Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Monday, First Week of Lent.
May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of our Lenten journey šš½
FIRST WEEK OF LENT
SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 10, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT MACARIUS, BISHOP; SAINT JOHN OGILVIE, PRIEST; SAINT MARIE EUGENIE OF JESUS, RELIGIOUS, AND THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE| Daily Saints and Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH: Begins today March 10ā18, 2025 (Novena Links below)
Today is Monday of the First Week of Lent, a time of continued reflection and renewal as we walk with Christ on this sacred journey. Lent is a season of grace, calling us to conversion, deeper prayer, and acts of love. As we embrace fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we are reminded that our sacrifices are not just about personal discipline but about growing closer to God and becoming more like Christ in our daily lives.
We thank God for the gift of this new day and seek His grace to strengthen us in our Lenten commitments. May we open our hearts to His word and allow His mercy to transform us. Let us pray for peace, justice, and healing in our world, entrusting ourselves to God’s love and guidance. May this Lenten season bring us renewal, deeper faith, and a spirit of true repentance. Wishing us all a grace-filled and spiritually uplifting Lenten journey. ~ Amen šš½
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/2025/03/10/catholic-daily-mass-daily-tv-march-10-2025/
DAY 5: LENTEN PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/10/day-5-lenten-prayers-and-reflections/
Holy Rosary for the Health of Pope Francis | Presided over by H.E Cardinal Michael Czerny S.I | From St. Peter’s Square | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/03/09/holy-rosary-presided-over-h-e-cardinal-michael-czerny-s-i/
NOVENA TO SAINT JOSEPH: Begins today, March 10ā18, 2025 (in preparation for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph on March 19, 2025. Novena Links below.
Novena to St. Joseph – Full | EWTN – https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/st-joseph-full-novena-13879
Novena for the Solemnity of St. Joseph – United States Conference of Catholic Bishops | https://shorturl.at/tvKPT
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/
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 Godās Divine healing and intervention.
WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/
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. Amenšš½
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 š āļøšÆāļøšÆāļøšÆ
“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. Amenš
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCISā 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 otherās 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 Macarius, Bishop; Saint John Ogilvie, Priest (Patron Saint of converts and persecuted Catholics); Saint Marie Eugenie of Jesus, Religious (Founder of the Religious of the Assumption, devoted to education and faith formation); and The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, who courageously gave their lives for Christ.
Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and these holy Saints, we humbly pray for strength in faith, perseverance in trials, and courage to stand firm in Christ. We lift up our prayers for all converts to Christianity, for educators and missionaries, and for those facing persecution for their faith. We pray for the sick, the dying, captives, prisoners, and all who suffer oppression and injustice. May Godās mercy bring healing to the wounded, hope to the struggling, and peace to the troubled regions of the world.
Saint Macarius, Saint John Ogilvie, Saint Marie Eugenie of Jesus, and the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste ~ Pray for us šš½
We thank God for the gift of salvation through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. May the Lord grant us His grace in this Lenten season, strengthening us to serve Him in spirit and in truth. ~ Amen šš½
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 šš½
Prayers for Peace | https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/
A PRAYER TO WALK HUMBLY THROUGH LENT: Father, InĀ Micah 6:8, You say, āO 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.ā Today we choose to walk humbly with You. We choose to live by YourĀ Holy SpiritĀ 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 šš½
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 šš½
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 āpaschal fastā 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. šš½
SAINTS OF THE DAY: MEMORIAL OF SAINT MACARIUS, BISHOP; SAINT JOHN OGILVIE, PRIEST; SAINT MARIE EUGENIE OF JESUS, RELIGIOUS, AND THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE ā FEAST DAY ~ MARCH 10TH: Today, we honor the Memorial of Saint Macarius, Bishop (a defender of the faith and a key figure in the discovery of the True Cross), Saint John Ogilvie, Priest (a Jesuit martyr who gave his life for the Catholic faith in Scotland), Saint Marie Eugenie of Jesus, Religious (the foundress of the Religious of the Assumption, devoted to education and faith formation), and The Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste (Roman soldiers who embraced martyrdom rather than renounce Christ).
Through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary and these holy saints, we offer prayers today for persecuted Christians around the world. May God grant them the courage to stand firm in faith, the grace to endure trials, and the hope of eternal glory. We also pray for educators, students, and all who seek to spread the light of Christ in difficult circumstances. May the example of these saints inspire us to remain faithful in our own spiritual journeys.
Saint Macarius, Saint John Ogilvie, Saint Marie Eugenie of Jesus, and the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste ~ Pray for us šš½
Saint(s) of the Day | March 10th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
SAINT MACARIUS OF JERUSALEM, BISHOP: St. Macarius of Jerusalem (4th c.) was the Bishop of Jerusalem from 312-335 A.D. Little is known of his life before this time. He was a lifelong and staunch opponent of Arianism and fought strenuously against this pernicious heresy. He was present and took part in the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. and vigorously opposed the Arian heresy, which greatly threatened the early Church. It is believed that he was one of the bishops who plated a large role in drafting drafting the Nicene Creed. St. Athanasius, his contemporary, refers to St. Macarius as an example of “the honest and simple style of apostolical men.” After the council, St. Macarius accompanied St. Helen, the queen mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, in her successful search for the True Cross that Jesus was crucified upon. It was he who suggested to St. Helen that she would identify the real Cross by touching all three of those she found to a seriously ill woman, and observe which one brought immediate healing. Following the discovery of the True Cross in this miraculous manner, Constantine wrote to Bishop Macarius requesting that he oversee the construction of a magnificent church in Jerusalem, the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, to commemorate the sites of the Crucifixion and Burial of Christ, which still exists today as one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world. Later, he and his fellow Bishop of Palestine received another letter from Constantine to construct a church at Mamre.
PRAYER:Ā God, Light and Shepherd of souls, You established St. Macarius as Bishop in Your Church to feed Your flock by his word and form it by his example. Help us through his intercession to keep the Faith he taught by his word and follow the way he showed by his example. Amenš
SAINT JOHN OGILVIE, PRIEST: St. John Ogilvie (1579-1615) was born in 1579 at Drum, Keith, Scotland. His father, Walter Ogilvie was a Scottish noble who raised his son John in the state religion of Scotland, Calvinism. St.John converted to Catholicism at the age of 17 in Louvain, Belgium. Blessed John joined the Jesuits soon after in 1597, and was ordained to the Priesthood in Paris in 1610. He was sent to work in Rouen, France. He repeatedly requested assignment to Scotland where wholesale massacres of Catholics had taken place, but by this point the hunters were searching more for priests than for those who attended Mass. The Jesuits were determined to minister to the oppressed Catholic laity. When captured, they were tortured for information, then hanged, drawn, and quartered. Ogilvie’s request was granted, and he returned to Scotland in November 1613. He worked as an underground missionary in Edinburgh and Glasgow, dodging the Queen’s priest-hunters, disguising himself as a soldier named Watson. After 11 months in the field, St. John was betrayed, imprisoned, interrogated, then tortured for the names of active Catholics. He suffered in silence. During a long imprisonment, no tortures could force him to name any fellow Catholics. Though his courage was admired by the judges he was condemned as a traitor and hanged. He died hanged on March 10, 1615 in Glasgow, Scotland. The customary beheading and quartering were omitted owing to undisguised popular sympathy, and his body was hurriedly buried in the churchyard of Glasgow cathedral. He is the Church’s only officially recorded Scottish martyr. He was canonized by Paul VI on October 17, 1976.
PRAYER: God our Father, fountain of all blessing, We thank you for the countless graces that come to us in answer to the prayers of your saints. With great confidence we ask you in the name of your Son and through the prayers of St John Ogilvie to help us in all our needs. Lord Jesus, you chose your servant St John Ogilvie to be your faithful witness to the spiritual authority of the chief shepherd of your flock. Keep your people always one in mind and heart, In communion with Francis our Pope, and all the bishops of your Church. Holy Spirit, you gave St John Ogilvie light to know your truth, wisdom to defend it, and courage to die for it. Through his prayers and example bring our country into the unity and peace of Christās kingdom. Amenš
SAINT MARIE OF JESUS (ST. MARIE-EUGĆNIE DE JĆSUS), RELIGIOUS: St. Marie-EugĆ©nie de JĆ©sus (August 25, 1817 – March 10, 1898), was aĀ FrenchĀ Roman CatholicĀ professed religiousĀ and the foundress of theĀ Religious Sister of the Assumption. She was bornĀ Anne-EugĆ©nie Milleret de Brou on August 25, 1817 at Metz, Moselle,Ā Kingdom of France and was raised in a family with no faith, although she did receive first Holy Communion on Christmas 1829 which seemed to transform her into a pious and discerning individual; As a young woman, she had a conversion experience and felt called to religious life after hearing the Lenten sermons of the Dominican priestĀ Henri LacordaireĀ in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris which led her to found an order dedicated to the education of the poor. Although she lived with Visitation nuns for a brief time, she did not make vows as a religious. Her religious life was not without its own set of trials, for complications prevented her order from receiving full pontifical approval due to a select few causing problems as well as the deaths of many followers fromĀ tuberculosisĀ in the beginning of the order’s life. During a pilgrimage in 1825, she felt called to establish a teaching institute. In 1839, she founded a congregation that came to be known as the Congregation of the Assumption. The community in 1888. In the last years of her life, Mother Marie Eugenie experienced a progressive physical weakening, which she lived in silence and humility – a life totally centered on Christ. She received the Eucharist for the last time on March 9, 1898 and on the 10th, she gently passed over to the Lord. Saint Marie-EugĆ©nie died on March 10, 1898 at agedĀ 80 at Auteuil,Ā Paris,Ā Ćle-de-France,Ā French Third Republic. Her beatification was celebrated underĀ Pope Paul VIĀ on February 9, 1975 while her canonization was later celebrated on June 3, 2007 underĀ Pope Benedict XVI in Rome. She’s the Patron Saint of Religious of the Assumption and Students.
PRAYER: O God, who called blessed Marie-EugĆ©nie to seek your Kingdom in this world through the pursuit of perfect charity, grant, we pray, through her intercession that we may advance with joyful spirit along the way of love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amenš
THE FORTY HOLY MARTYRS OF SEBASTE: The Forty Martyrs were soldiers quartered at Sebaste in Armenia, about the year 320. When their legion was ordered to offer sacrifice to idols, they refused to betray the faith of their baptism, and replied to all persuasive efforts, āWe are Christians!ā When neither cajolings or threats could change them, after several days of imprisonment they were chained together and taken to the site of execution. It was a cruel winter, and they were condemned to lie without clothing on the icy surface of a pond in the open air until they froze to death. The forty, not merely undismayed but filled with joy at the prospect of suffering for Jesus Christ, said: āNo doubt it is difficult to support so acute a cold, but it will be agreeable to go to paradise by this route; the torment is of short duration, and the glory will be eternal. This cruel night will win for us an eternity of delights. Lord, forty of us are entering combat; grant that we may be forty to receive the crown!ā There were warm baths close by, ready for any among them who would deny Christ. One of the confessors lost heart, renounced his faith, and went to cast himself into the basin of warm water prepared for that intention. But the sudden change in temperature suffocated him and he expired, losing at once both temporal and eternal life. The still living martyrs were fortified in their resolution, beholding this scene. Then the ice was suddenly flooded with a bright light; one of the soldiers guarding the men, nearly blinded by the light, raised his eyes and saw Angels descend with forty crowns which they held in the air over the martyrsā heads; but the fortieth one remained without a destination. The sentry was inspired to confess Christ, saying: āThat crown will be for me!ā Abandoning his coat and clothing, he went to replace the unfortunate apostate on the ice, crying out: āI am a Christian!ā And the number of forty was again complete. They remained steadfast while their limbs grew stiff and frozen, and died one by one. Among the forty there was a young soldier named Meliton who held out longest against the cold, and when the officers came to cart away the dead bodies they found him still breathing. They were moved with pity, and wanted to leave him alive, hoping he would still change his mind. But his mother stood by, and this valiant woman could not bear to see her son separated from the band of martyrs. She exhorted him to persevere, and lifted his frozen body into the cart. He was just able to make a sign of recognition, and was borne away, to be thrown into the flames with the dead bodies of his brethren. Their bones were cast into the river, but they floated and were gathered up by the faithful.
The Forty Holy Martyr of Sebaste ~ Pray for you š
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Monday of the First Week of Lent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Monday of the First Week of Lent, March 10, 2025
Reading 1, Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18
Responsorial Psalm, Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 15
Gospel, Matthew 25:31-46
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 25:31-46
“Whatever you have done to the very least of my brothers, you have done to me”
“Jesus said to His disciples: āWhen the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, āCome, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.ā Then the righteous will answer him and say, āLord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?ā And the king will say to them in reply, āAmen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.ā Then he will say to those on his left, āDepart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.ā Then they will answer and say, āLord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?ā He will answer them, āAmen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.ā And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.ā
In todayās Gospel reading, both groups ask the same question of the Lord, āWhen did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison?ā Both groups receive the same answer from the Lord, āIn so far as we did this or neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you did it or neglected to do it to meā. Jesus identifies Himself very fully with those in greatest need who cross our path in life. When we serve others in their need, we are serving the Lord. When we fail to serve others in their need, we are failing to serve Him. Jesusā coming to His own people over two thousand years ago was so ordinary that many of His contemporaries failed to recognize Him for who he was. The people of Nazareth asked, āIs this not the carpenter, the son of Mary?ā The risen Lordās coming to us today is so ordinary that again we can fail to recognize Him, āWhen did we see you?ā We donāt have to go too far to find the Lord. He comes to us in the neighbour, the family member, the friend, the stranger, who needs our help and support. People who give generously of themselves to those whose need is greater than theirs often say that they are not very religious. Yet, they are serving the Lord all the time without realizing it. At Christmas we celebrated the good news that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word, now risen Lord, continues to take flesh and to dwell among us today in those who cross our path every day. A listening ear, a kind word, a prayerful presence, a simple act of kindness, are all ways of serving the Lord, the one before whom all the nations will one day be assembled. The ground of everyday life is holy ground, because it is the place where the Lord comes to us and cries out to us.
Reflecting on the Gospel reading, Jesus describes the final judgment, where He will separate the righteous from the wicked. He teaches that our treatment of othersāfeeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisonedāis a direct reflection of our love for Him. The righteous will inherit eternal life, while those who fail to love and serve others will face eternal separation from God. Today’s readings emphasize the importance of living a life of love, justice, and mercy. The Lord calls us to holiness not just in worship, but in our daily interactions. The Gospel reminds us that our actions toward the vulnerable directly impact our relationship with Christ. This Lenten season, let us strive to recognize Christ in the least of our brothers and sisters and serve them with love.
Our first reading today, from the Book of Leviticus, the Lord speaks to Moses, calling His people to holiness. He commands them to live with integrity, justice, and love, avoiding deceit, oppression, and hatred. The central message is clear: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Accotding to the reading, God spoke to His people, the Israelites during the time of their Exodus from Egypt, detailing to all of them the Law, the commandments and all the things which He had taught and revealed to them. Through those Law and commandments, He wants all of His people to know how to carry on living their lives with true and genuine faith in Him. God reminded the Israelites to act in the manner of righteousness, justice and virtue, that they do not cause suffering to others and pervert justice, or to manipulate others for their own benefits. All of these reminders that God had told His people are still important reminders for us even up to this day, because as the disciples and followers of the Lord, we ourselves are called to live lives that are truly worthy of Him, and we should be good role models and examples for everyone to follow. The Lord wanted the Israelites to keep faithfully the Law and commandments which He had provided to them so that they would not fall into the temptations to sin, which could lead them all into their downfall and destruction. This is therefore also an important reminder for all of us so that we ourselves do not let those temptations of the world, desires, ambition, greed, or our ego and pride from leading us astray from the path towards the Lord. We have to strive to resist the wickedness of the evil ones who are constantly trying to lead us into our downfall. We should show genuine love towards our brothers and sisters, caring for the needs of those who are around us, such that through our loving actions and examples, we may inspire others to follow the Lord as well, because they will come to know God through us and our lives.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, as we continue to progress through this time and season of Lent, all of us are reminded through the words of the Sacred Scriptures of the need for us to live our lives carefully, being ever vigilant against the many temptations present all around us which may lead us into the wrong paths in life, moving ever further away from the Lord and His salvation. We are all reminded today that while God has generously given us all the many opportunities for us to follow Him and to embrace His mercy and forgiveness, but we must not take those for granted, or else we may come to regret it when the time comes for us to account for our lives before the Lord, at the time of the Last Judgment. We must remember well as we continue to progress through this time and season of Lent that our faith in the Lord is the source of our salvation, for God has given us His grace through our faith in Him. However, we also must not think that our faith in the Lord without action and concrete deeds to back it up will benefit us in any way. As St. James the Apostle mentioned in his Epistle, and also the Apostolic tradition of the Church stated, that faith without good works is dead. This must not be misunderstood as what some believed wrongly, that we can gain salvation through our works without faith. Instead, it means that our faith in God must always be supported and made concrete and alive through real actions, not by mere words and formalities only, or else, that faith will not avail us. And how should we live our faith such that we are truly worthy of the Lord? It is by following what He Himself had said in the Gospel passage today about the Final Judgment. He told all of His disciples and all those who were listening to Him about the actions taken by all those who will be found worthy at the time of the Final Judgment, that is those who have shown love to the least among their brothers and sisters, caring for those who are sick and needy, showing love and attention to the marginalised and all those who are suffering from various difficulties. All those actions show true faith that is indeed lived with genuine desire and sincerity to love both God and oneās fellow men and women alike, which is exactly what all of us as Christians have been called to do. On the other hand, if we neglect to do those good deeds and ignore the need to show love and sincere care towards our fellow brethren, no matter how we may claim to be faithful to God, but in the end, that faith will not avail us, because all of our ignorance of the opportunities and the actions that we could have done for the benefit of others, or if we only care about ourselves, causing suffering for others and ignoring the plight of the needy and those who are suffering in our midst, all those things led us into sin against God, the sin of omission, which will be judged against us, and makes us unworthy to share in the true happiness and eternal glory that God has promised to those who have been truly faithful to Him. Essentially, we cannot come towards the Lord unless we make the conscious effort to do what is right and just, as well as commit ourselves to do His will, to show love towards our brethren in our midst. We are called to emulate the Holy men and women, and all the Saints, particularly Saint John Ogilvie, Saint Marie-EugĆ©nie de JĆ©sus, and the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste. Therefore, during this time of Lent, let us all continue to deepen our relationship with God, and strengthen our faith in Him by doing whatever we should be doing in this period of renewal and rejuvenation of our faith. Let us all do them with true understanding of our faith and with genuine desire to seek to be forgiven by God from our many sins and wickedness. We must continue to journey towards the Lord, reestablishing the connection which have been weakened by sin, and resist the many temptations present around us trying to drag us away from our loving God and Father. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and may the good Lord also help us in this journey so that we may continue to persevere and move forward in our path towards Him, and with this blessed time and opportunity of Lent, may we rediscover that love which we all ought to have for God, and grow ever more committed to Him, now and always. Amen šš½
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MARCH | MONTH OF ST. JOSEPH: The month of March is dedicated toĀ St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus Christ. āHis was the title of father of the Son of God, because he was the Spouse of Mary, ever Virgin. He was our Lordās father, because Jesus ever yielded to him the obedience of a son. He was our Lordās 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 tradeā. āThis 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,ā wrote St. John Paul II inĀ Redemptoris CustosĀ (Guardian of the Redeemer). St. John Paul II further said, āBecause 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.ā
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. šš½
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: We give thanks to God for His abundant love and mercy, which sustain us in our daily lives. May we grow ever closer to Him through prayer, fasting, and works of charity this Lenten season. We pray for all those suffering persecution for their faith, especially our brothers and sisters who face discrimination, oppression, or violence because they bear witness to Christ. May they be strengthened by the Holy Spirit and find courage in the example of the saints. We lift up the sick, the elderly, and those who are alone or abandoned. May they experience the healing presence of Christ and the comfort of loving hands to care for them. We pray for all medical professionals and caregivers, that they may be blessed in their work of mercy.
We remember all those facing financial struggles, unemployment, or uncertainty. May God provide for their needs and open doors of opportunity for them. We pray for students, teachers, and all who seek wisdom and knowledge may they be guided by truth and strengthened in faith.
Through the intercession of the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste, may we have the courage to remain steadfast in our faith, even in times of trial. We pray for all who suffer for the sake of righteousness, that they may be comforted in Godās unfailing love.
We ask for the intercession of Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Macarius of Jerusalem, Saint John Ogilvie, and Saint Marie-EugĆ©nie de JĆ©sus. May they pray for us and for all in need of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. We also remember the souls in Purgatory and all the faithful departedāmay they be welcomed into the eternal joy of Heaven.
We continue to pray for Pope Francis, bishops, priests, deacons, and all religious men and women, that they may be strengthened in their mission to lead Godās people. May more young people be open to the call of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
May peace, love, and justice reign in our world. We pray for an end to war, violence, and oppression, that all nations may work toward reconciliation and unity. May God grant us strength in times of trial and trust in His divine will. šš½
LET US PRAY
Merciful and loving Father, You call us to follow You in faith and trust, just as the saints and martyrs before us did. Grant us the courage to stand firm in our beliefs, even when the path is difficult. May our Lenten sacrifices and prayers draw us closer to You and transform our hearts. Lord Jesus, You endured temptation and suffering so that we might be strengthened in our struggles. Help us to resist sin and embrace virtue. Teach us to offer our hardships for the good of others and to trust in Your divine providence. Holy Spirit, be our guide and comfort. Fill our hearts with love and our minds with wisdom so that we may walk in the light of Christ. Strengthen us in times of doubt, and lead us always in the path of righteousness.Most merciful Lord, Your compassion is great and Your judgment is real. Help me to always keep my mind upon that final and glorious day on which You will return in all Your splendor and glory to judge the living and the dead. May I truly heed Your words and prepare for that day by loving You in all people, especially in those most in need. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen šš½
Jesus, we trust in You. Save us, Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Macarius of Jerusalem, Saint John Ogilvie, Saint Marie-EugĆ©nie de JĆ©sus, and the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste ~ Pray for us. šš½
Thanking God for the gift of this day, let us continue to embrace this season of Lent with renewed faith, hope, and love. May we be transformed through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and may our hearts be drawn ever closer to Christ. Wishing us all a blessed, safe, and grace-filled and fruitful day. Amen. šš½
Blessings and Love always, Philomena š