SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER; THE EIGHTH DAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER (YEAR C)
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: THE FEAST OF MERCY
FEAST AND SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ APRIL 27, 2025
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MONTSERRAT | MEMORIAL OF SAINT ZITA OF LUCCA, VIRGIN | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
Watch “NOVENDIALES MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS AND CLOSING CELEBRATION OF THE JUBILEE FOR TEENAGERS | CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | APRIL 27, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/funeral-mass-of-pope-francis/
Novemdiales (Nine Days of Mourning) Masses Schedule for Pope Francis (26 April 2025 – 4 May 2025)
Learn more about the Novendiales (Nine days of mourning) in the Papal Interregnum article below:
PAPAL INTERREGNUM (VACANCY OF THE APOSTOLIC SEE) | EWTN | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/papal-interregnum/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis | EWTN | April 27, 2025 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy”* | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-54/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | Prayer for the Soul of Pope Francis | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/precious-in-the-sight-of-the-lord-is-the-death-of-his-saints-psalm-11615/
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY | April 27, 2025 |
https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/17/divine-mercy-novena/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Divine Mercy Sunday!
Today, on this Divine Mercy Sunday, The Eighth Day in the Octave of Easter, we rejoice in the boundless mercy of our Risen Lord. The first eight days of the Easter season (Easter octave) are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord. Each day is another little Easter. The Alleluia verse is repeated throughout the octave: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia!” As we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, we thank God for the graces poured out upon us throughout the Easter Octave and our Divine Mercy Novena. May the grace and mercy of Jesus flow into every area of our lives, healing, renewing, and strengthening us in faith and love on this Divine Mercy Sunday, during this Easter season and always. Jesus, we trust in You! 🙏🏽
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY: THE FEAST OF MERCY: Today is the eighth and final day of the Octave of Easter. On this day, the Octave of Easter, we celebrate the Feast of Mercy. From ancient times the Easter octave, culminating on the 8th day, has been centered on the theme of God’s mercy and forgiveness. The final day of the octave celebration of Easter is meant to be a day of thanksgiving to God for His goodness to mankind through the Paschal mystery, that is, the Passion, death, and Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. The Second Sunday of Easter was named Divine Mercy Sunday by Pope St. John Paul II. On May 5, 2000, Pope Saint John Paul II decreed that the Second Sunday of Easter, the Octave of Easter, would be known as Divine Mercy Sunday following a request from Our Lord in His private revelations to St. Faustina Kowalska in Vilnius Lithuania. [Full article visit – https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/17/divine-mercy-novena/ ]
PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS
As our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis is finally laid to rest, let us together continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.
Merciful and loving God, we entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, whom You have called from this life to Yourself. We thank You for his faithful and courageous witness to the Gospel, his compassion for the poor and the marginalized, and his tireless devotion to building bridges of peace and unity in Your Church. Receive him into the joy of Your eternal embrace. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing, and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.
O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant Pope Francis, whom you made successor of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth. 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 🙏🏽
Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽
On this special feast day, as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the sick and dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, especially for our Holy Father, POPE FRANCIS, all those who died today, and all the faithful departed may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen 🙏🏽
Today, as we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we joyfully celebrate both the Feast of Our Lady of Montserrat and the Memorial of Saint Zita of Lucca, Virgin, Patroness of Domestic Workers. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Montserrat, and Saint Zita, we humbly pray for the sick, especially those who are terminally ill and dying. May God, in His infinite grace and mercy, grant them healing, comfort, and hope. We also pray for the Church, for our Holy Father Pope Francis, for the clergy, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and for all domestic workers, maids, waiters, waitresses, and Christians around the world. 🙏🏽
DAILY REFLECTIONS WITH PHILOMENA | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/
Watch “HOLY MASS ON THE JUBILEE OF THE SICK AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS | Presided by H.E. Most Rev. Rino Fisichella | Live from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican | April 6, 2025” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/06/holy-mass-on-the-jubilee-of-the-sick-and-healthcare-workers/
WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/
Honoring a Legacy of Service: The 10th Memorial Anniversary of Late Noble (Sir) Gabriel Louis Ihieje Opiepe (KSJI) | https://gliopiepehe.org/2025/04/12/honoring-a-legacy-of-service-the-10th-memorial-anniversary-of-late-noble-sir-gabriel-louis-ihieje-opiepe-ksji/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL: For the use of the new technologies ~ Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
PRAYER OF THE MONTH ~ POPE FRANCIS: Lord, Good Father, as I look at the world and see men and women working in it and beautifying it, a great “Thank You!” springs from my heart. The action of Your Spirit among us encourages us to grow in the progress of science and technology in the service of human dignity for integral and inclusive human development. Because we know You desire the good of all, fro5m the heart of Your Church, Your Son calls us to ensure that technology does not replace “person-to-person” contact, that the virtual does not replace the real, and that social networks do not replace social settings. Help us develop the ability to live wisely, to think deeply, to love generously, without losing heart, promoting scientific and technological growth that increasingly aligns with human development in responsibility, values, and awareness.
Amen 🙏🏽
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏🏽
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Second Sunday of Easter | Sunday of Divine Mercy | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Second Sunday of Easter | Sunday of Divine Mercy | April 27, 2025
Reading 1, Acts 5:12-16
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
Reading 2, Revelation 1:9-11, 12-13, 17-19
Gospel, John 20:19-31
Gospel Reading ~ John 20:19–31
“Eight days later Jesus came and stood in their midst; Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.”
Today’s Gospel reading on this Divine Mercy Sunday from the Gospel according to St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, highlights the moment when the Risen Lord appeared before His disciples, and gave them the gift of His Holy Spirit, revealing at the same time that He has truly risen from the dead and was not merely a spirit. He was truly indeed Risen in the Body and Spirit, and He gave them all the authority and power to forgive sins, to perform the many miracles and signs, just as we have heard in our first reading today. According to the Gospel, St. Thomas the Apostle, the one who often doubted the Lord was not there when the Risen Lord first made His appearance, and how he challenged the Risen Lord to appear before him so that he could ascertain whether he was truly Risen or not. That was just precisely what the Lord did, as He appeared before all the disciples including that of St. Thomas, and asked the latter to do as he had wanted to do, to put his fingers and touch the marks of the nails and the wound at His side. We heard how St. Thomas finally believed and made the public profession of faith, ‘My Lord and my God’ before everyone. Through this event, we are yet again reminded that our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God had truly risen from the dead and triumphed over sin and death. And through Him all of us shall receive the assurance of eternal life, which has been provided to us through what He had gone through on the Cross, and as He triumphantly rose from the dead, the manifestation of the Divine Love and Mercy of God, having been made accessible for all of us.
Reflecting on today’s Gospel reading, we encounter the tender mercy of Jesus in the face of doubt. After His Resurrection, Jesus appears to His fearful disciples, offering them peace and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them, entrusting them with the ministry of reconciliation. Yet Thomas, absent at the time, struggles to believe their testimony. His condition for belief that he must see and touch the wounds of Christ resonates with human nature’s need for tangible proof. A week later, Jesus lovingly meets Thomas where he is, inviting him to touch His wounds and believe. Thomas’s response, “My Lord and my God!” is not merely an acknowledgment of seeing but a profound confession of faith. This encounter reminds us that Jesus is patient with our doubts. He does not condemn Thomas but invites him into deeper faith. In our moments of uncertainty, Jesus comes to us as He did to Thomas, offering peace and the reassurance of His living presence. Even when we do not see Him physically, we are called to trust in His word, His promises, and His enduring love. Faith is not about having all the evidence; it is about trusting the One who is faithful.
Reflecting further on today’s Gospel, we see the mercy of the Risen Christ so powerfully at work. He knows the fears, the doubts, and the closed hearts of His disciples, yet He responds not with anger but with peace. He grants them the Holy Spirit and sends them forth with the authority to forgive sins a sacred trust born from Divine Mercy. Thomas represents all of us who wrestle with belief, who long for signs and reassurance. His journey from doubt to profound faith offers hope: that even in our weakest moments, the Risen Lord meets us, transforms our doubts, and strengthens our faith. On this Divine Mercy Sunday, instituted by Saint John Paul II, it emphasizes the boundless mercy of God poured out through the Resurrection. The peace Jesus offers is not just an absence of conflict but the profound reconciliation between God and humanity made possible by His death and Resurrection. Today, we are called to trust more deeply in His mercy, to ask for His grace, and to be instruments of His peace in the world.
Our first reading his Sunday from the Acts of the Apostles gives an account of the works of the Apostles, who continued to carry out the missions and works which the Lord Himself has entrusted to them, and we heard how they had performed many miracles and signs before the people much as how the Lord Jesus had done when He was still carrying out His ministry in this world. The fact that those miracles and signs, wonders and great works were performed by the Apostles even after the Lord had died and then risen in glory, and ascended into Heaven, is a clear evidence that God was still with His disciples and Church, and He still performed His many good works through the hands of His Apostles and other disciples, the missionaries of the Kingdom of God. Through their works, the Apostles and the other disciples of the Lord showed to all of God’s people, primarily and at first the Israelites and then the non-Jewish people or the Gentiles, the great love and compassion that God has for all of them, without exception. To the Jewish people, the descendants of the people of God, the Lord wanted to show them that He has fulfilled and accomplished all the promises that He had once made in the Covenant sealed with their forefathers, with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and renewed again and again throughout history. And then, to the Gentiles, God shows that His salvation, His love and kindness are not reserved only for the Jewish people only, as everyone, through God’s Church have been made partakers of the same New and Eternal Covenant that the Lord Himself has established through His Son.
Reflecting on our First Reading today, we witness the vibrant life of the early Church. Signs and wonders accompany the apostles’ ministry, and countless people are drawn to the faith. The healing power flowing from Peter, even through his shadow, echoes the living presence of the Risen Christ among His people. The miracles testify not to the apostles’ greatness but to the continuing work of Jesus through them. Their boldness, their witness, and the miracles are fruits of the Holy Spirit, given to them after Jesus’ Resurrection. Like them, we are called to be courageous witnesses to Christ, instruments of His mercy, and bearers of His healing presence to a hurting world.
Our second reading today from the Book of Revelations of St. John the Apostle, details the vision that St. John had received while he was exiled in the Isle of Patmos at his old age, during one of the episodes of persecutions against Christians by the Roman Empire. St. John saw the vision of the Lord, in all of His glory, appearing before Him in Heaven, the appearance of the Son of Man, that is Jesus Himself, in His heavenly glory, with His glorified Resurrected Body. The seven lampstands in the vision marked the seven Angels that always stand before the Holy Presence of God, and therefore, highlighting the Divinity of Christ, Who is truly fully Man and fully God alike. And in that vision, the Lord told St. John to record everything that he had seen so that he could propagate them to the Church communities then, and therefore to help the faithful to come to know God more. Through what St. John experienced in that amazing heavenly vision, he saw the Lord Who proclaimed Himself as the Almighty God, Who has triumphed and conquered sin and death, overcoming the fetters and shackles keeping us mankind from reaching out to Him, by the incarnation of His Son in the flesh, and by Whose death and Resurrection all of us have been made partakers of the New and Eternal Covenant of God, sealed by the Most Precious Blood of the Son of God Himself. And the Lord did all of these because of His ever enduring and ever present love for each one of us, the love which He desires to share with us, and which He has manifested clearly before us through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour, the manifestation of God’s love and mercy in this world, making this love and mercy tangible and reachable to us.
Reflecting on today’s Second Reading from Revelation, we see John’s awe at encountering the glorified Christ. Jesus reassures him, “Do not be afraid,” affirming His victory over death. These words are for us too. As we face trials and uncertainties, the Risen Christ stands in our midst, offering peace, courage, and hope.
How do I respond when my faith is challenged by doubts or fears? In what areas of my life is Jesus inviting me to trust Him more deeply without seeing? How can I be an instrument of Christ’s peace and mercy to others, especially those struggling with faith? Today, on this Divine Mercy Sunday, we are reminded that Christ’s love and forgiveness are greater than our doubts and weaknesses. Let us open our hearts to His peace, believe even without seeing, and become courageous witnesses of His mercy to the world. Like the apostles, we are sent forth to proclaim the Good News: Jesus Christ is alive, and through Him, we have life in abundance! 🙏🏽
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today on this Sunday, when we mark the occasion of the Second Sunday of Easter, the Octave Day of the Easter Octave, the eighth day since the glorious Easter Sunday. On this Sunday all of us are called to continue to keep in mind the core belief of our Christian faith in the suffering, death and Resurrection of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. We all believe that Jesus is truly the Son of God, the manifestation of God’s most wonderful and generous love in the flesh, through Whom God has made His will clear and evident, and by Whose victory and triumph over sin and death, all of us, the faithful and holy people of God, have been shown the clear and certain path to eternal glory and true happiness with God, our Lord and Master, our Mighty King and also our most Merciful and loving Father. On this Divine Mercy Sunday, we are reminded of this Aspect of the Lord in His most generous and rich mercy towards all of us. The Divine Mercy has revealed Himself to us through one St. Faustina Kowalska about a century ago, who made known the revelations through her diary, which went through many hurdles and struggles before finally being accepted by the Church as part of its official teachings. Today, the devotion to the Divine Mercy is one of the most popular devotions in the Church, with millions praying the devotion daily and more. This is truly a very heartening matter as through this particular devotion to the Divine Mercy, the Merciful Aspect of God, many people are coming towards the Lord seeking His forgiveness and healing. For all of us members of the Christian faithful, we are reminded that if we seek God sincerely with a repentant and contrite heart, God, the Divine Mercy, in His infinite and boundless mercy will show us His compassion and love, and will heal us from all of our afflictions, our sins and wickedness, our corruptions and evils. And this is why as we commit ourselves anew to the Lord, the Divine Mercy, we should continue to do our best in this world to be truly faithful to Him in all things, becoming good role models and inspirations for one another and for others around us, to show the love and mercy of God to the world. And we are constantly reminded this Easter season that through God’s most wonderful love and mercy, we have been brought into the path towards eternal life and true happiness with God. Let us all therefore put our trust and faith in the Divine Mercy of God and continue to live our lives most faithfully in the manner that we all should do as Christians, that is as the disciples and followers of Christ. All of us are reminded that we should not remain idle in our faith and lives, but we must embody God’s love and mercy in our daily lives, in doing our very best to show love and compassion to our fellow brothers and sisters around us. We must always practice love and charity in our everyday actions, in everything that we say and do, in our every interactions with one another, to our brethren around us and even strangers in our midst. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the good Lord, the Divine Mercy continue to bless us all and guide us with His compassion and love, now and always. Amen 🙏🏽
Risen Lord Jesus, You who are rich in mercy, come into my heart today. Like Thomas, I long to encounter You in a personal and life-changing way. Strengthen my faith when I doubt, fill me with Your peace when I am afraid, and breathe Your Spirit upon me anew. Help me to be a faithful witness to Your Resurrection and a channel of Your Divine Mercy to all I meet. My Lord and my God, I trust in You. Amen. 🙏🏽
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MONTSERRAT | MEMORIAL OF SAINT ZITA OF LUCCA, VIRGIN ~ FEAST DAY: APRIL 27TH: Today, as we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we joyfully celebrate both the Feast of Our Lady of Montserrat and the Memorial of Saint Zita of Lucca, Virgin, Patroness of Domestic Workers. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Montserrat, and Saint Zita, we humbly pray for the sick, especially those who are terminally ill and dying. May God, in His infinite grace and mercy, grant them healing, comfort, and hope. We also pray for the Church, for our Holy Father Pope Francis, for the clergy, for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and for all domestic workers, maids, waiters, waitresses, and Christians around the world. 🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | April 27th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
( Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Zita of Lucca, Virgin | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-april-27th/ )
OUR LADY OF MONTSERRAT: Our Lady of Montserrat, or the Virgin of Montserrat, is a revered title of the Blessed Virgin Mary associated with the ancient statue venerated at the Santa Maria de Montserrat monastery on Montserrat Mountain in Catalonia, Spain. Tradition holds that the statue was originally carved by St. Luke and brought to Montserrat by St. Peter around 50 A.D.
The devotion to Our Lady of Montserrat dates back to the early Middle Ages. In 888, an image of the Virgin was miraculously found among the rocky cliffs of Montserrat. Over time, this mountain, whose name means “saw-edged” in Latin, became one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Spain. The statue, affectionately called La Moreneta (“The Little Black Madonna”) due to its darkened color from age, remains a symbol of deep faith, hope, and miracles.
Pilgrims like St. Ignatius of Loyola found their calling after praying before this statue. Our Lady of Montserrat continues to inspire countless souls, offering maternal protection to the suffering, the sorrowful, and the sinful.
PRAYER: O God, Giver of all good things, who chose Montserrat as a glorious shrine for the Mother of Your only-begotten Son, and through her intercession have granted countless favors to those who seek You, hear our petitions as we kneel before her image. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT ZITA OF LUCCA, VIRGIN: Saint Zita (1212–1272) was a humble and holy domestic worker who became a shining example of faithfulness in daily life. Born into a poor but devout family near Lucca, Italy, she was taught by her mother from a young age to seek God’s will in all things. At twelve years old, Zita began working as a maid for the wealthy Fatinelli family in Lucca. Despite facing years of mistreatment and harshness, she responded with patience, forgiveness, and tireless devotion to duty.
Zita was known for waking up early to attend Mass before beginning her household work. She maintained an active prayer life throughout the day, offering her labor as a form of prayer. Eventually, her employers recognized her holiness and entrusted her with greater responsibilities. Zita became a true servant of Christ, practicing acts of charity even at her own expense, generously helping the poor and feeding the hungry.
A famous legend recounts that once when she left her bread baking to aid the poor, angels completed her task for her. Zita’s life exemplified the dignity of work, prayerful service, and the Gospel call to love, even in difficult circumstances. After a life of hidden holiness, she died peacefully at prayer on April 27, 1272. Many miracles followed her death, leading to her veneration as the Patron Saint of domestic workers, maids, waiters, waitresses, those ridiculed for piety, and seekers of lost keys. Her incorrupt body is venerated today in the Basilica of San Frediano in Lucca.
PRAYER: Lord God, You showered heavenly gifts upon Saint Zita the Virgin. Help us to imitate her humility, patience, and diligence, that by faithfully serving You on earth, we may rejoice with her forever in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Our Lady of Montserrat and Saint Zita ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF APRIL | MONTH OF HOLY EUCHARIST: April is dedicated to the Holy Eucharist, the greatest gift of Christ to His Church. In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity offering Himself as the Bread of Life. This month invites us to deepen our love and reverence for the Eucharist, especially as we approach Holy Week and Easter, celebrating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord. The Eucharist was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper when He said, “Take and eat; this is My Body… Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the Covenant” (Matthew 26:26-28). In receiving the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and His Church. It is the source of our strength and the culmination of our salvation, as Christ Himself said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” As we journey through Lent, we are called to renew our reverence for the Eucharist. During Holy Week, we remember that Christ instituted this sacrament on Holy Thursday, offering us a way to remain in union with Him. Let us take this opportunity to attend Mass regularly, spend time in Eucharistic adoration, and reflect on the mystery of Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.
In this season of penance and reflection, may our devotion to the Eucharist strengthen our commitment to living as true disciples of Christ, leading us to the joy of Easter and the Resurrection.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine! Lord Jesus, You have given Yourself to us in the Eucharist. May we receive You with reverence and love, and let Your grace transform us always. Amen 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection, on this Sunday of Divine Mercy, let us pray for hearts open to God’s infinite mercy, that we may be instruments of His compassion in a wounded world. Through the intercession of Saint Zita of Lucca, may we grow in humble service, finding Christ in daily acts of charity and perseverance. Through the maternal care of Our Lady of Montserrat, may we seek deeper trust in God’s providence and courageously respond to His call. We pray for all who are burdened by doubt and fear, asking that, like Thomas, they may encounter the Risen Lord and find renewed faith. We lift up all workers, especially those in hidden or humble jobs, that they may be honored for their dignity and dedication. May the Church, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, be a visible sign of Christ’s healing power to the nations. Amen. 🙏🏽
LET US PRAY:
Most Merciful Lord, I desire to receive the superabundance of Your Mercy poured forth from Heaven today. Please open my heart so that I will turn to You in my need. I am a sinner, dear Lord, but for that reason I am in most need of You in my life. Help me to trust in You with all my might. Jesus, I do trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Merciful Father, on this day when we celebrate the victory of Your Divine Mercy, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude and hope. You sent Your Son to breathe peace into our fears and to heal our wounds with His love. Strengthen our faith as You strengthened Thomas; help us to believe even when we do not see. Through the example of Saint Zita, teach us to serve with patience and unwavering devotion, finding You in the simplest of tasks. Under the loving gaze of Our Lady of Montserrat, draw us ever closer to Your heart, trusting in Your perfect will. Make us heralds of mercy, witnesses of the Resurrection, and laborers in Your vineyard. Through Christ our Lord. Amen 🙏🏽
Save us, Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of Montserrat, Saint Joseph,and Saint Zita ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day and the immeasurable love shown through His Son, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. As we continue to rejoice in the glory of the Resurrection, may our hearts remain open to the peace and hope that flow from His victory over sin and death. During this joyful Easter season, we pray that our loving Savior will deepen our faith and draw us closer to the mystery of His Passion, death, and Resurrection. May we walk in the light of His risen life, renewed in spirit and overflowing with grace. Praying for us all and our loved ones today and we pray for journey mercies for all those traveling during this Easter season. May this Sunday of Divine Mercy be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ is truly risen! Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled Sunday and week 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | Global Missons Now Awards |