SATURDAY AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Saturday after Ash Wednesday and Happy International Women’s Day to All Women!
Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) This day is observed on March 8th every year to honor women’s accomplishments in a variety of disciplines and advance gender equality globally. It is also a day to appreciate the invaluable roles women play as mothers, sisters, wives, coworkers, and friends. International Women’s Day offers a platform for talking about the problems women confront, the struggles they encounter every day, and the fight to secure their rights in a number of areas, including labor, education, and political participation. We pray for all women worldwide, especially those who are marginalized, oppressed, face violence, abuse, and unequal treatment at home, at work, and in their communities. We pray for God’s grace and mercy upon us all. 🙏🏽
Thanking God for His love and the gift of this day and praying for God’s grace and mercy on us all as we embark on our Lenten journey. Let us draw closer to God and be renewed by prayer, fasting, penance and giving to the poor. We pray for justice, peace, love, and unity in our families and our world that is torn apart by war, terrorism, and countless other acts of violence against human life. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times and may the good Lord grant us His grace as we continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth during this Lenten Season. Wishing us all a reflective and spiritually enriching and grace-filled Lenten Season ~ Amen 🙏🏽
SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 8, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN OF GOD, RELIGIOUS| Daily Saints and Reflections | | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on EWTN | “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/2025/03/08/catholic-daily-mass-daily-tv-mass-8-2025/
DAY 4: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/08/day-4-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/
LENT: | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/03/lent/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/
PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS: May we all unite as one voice to lift up the Vicar of Christ in prayer today as his health continues to improve after a prolonged respiratory crisis. We continue to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis’ speedy recovery and God’s Divine healing and intervention.
Almighty God, we thank you for the loving service of Pope Francis and the hope he has inspired in so many in Your great mercy. Have mercy on him in his illness now, we pray, and guide the medical staff in his care. Grant him peace and healing. Through Christ our Lord. Amen🙏🏽
On this special feast day, as we begin our Lenten journey, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones and celebrate their memorial anniversary today. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and 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 and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their abors for their good deeds go with them.” ~ Rev 14:13
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🙏
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH – For families in crisis: Let us pray that broken families might discover the cure for their wounds through forgiveness, rediscovering each other’s gifts, even in their differences. (https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
Pray “Holy Rosary for Peace with Pope Francis” | “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song”| “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries | Memorare Chaplet | Prayer in Difficult Times (Powerful Prayer) | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/holy-rosary-for-peace-with-pope-francis/
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/
DAILY SAINTS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John of God (Patron Saint of hospitals, nurses, the sick, the poor, heart patients, the mentally ill and the dying, alcoholics, firefighters, booksellers and printer). Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, St. John of God and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for all Healthcare professionals, the sick and the dying. We particularly pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis and all those suffering from respiratory diseases, heart diseases, mental disorders, cancers and other terminal diseases, we pray for God’s divine healing and intervention. We pray for persecuted Christians, for all mothers, all those seeking for the fruit of the womb, may God grant them gift of children, for all expectant mothers, we pray for safe delivery and for all children who are sick, especially those suffering from cancers and other terminal illnesses, we pray for God’s divine healing and intervention upon them. We pray for our children, all our youths, our families, our leaders, the poor and the vulnerable, and for all who suffer injustice and persecution in our world. We continue to pray for the intentions of our Holy Father and for the Clergy, for Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Seminarians, and all religious as they lead us by example. We pray for those called to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life, that they may live out their baptismal promises with renewed zeal. We ask for Divine healing for those who are sick and dying, and for the speedy recovery of all who are afflicted, especially our Holy Father. We pray for those suffering from mental illness, terminal diseases, and stressful life circumstances in these challenging times. We lift up our prayers for the Church, for captives, prisoners, and persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and for all who have lost the joy of living in God’s loving presence. We pray for the renewal of our spirit, that our hearts may be set aflame with a burning desire to serve God each day. We also remember those who suffer from violence, oppression, and unrest in our communities and around the world. May the intercession of the Saints guide us toward peace, justice, and unity especially in Africa, the Middle East, and in regions afflicted by conflict.
Saint John of God, Religious ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
We thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, may we be saved by the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! May the good Lord grant us His grace during this Ordinary Time as we continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR PEACE ~ POPE FRANCIS:
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
A PRAYER FOR PEACE: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Replace hatred with Your love. Give wisdom to world leaders. Free them from selfish ambition. Eliminate all violence and war. Glorious Virgin Mary, Saint Michael the Archangel, Every Angel and Saint: Please pray for peace. Pray for unity amongst nations. Pray for unity amongst all people. Pray for the most vulnerable. Pray for those suffering. Pray for the fearful. Pray for those most in need. Pray for us all. Jesus, Son of the Living God, have mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen 🙏🏽
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, In Micah 6:8, You say, “O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by Your Holy Spirit and to follow Your lead. Help us to hear You clearly, for we do not want to walk by pride or self-sufficiency, we want to walk with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen 🙏🏽
God of goodness and mercy, hear my prayer as I begin this Lenten journey with you. Let me be honest with myself as I look into my heart and soul, noticing the times I turn away from you. Guide me as I humbly seek to repent and return to your love. May humility guide my efforts to be reconciled with you and live forever in your abundant grace. Transform me this Lent, heavenly Father. Give me the strength to commit myself to grow closer to you each day. Amen 🙏🏽
LENTEN FAST AND ABSTINENCE (Lenten Fast and Abstinence regulations from the USCCB): Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.
For members of the Latin Catholic Church, the norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Latin Catholic Church from age 14 onwards
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches are to observe the particular law of their own sui iuris Church. If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the “paschal fast” to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily His Resurrection. 🙏🏽
SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN OF GOD, RELIGIOUS – FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 8TH: Today, we celebrate the Memorial of Saint John of God (Patron Saint of hospitals, nurses, the sick, the poor, heart patients, the mentally ill and the dying, alcoholics, firefighters, booksellers and printer). Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, St. John of God and the Saints on this feast day, we humbly pray for all Healthcare professionals, the sick and the dying. We particularly pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis and all those suffering from respiratory diseases, heart diseases,
mental disorders, cancers and other terminal diseases, we pray for God’s divine healing and intervention. Amen 🙏🏽
Saint John of God, help us to act out of love as soon as we feel the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Help us learn to fight the little voices in our heads and hearts that give us all sorts of practical reasons to wait or delay in our service of God…Amen 🙏🏽
“Labour without stopping; do all the good works you can while you still have the time”. ~ Saint John of God.
Saint John of God, Religious ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day | March 8th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
SAINT JOHN OF GOD, RELIGIOUS: St. John of God (1495-1550), the founder of the Brothers Hospitallers lived through decades of sin and suffering before a profound conversion that led him to embrace poverty, humility and charity. St. John was born in Portugal during the year 1495 to humble but virtuous middle-class parents. Tragically, at the age of 8, he was kidnapped by a stranger and was later abandoned to homelessness in a remote part of Spain. He worked as a shepherd until age 22, when the opportunity came along for him to join the army of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. At that time he enlisted as a soldier in the Roman Emperor’s army to escape an offer of marriage to the shepherd’s daughter. However, this apparent stroke of fortune would eventually lead John into greater misery. For the next 18 years, John lived and fought among the emperor’s foot soldiers, first against the French and later the Turks. His morals began to decline, as he completely abandoned the piety of his earliest youth for a greedy and brutal way of life. St. John’s conscience was occasionally troubled, particularly by the memories of his early years before he was taken from his parents. And despite falling into a lifestyle of violence and plundering, he had a certain weakness for those who were poor or in extreme distress, and would give alms to them. He was narrowly saved on two occasions from what seemed like certain death – once after instinctively uttering a prayer to the Virgin Mary after falling wounded in enemy territory; and again, when he was falsely suspected of theft and nearly executed but for another soldier’s intervention. Events such as these weighed heavily upon him, and when his regiment was disbanded he decided to amend his life. At the age of 40 he left the army and reformed himself, beginning with a penitential pilgrimage to Spain’s Santiago de (St. James) Compostella Cathedral along the “Way of St. James.” There, he confessed his sins and committed himself to living a life of repentance for the rest of his life. He was affirmed in this direction by a vision of the Infant Jesus and a sermon of St. John of Avila, who was to become his spiritual director. Soon after this, he returned to Portugal and discovered what had become of his parents. His mother had died, brokenhearted, after the loss of her son, after which his father had become a Franciscan monk.
At age 42, John returned to Spain and picked up nearly where he had left off 20 years before, working again as a shepherd. This time, however, he was committed to living out the faith in God that he had regained. He traveled briefly to North Africa, seeking to help Christians there who had been enslaved by Muslims. Eventually, however, he returned to Spain and settled for a time in the occupation of selling religious books and other goods, always encouraging his customers to live their faith sincerely. St. John of God’s later reputation as the patron saint of booksellers derives from this period of his life. Later, however, he felt compelled to give himself entirely to the service of the poor, sick, and vulnerable. He opened his house to them – allowing it to become a combined hospital, homeless shelter, and halfway-house, run entirely by John himself. When he was not bandaging wounded occupants or breaking up fights between them, he would go out begging on their behalf. The Bishop of Granada approved his work, and gave him the name “John of God.” A group of volunteers came to accompany him in his work, many of whom had first come to him while in dire need themselves. Others, who resented his work, assaulted st. John’s reputation by focusing on his past sins – but John, unfazed in his humility, would acknowledge the truth of what was said, as a testament to God’s grace in his life. He once offered to pay a woman to tell the entire city what she had been saying about him in private. In 1540, St. John hired a house to harbor sick persons, and thus laid the foundations of a new Order, the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God. He devoted himself to the care of the sick. St. John served the sick and poor for 15 years and after years of hard labor his health deteriorated and he met his death through an act of charity. He jumped into a freezing river and managed to save a drowning man, but came home shivering and weakened from the ordeal. He lay down in one of his own hospital beds, where his condition further declined. The Bishop of Granada came to administer the last rites. As the bishop prepared him for death, St. John expressed a number of anxieties.
“There are three things that make me uneasy,” he said. “The first is that I have received so many graces from God, and have not recognized them, and have repaid them with so little of my own.”
“The second is that after I am dead, I fear lest the poor women I have rescued, and the poor sinners I have reclaimed, may be treated badly.”
“The third is that those who have trusted me with money, and whom I have not fully repaid, may suffer loss on my account.”
The bishop, however, assured him that he had nothing to fear. St. John then asked to be alone, and summoned his last strength to rise from bed and kneel before a crucifix. He died in prayer, with his face pressed against the figure of Christ, on March 8, 1550, and was canonized in 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII. He’s the Patron Saint of the sick and the dying; heart patients; the mentally ill; alcoholics; the poor; nurses; hospitals; firefighters and
booksellers and printer.
“Labour without stopping; do all the good works you can while you still have the time”. ~ Saint John of God.
PRAYER: God, You filled St. John with the spirit of compassion. Grant that by practicing works of charity we may deserve to be numbered among the Saints in Your Kingdom. Amen 🙏🏽
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS
Bible Readings for today, Saturday after Ash Wednesday | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Saturday After Ash Wednesday, March 8, 2025
Reading 1, Isaiah 58:9-14
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 86:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Gospel, Luke 5:27-32
Gospel Reading ~ Luke 5:27-32
“I have not come to call righteous to repentance but sinners”
“Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed Him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for Him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to His disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks to Levi, one of the tax collectors that He encountered in His ministry, and called on this same Levi to follow Him and become His disciple. Levi listened to the Lord and followed Him, leaving behind everything that he had, all of his possessions, money and profession. Not only that, but he also invited the Lord to his place, to have dinner with him and many other tax collectors who sought to know Him and listen to Him as well. This brought about immediate outcry and protest from the Pharisees who were often following the Lord, as those people regarded the tax collectors as being sinners and wicked, and would have nothing to do with them because this was considered as making them ritually unclean. Jesus clearly saw something in Levi the tax collector that many others didn’t. The Pharisees and the scribes categorized him as a ‘sinner’, asking Jesus, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ Yet, Jesus was not only prepared to eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners but called one tax collector, Levi, to become part of that small group of twelve He gathered around Himself to share in His work in a more focused way. Jesus looked on people with a generous and hopeful spirit. Levi may have left a lot to be desired in terms of his compliance with God’s Law, as it was understood by the experts in the Law at the time. When Jesus looked on Levi, He didn’t simply see what was lacking in him, but, also and more importantly, the person he could become. Yes, he was ‘sick’ but so too were all men and women in different ways, including those who thought of themselves as righteous. Jesus, as the divine physician, could heal what needed healing in others and empower them to become all that God was calling them to be. The Lord looks upon each one of us with the same generous and hopeful spirit. He is more attuned to the person we can become than to the ways we have failed. The Lord also calls on us to look on each other in the same generous, hopeful way that He looks upon us. This Lent we pray for the grace to be as generous in our response to the Lord’s call as Levi was, to walk in His way so as to share in His mission in the world. Let us all remember that the Church is truly a hospital for sinners, and that even the worst of sinners who turn to the Lord and repent sincerely from their sins will be forgiven, and can become the greatest of the saints. Let us all look forward to a life truly worthy of the Lord and journey well through this holy and blessed season of Lent.
In our first reading today, Prophet Isaiah reminded the people of Judah to whom he had been sent to, calling on them to follow the Lord wholeheartedly and reject the sins and the wicked ways that they and their ancestors had done. The prophet relayed the words of the Lord to the people, calling on them to reject sin and evil, to follow once again the path that the Lord has shown them. The Lord wanted all of them to turn back towards Him and to find healing and consolation in Him. The people of Judah and Israel at that time as well as during the time of their ancestors had fallen far away from the path that God has shown them, as they followed the pagan gods and idols, persecuted the prophets and the many messengers that God had sent to them in order to remind them and help them. They had torn down the altars of God and built altars for the pagan gods and idols in their place. And despite all of these, God still loved His people above all else, and despite having been betrayed and abandoned by those same people, God was still willing to welcome them all back to His embrace, provided that they all repented from their sins.
Reflecting on today’s readings call us to an authentic conversion of heart, one that moves beyond external religious practices and into a life deeply rooted in love, justice, and mercy. In the first reading, the Lord speaks through the prophet Isaiah, reminding His people of the kind of worship that is truly pleasing to Him. It is not merely about abstaining from food or rituals of penance but about removing oppression, ceasing false accusations, and showing kindness to the afflicted. True fasting is not just about personal sacrifice—it is about aligning our lives with God’s justice, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for the most vulnerable in society. When we live this way, God promises to be our guide, to renew our strength, and to bless us abundantly. This message finds its fulfillment in today’s Gospel, where Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. Tax collectors were despised by the Jewish people because they were seen as corrupt collaborators with the Roman oppressors. Yet, Jesus looks beyond Levi’s past and invites him into a new life. Levi’s response is immediate he leaves everything behind and follows Christ without hesitation. More than that, he throws a great banquet for Jesus, welcoming others like himself to experience the presence of the Lord. As we continue our Lenten journey, today’s readings invite us to reflect on our own response to Christ’s call. Are we willing to leave behind what separates us from God and follow Him wholeheartedly, like Levi? Do we extend the same mercy to others that we ourselves have received? Are our Lenten sacrifices leading us to a deeper love for God and our neighbor? This season is not just about external practices but about true inner renewal. God does not desire empty fasting or mere observance of rituals. He desires a transformation of the heart. If we commit ourselves to acts of justice, love, and mercy, He promises to guide us, to strengthen us, and to fill us with His joy.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, all of us are reminded of the need for us to live a holy and worthy life in God, one that is truly in accordance with the ways of the Lord, in tune with what He has revealed and taught to us through His Son and His Church. We must keep ourselves away from the corruptions and snares of sin, striving to seek the Lord and His forgiveness, His mercy and love, allowing Him to forgive us and heal us from this corruption of sin that had afflicted us all these while. We must not be discouraged from a truly holy life that is in harmony with God and His righteous path, and as we continue to progress through this season of Lent, we are constantly being reminded to stay true to this path of the Lord. We are all called to emulate the Holy men and women, and all the Saints, particularly the Saint we celebrate today, Saint John of God, Religious. We are called to continue this journey of purification of our whole entire beings during this season of Lent. We are reminded to get rid from ourselves the excesses of worldly temptations and corruptions, seeking the Lord for His forgiveness and mercy, and to grow ever further in our love for Him, dedicating and spending our time and effort to walk in His presence always. Let this season of Lent be a time of renewal and a rediscovery and rejuvenation of our faith, as we come closer to God and His throne of mercy and love. Let us all use this opportunity to spend more time with the Lord and deepen our relationships with Him, through prayer and more genuine efforts to communicate with Him, spending quality time together and doing more to walk faithfully in His path. Let us be more humble and be more committed to the Lord as we go through this season of Lent, and practice our Lenten observances with genuine faith and desire to love the Lord more and purifying ourselves from the many corruptions of sin. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and be with us all and help us as we journey with faith through this time of preparation and purification, and may He inspire in us the courage and strength to continue living our lives with dedication and commitment at each and every moments of our lives through this season of Lent and always. Lord, You call each of us to a new life, just as You called Levi. Help us to respond with open hearts, leaving behind all that separates us from You. May our fasting and sacrifices this Lent not be empty but bear fruit in acts of love and mercy. Guide us in Your truth and renew our spirits, so that we may reflect Your light to the world. Amen 🙏🏽
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH | MONTH OF ST. JOSEPH: The month of March is dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. “His was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lord’s father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lord’s father, because to him were entrusted, and by him were faithfully fulfilled, the duties of a father, in protecting Him, giving Him a home, sustaining and rearing Him, and providing Him with a trade”. “This patronage must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization,” wrote St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Custos (Guardian of the Redeemer). St. John Paul II further said, “Because St. Joseph is the protector of the Church, he is the guardian of the Eucharist and the Christian family. Therefore, we must turn to St. Joseph today to ward off attacks upon the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and upon the family. We must plead with St. Joseph to guard the Eucharistic Lord and the Christian family during this time of peril.”
The first four days of March fall during the liturgical season known as Tempus per Annum or Ordinary Time (formerly known as Time after Epiphany) which is represented by the liturgical color green. Green, the symbol of hope, is the color of the sprouting seed and arouses in the faithful the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, especially the hope of a glorious resurrection. The remainder of the month of March is the liturgical season of Lent which is represented by the liturgical color violet or purple — a symbol of penance, mortification and the sorrow of a contrite heart. All saint days that are usually Memorials are shifted to Optional Memorials during the season of Lent. As we continue our journey “up to Jerusalem” during the month of March, three prominent ideas are proposed for our contemplation by the liturgy of Lent: the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, baptism, and penance. The Solemnity of St. Joseph (March 19) is a special landmark this month in which we will celebrate the great honor bestowed upon the foster father of Jesus. The Solemnity of the Annunciation is celebrated on March 25. And if you are Irish, St. Patrick’s feast is another cause for a joyful celebration. The Saints that we will focus on this month and try to imitate are: St. Katharine Drexel (March 3); St. Casimir (March 4); Sts. Perpetua and Felicity (March 7); St. John of God (March 8); St. Patrick (March 17); St. Cyril of Jerusalem (March 18); and St. Joseph (March 19). The Optional Memorials of St. Frances of Rome (March 9) and St. Turibio de Mogrovejo (March 23) are superseded by the Lenten Sunday liturgy.
A Time of Penance and Promise: The Church’s vibrant new life has been obscured by the austerity of the penitential season of Lent. But that life is indisputable, and it will burgeon forth on Easter as Christ coming forth from His tomb! At the beginning of this month we will embark on our journey to the cross by receiving ashes and donning the purple of penance. During this month our journey to the cross with our acts of penitence. We will reflect on our mortality (Remember man thou art dust) and the shortness of life (and to dust thou shall return). We will heed the call, Now is the acceptable time, now is “the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).” Just like Our Lord’s earthly life every moment of our lives is leading up to the last moment—when for eternity we will either go to God or suffer the fires of hell.
The Solemnity of the Annunciation bravely appears during Lent; a pure white flower in the purple Lenten landscape. It seems to be, at first glance, a Christmas feast, but upon reflection we grasp that the feast is intimately linked to the Paschal mystery. For what Christ inaugurated at His Incarnation in accepting to offer Himself for the human race, He will complete in His sacrifice on the cross. We prepare to accept the cross of blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday, falls on March 5, 2025, marking the beginning of the Lenten season and plunge ourselves into anticipating the major exercises of Lent–fasting, prayer, almsgiving–laying our thoughts and prayers on the heart of our Mother Mary. She, who offered her Son in the temple and on the Cross, will teach us how to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow after her Son. As the weeks of Lent progress let us not be tired of doing our good works and penance, but continue with the enthusiasm of the catechumens on their way to Easter and Baptism. May our Lenten observance be a joyful journey — and not a forced march. 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: We thank God for His infinite mercy and for calling each of us to a life of grace and discipleship. May we be strengthened in faith and guided by His love as we continue our Lenten journey. We pray for the sick and the suffering, especially those battling chronic illnesses, mental health struggles, and terminal diseases. May God, in His boundless mercy, grant them healing, comfort, and peace.We pray for all who feel lost, rejected, or burdened by sin. May they encounter the merciful love of Christ and find the courage to follow Him. We lift up to God all those who are struggling with addiction, financial difficulties, and personal hardships—may He be their refuge and strength.
We ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saints John of God, patron of the sick and the suffering, that they may intercede for all in need of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. We pray for the souls in Purgatory and the faithful departed—may they rest in the eternal light of Christ.
We continue to pray for Pope Francis, all bishops, priests, and religious, that they may be strengthened in their mission to shepherd God’s people. May more hearts be open to vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We pray for the persecuted Church and all Christians facing trials for their faith—may they be filled with courage and trust in the Lord.
May peace, love, and unity flourish in our families, our communities, and the world. We pray for all who suffer due to violence, war, and injustice. May God grant deliverance from impossible causes and restore hope to those in despair. 🙏🏽
Let us pray:
Dear Savior and Divine Physician, I thank You for coming to save and heal. I thank You for Your burning desire to manifest Your mercy in my life. Please humble me so that I may be open to Your healing touch and that, through this gift of salvation, I allow You to manifest Your Divine Mercy. My precious Lord, You call all of your children to follow You without reserve. You call us to be ready and willing to abandon all that this life has to offer so as to obtain so much more. Give me the grace I need to trust You enough to say “Yes” to You today, tomorrow and all days. My life is Yours, dear Lord. Do with me as You will. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary and Saints John of God ~ Pray for us 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the gift of this day and praying for us all during this season of Lent, let us be renewed by prayer, fasting, and giving to the poor. We pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times and may this season of Lent bring us all true salvation in Christ as we remain united in peace, love and faith. Have a blessed, safe, fruitful and grace-filled Lenten Season and relaxing weekend ~ Amen 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖