SATURDAY OF THE THIRTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: NOVEMBER 22, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
MEMORIAL OF SAINT CECILIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR | NOVEMBER 22ND | Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Cecilia | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-november-22nd/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | November 22, 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-november-22-2025/
2025 NATIONAL CATHOLIC YOUTH CONFERENCE | POPE LEO XIV’S FIRST LIVE DIGITAL ENCOUNTER WITH THE UNITED STATES YOUTH | NOVEMBER 21, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/pope-leo-xivs-first-live-digital-encounter-with-the-united-states-youth-november-21-2025/
Pope Leo XIV’s historic LIVE digital encounter with American youth at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC 2025) in Indianapolis! This event featured Pope Leo’s heartfelt dialogue with teenagers, sharing questions, hopes, and stories from Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, in front of over 16,000 young people. Streamed live worldwide by EWTN, in a coordinated effort with Vatican Media, discover inspiring moments and spiritual unity as Pope Leo XIV addresses the future of the Catholic Church in the U.S.
A PRAYER FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS
Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, to you we turn in humble prayer. Look with favor upon all young people, bearers of hope for the Church and the world.
Jesus Christ, companion of youth and young adults, bless the paths of discovery and discernment, through times of joy and experiences of hardship, with the constant love and support of your Church.
Jesus Christ, alive in the hearts of all your people, grant that we may “journey together, young and old… to nourish our enthusiasm, cause dreams to emerge, awaken prophesies and enable hope to blossom.”
Jesus Christ, Redeemer of all humankind, open our hearts to encounter all young people, to accompany and be in community together, and as one Church, embark upon our holy mission.
Jesus Christ, in the company of the Father and the Holy Spirit, graciously hear our prayer and be with us forevermore. Amen 🙏🏽
Pope Francis, *Christus Vivit, 199
DAY 9: NOVENA TO CHRIST THE KING | NOVEMBER 14-22, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-christ-the-king/
Novena to Christ the King starts November 14, 2025! The Novena is prayed any time of year, but traditionally prayed Nine Days Prior to the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 23, 2025
We thank God for the successful completion of the Novena to Christ the King. May His name be praised forever and ever. Amen🙏🏽
MOTHER OF THE FAITHFUL PEOPLE OF GOD (MATER POPULI FIDELIS) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/mother-of-the-faithful-people-of-god-mater-populi-fidelis/
THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/
PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/
LITANY OF THE SAINTS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/litany-of-the-saints/
THE SAINTS: WHO ARE THEY AND HOW ARE THEY CANONISED? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-saints-who-are-they-and-how-are-they-canonised/
KIND REMINDER: JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE 2025 HOLY DOOR SCHEDULE TIMELINES | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/jubilee-of-hope-2025/
DR. PHILOMENA IKOWE AND HER JOYFUL CATHOLIC WITNESS | LIGHTS, CATHOLIC, ACTION! | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/dr-philomena-ikowe-and-her-joyful-catholic-witness/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today, on this Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr, the Church invites us to enter a deeper spirit of fidelity, purity of heart, and courageous witness. As we continue our journey through the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time, we reflect on the Scriptures that call us to trust in God’s justice and to remain steadfast in faith even amid trials. The life of Saint Cecilia, who offered her heart and voice entirely to the Lord, inspires us to offer our own daily lives as a hymn of praise. With grateful hearts, we open ourselves to God’s Word, asking for the grace to live with integrity, hope, and joyful devotion. Let us now turn to today’s readings and encounter the Lord who strengthens His faithful ones.
We joyfully thank God for the gift of life and for leading us safely in this month of November. As we continue this sacred journey of faith, we give thanks for God’s boundless mercy and the hope of eternal life promised to those who believe in Him. May the witness of the Saints and the faith of our loved ones who have gone before us inspire us to live each day in holiness, humility, and love. This month of November, dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, invites us to pray fervently for our departed loved ones and for all who await the fullness of heavenly joy. We especially remember those who mourn, that they may find comfort and peace in the promise of resurrection. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of All Saints, may God grant eternal rest to the faithful departed, healing to the brokenhearted, and grace to all who seek His mercy. May this new month bring light to our minds, peace to our hearts, and strength to our souls. Amen🙏🏽
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” ~ Matthew 5:4
We join our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV to pray for the gentle repose of the souls of our dear beloved late Pope Francis, the Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Religious who have gone to be with the Lord. We also remember in prayer all who began this journey of life with us but are no longer here. We pray for the gentle repose of the souls of our loved ones who recently passed away, and we continue to pray for the souls in Purgatory; lost souls. For the repose of the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His Saints.” ~ Psalm 116:15
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 and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏🏽✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
Lord Almighty, we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your unfailing love, protection, and mercy that carried us through the past month. We entrust the days of November into Your hands, asking for Your blessings, guidance, and peace upon our lives and families. May this month be for us a time of renewed faith, deeper hope, and overflowing joy. We pray especially for all families, for children, parents, and teachers, that they may be strengthened and protected. Bless those who will celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, new opportunities, and milestones this month, and comfort those who enter it with heavy hearts or struggles. Lord, go before us, walk beside us, and remain with us always, now and forever. Amen. 🙏🏽
Today, we humbly pray for the poor, abandoned, and those in need, for all those who are marginalized in our society. For those who are imprisoned, especially those who are unjustly imprisoned. We pray for charitable organizations, asking God’s blessing upon their mission and we lift our prayers for peace, love, justice and unity in our families, marriages and our world. May God protect us all and keep us safe and united in peace, love and faith. Amen 🙏🏽
Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary on this special Feast day, we lift our prayers for the protection, safety and well-being of healthcare professionals, educators, missionaries, pilots, and all travelers. We ask for healing for the sick and dying, especially those who are suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases, strength for the weary, peace in troubled homes, and provision for all in need. Guide our steps in righteousness, protect us from harm, and fill our hearts with faith, joy, and gratitude. May this month draw us closer to Your will, and may every day be a testimony of Your goodness and mercy in our lives. We begin this month with trust in Your unfailing love, Lord, and we surrender all that lies ahead into Your hands. Amen 🙏🏾
We continue to 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.
Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, mothers, workers, and all those who labor 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 Ordinary Time. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of November. 🙏🏽
DAY 9: NOVENA TO CHRIST THE KING | NOVEMBER 14-22, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-christ-the-king/
Novena to Christ the King starts 14th November, 2025! The Novena is prayed any time of year, but traditionally prayed Nine Days Prior to the Solemnity of Christ the King on November 23, 2025
From November 14–22, 2025, we join the universal Church in praying this novena with devotion and trust, asking Christ the King to reign in our hearts and strengthen us in faith.
PRAYER: Almighty and merciful God, you break the power of evil and make all things new in your Son Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. May all in heaven and earth acclaim your glory and never cease to praise you. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.🙏🏾
Recite One Our Father, One Hail Mary and One Glory Be per day followed by the Novena Prayer:
O Lord our God, You alone are the Most Holy King and Ruler of all nations. We pray to You, Lord, in the great expectation of receiving from You, O Divine King, mercy, peace, justice and all good things. Protect, O Lord our King, our families and the land of our birth. Guard us we pray, Most Faithful One. Protect us from our enemies and from Your Just Judgment. Forgive us, O Sovereign King, our sins against You. Jesus, You are a King of Mercy. We have deserved Your Just Judgment. Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us. We trust in Your Great Mercy. O most awe-inspiring King, we bow before You and pray; May Your Reign, Your Kingdom, be recognized on earth. Amen. 🙏🏾
NOVENA TO CHRIST THE KING | NOVEMBER 14-22, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-christ-the-king/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
KIND REMINDER: JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE 2025 HOLY DOOR SCHEDULE TIMELINES | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/jubilee-of-hope-2025/
The Jubilee began with the opening of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, and will conclude with the closing of the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on January 6, 2026. The Holy Doors at the other major basilicas (St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls) will be closed on Sunday, December 28, 2025
Individuals who cannot travel to Rome can participate in the Jubilee by making a pilgrimage to a local designated site. For a complete list of local pilgrimage sites, check with your local diocese.
OPENING OF THE HOLY DOORS SCHEDULES | JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025
Pope Francis opens the Holy Door Ushering in the Jubilee of Hope | ‘Hope is Alive’ | Vatican News | December 24, 2024 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/jubilee-of-hope-2025/
JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025: JUBILEE PRAYER | Link to the prayer of the Jubilee of Hope 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/08/the-jubilee-prayer/
PURGATORY: WHAT IS PURGATORY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/15/purgatory-and-limbo/
PURGATORY: The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a “purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” which is experienced by those “who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified” (CCC 1030). It notes that “this final purification of the elect . . . is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (CCC 1031). The purification is necessary because, as Scripture teaches, nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 21:27) and, while we may die with our mortal sins forgiven, there can still be many impurities in us, specifically venial sins and the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven.
What Happens in Purgatory?: When we die, we undergo what is called the particular, or individual, judgment. Scripture says that “it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27). We are judged instantly and receive our reward, for good or ill. We know at once what our final destiny will be. At the end of time, when Jesus returns, there will come the general judgment to which the Bible refers, for example, in Matthew 25:31-32: “When the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the angels with him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. In this general judgment all our sins will be publicly revealed (Luke 12:2–5).
November is a month when we remember our dead in a special way. It is a month when we are prone to reflecting on death, not in a morbid way but in the hopeful way that is rooted in our faith. On this special Feast day, as we continue to remember the faithful departed, please let us remember to pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory this month of November and always. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and all the Saints, we humbly pray for the souls of our faithful departed loved ones, for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the souls of all the faithful departed.🙏🏽
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Saturday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr | November 22, 2025
Reading 1: 1 Maccabees 6:1–13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 9:2–3, 4 & 6, 16 & 19
Gospel: Luke 20:27–40
Gospel Reading ~ Luke 20:27–40
“He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive.”
“Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, If someone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother. Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. Then the second and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. Finally the woman also died. Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.” Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry and remarry; but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise. That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” Some of the scribes said in reply, “Teacher, you have answered well.” And they no longer dared to ask him anything.”
In today’s Gospel, some Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, approached Jesus with a hypothetical scenario meant to trap Him: a woman married seven brothers, each dying childless. “At the resurrection,” they asked, “whose wife will she be?” Their question did not arise from sincere inquiry but from a desire to mock the faith in life after death. Jesus’ answer not only exposes their misunderstanding but reveals a profound truth about the nature of eternal life. Those who are found worthy of the resurrection “neither marry nor are given in marriage” not because earthly bonds are erased, but because life in God surpasses every earthly structure. In the resurrection, we are “like angels” alive in a perfect communion of love, free from death, sin, and decay. Jesus points them back to Moses, reminding them that God identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, implying that they remain alive in Him. God is not God of the dead but of the living, for all who belong to Him live forever.
Today’s Gospel calls us to deepen our faith in the resurrection, not merely as an idea, but as the ultimate promise that gives meaning, hope, and direction to our lives. Jesus teaches that death does not end our story; it transforms it. Our destiny is not the grave but eternal life with God, a life where all is restored, made whole, and made new in His presence. The question for us becomes: Do I live with this resurrection hope? Do I allow the truth of eternal life to guide my choices, ease my fears, and anchor my heart in God?
In the First Reading, we encounter the dramatic collapse of King Antiochus IV, the very ruler who desecrated the Temple, persecuted Israel, and sought to destroy the faith of God’s people. Now, after hearing of the Jews’ victory and the restoration of the Temple, he is shaken, overwhelmed, and struck by a deep sense of guilt. His earthly power fails him, his pride collapses, and he confronts the consequences of his actions. Antiochus acknowledges that the evils now befalling him are the fruits of the injustices he committed, especially against Jerusalem and her faithful. His story becomes a sobering reminder that no earthly power, wealth, or authority can stand against God’s justice. God is patient, but He is not mocked. Evil ultimately destroys itself, while righteousness is upheld. Yet even in Antiochus’ downfall, we see the possibility of repentance, a flicker of conscience awakened in his final days. The reading invites us to examine our own hearts: Are there areas of stubbornness, pride, or sin I have refused to confront? Do I understand that every choice bears fruit, for good or for harm? Do I allow God’s gentle correction to lead me toward repentance and renewal?
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the Psalm lifts our hearts to praise: “I will rejoice in your salvation, O Lord.” The psalmist proclaims God as the defender of the poor, the protector of the afflicted, and the righteous judge who overturns the schemes of the wicked. While evil may appear to flourish for a time, God remains faithful. He sees the suffering of the innocent, He hears the cry of the afflicted, and He acts in His perfect time. The contrast between the downfall of Antiochus and the psalm’s proclamation becomes clear: those who trust in the Lord stand firm, but those who oppose Him fall into the pit they themselves have dug. The psalm invites us to praise, not only for what God has done, but for who He is: just, faithful, merciful, and sovereign over all. Even when we face trials or witness injustice in the world, we are reminded that God’s justice is sure and His salvation endures forever.
As we reflect and meditate on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are invited into a deeper examination of heart and soul. Do I truly believe in the resurrection, and does this belief shape the way I live, forgive, and hope? Do I hold onto fears of death or cling too tightly to earthly attachments, forgetting that my life is anchored in eternity? Am I willing to let go of the things that bind me to worldly thinking, trusting Christ’s promise that those who belong to God never die? Do I acknowledge my sins as Antiochus eventually did, allowing God to correct, heal, and transform me? Do I praise God in moments of trial, trusting His justice even when circumstances seem unclear? Do I live as one who belongs to the God of the living, with hope, courage, and faith? May the Lord deepen our understanding of eternal life, open our hearts to repentance, and fill our spirits with praise.
Today’s Scriptures remind us that we belong to the God of the living, the Lord who destroys death and calls us to hope beyond this world. As Jesus proclaims the reality of the resurrection, we are invited to anchor our lives not in what is passing, but in what is eternal. The fall of King Antiochus serves as a warning against pride and the consequences of rejecting God, while the Psalm assures us that the afflicted and faithful are never forgotten. As we honor Saint Cecilia, who remained steadfast in purity, courage, and praise even in suffering, may we allow her witness to strengthen our resolve to live faithfully, cling to God’s truth, and rejoice in His salvation. Let us walk forward with confidence, knowing that our lives are held by the God who makes all things new. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace as we remain steadfast in faith and continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You are the Resurrection and the Life, the God of the living who calls each of us into eternal communion with You. Strengthen my faith in Your promise, and help me to live each day with the hope that never fades. Purify my heart from all pride, sin, and fear, and grant me the grace to turn back to You with humility and trust. May Your truth guide my choices, Your love anchor my spirit, and Your Word illuminate my steps. Through the intercession of Saint Cecilia, help me to praise You in all circumstances, in joy and in trial and to remain steadfast in faith until the day I stand before You in the fullness of life. Keep me close to Your heart and make my life a witness to Your salvation. Amen. 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT CECILIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR ~ FEAST DAY ~ NOVEMBER 22ND: Today, the Church joyfully celebrates the Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr (Patroness of Musicians, Poets, Singers, and Composers). On this sacred day, we lift our hearts in prayer for all who use music, art, and creativity to inspire, heal, and elevate the human spirit. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Cecilia, we pray for God’s mercy upon all impossible causes and desperate situations. We remember the sick and the dying, especially those suffering from mental or physical illnesses, heart conditions, strokes, cancers, and all terminal diseases. We pray for widows and widowers, for the poor, the homeless, torture victims, the vulnerable, and all those carrying heavy crosses in silence. We commend the souls in Purgatory and the faithful departed to God’s loving mercy. We pray for parents, children, marriages, and families—for peace, justice, unity, and divine protection in our homes and our world. We also lift up our Holy Father, Bishops, Clergy, religious men and women, persecuted Christians, vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and the conversion of sinners everywhere. Amen. 🙏🏾
Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections | November 22nd https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Cecilia | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-november-22nd/)
SAINT CECILIA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR (2ND–3RD CENTURY): Saint Cecilia is one of the most beloved martyrs of the early Church and one of the few women mentioned in the Roman Canon (First Eucharistic Prayer), a testament to her profound sanctity and heroic witness. Born into a noble Roman family, Cecilia consecrated her virginity to God from her youth, living a life of prayer, fasting, and interior devotion. Though given in marriage to a noble pagan named Valerian, she remained steadfast in her vow to Christ. On their wedding night, she revealed that an angel guarded her purity—an angel whom Valerian would see only after receiving Baptism. He obeyed, was baptized by Pope Urban I, and returned to find Cecilia at prayer with the angel standing beside her, holding crowns of lilies and roses—symbols of purity and martyrdom. Valerian’s brother Tiburtius soon embraced the faith, inspired by their witness. Together, the brothers courageously buried the bodies of persecuted Christians, an act forbidden under Roman law. For this they were arrested, tortured, and martyred. Their jailer, Maximus, moved by their faith, was also baptized and quickly joined them in martyrdom.
Cecilia continued her mission of evangelization, converting over four hundred people, many of whom were baptized by Pope Urban. Refusing to renounce Christ, she was condemned to death. First shut in the scalding baths and then struck three times by an executioner’s sword, she miraculously survived for three days—praying, preaching, and offering her suffering to God until she peacefully surrendered her spirit. Her body was discovered incorrupt in 1599, veiled in silk and surrounded by a sweet fragrance, a visible sign of her purity and glory. Saint Cecilia is honored as the Patroness of Music, for it is said that she “sang in her heart to the Lord” even amid suffering. Artists have long depicted her with an organ or musical instruments, celebrating her legacy as one who transformed her entire life into a hymn of praise. She also intercedes for musicians, composers, singers, poets, authors, and all who seek to glorify God through beauty.
Today, Saint Cecilia continues to inspire the faithful to live with courage, purity of heart, and joyful devotion to Christ, even in trials. Her feast day is celebrated on November 22nd.
PRAYER TO SAINT CECILIA: O glorious Saint Cecilia, virgin and martyr, who offered your whole life as a song of love to Jesus, help us to remain faithful in our devotion to Christ. Inspire us to praise God in all circumstances and to honor Him with the purity of our hearts, the work of our hands, and the music of our lives. Through your intercession, may we be strengthened to follow Christ without fear and to live as witnesses of His love and mercy. Amen. 🙏🏾
PRAYER: O God, who each year gladden us with the feast of Saint Cecilia, grant, we pray, that her steadfast faith and heroic witness may inspire us to imitate her virtues and proclaim the wonders of Your grace. May her example lead us closer to Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen. 🙏🏾
Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Cecilia ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾
GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS | PRAYERS FOR PEACE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/general-prayers-and-intentions/
LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of November | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-november/
COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/
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 NOVEMBER: For the prevention of suicide. Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER | MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS: November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, a month of prayerful remembrance for all the faithful departed who await the joy of Heaven. The Church calls us to intercede for them through our prayers, sacrifices, and Masses, trusting in God’s mercy to purify their souls and welcome them into eternal light. These souls, known as the Church Suffering, are united with the Church Triumphant in Heaven and the Church Militant on earth, one communion of love bound together in Christ.
This devotion is beautifully expressed in the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) on November 2, which follows the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1. As the liturgical year draws to a close, the Church invites us to reflect on eternity, on the hope of resurrection and the promise of Heaven. Each prayer offered for the departed becomes an act of mercy that brings comfort to their souls and strengthens our own journey toward holiness.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.” 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr, we lift our hearts to God with confidence, drawing strength from her courage and purity of faith. Today, we pray for all musicians, singers, composers, artists, and creative ministers who use their gifts to uplift souls and glorify God. Through Saint Cecilia’s intercession, we entrust to the Lord all who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit, especially the sick, the aged, the lonely, and those burdened by hidden struggles. We remember families in distress, widows and widowers, orphans, victims of violence, and those facing impossible situations or heavy financial hardship. We pray for persecuted Christians throughout the world, for the sanctification of our priests and religious, for an increase in holy vocations, and for peace in our homes, communities, and nations. We commend to God the souls in Purgatory, the faithful departed, and all who died suddenly or without spiritual support. May the witness of Saint Cecilia inspire us to offer our lives as a hymn of praise and to remain steadfast in faith even in times of trial. Amen. 🙏🏽
LET US PRAY:
My resurrected Lord, You now reign in Heaven, body and soul, in anticipation of the final and glorious resurrection of all the dead. May I always keep my eyes on this final goal of human life and do all that I can to prepare for this eternity of glory and love. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord God, who adorned Saint Cecilia with the courage of martyrdom and the purity of a heart wholly devoted to You, grant that through her intercession we may offer every moment of our lives as a song of love and fidelity. Strengthen us to stand firm in faith, just as she did, and help us to persevere through the trials, uncertainties, and burdens we face. May the power of Your Word, proclaimed in today’s readings, deepen our trust in Your justice and Your promise of eternal life. Renew in us the grace to choose what is right, to live with integrity, and to bear witness to Christ with joyful conviction. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, and Saint Cecilia ~ 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 on this Saturday of the Thirty-third Week in 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. As we continue our journey through the month of November, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the blessings of the past and entrust the days ahead into God’s loving hands. May this month, dedicated to praying for the Holy Souls, be filled with hope, peace, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ walks with us always. Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled, and fruitful Saturday, a relaxing weekend and a peaceful continuation of the month of November. 🙏🏽
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 Missions Now Awards |
https://youtu.be/gB31nuOFx0A?si=mSoZs-wiByhGs
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