Author: Resa

Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Tuesday, First Week of Lent.

May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey 🙏🏽

FIRST WEEK OF LENT

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 11, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT EULOGIUS OF CORDOBA, PRIEST AND MARTYR AND SAINT SOPHRONIUS  OF JERUSALEM | Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH: Begins March 10–18, 2025 (in preparation for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph on March 19, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/11/novena-to-saint-joseph/

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/2025/03/11/catholic-daily-mass-daily-tv-mass-4/

DAY 6: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/11/day-6-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/

Today, we continue our Lenten journey, walking with Christ in faith, prayer, and sacrifice. Lent is a time of purification and renewal, calling us to deeper trust in God’s mercy and love. As we reflect on His word, may we open our hearts to true conversion, embracing the path of repentance and grace.

The Lord calls us to seek Him with sincerity, to love with humility, and to serve with generosity. Our fasting, prayer, and almsgiving are not mere external practices but invitations to grow in holiness and draw closer to Him. Let us ask for the strength to remain steadfast in our Lenten commitments and the courage to surrender fully to God’s will.

We thank God for the gift of this new day and seek His grace to strengthen us in our Lenten commitments. May we open our hearts to His word and allow His mercy to transform us. Let us pray for peace, justice, and healing in our world, entrusting ourselves to God’s love and guidance. May this Lenten season bring us renewal, deeper faith, and a spirit of true repentance. Wishing us all a grace-filled and spiritually uplifting Lenten journey. ~ Amen 🙏🏽

LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/

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

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

PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS: May we all unite as one voice to lift up the Vicar of Christ in prayer today as his health continues to improve after a prolonged respiratory crisis. We continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis’ speedy recovery and God’s Divine healing and intervention.

Almighty God, we thank you for the loving service of Pope Francis and the hope he has inspired in so many in Your great mercy. Have mercy on him in his illness now, we pray, and guide the medical staff in his care. Grant him peace and healing. Through Christ our Lord. Amen🙏🏽

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, 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, and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and 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 abors 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/

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

DAILY SAINTS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Eulogius of Cordoba, Priest and Martyr (a courageous defender of the faith who gave his life for Christ amid persecution) and Saint Sophronius of Jerusalem, Bishop (a learned theologian and champion of orthodoxy who defended the truth of Christ’s divinity).

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and these holy Saints, we humbly pray for steadfastness in faith, wisdom in truth, and courage in times of trial. We lift up our prayers for all who suffer persecution for their beliefs, for theologians and defenders of the faith, and for those who seek to grow in wisdom and holiness. We pray for priests, bishops, and all who shepherd God’s people, that they may lead with courage and fidelity. May the Lord’s grace strengthen the Church, guide its leaders, and bring hope to the oppressed.

Saint Eulogius of Cordoba and Saint Sophronius of Jerusalem ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

We thank God for His mercy and the gift of faith. May this Lenten season lead us to deeper conversion, greater love, and unwavering trust in His divine will. ~ Amen. 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

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

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

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. 🙏🏽

MEMORIAL OF SAINT EULOGIUS OF CORDOBA, PRIEST AND MARTYR, AND SAINT SOPHRONIUS OF JERUSALEM FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 11TH: Today, we honor the Memorial of Saint Eulogius of Cordoba, Priest and Martyr (a fearless defender of the faith who encouraged persecuted Christians and gave his life for Christ) and Saint Sophronius of Jerusalem, Bishop (a theologian and courageous leader who defended the truth of Christ’s nature and stood firm in the face of conquest).

Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary and these holy saints, we offer prayers today for all who suffer for their faith, especially those facing persecution and oppression. May God grant them the strength to stand firm, the grace to endure hardships, and the hope of eternal glory. We also pray for all who proclaim the Gospel in challenging circumstances priests, theologians, and defenders of the faith. May the example of these saints inspire us to remain steadfast in our spiritual journeys, always upholding the truth with courage and love.

Saint Eulogius of Cordoba and Saint Sophronius of Jerusalem ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

Saint(s) of the Day | March 11th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

SAINT EULOGIUS OF CORDOBA, PRIEST AND MARTYR: St. Eulogius of Cordoba (9th century) was a priest from a prominent Christian family in Cordoba, Spain. Ordained to the priesthood, he was placed at the head of the most important ecclesiastical school in Spain, which then flourished in Cordoba. His virtues, combined with his devotion to fasting and prayer, gained him universal esteem. Well-educated, humble, gentle, and a gifted leader, he possessed a special charism of encouragement, particularly towards Christians facing martyrdom.

At the time, Cordoba was under Muslim rule. For many years, Christians were allowed to live in relative peace. However, in 850, a violent persecution arose when some Muslims began converting to Christianity. As an advocate for the persecuted, St. Eulogius was imprisoned alongside his bishop and many priests. While in prison, he read the Bible to his companions and exhorted them to remain faithful in the face of martyrdom. He also wrote an Exhortation to Martyrdom addressed to two young female converts, the virgins Flora and Mary, who faced death. He encouraged them that no physical torment could harm their souls and urged them to persevere. Sts. Flora and Mary were eventually beheaded on November 24, 851. Six days later, St. Eulogius and his companions were released from prison.

Despite his freedom, the persecution continued, and St. Eulogius became a pillar of strength for the faithful. In 853, he wrote Memoriam of the Saints, a record of the martyrs’ sufferings, filled with zeal and a deep spirit of sacrifice.

His own time of trial came in 858 when he was again imprisoned, this time for sheltering a young convert named Leocritia (Lucretia), a noblewoman of Moorish descent who had embraced Christianity against her family’s wishes. When arrested, he was given the option to renounce his faith to escape death. Instead, he boldly preached the Gospel to his judges. For this, he was immediately beheaded on March 11, 859. St. Leocritia was executed four days later.

PRAYER: God of power and mercy, through Your help St. Eulogius overcame the tortures of his passion. Help us, who celebrate his triumph, to remain victorious over the wiles of our enemies. Amen. 🙏

SAINT SOPHRONIUS OF JERUSALEM: St. Sophronius of Jerusalem, known as “the Sophist” due to his mastery of Greek philosophy, was a courageous leader of the Church during the Islamic conquests of the seventh century. Born in Damascus, Syria, around 560, he came from an esteemed family and received a deep philosophical and theological education. Drawn to the monastic life, he entered a monastery in Palestine and became a close friend and disciple of John Moschus, a fellow monk and spiritual writer.

During the Persian invasion of Palestine in 605, St. Sophronius and John Moschus fled to Antioch and later to Egypt, where they sought refuge in various monasteries. Their journeys led to John Moschus writing The Spiritual Meadow, a collection of spiritual wisdom still cherished in the Eastern Church today. Eventually, they found refuge in Rome, where Moschus passed away in 619.

At this time, Jerusalem was a city in turmoil. It was captured by the Persians in 614 but reclaimed by the Byzantines in 628. However, another threat soon emerged: the rise of Islam. St. Sophronius, a strong opponent of the Monothelite heresy (which falsely claimed Christ had only one will—divine but not human), played a crucial role in defending orthodox Christology. He also mentored St. Maximus the Confessor, one of the greatest defenders of Christ’s two wills.

In 634, St. Sophronius was elected Patriarch of Jerusalem. His tenure was marked by great trials as the Islamic army, under Caliph Umar, besieged the city for two years. The people of Jerusalem suffered starvation, and to prevent further bloodshed, St. Sophronius negotiated a peaceful surrender in 637. Heartbroken over the fall of the Holy City, he died the following year in 638.

His stand against Monothelitism was vindicated decades later when the heresy was formally condemned at the Sixth Ecumenical Council (680-681). However, his beloved Jerusalem remained under Muslim rule until the First Crusade in 1099.

PRAYER: O God, who strengthened Saint Sophronius to defend the truth of Christ’s divine and human wills, grant that through his intercession, we may always remain faithful to the fullness of the faith. Help us to stand firm in times of trial and to seek wisdom and courage in defending Your truth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏

Saint Sophronius of Jerusalem, pray for us! 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

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

Today’s Bible Readings: Tuesday of the First Week of Lent, March 11, 2025
Reading 1: Isaiah 55:10-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19
Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 6:7-15

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. This is how you are to pray”

“Jesus said to His disciples: ‘In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. This is how you are to pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.’”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray to the Lord, referring to Him as ‘Our Father in Heaven’. This is the prayer that we all well know and recognise as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ or ‘Our Father’, in Latin ‘Pater Noster’. Jesus contrasts it with the prayer of the pagans which He identifies with babble, an abundance of words. In contrast, the prayer that Jesus gives us has few words. The pagans’ use of many words is an attempt to manipulate God, according to Jesus. The Disciples, however, are to entrust themselves to God when they pray. Our prayer does not inform God. Rather, our prayer forms us. Jesus warns against meaningless repetition in prayer, reminding them that God already knows their needs. Instead of long-winded prayers, He gives them the Our Father, the perfect prayer that acknowledges God’s holiness, His kingdom, His will, and our dependence on Him for daily sustenance, forgiveness, and protection from sin.

The Lord’s Prayer is not just a prayer to recite but a model for all prayer. The Lord’s Prayer, has two parts to it. In the first part, we acknowledge who God is and in the second part who we are before God. It begins with adoration (“hallowed be thy name”), moves into submission to God’s will, expresses dependence on Him for daily needs, seeks forgiveness, and ends with a plea for deliverance from evil. In those opening petitions we acknowledge the priority of God’s name, God’s kingdom and God’s will. In a sense, we invite God to be God. In the following petitions we acknowledge who we are before God, dependent on God for our fundamental needs, our physical needs symbolized by bread and our spiritual needs, our need for forgiveness for our sins and for strength in time of temptation by evil. This very short prayer is both a prayer in itself and a teaching on prayer. It is a prayer that shows us what is at the heart of all prayer.

Reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught us, a simple but effective prayer. It is a prayer that is paired down to its essentials. It is the essence of prayer to God. It is short but deep. Every line of the Lord’s prayer could be the basis for a time of quiet prayer and reflection. A good Lenten exercise might be to take each of the nine lines of the prayer and spend a few minutes praying each line for each of nine days. It would be a kind of novena of prayer based on the Lord’s prayer. We could repeat each line to ourselves quietly, allowing it to enter into our hearts and souls. The prayer has a focus on God in the first four lines – Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be name; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. The focus of the remaining five lines is on ourselves and our needs: Give us this day our daily bread; forgive us our trespasses; as we forgive those who trespass against us; lead us not into temptation; deliver us from evil. Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness a theme central to our Lenten journey. If we refuse to forgive others, we cannot expect God to forgive us. This teaching challenges us to examine our hearts: Do we hold grudges? Do we struggle to let go of past hurts? Lent is a time to ask God for the grace to forgive as He forgives us. Let us sit quietly with each petition for a short while in silence and let us allow the Lord to speak to us through those words of the Lord. We pray the Lord’s Prayer so often that we can fly through it. It is worth praying it slowly and meditatively, because it is the word of the Lord.

In our first reading today from the Book of the prophet Isaiah, God spoke to His people through Isaiah revealing some information about the coming of the Messiah, the Saviour Whom He has promised to the people of Israel, and of Whom Isaiah had spoken a lot about. The Lord revealed how this Messiah or Saviour would be the One to accomplish His will, like the Word that came out from His mouth to proclaim the will of God and the salvation to all the people. This was in fact a revelation of what God would do for all of His beloved ones in this world, that He would send none other than His own only Begotten Son, the Word of God or the Logos, to be Incarnate in the flesh, by the will of the Father and by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be born of the Virgin, His mother, Mary, so that He may become like one of us, the Son of Man. And through this action, God had made Himself to share in our human nature and existence, taking up upon Himself the Humanity that He has shared with each and every one of us, and which is united to His Divine nature in the person of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, Whom we believe to be truly and fully God, and fully Man at the same time. We may not fully realise the significance and importance of such an action by God, which He had willingly done for us, until we realise that precisely because the Lord chose to take up our human nature and embody Himself and His Divinity in that Human form, therefore, He has come to share in our experiences and humanity, and becoming the One through Whom mankind would be reunited with their Divine Lord. Our first reading today from the Prophet Isaiah reassures us that God’s word is powerful and effective. Just as rain waters the earth and brings fruitfulness, God’s word accomplishes His divine purpose. When we pray with faith, meditate on Scripture, and act upon God’s word, it transforms our lives. And our Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 34) reminds us that God hears the cries of the just and rescues them from distress. Prayer is not about informing God of our needs but about trusting in His divine providence.

As we reflect on the words of the Lord in the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded of firstly the importance for us all to obey the words of the Lord, His Law and commandments, and to follow wholeheartedly everything that He has shown and taught us all through His Son, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and also through His Church, by which He has revealed His love and everything that He has intended for us all, His faithful and beloved ones. Each and every one of us are also then reminded of the need for us to be in constant contact and communication with God, our loving Father and Creator so that we may always come to know His will for us, and be attuned to His path and ways, so that we may not end up being distracted, swayed and tempted away towards the path to damnation. As we continue to progress ever further through this time and season of Lent, let us all continue to live our lives with faith, devotion and commitment to God, doing whatever we can so that we may come ever closer to our loving Father, and come to know His will, through good quality time and effort spent in establishing a strong and vibrant relationship with God our Father. Let us continue to make the effort to embody our faith in our every actions, to be truly faithful in all things, not merely in words or formality only. All of us should remember the love and mercy that God has shown to us His people, and make good use of the opportunities which had been given to us this Lent such that we will reconcile with our loving Father, and live a life that is in harmony with Him from now on, glorifying Him by our lives, in each and every moment. May the Lord be with us always, and may He strengthen us all with the courage and blessings needed for us to persevere through the many trials and challenges that we may have to face in the midst of our journey during this time and season of Lent. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and as we continue this Lenten season, let us deepen our prayer life. May our prayers be sincere, humble, and filled with trust in God’s will. Let us also practice forgiveness, knowing that in doing so, we open our hearts to the mercy of God. May God bless our every good efforts and endeavours, and bring us all ever closer to Him, to be once again His beloved children and people, the inheritors of the great glory of God, all that He has promised us, through our devotion, faith and commitment to Him. 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. 🙏🏽

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: We thank God for the gift of this new day and for His unfailing love and mercy. As we continue our Lenten journey, may we grow in deeper trust, humility, and faithfulness to God’s will.

We pray for all who struggle in prayer, that they may find peace in knowing that God already knows their needs and listens to the sincere cries of their hearts. May we all learn to pray with simplicity, trust, and love, following the example of Jesus in today’s Gospel.

We lift up all those who are burdened by unforgiveness, resentment, or past wounds. May God grant them the grace to let go, to heal, and to extend mercy to others, just as He forgives us. May we all take to heart Christ’s words: “If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”

We pray for those who are in need of daily sustenance—those who hunger, those who suffer financial hardship, and those who feel lost and abandoned. May they be provided for and find hope in God’s divine providence.

We remember the sick, the elderly, and the lonely. May the Lord comfort them, strengthen their spirits, and bring them healing. We also pray for all caregivers, medical professionals, and those who dedicate their lives to the service of others.

Through the intercession of Saint Eulogius of Cordoba and Saint Sophronius of Jerusalem, may we be faithful witnesses to Christ, steadfast in prayer, and willing to suffer for the truth when necessary.

We pray for the souls in Purgatory and all the faithful departed. May God grant them eternal rest and bring them into the fullness of His kingdom.

As we reflect on today’s Gospel, may we embrace the words of the Our Father with renewed devotion, allowing them to shape our hearts and guide our actions. May we seek God’s will above all things and walk in obedience to His holy word.

LET US PRAY

Heavenly Father, You know our needs before we ask. Teach us to pray with trust and sincerity. May Your will be done in our lives. Lord Jesus, help us to forgive as we have been forgiven. Free our hearts from resentment and fill us with Your peace. Holy Spirit, guide us in this Lenten season to grow in prayer, fasting, and charity. Strengthen us against temptation and lead us in righteousness.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.  Jesus, we trust in You 🙏🏽

Save us, Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Eulogius of Cordoba, Saint Sophronius of Jerusalem ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

May this day be filled with God’s grace and peace. Wishing us all a safe, blessed, and fruitful day. Amen. 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Monday, First Week of Lent.

May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey 🙏🏽

FIRST WEEK OF LENT

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 10, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT MACARIUS, BISHOP; SAINT JOHN OGILVIE, PRIEST; SAINT MARIE EUGENIE OF JESUS, RELIGIOUS, AND THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE| Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH: Begins today March 10–18, 2025 (Novena Links below)

Today is Monday of the First Week of Lent, a time of continued reflection and renewal as we walk with Christ on this sacred journey. Lent is a season of grace, calling us to conversion, deeper prayer, and acts of love. As we embrace fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we are reminded that our sacrifices are not just about personal discipline but about growing closer to God and becoming more like Christ in our daily lives.

We thank God for the gift of this new day and seek His grace to strengthen us in our Lenten commitments. May we open our hearts to His word and allow His mercy to transform us. Let us pray for peace, justice, and healing in our world, entrusting ourselves to God’s love and guidance. May this Lenten season bring us renewal, deeper faith, and a spirit of true repentance. Wishing us all a grace-filled and spiritually uplifting 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/2025/03/10/catholic-daily-mass-daily-tv-march-10-2025/

DAY 5: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/10/day-5-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/

Holy Rosary for the Health of Pope Francis | Presided over by H.E Cardinal Michael Czerny S.I | From St. Peter’s Square | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/09/holy-rosary-presided-over-h-e-cardinal-michael-czerny-s-i/

NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH: Begins today, March 10–18, 2025 (in preparation for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph on March 19, 2025. Novena Links below.

Novena to St. Joseph – Full | EWTN – https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/st-joseph-full-novena-13879

Novena for the Solemnity of St. Joseph – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops | https://shorturl.at/tvKPT

LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/

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

PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS: May we all unite as one voice to lift up the Vicar of Christ in prayer today as his health continues to improve after a prolonged respiratory crisis. We continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis’ speedy recovery and God’s Divine healing and intervention.

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

Almighty God, we thank you for the loving service of Pope Francis and the hope he has inspired in so many in Your great mercy. Have mercy on him in his illness now, we pray, and guide the medical staff in his care. Grant him peace and healing. Through Christ our Lord. Amen🙏🏽

On this special feast day, as we begin our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, 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, and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and 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 abors 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/

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

DAILY SAINTS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Macarius, Bishop; Saint John Ogilvie, Priest (Patron Saint of converts and persecuted Catholics); Saint Marie Eugenie of Jesus, Religious (Founder of the Religious of the Assumption, devoted to education and faith formation); and The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, who courageously gave their lives for Christ.

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and these holy Saints, we humbly pray for strength in faith, perseverance in trials, and courage to stand firm in Christ. We lift up our prayers for all converts to Christianity, for educators and missionaries, and for those facing persecution for their faith. We pray for the sick, the dying, captives, prisoners, and all who suffer oppression and injustice. May God’s mercy bring healing to the wounded, hope to the struggling, and peace to the troubled regions of the world.

Saint Macarius, Saint John Ogilvie, Saint Marie Eugenie of Jesus, and the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

We thank God for the gift of salvation through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. May the Lord grant us His grace in this Lenten season, strengthening us to serve Him in spirit and in truth. ~ Amen 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

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

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

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. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT MACARIUS, BISHOP; SAINT JOHN OGILVIE, PRIEST; SAINT MARIE EUGENIE OF JESUS, RELIGIOUS, AND THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE – FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 10TH: Today, we honor the Memorial of Saint Macarius, Bishop (a defender of the faith and a key figure in the discovery of the True Cross), Saint John Ogilvie, Priest (a Jesuit martyr who gave his life for the Catholic faith in Scotland), Saint Marie Eugenie of Jesus, Religious (the foundress of the Religious of the Assumption, devoted to education and faith formation), and The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste (Roman soldiers who embraced martyrdom rather than renounce Christ).

Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary and these holy saints, we offer prayers today for persecuted Christians around the world. May God grant them the courage to stand firm in faith, the grace to endure trials, and the hope of eternal glory. We also pray for educators, students, and all who seek to spread the light of Christ in difficult circumstances. May the example of these saints inspire us to remain faithful in our own spiritual journeys.

Saint Macarius, Saint John Ogilvie, Saint Marie Eugenie of Jesus, and the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

Saint(s) of the Day | March 10th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

SAINT MACARIUS OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP: St. Macarius of Jerusalem (4th c.) was the Bishop of Jerusalem from 312-335 A.D. Little is known of his life before this time. He was a lifelong and staunch opponent of Arianism and fought strenuously against this pernicious heresy. He was present and took part in the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. and vigorously opposed the Arian heresy, which greatly threatened the early Church. It is believed that he was one of the bishops who plated a large role in drafting drafting the Nicene Creed. St. Athanasius, his contemporary, refers to St. Macarius as an example of “the honest and simple style of apostolical men.” After the council, St. Macarius accompanied St. Helen, the queen mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, in her successful search for the True Cross that Jesus was crucified upon. It was he who suggested to St. Helen that she would identify the real Cross by touching all three of those she found to a seriously ill woman, and observe which one brought immediate healing. Following the discovery of the True Cross in this miraculous manner, Constantine wrote to Bishop Macarius requesting that he oversee the construction of a magnificent church in Jerusalem, the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, to commemorate the sites of the Crucifixion and Burial of Christ, which still exists today as one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world. Later, he and his fellow Bishop of Palestine received another letter from Constantine to construct a church at Mamre.

PRAYER: God, Light and Shepherd of souls, You established St. Macarius as Bishop in Your Church to feed Your flock by his word and form it by his example. Help us through his intercession to keep the Faith he taught by his word and follow the way he showed by his example. Amen🙏

SAINT JOHN OGILVIE, PRIEST: St. John Ogilvie (1579-1615) was born in 1579 at Drum, Keith, Scotland. His father, Walter Ogilvie was a Scottish noble who raised his son John in the state religion of Scotland, Calvinism. St.John converted to Catholicism at the age of 17 in Louvain, Belgium. Blessed John joined the Jesuits soon after in 1597, and was ordained to the Priesthood in Paris in 1610. He was sent to work in Rouen, France. He repeatedly requested assignment to Scotland where wholesale massacres of Catholics had taken place, but by this point the hunters were searching more for priests than for those who attended Mass. The Jesuits were determined to minister to the oppressed Catholic laity. When captured, they were tortured for information, then hanged, drawn, and quartered. Ogilvie’s request was granted, and he returned to Scotland in November 1613. He worked as an underground missionary in Edinburgh and Glasgow, dodging the Queen’s priest-hunters, disguising himself as a soldier named Watson. After 11 months in the field, St. John was betrayed, imprisoned, interrogated, then tortured for the names of active Catholics. He suffered in silence. During a long imprisonment, no tortures could force him to name any fellow Catholics. Though his courage was admired by the judges he was condemned as a traitor and hanged. He died hanged on March 10, 1615 in Glasgow, Scotland. The customary beheading and quartering were omitted owing to undisguised popular sympathy, and his body was hurriedly buried in the churchyard of Glasgow cathedral. He is the Church’s only officially recorded Scottish martyr. He was canonized by Paul VI on October 17, 1976.

PRAYER: God our Father, fountain of all blessing, We thank you for the countless graces that come to us in answer to the prayers of your saints. With great confidence we ask you in the name of your Son and through the prayers of St John Ogilvie to help us in all our needs. Lord Jesus, you chose your servant St John Ogilvie to be your faithful witness to the spiritual authority of the chief shepherd of your flock. Keep your people always one in mind and heart, In communion with Francis our Pope, and all the bishops of your Church. Holy Spirit, you gave St John Ogilvie light to know your truth, wisdom to defend it, and courage to die for it. Through his prayers and example bring our country into the unity and peace of Christ’s kingdom. Amen🙏

SAINT MARIE OF JESUS (ST. MARIE-EUGÉNIE DE JÉSUS), RELIGIOUS: St. Marie-Eugénie de Jésus (August 25, 1817 – March 10, 1898), was a French Roman Catholic professed religious and the foundress of the Religious Sister of the Assumption. She was born Anne-Eugénie Milleret de Brou on August 25, 1817 at Metz, Moselle, Kingdom of France and was raised in a family with no faith, although she did receive first Holy Communion on Christmas 1829 which seemed to transform her into a pious and discerning individual; As a young woman, she had a conversion experience and felt called to religious life after hearing the Lenten sermons of the Dominican priest Henri Lacordaire in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris which led her to found an order dedicated to the education of the poor. Although she lived with Visitation nuns for a brief time, she did not make vows as a religious. Her religious life was not without its own set of trials, for complications prevented her order from receiving full pontifical approval due to a select few causing problems as well as the deaths of many followers from tuberculosis in the beginning of the order’s life. During a pilgrimage in 1825, she felt called to establish a teaching institute. In 1839, she founded a congregation that came to be known as the Congregation of the Assumption. The community in 1888. In the last years of her life, Mother Marie Eugenie experienced a progressive physical weakening, which she lived in silence and humility – a life totally centered on Christ. She received the Eucharist for the last time on March 9, 1898 and on the 10th, she gently passed over to the Lord. Saint Marie-Eugénie died on March 10, 1898 at aged 80 at Auteuil, Paris, Île-de-France, French Third Republic. Her beatification was celebrated under Pope Paul VI on February 9, 1975 while her canonization was later celebrated on June 3, 2007 under Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. She’s the Patron Saint of Religious of the Assumption and Students.

PRAYER: O God, who called blessed Marie-Eugénie to seek your Kingdom in this world through the pursuit of perfect charity, grant, we pray, through her intercession that we may advance with joyful spirit along the way of love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen🙏

THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE: The Forty Martyrs were soldiers quartered at Sebaste in Armenia, about the year 320. When their legion was ordered to offer sacrifice to idols, they refused to betray the faith of their baptism, and replied to all persuasive efforts, “We are Christians!” When neither cajolings or threats could change them, after several days of imprisonment they were chained together and taken to the site of execution. It was a cruel winter, and they were condemned to lie without clothing on the icy surface of a pond in the open air until they froze to death. The forty, not merely undismayed but filled with joy at the prospect of suffering for Jesus Christ, said: “No doubt it is difficult to support so acute a cold, but it will be agreeable to go to paradise by this route; the torment is of short duration, and the glory will be eternal. This cruel night will win for us an eternity of delights. Lord, forty of us are entering combat; grant that we may be forty to receive the crown!” There were warm baths close by, ready for any among them who would deny Christ. One of the confessors lost heart, renounced his faith, and went to cast himself into the basin of warm water prepared for that intention. But the sudden change in temperature suffocated him and he expired, losing at once both temporal and eternal life. The still living martyrs were fortified in their resolution, beholding this scene. Then the ice was suddenly flooded with a bright light; one of the soldiers guarding the men, nearly blinded by the light, raised his eyes and saw Angels descend with forty crowns which they held in the air over the martyrs’ heads; but the fortieth one remained without a destination. The sentry was inspired to confess Christ, saying: “That crown will be for me!” Abandoning his coat and clothing, he went to replace the unfortunate apostate on the ice, crying out: “I am a Christian!” And the number of forty was again complete. They remained steadfast while their limbs grew stiff and frozen, and died one by one. Among the forty there was a young soldier named Meliton who held out longest against the cold, and when the officers came to cart away the dead bodies they found him still breathing. They were moved with pity, and wanted to leave him alive, hoping he would still change his mind. But his mother stood by, and this valiant woman could not bear to see her son separated from the band of martyrs. She exhorted him to persevere, and lifted his frozen body into the cart. He was just able to make a sign of recognition, and was borne away, to be thrown into the flames with the dead bodies of his brethren. Their bones were cast into the river, but they floated and were gathered up by the faithful.

The Forty Holy Martyr of Sebaste ~ Pray for you 🙏

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

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

Today’s Bible Readings: Monday of the First Week of Lent, March 10, 2025
Reading 1, Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
Gospel, Matthew 25:31-46

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 25:31-46

“Whatever you have done to the very least of my brothers, you have done to me”

“Jesus said to His disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

In today’s Gospel reading, both groups ask the same question of the Lord, ‘When did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison?’ Both groups receive the same answer from the Lord, ‘In so far as we did this or neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you did it or neglected to do it to me’. Jesus identifies Himself very fully with those in greatest need who cross our path in life. When we serve others in their need, we are serving the Lord. When we fail to serve others in their need, we are failing to serve Him. Jesus’ coming to His own people over two thousand years ago was so ordinary that many of His contemporaries failed to recognize Him for who he was. The people of Nazareth asked, ‘Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary?’ The risen Lord’s coming to us today is so ordinary that again we can fail to recognize Him, ‘When did we see you?’ We don’t have to go too far to find the Lord. He comes to us in the neighbour, the family member, the friend, the stranger, who needs our help and support. People who give generously of themselves to those whose need is greater than theirs often say that they are not very religious. Yet, they are serving the Lord all the time without realizing it. At Christmas we celebrated the good news that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word, now risen Lord, continues to take flesh and to dwell among us today in those who cross our path every day. A listening ear, a kind word, a prayerful presence, a simple act of kindness, are all ways of serving the Lord, the one before whom all the nations will one day be assembled. The ground of everyday life is holy ground, because it is the place where the Lord comes to us and cries out to us.

Reflecting on the Gospel reading, Jesus describes the final judgment, where He will separate the righteous from the wicked. He teaches that our treatment of others—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned—is a direct reflection of our love for Him. The righteous will inherit eternal life, while those who fail to love and serve others will face eternal separation from God. Today’s readings emphasize the importance of living a life of love, justice, and mercy. The Lord calls us to holiness not just in worship, but in our daily interactions. The Gospel reminds us that our actions toward the vulnerable directly impact our relationship with Christ. This Lenten season, let us strive to recognize Christ in the least of our brothers and sisters and serve them with love.

Our first reading today, from the Book of Leviticus, the Lord speaks to Moses, calling His people to holiness. He commands them to live with integrity, justice, and love, avoiding deceit, oppression, and hatred. The central message is clear: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Accotding to the reading, God spoke to His people, the Israelites during the time of their Exodus from Egypt, detailing to all of them the Law, the commandments and all the things which He had taught and revealed to them.  Through those Law and commandments, He wants all of His people to know how to carry on living their lives with true and genuine faith in Him. God reminded the Israelites to act in the manner of righteousness, justice and virtue, that they do not cause suffering to others and pervert justice, or to manipulate others for their own benefits. All of these reminders that God had told His people are still important reminders for us even up to this day, because as the disciples and followers of the Lord, we ourselves are called to live lives that are truly worthy of Him, and we should be good role models and examples for everyone to follow. The Lord wanted the Israelites to keep faithfully the Law and commandments which He had provided to them so that they would not fall into the temptations to sin, which could lead them all into their downfall and destruction. This is therefore also an important reminder for all of us so that we ourselves do not let those temptations of the world, desires, ambition, greed, or our ego and pride from leading us astray from the path towards the Lord. We have to strive to resist the wickedness of the evil ones who are constantly trying to lead us into our downfall. We should show genuine love towards our brothers and sisters, caring for the needs of those who are around us, such that through our loving actions and examples, we may inspire others to follow the Lord as well, because they will come to know God through us and our lives.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, as we continue to progress through this time and season of Lent, all of us are reminded through the words of the Sacred Scriptures of the need for us to live our lives carefully, being ever vigilant against the many temptations present all around us which may lead us into the wrong paths in life, moving ever further away from the Lord and His salvation. We are all reminded today that while God has generously given us all the many opportunities for us to follow Him and to embrace His mercy and forgiveness, but we must not take those for granted, or else we may come to regret it when the time comes for us to account for our lives before the Lord, at the time of the Last Judgment. We must remember well as we continue to progress through this time and season of Lent that our faith in the Lord is the source of our salvation, for God has given us His grace through our faith in Him. However, we also must not think that our faith in the Lord without action and concrete deeds to back it up will benefit us in any way. As St. James the Apostle mentioned in his Epistle, and also the Apostolic tradition of the Church stated, that faith without good works is dead. This must not be misunderstood as what some believed wrongly, that we can gain salvation through our works without faith. Instead, it means that our faith in God must always be supported and made concrete and alive through real actions, not by mere words and formalities only, or else, that faith will not avail us. And how should we live our faith such that we are truly worthy of the Lord? It is by following what He Himself had said in the Gospel passage today about the Final Judgment. He told all of His disciples and all those who were listening to Him about the actions taken by all those who will be found worthy at the time of the Final Judgment, that is those who have shown love to the least among their brothers and sisters, caring for those who are sick and needy, showing love and attention to the marginalised and all those who are suffering from various difficulties. All those actions show true faith that is indeed lived with genuine desire and sincerity to love both God and one’s fellow men and women alike, which is exactly what all of us as Christians have been called to do. On the other hand, if we neglect to do those good deeds and ignore the need to show love and sincere care towards our fellow brethren, no matter how we may claim to be faithful to God, but in the end, that faith will not avail us, because all of our ignorance of the opportunities and the actions that we could have done for the benefit of others, or if we only care about ourselves, causing suffering for others and ignoring the plight of the needy and those who are suffering in our midst, all those things led us into sin against God, the sin of omission, which will be judged against us, and makes us unworthy to share in the true happiness and eternal glory that God has promised to those who have been truly faithful to Him. Essentially, we cannot come towards the Lord unless we make the conscious effort to do what is right and just, as well as commit ourselves to do His will, to show love towards our brethren in our midst. We are called to emulate the Holy men and women, and all the Saints, particularly Saint John Ogilvie, Saint Marie-Eugénie de Jésus, and the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste. Therefore, during this time of Lent, let us all continue to deepen our relationship with God, and strengthen our faith in Him by doing whatever we should be doing in this period of renewal and rejuvenation of our faith. Let us all do them with true understanding of our faith and with genuine desire to seek to be forgiven by God from our many sins and wickedness. We must continue to journey towards the Lord, reestablishing the connection which have been weakened by sin, and resist the many temptations present around us trying to drag us away from our loving God and Father. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the good Lord also help us in this journey so that we may continue to persevere and move forward in our path towards Him, and with this blessed time and opportunity of Lent, may we rediscover that love which we all ought to have for God, and grow ever more committed to Him, now and always. 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. 🙏🏽

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: We give thanks to God for His abundant love and mercy, which sustain us in our daily lives. May we grow ever closer to Him through prayer, fasting, and works of charity this Lenten season. We pray for all those suffering persecution for their faith, especially our brothers and sisters who face discrimination, oppression, or violence because they bear witness to Christ. May they be strengthened by the Holy Spirit and find courage in the example of the saints. We lift up the sick, the elderly, and those who are alone or abandoned. May they experience the healing presence of Christ and the comfort of loving hands to care for them. We pray for all medical professionals and caregivers, that they may be blessed in their work of mercy.

We remember all those facing financial struggles, unemployment, or uncertainty. May God provide for their needs and open doors of opportunity for them. We pray for students, teachers, and all who seek wisdom and knowledge may they be guided by truth and strengthened in faith.

Through the intercession of the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, may we have the courage to remain steadfast in our faith, even in times of trial. We pray for all who suffer for the sake of righteousness, that they may be comforted in God’s unfailing love.

We ask for the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Macarius of Jerusalem, Saint John Ogilvie, and Saint Marie-Eugénie de Jésus. May they pray for us and for all in need of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. We also remember the souls in Purgatory and all the faithful departed—may they be welcomed into the eternal joy of Heaven.

We continue to pray for Pope Francis, bishops, priests, deacons, and all religious men and women, that they may be strengthened in their mission to lead God’s people. May more young people be open to the call of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.

May peace, love, and justice reign in our world. We pray for an end to war, violence, and oppression, that all nations may work toward reconciliation and unity. May God grant us strength in times of trial and trust in His divine will. 🙏🏽

LET US PRAY

Merciful and loving Father, You call us to follow You in faith and trust, just as the saints and martyrs before us did. Grant us the courage to stand firm in our beliefs, even when the path is difficult. May our Lenten sacrifices and prayers draw us closer to You and transform our hearts. Lord Jesus, You endured temptation and suffering so that we might be strengthened in our struggles. Help us to resist sin and embrace virtue. Teach us to offer our hardships for the good of others and to trust in Your divine providence. Holy Spirit, be our guide and comfort. Fill our hearts with love and our minds with wisdom so that we may walk in the light of Christ. Strengthen us in times of doubt, and lead us always in the path of righteousness.Most merciful Lord, Your compassion is great and Your judgment is real. Help me to always keep my mind upon that final and glorious day on which You will return in all Your splendor and glory to judge the living and the dead. May I truly heed Your words and prepare for that day by loving You in all people, especially in those most in need. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏🏽

Jesus, we trust in You. Save us, Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Macarius of Jerusalem, Saint John Ogilvie, Saint Marie-Eugénie de Jésus, and the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

Thanking God for the gift of this day, let us continue to embrace this season of Lent with renewed faith, hope, and love. May we be transformed through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and may our hearts be drawn ever closer to Christ. Wishing us all a blessed, safe, and grace-filled and fruitful day. Amen. 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

Greetings and blessings, beloved family and Happy First Sunday of Lent!

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR C)

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 9, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCES OF ROME, RELIGIOUS; SAINT DOMINIC SAVIO, CONFESSOR AND SAINT CATHERINE OF BOLOGNA, RELIGIOUS| Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH: Begins tomorrow, March 10–18, 2025 (Novena Links below)

Today is the First Sunday of Lent, the first of the six Sundays of the season of Lent before we enter into the Holy Week, as we all prepare ourselves for the coming of the great mystery of the Passion of the Lord and all of His saving works, and the glorious celebration at Easter. We’re called to make good use of this season of Lent to remind ourselves to be more faithful and committed to God, resisting the temptations of sin.

Thanking God for His love and the gift of this day and praying for God’s grace and mercy on us all as we embark on our Lenten journey. Let us draw closer to God and be renewed by prayer, fasting, penance and giving to the poor. We pray for justice, peace, love, and unity in our families and our world that is torn apart by war, terrorism, and countless other acts of violence against human life. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times and may the good Lord grant us His grace as we continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth during this Lenten Season. Wishing us all a reflective and spiritually enriching and grace-filled Lenten Season ~ Amen 🙏🏽

Holy Mass for the Jubilee of the World of Volunteering | Presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Michael Czerny | Live from the Vatican | March 9, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/09/holy-mass-for-the-jubilee-of-the-world-of-volunteering-presided-over-by-his-eminence-cardinal-michael-czerny-live-from-the-vatican-march-9-2025/

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/2025/03/09/catholic-daily-mass-daily-tv-mass-march-9-2025/

LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/09/lenten-prayers-and-reflections/

Holy Rosary for the Health of Pope Francis | Presided over by H.E Cardinal Michael Czerny S.I | From St. Peter’s Square | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/09/holy-rosary-presided-over-h-e-cardinal-michael-czerny-s-i/

NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH: Begins tomorrow, March 10–18, 2025 (in preparation for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph on March 19, 2025. Novena Links below.

Novena to St. Joseph – Full | EWTN – https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/st-joseph-full-novena-13879

Novena for the Solemnity of St. Joseph – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops | https://shorturl.at/tvKPT

LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/

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

PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS: May we all unite as one voice to lift up the Vicar of Christ in prayer today as his health continues to improve after a prolonged respiratory crisis. We continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis’ speedy recovery and God’s Divine healing and intervention.

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

Almighty God, we thank you for the loving service of Pope Francis and the hope he has inspired in so many in Your great mercy. Have mercy on him in his illness now, we pray, and guide the medical staff in his care. Grant him peace and healing. Through Christ our Lord. Amen🙏🏽

On this special feast day, as we begin our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, 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, and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and 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 abors 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/

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

DAILY SAINTS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Frances of Rome, Religious (Patron Saint of Benedictine oblates; Automobile drivers; Widows); Saint Dominic Savio (Patron Saint of choirboys, choristers the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents) and Saint Catherine of Bologna, Religious (artists, the liberal arts, against temptations and of Bologna). Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the safety and well-being of our children, all automobile drivers, travellers and artist, we pray for God’s guidance and protection. We pray for the sick and the dying. We lift up our prayers for the Church, for captives, prisoners, and persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and for all who have lost the joy of living in God’s loving presence. We also remember those who suffer from violence, oppression, and unrest in our communities and around the world. May the intercession of the Saints guide us toward peace, justice, and unity especially in Africa, the Middle East, and in regions afflicted by conflict.

Saint Frances of Rome, Saint Dominic Savio and Saint Catherine of Bologna ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

We thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, may we be saved by the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! May the good Lord grant us His grace during this Ordinary Time as we continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:

Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!

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

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

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. 🙏🏽

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, First Sunday of Lent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: First Sunday of Lent (Year C), Sunday March 9, 2025
Reading 1, Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 91:1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Reading 2, Romans 10:8-13
Gospel, Luke 4:1-13

Gospel (USA) Luke 4:1–13

“Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert and was tempted”

“Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days, to be tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, One does not live on bread alone.” Then he took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to him, “I shall give to you all this power and glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I may give it to whomever I wish. All this will be yours, if you worship me.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It is written: You shall worship the Lord, your God, and him alone shall you serve.” Then he led him to Jerusalem, made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you, and: With their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him in reply, “It also says, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.” When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time.”

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is tempted to take a variety of shortcuts or easy options. Jesus endured a very difficult test immediately after His Baptism. He left the river Jordan where He had been Baptized and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tested or tempted for forty days. The Gospel reading suggests that during these forty days Jesus was tested in a very fundamental way. His very baptismal identity was put to the test. Who He was and what His life was about was at issue. Will He use his power to satisfy his own physical appetites or will he use it to serve others? Will He compromise on His worship of God so as to gain worldly power and honours for Himself? Will He take the short cut to gaining followers by relying on spectacular stunts, thereby putting God to the test? Jesus came through that testing time because He did not face it alone. God was with Him in the test. He was supported by the word of God, and he was strengthened by the Spirit of God, whom He had received at his baptism. In the wilderness of temptation, he remained true to his baptismal identity. Like Jesus, we have all been baptized. We have each received the Holy Spirit at our baptism, as He did. Our own baptismal identity will certainly be put to the test from time to time, as His was. Our baptism has made us sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Christ, temples of the Holy Spirit, members of Christ’s body the church. Because of our baptism, we have a certain set of beliefs. In the words of today’s second reading, we believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we confess with our lips that Jesus is Lord. Who we are as baptized Christians and what we believe will often be put to the test. We may not be led into the physical wilderness as Jesus was after His baptism, but the world in which we live can be experienced as something of a wilderness when it comes to living out our baptism and being true to our baptismal identity. We often experience pressure from our culture to be someone other than what our baptism calls us to be; our peers can tempt us to live in a way that is at odds with our baptismal calling. As he was tempted to take various paths that were contrary to what God wanted for Him, we will be tempted in a similar way. As His faithfulness to God’s call was severely tested, so also will our faithfulness be tested.

Reflecting on the today’s Gospel as we are at the beginning of the seven week season of Lent. Lent is a season when we face the reality that our baptismal identity is always being put to the test, when we remind ourselves of the struggle we are always engaged in to be faithful to the call of our baptism. If remaining faithful to His baptism was a struggle for Jesus, it will certainly be a struggle for us. You could say that Lent is a season when we look temptation in the eye as it were, when we try to identity the particular ways in which we are being pulled away from the path the Lord is asking us to take. It is a season when we try to grow in our freedom to say ‘no’ to the subtle, and not-so-subtle, seductions of every day living. It is a time when we take an honest look at ourselves, and at the direction our lives are taking. This is not something we can do overnight. The season of Lent is nearly seven weeks long. We are given time, because when it comes to getting the basics right, like who we want to be and how we want to live, we need time. The same resources that were available to Jesus in the wilderness are available to us as we enter this Lenten time. When Jesus was tempted, he fell back on the word of God to help Him through. That same word of God has been given to us as a resource in coping with the various assaults on our baptismal identity. Lent is a good time to make greater use of that resource. Perhaps one Lenten exercise we might consider is to read the Sacred Scriptures each day of the week in a prayerful and reflective way for a few minutes, inviting the Lord to speak to us through them. We might begin our daily reading of those Scripture readings with the prayer, ‘Speak Lord, your servant is listening’. The Holy Spirit also helped Jesus to be faithful to His baptismal call. We might conclude our prayerful reading of the Scriptures with the prayer, ‘Come Holy Spirit; keep me faithful to my baptismal calling’. As we begin our Lenten journey together, we ask the Lord to help us to travel it well, so that when Easter comes we can wholeheartedly renew our baptismal promises together.

In our first reading this Sunday, from the Book of Deuteronomy, we heard of the words of Moses, the leader of the Israelites, who exhorted the people of God on how they ought to offer their sacrifices and present them before the Lord. In today’s reading, the priest offering the sacrifice recounted the great deeds that the Lord had done for the people and for their ancestors, guiding them all through the various trials and tribulations in life, and how He has moved His hands to guide them all, performing great deeds, signs and wonders in their midst, freeing them from all of their enemies and from those who have persecuted them, as evidenced in the great signs of the time of the Exodus from Egypt. Essentially, through those words of the priests, the people were constantly being reminded of the great and wonderful graces that they have all received from God, all the love that God has constantly shown to them. This is a reminder of the great love of God, the enduring love that had transcended even the rebelliousness and the sins of the people, who have often disobeyed and rebelled against Him. He did not forget those whom He loved when they called upon Him, and He came to their help and gave them all His blessings, and bringing them to the Land of Promise, fulfilling the Covenant which He had made with their forefathers, with Abraham and his descendants. And therefore, it is also a reminder for all of us that if we sincerely seek God’s mercy and love, we shall be forgiven by Him, and we shall once again be found in His loving embrace and Presence.

In our second reading from the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Church and the faithful people of God in Rome, we heard of the salvation which God had reassured all of us, His faithful ones, by the sure guarantee that He has given to all of us through His Son, Whom He had sent into our world to be our Saviour, so that everyone who believes in Him, all of us may receive through Him the sure path towards the eternal life and true happiness that can be found in God alone. And everyone, regardless of their background and origin, be it they are Jews or Greeks, or any other differences or categories that we often differentiate ourselves by, all of us are truly beloved by God, and God will bless and grant us His salvation if we are to put our trust and faith in Him. This is yet again another reminder of the universal nature of God’s love, which is given freely to everyone without bias or preference. Everyone is equally beloved by God, be it those who are rich or poor, privileged or nobody, powerful or weak, healthy or sick, man or woman, and no artificial human divisions or groupings, prejudices and biases affect His love for all of us, love that He has genuinely shown us from the very beginning of time. God Who created us all out of love wants us all to be reconciled to Him, to be guided back to Him through our repentance and sincere desire for purification of our souls, for the atonement of our faults and mistakes, which He had accomplished once and for all, for all time and for all creation through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, Who has triumphed and conquered sin and death.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures this Sunday, the very first Sunday of the season of Lent, we are reminded of the need for us to be careful in living our lives so that we do not allow ourselves to be swayed by the temptations that are ever always present around us, all the wickedness and evils that may lead us astray in the journey towards God. As we continue to progress through this time and season of Lent, we need to remind ourselves of the many challenges and trials that we may have to endure and encounter in our path so that we will not be easily distracted and lose our focus in the Lord. We have to keep in mind that the Lord wants us all to be holy like Him, and to be worthy of Him, and this is why during this season and time of Lent, we seek to purify ourselves and rid ourselves of all the corruptions of sin. Hopefully after carefully discerning together our path in life, we may come to realisation that sin and the temptations to sin are serious obstacles preventing us from coming back to God, our loving Father and Creator. Each and every one of us should make good use of the time and opportunities which the Lord Himself has provided to us so that by our sincere efforts in seeking Him and His forgiveness, God may be kind to show us His love, His compassion and mercy, allowing us to be fully and truly reconciled and reunited with Him. We should humble ourselves and resist the temptations of pride, ambition, ego, desires and all the attachments to worldly pleasures, vices and all those distractions that can keep us away from God. May the Lord continue to guide us throughout this Lenten journey, so that our observances of Lent, our practices such as fasting, abstinence, prayer and almsgiving, among others, may truly benefit us and strengthen us all in our faith and in our relationship with the Lord, our most loving God, as we journey towards the pinnacle of the story of our salvation at Holy Week and Easter. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and be with us always and may He empower us all throughout this Lenten season so that we may continue to serve Him and to walk in His presence, now and always. May the good Lord continue to bless our efforts and good works in bringing ourselves ever closer to His loving embrace, so that we may one day be worthy to be at His Holy Presence, to share forever His eternal joy and glory, having been forgiven from our many sins and faults, and be reunited with our loving Father, to live forever in His Presence. Amen 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT FRANCES OF ROME, RELIGIOUS; SAINT DOMINIC SAVIO, CONFESSOR AND SAINT CATHERINE OF BOLOGNA, RELIGIOUS – FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 9TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Frances of Rome, Religious (Patron Saint of Benedictine oblates; Automobile drivers; Widows); Saint Dominic Savio (Patron Saint of choirboys, choristers the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents) and Saint Catherine of Bologna, Religious (artists, the liberal arts, against temptations and of Bologna). Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for the safety and well-being well-being of our children, all automobile drivers, travellers and artist, we pray for God’s guidance and protection. We also pray for all widows and widowers and all those who are mourning, please Lord comfort them and help them to abide in you forever even as they go through this difficult time. We continue to pray for all Healthcare professionals, the sick and the dying. We particularly pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis and all those suffering from respiratory diseases, heart diseases, mental disorders, cancers and other terminal diseases, we pray for God’s divine healing and intervention. Amen 🙏🏽

Saint Frances of Rome, Saint Dominic Savio and Saint Catherine of Bologna ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

Saint(s) of the Day | March 9th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

SAINT FRANCES OF ROME, RELIGIOUS: St. Frances (1384-1440) was born to a noble family in Rome. As a young girl her desire to become a nun was refused by her father, who instead arranged her marriage at the age of 12. St. Frances accepted this as God’s will for her life and in obedience to her parents, she entered into a marriage contract with a wealthy nobleman named Lawrence Ponziani. In the matrimonial state the St. Frances led a very pious life, she was married for 40 years and had three children. As St. Frances became acquainted with her in-laws she found that the wife of her brother-in-law felt the same calling to the religious life that she did. From this point on, the two women began to work to help the poor. St. Frances never allowed her spiritual exercises or charitable work to interfere with her family life or domestic duties. She had to endure many trials, particularly during the great schism, when her husband was banished; but she suffered all with exemplary patience, blessing the holy will of God. After the schism St. Francis’s husband recovered his estates.

In St. Frances’ time, Rome was at war and the city was in chaos from political disarray and widespread disease. After the plague swept through Rome, two of her three children died from the plague. After the death of her children from the plague, St. Frances began to turn again to charitable work. She responded by converting her home into a hospital for the sick and poor. She gave up all her wealth to the sick and poor and began to go door to door raising money to aid the sick and the poor. She drove with a wagon into the streets and collected the sick and stranded in order to care for them. She miraculously cured many people, and also began the city’s first orphanage. She inspired many women to join her in this life of prayer and good works. As St. Frances became more deeply involved in charitable work, she began to realize the great need for it in the world and began to seek permission from the Pope to form a charitable society of women to do this work. In 1425, she eventually founded a congregation of lay oblates, to which she gave the Rule of St. Benedict, attached to the Benedictine monastery known as the Oblates of St. Frances of Rome (the Oblate Congregation of Tor di Specchi). The women followed the ideals of the Benedictine order and carried on active charity and assistance of the poor. After setting up the foundation of this society, St. Frances continued to live with her husband until his death. After her husband’s death she entered religious life and received the habit in this community in 1437, and began to live as though she were the lowest of the sisters. Soon after, she was chosen superior of the group. God conferred upon her numerous favors in the supernatural order. One of the great mystics of her time, she dictated 97 visions and was visibly guided by her guardian angel throughout her life. She died March 9, 1440, at the age of fifty-six and was canonized in 1608 by Pope Paul V. St. Frances of Rome is the Patron Saint of many causes, including Benedictine oblates, motorists, pilots, women, widows, and against plague and the death of children. On her feast day many priests bless cars due to her patronage of cars and automobile drivers.

PRAYER: God, in St. Frances You have given us a singular example of both the monastic and the conjugal was of life. Help us to persevere in serving You so that in all the vicissitudes of life we may both look to You and follow You. Amen🙏

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

After a few months of life in the environment of the Oratory and under the saintly care of Saint John Bosco, Dominic’s soul was fired with the zeal of his master, whose rule of life, Give me souls, Lord; You take the rest, the boy adopted for his own. Following the example of Don Bosco, who in season and out of season sought those souls wherever they were to be found, Dominic also went after them in his own little world. In the Oratory he founded and directed the Immaculate Conception Sodality, a group of boys who by prayer, word and example carried on an apostolate among their classmates and proved to be of valuable assistance to Don Bosco in his work. On one occasion Dominic broke up a vicious duel with stones. Standing between the boy-duelists with dramatic suddenness, he flashed a crucifix and said: This is Friday. Today Christ died for love of us. Can you look at Him and still hate each other? When Dominic’s health began to fail he was forced to leave the Oratory. Don Bosco and the boys were very sorry to see him leave; he had been a good friend to all. Don Bosco said of him: His cheerful character and lively disposition made him extremely popular even among those boys who were no great lovers of their faith. His death at his home on March 9, 1857, was sweet and peaceful. As he was dying, he burst out into an ecstatic exclamation, ”Oh, what a beautiful sight I see!” Saint Dominic Savio is the youngest Confessor in the Church’s calendar of saints, and stands out as a hero of school-boy virtue, the shining model of holiness. He was Beatified on March 5, 1950 by Pope Pius XII and Canonized on June 12, 1954 by Pope Pius XII. He’s the Patron Saint of choirboys, choristers the falsely accused, and juvenile delinquents. St. Dominic Savio’s feast is now celebrated on May 6th.

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

SAINT CATHERINE OF BOLOGNA, RELIGIOUS: St. Catherine (1413-1463)
was an Italian nun and artist born as Catherine de’ Vigri on September 8, 1413 in Bologna, Italy. She was the member of an aristocratic family and the daughter of a diplomat to the Marquis of Ferrara. St. Catherine was raised in the court of the marquis as a companion to the Princess Margarita. At the court she received a good education in reading, writing, and the arts. She was particularly skilled in painting, playing the viola, and Latin. The marquis’ daughter, Princess Margarita soon married, Roberto Malatesta, Prince of Rimini, and wanted St. Catherine to continue serving her. But St. Catherine felt called to religious life and chose to leave the court. In 1426, at 13-years-old, she entered the convent of Corpus Domini at Ferrara and became a Franciscan Tertiary. During this time, her convent disagreed in whether to continue following the Augustinian rule or to instead adhere to the Franciscan rule. A Rule is a specific expression of the Christian life which calls the men or women of a particular religious order to a daily pattern of prayer, work and charity. St. Catherine was determined to live a life of perfection, and was admired by her companions for her holiness. In 1432, St. Catherine and other young women of Ferrara founded a monastery of the Order of Poor Clares, an order founded by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. St. Catherine was openly willing to serve the more humble roles in the convent. She was a laundress, a baker and a caretaker for the animals. Through her efforts with Pope Nicholas V,  the Poor Clare convent at Ferrara erected an enclosure, and St.  Catherine was appointed Superioress. That office made her responsible for providing pastoral care and spiritual oversight to all of sisters. The reputation of the Community for its holiness and austerity became widespread. In 1456, St. Catherine returned to Bologna with her superiors and the governors there requested she found a second monastery of the same Order and be the Abbess of the convent.

St. Catherine continued to paint and to write beautiful spiritual guides and poetry. She wrote the Treatise on the 7 Spiritual Weapons Necessary for Spiritual Warfare. And, her painting of St. Ursula remains on display in a Venice gallery. Throughout her life, St. Catherine experienced visions of both Jesus Christ and Satan, which she documented in her treatise. In one instance, she had the baby Jesus placed in her arms by the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the Lenten season of 1463, St. Catherine became seriously ill, and on March 9th she passed away. She was buried without a coffin and her body was exhumed eighteen days later because of many cures attributed to her at her graveside and the sweet scent coming from her grave. Her body was discovered incorrupt and remains so today. That means it has not decayed. St. Catherine is dressed in her religious habit seated upright on a golden throne behind glass in the chapel of the Poor Clares in Bologna. Her skin has since been blackened due to exposure from oil lamps and soot. Saint Catherine was beatified in 1524 by Pope Clement VII and canonized on May 22, 1712 by Pope Clement XI. She is the Patron Saint of artists, the liberal arts, against temptations and of Bologna.

PRAYER: Dear saintly Poor Clare, Saint Catherine of Bologna, so rich in love for Jesus and Mary, you were endowed with great talents by God and you left us most inspiring writings and paintings for wondrous beauty. You did all for God’s greater glory and in this you are a model for all. Make artists learn lessons from you and use their talents to the full.
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. 🙏🏽

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: We thank God for His infinite mercy and for calling each of us to a life of grace and discipleship. May we be strengthened in faith and guided by His love as we continue our Lenten journey. We pray for the sick and the suffering, especially those battling chronic illnesses, mental health struggles, and terminal diseases. May God, in His boundless mercy, grant them healing, comfort, and peace.We pray for all who feel lost, rejected, or burdened by sin. May they encounter the merciful love of Christ and find the courage to follow Him. We lift up to God all those who are struggling with addiction, financial difficulties, and personal hardships—may He be their refuge and strength.

We ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saints John of God, patron of the sick and the suffering, that they may intercede for all in need of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the faithful departed—may they rest in the eternal light of Christ.

We continue to pray for Pope Francis, all bishops, priests, and religious, that they may be strengthened in their mission to shepherd God’s people. May more hearts be open to vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We pray for the persecuted Church and all Christians facing trials for their faith—may they be filled with courage and trust in the Lord.

May peace, love, and unity flourish in our families, our communities, and the world. We pray for all who suffer due to violence, war, and injustice. May God grant deliverance from impossible causes and restore hope to those in despair. 🙏🏽

Let us pray:

My penitential Lord, though You were perfect in every way and always enjoyed full communion with Your Father, You allowed Your human nature to experience the hunger of fasting so that You could infuse that penitential act with Your divine grace. My tempted Lord, You resisted all temptation in Your life by choosing every good virtue and living them to perfection. Please help me to see the virtues I need the most right now, and give me the strength I need to run toward them this Lent with all my heart. My temperate and courageous Lord, You confronted all temptation with courage and strength. You fasted throughout the forty days and forty nights so as to teach us how to navigate the ups and downs of life. Please give me the virtues of temperance and courage, and bestow the Holy Spirit upon me so that I may follow You into the desert of my own life. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Frances of Rome, Saint Dominic Savio and Saint Catherine of Bologna ~ 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 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, fruitful and grace-filled Sunday and Lenten Season ~ Amen🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖