MEMORIAL OF SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN, PRIEST AND MARTYR; SAINT MARY EUPHRASIA PELLETIER; SAINT BENEDETTO (BENEDICT) MENNI, PRIEST; SAINT WILFRID, BISHOP OF YORK AND SAINT MARY OF CLEOPHAS (MARY OF CLOPAS) ~ FEAST DAY: APRIL 24TH 2026

FRIDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF EASTER | YEAR A | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/friday-of-the-third-week-of-easter-year-a/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | APRIL 24, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-april-24th/

MEMORIAL OF SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN, PRIEST AND MARTYR; SAINT MARY EUPHRASIA PELLETIER; SAINT BENEDETTO (BENEDICT) MENNI, PRIEST; SAINT WILFRID, BISHOP OF YORK AND SAINT MARY OF CLEOPHAS (MARY OF CLOPAS)

History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | April 24 2026 | “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-april-24-2026/

LIVE UPDATES: Pope Leo XIV’s Historic Apostolic Journey to Africa | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/live-updates-pope-leo-xivs-historic-apostolic-journey-to-africa/

DAILY PRAYERS: St. Michael the Archangel Prayer; Regina Caeli Prayer; and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/st-michael-the-archangel-prayer-angelus-prayer-and-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy-prayer/

Pope Leo XIV’s Historic Apostolic Journey to Africa | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/live-updates-pope-leo-xivs-historic-apostolic-journey-to-africa/

We thank God for the safe and successful completion of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Africa and we pray and thank God for journey mercies. Amen🙏🏽

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family.

Alleluia! Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him! Today is Friday of the Third Week of Easter, a day that confronts us with the radical power of God to transform and sustain life. In the Gospel, the crowds struggle with Jesus’ words, asking, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” Jesus does not back down; instead, He heightens the mystery, declaring that His Flesh is true food and His Blood is true drink. He promises that those who feed on Him will have life because of Him and will remain in Him forever. The First Reading presents one of the most dramatic transformations in history: the conversion of Saul. On the road to Damascus, the one who breathed murderous threats is struck down by a light from the sky and hears the voice of the Risen Lord. Through the humble service of Ananias, Saul’s scales fall from his eyes, and he is baptized into the very way he sought to destroy. We are joined today by a great company of witnesses: Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, the poor man’s lawyer who died defending the Faith; Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, the Good Shepherd to marginalized women; Saint Benedict Menni, the prophet of hospitality to the sick; Saint Wilfrid, the resilient builder of the Church; and Saint Mary of Cleophas, who stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross. Like the newly converted Saul, let us go out to all the world and tell the Good News, for the fidelity of the Lord endures forever. Amen. 🙏🏽

As the Holy Father departs African soil, we offer this prayer of thanksgiving and hope:

Heavenly Father, We thank You with all our hearts for the safe and successful completion of Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic visit to Africa. We praise You for the journey mercies granted to him across these 11 historic days. Lord, we now pray that the seeds of peace, justice, and reconciliation sown in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea may take deep root. May the purpose of this mission be fully fulfilled, let his words bear abundant fruit in our lives, bringing lasting renewal to Africa and unity to Your people. May the light of faith ignited during these days continue to shine brightly long after the journey has ended. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Third Week of Easter | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Friday of the Third Week of Easter | April 24, 2026
Reading I: Acts 9:1–20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 117:1bc, 2
Gospel: John 6:52–59

Gospel Reading ~ John 6:52–59

“Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him, says the Lord.”

The Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his Flesh to eat?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my Flesh is true food, and my Blood is true drink. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” These things he said while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In the Gospel, we reach the hard saying of the Bread of Life discourse. The listeners are scandalized, unable to move past the literal and physical to the spiritual and sacramental. Yet, Jesus is insistent: the Eucharist is not just a symbol, it is true food and true drink. This reflection highlights the intimate remaining that occurs when we partake of Him. We do not just admire Jesus from a distance, we are united to Him. Just as Jesus lives because of the Father, we live because of Jesus. This is the secret of the Christian life, our strength is not our own, but the life of the Risen Christ flowing through us, ensuring that we will live forever.

The promise that “whoever eats this bread will live forever” is the antidote to the fear of death and insignificance. Jesus contrasts Himself with the manna in the desert which, while miraculous, could not prevent death. By giving us His Flesh for the life of the world, He offers a nourishment that transforms our very nature. It is an invitation to a life of abiding. To remain in Him means to find our home in His love, our strength in His sacrifice, and our hope in His resurrection. When we feed on Him, we are not just preparing for the last day, we are tasting the eternal life of the Father here and now.

The First Reading shows us the fruit of the Lord’s power to change a human heart. Saul, a man filled with murderous threats, is completely undone by a single encounter with the Light. This passage reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. When Jesus asks, “Why are you persecuting me?”, He reveals the profound truth of the Gospel: he is so united to His followers that to touch them is to touch Him. This is the remaining in action. Saul’s blindness and subsequent healing by Ananias represent the journey of every believer from the darkness of our own scales to the sight given by the Holy Spirit.

The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 117) is a brief but powerful explosion of praise: “Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.” It reflects the shift in Saul’s life from one who imprisoned those who called on the Name to one who began at once to proclaim Jesus. It reminds us that God’s kindness is steadfast and His fidelity is forever. Whether we are a chosen instrument like Paul or a quiet disciple like Ananias, our call is to glorify the Lord among all nations, testifying to the work He has done in our souls.

As we go through this Friday, let us reflect on the scales that might still be covering our eyes. Reflect today: Is there a Damascus road encounter you are avoiding? What quarreling is happening in your heart regarding Jesus’ difficult teachings? This is the day to get up and go. Trust that the Flesh and Blood of Christ is the fuel you need for your mission. Like Saul, allow yourself to be led by the hand if necessary, and like Ananias, be ready to call even your former enemy brother. Feed on the True Bread today and let His life become your life.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, Your Flesh is true food and Your Blood is true drink. We thank You for the mystery of Your presence that allows us to remain in You. Forgive us for the times we have quarreled with Your will or lived as though we were spiritually blind. Just as You transformed Saul into a chosen instrument, transform our hearts today. Give us the courage of Ananias to go where You send us and the zeal of Paul to proclaim Your name. May Your steadfast kindness be our strength as we go out to tell the Good News. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | APRIL 24TH:

Link to Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections| April 24th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Fidelis, Saint Mary Euphrasia, Saint Benedict Menni, Saint Wilfrid, and Saint Mary of Cleophas | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-april-24th/

SAINT FIDELIS OF SIGMARINGEN, PRIEST AND MARTYR: Saint Fidelis (1577–1622), known as the poor man’s lawyer, left a career in law to become a Capuchin friar. He understood that to have life within oneself, one must remain in Christ. Sent to reclaim souls from heresy, he was a chosen instrument who refused to renounce the Faith even under the threat of death. Like the newly converted Saul, he proclaimed Jesus in the public square, finally receiving the palm of martyrdom with the words: “I came to extirpate heresy, not to embrace it.”

PRAYER: O God, who awarded the palm of martyrdom to Saint Fidelis as he propagated the faith, grant that, grounded in charity, we may merit to know with him the power of the Resurrection. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT MARY EUPHRASIA PELLETIER, RELIGIOUS: Saint Mary Euphrasia (1796–1868) was the foundress of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Driven by the kindness of the Lord, she dedicated her life to the welfare of marginalized women and girls. She was a mother to the penitents, creating for them a path to religious life and ensuring that no soul given to her by the Father would be lost. Like the fidelity of the Lord that endures forever, her work has spread to every corner of the world, offering a home to those seeking the True Bread.

PRAYER: Lord, give us a love for what You command and a longing for what You promise. Through the prayers of Saint Mary Euphrasia, help us to achieve holy love for all Your children and to remain always in Your peace. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT BENEDETTO (BENEDICT) MENNI, PRIEST: Saint Benedict Menni (1841–1914) was a Herald of the Gospel of Mercy and a prophet of hospitality. He restored the Hospitaller Order in Spain and founded the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, focusing on those most neglected: the mentally ill and handicapped children. He saw the suffering Christ in the sick, proving that when we feed on the Bread of Life, we are compelled to serve our brothers and sisters with heroic detachment and love.

PRAYER: Compassionate Father, who sent Saint Benedict Menni to announce Your Gospel of mercy, grant that by following his example, we may love You above all things and serve the needy with a heart like Yours. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT WILFRID, BISHOP OF YORK: Saint Wilfrid (634–709) was a tireless builder of both stones and souls. Despite being twice exiled and imprisoned, he never ceased to proclaim the Word. Like Philip in Samaria, he used his exile in Sussex to teach the hungry to fish and the pagan to believe. He was a creative artist for the Kingdom, reconciling Roman customs with the local Church and proving that the fidelity of the Lord remains steadfast even through the plottings of men.

PRAYER: Lord, through the intercession of Saint Wilfrid, grant that Your Church may always be blessed with versatile and creative leaders who are steadfast in Your kindness and zealous for the conversion of all peoples. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINT MARY OF CLEOPHAS (MARY OF CLOPAS): Saint Mary of Cleophas was one of the three Marys who stood by the Cross of Jesus. She did not flee when the world darkened but remained with the Mother of God, witnessing the ultimate sacrifice of the Flesh and Blood of Christ. As a faithful disciple, she was among the first to witness the empty tomb, showing us that those who remain in Him through the Passion will also remain in Him in the glory of the Resurrection.

PRAYER: Lord, we thank You for the faithful witness of Saint Mary of Cleophas. Through her prayers, may we have the courage to stand by the suffering and the grace to be among the first to tell the Good News of Your victory over death. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Fidelis, Saint Mary Euphrasia, Saint Benedict Menni, Saint Wilfrid, and Saint Mary of Cleophas — pray for us. 🙏🏽

PRAYER INTENTION: FOR HEALING, CONVERSION, AND THE SAFETY OF TRAVELERS

As we feed on the True Food of the Word and the Eucharist, let us bring our petitions to the Father through the intercession of His holy witnesses, who walked the difficult paths of faith before us. Lord, we pray for those suffering from mental illness, the terminally ill, and the dying; through the intercession of Saint Benedict Menni (Patron of mental health patients) and Saint Fidelis, grant them Your divine healing, intervention, and the strength to remain in Your peace during their greatest trials. We pray for the poor, the marginalized, and all travelers on the road today; through the prayers of Saint Mary Euphrasia (Patron of travelers), provide for the needs of women and girls in difficult circumstances and grant safety to all who journey by land, air, or sea. Send them Good Shepherds to guide their steps and lead them safely to their destination and the shore of lasting joy. Finally, we pray for the conversion of sinners and the protection of persecuted Christians; through the merits of Saint Wilfrid and the witness of Saint Mary of Cleophas, grant that the scales may fall from the eyes of all who oppose the Truth, that they may join us in proclaiming Jesus as the Son of God. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR PEACE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/a-prayer-for-peace/

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL: For Priests Crisis. Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.

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

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 during 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/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=4

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD
We pray for the repose of the gentle souls of our loved ones and souls of all the faithful departed. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽

Thanking God for His love and the gift of this glorious day, we offer Him a prayer of gratitude for the graces of the past month and entrust the remainder of April to His loving providence. We pray for God’s grace and mercy as we continue this season of Easter joy. May the Resurrection of Your Son help us to seek You in every moment of our lives. May the peace, hope, and steady guidance that flow from the empty tomb shape our steps, inform our decisions, and strengthen our resolve to live each day in the light of the Risen Christ. As we journey onward into this month, may God bless our families and loved ones, and may His light continue to shine brightly in every home. Let us draw closer to God and be renewed through the joy of the Gospel and generosity to the poor. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times. Wishing us all a spiritually enriching, most blessed, and grace-filled Easter Season. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Fidelis, Saint Mary Euphrasia, Saint Benedict Menni, Saint Wilfrid, and Saint Mary of Cleophas ~ Pray for us 🙏🏾

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

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings,and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/

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