MONDAY OF THE EIGHTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: AUGUST 4, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN VIANNEY (THE CURÉ OF ARS), PRIEST AND PATRON OF ALL PRIESTS AND BLESSED FRÉDÉRIC JANSSOONE, PRIEST | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint John Vianney and Blessed Frédéric Janssoone| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-4th/)
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | August 4, 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-149/
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/
Watch “Holy Mass with Pope Leo XIV | Jubilee of Youth 2025 | LIVE from Tor Vergata | August 3, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/live-from-the-vatican-welcome-mass-jubilee-of-youth-july-29-2025/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today is Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time! We thank the Lord for the gift of this day! During this month of August, we entrust our lives, our plans, our fears, and our dreams into God’s loving hands. We pray that this month will be filled with divine blessings, new opportunities, and the strength to overcome every challenge that may come our way.
On this special feast of Saint John Vianney, the Curé of Ars and Patron of all Parish Priests, with special intention, we pray for the safety and well-being of the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, all religious men and women, and all those who preach the Gospel. We particularly pray for all Parish Priests, may the good Lord continue to bless the work of their hands and grant them wisdom, strength, patience and understanding as they serve in the Lord’s Vineyard. May St. John Vianney continue to intercede for all Priests. Praying for stable health of mind and body. Amen. Remain blessed🙏🏽
PRAYER: Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests. Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments. Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. Set their souls on fire with love for your people. Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom. Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel. Allow them to experience joy in their ministry. Help them to become instruments of your divine grace. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen 🙏🏽
PRAYER AND APPRECIATION FOR THE CLERGY AND RELIGIOUS:
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” ~ 1 Timothy 5:17
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13
We thank God for the gift of life and especially thank Him for blessing us all with the special gift of the Clergy, who have sacrificed their lives to serve in the Lord’s Vineyard.
We pray for the Church, the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, all religious men and women, that they be sanctified in their ministry to God’s people. We thank them for their faithful, dedicated, and loving service to the people of God. Praying for God’s wisdom, knowledge, and good health of body and mind upon them. Amen 🙏🏽
With special intention for all Priests who are going through mental health challenges. May the good Lord heal them and grant them peace, and may our Blessed Mother Mary comfort them as they go through challenging times. May we, the faithful, also be instruments of God’s peace and comfort to them, offering our understanding and support in tangible ways. Amen 🙏🏽
We pray and celebrate with those marking birthdays, anniversaries, new jobs, weddings, and other joyful milestones this August. May this be a month of peace for the anxious, healing for the sick, comfort for the brokenhearted, and provision for the needy. As we walk through the days ahead, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ go before us, the love of God surround us, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit guide every decision we make. May this month bring us closer to holiness, deeper in faith, and stronger in hope. In all things, may God’s name be praised. Amen🙏🏽
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” ~ Matthew 5:4
We remember in prayer all who began this journey of life with us but are no longer here, may their souls rest in perfect peace. Amen🙏🏽
We pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to pray for the repose of their gentle souls and the 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 through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints” ~ Psalm 116:15
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 & the Holy Spirit forever & ever. Amen🙏🏽
On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we continue to humbly pray for the well-being and safety of all parents, grandparents and the elderly. We pray for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our divided and conflicted world today. We continue to pray for all families and for the safety and well-being of our children and children all over the world. We pray for all those who are marginalized in our society, the poor and the needy. We 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. May God protect us all and keep united in peace, love and faith. Amen 🙏🏽
Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour 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 the Ordinary Time. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of July.🙏🏽
LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of August | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-august/
COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time | Year C | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Memorial of Saint John Vianney, Priest | August 4, 2025
Reading 1: Numbers 11:4b–15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 81:12–13, 14–15, 16–17
Gospel: Matthew 14:13–21
Gospel Reading: Matthew 14:13–21
The feeding of the five thousand; “They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over twelve wicker baskets full.”
“When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over– twelve wicker baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.”
In the Gospel reading, Jesus planned to go away with His disciples to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. However, a crowd of people got there ahead of them, wanting to be in the presence of Jesus. Far from getting upset or annoyed, according to the Gospel, He had compassion on the crowd and began to heal their sick. The needs of others always come first for Jesus; His own plans will always come second to their needs. The Lord is always there for each one of us. When we come before Him, we are never disturbing Him. He lives to serve us just as much today as during His public ministry. As the day wore on, Jesus disciples recognized that people were getting hungry. The obvious solution to this problem for the disciples was to send the crowds away to buy food in the neighbouring villages. However, Jesus saw a different solution to their need for food; He would feed them Himself, with the help of the disciples. The disciples brought the little food the crowd had to Jesus and, in some mysterious way we don’t understand, Jesus fed the crowd so that everyone was satisfied. Having served the crowd by healing their sick, He now served them by feeding them, satisfying their hunger. The actions of Jesus over the bread – taking, blessing, breaking, giving – remind us of what Jesus would go on to do at the last supper and of what happens at every Holy Mass. At every Holy Mass, Jesus in His compassion continues to feed us, not with bread and fish, but with himself, the Bread of Life. If the Lord is always there for us, he is there for us in a very special way at every Eucharist. He then sends us out from the Holy Mass to feed others with his presence, as the disciples fed the crowd with the food Jesus provided.
In our Gospel today, Jesus, grieving the death of John the Baptist, seeks solitude but instead of isolation, He is met with a crowd hungry not only for food, but for healing and hope. Moved with compassion, Jesus heals the sick and feeds the multitudes with just five loaves and two fish. This miracle is a sign of God’s abundant providence a foretaste of the Eucharist and a profound call to trust. The disciples’ initial reaction mirrors our own instincts: send them away, the problem is too big, the resources too few. But Jesus replies, “Give them some food yourselves.” He invites them and us to offer what little we have and watch God multiply it. When surrendered in faith, even our limited gifts can become more than enough in the hands of Christ. May today’s Word remind us that Jesus is the Bread of Life, and in Him, we are not only fed we are satisfied.
In the First Reading, Moses, like the disciples, is overwhelmed. The people of Israel, weary in the wilderness, complain about the manna they receive daily from God. Their craving for the past blinds them to the present miracle of provision. Moses reaches his breaking point, crying out to God under the burden of leadership. His raw honesty reveals the deep fatigue that even God’s chosen servants can feel. Yet, in this moment, Moses models what to do with our exhaustion bring it honestly before the Lord.
The Responsorial Psalm reminds us of the cost of ignoring God’s voice: “My people heard not my voice… so I gave them up to the hardness of their hearts.” But God is not distant; He desires to feed His people with the “best of wheat” and “honey from the rock.” Even in our rebellion, He remains faithful and ready to nourish and restore us if only we will listen.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, in both readings, people feel overwhelmed by the situation in which they find themselves. In our first reading, Moses, faced with the hunger of the people who had come out of Egypt, complains to God, ‘Where am I to find meat to give to all this people?’ In the Gospel reading, the disciples of Jesus, faced with a hungry multitude in the wilderness, call on Jesus to send them away to the nearby villages so that they can buy themselves some food. Neither Moses nor the disciples could find within themselves the will to deal with the challenging situation before them. We can all find ourselves in that frame of mind from time to time. In the Gospel reading, Jesus gently encourages his disciples to attend to the needs of the crowd rather than send them away, ‘give them something to eat yourselves’. The disciples end up producing a small amount of food from among the crowd, five loaves and two fish. It seems very inadequate to meet the demands of the situation. Yet, Jesus somehow manages to feed the crowd with the small resources that the disciples brought to him. Once the disciples did what they were capable of doing, the Lord did the rest. Sometimes all we can do in a situation is whatever it is we are capable of doing. It may seem very inadequate. Yet, if we bring our efforts to the Lord, if we open up our resources to Him, small as they may seem, He will often work through those efforts, those resources, in ways that will surprise us. If we do something rather than nothing, the Lord will often do the rest. As we meditate on these Scriptures, may we ask ourselves: Do I bring my needs and limitations to God honestly, like Moses? Am I willing to share my small offerings, trusting that God will do the rest? When faced with need, do I say “Send them away” or “How can I help?” Together, these readings challenge and comfort us. God sees our hunger physical, emotional, and spiritual and He provides. But He also calls us to trust, to offer what we have, and to open our ears and hearts to His Word. Jesus does not wait for ideal conditions to act He steps into grief, scarcity, and fatigue, and transforms them through compassion and divine power. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace as we continue to strive to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life. In You, our souls find true nourishment and peace. Help us to trust in Your goodness, to offer what little we have with faith, and to never turn away from those in need. May we always remember that in Your hands, even the smallest gift becomes abundant. Satisfy our hearts, Lord, and teach us to feed others with Your love. Amen🙏🏾
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOHN VIANNEY (THE CURÉ OF ARS), PRIEST AND PATRON OF ALL PRIESTS AND BLESSED FRÉDÉRIC JANSSOONE, PRIEST ~ FEAST DAY – AUGUST 4TH: Today, we honor two holy priests whose lives were marked by tireless dedication to God and the salvation of souls Saint John Vianney, the Curé of Ars and patron of all parish priests (also invoked for vocations and confessors),
and Blessed Frédéric Janssoone, a humble Franciscan known as “the Good Father Frédéric,” who served in the Holy Land and Canada. Both lived in different centuries and continents, yet shared the same fire of love for Christ and His people.
Saint (s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | 4th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint John Vianney and Blessed Frédéric Janssoone| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-4th/)
SAINT JOHN VIANNEY (1786–1859): Born in Dardilly, France, John Vianney grew up during the anti-religious turmoil of the French Revolution. Though he struggled academically especially with Latin his deep love for the Church and his desire to become a priest kept him persevering. He was eventually ordained, and in 1818, he was assigned to the small and spiritually indifferent village of Ars. With radical humility and intense personal sacrifice, the Curé of Ars transformed his parish through preaching, penance, and especially his work in the confessional. He would hear confessions for up to 16 hours a day, and thousands came from across France to seek his spiritual guidance. He lived simply, prayed constantly, and fasted often, desiring nothing more than to lead souls to God. His spiritual insight and miracles led to his canonization in 1925.
PRAYER: Saint John Vianney, devoted shepherd and tireless confessor, intercede for all priests to remain faithful to their calling. May your example of humility, prayer, and sacrifice inspire us to love God deeply and serve others selflessly. Amen.🙏🏾
BLESSED FRÉDÉRIC JANSSOONE (1838–1916): Born in France nearly 50 years after Saint John Vianney, Frédéric Janssoone joined the Franciscans and became a missionary in the Holy Land. There, he worked to revive the Latin Catholic presence and served as a bridge between the Eastern and Western Christian communities. He later moved to Canada and became instrumental in the promotion of Marian devotion at the shrine of Our Lady of the Cape and in re-establishing the Franciscan presence in Quebec. Known for his eloquence, missionary zeal, and love for the poor, he brought thousands closer to Christ. In every mission, he combined deep faith with practical service organizing pilgrimages, publishing devotional literature, and ministering tirelessly to all who came his way.
PRAYER: Blessed Frédéric Janssoone, you walked in the footsteps of Saint Francis and spread the Gospel with gentleness and joy. Help us to trust in God’s plan and serve others with love, wherever we are called. Amen. 🙏🏾
Saint John Vianney and Blessed Frédéric Janssoone ~ 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 AUGUST: For mutual coexistence. Let us pray that societies where coexistence seems more difficult might not succumb to the temptation of confrontation for ethnic, political, religious or ideological reasons.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
l August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, inviting us to reflect on her pure love, deep sorrow, and unwavering obedience to God. Her heart, aflame with charity and pierced by suffering, mirrors the life of Christ and calls us to follow Him more closely through her example. This month, the Church encourages us to console her sorrowful heart and grow in holiness through prayers like the Rosary, the Litany of the Immaculate Heart, and the First Saturday Devotion. Through Mary’s heart, we are led ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“O Immaculate Heart of Mary, be our refuge and the way that leads us to God.”
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and draw us into deeper love and trust in your Son. Amen🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we honor Saint John Vianney, the humble Curé of Ars and patron of all priests, and Blessed Frédéric Janssoone, the tireless missionary of peace, we lift up all who serve in pastoral ministry. May they be strengthened with zeal, purity of heart, and sacrificial love. We pray for those who, like Moses, feel overwhelmed by burdens and responsibilities whether spiritual, civil, or personal that they may find rest, renewal, and wisdom in God’s presence and in the support of community. We remember all who hunger not only for food, but for meaning, hope, and love and ask that they be fed by the Bread of Life and the compassion of others. May we, too, learn to surrender our small offerings with great faith, trusting that Christ can multiply them in service to the world.
LET US PRAY
Most generous Lord, You pour forth Your grace and mercy in superabundance. As I receive all that You bestow, please fill my heart with generosity so that I will never hesitate to offer Your mercy to others. Please use me as Your instrument, dear Lord, so that, through me, You may abundantly feed others. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You raised up Saint John Vianney as a shepherd after Your own Heart and Blessed Frédéric Janssoone as a missionary of peace and compassion. May their examples inspire all priests and religious to serve with simplicity, prayer, and tireless love for souls. In our weariness, feed us with Your grace; in our hunger, fill us with Your truth. When we feel overwhelmed, remind us that You walk beside us, and no burden is too heavy when carried with You. Nourish us, Lord, as You nourished the crowds with compassion and abundance so that our lives may reflect the mercy of Christ, who feeds the world with His love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint John Vianney and Blessed Frédéric Janssoone ~ 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 as we now enter the 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, grace-filled Monday and fruitful week 🙏🏽
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