MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II, POPE; SAINT MARY SALOME AND SAINT MELLO OF CARDIFF, BISHOP

WEDNESDAY OF THE TWENTY-NINTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 22, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II, POPE; SAINT MARY SALOME AND SAINT MELLO OF CARDIFF, BISHOP | OCTOBER 22ND | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint John Paul II, Saint Mary Salome, and Saint Mello of Cardiff | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-october-22nd/ )

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | October 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-october-22-2025/

NOVENA TO SAINT JUDE | DAY 4 | Prayed in Desperate Situations and Hopeless Cases or anytime of the year, especially October 19–27th | Novena link below | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-saint-jude/

KIND REMINDER: JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE 2025 HOLY DOOR SCHEDULE TIMELINES | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/jubilee-of-hope-2025/

Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time, we joyfully thank God for the gift of life and for leading us into the month of October. May this month bring us God’s blessings, peace, and joy in abundance. We particularly pray for those mourning the loss of a loved one who recently passed away and the eternal repose of the souls in Purgatory. May our Blessed Mother Mary intercede for all those in pain and sorrow and may this month bring peace to troubled hearts, direction to the lost, comfort to the grieving, and strength to the weary. In all things, may His will be done and His name be glorified. Amen🙏🏽

Lord Almighty, we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your unfailing love, protection, and mercy that carried us through the past month. We entrust every day into Your hands, asking for Your blessings, guidance, and peace in our lives and families. May October be for us a season 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 October 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 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 October. 🙏🏽

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🙏🏽

“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 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

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, 28 December 2025

Important notes

The holy doors at the major basilicas in Rome opened on December 24, 2024, and will remain open until the end of the Jubilee Year on January 6, 2026. 

Participating in a pilgrimage to a designated holy door can earn a plenary indulgence. 

Individuals who cannot travel to Rome can participate in the Jubilee by making a pilgrimage to a local designated site. 

Local Pilgrimage Sites

For a complete list of local pilgrimage sites, check with your local diocese. 

For those in the US, you can find a list of designated pilgrimage sites for all the Dioceses on their websites. For instance, the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, the Diocese of Fort Worth, Diocese of Dallas, the Archdiocese of Seattle etc all listed their local pilgrimage sites on their websites. 

For example, the Diocese of Fort Worth has assigned the following Parishes as pilgrimage churches with holy doors.  

• St. Patrick Cathedral,
• Immaculate Conception of * Mary Parish,
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish,
• St. Philip the Apostle Parish,
• Sacred Heart Parish 

Plenary Indulgence

In his proclamation of the Jubilee of 2025, Pope Francis announced an indulgence would be available to the faithful during the jubilee year. The indulgence, he explained, would be “a way of discovering the unlimited nature of God’s mercy.”

A plenary indulgence is a grace granted by the Catholic Church through the merits of Jesus Christ to remove the temporal punishment due to sin.

“May the Jubilee be a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the ‘door’ (cf. Jn 10:7.9) of our salvation.” ~ Pope Francis

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/

Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

NOVENA TO SAINT JUDE: (Day 4) – The 2025 Novena to Saint Jude is scheduled to begin, Sunday, October 19th, and end on October 27th in preparation for his Feast day on October 28th. Novena to Saint Jude is prayed for Desperate Situations and Desperate Cases—especially for an end to war and terrorism. Prayed anytime of year, especially October 19–27th | Novena link below | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-saint-jude/

Most holy Apostle, St. Jude, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the Church honors and invokes you universally, as the patron of difficult cases, of things almost despaired of, Pray for me, I am so helpless and alone. Intercede with God for me that He bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired of. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly – (make your request here) – and that I may praise God with you and all the saints forever. I promise, O Blessed St. Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor granted me by God and to always honor you as my special and powerful patron, and to gratefully encourage devotion to you.
Amen 🙏🏽

PRAYER: May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, and loved in all the tabernacles until the end of time. Amen 🙏🏽

May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever. Amen 🙏🏽

St. Jude pray for us and hear our prayers. Amen 🙏🏽

Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Blessed be St. Jude Thaddeus, in all the world and for all Eternity. (say this prayer, followed by the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be)

Dear Apostle and Martyr for Christ, you left us an Epistle in the New Testament. With good reason many invoke you when illness is at a desperate stage. We now recommend to your kindness (name of patient) who is in a critical condition. May the cure of this patient increase his/her faith and love for the Lord of Life, for the glory of our merciful God. Amen 🙏🏽

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time | October 22, 2025
Reading 1: Romans 6:12–18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 124:1b–3, 4–6, 7–8
Gospel: Luke 12:39–48

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 12:39–48

“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much.”

“Jesus said to His disciples: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of the faithful and wise steward who remains faithful to the task given to him by his master and is faithfully working away at it when the master returns after being away on a journey. We are all called to be faithful and wise stewards in that same sense. We are to remain faithful to our calling, to our task of living the Gospel day in and day out. Faithfulness was what characterized the ministry of Jesus. He was faithful to the work God gave Him to do, even though it meant His crucifixion. He was faithful to the disciples He had chosen, even though they let Him down and abandoned Him when He most needed them. According to Luke’s Gospel, He was faithful even to His enemies, healing the ear of one of those who came to arrest Him and praying on the cross for those responsible for is crucifixion. In a variety of ways, Jesus showed Himself to be the Faithful One. His faithfulness can inspire and empower something of the same level of faithfulness in us. Like Paul, we want to be able to say at the end of our lives, ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith’.

In the Gospel, Jesus deepens yesterday’s call to vigilance by reminding us that His coming will be sudden and unexpected. The image of the “thief in the night” may sound alarming, but it is not meant to provoke fear, it is meant to awaken spiritual awareness. The Lord warns us that complacency is dangerous for the soul. Like a homeowner who stays awake to guard what is precious, we are called to remain spiritually alert, guarding the treasure of faith entrusted to us. Readiness, therefore, is not about predicting the time of His coming but about living every moment in a state of grace and faithfulness.

As Jesus also speaks of stewardship of the servant entrusted with responsibility over the household, to be a disciple is to be a steward: someone to whom God has entrusted His gifts, truth, and mission. “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” These words pierce the heart, reminding us that the blessings, talents, and opportunities we have received are not for self-gain but for service. The faithful and prudent servant is one who fulfills his duty even when the master delays, who serves not out of fear but out of love. Christ calls us to such faithfulness today. Whether in our homes, workplaces, or ministries, we are called to be watchful and trustworthy, living each day as though it were our last, yet serving joyfully as if the Lord’s coming were far off. The greatest danger is spiritual laziness: the illusion that there will always be more time to repent, to forgive, or to serve. But the Lord’s return, whether at the end of time or at the end of our earthly journey, will come at an hour we do not expect. Blessed, then, are those who remain faithful in small things, humble in heart, and steadfast in love.

In the First Reading, St. Paul reminds us that sin must no longer reign in our bodies, for we have been freed from its power through grace. As believers, we no longer belong to the darkness of sin but to the light of righteousness. “You have become obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted.” The Apostle uses a striking image, we are no longer slaves of sin but “slaves of righteousness.” In Christ, true freedom is not the license to do as we please but the grace to live as we ought. When we surrender our bodies, minds, and hearts to God, we become instruments of holiness. Grace does not excuse sin, it empowers us to overcome it. This passage urges us to live with moral integrity. Each decision we make either strengthens the reign of grace or allows sin to take root. But when we yield our lives to God, even our weaknesses become channels of His mercy. We are reminded that sanctity is not instant perfection but constant cooperation with grace.

The Responsorial Psalm beautifully complements this message: “Our help is in the name of the Lord.” The Psalmist recalls how God’s saving power rescued Israel from destruction. Without the Lord, we would have been swallowed up by the raging waters of sin and despair, but He has broken the snare and set us free. This song of deliverance reminds us that our strength does not come from self-reliance but from divine help. In moments of temptation or trial, we can echo the psalmist’s cry—“Blessed be the Lord!”—knowing that God never abandons those who trust in Him.

As we reflect and meditate on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, let us examine our hearts. Do I live as a vigilant servant, or have I allowed spiritual indifference to creep in? Do I use my gifts faithfully, aware that God has entrusted me with much? Do I seek to be free from sin, or do I make excuses for it under the guise of “grace”? Am I truly awake to God’s presence in my daily life, in the people I serve, the words I speak, and the love I give? Beloved in Christ, we are called to live not in fear but in faith-filled readiness. To stay awake is to live in grace, to serve with love, and to persevere in hope. Every act of obedience, every small kindness, every prayer whispered in the dark hours of struggle becomes a lighted lamp for the coming of the Lord. Let us, therefore, be faithful stewards, alert, compassionate, and ready, so that when the Master comes, He will find us awake and worthy of His eternal joy. 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, grant us hearts that are watchful and faithful. Keep us awake in Your love, vigilant in service, and obedient in all things. Help us to live each day as true stewards of Your grace, free from the dominion of sin and filled with the joy of Your Spirit. May we never grow weary in doing good, but persevere in faith until You return in glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN PAUL II, POPE; SAINT MARY SALOME; AND SAINT MELLO OF CARDIFF, BISHOP – FEAST DAY: OCTOBER 22ND: Today, the Church joyfully celebrates the Memorial of Saint John Paul II, Pope (Patron of World Youth Day, Families, and Polish-Ukrainian Reconciliation); Saint Mary Salome (Patron of Mothers, Widows, and Followers of Christ); and Saint Mello of Cardiff, Bishop (Patron of the Archdiocese of Rouen). These holy witnesses each reflect the richness of Christian discipleship—through leadership, love, and missionary zeal. On this blessed day, we pray for our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the bishops and clergy, and for all who serve the Church faithfully. We remember families, especially mothers and widows, and those devoted to nurturing faith in their children. We pray for missionaries, for the sick and suffering, and for all yearning for God’s mercy and peace. Through the intercession of these saints, may the grace of Christ renew our hearts and guide our steps in holiness. Amen. 🙏🏾

Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections | October 22nd | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint John Paul II, Saint Mary Salome, and Saint Mello of Cardiff | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-october-22nd/)

SAINT JOHN PAUL II, POPE (1920–2005): Pope Saint John Paul II—born Karol Józef Wojtyła in Wadowice, Poland—was a man of deep prayer, courage, and vision. His 27-year pontificate, one of the longest in Church history, transformed the modern world. Through his tireless missionary spirit, he traveled to 129 countries, bringing Christ’s message of hope, peace, and dignity to millions. He inspired young people through World Youth Day, promoted the sanctity of family life, and upheld the “Theology of the Body” as a profound teaching on human love and divine purpose. His witness of forgiveness—visiting and pardoning his would-be assassin—and his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Totus Tuus (“Totally Yours”) remain powerful examples of mercy and trust. His courage in suffering, particularly during his final years with Parkinson’s disease, revealed a shepherd who led not only by words but by love. Canonized by Pope Francis in 2014, Saint John Paul II continues to inspire the Church to proclaim: “Be not afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ!”

PRAYER: Almighty and eternal God, You gave the Church in Saint John Paul II a shepherd filled with zeal and compassion. Through his intercession, grant us courage to live our faith joyfully, to defend the dignity of every person, and to proclaim the Gospel with love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT MARY SALOME (1st Century): Saint Mary Salome was the devoted wife of Zebedee and the mother of the apostles James the Greater and John the Evangelist, often called the “sons of thunder.” She followed Jesus during His public ministry and was among the holy women who stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross. Her love for Christ led her to serve Him in simplicity and courage. On Easter morning, she was one of the women who brought spices to anoint the Lord’s body and received the glorious news of the Resurrection. In her humble service and maternal devotion, Saint Mary Salome reveals the strength of faith born from love and perseverance.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You chose Saint Mary Salome to serve You faithfully and to share in the mystery of Your Passion and Resurrection. Through her prayers, bless all mothers and families, that they may find strength and joy in following You each day. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT MELLO OF CARDIFF, BISHOP (3rd–4th Century): Saint Mello of Cardiff, also known as Mallonus or Mellonus, was a Welsh-born missionary and the first Bishop of Rouen, France. Converted to Christianity in Rome, he was sent forth by Pope Saint Stephen I to evangelize the people of Gaul. His missionary zeal and pastoral leadership helped establish the Christian faith in northern France. As a bishop, he guided his flock with gentleness and courage during a time of great trial and uncertainty for early Christians. His legacy endures in the Church’s missionary spirit and in all who proclaim Christ where the Gospel is yet to be fully known.

PRAYER: O God, who called Saint Mello from his homeland to spread the Gospel abroad, grant that through his prayers we may have the same courage to witness to Your truth in our daily lives. Strengthen all missionaries and pastors in their service of Your Kingdom. Amen. 🙏🏾

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint John Paul II, Saint Mary Salome, and Saint Mello of Cardiff — Pray for us. 🙏🏾

GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS | PRAYERS FOR PEACE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/general-prayers-and-intentions/

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY (WMS) | OCTOBER 19, 2025 | Pope Leo XIV’s Message | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/world-mission-sunday-october-19-2025/

CANONIZATION OF SEVEN NEW SAINTS BY POPE LEO XIV| OCTOBER 19, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/pope-leo-xivs-canonization-of-seven-new-saints-october-19-2025/

Pope Leo XIV’s Canonization of Seven New Saints – October 19, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/pope-leo-xivs-canonization-of-seven-new-saints-october-19-2025/

LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of October | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-october/

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 OCTOBER: For collaboration between different religious traditions. Let us pray that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice, and human fraternity.

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

OCTOBER IS MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY | 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/

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF OCTOBER | MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY: October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, a powerful prayer that draws us into the heart of the Gospel through the eyes of Mary. The Rosary is more than repetition. It is a meditation on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, united with the loving presence of His Blessed Mother. As Pope St. John Paul II reminded us, the Rosary is “a compendium of the Gospel,” helping us to contemplate Christ’s face with Mary.

The twenty mysteries of the Rosary, Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous, invite us to journey with Christ from His Incarnation to His Passion and His triumph over death. Each mystery opens us to God’s saving love, strengthens our faith, and leads us to imitate the virtues of Jesus and Mary in our daily lives. This month, the Church invites us to renew our devotion to the Rosary by praying it daily, whether alone, in families, or in community. Through it, we find peace in times of trial, strength against temptation, and deeper trust in God’s providence. Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, intercedes for us and leads us always to her Son.

“O Mary, our Blessed Mother and Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, teach us to pray with a pure heart and a steadfast spirit. As we meditate on the mysteries of Christ, help us to grow in faith, hope, and love. Intercede for us before your Son, that our families, our Church, and our world may be filled with peace and the light of the Gospel. Amen.” 🙏🏽

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Heavenly Father, on this day we honor Saint John Paul II, Saint Mary Salome, and Saint Mello of Cardiff, faithful witnesses of Your love and truth. We pray for the grace to live as true servants of Christ, alert and ready for Your coming, as the Gospel reminds us. Strengthen us to resist sin and yield ourselves to righteousness, just as Saint Paul teaches in his letter to the Romans. Bless the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, and all bishops, priests, and religious, that they may shepherd Your people with wisdom and compassion, following the example of Saint John Paul II. We pray for all mothers and families, through the intercession of Saint Mary Salome, that their homes may be sanctuaries of faith and love. Through Saint Mello’s prayers, bless missionaries and all who labor to spread the Gospel in difficult places. May those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit find strength in Christ’s mercy. Grant us hearts vigilant in faith, generous in service, and steadfast in hope, so that when You come, Lord, You may find us faithful and ready.

LET US PRAY:

My ever-present Lord, You do come to me day and night, speaking to me, inspiring me, and leading me. Please fill me with the gift of holy vigilance so that I will always be prepared to meet You and hear Your holy voice. May I learn to build a habit of responding to You always. And may I especially be prepared for that glorious moment when I am blessed to see You face-to-face.  Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

Loving Father, You have given us holy examples in Saint John Paul II, Saint Mary Salome, and Saint Mello, who each served You with courage and humility. As we strive to live by Your Word, help us to reject sin and walk in the freedom of Your grace. Keep our hearts watchful, our hands ready for good works, and our lives rooted in Your truth. May Your Spirit strengthen us to serve joyfully, forgive readily, and love deeply. Through the intercession of these saints, grant us the grace to remain faithful stewards of Your gifts until the day of Christ’s return in glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed, Saint John Paul II, Saint Mary Salome, and Saint Mello of Cardiff ~ 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. As we begin this new month of October, 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 be filled with hope, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ walks with us always. Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled Wednesday, fruitful week, and a fulfilling month of October.🙏🏽

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 |

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