THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT FINBARR, BISHOP: SAINT CLEOPHAS, DISCIPLE OF CHRIST; SAINT FIRMIN, BISHOP OF AMIENS AND MARTYR AND BLESSED HERMAN THE CRIPPLE, RELIGIOUS | SEPTEMBER 25TH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Finbarr, Saint Cleophas, Saint Firmin, and Blessed Herman the Cripple | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-25th/)
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | September 25, 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-september-25-2025/
NOVENA TO SAINT THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX – THE LITTLE FLOWER: DAY 4: The 2025 Novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 22nd, and end on September 30th in preparation for her Feast day on October 1st. | Link to Novena to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux – The Little Flower | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-saint-therese-of-lisieux-the-little-flower/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
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/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family.
Today, Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time. We joyfully thank God for the gift of this month, September, and thank Him for the gift of life! Lord Almighty, we thank You for granting us your grace and favor and we entrust every day of this month into Your loving hands. May September be a season of renewal, hope, and abundant blessings for us and our families. We continue to pray for all families and for the safety and well-being of children all over the world, especially those beginning the new school year. Bless those who will celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, new opportunities, and milestones this month, and be near to those who carry heavy burdens in their hearts.
Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary on this special Feast day, 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 🙏🏾
On this feast day, through the intercession of the Saints we celebrate today, we humbly pray for the poor 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 those who fight for truth, peace, justice, love, and unity in our families and our world. May God protect us all and keep us safe and united in peace, love and faith. 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 September. 🙏🏽
We 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.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” ~ Matthew 5:4
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🙏🏽
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 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of September | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-september/
COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/
PRAYER FOR THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/prayer-for-the-beginning-of-a-new-school-year/
MEET THE NEW SAINTS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/canonization-of-carlo-acutis-pier-giorgio-frassati/
SAINT CARLO ACUTIS (1991–2006): a teenager from Milan, passionate about computer science, he used new media to spread the faith and love for the Eucharist. Beatified in 2020, he is a model of digital evangelization. | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-carlo-acutis/
SAINT PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI (1901–1925): a young man from Turin, sportsman and mountain enthusiast, he stood out for his charity towards the poor and his joyful witness to the Gospel. Beatified in 1990, he is the patron of young people and students. | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-pier-giorgio-frassati/
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Thursday of the Twenty-fifth Week in Ordinary Time | September 25, 2025
Reading 1: Haggai 1:1–8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 149:1b–2, 3–4, 5–6a, 9b
Gospel: Luke 9:7–9
Gospel Reading ~ Luke 9:7–9
“John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
“Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, ‘John has been raised from the dead’; others were saying, ‘Elijah has appeared’; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’ But Herod said, ‘John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?’ And he kept trying to see Him.”
In today’s Gospel, the Herod mentioned is Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great. He ruled Galilee on behalf of the Romans during the whole period of Jesus’ public ministry. He was responsible for the beheading of John the Baptist. He has heard about all that is being done by Jesus of Nazareth and he was puzzled or perplexed. He asks himself, ‘Who is this I hear such reports about?’ He was curious and anxious to see Him. That kind of curiosity and puzzlement about Jesus can be the beginning of faith for some people. Despite his desire to see Jesus, Herod’s heart remains closed, bound by guilt and sin.
Later on in the Gospel of Luke, Herod does get to see Jesus and to meet with Him. In the course of Jesus’ passion, Pilate sends Him off to Herod for questioning. At the end of Herod’s interrogation he and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt, and mocked Him, putting an elegant robe on Him for fun, before sending Him back to Pilate. It seems that Herod’s curiosity about Jesus didn’t lead to faith in Jesus.
The Gospel of today therefore reminds us that hearing about Christ is not enough, we are called to seek Him with faith and conversion, not just curiosity or fear. Unlike Herod, who sought Jesus without repentance, we are invited to open our hearts fully and allow His truth to transform us. The Gospel challenges us to examine how we respond to Christ’s presence in our lives. Do we encounter Him superficially, like Herod, or do we truly allow His Word and works to lead us into deeper conversion?
Other people’s curiosity about Jesus did lead them to faith. In the Scriptures, Nicodemus and Zacchaeus’ curiosity about Jesus did lead them to faith. Curiosity, puzzlement, the desire to know more about Jesus, can be a good starting point for faith. Indeed, those of us who consider ourselves to be disciples of Jesus, people of faith, will often retain that sense of curiosity and puzzlement about Him, that desire to know Him better. Saint Paul, who met the risen Lord, could say, ‘I want to know Christ’. As the revelation of God in human form, Jesus is infinitely fascinating. He will always puzzle us; we will always be searching for Him. It is in our searching that we find Him more fully; it is in our desire to see Him with the eyes of our heart and mind that we will come to know more completely.
Jesus is not simply a figure of history or a curiosity to be observed He is the living Son of God who calls us to repentance, faith, and discipleship. Even those who have been people of faith all their lives, and know a great deal about Jesus, will continue to be puzzled by Him, will continue to ask that fundamental question, ‘Who is this?’ and will continue to want to see Him more clearly. We never exhaust the mystery of Jesus on this side of eternity. As believers, we will always be seekers in His regard. We seek to know Jesus more fully, not only with our mind but also with our heart. In the words of Saint Richard, a thirteenth century Bishop of Chichester, ‘may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day.
In the first reading, the prophet Haggai reproaches the people for prioritizing their own comfort while neglecting the house of the Lord. They were living in paneled houses while the Temple lay in ruins. Through Haggai, God reminds them that true blessing and satisfaction cannot come from self-centered living but from honoring God first. Their labor seemed fruitless because they had forgotten to build what mattered most, God’s dwelling among them. This call resounds today: we are invited to examine whether we invest more energy into material pursuits than in nurturing our relationship with God and building His kingdom.
The Responsorial Psalm reassures us that “The Lord takes delight in His people.” God loves and adorns His faithful with victory, lifting up the lowly and filling them with joy. The Psalm is a reminder that when we put God first, He not only restores but delights in us. Our worship and obedience bring Him glory, and in turn, He grants us the victory of His presence.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, let us ask ourselves: Am I more like Herod, curious about Jesus yet hesitant to change, or am I like the people urged by Haggai, ready to rebuild what has been neglected in my spiritual life? Do I spend my energy on temporary comforts while God’s “house”—my soul, my faith, my service to others, lies in ruins? Do I trust that when I put God first, He will provide for my needs and fill me with joy? Brothers and sisters, today’s readings invite us to move beyond mere curiosity or convenience in our faith and to place God at the center of our lives. To build His dwelling is to give Him our time, prayer, worship, and acts of love. To encounter Jesus is to allow His presence to unsettle us into repentance and renewal. Let us not delay but respond to the call to rebuild, to repent, and to rejoice in the God who delights in His people. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace as we remain steadfast in faith and continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth.🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You are the One whom even kings and rulers could not ignore, the Living Word who unsettles the hearts of the proud and consoles the humble. Free me from the distractions and comforts that keep me from giving You first place in my life. Like the people in Haggai’s time, teach me to rebuild what is broken within me and to honor Your dwelling in my soul. May my faith not be shallow curiosity but true discipleship, rooted in love, repentance, and obedience. You delight in Your people, Lord may I bring You joy by living as Your faithful child. Amen. 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT FINBARR, BISHOP; SAINT CLEOPHAS, DISCIPLE OF CHRIST; SAINT FIRMIN, BISHOP OF AMIENS AND MARTYR; AND BLESSED HERMAN THE CRIPPLE, RELIGIOUS ~ FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 25TH: Today, the Church honors a diverse group of holy men who, in different ways, bore witness to the love and mercy of God: Saint Finbarr, Bishop of Cork (Patron of the Diocese of Cork and founder of the city of Cork); Saint Cleophas, Disciple of Christ (one of the companions of the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus); Saint Firmin, Bishop of Amiens and Martyr (Patron of Amiens, France, and apostle of Picardy); and Blessed Herman the Cripple, Religious (Benedictine monk, scholar, and composer of the Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater). Their lives remind us that the call to holiness can be expressed in pastoral leadership, faithful discipleship, courageous martyrdom, and even through suffering embraced with humility and grace. Through their intercession, we pray today for those with disabilities, the sick and the dying, and especially those who suffer from neurological disorders, cancer, or other terminal diseases. We lift up widows, widowers, the poor, and the neglected. We remember the souls in Purgatory and the repose of all the faithful departed. We pray for peace in our homes, unity in our families, and harmony in our world. We entrust to God the Holy Father, bishops, priests, and religious, asking for more vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, for the perseverance of Christians under persecution, and for the conversion of sinners. May the witness of these saints strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Christ, who is our light and salvation. Amen. 🙏🏾
Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections | September 25th| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Finbarr, Saint Cleophas, Saint Firmin, and Blessed Herman the Cripple | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-25th/)
SAINT FINBARR, BISHOP: Saint Finbarr (†623) was born near Bandon in County Cork, Ireland. He became a hermit and later a teacher, attracting disciples by his holiness and wisdom. He founded a monastery and school at what is now Cork, making it a center of Christian learning and worship. Finbarr was known for his deep love of prayer and his role in shaping the spiritual and cultural life of southern Ireland. His name, meaning “fair head,” reflects his gentle yet strong leadership.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Saint Finbarr, inspire us to build lives rooted in prayer and service. May we work to strengthen our communities in faith, charity, and truth. Amen. 🙏
SAINT CLEOPHAS, DISCIPLE OF CHRIST: Saint Cleophas is remembered as one of the two disciples who encountered the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35). Tradition holds that he was a relative of Jesus and later became a witness to the Gospel. His story reminds us of the joy and transformation that come from recognizing Christ in the breaking of the bread. Cleophas embodies faithful discipleship, attentiveness to the Scriptures, and openness to Christ’s presence in everyday life.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Saint Cleophas, open our eyes to recognize You in Word and Sacrament. May our hearts burn with love as we walk with You each day. Amen. 🙏
SAINT FIRMIN, BISHOP OF AMIENS AND MARTYR: Saint Firmin (3rd century) was born in Pamplona, Spain, and later traveled to Gaul (modern-day France) to spread the Gospel. Ordained bishop, he became the first Bishop of Amiens and preached tirelessly in Picardy. His fearless proclamation of the faith led to his martyrdom, sealing his witness with his blood. He is honored as the apostle of Amiens and remembered for his zeal and courage in advancing the mission of the Church.
PRAYER: Almighty God, through the intercession of Saint Firmin, grant us courage to proclaim the Gospel fearlessly, even in times of trial. May our lives be steadfast witnesses of Your truth. Amen. 🙏
BLESSED HERMAN THE CRIPPLE, RELIGIOUS: Blessed Herman (1013–1054), known as “the Cripple,” was born in Germany with severe physical disabilities. Despite his suffering, he entered the Benedictine Abbey of Reichenau, where he excelled as a scholar, poet, mathematician, and musician. He composed two of the Church’s most cherished Marian hymns, the Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater, which continue to inspire devotion. Herman’s life shows how human weakness, when united with Christ, becomes a source of extraordinary grace.
PRAYER: Loving God, through the intercession of Blessed Herman, teach us to embrace our weaknesses and transform them into offerings of love. May we glorify You in both strength and frailty. Amen. 🙏
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Finbarr, Saint Cleophas, Saint Firmin, and Blessed Herman the Cripple ~ 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 SEPTEMBER: For our relationship with all of creation. Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER | MONTH OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS: September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, inviting us to unite our hearts with Mary in her profound sharing of Christ’s Passion. As Simeon foretold, “a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35), and throughout her life Mary endured deep sorrows that culminated at Calvary. In her silent strength and unwavering faith, she became the compassionate Mother of all Christians, offering her suffering with Christ for the salvation of the world.
This month, the Church calls us to meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary: Simeon’s prophecy, the Flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple, meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary, standing at the foot of the Cross, receiving His lifeless Body, and placing Him in the tomb. By reflecting on these sorrows, we learn patience in trials, compassion for the suffering, and a deeper love for Jesus who suffered for us.
Prayers such as the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, the Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, and the Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows help us to walk with Mary in her suffering and to discover hope and consolation in her maternal heart.
“Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, teach us to stand with you at the Cross, sharing in Christ’s love and redemptive sacrifice.”
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. Amen 🙏🏾
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: Heavenly Father, today we are reminded through the prophet Haggai that Your house must not lie in ruins while we busy ourselves with worldly concerns. Help us to “consider our ways,” to rebuild our lives on the foundation of Your Word, and to seek first Your glory above all else. We pray for the courage to let go of distractions and place You at the center of our priorities. May we, like the Psalmist, rejoice that You take delight in Your people, clothing the lowly with victory and lifting the humble in Your love. In the Gospel, we see Herod’s restless search to understand who Jesus is. Grant us the grace not to remain in confusion, but to recognize Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and to follow Him faithfully. Through the intercession of Saint Finbarr, may we strengthen our communities in prayer and holiness; through Saint Cleophas, may our eyes be opened to Christ in the breaking of the bread; through Saint Firmin, may we bear courageous witness to the Gospel; and through Blessed Herman, may we learn to glorify You even in weakness.
LET US PRAY:
My ever-present Lord, You call to me day and night, inviting me to change as I listen to Your holy Word. I thank You for these constant promptings of grace and commit myself to remain open to all that You ask of me. I choose You, my Lord. And as I turn to You, I pray that I will have the courage I need to respond wholeheartedly to Your call. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord God, You call us to build not only houses of stone but lives that reflect Your glory. Teach us to seek first Your Kingdom and to rejoice that You take delight in Your people. Open our eyes, like Cleophas, to recognize Your presence in Word and Sacrament, and strengthen us, like Firmin, to stand firm in faith even in adversity. May the example of Saint Finbarr inspire us to renew our communities in prayer, and may the humility of Blessed Herman remind us that Your grace is perfected in weakness. Keep us steadfast in our journey of faith, so that our words, actions, and priorities may proclaim that Christ is truly Lord of our lives. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Finbarr, Saint Cleophas, Saint Firmin, and Blessed Herman the Cripple ~ 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 during this 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, safe, Thursday, fruitful week ahead, and a fulfilling month of September🙏🏽
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