Day Twenty-Three: Embracing the Light Monday, Fourth Week of Lent
Scripture Passage: “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Opening Reflection Light and darkness are powerful symbols in our spiritual journey. Light represents truth, goodness, and the presence of God, while darkness symbolizes sin, confusion, and separation from Him. Jesus declares Himself as the Light of the world, inviting us to step out of darkness and into the radiance of His love. Yet, embracing this light requires openness, humility, and a willingness to let it transform our hearts.
Meditative Reflection Many times, we find ourselves caught between light and darkness. Sin can create shadows in our lives, leading us away from God’s grace. Fear, doubt, and complacency can make us hesitant to fully embrace the light of Christ. But Lent is a time of renewal—a call to step into God’s presence with sincerity, allowing His truth to shine upon our weaknesses and lead us to conversion.
Jesus does not force His light upon us; He invites us to follow Him. Just as the blind man in John’s Gospel was healed and given sight, so too are we called to open our eyes to God’s work in our lives. This means rejecting sin, seeking the truth, and reflecting Christ’s light to others. Each act of kindness, forgiveness, and love becomes a flicker of His presence in a world longing for hope. The question is, are we willing to walk in the light, even when it challenges us to change?
Reflection Questions Am I fully embracing the light of Christ in my life, or do I still cling to areas of darkness? How can I allow God’s truth to guide my decisions? In what ways can I bring the light of Christ to others today?
Lenten Question Q: How does Jesus bring light into our lives? A: Jesus, as the Light of the world, reveals the truth, dispels spiritual darkness, and leads us toward eternal life. Through His teachings, His mercy, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, He illuminates the path to salvation, calling us to live in His truth and love.
Lenten Action Spend time in quiet prayer today, asking Jesus to reveal any areas of darkness in your life. Make a conscious effort to reflect His light by performing an act of kindness or sharing an encouraging word with someone in need.
Concluding Prayer Lord Jesus, You are the Light that shines in the darkness. Remove from my heart all that keeps me from fully following You. Help me to walk in Your truth and reflect Your love to those around me. May my life be a beacon of Your grace, leading others to the hope and joy found in You. Amen.
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT AND BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR AND SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP
Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Climacus; Abbot, honored by Holy Church as a great ascetic and author of the renowned spiritual book called THE LADDER; and Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, Martyr, known as a protector of the poor and oppressed and Saint Fergus of Scotland, Bishop, a missionary to Scotland. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the poor, the needy and those who are marginalized and suffering in situations of conflict in our world, we pray for persecuted Christians and all Christians during this season of Lent, as we reflect on the final journey of Jesus during this Holy Week🙏
SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT: St. John (579-649), called Climacus from his book THE LADDER (Climax) OF PARADISE, also known as John of the Ladder, John Scholasticus and John Sinaites, was a 6th–7th-century Christian monk at the monastery on Mount Sinai. St. John Climacus was a learned abbot and great spiritual director. He was born about the year 579 at Syria. At the age of sixteen he renounced all worldly goods to dedicate himself to God in the religious state. For forty years he lived as a solitary in his hermitage at the foot of Mount Sinai. At the age of sixty-five St. John was persecuted by the monks of Sinai to become their hegumen, he was chosen Abbot of Mount Sinai and superior-general of all the monks and hermits in the region. He was chosen as Abbot of Mount Sinai by a unanimous vote of the Sinai religious, who said they had placed the light upon its lampstand. On the day of his installation, six hundred pilgrims came to Saint Catherine’s Monastery, and he performed all the offices of an excellent hotel-master; but at the hour of dinner, he could not be found to share the meal with them. This holy Abbot never sought either glory or fame. He endeavored to hide the natural and supernatural gifts with which he was endowed, in order to better practice humility. He acquitted himself of his functions as abbot with the greatest wisdom, and his reputation spread so far that, according to history, Pope St. Gregory the Great, who was then Pope, wrote to recommend himself to his prayers, and sent him monetary gifts for his hospital near Mount Sinai, in which the pilgrims lodged.
St. John’s famous work, the Climax (The Ladder of Paradise or The Ladder of Divine Ascent), was written in 600 AD only in deference to the will of another, at the request of John, Abbot of Raithu, a monastery located on the shores of the Red Sea. It is a spiritual treatise consisting of concise sentences, and affording several examples that illustrate the monastic life of that period. The Ladder describes how to raise one’s soul and body to God through the acquisition of ascetic virtues, it describes the thirty degrees to religious perfection. St. John Climacus uses the analogy of Jacob’s Ladder as the framework for his spiritual teaching. Originally written simply for the monks of a neighboring monastery, the Ladder swiftly became one of the most widely read and much-beloved books of Byzantine spirituality. The Saint governed the monastery of Mount Sinai for four years, sighing constantly under the weight of his dignity, which he resigned shortly before his death. Heavenly contemplation and the continual exercise of divine love and praise were his delight and comfort in his earthly pilgrimage. On March 30, 649, at about the age of 70 at Mount Sinai, the blessed life of this great Saint, St. John of Climacus came to an end in the hermitage that had witnessed his uninterrupted communing with God. From the time he entered the monastic state, St. John had earnestly applied himself to root out of his heart self-complacency in his actions; he practiced silence as a means of acquiring humility, and he made it a rule never to contradict, never to dispute with anyone. He appeared to have no will of his own, so great was his submission.
“God rests within gentle hearts. The gentle and merciful shall sit fearless in His regions, and will inherit Heavenly glory.” ~ St John Climacus.
PRAYER: Lord, amid the things of this world, let us be wholeheartedly committed to heavenly things in imitation of the example of evangelical perfection You have given us in St. John the Abbot. Amen. St. John of Climacus ~ Pray for us🙏
BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR: Blessed Maria (1894-1943) was an Austrian nurse of Czech descent and religious sister of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity (Sorores Franciscanae a Caritate Christiana). She was condemned to death under the Nazis for her opposition to the regime. Blessed Maria was born on May 1, 1894, Husovice, Austria-Hungarian Empire (now part of Brno, Czech Republic). She was born and baptized Helena Kafka to a shoemaker father and when she was very young, in 1896 Helena’s family moved permanently to Vienna, the capital of Austria, and she grew up in the bustling city. As a young woman, at the exciting turn of the twentieth century, Helena found work in Vienna first as a salesclerk, and in 1913 she started to work at the hospital in Lainz as unskilled nursing assistant and nurses could thus observe up close and then worked as a nurse. While working as a nurse in the hospital, she came into contact with the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. Despite being surrounded by the glamor and comforts of city life as a young woman, Helena was attracted to these religious sisters’ simple and self-giving way of life. Helena joined their community at the age of 20, taking the name Maria Restituta after an early Christian martyr.
As the brightness of the new century faded into the horror of war, Bl. Maria continued to serve as a nurse in the hospital during World War I. Eventually, in 1919 through her skill and dedication, Bl. Maria became the head surgical nurse at her hospital. When the nationalist-socialist regime came to power and the Germans took over the country, in the inter-war years of the 1930’s, Bl. Maria Restituta was not afraid to speak out against it. She became a local opponent of the Nazi regime. When the hospital built a new wing, Bl. Maria placed a crucifix inside every room. Her conflict with the Nazi government escalated after they ordered her to remove all the crucifixes she had hung up in each room of a new hospital wing, but Bl. Maria refused. Clearly, a principled, stubborn woman was going to be an obstacle, so the Nazis made up their minds to remove her. The Nazis wanted to arrest her but were prevented from doing so immediately because Bl. Maria was so indispensable to the hospital. A doctor who supported the Nazis eventually betrayed Bl. Maria and handed her over to them on a trumped-up false charge. In 1942, as Bl. Maria was coming out of an operation, she was arrested by the Nazi Secret police (Gestapo). She was sentenced to death for “aiding and abetting the enemy in the betrayal of the fatherland and for plotting high treason.” Bl. Maria was given the choice to renounce her religious community, the Franciscan Sisters and thus to spare her life. She declined. She spent the rest of her days in prison caring for other prisoners, who loved her. The Nazis beheaded Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka on March 30, 1943 in Vienna, Nazi Germany at the age of only 48. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on June 21, 1998.
In one of St. Maria’s letters from that time, she wrote: “It does not matter how far we are separated from everything, no matter what is taken from us: the faith that we carry in our hearts is something no one can take from us. In this way, we build an altar in our own hearts.” “I have lived for Christ: I want to die for Christ.” ~ Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka
Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, staunch in the face of Nazi occupation and a culture of death ~ Pray for us!🙏
SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP: St. Fergus of Scotland (d. 730 A.D.), also known as St. Fergustian, Fergus the Pict, or Fergus Cruithneach, Bishop of the Gaels, was a bishop serving in the north of Scotland. Little is known of his life. He is believed to have been trained as a bishop in Ireland, ministering there for many years before traveling as a missionary to Scotland. He went throughout the Scottish countryside preaching the Gospel, setting up churches dedicated to St. Patrick of Ireland, and working to convert the pagan people to Christianity. According to the Breviary of Aberdeen, he had been a bishop for many years in Ireland when he came on a mission to Alba with some chosen priests and other clerics. He settled first near Strageath, in the present parish of Upper Strathearn, in Upper Perth, erected three churches in that district. The churchs of Strageath, Blackford, and Dolpatrick are found there today dedicated to St. Patrick. He next evangelized Caithness and established there the churches of Wick and Halkirk. Thence he crossed to Buchan in Aberdeenshire and founded a church at Lungley, a village now called St. Fergus. Lastly, he established a church at Glammis in Forfarshire.
He went to Rome to St. Peter’s Basilica to participate in the Council of Rome in 721 A.D. and was present with Sedulius and twenty other bishops at a synod in the basilica of St. Peter, convened by Gregory II. He died around the year 730 A.D. and is buried in Glammis, Angus, in Scotland. Nearby is St. Fergus’ Well. The site is believed to be where St. Fergus presided over religious services before the first church of Glammis was built. His remains deposited in the church of Glammis were the object of much veneration in the Middle Ages. The Abbot of Scone transferred his head to Scone church, and encased it in a costly shrine there is an entry in the accounts of the treasurer of James IV, October, 1503, ” An offerand of 13 shillings to Sanct Fergus’ heide in Scone”. St. Fergus is the Patron Saint of the churches of Wick, Glammis, and Lungley. His festival is recorded in the Martyrology of Tallaght for the 8th of September but seems to have been observed in Scotland on the 18th of November. His feast day is March 30th.
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN” | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” |https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/30/catholic-daily-mass-26/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family! Happy Laetare “Rejoice” Sunday, Fourth Sunday of Lent and Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, mothers to be and mother figures (celebrated today in the UK, Africa and other countries).
Today, as we celebrate Laetare ‘Rejoice’ Sunday, in the UK, Africa and other countries, Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday, is celebrated on this day, the fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday). Due to the movable date of Easter, the date for Mother’s Day also shifts each year. This year, 2025, it falls on Sunday 30 March. We thank God for His mercy and the gift of family and gift of all mothers. May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey and may this Lenten season lead us to deeper conversion, greater love, and unwavering trust in His divine will. Wishing us all a love-filled and spiritually enriching Lenten journey. Amen🙏🏽
“Loving God, we thank you for the unwavering faith and leadership of Pope Francis. As he recovers from his hospitalization, we humbly ask for your healing touch upon his body, your peace upon his mind, and your comfort for his spirit. Grant him strength, renewed energy, and a continued ability to serve your flock with compassion and wisdom. We entrust him to your loving care, and we pray that he may soon be restored to good health, if it be your will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen”🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTER: We join our Holy Father, Pope Francis to pray for the people of Bahía Blanca, in Argentina, affected by the recent floods the area is suffering. We specifically pray for those who have lost their lives due to this natural disaster and their families and all those who are missing and displaced from their homes. May the good Lord grant them all peace and comfort during this challenging time.
On this special feast day, as we continue our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, for the victims of the recent flood in Argentina and we continue to pray for the repose of the gentle souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH For families in crisis: Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences. (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
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 🙏🏽
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT, LAETARE ‘REJOICE’ SUNDAY: Today is the halfway mark of Lent and we celebrate what is known as Laetare Sunday. The word Laetare has the meaning of ‘rejoice’ just as Gaudete is, both having similar meanings. This name Laetare comes from the beginning of this Sunday Introit at the start of the Holy Mass, namely, ‘Laetare Jerusalem, et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam…’ which means ‘Rejoice, o Jerusalem, and gather round, all you who love her…’ a reminder for all of us that amidst all the penitential and more sombre nature of this season of Lent, we are actually looking forward to the arrival of Easter, when we shall rejoice together commemorating the glorious Resurrection and the salvation which the Lord has shown us through His Son, Jesus Christ, Our Risen Lord and Saviour. This Sunday is our foretaste of Easter joy, it marks the halfway point through the Lenten season of fasting, abstinence, and penance, and because of this it is a day of joy in anticipation of the close arrival of Easter.
Laetare Sunday is one of the only two occasions in the entire liturgical year when the color rose is used. The other occasion is the Gaudete Sunday during the season of Advent. Like that of its Advent counterpart, the Gaudete Sunday or the Third Sunday of Advent, which marks the joyful expectation of the coming of the Messiah in Christmas, Laetare Sunday marks this joyful expectation of the salvation of all mankind, amidst our deep and intense preparation and self-retrospection this Lenten season. Today, just as on Gaudete Sunday in Advent, we have a reprieve and more joyful celebration amidst the more sombre and penitential nature of this season. The Priests wear rose-colored liturgical vestments and the altar is decorated with flowers, often roses, offering a temporary reprieve from the Lenten austerity. We have something like a break amidst the usually more toned down nature of our Lenten observances, as music and flowers are allowed to be used again, unlike how it is during the other parts of the Lenten season. This is because the rose liturgical color used today is a reminder that all of these things we have practiced and prepared for this Lent, are all ultimately in expectation of the joy that is to come through Christ, Our Lord and Savior. We focus on the Joy that we are looking forward to and have been preparing ourselves for in these past few weeks of Lent. We look forward to the joy of the coming of Christ, and the salvation that He has given to all of us in Easter. All of our Lenten observances are meant to help us to be able to enter more deeply into the mystery and nature of the work of salvation which God has done in our midst through His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In some Christian traditions, Laetare Sunday is also observed as Mothering Sunday, a time to honor mothers, and historically this day was a time when people returned to their “mother church” or home parish. It is also a time where some will take the opportunity to enjoy a slightly more festive meal with loved ones, while others might focus on acts of charity or service, as a small break from the normal lenten practices.
May the Lord have mercy on us all. Happy Laetare “Rejoice” Sunday 🙏🏽”
[Note: When the Scrutinies are used at Mass, the reflection and readings for Year A may be used in place of this one]
Gospel Reading ~ Luke 15:1–3, 11–32
“Your brother was dead and has come to life again”
“Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable: “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son, a story of sin, repentance, and the boundless mercy of God. A younger son, after squandering his inheritance in reckless living, finds himself in misery and decides to return to his father in repentance. Rather than rejection, he is welcomed with love, embraced, and restored to dignity. Meanwhile, his older brother, resentful of this mercy, struggles to understand the depth of the father’s love. Jesus spoke this parable in response to those who criticized Him for sharing table with sinners. The implication of the criticism was that, as a man of God, Jesus should only share table with those who kept God’s law. The story Jesus told was inviting His critics to look at what He was doing with new eyes. Jesus’ critics may have thought of themselves as experts in the Law of God, but perhaps they had lost sight of the God of the Law. What was Jesus saying about Himself, and about God, through this story? The younger son was only entitled to his share of the inheritance on the death of his father. In asking for his inheritance immediately, he was wishing his father dead. The son compounded this insult to his father by wasting the value of his inheritance in a far country. When he sunk as low as he could go, the son began to come home to himself, taking responsibility for what he had done, declaring, ‘I have sinned against heaven and against you’. That coming home to himself was the beginning of his coming home to his father. One might wonder what kind of reception is this scoundrel going to get when he arrives home?’ However, the younger son’s hesitant and anxious journey towards home was enough to release his father’s deep love for him. At best, the son had hoped to be taken back as a hired servant, but he was welcomed back as an honoured son, with appropriate dress and a village meal to celebrate his homecoming. He was welcomed back not for what he had done or failed to do, but for who he was. The story suggests that this is the way God relates to us all. Regardless of what we have done or failed to do, we remain God’s beloved sons and daughters. Any effort on our part to return home to God will be responded to with love beyond all telling.
Just as the younger son insulted his father by demanding his share of the inheritance, the elder son insulted his father by refusing to join in the celebration for his younger brother. For the second time in the story the father has to go out to an estranged son, leaving the feast at which he was the host and which required his presence. The older son’s speech, so full of anger towards his father and contempt for his brother, revealed a king of loveless fidelity. He has spent his life doing what the father wanted but had never learnt to love either his father or his brother. Yet, there was no doubting the father’s love for his eldest son, ‘My son, you are always with me and all I have is yours’. The lost younger son allowed himself to be embraced by the father’s love. We are left wondering if the lost older son will also allow himself to be caught up in the father’s boundless love for him. Through this story, Jesus was revealing a God who loves all his sons and daughters equally and who is always seeking out the lost. The question the story raises is, ‘Will we allow ourselves to be found by the God who keeps seeking us out in love?’
Reflecting on the Gospel reading, Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most powerful illustrations of God’s mercy. The younger son represents all who stray from God, seeking fulfillment in the world but ultimately finding themselves lost and broken. Yet, when he returns home, his father does not reject him; instead, he welcomes him with open arms, clothing him in dignity and restoring him as a beloved son. This is the essence of God’s love—He does not treat us as our sins deserve, but rather, He rejoices when we return to Him. The father’s response is a reminder that no matter how far we have fallen, God is always ready to forgive us when we turn back to Him. The older son, however, struggles to accept this mercy. He is resentful, believing his obedience should earn him more than his wayward brother. This challenges us to examine our hearts: do we sometimes withhold forgiveness, expecting others to “earn” their redemption? The father’s words remind us that God’s mercy is abundant and available to all. During this Lenten season, we are invited to experience the joy of reconciliation—not only with God but also with others. Are there relationships in our lives that need healing? Have we, like the prodigal son, strayed from God in any way? Now is the time to return to the Father, who is always waiting with open arms.
Our first reading this Sunday from the Book of Joshua highlights the story of the time when Israel, the people of God finally reached the Promised Land after forty years long of sojourning in the desert during their journey from Egypt to the land of promise. The people of Israel had been punished and forced to endure the consequences of their rebellions and disobedience, their lack of faith and trust in God, when they constantly rebelled against God and refused to follow His path, and ultimately, when they, lacking trust and faith in God, grumbled and complained in fear of their lives when scouts sent to observe the Promised Land of Canaan told them of the mighty people who lived there. Despite the assurances from God and Moses, and the other faithful members of the people, many of the Israelites rebelled against God and therefore, God made them to wander in the desert for the whole period of forty years long, until almost the whole rebellious generation had perished. The Book of Joshua reminds us of God’s faithfulness in leading His people to a new beginning. After years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites finally enter the Promised Land, and with this transition, the miraculous provision of manna ceases. No longer do they rely on food from heaven; instead, they eat the produce of the land, a sign that they have arrived at their destination. This shift represents a deeper spiritual truth. Just as God provided for Israel in the wilderness, He provides for us in our spiritual journey. There are times when we rely on extraordinary graces, but as we mature in faith, God calls us to trust in His continuous presence, even when it is not as visibly miraculous. The transition from manna to the produce of the land invites us to reflect: How has God been providing for us? Do we recognize His daily blessings? This Lent, let us cultivate gratitude for the ways He sustains us, both in times of trial and in times of abundance.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the psalmist calls us to “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” This verse is a beautiful invitation to trust in God’s mercy. Just as the prodigal son returned home and experienced his father’s goodness, we too are called to turn to the Lord, knowing He will receive us with love. The psalm also reminds us that those who seek God will never be abandoned. “When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and from all his distress He saved him.” No matter our struggles, God is near, ready to deliver us when we cry out to Him. This Lent, let us make an effort to “taste” God’s goodness by spending more time in prayer, scripture, and acts of kindness.
In our second reading, from the second Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Church and the faithful people of God in the city and region of Corinth, Saint Paul reminds us of a profound truth: “Whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This passage speaks directly to the theme of renewal and reconciliation that runs throughout today’s readings. We are all reminded yet again that through Christ, that is Jesus Christ, the Son of God manifested in this world as Man, and by everything that He had done, in bearing our sins and all the punishments and pain associated with all those sins, He has won for all of us the greatest triumph and victory, and showed us all that sin and death do not have the final say over us and our fates. Instead, through Him, and by our faith in Him, Christ, Our Lord and Saviour has opened for us the way to reconciliation and reunion with our most loving God and Father. And therefore, all of us should appreciate just how beloved and fortunate all of us are, to have received such a great grace from God, and we should truly be sincere in repenting from our many sins and faults.
Just as the Prodigal Son was restored to his father, we too are restored to God through Christ. Sin separates us, but through Jesus, we are reconciled and made new. Paul emphasizes that this reconciliation is not something we earn—it is a gift from God, freely given through Christ’s sacrifice. Additionally, Paul calls us to be “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). This means that just as we have received mercy, we are called to extend it to others. The older son in the Gospel struggled with this concept—he wanted justice, not mercy. But Paul reminds us that we must embrace our role as peacemakers, showing the world the same love that God has shown us. This Lent, let us not only seek personal renewal but also strive to be agents of reconciliation in our families, communities, and the world. Today’s readings invite us to ask ourselves, ‘To what extent am I engaged in God’s work of reconciliation’. Not many of us may find ourselves in a situation where we can engage in the work of reconciling whole communities that have been estranged from each other, like many are constantly engaged in. We are called to seek the opportunity from time to time to work for reconciliation between individuals who are estranged. Our own families will often provide us with such an opportunity.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures on this Fourth Sunday of Lent, as the Church celebrates the occasion of Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday, we are all reminded this day that we are looking forward to celebrate the most joyful and glorious moments of the salvation of all mankind at the Lord’s Passion during the Holy Week and Easter, which were all possible because God has truly loved us all so much that He was willing to do everything for our sake, to liberate us all from the dominion and tyranny of sin, leading us all back to His loving care, embrace and filling us once again with His grace and kindness, blessings and love. That is why we should continue to do our best so that our Lenten observances and practices, our acts of deepening our prayer and spiritual life, our fasting and abstinence to control our worldly desires and temptations, as well as our charitable efforts and generosity may continue to bear rich fruits for our benefits, and to bring us ever closer to the Lord our God. As we have all been reminded of the great love of God and all that He has done for us, and as we anticipate the great joy of our full and complete reunion with Him in the world that is to come, in the everlasting life and bliss that He has promised and reassured us all, let us all therefore strive to be exemplary in all things, in doing God’s will and in coming ever closer to His Throne of mercy and love. As we continue to journey through this blessed time and opportunity this Lenten season, let us all realise how fortunate we are to have been given such a wonderful opportunity for reconciliation with our loving God and Father, and make good use of the great opportunity given to us to seek His love and mercy once again. Let us all not harden our hearts and close our minds anymore to Him, but do our best instead to glorify Him by our lives, by our humble obedience and desire to be forgiven and to be fully loved again by God, our loving Father, Who loves each and every one of us equally without exception. And as those who have received this faith and blessing from God, we, as the elder children, should also be welcoming to our fellow brethren, especially all those who have not known God and His mercy, reaching out to them and sharing God’s love with them instead of judging them and being prejudiced against them, or being jealous of God’s love and mercy which have been shown to them too. That is why let us all pray fervently today, on this occasion of Laetare Sunday, that God may continue to show us all His mercy and kindness, His compassion and love. Let us remind ourselves of the great joy that we are expecting and coming soon with the glorious season of Easter to come. Let us rejoice because God’s salvation has been shown to us, and He has been willing to welcome us all, His beloved though prodigal children so that by His compassion and love, all of us may be forgiven our sins and be reunited with Him. May the Lord our most loving Father continue to be with us throughout this season of Lent, and help us to remain firm and steadfast in our faith in Him, now and always. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the good Lord, our ever loving and compassionate, most merciful and kind Master and Creator, our patient and loving Father be with us always and may He bless us in all of our good efforts and endeavours. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You are rich in mercy and slow to anger. Thank You for never turning away from us, even when we stray. Help us to recognize our need for Your grace, to return to You with humble hearts, and to rejoice in the salvation of others. May we never take Your love for granted but strive to live as true sons and daughters of Your kingdom. Amen 🙏🏽
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT AND BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR AND SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP – FEAST DAY: MARCH 30TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John Climacus, Abbot, a great ascetic and the revered author of The Ladder of Divine Ascent (Patron Saint of spiritual directors); Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, Martyr, a courageous nurse who defied the Nazi regime and was martyred for her faith (Patron Saint of nurses and those persecuted for their beliefs); and Saint Fergus of Scotland, Bishop, a missionary bishop who tirelessly spread the Gospel throughout Scotland (Patron Saint of Wick, Glamis, and Lungley).
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and these Holy Saints, we pray for the strength to live lives of holiness, courage in the face of trials, and a deep commitment to prayer and service. May we, like them, remain steadfast in our faith and bring Christ’s love to the world. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, and Saint Fergus of Scotland ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
SAINT JOHN CLIMACUS, ABBOT: “God rests within gentle hearts. The gentle and merciful shall sit fearless in His regions, and will inherit heavenly glory.” – St. John Climacus. Saint John Climacus (579–649), also known as John of the Ladder, was a monk and abbot of Mount Sinai Monastery, renowned for his profound spiritual wisdom. At the age of sixteen, he renounced the world to embrace the monastic life, spending forty years as a hermit in prayer and contemplation. His humility and holiness led him to become the abbot of the monastery, where he guided many souls toward perfection.
His most famous work, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a spiritual masterpiece that describes thirty steps leading to holiness, symbolizing Jacob’s ladder. This book remains a treasured guide for Christians seeking union with God through humility, detachment, and love. Despite his leadership role, St. John sought to avoid worldly honors, preferring the solitude of prayer.
He passed away on March 30, 649, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual wisdom that continues to inspire countless souls. His life teaches us the power of humility, silence, and total surrender to God.
PRAYER: Lord, through the intercession of St. John Climacus, grant us the wisdom to seek You above all things, the humility to embrace the path of holiness, and the strength to overcome spiritual struggles. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint John Climacus ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
BLESSED MARIA RESTITUTA KAFKA, MARTYR: “It does not matter how far we are separated from everything, no matter what is taken from us: the faith that we carry in our hearts is something no one can take from us.” – Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka. Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka (1894–1943) was an Austrian nurse and martyr who stood firm in her faith against the Nazi regime. Born as Helena Kafka in the Czech Republic, she became a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity and served as a dedicated nurse in Austria. She was known for her compassion, strength, and unwavering commitment to Christ.
During the rise of the Nazi regime, she openly opposed their oppressive rule. When she placed crucifixes in the rooms of hospital patients, she was ordered to remove them—but she refused. Her defiance led to her arrest, imprisonment, and eventual execution by beheading on March 30, 1943. She was only 48 years old.
Her courage and faith in the face of persecution stand as a powerful witness to Christian steadfastness. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998.
PRAYER: Lord, grant us the courage of Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, that we may stand firm in our faith and defend the truth even in the face of opposition. May we always seek to serve others with love and humility. Amen. 🙏🏽
Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
SAINT FERGUS OF SCOTLAND, BISHOP: Saint Fergus of Scotland (d. 730) was an Irish bishop and missionary who traveled to Scotland to spread the Gospel. He preached tirelessly, establishing churches and converting many to Christianity. His deep faith and dedication to evangelization made him a beacon of light in a land that had not fully embraced the Gospel.
He is known to have attended the Council of Rome in 721 A.D., where he upheld the Church’s teachings. His missionary efforts led to the founding of several churches, and he became venerated as a patron of various regions in Scotland. His relics were honored for centuries, and his holy life continues to inspire Christians today.
PRAYER: Lord, through the intercession of St. Fergus, may we have the zeal to share Your Gospel, the patience to guide others to You, and the courage to stand firm in our beliefs. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Fergus of Scotland ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH | MONTH OF ST. JOSEPH: The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. “His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade”. “This patronage must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization,” wrote St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer). St. John Paul II further said, “Because St. Joseph is the protector of the Church, he is the guardian of the Eucharist and the Christian family. Therefore, we must turn to St. Joseph today to ward off attacks upon the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and upon the family. We must plead with St. Joseph to guard the Eucharistic Lord and the Christian family during this time of peril.”
As the weeks of Lent progress let us not be tired of doing our good works and penance, but continue with the enthusiasm of the catechumens on their way to Easter and Baptism. May our Lenten observance be a joyful journey and not a forced march. 🙏🏽
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we honor Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, and Saint Fergus of Scotland, we pray for all who seek holiness through prayer, sacrifice, and service, that they may be strengthened in their journey toward God. We lift up those who suffer persecution for their faith, asking for courage and perseverance, especially for Christians who, like Blessed Maria Restituta, face trials for standing firm in the truth. May missionaries and all who spread the Gospel, following the example of Saint Fergus, be blessed with wisdom and zeal as they bring Christ’s light to the world. We pray for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, that they may experience God’s love through the care and compassion of others. As we continue our Lenten journey, may we embrace humility, deepen our trust in God, and grow in love for Him and our neighbors.
LET US PRAY
Most loving and compassionate Lord, tax collectors and sinners were drawn to You. They found in You someone Who could free them from the burdens they carried within. Please help me to see myself as one of those humble souls in need of You and Your mercy. I reject my pride that leads me to self-justification and pray for humility so that I can come to You and gladden the Heart of the Father in Heaven. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You call us to follow the example of the saints who have gone before us, living lives of faith, courage, and unwavering devotion to You. Through the intercession of Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, and Saint Fergus of Scotland, grant us the grace to seek You above all things, to stand firm in truth, and to serve others with love. Strengthen us in times of trial, protect those who suffer for their faith, and guide us along the path that leads to eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen 🙏🏽
Save us Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph and Saint John Climacus, Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka, and Saint Fergus of Scotland ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for us all during this season of Lent, let us be renewed by prayer, fasting, and giving to the poor. We pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world. May this Lenten season deepen our trust in God’s providence and open our hearts to His transforming grace. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times and may this season of Lent bring us all true salvation in Christ as we remain united in peace, love and faith. Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled Laetare ‘rejoice’ Sunday and fourth Week of Lent ~ Amen 🙏🏽
Rejoice, For the Lord is Near Sunday, Fourth Week of Lent(Laetare Sunday)
Scripture Passage: “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her!” (Isaiah 66:10)
Opening Reflection: Laetare Sunday marks a moment of rejoicing in the midst of Lent. The name “Laetare” comes from the Latin word for “rejoice,” reminding us that even in the penitential season, we are called to find hope in the promise of salvation. The rose-colored vestments worn today symbolize the dawning light of Easter breaking through the Lenten journey. This day is an invitation to pause and reflect on the joy that awaits us in Christ, who is drawing us ever closer to His resurrection.
Meditative Reflection: Lent is often associated with fasting, repentance, and self-denial, but Laetare Sunday reminds us that Christian life is not just about sorrow over sin—it is also about the joy of redemption. In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals the man born blind, showing us that He is the light of the world. His healing touch restores not only physical sight but also spiritual vision, enabling us to see the truth of God’s love.
When we journey through Lent, it is easy to focus on our sacrifices and struggles, forgetting that God’s grace is always present. Laetare Sunday calls us to lift our eyes beyond our present difficulties and recognize the beauty of God’s mercy. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, joy is never far away because Christ is our source of everlasting light.
Reflection Questions: Do I allow myself to rejoice in the hope of Christ, even in the midst of trials? How can I bring the light of joy to others who may be struggling?
Lenten Question: Q: Why do we rejoice in the middle of Lent? A: The Church encourages rejoicing today as a reminder that our journey is leading to the glory of Easter. This foretaste of joy strengthens us to persevere in faith.
Lenten Action: Perform an act of kindness today that brings joy to someone else, reminding them of God’s love.
Concluding Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the light that brightens our darkest days. As we journey through Lent, help us to find joy in Your presence and trust in Your promise of redemption. May our hearts be filled with gratitude for Your love, and may we reflect that joy to those around us. Amen.
Greetings, and blessings, beloved family, and Happy Saturday, Third Week of Lent!
We thank God for His mercy and the gift of faith. May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey and may this Lenten season lead us to deeper conversion, greater love, and unwavering trust in His divine will. Wishing us all a love-filled and spiritually enriching Lenten journey. Amen🙏🏽
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN” | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy”|https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/29/catholic-daily-mass-25/
“Loving God, we thank you for the unwavering faith and leadership of Pope Francis. As he recovers from his hospitalization, we humbly ask for your healing touch upon his body, your peace upon his mind, and your comfort for his spirit. Grant him strength, renewed energy, and a continued ability to serve your flock with compassion and wisdom. We entrust him to your loving care, and we pray that he may soon be restored to good health, if it be your will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen”🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTER: We join our Holy Father, Pope Francis to pray for the people of Bahía Blanca, in Argentina, affected by the recent floods the area is suffering. We specifically pray for those who have lost their lives due to this natural disaster and their families and all those who are missing and displaced from their homes. May the good Lord grant them all peace and comfort during this challenging time.
On this special feast day, as we continue our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, for the victims of the recent flood in Argentina and we continue to pray for the repose of the gentle souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH For families in crisis: Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences. (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
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 🙏🏽
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA; SAINT LUDOLPH, BISHOP OF RATZEBURG, MARTYR; SAINT BERTHOLD OF MOUNT CARMEL, PRIEST; AND SAINT JONAS AND BARACHISIUS AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS – FEAST DAY: MARCH 29TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Joseph of Arimathea, the noble disciple who courageously buried the body of Jesus with reverence and love (Patron Saint of funeral directors and undertakers); Saint Ludolph, Bishop of Ratzeburg, a faithful shepherd who suffered martyrdom for defending the Church’s freedom (Patron Saint of Ratzeburg); Saint Berthold of Mount Carmel, a founder of the Carmelite Order, who embraced a life of prayer and solitude in the Holy Land (Patron Saint of Carmelites); and Saints Jonas and Barachisius and their Companions, who were martyred for their unwavering faith in Persia.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and these Holy Saints, we humbly pray for the courage to stand firm in our faith, for all those suffering persecution for Christ, and for the grace to be true witnesses of the Gospel. May we, like these saints, live with unwavering trust in God’s providence and mercy. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Joseph of Arimathea, Saint Ludolph, Saint Berthold, and Saints Jonas and Barachisius ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
SAINT JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA: “Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.” (Mark 15:43) Saint Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple of Jesus, described in the Gospels as a wealthy and influential man who belonged to the Jewish council. Despite the risks, he boldly requested Pilate for Jesus’ body after the Crucifixion, providing a new tomb for His burial. His act of devotion fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which foretold that the Messiah would be buried in a rich man’s tomb.
Joseph’s actions reveal a deep love for Christ—one that was not deterred by fear or societal status. Tradition holds that he later traveled to Britain, where he preached the Gospel. Some legends associate him with the founding of Christianity in Glastonbury.
PRAYER: Lord, grant us the courage of Saint Joseph of Arimathea, that we may boldly profess our faith and show love for You in our actions. May we never fear human judgment but remain steadfast in our devotion to Christ. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Joseph of Arimathea ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
SAINT LUDOLPH, BISHOP OF RATZEBURG, MARTYR: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10) Saint Ludolph (c. 1200–1250) was the Bishop of Ratzeburg in Germany and a devoted leader who stood firm against oppression. When Duke Albert of Saxony sought to impose his will on the Church, Ludolph fearlessly opposed him, defending the Church’s independence. This led to his imprisonment, where he endured cruel treatment until his death.
Even in suffering, Ludolph remained faithful, forgiving his persecutors and offering his suffering for the glory of God. He exemplifies the strength of faith and the willingness to suffer for Christ.
PRAYER: Lord, strengthen us with the same courage You gave to Saint Ludolph, that we may defend the truth, endure trials with patience, and remain faithful to Your will. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Ludolph ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
SAINT BERTHOLD OF MOUNT CARMEL, PRIEST: “The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep Your words.” (Psalm 119:57) Saint Berthold (c. 12th century) was a French priest who traveled to the Holy Land and was inspired to establish a community of hermits on Mount Carmel. This small group later became the Carmelite Order, devoted to a life of prayer, solitude, and contemplation.
Under his leadership, the hermits followed a strict rule of life, seeking to imitate the prophet Elijah, who had encountered God on Mount Carmel. Saint Berthold’s vision and spiritual discipline laid the foundation for one of the greatest monastic traditions in the Church.
PRAYER: Lord, through the intercession of Saint Berthold, draw us into a deeper life of prayer and contemplation. May we seek You in silence and solitude, finding strength in Your presence. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Berthold of Mount Carmel ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
SAINTS JONAS AND BARACHISIUS AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10) Saints Jonas and Barachisius were Christian brothers who suffered martyrdom during the persecution of King Shapur II of Persia in the 4th century. They were arrested and tortured for their faith, yet they refused to deny Christ. They encouraged fellow Christians to remain steadfast, even as they faced brutal deaths.
These holy martyrs remind us of the price of discipleship and the reward of eternal life promised to those who remain faithful to Christ.
PRAYER: Lord, through the example of Saints Jonas and Barachisius, strengthen all who suffer for Your name. Give us the grace to bear witness to the Gospel with unwavering faith. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saints Jonas, Barachisius, and Companions ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
The lives of Saint Joseph of Arimathea, Saint Ludolph, Saint Berthold, and Saints Jonas and Barachisius teach us the virtues of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering faith in God. May their examples inspire us in our Lenten journey to seek holiness, stand firm in the truth, and serve God with all our hearts.
May their prayers strengthen us on our path to holiness. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Joseph of Arimathea, Saint Ludolph, Saint Berthold, and Saints Jonas and Barachisius ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
Today’s Bible Readings: Third Week of Lent | Saturday, March 29, 2025 Reading 1, Hosea 6:1-6 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21 Gospel, Luke 18:9-14
Gospel Reading ~ Luke 18:9-14
“O God, be merciful to me, a sinner”
“The tax collector went home justified, not the Pharisee”
“Jesus addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity – greedy, dishonest, adulterous – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’ But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
In today’s Gospel reading, the parable relates to prayer. ‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray’. Both men did pray. One man prayed a prayer of thanksgiving and the other a prayer of petition. We all pray in petition and thanksgiving at different moments in our lives. The Pharisee prayed a prayer of thanksgiving, ‘I thank you, God, that…’. The tax-collector prayed a prayer of petition, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner’. Yet, only one prayer was acceptable to God. Only one person ‘went home at rights with God’. The difference between the two men who prayed was what was in their heart when they prayed. The prayer of the Pharisee revealed a heart that looked down in judgement on a fellow worshipper. He thought of himself as morally better than the tax collector. The prayer of the tax collector revealed a heart that was humble and contrite before God. He knew that he had nothing to offer God and everything to receive from God, especially mercy. The journey to the Temple was an act of love for God, for both men. However, the heart of the Pharisee revealed a lack of love for the worshipper who stood close to him in the Temple. He considered him less acceptable to God than himself. The Pharisee was right to regard the tax collector a sinner, but he failed to recognize that he too was a sinner. Both men went up to the Temple in need of God’s mercy, but only one of them recognized that reality. We all stand before the Lord as sinners. We all come before Him in our poverty. No one of us can get into the business of deciding who is less, or more, of a sinner than me. That is best left to God. All we can do is open ourselves to the Lord in our poverty and allow Him to enrich us in His love, in other words, to pray the prayer of the tax collector.
Reflecting on today’s Gospel, Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector offers a powerful lesson on humility and God’s mercy. The Pharisee, blinded by pride, boasts of his religious observances, comparing himself to others rather than looking inward at his own need for grace. In contrast, the tax collector, aware of his sinfulness, approaches God with humility, acknowledging his unworthiness and pleading for mercy. Jesus declares that it is the humble man who goes home justified. This parable challenges us to examine the state of our hearts. Do we, like the Pharisee, rely on our good works to justify ourselves before God? Or do we approach Him with sincere humility, recognizing our need for His mercy? True righteousness is not found in external observances but in a heart transformed by God’s grace. As we journey through Lent, we are called to cultivate a spirit of humility, seeking God’s forgiveness and allowing His mercy to shape our lives.
In our first reading today, prophet Hosea reminds the people of God to turn away from their sins and to embrace once again God’s love and grace, to change their ways for the better and reject their old ways of sin and disobedience. The Lord has always been kind and patient with us, and He has always provided for us in our time of need. He calls us all to return to Him so that we may find our way and be saved through Him. Yet it was often our pride, ego and hubris, our inability to resist the temptations to sin which became great obstacles in our journey back towards the Lord. In the first reading, the people bring sacrifices and holocausts to God in the Temple, but in response God, speaking through the prophet Hosea, says, ‘what I want is love, not sacrifice; knowledge of God, not holocausts’. God desired not our empty love and lack of true faith, but desiring that we all have a genuine conversion of heart, and a wholehearted commitment and dedication to His path, remembering His Law and commandments, His teachings and truth. God wants the love of us His people, a love that finds expression in the love of others.
Reflecting on today’s first reading, the prophet Hosea reminds us of God’s desire for true devotion rather than mere religious rituals. He calls His people to return to Him, promising healing, restoration, and revival. God does not delight in sacrifices that are devoid of love; rather, He longs for hearts that genuinely seek Him. In our spiritual lives, it is easy to fall into the habit of performing religious duties without true love for God. But Hosea’s words challenge us to go deeper—to seek an authentic relationship with the Lord rather than relying on empty rituals. This Lent, may we focus on deepening our knowledge of God, offering Him not just outward acts of piety but hearts filled with love and devotion.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the psalm echoes the message of Hosea, emphasizing that what pleases God most is a humble and contrite heart. True worship is not about external sacrifices alone but about an interior transformation where we recognize our sins and trust in God’s mercy. Are we quick to judge others while failing to recognize our own weaknesses? Do we seek God with genuine humility, or do we try to justify ourselves by our religious practices? How can we cultivate a deeper spirit of repentance and trust in God’s mercy this Lent? As we continue our Lenten journey, let us strive for a heart that truly seeks the Lord, not relying on outward displays of righteousness but on the grace of God. Let us humble ourselves before Him, knowing that in our weakness, His mercy lifts us up.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, in both readings today, there is a contrast between what God wants and what people bring Him. The parable reminds us that when we come before the Lord in prayer, there is to be no room for comparing ourselves favorably with others, or looking down on others. Rather, we come before the Lord in prayer always aware of our own spiritual poverty and need, entrusting ourselves to the Lord as one who, in the words of today’s first reading, can ‘bring us back to life’. Let us all therefore be inspired by the good examples set by the Saints, and strive to follow the good examples and inspiration shown to us by the Saints and Holy men and women, particularly the Saints we celebrate today, who have dedicated themselves and their whole life to serve the Lord and the people around them, that we may also live our lives with great faith in God, and ever always filled with generous love for one another. In this time and season of Lent, let us all continue to live our lives with ever stronger desire to follow the Lord our God, to commit ourselves to Him and to do His will. Let us all continue to do what we can so that our whole lives may continue to be good examples for everyone around us. During this season of Lent, all of us are called to deepen our relationship with God and be more attuned with ourselves and we are all called to live our lives with greater fidelity to God, and to humble ourselves more before Him, as sinners all coming to seek His mercy and forgiveness, depending on His ever generous love and compassion. Let us all turn away from sin and from all evil, and let us resist the temptations surrounding us so that we may be truly worthy of God in all the things we act, say and do. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and be with us through our Lenten journey, and may He help us that we may draw ever closer to Him and find righteousness through following His path, and be fully reconciled with Him. May God bless us all and have mercy on us, now and always. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, teach us the way of humility. May we never fall into the trap of self-righteousness but instead recognize our constant need for Your mercy. Like the tax collector, may we approach You with a contrite heart, trusting in Your boundless love and grace. Transform us, O Lord, so that our lives may reflect Your goodness and compassion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH | MONTH OF ST. JOSEPH: The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. “His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade”. “This patronage must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization,” wrote St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer). St. John Paul II further said, “Because St. Joseph is the protector of the Church, he is the guardian of the Eucharist and the Christian family. Therefore, we must turn to St. Joseph today to ward off attacks upon the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and upon the family. We must plead with St. Joseph to guard the Eucharistic Lord and the Christian family during this time of peril.”
As the weeks of Lent progress let us not be tired of doing our good works and penance, but continue with the enthusiasm of the catechumens on their way to Easter and Baptism. May our Lenten observance be a joyful journey and not a forced march. 🙏🏽
PRAYER INTENTION: Lord God, in Your divine wisdom, You raised up holy men and women who bore witness to Christ through faith, courage, and sacrifice. As we honor Saint Joseph of Arimathea, Saint Ludolph of Ratzeburg, Saint Berthold of Mount Carmel, and Saints Jonas, Barachisius, and their companions, we ask for the grace to imitate their unwavering trust in You. May we, like them, have the strength to stand firm in truth, defend our faith, and act with charity even in difficult times.
We especially pray for all who are persecuted for their faith, that they may find strength in Your presence and remain steadfast in their love for You. We lift up those burdened by fear, doubt, or suffering, that they may experience Your healing and peace. Through the intercession of these holy saints, may we grow in holiness and be courageous witnesses of the Gospel in our daily lives. Amen. 🙏🏽
LET US PRAY
My merciful Lord, I thank You for loving me with a perfect love. I thank You for Your incredible depth of mercy. Help me to see all of my sin and to turn to You with honesty and humility so that I can be freed of these burdens and become justified in Your sight. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You called Saint Joseph of Arimathea to care for the body of Christ with reverence and devotion. Teach us to honor and cherish the presence of Christ in our lives, especially in the Eucharist and in our brothers and sisters. Grant us the courage of Saint Ludolph, who remained faithful to Your truth despite persecution. Strengthen us with the perseverance of Saint Berthold, who sought You in prayer and solitude. Inspire us with the fearless witness of Saints Jonas, Barachisius, and their companions, who gave their lives for the sake of Your Kingdom.
Through their intercession, bless our hearts with a deeper love for You, a steadfast faith in times of trial, and a generous spirit to serve those in need. May we always stand firm in truth, trust in Your divine providence, and one day share in the eternal joy of Heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save us Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint Joseph of Arimathea, Saint Ludolph, Saint Berthold, and Saints Jonas and Barachisius ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
May this Lenten season deepen our trust in God’s providence and open our hearts to His transforming grace. Wishing us all a blessed and grace-filled Saturday of the Third Week of Lent and relaxing weekend! Amen. 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA; SAINT LUDOLPH, BISHOP OF RATZEBURG, MARTYR; SAINT BERTHOLD OF MOUNT CARMEL, PRIEST AND SAINT JONAS AND BARACHISIUS AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS– FEAST DAY: MARCH 29TH: Today as we continue our Lenten journey, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Joseph of Arimathea (Patron Saint of Funeral Directors and Undertakers); Saint Ludolph, Bishop of Ratzeburg, Martyr ( a Priest of the Premonstratensian (Norbertines) Order, particularly invoked as a martyr for the freedom of the Church); Saint Berthold of Mount Carmel, Priest and Saints Jonas and Barachisius and their Companions, Martyrs. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the conversion of sinners, for persecuted Christians and for all Christians during this season of Lent🙏
SAINT JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA: St. Joseph of Arimathea is a disciple of Jesus Christ who is mentioned in each account of the Passion narrative. After the Passion of the Lord, St. Joseph, a member of the Jewish council went to Pilate and asked for possession of the body of Jesus. After receiving this permission, St.Joseph had Jesus laid in a nearby tomb. Acccording to all four canonical gospels, St. Joseph of Arimathea was the man who assumed responsibility for the burial of Jesus after His crucifixion. The historical location of Arimathea is uncertain, although it has been identified with several towns. A number of stories that developed during the Middle Ages connect him with Glastonbury, England and also with the Holy Grail legend, he’s entrusted with the Holy Grail (cup) of the Last Supper. St. Joseph’s arrival in England with the Holy Grail and the building of the first church on the isle at Glastonbury. A mid-13th-century interpolation relates that St. Joseph went to Glastonbury (in Somerset, England), of which he is patron saint, as head of 12 missionaries dispatched there by St. Philip the Apostle.
Gospel narratives: Matthew 27:57 describes him simply as a rich man and disciple of Jesus, but according to Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea was “a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God”; Luke 23:50–56 adds that he “had not consented to their decision and action”. According to John 19:38, upon hearing of Jesus’ death, this secret disciple of Jesus “asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission.” Joseph immediately purchased a linen shroud (Mark 15:46) and proceeded to Golgotha to take the body of Jesus down from the cross. There, according to John 19:39-40, Joseph and Nicodemus took the body and bound it in linen cloths with the spices that Nicodemus had bought. The disciples then conveyed the prepared corpse to a man-made cave hewn from rock in a garden of his house nearby. The Gospel of Matthew alone suggests that this was Joseph’s own tomb (Matthew 27:60). The burial was undertaken speedily, “for the Sabbath was drawing on”. The Gospels tell us that St. Joseph was a just and devout man waiting for the kingdom of God. He followed Jesus’ public ministry but feared the repercussions from the other members of the Jewish council. He’s the Patron Saint of Funeral Directors and Undertakers.
St Joseph of Arimathea, pray for us that our hearts will not be troubled by the burdens of this life; instead, that we will place all our trust in Jesus. Amen🙏
SAINT LUDOLPH, BISHOP OF RATZEBURG, MARTYR: St. Ludolph of Ratzeburg is also known as Saint Ludolf. He was Bishop and Martyr, Preacher and founder of a community of Norbertine Sisters, Reformer and Counseller. St Ludolph was a Priest of the Premonstratensian (Norbertines) Order, particularly invoked as a martyr for the freedom of the Church. St. Ludolph was a Norbertine Canon who was appointed to the See of the newly-formed Prince-Bishopric of Ratzeburg in 1236. He led such a strict religious life that his community was nicknamed the “carcer ordinis” (Prison of the Order). Nothing is known of the early years of Ludolph. He joined the Norbertine Cathedral Chapter of Ratzeburg where he was treasurer before being elected eighth bishop of Ratzeburg in 1236. He was renowned for his exemplary religious life and powerful preaching of the word of God. He also founded a community of Norbertine sisters at Rehna.
Like the Good Shepherd, St. Ludolph focused all his energies on the care of souls. He preached and made pastoral visitations. The pope entrusted him with several political missions, forcing him to fight for the rights and freedom of the Church. His most difficult trial involved standing up to Prince Albert, the “Bear of Saxony,” who had taken possession of cathedral properties—an act that St. Ludolph resisted. The prince’s insults and threats did not intimidate him. The Duke had him imprisoned, where he was beaten and later sent into exile. Prince Albert consequently ordered St. Ludolph thrown into a dungeon, where he had to suffer severe tortures. Realising that his treatment of the bishop was unpopular, the prince decided to set St. Ludolph free. After his release from prison, he was brought half-dead to the Franciscans at Wismar but he died shortly after on March 29, 1250 from the maltreatment to which he had been subjected. It was during this exile that St. Ludolph, weighed down by the infirmities suffered in prison and by his advancing old age, fell gravely ill. He celebrated his last Mass on Holy Thursday. His final words were “O great and good God, allow me, your useless servant, to belong to you for all eternity.”
His body was returned to Ratzeburg for burial. After his death, those who visited his grave in the Cathedral of Ratzeburg reported numerous favours received. He was canonized in the 14th century. The Church honors him as a Martyr. The centuries-old veneration of St. Ludolph was confirmed and extended to the whole order by Pope Benedict XIII on 12 April 1728. The head of St. Ludolph was kept in the possession of the Norbertine nuns of Meer in Prussia, beginning in the 17th century.
PRAYER: Almighty God, you made the bishop and martyr St. Ludolph a zealous and fearless witness of your Church and You enabled him to fight for justice to the death. Through his intercession grant that we may be filled with patience in all the trials of life and be found worthy to belong to you for all eternity. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen🙏
SAINT BERTHOLD OF MOUNT CARMEL, PRIEST: St. Berthold of Mt. Carmel (d. 1195), also known as Bartoldus of Calabria, was born at Limoges in France, the son of a Count. Studied in Paris and excelled at his studies and was ordained a priest. St. Berthold’s brother, Aymeric, became the Latin patriarch of Antioch. According to the legend, St. Berthold accompanied his brother, Aymeric on the crusades and found himself in Antioch when it was being besieged by the Saracens. Through his urgings, the Christians in Antioch turned to prayer and penance, and the city was delivered. The two joined together to participate in a Crusade to the Holy Land. While in the Holy Land, St. Berthold traveled to Mount Carmel and built a monastery and church dedicated in honor of the Prophet Elijah (Elias), who had defeated the priests of Baal there and seen the vision of the cloud out over the sea. This is confirmed in a letter of Peter Emilianus to King Edward I of England in 1282.
At the time, there were a number of hermits from the West scattered throughout Palestine, and St. Berthold gathered them together, founded a community of priests who settled on Mount Carmel and they lived together in imitation of the life of the great prophet as recorded in the Old Testament. St. Berthold became the group’s first superior and stayed with the community at Mount Carmel for 45 years until his death in 1195. It was the life and work of St. Berthold that laid the foundation for the Carmelite Order, his example and way of life stamped the beginnings of the Carmelite Order, leading to the drawing up of the order’s rule by St. Albert, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, about 1210. That rule was approved by Pope Honorius III in 1226 and it is this primitive rule that is considered the foundation of the Order of Mount Carmel. But it seems to have been St. Berthold who first organized the monastic life of the hermits on Mount Carmel and governed them until his death. St. Brocard, who apparently was his successor, petitioned Albert to compose a rule for them, undoubtedly codifying and completing the work begun by St. Berthold.
Saint Berthold of Mount Carmel, Priest ~ Pray for us🙏
SAINTS JONAS AND BARACHISIUS AND COMPANIONS, MARTYRS: Saints Jonas and Barachisius (died 327), two brothers, were Persian martyrs during the persecutions of King Shapur II. King Shapur of Persia, in the year 327, the eighteenth of his reign, raised a bloody persecution against the Christians and laid waste their churches and monasteries. Sts. Jonas and Barachisius, two brothers of the city Beth-Asa, hearing that several Christians were under sentence of death at Hubaham, went there to encourage and serve them. Fear not, brothers, but let us combat for the name of Jesus crucified, and like our predecessors we shall obtain the glorious crown promised to valiant soldiers of the Faith. Fortified by these words, nine of that number received the crown of martyrdom. After their execution, Sts. Jonas and Barachisius were apprehended for having exhorted the martyrs to die. The president entreated the two brothers to obey the king of Persia, and to worship the sun, the moon, fire, and water. They answered that it was more reasonable to obey the immortal King of heaven and earth than a mortal prince. Saint Jonas was beaten with knotty clubs and with rods until his ribs were visible, but he blessed God. Then he was chained by one foot and dragged to a frozen pond to spend the night there.
Saint Barachisius had two red-hot iron plates and two red-hot hammers applied under each arm, and melted lead dropped into his nostrils and eyes; after which he was carried to prison, and there hung up by one foot. Despite these cruel tortures, the two brothers survived and remained steadfast in the Faith. New and more horrible torments were then devised; both finally expired under a terrible press. They yielded up their heroic lives, praying for their enemies, while their pure souls winged their flight to heaven, there to gain the martyr’s crown which they had so faithfully won. They died on December 24, 327 at Hubaham, Persia.
Saints Jonas and Barachisius, Martyrs ~ Pray for us🙏
Day Twenty-Two: A Faith That Perseveres Saturday, Third Week of Lent
Scripture Passage: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
Opening Reflection Faith is not just about believing when things are easy; it is about trusting God even when challenges arise. The Lenten journey reminds us that perseverance is necessary in our spiritual lives. Just as Jesus remained faithful to His mission despite trials, we are called to endure with faith, hope, and prayer.
Meditative Reflection Throughout history, God has strengthened those who remain steadfast in faith. The prophets, the apostles, and the saints all endured hardships, yet their trust in God never wavered. In the Gospels, we see how Jesus teaches perseverance through parables and personal encounters. The Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28), for example, did not give up when Jesus initially seemed to reject her plea. Her persistence in faith moved the Lord to respond with mercy.
Lent challenges us to examine our own faith. Do we remain faithful in difficult moments, or do we doubt God’s presence when things do not go our way? True discipleship requires endurance, even when prayers seem unanswered. When we persevere, we grow in trust and are shaped into stronger followers of Christ.
Reflection Questions When have I struggled to remain faithful in difficult times? How can I cultivate perseverance in my spiritual life? Do I trust that God is working even when I cannot see immediate results?
Lenten Question Q: Why does God sometimes allow us to experience trials? A: God permits trials not to harm us but to strengthen our faith (James 1:2-4). Challenges refine us, teaching us to rely on Him more deeply. Just as gold is purified by fire, our faith grows stronger through perseverance.
Lenten Action Offer up today’s struggles as a sacrifice to God. Instead of complaining, choose to trust in His plan and remain faithful in prayer.
Concluding Prayer Heavenly Father, give me the grace to persevere in faith, especially in moments of doubt or hardship. Help me to trust in Your perfect plan, knowing that You are always present, even when I cannot see the way forward. Strengthen my heart and keep me steadfast in prayer. Amen.
Greetings, and blessings, beloved family, and Happy Friday, Third Week of Lent!
We thank God for His mercy and the gift of faith. May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey and may this Lenten season lead us to deeper conversion, greater love, and unwavering trust in His divine will. Wishing us all a love-filled and spiritually enriching Lenten journey. Amen🙏🏽
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN” | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/28/catholic-daily-mass-24/
“Loving God, we thank you for the unwavering faith and leadership of Pope Francis. As he recovers from his hospitalization, we humbly ask for your healing touch upon his body, your peace upon his mind, and your comfort for his spirit. Grant him strength, renewed energy, and a continued ability to serve your flock with compassion and wisdom. We entrust him to your loving care, and we pray that he may soon be restored to good health, if it be your will. Through Christ our Lord, Amen”🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR THE VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTER: We join our Holy Father, Pope Francis to pray for the people of Bahía Blanca, in Argentina, affected by the recent floods the area is suffering. We specifically pray for those who have lost their lives due to this natural disaster and their families and all those who are missing and displaced from their homes. May the good Lord grant them all peace and comfort during this challenging time.
On this special feast day, as we continue our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, for the victims of the recent flood in Argentina and we continue to pray for the repose of the gentle souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH For families in crisis: Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences. (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/
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 🙏🏽
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT CONON OF NASO, ABBOT; SAINT STEPHEN HARDING, ABBOT; AND SAINT GONTRAN, KING AND CONFESSOR – FEAST DAY: MARCH 28TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Conon of Naso, Abbot, known for his deep piety, miraculous works, and care for the poor (Patron Saint of Naso, Sicily); Saint Stephen Harding, Abbot, a co-founder of the Cistercian Order and a model of monastic reform (Patron Saint of Cistercians and monks); and Saint Gontran, King and Confessor, a ruler known for his humility, justice, and devotion to his people (Patron Saint of divorced people, guardians, and repentant murderers).
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and these Holy Saints, we humbly pray for the conversion of sinners, for all religious leaders who guide the faithful, and for rulers to govern with wisdom and compassion. May we, like these saints, strive for holiness in our respective callings. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Conon of Naso, Saint Stephen Harding, and Saint Gontran ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
SAINT CONON OF NASO, ABBOT: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) Saint Conon of Naso (1139–1236) was a nobleman from Naso, Sicily, born into wealth but drawn to a life of deep faith and simplicity. At the age of 15, he renounced his worldly privileges and became a monk, embracing a life of solitude and prayer. Eventually, he was called to serve as the abbot of his monastery, guiding others in their spiritual journey. Upon his parents’ passing, he distributed his inheritance to the poor, demonstrating radical detachment from earthly riches.
During a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, Saint Conon received a vision warning him of a priest’s spiritual peril. Acting swiftly, he confronted the priest, who, struck with conviction, repented and gave his hoarded wealth to the needy. This miraculous insight was only one of many in his life. Another account tells of how he healed a boy afflicted with paralysis.
Saint Conon passed away on March 28, 1236, and after his death, numerous miracles were attributed to his intercession. In 1571, during a famine in Naso, he appeared in a vision to a ship captain, instructing him to deliver grain to the starving people. The captain obeyed, and the town was saved from hunger. Through his example of charity, faith, and obedience to God’s will, Saint Conon teaches us the power of detachment and trust in divine providence.
PRAYER: Almighty God, You called Saint Conon to a life of simplicity, prayer, and service. Through his intercession, grant us the grace to seek You above all things and to trust in Your divine providence. May we, like him, be generous with what You have given us, remembering that all things belong to You. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Conon of Naso ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
SAINT STEPHEN HARDING, ABBOT: “The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep Your words.” (Psalm 119:57) Saint Stephen Harding (c. 1050–1134) was an English monk and one of the key founders of the Cistercian Order, a monastic movement dedicated to restoring the original Rule of Saint Benedict. Born in Dorset, England, he was highly educated and traveled extensively in search of deeper spiritual truth. His journey led him to the Abbey of Molesme in Burgundy, where he met Saints Robert and Alberic, both passionate about monastic reform.
In 1098, desiring a stricter adherence to monastic discipline, he co-founded the monastery at Cîteaux, which became the birthplace of the Cistercian Order. Upon the death of Saint Alberic, Stephen became the third Abbot of Cîteaux and worked tirelessly to strengthen the community, despite severe hardships.
His leadership bore great fruit when Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and thirty companions joined the monastery in 1112, sparking a rapid expansion of the Cistercian movement. To ensure unity and structure, Saint Stephen drafted the “Charta of Charity” (Charter of Love) in 1119, a foundational document that established the governance of Cistercian monasteries and remains a landmark in monastic history. Near the end of his life, he resigned due to blindness and passed away on March 28, 1134. Canonized in 1623, he remains an inspiration for those seeking a life of discipline, humility, and faithfulness to God’s call.
PRAYER: Lord, You called Saint Stephen Harding to reform and renew the monastic life, inspiring generations to seek You in prayer and simplicity. Through his intercession, strengthen our faith, guide us in our vocations, and help us to remain steadfast in our commitment to You. May we always seek to love and serve You above all things. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Stephen Harding ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
SAINT GONTRAN, KING AND CONFESSOR: “Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) Saint Gontran (532–592) was the son of King Clotaire I and grandson of Clovis I and Saint Clotilde. He inherited the kingdoms of Orléans and Burgundy and ruled from 561 to 592. Unlike many rulers of his time, he governed with justice, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility for his people. Though he once lived a worldly life, he later repented and sought to rule as a Christian king, practicing self-discipline and seeking to atone for his past sins.
Known for his acts of charity, kindness to the poor, and dedication to the sick, he was a protector of the oppressed and a benefactor of the Church. He built monasteries and churches and treated bishops and priests with great reverence. Though he was a strict ruler when it came to justice, he was also merciful and quick to forgive personal offenses.
Despite being a king, he lived a life of penance fasting, praying, and making personal sacrifices on behalf of his people. He was deeply concerned for the salvation of his subjects and was known to weep and intercede for them in prayer. His reign of 31 years was marked by peace, wise governance, and Christian charity. Saint Gontran died on March 28, 592, in Chalon-sur-Saône, and was venerated as a saint shortly after his death. He is the Patron Saint of divorced people, guardians, and repentant murderers, reflecting his role as a just yet merciful ruler.
PRAYER: Lord, You called Saint Gontran from a life of power to a life of humble service and penance. Through his example, teach us to seek mercy, justice, and holiness in all we do. May we, like him, govern our own hearts with wisdom and seek to live as true disciples of Christ. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Gontran, King and Confessor ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
The lives of Saint Conon of Naso, Saint Stephen Harding, and Saint Gontran remind us that holiness is possible in every state of life whether as a monk, a leader, or a humble servant of God. They teach us to embrace repentance, humility, and selfless love for others. As we continue our Lenten journey, may their examples inspire us to seek God above all things and to live lives of virtue, prayer, and charity.
May their prayers strengthen us on our path to holiness. Amen. 🙏🏽
Saint Conon of Naso, Saint Stephen Harding, and Saint Gontran ~ Pray for us! 🙏🏽
Today’s Bible Readings: Third Week of Lent | Friday, March 28, 2025 *Reading 1: Hosea 14:2-10 *Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17 *Gospel: Mark 12:28-34
Gospel Reading ~ Mark 12:28-34
“The Lord our God is one Lord, and you shall love the Lord your God”
“One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked Him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to Him, “Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than He. And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that He answered with understanding, He said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” And no one dared to ask Him any more questions.”
In our Gospel reading today, our Lord Jesus was presented with a question from a teacher of the Law who was following Him, regarding the matter of which commandment of God was the most important of all of them. The context of this must be understood in the light of how the teachers of the Law as well as the Pharisees of the time were very particular and concerned about the details of the many rules, laws, commandments, rituals and the many aspects and tenets of the Law of God that had been passed down to the people through Moses and then preserved through many centuries. Throughout all that time, the Law of God had gradually become more and more bloated with many details and cumbersome rituals, designed to help the people to live their lives, but also with many modifications and changes that helped some to get away with certain requirements, which ended up also contradicting the original Law, its meaning and purpose. Essentially, by the time of the Lord Jesus, many of them had forgotten, or in their preoccupation with the details and the extent of the many laws, numbering about six hundred and thirteen in some traditions, they had overlooked why the Lord gave His people that Law and commandments in the first place. This was when the Lord then highlighted very clearly once again that God is truly Love, and fully filled with His ever generous and ever present love for His people, despite their often rebellious, stubborn and wicked attitudes and actions. That was where the Lord also presented the fact that the whole of the Law could indeed be summarised into two main Law, that is first and foremost, the obligation for one to love the Lord their God and Master with all of their might and strength, and then, secondly, to show that same love towards their fellow brothers and sisters. For if God has loved us all, how can we not love Him in the same way too? And how can we not love one another as well, if God loves everyone around us, as how can we hate those whom God Himself has loved?
Jesus declares that the greatest commandment of the law is to love God with all our heart. Our love of God is always in response to God’s love for us. As Saint John reminds us in his letter, ‘We love because God first loved us’. Jesus replied by giving the Scribe not just the first but the second as well. It seems that, for Jesus, these two commandments were intrinsically linked. In quoting those two commandments, Jesus speaks of three loves, the love of God, the love of neighbour and the love of self. He connects these three loves very closely together; He suggests that they are all of a piece. Yet, He clearly declares that the first love in our lives is to be the love of God. Jesus is saying that the most important relationship in our lives to get right is our relationship with God. That relationship is right if it is a relationship of love. God is to be loved not to be feared, and God is to be loved with all our being. Our love of God is always a response to God’s love of us. This is the love that is spoken about in today’s first reading, ‘I will love them with all my heart’. Knowing that God loves us with all God’s heart enables us to love God with all our heart. It is our loving relationship with God that will make it possible for us to recognize God in ourselves and in others, and to love ourselves and others as God’s good creation, as images of God. Genuine love of God in response to God’s love for us will always catch us up into God’s own love for humanity. The scribe in the Gospel reading who recognized the connection between these two commandments was declared by Jesus to be ‘not far from the kingdom of God’. God’s kingdom is always present among us whenever we open ourselves to God’s love for us and respond to that love by loving God in return and loving all whom God loves. This is what we are asking for when we pray, ‘Thy kingdom come’, in the prayer Jesus gave us to pray.
Reflecting on today’s Gospel, Jesus highlights the two greatest commandments: loving God with our whole being and loving our neighbor as ourselves. This teaching encapsulates the essence of true discipleship, where love becomes the foundation of our relationship with God and with one another. The scribe, in recognizing the profound nature of this commandment, receives Jesus’ assurance that he is not far from the Kingdom of God. True love for God is not merely about external sacrifices but about a heart fully devoted to Him, which then manifests in genuine love for others. This Lenten season calls us to examine our love do we love God with our whole heart? Do we extend that love to those around us, especially those in need?
In our first reading today from the Prophet Hosea, God says to the people of Israel, ‘I will love you with all my heart’, even though they had repeatedly turned away from God. The Lord is calling on them to repent from their wicked and sinful ways, embracing His love and mercy, and returning to His loving grace and compassion. The Prophet Hosea back then lived and ministered to the people of God during the final decades and years of the northern kingdom of Israel, which were made of much of the ten of the twelve tribes of the Israelites that broke off from the rule of the House of David. That northern kingdom had spent most of its history and time in rebellion and disobedience against God, as their kings did not obey God and His Law, refusing to follow His commandments and words, and as such led the people down the path of sin and evil. They had been misled by their own wicked desires and the inability to resist the temptations of the world. That was why the Lord was angry at those people who had repeatedly rejected His kindness and love, hardened their hearts and minds and refused to listen to Him. Not only that, but they also even persecuted those prophets and messengers that God had sent into their midst to help and guide them down the right path. They had no regard for God and His truth, and preferred to live their lives in their own terms and ways. That led them further and further into the path of sin, and into their downfall. They were punished for their delinquence and stubbornness, and their enemies fell upon them one after another, as God pronounced His judgment over them, telling them how they would be scattered and having their homeland and kingdom destroyed by their own actions. But then, the Lord also told them that in the end, despite all that, God still loved them and cared for them. God did not want them all to end up being cast out into the utter darkness and destruction, as after all, He loves each and every single one of us, without exception, even to the worst of sinners among us. However, what He truly despises is our many sins and wickedness, and our refusal to listen to His words and reminders, our stubbornness and arrogance among other things. Those are the things that have often led many among us to continue to walk down the path of rebellion and evil, and hence, He calls on every one of us through what we have heard from the prophet Hosea, to turn away from all sorts of wickedness and evils, all the things that can often lead us down the path of sin and destruction. He wants us all to remember His Law and commandments, which He has presented before us so that they may become our guide and help in our journey towards His salvation and grace.
Reflecting on the first reading, the prophet Hosea calls Israel to return to the Lord, recognizing that their sins have led them away from Him. Yet, God, in His infinite mercy, promises healing, renewal, and fruitfulness for those who repent. He compares His love to the refreshing dew, causing His people to blossom and flourish. This passage is a reminder that no matter how far we have strayed, God’s mercy is always available. He longs to restore us and make us fruitful in His grace. Lent is a time to heed this call, turning back to God with sincerity and trusting in His promise of renewal.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the psalm reinforces God’s desire for His people to listen to His voice and walk in His ways. He longs to bless and provide for them, yet they often turn away. The refrain, “I am the Lord your God: hear my voice,” invites us to reflect on how well we listen to God. Do we allow His word to shape our lives? Do we trust that He truly desires what is best for us? When we listen and obey, He promises to satisfy us with the best of His blessings. Have we truly placed God above all else in our lives, loving Him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength? Do we extend that same love to those around us, or do we struggle with selfishness, resentment, or indifference? In what ways do we need to return to God, allowing His mercy to restore and renew us?
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, each and every one of us are reminded of the need for us to return to the Lord and to remember His love and mercy, particularly during this blessed penitential time and season of Lent, when we prepare ourselves for the upcoming celebration of Holy Week and Easter. We are all called to remember our responsibility and obligations as Christians, to be exemplary in our way of life and to obey the Law and commandments of God in all things. We are reminded to love God and our neighbours above all else, and even perhaps more than how we love ourselves. Definitely we should not allow our own selfishness and self-love to end up causing us to forget about our duties and responsibilities as Christians, as those whom God had called and chosen to be His own. Let us all take the good examples of the life and the works of all the Saints and Holy men and women, particularly those whom we celebrate today. Who spent a lot of time in working for the good of all those whom they had given themselves in service to, all the way to the last moments of their lives. The examples and inspirations shown to us by these Holy servants of God should indeed inspire us to do the same with our lives as well, that is to love the Lord our God and to love one another with the same love, as best as we can. Let us all ask the Lord for the strength and grace that we may follow Him with great faith and commitment, from now on, and walk always ever in His path. May the Lord, our ever loving and generous God continue to love and care for us, and may He empower us all in our journey of faith and life, so that in each and every moments we will continue to show love in all things, towards God and to our fellow brothers and sisters. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and continue to guide us and bless us in our journey of faith throughout this life. May He continue to guide us all so that we may continue to be faithful in following Him, and in doing what is right, in accordance with His will. May God bless us always, in all of our good efforts and endeavours. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You have commanded us to love You above all things and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Fill our hearts with true love, so that we may live according to Your will. Help us to turn away from everything that separates us from You and embrace the life of grace You offer. May we listen to Your voice and walk in Your ways, trusting in Your abundant mercy. Amen. Today, let us commit to loving God wholeheartedly and expressing that love through acts of kindness and mercy toward others. True faith is not just about rituals but about a transformed heart that seeks God in all things. Let this Lenten journey be one of deep conversion and renewal. 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH | MONTH OF ST. JOSEPH: The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. “His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade”. “This patronage must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization,” wrote St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer). St. John Paul II further said, “Because St. Joseph is the protector of the Church, he is the guardian of the Eucharist and the Christian family. Therefore, we must turn to St. Joseph today to ward off attacks upon the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and upon the family. We must plead with St. Joseph to guard the Eucharistic Lord and the Christian family during this time of peril.”
As the weeks of Lent progress let us not be tired of doing our good works and penance, but continue with the enthusiasm of the catechumens on their way to Easter and Baptism. May our Lenten observance be a joyful journey and not a forced march. 🙏🏽
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Conon of Naso, Saint Stephen Harding, and Saint Gontran, we lift our hearts in prayer. May God strengthen all who dedicate their lives to prayer, service, and the pursuit of holiness, that their witness may inspire others to follow Christ with greater devotion. We pray for those in positions of leadership, that they may govern with wisdom, justice, and a heart open to the will of God, following the example of Saint Gontran. May those called to monastic life, like Saints Conon and Stephen Harding, find strength in their vocation, drawing closer to God in humility and perseverance. For all who struggle with doubts and burdens, may they find comfort in God’s mercy and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We also offer our personal intentions and remember all who have asked for our prayers, trusting in God’s divine providence. 🙏🏽
LET US PRAY
My loving Lord, Your love for me is infinite and perfect in every way. I pray that I will learn to love You with every fiber of my being, holding nothing back, and to daily grow deeper in my love of You. As I grow in that love, I thank You for the overflowing nature of that love, and I pray that this love of You will flow into the hearts of those around me. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You have commanded us to love You above all things and to serve one another with hearts of compassion and humility. Through the example of Saint Conon, Saint Stephen Harding, and Saint Gontran, teach us to live with faithfulness, seeking Your will in all things. May we, like them, strive for holiness, dedicating our lives to You in prayer, charity, and selfless service. Strengthen us in moments of weakness, and guide us always on the path that leads to You. Jesus, we trust in You. Amen. 🙏🏽
Lord, You raised up Saint Conon of Naso in a life of solitude and prayer, Saint Stephen Harding in the renewal of monastic life, and Saint Gontran in the pursuit of justice and mercy as a king. Through their intercession, grant us the grace to follow You wholeheartedly, whether in leadership, religious life, or daily Christian living. May we grow in humility, trust in Your providence, and always seek to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save us, Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Conon of Naso, Saint Stephen Harding, and Saint Gontran ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
May this Lenten season deepen our trust in God’s providence and open our hearts to His transforming grace. Wishing us all a blessed and grace-filled Friday of the Third Week of Lent and relaxing weekend! Amen. 🙏🏽
