MEMORIAL OF SAINT CATHERINE DE RICCI, VIRGIN AND BLESSED JORDAN OF SAXONY, PRIEST : FEAST DAY ~ FEBRUARY 13TH 2026

FRIDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY | FEBRUARY 13, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-february-13th/

MEMORIAL OF SAINT CATHERINE DE RICCI, VIRGIN AND BLESSED JORDAN OF SAXONY, PRIEST

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

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | February 13, 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-february-13-2026/

Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, as we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Catherine de Ricci and Blessed Jordan of Saxony on this Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, the Word of God invites us to listen attentively to the Lord’s voice and remain faithful to Him with undivided hearts. In the First Reading, we see the painful consequences of a divided kingdom, while the Psalm echoes God’s plea: “Hear my voice.” In the Gospel, Jesus opens the ears of the deaf man, restoring his ability to hear and speak clearly. Saint Catherine, through her deep contemplation of Christ’s Passion, teaches us to unite our sufferings to the Lord with love, while Blessed Jordan reminds us to respond generously to God’s call and proclaim His truth with zeal. May our hearts be opened today, like the man in the Gospel to hear God’s word, remain steadfast in fidelity, and courageously live out our vocation. 🙏🏽

Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day and for His faithful presence during this month of February, as we come before Him with hearts open to His continual guidance and grace. This month, traditionally dedicated to the Passion of Our Lord, invites us to turn our gaze toward the mystery of Christ’s suffering and self-giving love, offered for the redemption of mankind. As we begin to meditate on His Passion in anticipation of the sacred season of Lent, may the witness of the saints who held a deep devotion to Christ’s suffering, such as Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint John of the Cross, Saint Bridget of Sweden, and Saint Catherine of Siena inspire us to embrace each day with holiness, humility, and love. Through this devotion, may our hearts grow more attentive to the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and more responsive to His call to follow Him faithfully in our daily lives. We lift our hearts in thanksgiving for the greatest gift ever given: God Himself, present with us each day, bringing light, hope, and salvation into our lives and into the world.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Fifth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary Time | February 13, 2026
Reading 1: 1 Kings 11:29–32; 12:19
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 81:10–11ab, 12–13, 14–15
Gospel: Mark 7:31–37

Gospel Reading ~ Mark 7:31–37

“He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Jesus left the district of Tyre and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, into the district of the Decapolis. And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue; then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (that is, “Be opened!”) And immediately the man’s ears were opened, his speech impediment was removed, and he spoke plainly. He ordered them not to tell anyone. But the more he ordered them not to, the more they proclaimed it. They were exceedingly astonished and they said, “He has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In today’s Gospel, we witness a tender and deeply personal miracle. Jesus takes the deaf man aside, away from the crowd. He does not perform this healing for spectacle but for restoration. With deliberate gestures and a heartfelt sigh, He speaks the powerful word: “Ephphatha — Be opened!” Immediately, the man’s ears are opened, and his tongue is freed. This miracle is not only about physical healing; it is a sign of spiritual awakening. Christ desires to open our ears to hear His voice and to loosen our tongues so that we may proclaim His praise.

How often are we spiritually deaf? We may hear God’s word, yet not truly listen. We may know His commandments, yet hesitate to obey. The sigh of Jesus reveals His compassion, He longs for our openness. The command “Be opened” is addressed to each of us today. Open your heart. Open your mind. Open your life to grace.

The First Reading presents the painful consequence of a hardened heart. Because Solomon turned away from the Lord, the kingdom is torn apart. The prophet Ahijah’s dramatic tearing of the cloak symbolizes division born from disobedience. When the heart is divided, unity cannot stand. Israel’s rebellion is not merely political; it is spiritual. A failure to listen to God leads to fracture and loss.

The Responsorial Psalm echoes the same truth: “I am the Lord, your God: hear my voice.” Yet the Lord laments, “My people heard not my voice.” God does not force obedience; He allows His people to walk according to their own counsels when they refuse to listen. Still, His longing remains: “If only my people would hear me.” The tragedy is not that God stops speaking, but that we stop listening.

Together, these readings present a powerful contrast: the closed heart that leads to division and the opened heart that receives healing. Jeroboam’s rise marks the consequence of disobedience, while the healed man of the Gospel represents the restoration that comes from encounter with Christ. One story shows the cost of deafness to God’s voice; the other shows the blessing of openness.

Today, we are invited to examine our spiritual hearing. Are we attentive to God’s word, or have distractions drowned out His voice? Are there areas in our lives where we need Christ to say “Ephphatha”?

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, speak Your word over our lives today: “Be opened.” Open our ears to hear Your voice and our hearts to obey Your will. Remove whatever hinders us from proclaiming Your goodness. Keep us united in faith and attentive to Your call. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | FEBRUARY 13TH:

Link to Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections| February 13th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Catherine de Ricci, and Blessed Jordan of Saxony | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-february-13th/

SAINT CATHERINE DE RICCI, VIRGIN: Saint Catherine de Ricci (1522–1590) was an Italian Dominican nun born in Florence who dedicated her life entirely to Christ from a young age. Baptized Alexandrina, she later took the name Catherine upon entering religious life. Deeply devoted to the Passion of Christ, she experienced profound mystical graces, including weekly ecstasies in which she contemplated the sufferings of the Lord. Despite intense physical illness and spiritual trials, she bore everything with humility and unwavering love for God. She later served as prioress of her convent in Prato, guiding her sisters with wisdom and holiness. Though cloistered, her counsel was sought by bishops, princes, and even future popes. Saint Catherine is remembered for her deep union with Christ Crucified and her faithful perseverance in suffering. She is the patron saint of the sick, the gravely ill, and the city of Prato, Italy.

PRAYER: Almighty God, You led Saint Catherine de Ricci to holiness through her loving contemplation of Your Son’s Passion. Through her intercession, grant comfort and healing to the sick and gravely ill, and help us to unite our sufferings with Christ in trust and love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

BLESSED JORDAN OF SAXONY, PRIEST: Blessed Jordan of Saxony (c. 1190–1237) was a German Dominican priest and the second Master General of the Order of Preachers, succeeding Saint Dominic. Gifted with eloquence and zeal for souls, he helped spread the Dominican Order throughout Europe, especially in Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland. His preaching inspired many young men to embrace religious life, including Saint Albert the Great. A man of learning and deep prayer, he authored one of the earliest biographies of Saint Dominic, preserving the spirit and beginnings of the Order. His life was marked by missionary fervor and dedication to fostering vocations. He died in a shipwreck while returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Blessed Jordan is honored as a patron of vocations to the Dominican Order and of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

PRAYER: O God, You filled Blessed Jordan of Saxony with zeal for preaching and love for religious life. Through his intercession, inspire many hearts to respond generously to the call to priesthood and consecrated life. Strengthen those discerning their vocation and guide them in faithful service to Your Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Catherine de Ricci, and Blessed Jordan of Saxony — pray for us. 🙏🏽

PRAYER INTENTION FOR THE DAY: FOR HEALING, CONTEMPLATION OF CHRIST’S PASSION, AND HOLY VOCATIONS

Through the intercession of Saint Catherine de Ricci, Virgin (patron saint of the sick and the gravely ill, and devoted contemplative of Christ’s Passion), and Blessed Jordan of Saxony, Priest (patron of vocations to the Dominican Order and patron of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila), let us pray for hearts united to Christ in suffering and generous in responding to His call. Through Saint Catherine de Ricci, may those who are sick, especially the gravely ill and those suffering from terminal diseases, be strengthened by grace, consoled in their trials, and filled with hope through the saving Passion of Christ. May caregivers and medical professionals be sustained with compassion and perseverance. Through Blessed Jordan of Saxony, may the Lord raise up holy and zealous vocations to the priesthood and religious life, particularly within the Dominican family. May students, faculty, and professionals in the field of engineering, especially those at the University of Santo Tomasn use their knowledge, creativity, and technical skills in the service of truth, justice, and the common good. United with their witness of contemplation and apostolic zeal, may we persevere in faith, embrace the Cross with trust, and dedicate our talents for the glory of God and the building up of His Church. 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 FEBRUARY: For children with incurable diseases. Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.

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

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY: MONTH OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD: The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the Passion of Our Lord in anticipation of the liturgical season of Lent. In this month, we begin to meditate on the mystery of Jesus’ sufferings which culminated in his death on the Cross for the redemption of mankind. Saints who had a special devotion to Christ’s passion include St. Francis of Assisi, who was the first known saint to receive the stigmata; St. John of the Cross; St. Bridget of Sweden; and St. Catherine of Siena.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=2

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 🙏🏽

As we continue our spiritual journey, may this Ordinary Time invite us to a renewed faith, deeper trust, and a greater openness to God’s grace. May the peace, hope, and steady guidance that flow from walking daily with Christ shape our steps, inform our decisions, and strengthen our resolve to live each day in love and holiness. As we journey onward, may God bless our families and loved ones, and may His light continue to shine brightly in every home. May the days of this new month be grace-filled and purposeful, drawing us ever deeper into a lived relationship with the Lord and the quiet assurance of His abiding presence with us always. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Catherine de Ricci, and Blessed Jordan of Saxony ~ 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/