THURSDAY OF THE FOURTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 10, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT CANUTE, KING OF DENMARK, MARTYR; SAINT FELICITY AND HER SEVEN SONS, MARTYRS; SAINTS RUFINA AND SECUNDA, MARTYRS AND SAINT AMALBERGA, RELIGIOUS AND SAINT AMELIA, RELIGIOUS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Canute, Saint Felicity and her Seven Sons, Saints Rufina and Secunda, Saint Amalberga, and Saint Amelia | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-july-10th/)
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | July 10, 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-124/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today is Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time! We give thanks to God for the gift of life and the grace to see a new 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 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 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
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 🙏🏽
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, Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings for Thursday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time | July 10, 2025
Reading 1: Genesis 44:18–21, 23b–29; 45:1–5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 105:16–17, 18–19, 20–21
Gospel: Matthew 10:7–15
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 10:7–15
“Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give”
“Jesus said to His Apostles: “As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give. Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, look for a worthy person in it, and stay there until you leave. As you enter a house, wish it peace. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; if not, let your peace return to you. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words – go outside that house or town and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues to instruct the Twelve as He sends them out on mission so that He can work through them for the benefit of others. They are to proclaim the same message Jesus proclaimed, and He empowered them to do the same life-giving work He had been doing. His message is bold and urgent: “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Their mission is not just about preaching with words but about transforming lives healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing lepers, and casting out demons. These miracles are not just signs of power; they are signs of mercy. The Apostles are told to go without money or extra clothing, relying completely on God’s providence and the hospitality of others. The Lord wants to work through all of our lives. When Jesus sends out His disciples, He warns them to expect rejection and hostility. They are warned that not everyone will welcome them, and in such cases, they are to shake the dust from their feet. This reminds us that discipleship comes with both authority and rejection. Even though Jesus is the fullest revelation possible in a human life of God’s tender love. Yet, he experienced the turning away of people from this love, their refusal to respond to it in any meaningful way. The disciples are to proclaim the good news that the kingdom of God is at hand, that the reign of God’s life-giving love is present, but they will encounter those who will not welcome them and will not listen to what they have to say. Jesus insists that this negative response is not to deter them from their mission of proclaiming God’s loving presence by what they say and do. It certainly did not deter Jesus. Even as he suffered the ultimate rejection on the cross, he continued to proclaim the same good news of God’s unconditional love for all, even for those who were responsible for his crucifixion. We too are to reveal the loving presence of God, regardless of how we are received by others. As Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel reading, we have received without charge. God has graciously loved us in Christ even while we are sinners. In response, we are to give freely without charge; we are to pass on the love we have received without asking for anything in return because everything we have received has been freely given. Our witness must be marked by trust, humility, and generosity.
Today’s first reading reveals a dramatic turning point in the story of Joseph. What began as betrayal and suffering is now transformed into reconciliation and grace. Joseph can no longer hide his identity from his brothers; overcome with emotion, he reveals himself in tears. Joseph learns from his brothers that his father Jacob, whom he had presumed to be dead, was in fact still alive. When Joseph then revealed his true identity to his brothers, they were speechless when they discovered that the brother whom they had presumed dead, because they had thrown him into a pit, was alive and standing before them. Joseph’s brothers had good reason to think that he would now turn against them, as they had turned against him. However, Joseph realized that God had kept him alive for this very purpose, to preserve the lives of his brothers who were facing famine in Israel, ‘God sent me before you to preserve your lives’. Joseph recognized the purpose of God in all that had happened to him, including the terrifying experience of being left for dead by his brothers some years earlier. In retrospect he came to see that the Lord had been working through him all along. According to the reading, rather than punishing his brothers, Joseph speaks words that reveal divine perspective: “It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.” Joseph sees God’s hand at work through the brokenness of the past. This passage shows how pain can be transformed into purpose. The famine forced the brothers to Egypt, but God used the crisis to bring healing to a fractured family. Joseph’s ability to forgive reflects profound spiritual maturity. He does not allow the past to define him but allows God’s mercy to guide him forward. Sometimes, as in the case of Joseph, it is only looking back that we can see how the Lord was present in our lives, how He was working through our lives, even in those moments when, at the time, we thought He had abandoned us because life was so difficult. The Lord is with us always, working for our good and the good of others, even in those times when He seems to be absent. As St. Paul says in his letter to the Romans, ‘all things work together for good for those who love God’.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, “Remember the marvels the Lord has done.” This refrain calls us to reflect on God’s faithful presence throughout history. The psalm recounts how God sent Joseph ahead of his people, even though it came through suffering and imprisonment. Yet in time, God’s word proved true. Joseph was lifted up and made ruler in Egypt. This psalm reminds us that God’s plans are often hidden in the mystery of trials. Even when we feel bound by chains, the Lord is at work to fulfill His promises. His timing is perfect, and His power transforms injustice into elevation and loss into leadership.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are called to ponder on the Scriptures. Have I been called to proclaim God’s Kingdom in a specific way, even in my ordinary life? Am I willing to give of myself without expecting anything in return “without cost”? Are there areas in my life where God is inviting me to trust Him completely, as the Apostles did with nothing for the journey? Like Joseph, am I being called to forgive those who wounded me and to see God’s hand in the hardships I have endured? Can I see how my pain might be preparing me for a deeper mission of healing? Today, let us go forth as people who trust in God’s plan even when it’s hidden. Let us give without counting the cost, forgive without delay, and proclaim the nearness of God’s Kingdom with every act of mercy. Whether welcomed or rejected, may our mission remain rooted in love and sustained by grace. For in every moment painful or joyful God is working to save and to restore. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace as we continue to strive to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You call us and send us, just as You sent the Apostles. Help us to proclaim Your Kingdom through compassion, healing, and courage. Give us the grace to forgive like Joseph, to trust like the Apostles, and to go forth with nothing but faith in Your providence. May we never hold back what You have freely given, and may we see Your hand even in the broken places of our lives. Amen. 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT CANUTE, KING OF DENMARK, MARTYR; SAINT FELICITY AND HER SEVEN SONS, MARTYRS; SAINTS RUFINA AND SECUNDA, MARTYRS AND SAINT AMALBERGA, RELIGIOUS AND SAINT AMELIA, RELIGIOUS ~ FEAST DAY: JULY 10TH: Today, we honor a diverse group of holy witnesses who reflect courage, faith, and holiness across centuries and vocations: Saint Canute, King of Denmark and Martyr (Patron of Denmark and rulers); Saint Felicity and Her Seven Sons, Martyrs (Patroness of widows, large families, and those enduring grief); Saints Rufina and Secunda, Virgin Martyrs (Patronesses of steadfast faith and courage); Saint Amalberga, and Saint Amelia, both Religious women known for their devotion and sacrifice. Through their powerful intercession and under the maternal care of our Blessed Mother Mary, we lift our prayers for the sick and dying, especially those with terminal illnesses like cancer; for widows and families enduring grief or separation; for the poor, forgotten, and persecuted; and for justice, unity, and peace in our world. We also remember the Church and clergy, and pray for boldness and grace to remain faithful amid trial. 🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | July 10th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Canute, Saint Felicity and her Seven Sons, Saints Rufina and Secunda, Saint Amalberga, and Saint Amelia | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-july-10th/)
SAINT CANUTE, KING OF DENMARK, MARTYR: Saint Canute IV (c. 1042–1086), also known as Canute the Holy, was a devout king of Denmark whose deep faith and commitment to justice led to his martyrdom. A reformer and protector of the Church, Canute sought to strengthen the Danish monarchy by curbing the power of nobles and ensuring proper support for the clergy. He enacted reforms encouraging reverence for the sacraments, the building of churches, and the observance of tithes. In 1086, a rebellion sparked by resentment against his reforms—led to his assassination while praying before the altar in the Church of St. Alban in Odense. He died alongside his brother and companions, after receiving the sacraments with heroic serenity. Canonized in 1101, he became Denmark’s first royal saint and a model of righteous leadership.
PRAYER: Lord God, through the martyrdom of Saint Canute, You revealed that true kingship is service and sacrifice. May his example inspire leaders today to govern with justice, humility, and faith. Strengthen us to seek holiness in all we do. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT FELICITY AND HER SEVEN SONS, MARTYRS: Saint Felicity, a Roman widow of great virtue, raised her seven sons—Alexander, Felix, Januarius, Martialis, Philip, Silvanus, and Vitalis—in the Christian faith. Arrested during the reign of Emperor Antoninus in the 2nd century, they were all ordered to sacrifice to pagan gods but refused. One by one, each son courageously declared his faith and was executed by different forms of torture, with Felicity made to witness each death. Afterward, she too was martyred. Her unwavering courage and love became a Christian echo of the Old Testament story of the Maccabean mother. She remains a powerful symbol of maternal faith, Christian endurance, and heavenly hope.
PRAYER: Saint Felicity, steadfast mother and martyr, strengthen all mothers and families enduring hardship. Help us to pass the faith boldly to our children and to endure life’s trials with eternal hope. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINTS RUFINA AND SECUNDA, VIRGIN MARTYRS: Rufina and Secunda were Roman sisters and noble virgins who had consecrated their lives to Christ. When their betrothed renounced the faith, the sisters refused marriage and fled to Etruria. Captured and brought before the prefect during Emperor Valerian’s persecution, they remained unwavering in their confession of faith. Despite imprisonment, torture, and miraculous escapes from death, they were eventually beheaded on the Aurelian Way around 287 A.D. Their tombs became pilgrimage sites, and a church was built in their honor by Pope Damasus.
PRAYER: Saints Rufina and Secunda, virgins and martyrs, help us remain loyal to Christ even when pressured to conform. May your witness inspire young people to embrace purity, truth, and courageous discipleship. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT AMALBERGA, RELIGIOUS: Saint Amalberga of Maubeuge (d. 690) was a noblewoman from Belgium and the mother of three canonized saints. After raising her children in the Christian faith, she and her husband entered religious life he as a monk, and she as a Benedictine nun. Known for her prayerfulness and humility, Amalberga lived a life of quiet holiness in the Abbey of Maubeuge. Her spiritual legacy lives on through her children and the monasteries she influenced. Her relics rest in Saint Peter’s Abbey Church in Ghent, and she is invoked for protection from arm pain and fevers.
PRAYER: Holy Amalberga, you served faithfully as a mother and a bride of Christ. May your intercession help us embrace both family and consecrated vocations with love and devotion. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINT AMELIA, RELIGIOUS: Saint Amelia (741–772), a noblewoman of the Ardennes, consecrated her virginity to Christ despite pressure from Charlemagne, who admired her beauty and virtue. Legend tells of a miraculous healing after Charlemagne injured her arm while trying to restrain her. Committed to her religious vocation, she joined the Benedictine Abbey of Münster-Bilzen and later helped establish a church in Temsche. Known for miracles including crossing a river on the back of a fish Amelia is the patron saint of farmers, fishermen, and those suffering from arm or shoulder ailments.
PRAYER: Saint Amelia, brave and devoted servant of Christ, help us stand firm in our vocations with purity and joy. May we bring healing and strength to others through faith-filled witness. Amen. 🙏🏽
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Canute, Saint Felicity and her Seven Sons, Saints Rufina and Secunda, Saint Amalberga, and Saint Amelia ~ 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 day, as we reflect on Joseph’s journey of forgiveness and the apostles’ mission to proclaim the Kingdom, we lift our hearts to God in prayer. We pray for the grace to forgive those who have wronged us, just as Joseph embraced reconciliation over revenge. We pray for all who have been wounded by betrayal or division within families, that they may experience healing and restoration. We remember the Apostles and ask for courage to live as missionaries of peace, healing, and hope in our own homes and communities. Inspired by Saint Canute’s just leadership, we pray for rulers, lawmakers, and those in authority, that they may govern with integrity, humility, and love of truth. Through the intercession of Saint Felicity and her seven sons, we pray for mothers and families facing suffering, persecution, or loss that they may be comforted in God’s eternal promises. May Saints Rufina and Secunda strengthen all who endure trials for their faith, and may Saint Amalberga and Saint Amelia intercede for the sick, especially those suffering from chronic or hidden pain. We also pray for all who serve quietly in religious life, for those discerning their vocation, and for unity in the Church. May our hearts be open to the call of God and ready to serve Him without fear or delay.
LET US PRAY
My compassionate Lord, Your firmness and chastisements are an act of Your utmost mercy for those who are hard of heart. Please soften my heart, dear Lord, and when I am stubborn and closed, please rebuke me in Your great love so that I will always turn back to You and Your saving message with all my heart. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Gracious and merciful God, You sent Your Son to proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, and You raised up apostles, prophets, and martyrs to bear witness to Your truth in every age. As we walk in the footsteps of Saint Joseph’s mercy and the Apostles’ bold mission, fill us with the strength to forgive, the courage to go forth, and the wisdom to love without condition. Through the powerful prayers of Saint Canute, Saint Felicity and her sons, Saints Rufina and Secunda, Saint Amalberga, and Saint Amelia, may we remain faithful in trial, joyful in sacrifice, and generous in service. Renew in us the fire of the Gospel, and let Your peace rest upon every home, every heart, and every land. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary,Saint Canute, Saint Felicity and her Seven Sons, Saints Rufina and Secunda, Saint Amalberga, and Saint Amelia ~ 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 Thursday and fruitful 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 |
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
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