Holy Spirit, full of the Wisdom of God, broke through all of their arguments and wicked falsehoods, and he refuted all of their nonsense arguments and lies. As mentioned in the first reading today, St. Stephen’s face appeared before all the assembled people like as if the face of an Angel, a manifestation of the great strength, power and Wisdom that the Lord has bestowed upon Him through the Holy Spirit. As mentioned, this was one proof of how the Lord never abandoned His faithful ones in their hour of need.

    Reflecting further on the first reading, St. Stephen, filled with grace and power, stands as a courageous witness to the truth. Despite opposition, false accusations, and hostility, his wisdom and Spirit cannot be overcome. What’s striking is the description of his face radiant like that of an angel. This shows us that even in trials, a soul anchored in Christ reflects peace, purity, and divine strength. Like Stephen, we are called to bear witness with both courage and gentleness, even when truth is met with resistance.

    Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist delights in the law of the Lord, even when faced with opposition. The heart of someone who loves God’s Word finds stability, counsel, and peace in His commandments. When surrounded by voices of deceit or rejection, the psalm urges us to choose the “way of truth” and remain steadfast.

    Am I pursuing Jesus out of love or merely for what He can give me? What “perishable food” am I chasing in my daily life comfort, approval, wealth? How can I more fully believe in Jesus and make Him the center of my desires? Do I radiate His peace, like Stephen, even when faced with trials? Let us not settle for temporary fulfillment but strive for the food that endures the life of grace, the truth of God’s Word, and the abiding presence of Christ. Faith is the true work we are called to embrace today. Amen. 🙏🏽

    As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, all of us are reminded of our calling as Christians to be the disciples and followers of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Risen Messiah, and to proclaim His Resurrection, His truth and love to all the people of all the nations. We are also reminded that in doing our mission and calling, in our ministry and life as Christians, there may be hurdles, trials and obstacles facing us, and yet we have to stay strong and devout in faith, and we should not lose faith and hope because the Lord is and has always, and will always ever be with us, journeying with us by our side. All of us are reminded that we all should stay by the Lord and remain truly faithful to Him, and to trust always in His guidance and providence for us. We must believe in Him and follow Him, even if things in life go against us, and that is what we are being reminded this day. Let us therefore by the examples showed by the faithful servants of God, the many saints and martyrs who have gone before us, especially that of St. Stephen and all the Saints we celebrate today. Let us all be inspired by their trust and faith in the Lord, and their humility and willingness to allow the Lord to lead them in the right path, as they carried out their ministry faithfully. Let us all be inspired and strengthened by them, be courageous and strong in our faith. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, be with us all and may He bless us all in our every good endeavours, efforts and works, always. Amen 🙏🏽

    Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life, the food that endures forever. Help me to seek You not for earthly gain, but for the eternal joy of knowing and loving You. Teach me to recognize the deeper hunger in my soul and to believe in You more deeply each day. Strengthen me like Stephen to be a bold and faithful witness, even in difficulty. Let Your Word be my delight and guide. Amen. 🙏🏽

    MEMORIAL OF SAINT GOTHARD, BISHOP; SAINT JUDITH (JUTTA) OF PRUSSIA, RELIGIOUS; SAINT ANGELUS OF JERUSALEM, PRIEST AND MARTYR; AND BLESSED CATERINA CITTADINI, RELIGIOUS ~ FEAST DAY – MAY 5TH: As we journey through the radiant days of the Easter season, today we commemorate four holy souls Saint Gothard (patron of travelers and builders), Saint Judith of Prussia (patroness of widows and contemplatives), Saint Angelus of Jerusalem (patron of Palermo and invoked against evil spirits), and Blessed Caterina Cittadini (patroness of orphaned children and Christian educators). Each, in their unique vocation, bore witness to Christ through devotion, sacrifice, and fidelity to the Gospel.Through their intercession, we pray for all widows and orphans, travelers, priests, teachers, and those discerning a deeper call to prayer and service. May God bless all who spread the Good News and protect those who suffer for their faith.

    Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | May 5th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

    (Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Gothard, Saint Judith of Prussia, Saint Angelus of Jerusalem, and Blessed Caterina Cittadini | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-may-5th/)

    SAINT GOTHARD, BISHOP (960–1038): Patron of traveling merchants; invoked against childhood illness, childbirth pains, gout, and fever. St. Gothard was a German Benedictine monk and reformer who served as the Bishop of Hildesheim. Born in Reichersdorf, Bavaria, he rose from humble origins to become a spiritual architect of monastic and diocesan reform. As abbot, he revitalized monasteries and nurtured future abbots. Later, as bishop, he restored churches, promoted education, and built hospices for the poor and sick.

    His enduring legacy includes his association with the Saint Gotthard Pass, a route through the Alps that bears his name. Canonized in 1131 by Pope Innocent II, St. Gothard is remembered for his leadership, wisdom, and profound compassion.

    PRAYER: O God, who made Saint Gothard a zealous shepherd of your people, grant that through his intercession, we may walk in steadfast faith, serve with fervent charity, and inherit the glory of the saints in light. Guide all travelers and protect those who build and restore both sacred and human lives. Amen. 🙏🏽

    SAINT JUDITH (JUTTA) OF PRUSSIA, RELIGIOUS (c. 1200–1260): Patron Saint of Prussia and widows. Saint Judith of Prussia (13th century), also known as Jutta, was a noblewoman from Thuringia who became a Franciscan tertiary and later a hermitess in Prussia. Inspired by Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, she embraced simplicity, charity, and deep penance. After raising a family whose members entered religious life, she dedicated herself to caring for the sick and poor especially lepers and eventually withdrew to a life of prayer and solitude for the conversion of pagans in Prussia.

    Her life of hidden holiness bore fruit in numerous posthumous miracles, and she remains a model of faith for widows, mothers, and contemplatives.

    PRAYER: O God, who called Saint Judith to serve You in silence and solitude, grant that we too may find strength in hidden sacrifice and embrace the crosses of our lives with peace and hope. May widows and the forgotten be comforted through her prayers. Amen. 🙏🏽

    SAINT ANGELUS OF JERUSALEM, PRIEST AND MARTYR (1185–1220): Patron invoked against plagues; model of forgiveness and zeal. Born in 1185 to a Jewish family in Jerusalem, Saint Angelus converted to Christianity with his family and later joined the Carmelites. A gifted preacher and miracle-worker, he lived in deep contemplation on Mount Carmel before being sent to Italy to preach against heresies. He became known for his miraculous healings, conversions, and fearless proclamation of truth.

    Saint Angelus foretold Saint Francis of Assisi’s stigmata and was martyred in 1220 for confronting sinful living. Even in death, he imitated Christ praying for his murderer’s forgiveness. He was canonized in 1459 by Pope Pius II.

    PRAYER: Almighty God, who strengthened Saint Angelus to proclaim the truth even unto death, grant us courage to stand firm in faith. Defend us against all evil and make us witnesses of Your light in a darkened world. Amen. 🙏🏽

    BLESSED CATERINA CITTADINI, RELIGIOUS (1801–1857): Educator and Founder of the Ursuline Sisters of Saint Jerome Emiliani. Orphaned at a young age and raised by Ursuline sisters, Caterina developed a strong devotion to the education and spiritual formation of girls. She founded the Ursuline Sisters of Somasca, an order devoted to the Christian upbringing of children, especially the poor and orphaned. Her life was marked by perseverance, charity, and trust in Divine Providence.

    Despite many challenges, she inspired others with her Marian devotion, gentleness, and educational vision. Her legacy continues in schools across the world today.

    PRAYER: God our Father, through the tireless service of Blessed Caterina Cittadini, you showed the beauty of spiritual motherhood. Bless all educators and caregivers, and inspire us to protect and nurture the young with love and faith. Amen. 🙏🏽

    Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Gothard, Saint Judith of Prussia, Saint Angelus of Jerusalem, and Blessed Caterina Cittadini ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

    THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MAY: For Working Conditions ~ Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.

    PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF MAY ~ POPE FRANCIS: For Working Conditions ~ Jesus, You knew work in this world, and You understand its hardships and joys… Hear our prayer today. Working is a human trait… Work is sacred… The beauty of the earth and the dignity of work were meant to be united… The earth becomes beautiful when man works… Lord, You see that we believe this with conviction, but we desire even more for it to become a reality among us.

    We are saddened when people can’t find work and lack the dignity of bringing bread to their home. Give us the light of your Spirit, open our hearts, do not let indifference overcome us.
    Help us recover the gift of universal brotherhood. We ask for a heart as big as Jesus’s so we can embrace the call to work to give dignity to people and families.
    Amen 🙏🏽

    (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

    DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY | MONTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and our spiritual Mother. This month invites the faithful to draw closer to Mary through prayer, reflection, and imitation of her virtues especially her humility, obedience, purity, and unwavering faith. As the first and most perfect disciple of Christ, Mary leads us gently but firmly to her Son. Throughout Church history, May has been a time to honor Mary with special devotions such as the Rosary, May Crownings, Marian processions, and prayers like the Litany of Loreto. The Church teaches that Mary, assumed body and soul into Heaven, intercedes for us as Queen of Heaven and Mother of the Church. During this month, we are called to renew our relationship with her and seek her maternal care in our joys, sorrows, and needs. Mary said “yes” to God’s plan with total trust: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her faithful surrender encourages us to say “yes” to God’s will in our own lives. As we meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary and contemplate her role in salvation history, we grow in our love for her and our desire to follow Christ more closely.

    In this beautiful month of blooming flowers, may our hearts also blossom with deeper devotion to the Mother of our Savior. Let us bring her our prayers, our homes, and our lives, asking her to accompany us with her love and protection.

    “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

    Hail Mary, full of grace! Teach us to love Jesus as you loved Him. Cover us with your mantle of mercy, and help us to walk always in the light of your Son. Amen 🙏🏽

    https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540

    PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of Saint Gothard, we pray for those engaged in physical and spiritual construction—architects, engineers, teachers, and all who labor to build strong communities and holy lives. May the Lord guide their hands and hearts. We entrust to Saint Judith of Prussia all widows, caregivers, and those who live lives of hidden sacrifice. May their quiet acts of love be a fragrant offering to God. Through Saint Angelus of Jerusalem, we lift up all persecuted Christians, missionaries, and truth-tellers. May they be strengthened by Christ’s promise of eternal life and stand firm in their witness. Invoking Blessed Caterina Cittadini, we pray for educators, caregivers, and those nurturing young lives in difficult circumstances. May they embody the tenderness of God’s love.

    We also remember the sick, the lonely, the overburdened, and those searching for purpose. May they discover strength in Christ, the true Bread of Life. We pray for peace in families, renewed vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and hope for all who face discouragement or despair. Amen. 🙏🏽

    LET US PRAY:

    My most glorious Lord, You are the Food that is eternal. You are the Food for everlasting life. Give me the wisdom I need, dear Lord, to turn my eyes from the passing and least important things of this world and to turn, instead, to that which is eternal. May I keep my eyes upon You and be nourished by my faith in You. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

    Lord Jesus, You invite us to seek not what perishes but what endures—to believe in You as the Bread of Life. Help us to labor each day with hearts set on eternal things. Teach us to hunger for Your truth, Your presence, and Your will above all else.

    Through the example of Saint Gothard, inspire us to build with faith, not just with stone and timber, but with love and perseverance. Through Saint Judith, teach us to embrace humble service and unseen sacrifice. Through Saint Angelus, give us courage to proclaim Your name even in the face of opposition. Through Blessed Caterina, remind us of the sacred call to form and protect the young.

    O Lord, help us to follow You with boldness, to seek You in every moment, and to trust You when answers are not clear. May our lives bear witness to the Gospel in word and deed. Amen. 🙏🏽

    Save us Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Gothard, Saint Judith of Prussia, Saint Angelus of Jerusalem, and Blessed Caterina Cittadini ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

    Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day and the immeasurable love shown through His Son, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. As we continue to rejoice in the glory of the Resurrection, may our hearts remain open to the peace and hope that flow from His victory over sin and death. During this joyful Easter season, we pray that our loving Savior will deepen our faith and draw us closer to the mystery of His Passion, death, and Resurrection. May we walk in the light of His risen life, renewed in spirit and overflowing with grace. Praying for us all and our loved ones today and we pray for journey mercies for all those traveling during this Easter season. As we embrace the blessings of this new month, may God’s abundant grace continue to shower upon us, filling our hearts with peace, joy, and hope in His Resurrection. May this Monday be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ is truly risen! Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled Monday and joyful Third Week of Easter and month of May 🙏🏽

    Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

    Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

    Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

    Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | Global Missons Now Awards |

  • SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 6TH:

    SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 6TH:

    FEAST OF SAINT JOHN BEFORE THE LATIN GATE; SAINT EVODIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP; SAINT DOMINIC SAVIO, CONFESSOR; SAINT PETER NOLASCO, FOUNDER AND BLESSED EDWARD JONES AND ANTHONY MIDDLETON, MARTYRS ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 6TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John before the Latin Gate, Saint Evodius of Antioch, Bishop, Saint Dominic Savio, Confessor;  Saint Francis de Laval, Bishop, Saint Peter Nolasco, Founder and Blessed Edward Jones and Anthony Middleton, Martyrs. 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. We also pray for the Church, the Clergy, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, for all youths and Christians all over the world

    SAINT JOHN BEFORE THE LATIN GATE: St. John before the Latin Gate (95 A.D.), a tradition mentioned by St. Jerome, which goes back to the second century, says St. John the Apostle was taken to Rome under the Emperor Domitian and plunged into a cauldron of boiling oil; by a striking miracle he came out safe and sound from this torture. A church dedicated in honor of St. John was built near the Latin Gate, the spot referred to by the tradition.

    In the year 95, Saint John the Evangelist, the only surviving Apostle, who was governing all the churches of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), was apprehended at Ephesus and sent in chains to Rome. The Emperor Domitian did not relent at the sight of the venerable old man, but condemned him to be cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. The martyr doubtless heard, with great joy, this barbarous sentence; the most cruel torments seemed to him light and agreeable because he hoped they would unite him forever to his divine Master and Saviour. But God accepted his will and crowned his desire; He conferred on him the honor and merit of martyrdom while suspending the operation of the fire, just as He had formerly preserved the three children from injury in the Babylonian furnace. The seething oil was changed for him into an invigorating bath, and the Saint came out more refreshed than when he had entered the cauldron.

    The glorious triumph of Saint John happened just beyond the gate of Rome called the Latina. A church which ever since has borne this title was consecrated there, in memory of the miracle. Domitian saw this miracle without deriving the least advantage from it, remaining hardened in his iniquity. Nonetheless, he contented himself afterwards with banishing the holy Apostle to the little island of Patmos. Saint John returned to Ephesus during the mild reign of Nerva (96-98), who during his short imperial government lasting one year and four months, merely labored to restore the faded luster of the Roman Empire.

    Reflection. Saint John suffered above the other Saints a martyrdom of love, being a martyr and more than a martyr, at the foot of the cross of his divine Master. All Our Lord’s sufferings were by love and compassion imprinted in his soul, and thus shared by him. O singular happiness, to have stood under the cross of Christ! O extraordinary privilege, to have suffered martyrdom beside Jesus, and been eye-witness of all He did or endured! If nature revolts within us against suffering, let us call to mind those words of the divine Master to Saint Peter: Now thou knowest not why, but thou shalt know hereafter. (John 13:7)

    SAINT EVODIUS OF ANTIOCH, BISHOP: St. Evodius was one of the seventy-two disciples of Christ, and Catholic tradition has always held that he was the first bishop of Antioch after St. Peter. However, we are not sure in what year he assumed the position. As bishop of Antioch, he was the first to coin the word “Christian” to refer to the disciples of Jesus. He probably died between the years 64-67, when he was then succeeded by St. Ignatius of Antioch. Saint Evodius of Antioch, Bishop ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

    SAINT DOMINIC SAVIO, CONFESSOR: St. Dominic Savio (1842-1857) was only fifteen when he died but he had already attained a high degree of sanctity. A pupil of the great St. John Bosco who loved him like a son, St. Dominic organized the Company of the Immaculate Conception to help St. John in running the Oratory. Though St. Dominic’s life was one of poverty, work, and suffering, it was filled with the cheerfulness and joy of sanctity. This model for youths once wrote to a friend: “Here we make sanctity consist in being joyful all the time and in faithfully performing our duties.” St. Dominic Savio was born in Riva di Chieri, Italy, on April 2, 1842. He looked so frail and weak on the morning of his birth that his father rushed him that same evening to the parish church for Baptism. But St. Dominic survived and began serving Mass when he was five years old, one of his greatest joys. He was often seen at five o’clock in the morning in front of the church on his knees in rain or snow, waiting for the doors to be opened. When, at the age of seven, he made his First Holy Communion, he formed the motto, “Death, but not sin!”,  the resolution to die rather than sin, as he had frequently expressed his determination and ambition to become a Saint. The village pastor at Mondonio, recognizing in Dominic a soul of predilection, arranged to have him enter Don Bosco’s Oratory at Turin. Don Bosco soon noted Dominic’s consuming quest for sanctity, and pointed out to the boy that the path to holiness is not necessarily among hair shirts and tortures of the flesh, but in the cheerful bearing and offering of each day’s small crosses. Steering the lad away from artificial practices, his loved master showed him that for a soul avid of penance, there is a superabundance to be had for the taking, through acceptance of the monotony and tribulations inseparable from the perfect fulfillment of the duties of one’s state of life.

    After a few months of life in the environment of the Oratory and under the saintly care of Saint John Bosco, Dominic’s soul was fired with the zeal of his master, whose rule of life, Give me souls, Lord; You take the rest, the boy adopted for his own. Following the example of Don Bosco, who in season and out of season sought those souls wherever they were to be found, Dominic also went after them in his own little world. In the Oratory he founded and directed the Immaculate Conception Sodality, a group of boys who by prayer, word and example carried on an apostolate among their classmates and proved to be of valuable assistance to Don Bosco in his work. On one occasion Dominic broke up a vicious duel with stones. Standing between the boy-duelists with dramatic suddenness, he flashed a crucifix and said: This is Friday. Today Christ died for love of us. Can you look at Him and still hate each other? When Dominic’s health began to fail he was forced to leave the Oratory. Don Bosco and the boys were very sorry to see him leave; he had been a good friend to all.

    Don Bosco said of him: His cheerful character and lively disposition made him extremely popular even among those boys who were no great lovers of their faith. His death at his home on March 9, 1857, was sweet and peaceful. As he was dying, he burst out into an ecstatic exclamation, ”Oh, what a beautiful sight I see!” Saint Dominic Savio is the youngest Confessor in the Church’s calendar of saints, and stands out as a hero of school-boy virtue, the shining model of holiness. St. Dominic was Beatified on March 5, 1950 by Pope Pius XII and Canonized on June 12, 1954 by Pope Pius XII. He’s the Patron Saint of choirboys, choristers the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents. St. Dominic Savio’s feast is now celebrated on May 6th (formerly celebrated on March 9th)

    PRAYER: Lord God, You alone are holy and no one is good without You. Through the intercession of St. Dominic help us to live in such a way that we may not be deprived of a share in Your glory. Amen🙏🏽

    SAINT FRANCIS DE LAVAL, BISHOP: Saint Francis-Xavier de Montmorency-Laval (1623-1708) was one of eight children born to one of France’s most illustrious families. He learned his piety from his mother, and like his namesake desired to become a priest and missionary. This dream was realized when he was appointed by Pope Alexander VII to be the first Apostolic Vicar of New France (Canada). His territory covered all of what is now Canada and the central section of what would become the United States, an enormous frontier which he undertook as a great spiritual work. He landed in Quebec in 1659 when the population was just 500 people. He supported the missions, built a cathedral to the Immaculate Conception, taught devotion to Our Lady under this title, founded a seminary and an industrial school, and began the first Catholic school system in Canada. In all seasons he made long and perilous journeys by land and water to minister to his flock. When Quebec became a diocese he was consecrated as Canada’s first bishop. He fought the sinister alcohol trade to the Indian tribes by having it outlawed within his territory and excommunicating those involved with it. He converted and baptized an Iroquois chief who then became a promoter of the Christian faith and won other converts among the local tribes. St. Francis de Laval was a man known for his great influence and holiness of life. His feast day is May 6th. Saint Francis de Laval, Bishop ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

    SAINT PETER NOLASCO, FOUNDER: St. Peter Nolasco (1189-1256) was born at Mas-des-Saintes-Puelles, Languedoc, today’s France in 1189 to Bernard Nolasque, but later settled in Barcelona, Spain. After taking part in the Crusades against the Albigensians, he used his inheritance to free Christian prisoners held by the Moors. He later founded the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercedarians) beginning in 1218 devoted to ransoming Christians. One night while St. Peter Nolasco was praying, the Blessed Virgin appeared (1228) and told him how greatly pleased she and her divine Son would be if a religious order were established in her honor for the express purpose of delivering Christians held in bondage by the infidels. In compliance with her wish, St. Peter, together with St. Raymond of Penafort and James I, King of Aragon, founded the Order of Our Lady of Mercy for the ransom of captives. Besides the usual vows, all members were required to take a fourth, one by which they bound themselves to become captives of the pagans, if necessary, to effect the emancipation of Christians.

    On one occasion Peter Nolasco ransomed 400 at Valencia and Granada; twice he traveled to Africa as “the Ransomer,” not without peril to his own life; and records show that through his personal efforts a total of 890 Christians regained their liberty. He died on May 6, 1256, Valencia, Spain with these words from Psalm 110 on his lips: The Lord has sent redemption to His people. Saint Peter Nolasco, Founder ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

    BLESSED EDWARD JONES AND ANTHONY MIDDLETON, MARTYRS: Bl. Edward Jones from Wales and Anthony Middleton from Yorkshire, were both educated at the Douai College in Rheims. They became priests and were sent to the English mission in the time of Elizabeth II. Middleton was the first to arrive in England, in 1586, and pursued the ministry for some time without being discovered, helped considerably by his youthful appearance and slight stature. Jones followed, in 1588, and quickly became known by the English Catholics as a devout and eloquent preacher.

    The two men of God were hunted down and captured with the aid of spies posing as Catholics, and they were hanged before the very doors of the houses in Fleet Street and Clerkenwell where they were arrested. Their trial is regarded as full irregularities; the reason for the summary justice dispensed to them was spelled out in large letters: “For treason and foreign invasion.” After offering their death for the forgiveness of their sins, the spread of the true Faith, and the conversion of heretics, they died on May 6, 1590.

  • Catholic Daily Mass

    Catholic Daily Mass

    Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary for the Upcoming Conclave | EWTN | May 5, 2025

    Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | May 5, 2025 |

    Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | May 5, 2025 |

    Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” |

  • SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 5TH

    SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 5TH

    MEMORIAL OF SAINT GOTHARD,  BISHOP; SAINT JUDITH (JUTTA) OF PRUSSIA, RELIGIOUS; SAINT ANGELUS OF JERUSALEM,  PRIEST AND MARTYR AND BLESSED CATERINA CITTADINI, RELIGIOUS ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 5TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Gothard,  Bishop; Saint Judith (Jutta) of Prussia, Religious; Saint Angelus of Jerusalem, Priest and Martyr and Blessed Caterina Cittadini, Religious. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the sick and dying, we particularly pray for those who are suffering from cancer and other terminal diseases. 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 souls 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. For vocations to the priesthood and religious life, for the Church, for the youths, 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 🙏🏽

    SAINT GOTHARD,  BISHOP: St. Gothard (960 – May 5, 1038 AD), also known as Gothard or Godehard the Bishop, was a German abbot and archbishop, who helped foster the development of Hildesheim and who played an important role in the imperial campaign to reform and reorganize the Bavarian church. St. Gothard was born in the Bavarian village of Reichersdorf about 960. St. Gothard was educated by the Canons of that area and showed so much promise that he attracted the attention of Archbishop Frederick of Salzburg. He became a priest and in 990 when the Benedictine Rule was restored to the Abbey of Heidr-Altaich he received the monastic habit. He became Prior and eventually Abbot of the Abbey. There was such good discipline under St. Gothard that the Emperor, St. Henry II, entrusted him with the reform of other monasteries. Over the course of twenty-five years he formed nine Abbots for various houses, and when St. Bernward died in 1022, St. Gothard was made Bishop of Hildesheim in his place, despite his pleas of age and lack of suitable qualifications.

    In typical fashion, this dedicated servant of God set about reforming his diocese with all the vigor of a young man. He built and restored churches, fostered education, especially in the Cathedral school, established order throughout the diocese, and erected a hospice for the poor and sick at the edge of Hildesheim. St. Gothard died on May 5, 1038. The pass and railroad tunnel from Switzerland into Italy takes its name from this Saint in whose honor the nearby hospice for travelers and its chapel were dedicated. He was Canonized in 1131, Rheims by Pope Innocent II. He is the Patron Saint of travelling merchants; invoked against fever, dropsy, childhood sicknesses, hailstones, the pain of childbirth, and gout; invoked by those in peril of the sea.

    PRAYER: God, You made St. Gothard an outstanding exemplar of Divine love and the Faith that conquers the world, and added him to the roll of saintly pastors. Grand by his intercession that we may persevere in Faith and love and become sharers of his glory. Amen 🙏🏽

    SAINT JUDITH (JUTTA) OF PRUSSIA, RELIGIOUS: St. Judith of Prussia (13th c.), also known as St. Jutta, Jutta of  Kulmsee, Jutta of Thuringia and Jutta of Sangerhausen, was a German aristocrat who became a hermit on the frontier of Prussia and is honored as the patron saint of that region. St. Judith was born to a wealthy family in Thuringia in what is now Germany. She desired to model her life after another noble saint from her country, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, who lived in the previous century. St. Judith married young at the age fifteen to a man of equal rank, and together they raised a family. She had several children, all of whom embraced a religious life, in various Orders. Despite their great wealth, St. Judith desired that they should live in a simple way and share their fortune generously with the poor. Her husband was at first displeased with her because he desired a lifestyle according to their means and rank. However, Judith persevered and eventually won him over to join her in a life of greater humility and piety.

    St. Judith’s husband later died while on a pilgrimage to Palestine, the Holy Land, leaving St. Judith to raise her children alone. Once her children were grown, St. Judith rid herself of her costly clothes, jewelry, and other possessions and joined the Third Order of St. Francis. She committed herself to serving the poor and the sick, especially lepers for which she incurred mockery due to her noble rank in society. She was favored with visions. In the final years of her life she relocated to Prussia to live as a hermitess in a simple hut. There she spent her days in prayer and penance for the conversion of the pagan Prussians. After she died many miracles occurred at her grave, and she became the Patron Saint of Prussia, in Eastern Germany. Her feast day is May 5th.

    Saint Judith (Jutta) of Prussia, Religious ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

    SAINT ANGELUS OF JERUSALEM,  PRIEST AND MARTYR: St. Angelus of Jerusalem (1185-1220), priest, martyr, hermit, mystic, reformer, thaumaturge, missionary, convert from Judaism and a professed Priest of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. He is also known as St. Angelus of Sicily and St. Angelo. St Angelus was born in Jerusalem to a Jewish family in 1145 and died by being stabbed to death in 1220 at Licata, Sicily.  His mother converted to Christianity and Angelo, along with his twin brother John, were Baptised and converted along with her. His parents died while he was in his childhood and the Patriarch Nicodemus oversaw their education until the twins turned eighteen. He and his brother John entered the Carmelites then, at the Saint Anne convent near the Golden Gate to commence their novitiate. They were well learned and already spoke Greek, Latin and Hebrew. When he was twenty-six, Angelo was Ordained in Jerusalem and travelled throughout Palestine. Various miraculous cures were attributed to him as he travelled. His “Acta” tells us that he sought to avoid fame and when he was becoming known for his miracles, he withdrew from society to a hermitage to avoid the pilgrims who were following him. St. Angelus withdrew to a hermitage on Mount Carmel, until he was instructed by Christ in a vision, to leave Mount Carmel for Italy to preach against the Albigensians, Bulgars and other heresies.

    He set off on a Genoese ship on April 1, 1219 and stopped first in Messina before heading off to Civitavecchia before he ended up in Rome to meet with the pope. The friar preached in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran while in Rome where he met both Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Dominic. He foretold that Francis would receive the stigmata while Francis foretold his premature death. From there he was a guest of the Basilians in Palermo where he was for about a month, before preaching in Agrigento for over a month before settling in Licata. He had healed seven lepers and the ailing Archbishop of Palermo Bernardo de Castanea while in Palermo. He settled on the Sicilian island though his fame as a wonderworker caused crowds to flock to him. He also had success in converting some Jews though most Jews in Palermo came to despise him for this since he himself was once Jewish. He wanted to convert a Knight named Berenger. Catholic tradition states that Berenger was living in incest and that St. Angelo convinced the knight’s companion to leave him. Berenger became enraged and arranged to have him attacked and murdered, in front of the Church of Saints Filippo and Giacomo in Licata. He didn’t die from the attack until four days after the attack and during that time, he prayed for his assassin and asked the civil authorities to pardon him. He showed the ultimate in forgiveness, setting an example for all those that he preached to. He was buried at Saints Filippo and Giacomo Church. His sepulchre at Licata quickly became a site of Pilgrimage. The Carmelites venerated him as a saint from 1456 and Pope Pius II Canonised him in 1459. His relics were translated to a new Church in Licata, Saint Maria del Carmine. It was through St Angelo’s intercession that the plague in the Kingdom of Naples was halted.

    Saint Angelus of Jerusalem, Priest ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

    BLESSED CATERINA CITTADINI, RELIGIOUS: Bl. Caterina Cittadini was an Italian Roman Catholic religious from Bergamo who established the Ursuline Sisters of Saint Jerome Emiliani. The order was dedicated to the education of girls in Bergamo and in the surrounding areas and has since expanded outside of the Italian nation. Bl. Caterina was a daughter of Giovanni Battista and Magherita Lanzani. Her mother died when Caterina was seven, and her father abandoned the girl and her younger sister Giuditta. They were accepted and grew up at the orphanage of the Conventino of Bergamo. There she developed a strong faith, a big sister’s sense of responsibility, and a devotion to Our Lady and Saint Jerome Emiliani. The sisters left the orphanage in 1823 to live with their cousins Giovanni and Antonio Cittadini, both parish priests at Calolzio, Italy. Caterina became a teacher at a girl‘s public school in Somasca in 1824. The sisters felt a call to the religious life; their spiritual director recommended that they should stay in Somasca, and become the basis of a new congregation.

    In 1826 the sisters rented a house in Somasca, bought and furnished a building, and in October opened a boarding school for girls. Bl. Caterina taught religion, managed the school, and instituted the oratory style of education for her girls. Word of her success spread, attracting more students. The sisters established another “Cittadini” private school in 1832, and another in 1836. Giuditta directed these new schools until her sudden death in 1840. Bl. Caterini’s cousin, Father Antonio Cittadini, died in 1841, followed quickly by her spiritual director from the orphanage. The rapid succession of tragedy ruined Bl. Caterina’s health, and she fell gravely ill, but was cured through the intercession of Saint Jerome Emilani. Bl. Caterina quit her public teaching position in 1845 to manage the schools, care for the orphans, and guide the three companions who help her. To help organize the work and lives of her companions, she wrote the beginnings of a new rule similar to that of religious orders. In 1850 she obtained permission to build a private oratory to keep the Blessed Sacrament at her boarding school. In 1851 she applied for approval of her new religious family. In 1854 her bishop encouraged her work, and told her to write the rules of the new order; her first attempt, based on the Constitution of the Ursulines of Milano was rejected. A second attempt was accepted on September 17, 1854 under the title Orsoline Gerolimiane (Ursuline Sisters of Somasca). On December 14, 1857, six months after her death, the bishop of Bergamo gave his approval; the order achieved papal recognition on July 8, 1927. The order’s mandate is to teach, and to care for the abandoned; today they work in Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Brazil, Bolivia, India, and the Philippines. Bl. Caterina died on May 5, 1857 in Somasca, Bergamo, Italy of natural causes.

    Blessed Caterina Cittadini, Religious ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

  • Catholic Daily Mass

    Catholic Daily Mass

    Holy Mass & Rosary for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis – May 4, 2025

    Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | May 4, 2025 |

    Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | May 4, 2025 |

    Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” |

  • MEMORIAL OF SAINT FLORIAN, MARTYR AND THE FORTY MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES

    MEMORIAL OF SAINT FLORIAN, MARTYR AND THE FORTY MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES

    THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR C)

    SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MAY 4, 2025

    MEMORIAL OF SAINT FLORIAN, MARTYR AND THE FORTY MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

    (Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Florian, and the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-may-4th/)

    Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis | EWTN | May 4, 2025 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-61/

    Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Sunday of the Third Week of Easter!

    May this new week be filled with peace, joy, and the renewed hope that comes from Christ’s Resurrection. Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of our hands 🙏🏽

    The entire month of May is dedicated to our beloved Mother Mary, the Mother of God. As we continue to rejoice in the victory of Christ’s Resurrection, we give heartfelt thanks to God for the gift of life and for bringing us safely into the new month of May. May this Easter season renew our strength, deepen our faith, and fill our hearts with the peace of the Risen Lord. May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for us and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Easter. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, blessed start to the month. Amen 🙏🏽

    Watch “NINTH NOVENDIAL MASS MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL DOMINIQUE MAMBERTI | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | MAY 4, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/funeral-mass-of-pope-francis/

    Novendiales (Nine Days of Mourning) Masses Schedule for Pope Francis (26 April 2025 – 4 May 2025)

    Learn more about the Novendiales (Nine days of mourning) in the Papal Interregnum article below:

    PAPAL INTERREGNUM (VACANCY OF THE APOSTOLIC SEE) | EWTN | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/papal-interregnum/

    Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

    Daily Reflections with Philomena | Prayer for the Soul of Pope Francis | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/precious-in-the-sight-of-the-lord-is-the-death-of-his-saints-psalm-11615/

    PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS AND SUCESS OF THE CONCLAVE

    With the passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for the College of Cardinals as they embark on their sacred duty to elect Pope Francis’ successor:

    Heavenly Father, You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis, and now You have called him to Yourself. We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy. For his lifelong service, we thank You. For his care for the poor and marginalized, we thank You. For his witness to simplicity, we thank You. In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin. Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence. Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence, into which we all long to be drawn. Protect Your Church in this time of transition. Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty. Grant them Wisdom and Courage, Hope and Charity, and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.

    Father Most Holy, our God and King, Creator of all that was, is, and is to come – You alone know the heart of the one You have chosen as the successor to Pope Francis. Reveal Your will to the College of Cardinals. Open their hearts to Your inspirations. Open our hearts to receive, with faith and obedience, the one whom You will raise up to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter. May he be a man of deepest compassion, a man of profound faith and hope, a man whose charity shines forth, permeating the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. You are God Most High, the God of the living and the dead, the Great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, Eternal Being and Source of all that is. May Your holy will be done, now and forever. Amen. Alleluia.

    Merciful and loving God, We entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.

    Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽

    On this special feast day, as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the sick and dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, especially for our Holy Father, POPE FRANCIS, all those who died today, and all the faithful departed may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

    “Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13

    PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽

    As we continue to rejoice in the glory of Christ’s Resurrection during this Easter season, today, the Church honors Saint Florian (patron of firefighters, chimney sweeps, and those in life-threatening situations) and the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales (patrons of religious freedom and perseverance under persecution). Their witness reminds us to live our faith with courage and trust in God. Through their intercession, we pray for the safety of firefighters, the sick and dying, caregivers, and those in danger. May the Church be strengthened, and persecuted Christians find comfort. We also remember the poor, the grieving, and the faithful departed. May God bless the clergy, and all who preach the Gospel, and grant us peace, unity, and vocations.

    DAILY REFLECTIONS WITH PHILOMENA | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

    Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/

    Watch “HOLY MASS ON THE JUBILEE OF THE SICK AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS | Presided by H.E. Most Rev. Rino Fisichella | Live from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican | April 6, 2025” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/06/holy-mass-on-the-jubilee-of-the-sick-and-healthcare-workers/

    WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/

    Honoring a Legacy of Service: The 10th Memorial Anniversary of Late Noble (Sir) Gabriel Louis Ihieje Opiepe (KSJI) | https://gliopiepehe.org/2025/04/12/honoring-a-legacy-of-service-the-10th-memorial-anniversary-of-late-noble-sir-gabriel-louis-ihieje-opiepe-ksji/

    THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

    (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

    Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/

    Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/

    PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

    Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

    A PRAYER FOR PEACE : Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏🏽

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

    SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

    Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Sunday of the Third Week of Easter | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

    Today’s Bible Readings: Third Sunday of Easter | Sunday, May 4, 2025
    Reading 1, Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
    Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13
    Reading 2, Revelation 5:11-14
    Gospel, John 21:1-19

    Gospel Reading ~ John 21:1–19

    “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” … “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)

    “At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

    Today’s Gospel reading this Sunday, from the Gospel of St. John givess an ccount of the moment when the Risen Lord appeared to His disciples in Galilee. In that occasion, the Lord appeared to the disciples at the shores of the lake where they had all been out fishing throughout the night without having any success. And when the Lord told the disciples to do as He said, and they immediately caught so many fishes, St. John was the first to recognise the Lord, but St. Peter was the one who immediately went down to the water and swim to seek the Lord. And afterwards, after having witnessed the Risen Lord Himself, and experiencing having eaten with Him, knowing that He was truly risen from the dead, then the Risen Lord had a time with St. Peter and conversed with him. In that conversation, it was evident that this was a reversal of what had happened at the moment of the Lord’s Passion, when St. Peter denied knowing the Lord three times. Despite having been denied by Peter not just once but thrice, this did not stop the Lord from continuing to love him, and that was why He wanted to extend that opportunity for reconciliation and reaffirmation of the love that he has for Him, by asking Peter not just once but also thrice, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter himself must have realised what the Lord had done, and he must have felt guilty and sad hearing those questions, but he courageously confessed his undying love for the Lord, all three times before Him, committing himself wholly to the Lord.

    Reflecting further on today’s Gospel, it captures one of the most tender and restorative moments between Jesus and Peter. After the Resurrection, when Jesus appears to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, He calls out to them from the shore, miraculously fills their nets with fish, and invites them to breakfast a quiet yet profound act of communion. But the heart of this today’s Gospel lies in Jesus’ conversation with Peter. Three times, Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” mirroring Peter’s three denials during the Passion. Each question is both a wound and a balm, an invitation to love again and to be entrusted with responsibility. Jesus is not seeking perfect followers; He is seeking faithful ones. In Peter’s humble, even sorrowful, responses “Lord, you know that I love you” we find the grace of restoration. Jesus responds not with rebuke, but with commission: “Feed my sheep.” Love must become action. This Gospel is not only Peter’s story; it is ours. Despite our failings, Christ calls us again to love, to follow, and to serve. He meets us at our own shorelines with breakfast prepared and mercy in His eyes.

    Reflecting on today’s first reading, Peter and the apostles stand before the Sanhedrin, boldly declaring, “We must obey God rather than men.” Their courage is rooted not in defiance, but in witness. They speak of the risen Christ, the One whom God exalted as “leader and savior.” Even under threat, they rejoice at being “found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.” This scene reminds us that the Easter message cannot be silenced. True discipleship may lead to rejection or suffering, but joy springs from fidelity to Christ. In a world that often resists the truth, we too are called to speak with the courage of the apostles, knowing that obedience to God is our highest calling.

    Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, “I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.” The psalmist’s song is one of deep gratitude. God’s mercy transforms mourning into dancing, despair into joy. Even when darkness surrounds us, the dawn of divine rescue always comes. The psalm echoes the experience of every believer who has been lifted from sin, sorrow, or trial by the gracious hand of God. It’s a call to rejoice, to give thanks, and to remember that God’s favor outlasts every storm.

    Reflecting on our Second reading Saint John’s vision lifts us into the heavenly liturgy, where countless angels and all of creation sing praise to the Lamb. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain” this is the central hymn of Easter, the cry of redeemed creation. Christ, once crucified, now reigns in glory, and the universe echoes with worship. This vision reminds us that worship is not just an earthly act it is an eternal one. Every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we join this cosmic chorus. Easter is not a fleeting season but an invitation to live in continual adoration of the Risen Christ, the Lamb who triumphed through sacrifice. Have I heard Jesus asking, “Do you love me?” in my life recently? How do I respond with action, not just words? Am I willing to obey God even when it costs me comfort or approval? Do I live each day in gratitude for the Lamb who was slain? Christ meets us where we are on the shorelines of our failures, in the silence of our fear, and in the hunger of our hearts. He restores, calls, and commissions us. Let us rise with joy, answer His question with love, and follow Him with renewed courage. Amen. 🙏🏽

    As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures on this Sunday, the Third Sunday of Easter, all of us are reminded of the great faith and courage that the Lord’s Holy Apostles had shown amidst the challenges, oppressions and trials that they were facing, because they truly believed in the Lord and His truth, and having witnessed His great wonders and signs, especially that of the Resurrection, having seen the Risen Lord Himself in person, interacting and spending time with Him, and knowing that everything did indeed happen just as the Lord Himself has predicted it all. That was why, strengthened further by the Holy Spirit, all of them courageously stood up for their faith in the Risen Lord, even amidst the opposition and threats from the members of the Sanhedrin or the Jewish High Council that opposed them. Let us all therefore remind ourselves of the need for each one of us as Christians to be truly committed to the Lord, and to keep our faith and trust in Him, in His Resurrection and all the promises and reassurances that He has provided to us. The Lord has always been loving towards us, forgiving and compassionate, and it is time for us to embrace His love and mercy, to be truly committed to Him in everything that we do in this life. Let us all be ever more faithful and exemplary in how we live our lives each day and every moments so that in our every actions and words, our deeds and interactions with one another we will always show the love of God in all things. May the Risen Lord continue to help and guide us in our journey through life in faith, and may He continue to empower each and every one of us such that we may do our best in every situations in life, in being good and faithful disciples of His, in doing our best to glorify His Name and proclaim His Good News through our own lives and examples. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may He bless us always in everything that we say and do, now and forevermore. Amen 🙏🏽

    Risen Lord, You come to us in mercy and love, not with condemnation but with invitation. Help us, like Peter, to respond with humble love and to follow You wherever You lead. Give us the courage of the apostles, the joy of the redeemed, and the heart of a true shepherd. Worthy are You, O Lamb of God receive our lives as a song of praise. Amen. 🙏🏽

    MEMORIAL OF SAINT FLORIAN, MARTYR, AND THE FORTY MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES ~ FEAST DAY – MAY 4TH: As we continue to rejoice in the glory of Christ’s Resurrection during this Easter season, today, the Church honors Saint Florian (patron of firefighters, chimney sweeps, and those in life-threatening situations) and the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales (patrons of religious freedom and perseverance under persecution). Their witness reminds us to live our faith with courage and trust in God. Through their intercession, we pray for the safety of firefighters, the sick and dying, caregivers, and those in danger. May the Church be strengthened, and persecuted Christians find comfort. We also remember the poor, the grieving, and the faithful departed. May God bless the clergy, and all who preach the Gospel, and grant us peace, unity, and vocations.

    Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | May 4th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

    (Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Florian, and the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-may-4th/)

    SAINT FLORIAN, MARTYR: Saint Florian (c. 250–304 AD) was a commander in the Roman army stationed in Noricum (modern-day Austria), and he was responsible for leading a firefighting brigade one of the earliest on record. Though he served loyally in the military, Florian was a Christian during a time of harsh persecution under Emperor Diocletian. When he was discovered to be protecting Christians and refusing to enforce anti-Christian laws, he was arrested.

    He boldly refused to renounce his faith or worship the Roman gods. Although he was initially sentenced to be burned alive, he is said to have remarked that he would ascend to heaven on the flames. Instead, the executioners tied a heavy stone around his neck and drowned him in the River Enns. His relics were later enshrined in Austria and Poland, where devotion to him flourished.

    Saint Florian is invoked against fires, floods, and battles. He is the patron saint of firefighters, chimney sweeps, brewers, soap boilers, drowning victims, and cities such as Kraków, Poland and Linz, Austria.

    PRAYER: God of power and mercy, through Your help Saint Florian overcame torture and death to remain faithful to You. Grant us the courage to endure the trials of our own lives with unwavering trust in Your grace. May Saint Florian’s example inspire us to defend truth and live with integrity. Amen.

    Prayer for Firefighters:
    O Almighty God, whose great power embraces the universe, protect all firefighters. Shield them from harm as they risk their lives to save others and preserve property. Strengthen them with courage and guide them safely back to their loved ones each day. Through the intercession of Saint Florian, grant them protection and peace. Amen. 🙏🏽

    THE FORTY MARTYRS OF ENGLAND AND WALES: T he Forty Martyrs of England and Wales were a group of courageous Catholic men and women laypersons, priests, and religious who were executed between 1535 and 1679 for remaining faithful to the Church during the turbulent years of the English Reformation. Their deaths were often brutal: most were hanged, drawn, and quartered for crimes of “treason,” simply for professing the Catholic faith or aiding Catholic priests.

    Among them were notable figures like St. Edmund Campion, St. Margaret Clitherow, St. Robert Southwell, and St. John Houghton, among others. These martyrs came from various regions, social classes, and vocations, yet they shared a common fidelity to Christ and His Church. They were canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1970, following recognition of a miraculous healing attributed to their intercession. This feast now honors not only these 40, but all 284 canonized or beatified martyrs of the English Reformation.

    In Wales, this day is observed particularly as a feast of the Six Welsh Martyrs Philip Evans, John Lloyd, John Jones, David Lewis, John Roberts, and Richard Gwyn along with their English companions.

    PRAYER: Merciful God, when Your Church on earth was torn apart by division and persecution, You raised up brave men and women in England and Wales who bore witness to their faith with courage and constancy. Grant us the grace to remain faithful to You in all circumstances. May those who are divided on earth be reconciled in heaven, and together enjoy the vision of Your eternal glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.🙏🏽

    Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Florian, and the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

    THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MAY: For Working Conditions ~ Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.

    PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF MAY ~ POPE FRANCIS: For Working Conditions ~ Jesus, You knew work in this world, and You understand its hardships and joys… Hear our prayer today. Working is a human trait… Work is sacred… The beauty of the earth and the dignity of work were meant to be united… The earth becomes beautiful when man works… Lord, You see that we believe this with conviction, but we desire even more for it to become a reality among us.

    We are saddened when people can’t find work and lack the dignity of bringing bread to their home. Give us the light of your Spirit, open our hearts, do not let indifference overcome us.
    Help us recover the gift of universal brotherhood. We ask for a heart as big as Jesus’s so we can embrace the call to work to give dignity to people and families.
    Amen 🙏🏽

    (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)

    DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY | MONTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and our spiritual Mother. This month invites the faithful to draw closer to Mary through prayer, reflection, and imitation of her virtues especially her humility, obedience, purity, and unwavering faith. As the first and most perfect disciple of Christ, Mary leads us gently but firmly to her Son. Throughout Church history, May has been a time to honor Mary with special devotions such as the Rosary, May Crownings, Marian processions, and prayers like the Litany of Loreto. The Church teaches that Mary, assumed body and soul into Heaven, intercedes for us as Queen of Heaven and Mother of the Church. During this month, we are called to renew our relationship with her and seek her maternal care in our joys, sorrows, and needs. Mary said “yes” to God’s plan with total trust: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her faithful surrender encourages us to say “yes” to God’s will in our own lives. As we meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary and contemplate her role in salvation history, we grow in our love for her and our desire to follow Christ more closely.

    In this beautiful month of blooming flowers, may our hearts also blossom with deeper devotion to the Mother of our Savior. Let us bring her our prayers, our homes, and our lives, asking her to accompany us with her love and protection.

    “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

    Hail Mary, full of grace! Teach us to love Jesus as you loved Him. Cover us with your mantle of mercy, and help us to walk always in the light of your Son. Amen 🙏🏽

    https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540

    PRAYER INTENTIONS: As the Church concludes the Novendiales, the nine days of mourning for Pope Francis, we commend his soul to the eternal mercy of God. May he be welcomed into the joy of the Risen Christ whom he served faithfully. We pray for the College of Cardinals as they prepare to elect a new Pope may the Holy Spirit guide them in unity, wisdom, and holiness.

    Through the intercession of Saint Florian (patron of firefighters and those in peril) and the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales (patrons of religious freedom and perseverance), we pray for all who serve in dangerous occupations and for Christians suffering persecution today.

    We also lift up the sick, the dying, and those facing impossible circumstances. May God’s grace strengthen all who care for the vulnerable especially healthcare workers, pharmacists, and first responders. We pray for peace in families, vocations in the Church, and consolation for all who mourn. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. 🙏🏽

    LET US PRAY:

    My resurrected Lord, You have offered Your grace and mercy to all, but not all have responded. I pray that I will always be among those who continually respond to Your invitation. I repent of my sin, dear Lord. Please help me to stay faithful to Your commands of love and to be daily immersed in Your transforming Spirit. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

    Risen Lord Jesus, You appeared to Your disciples and restored their hope. Today, we entrust Pope Francis to Your loving embrace. May he share fully in the glory of Your Resurrection. As the Church prepares for new leadership, pour out Your Spirit upon the College of Cardinals to choose a shepherd after Your heart.

    Lord Jesus, just as You revealed Yourself to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, open our eyes to recognize You in our daily lives. Strengthen all who face trials for their faith, and grant courage to those who proclaim Your name in hostile places. Watch over all who serve in dangerous roles, especially firefighters and rescue workers. Through the intercession of Saint Florian and the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales, renew our resolve to follow You with trust and perseverance. May Your victory over death be our strength in every trial. May we, too, respond to Your call: “Follow Me.” Help us live our Easter faith with joy, boldness, and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

    Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Florian, and the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

    Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day and the immeasurable love shown through His Son, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. As we continue to rejoice in the glory of the Resurrection, may our hearts remain open to the peace and hope that flow from His victory over sin and death. During this joyful Easter season, we pray that our loving Savior will deepen our faith and draw us closer to the mystery of His Passion, death, and Resurrection. May we walk in the light of His risen life, renewed in spirit and overflowing with grace. Praying for us all and our loved ones today and we pray for journey mercies for all those traveling during this Easter season. As we embrace the blessings of this new month, may God’s abundant grace continue to shower upon us, filling our hearts with peace, joy, and hope in His Resurrection. May this new week be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ is truly risen! Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe, and grace-filled Sunday and joyful Third Week of Easter and month of May 🙏🏽

    Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

    Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

    Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org

    Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | Global Missons Now Awards |