MEMORIAL OF SAINT BONAVENTURE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

TUESDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 15, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT BONAVENTURE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Bonaventure| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-of-the-day-feast-day-july-15th/)

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | July 15, 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-129/

Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today is Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time! We give thanks to God for the gift of life and the grace to see this month. During this month of July, may the Precious Blood of Jesus cover and protect us, heal our wounds, and strengthen our faith. We pray for all those celebrating their birthdays, anniversaries, new beginnings, and special moments in this month of July. May God’s blessings overflow in their lives. May this month bring peace to troubled hearts, direction to the lost, comfort to the grieving, and strength to the weary. In all things, may His will be done and His name be glorified. Amen🙏🏽

PRAYER AND APPRECIATION FOR THE CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS:

“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” ~ 1 Timothy 5:17

“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13

We thank God for the gift of life and especially thank Him for blessing us all with the special gift of the Clergy, who have sacrificed their lives to serve in the Lord’s Vineyard.

We pray for the Church, the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, all religious men and women, that they be sanctified in their ministry to God’s people. We thank them for their faithful, dedicated, and loving service to the people of God. Praying for God’s wisdom, knowledge, and good health of body and mind upon them. Amen 🙏🏽

With special intention for all Priests who are going through mental health challenges. May the good Lord heal them and grant them peace, and may our Blessed Mother Mary comfort them as they go through challenging times. May we, the faithful, also be instruments of God’s peace and comfort to them, offering our understanding and support in tangible ways. Amen 🙏🏽

For the repose of the gentle soul of Rev. Fr. Matteo Bolzano 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 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen 🙏🏽

Italian priest’s suicide underscores humanity of priests https://share.google/vEgHP9SgeFYaIEXEH

‘You were, above all, a friend’: Eulogy for Italian priest who died by suicide https://share.google/RPPfYIlJcOEowuvr2

PRAYER FOR VICTIMS OF NATURAL DISASTERS: We join our prayers to the prayers of others throughout the world, for the victims of natural disasters which have brought destruction and disaster to so many countless lives. We particularly pray for the victims of the recent flooding in Central Texas, may God restore what was lost and console all those who are grieving, injured, or have lost loved ones. Eternal rest grant unto those who lost their lives and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen 🙏🏽

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we humbly pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world today. We continue to pray for all families and for the safety and well-being of our children and children all over the world. We pray for all those who are marginalized in our society, the poor and the needy. We pray for the Church, the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, that they be sanctified in their ministry to God’s people. We pray for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world suffering from political and religious unrest. May God protect us all and keep united in peace, love and faith. Amen 🙏🏽

We continue to pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the 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 through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of the Ordinary Time. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of July.🙏🏽

LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of July | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-july/

COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/

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

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

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

Today’s Bible Readings for the Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church | July 15, 2025
Reading 1: Exodus 2:1–15a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:3, 14, 30–31, 33–34
Gospel: Matthew 11:20–24

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 11:20–24

“It will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon and for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you”

“Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of His mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum:
Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus complains about three towns in Galilee who responded with indifference to the mighty works that He performed among them. One of those towns, Capernaum, is known to us from the Gospels as a focal point for Jesus’ teaching and deeds. Jesus rebukes the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum not because they hadn’t seen His power, but because they saw and still refused to repent. This passage is a sobering reminder that miracles and spiritual experiences, while powerful, do not automatically lead to conversion. The people witnessed divine signs yet remained indifferent, even hardened. Jesus compares them to notoriously sinful cities like Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom pagan cities that, had they seen the same miracles, would have turned their hearts in humility and sackcloth. This passage reminds us that familiarity with faith can breed complacency. We may hear the Gospel daily, partake in the sacraments regularly, and still keep certain areas of our hearts closed off. Jesus does not simply desire admiration of His works; He calls for change real, interior transformation. His warning is not given in anger, but in sorrow for hardened hearts that refuse grace. How many times has the Lord knocked on the door of our souls through blessings, challenges, or gentle promptings and how often have we ignored Him, excused ourselves, or delayed obedience? The message today is urgent: respond now. Repentance is not only about turning away from obvious sin, but about turning toward God in trust and surrender. Jesus’s lament shows that judgment is real and personal. But it also tells us this: the window of mercy is still open. Let us not miss the opportunity for conversion because we’ve grown too accustomed to the voice of Christ in our midst.

In today’s first reading, The story of Moses’s early life is marked by danger, providence, and God’s hidden hand. Born into oppression, placed in a basket to save his life, and raised in Pharaoh’s household, Moses’s journey reminds us that God is always at work even when His presence seems silent. The courage of Moses’s mother, the quick thinking of his sister, and the compassion of Pharaoh’s daughter all play roles in protecting God’s chosen instrument. Even in exile, God is forming Moses for future leadership. But this passage also introduces Moses’s human side his zeal to defend his people and his fear when his actions become known. We see a man with a sense of justice but not yet the wisdom or timing to fulfill God’s plan. Like Moses, we may act out of passion or frustration, only to discover our limitations. Yet God uses even our failures to lead us where we’re meant to be. Moses’s time in Midian becomes a period of preparation. Sometimes, being cast aside or misunderstood becomes the beginning of a deeper calling. This reading invites us to trust God’s providence in unexpected places. Even when we feel like we’re hiding in the wilderness, God may be setting the stage for a greater mission. What matters is that we remain open to His shaping hand, even when the path is unclear.

Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, “Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.” This psalm captures the cry of someone overwhelmed by sorrow and opposition. The psalmist is not pretending things are fine; he is honest about pain, abandonment, and the weight of injustice. Yet even in distress, his heart clings to God with unwavering hope. He praises God not because his troubles are gone, but because he knows God hears the cry of the afflicted. This is the posture of authentic faith not denying our need, but bringing it before the Lord with praise. The psalm reminds us that God does not despise the lowly, nor ignore those in bondage. When we turn to Him in our darkest hours, we touch the very heart of divine compassion. And it is there in the swamp of suffering that new life begins to bloom. The Lord calls out to us from every situation in life, both those that speak of death and those that proclaim life. In each and every situation, we need to ‘seek the Lord’ in the words of the response to today’s psalm. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we try to discern what the Lord is saying to us in and through our many and varied experiences and how He is calling on us to respond.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are called to ponder on the Scriptures. Have I grown numb to God’s Word because I hear it often? Am I responding to Christ’s invitations to repent and follow Him more closely or have I grown passive in my faith? Like Moses, do I recognize that God is shaping me even in hidden seasons or in my failures? What parts of my life need surrender and reorientation toward God’s plan? Do I bring my pain and burdens honestly before God like the psalmist, trusting He hears me? When Jesus calls for repentance today, how will I answer? Today’s readings challenge us to examine not only how we hear God’s Word, but how we respond. Jesus’s lament over unrepentant towns warns us not to become indifferent to the graces we’ve received. Like Moses, we may not fully understand how God is shaping our story, but His hand is guiding us even in exile, failure, or silence. And like the psalmist, we are reminded to cry out to God with honest hearts, knowing He listens and redeems the lowly. Let us not delay in turning back to the Lord. Now is the time to soften our hearts, repent sincerely, and act with humility. God is near His voice calls not just for acknowledgment, but for transformation. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and let us respond with renewed faith, open hearts, and a willingness to be led. Amen.🙏🏽

Lord Jesus, awaken my heart to the urgency of Your call. May I never take Your Word for granted or grow complacent in the face of Your mercy. Teach me, like Moses, to trust in Your quiet providence even when the journey feels uncertain. Help me to turn to You in my need and to recognize Your presence in both joy and trial. Give me a heart that responds not later, but now with faith, humility, and love. Amen. 🙏🏽

MEMORIAL OF SAINT BONAVENTURE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH: JULY 15TH: Today, we honor the memory of Saint Bonaventure (Patron of those with bowel disorders), a towering figure of holiness and intellect in the history of the Church. Known as the “Seraphic Doctor,” Saint Bonaventure was a man whose deep contemplation of divine truth overflowed into action, leadership, and sacrificial service. On this memorial, we lift up our prayers for all those suffering from terminal illnesses, especially bowel disorders and cancer; for the sick and the dying; for those facing affliction in mind or body; for the poor and neglected; for harmony within divided communities; and for the continued renewal of the Church through wise and holy leaders. May Saint Bonaventure’s intercession bring light to our intellects and love to our hearts, drawing us ever closer to Christ. 🙏🏽

Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | July 15th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Bonaventure| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-of-the-day-feast-day-july-15th/)

SAINT BONAVENTURE, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH: Saint Bonaventure (1221–1274), born Giovanni di Fidanza in Bagnoregio, Italy, was miraculously healed as a child through the prayers of Saint Francis of Assisi, who exclaimed, “O buona ventura!” “Oh, good fortune!” This name would prophetically mark a life of extraordinary holiness and wisdom. Entering the Franciscan Order at 22, Bonaventure studied in Paris, where he became a close friend of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Despite his towering intellect, he pointed to the crucifix as the true source of his insight.

As Minister General of the Franciscans, he brought peace during internal divisions and became known as the “second founder” of the Order. His mystical writings, especially The Soul’s Journey into God, reveal a heart on fire for Christ. Appointed Cardinal-Bishop of Albano in 1273, he died the following year while serving at the Second Council of Lyons.

Canonized in 1482 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1588, Saint Bonaventure is remembered as a man whose intellect and sanctity flowed from deep union with Christ. As Pope Benedict XVI said, “His whole thinking was profoundly Christocentric.”

“Let meditation of Christ’s life be your one and only aim, your rest, your food, your desire, your study.” ~ Saint Bonaventure

PRAYER: O God, who gave the Bishop Saint Bonaventure a special gift of deep insight and burning love for You, grant that we may be nourished by his heavenly wisdom and imitate the fervor of his charity. Through the intercession of the Seraphic Doctor, may our minds be lifted to divine truth, and our hearts set aflame with love for Christ, the center of all creation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Bonaventure ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/general-prayers-and-intentions/

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/

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF JULY: For formation in discernment. Let us pray that we might again learn how to discern, to know how to choose paths of life and reject everything that leads us away from Christ and the Gospel.

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

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF JULY | MONTH OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS: July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ a profound devotion that honors the redeeming power of Christ’s Blood shed for our salvation. Flowing from His Sacred Heart, this Blood is the price of our redemption, the source of grace in the sacraments, and the seal of the New Covenant. It reminds us that salvation was not won lightly, but through the ultimate sacrifice of love. This month, the Church invites us to meditate on the infinite value of Christ’s Blood poured out during His Passion from Gethsemane to Calvary and in every celebration of the Holy Eucharist. We are called to offer acts of reparation for the sins of the world and to intercede for the conversion of souls. Devotions such as the Litany of the Precious Blood, the Chaplet of the Precious Blood, and daily consecration to the Precious Blood help deepen our union with Christ crucified.

As Saint John Chrysostom once said, “The Precious Blood is the salvation of souls; it purifies, sanctifies, and strengthens.” In our trials, let us take refuge beneath the cross, trusting in the Blood that speaks of mercy, victory, and eternal life.

“Precious Blood of Jesus, save us and the whole world.”

O Most Precious Blood of Jesus, fountain of salvation, we adore You. Wash us clean of sin, protect us from evil, and draw us into deeper love and union with You. Amen. 🙏🏽

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: On this Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, a humble servant of Christ and Doctor of the Church, we lift up our hearts in prayer. We remember all who, like the Hebrews in Egypt, feel trapped by suffering, injustice, or despair may God draw them out of their afflictions and lead them to hope and healing. We pray for the grace of true repentance, especially for communities and individuals who have grown indifferent to God’s mighty deeds and call to conversion. May the example of Saint Bonaventure whose wisdom flowed from prayer and whose leadership brought peace inspire our leaders, both in the Church and in society, to serve with humility, wisdom, and unity. We remember those who suffer from bowel disorders, chronic illness, and terminal diseases, asking for comfort, strength, and, if it be God’s will, healing. And for all who seek deeper union with Christ through study, service, or contemplation, may Saint Bonaventure intercede to draw their hearts closer to the Crucified and Risen Lord.

LET US PRAY

My passionate Jesus, You poured out Your heart and soul through Your preaching to the people of Israel. Although many accepted You, many others rejected You. I thank You for the privilege I have been given to hear Your holy Word preached to me. Help me to respond to You with all my heart so that I will be counted among those who listen and believe. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

Heavenly Father, You drew Saint Bonaventure to Yourself through the fire of divine love and made him a faithful shepherd of Your people. Through his intercession, deepen our desire for wisdom that springs from prayer, and give us hearts that burn with mercy and truth. Help us turn to You in our need and live fully in Your grace. May we not harden our hearts but respond to Your voice with humility, compassion, and renewed trust. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Bonaventure ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽

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

Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, and as we now enter the gentle rhythm of Ordinary Time, may our hearts remain open to the quiet working of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide, renew, and strengthen us each day. May this new month be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ walks with us always. Alleluia! Have a blessed, grace-filled and safe Tuesday and fruitful week ahead 🙏🏽

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 |

North Texas Catholic Magazine | Dr. Philomena Ikowe – Life on Purpose (pages 44-45) | https://www.flipsnack.com/A9DFE877C6F/north-texas-catholic-magazine-mar-apr-issue-2025/full-view.html