FRIDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF EASTER

SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ APRIL 25, 2025

MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST,  MARTYR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary for the Repose of the Soul of Pope Francis | EWTN | April 25, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-52/

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/catholic-daily-mass-52/

Watch “FUNERAL MASS OF POPE FRANCIS | PRESIDED OVER BY CARDINAL GIOVANNI BATTISTA RE | LIVE FROM THE VATICAN | APRIL 26, 2025| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/funeral-mass-of-pope-francis/

Let us join us in prayer for the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis from St. Peter’s Basilica. The liturgical celebration will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. At the conclusion of the Mass, the coffin of the Holy Father will be taken in procession to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where the burial will take place. Let us pray together for the eternal rest of our beloved Pope Francis. 🙏🏽

Daily Reflections with Philomena | Prayer for the Soul of Pope Francis | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/precious-in-the-sight-of-the-lord-is-the-death-of-his-saints-psalm-11615/

DIVINE MERCY NOVENA: Novena in preparation for DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY. Good Friday is the first day of the Divine Mercy Novena. Novena begins, Friday, April 18, 2025, to Saturday, April 26, 2025, leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday on April 27, 2025 | DAY 8: Link ~ https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/17/divine-mercy-novena/

Greetings and blessings, beloved family. Happy Easter Friday in the Octave of Easter!

As we continue to rejoice and celebrate in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, during these first eight days of the Easter season (Easter octave), which are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord. Each day is another little Easter. The Alleluia verse is repeated throughout the octave: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia!” The Lord has risen from the dead, as He foretold. Let there be happiness and rejoicing for He is our King forever, Alleluia! May God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this Easter season and always. 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS

As our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis will be laid to rest tomorrow, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul and for the College of Cardinals as they embark on their sacred duty to elect Pope Francis’ successor:

Heavenly Father, You entrusted the care of Your Church on earth to Pope Francis, and now You have called him to Yourself. We entrust his soul to Your boundless mercy. For his lifelong service, we thank You. For his care for the poor and marginalized, we thank You. For his witness to simplicity, we thank You. In Your mercy, cleanse him of all sin. Purify him and draw him into the light of Your presence. Grant him the vision of Your Eternal Essence, into which we all long to be drawn. Protect Your Church in this time of transition. Guide the Cardinals in their sacred duty. Grant them Wisdom and Courage, Hope and Charity, and the Faith they need to discern Your Holy Will.

Father Most Holy, our God and King, Creator of all that was, is, and is to come—
You alone know the heart of the one You have chosen as the successor to Pope Francis. Reveal Your will to the College of Cardinals. Open their hearts to Your inspirations. Open our hearts to receive, with faith and obedience, the one whom You will raise up to sit on the Chair of Saint Peter. May he be a man of deepest compassion, a man of profound faith and hope, a man whose charity shines forth, permeating the darkness of this world with the light of Christ. You are God Most High, the God of the living and the dead, the Great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, Eternal Being and Source of all that is. May Your holy will be done, now and forever. Amen. Alleluia.

Merciful and loving God, We entrust to You our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis. May he rest in the light of Your presence, where suffering and sorrow are no more, and every tear is wiped away. Comfort all who mourn his passing, and raise up shepherds who will continue to guide Your Church in humility and love.

Eternal rest grant unto Pope Francis, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May his gentle soul and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏🏽

Day 8 (Easter Friday): Pray for the souls detained in purgatory.

Prayer: “Today bring to Me the souls who are detained in purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.”

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory—souls who are very dear to You and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of blood and water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of the purifying fire, that in that place, too, the power of Your mercy may be praised.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded, manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way than through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen. 🙏🏽

On this special feast day, as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, Patron of the sick and dying, we pray for the sick and dying and all those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. We pray for our loved ones who have recently died, especially for our Holy Father, POPE FRANCIS, all those who died today, and 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 labors 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 🙏🏽

Today, still in the joy of the Easter season, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, author of the second Gospel and companion of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Saint Mark (Patron of notaries, lawyers, and Venice) is traditionally recognized as the founder of the Church in Alexandria, one of the earliest and most significant Christian centers in Africa. His Gospel, brief and dynamic, emphasizes the actions and miracles of Jesus, calling all to a living faith in the Risen Lord. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Mark, we raise our prayers today: For all preachers and writers of the Gospel may they proclaim Christ with clarity and conviction. For missionaries and evangelists may they be strengthened in their mission. For Africa and the Church in Alexandria may the faith flourish anew. For those seeking purpose and courage may they find guidance through the Word of God. Amen. 🙏🏽

DAILY REFLECTIONS WITH PHILOMENA | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

Daily Saints, Holy Mass, Holy Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Scripture Reflections | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/reflections/

Watch “HOLY MASS ON THE JUBILEE OF THE SICK AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS | Presided by H.E. Most Rev. Rino Fisichella | Live from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican | April 6, 2025” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/04/06/holy-mass-on-the-jubilee-of-the-sick-and-healthcare-workers/

WORLD PRAYERS FOR POPE FRANCIS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/26/world-prayers-for-pope-francis/

Honoring a Legacy of Service: The 10th Memorial Anniversary of Late Noble (Sir) Gabriel Louis Ihieje Opiepe (KSJI) | https://gliopiepehe.org/2025/04/12/honoring-a-legacy-of-service-the-10th-memorial-anniversary-of-late-noble-sir-gabriel-louis-ihieje-opiepe-ksji/

THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/

THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL: For the use of the new technologies ~ Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.

PRAYER OF THE MONTH ~ POPE FRANCIS: Lord, Good Father, as I look at the world and see men and women working in it and beautifying it, a great “Thank You!” springs from my heart. The action of Your Spirit among us encourages us to grow in the progress of science and technology in the service of human dignity for integral and inclusive human development. Because we know You desire the good of all, from the heart of Your Church, Your Son calls us to ensure that technology does not replace “person-to-person” contact, that the virtual does not replace the real, and that social networks do not replace social settings. Help us develop the ability to live wisely, to think deeply, to love generously, without losing heart, promoting scientific and technological growth that increasingly aligns with human development in responsibility, values, and awareness.
Amen 🙏🏽

(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/

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/

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Friday in the Octave of Easter | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Friday in the Octave of Easter | April 25, 2025
Reading 1, Acts 4:1-12
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 118:1-2, 4, 22-24, 25-27
Gospel, John 21:1-14

Gospel Reading ~ John 21:1–14

“Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.” (John 21:13)

“Jesus revealed Himself again to His disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. He revealed Himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fish. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fifty-three large fish. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead.”

In today’s Gospel reading, the risen Lord comes to a group of His disciples. All of the disciples in that group had failed Him during the time of His passion, except one, the disciple Jesus loved. In spite of their failure the risen Lord comes to them. At the time of His coming they were failing again, failing to catch fish, even though they were experienced fishermen. Jesus came to them in the night of their failure. His presence had a transforming effect on them. In response to His word of invitation, they caught a huge haul of fish and they would soon become fishers of people, sharers in His missionary work. Jesus went on to speak a second word of invitation to them, ‘Come and have breakfast’. He, thereby, entered into communion with those who had broken communion with Him. Jesus did not reproach His disciples for their failure. He called out to them, spoke inviting words to them, built communion with them. The Lord relates to us as he related to those disciples. In the dark night of our own failures, the Lord stands on the shore of our lives; He comes to us, not to reproach us, but to speak a life-giving word to us, an inviting word, a transforming word. We pray that we would hear that word of the Lord as spoken to each of us this Easter season. Our relationship with the Lord always has a future that is full of hope. Easter is a season when we are invited to recognize the Lord on the shore of our lives calling out to us to follow where he is leading us.

Reflecting on today’s Gospel, we witness a tender moment of reunion and recognition. The disciples, still in the shadow of their recent confusion and grief, return to something familiar fishing. But after a fruitless night, the risen Jesus appears at dawn, standing on the shore, unrecognized at first. His instructions to cast the net on the right side of the boat yield a miraculous catch, a sign they cannot ignore. Immediately, the beloved disciple recognizes Him: “It is the Lord!” Peter, ever impetuous, dives into the water to reach Jesus, unable to contain his joy and longing.

This third appearance of the risen Christ to His disciples is deeply symbolic. The catch of fish signifies the mission of the Church abundant and fruitful when guided by Christ. The undamaged net reminds us of the unity we are called to preserve, even as we bring many into the fold. And on the shore, Jesus prepares breakfast. It’s such a simple act, yet filled with divine love: the Lord serves His disciples once more, just as He did at the Last Supper. There is no grand declaration, only the quiet breaking of bread and fish a sign of communion, presence, and peace. This moment reminds us that the risen Jesus meets us in the ordinary: on our shorelines, in our daily work, in the meals we share, in the silence of dawn. Even when we do not immediately recognize Him, He is near. And He continues to provide, to invite, and to nourish us not only with food, but with His enduring presence.

In our first reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter and St. John, two of the Lord’s Twelve Apostles had to face opposition due to their proclamation of the Lord Jesus and His salvation before the assembled people. At that time, based on our earlier readings from the Acts of the Apostles, the two Apostles had just miraculously healed a beggar who had been paralysed since birth, and whom everyone knew and recognised as being crippled. That this miracle had happened right by the gate of the Temple where the beggar usually lingered at, showed us how the chief priests and the members of the Sanhedrin could quickly find out about what had happened. The Sanhedrin, or the Jewish High Council, composed of the most influential members of the Jewish community at that time, had been firm in their opposition against the Lord, as most of its members had refused to listen to the Lord and His teachings, with some of them even branding the Lord as a blasphemous and heretical Man, Who was swaying the people to His side with His teachings and popularity. And that was why they judged and condemned the Lord in the first place, arresting Him and handing Him over to the Romans, that He might be condemned to death and crucified. That was why they were still adamant in their opposition against the Lord even when they heard that the Lord had risen from the dead just as He Himself had predicted and revealed. They spread false news that the disciples had stolen His Body and preached falsehoods in His Name, and expressly ordered that anyone who spoke in the Name of the Lord Jesus or supported His teachings would be arrested and persecuted. That was the obstacle facing the Apostles, who had to endure the opposition from the powerful members of the community, those who refused to believe in the Lord and His truth. But that did not stop the Apostles and the many other disciples from doing their best to proclaim the Good News whenever they could. St. Peter courageously spoke before the whole assembly of the Sanhedrin just as he had done so earlier before the people in Jerusalem. He spoke fearlessly regarding the Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God Who had been rejected by those to whom St. Peter was speaking to, right there and then, the same Sanhedrin and its members also condemned Christ to death and giving Him up to the Romans to be crucified. It was to these people that St. Peter testified again about the Lord, His truth and His resurrection. He proclaimed the truth courageously as he himself had seen and witnessed the Risen Lord as we heard in our Gospel reading today.

Reflecting on the first day,
Peter’s bold proclamation before the religious authorities reveals the transforming power of the Resurrection and the Holy Spirit. Just days ago, Peter denied knowing Jesus; now, filled with the Spirit, he stands firm before the very leaders who condemned Christ. He fearlessly declares that the crippled man was healed in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified and whom God raised from the dead. This passage echoes a fundamental truth of our faith: “There is no salvation through anyone else… no other name under heaven… by which we are to be saved.” The cornerstone once rejected is now the foundation of eternal life. Peter’s courage, born of deep conviction and divine grace, reminds us that the Resurrection calls us to be witnesses not only by words, but by the boldness of our lives.

Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, “The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.” The Psalm echoes the message of Acts and the Gospel: what was once cast aside has become central to God’s plan. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is truly marvelous. The Psalm invites us to rejoice not just because of what God has done in history, but because of what He continues to do in our lives. Every day is “the day the Lord has made.” Let us receive it with thanksgiving and renewed trust.

How is Jesus calling me to recognize His presence in the ordinary moments of my life? Am I returning to “fishing” old habits, old fears when He is calling me to a new mission? Like Peter, am I willing to speak boldly of the hope I have in Christ, even when it is uncomfortable? As we continue this Easter season, let us be attentive to the risen Christ who meets us on the shore of our hearts. He calls us to deeper trust, courageous witness, and joyful communion. May our lives proclaim: “It is the Lord!”🙏🏽

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are all reminded of the trials and challenges that we will often have to face as Christians, as those who believe in the Lord and His Resurrection. We believe in the Risen Lord and like the Apostles, we may have to endure opposition and trials for our faith in His truth. Yet, we must never waver from our faith and from the commitment that we have to show in our daily lives, as those who have been entrusted with the same mission as that of the Apostles and disciples of the Lord, in proclaiming His Good News and salvation to all the peoples. Are we willing and able to follow in the footsteps of St. Peter and the many other holy men and women of God, many of whom had suffered trials and persecutions, opposition and oppressions for the sake of their faith in God? Are we willing to contribute our time and effort to glorify the Lord by our lives and by our actions? Each and every one of us should listen to the Lord calling on us to action, and to follow Him wholeheartedly from now on. Let us seek the Lord with a new spirit and commitment from now on. May God in His infinite grace and mercy be with us all and may He grant us His grace and bless us in our every actions and good works, all for the greater glory of His Name. May the blessings of the Risen Christ, our Lord be with us always this Easter season, with our loved ones, always! Amen 🙏🏽

Risen Lord, You meet us in our daily lives and call us gently into deeper communion with You. Open our eyes to recognize You in the quiet moments and in the people we encounter. Give us the courage of Peter to proclaim Your name with boldness, and the humility to receive Your love anew. Help us to trust in Your provision and rejoice always in the day You have made. Amen. 🙏🏽

MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST – FEAST DAY: APRIL 25TH: Today, in the joy of the Easter season, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist, author of the second Gospel and companion of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Saint Mark (Patron of notaries, lawyers, and Venice) is traditionally recognized as the founder of the Church in Alexandria, one of the earliest and most significant Christian centers in Africa. His Gospel, brief and dynamic, emphasizes the actions and miracles of Jesus, calling all to a living faith in the Risen Lord. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Mark, we raise our prayers today: For all preachers and writers of the Gospel may they proclaim Christ with clarity and conviction. For missionaries and evangelists may they be strengthened in their mission. For Africa and the Church in Alexandria may the faith flourish anew. For those seeking purpose and courage may they find guidance through the Word of God. Amen. 🙏🏽

Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | April 25th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Mark the Evangelist | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-april-25th/)

SAINT MARK THE EVANGELIST (1st Century AD): Saint Mark, also known as John Mark, was a disciple of Saint Peter and cousin to Saint Barnabas. Though not one of the original twelve Apostles, Saint Mark was a close companion of the Apostles Peter and Paul. He is traditionally believed to be the young man who fled naked from Gethsemane during Jesus’ arrest (cf. Mark 14:51–52), and he later became a vital figure in the spreading of the Gospel.

Saint Mark is the author of the earliest and shortest Gospel. His writings emphasize the suffering and servanthood of Christ, encouraging believers to respond with faith and action. The Gospel of Mark, thought to be based on the teachings of Saint Peter, is rich with immediacy and calls readers to witness the power of God’s Kingdom breaking into the world.

He is also credited with founding the Church in Alexandria, Egypt, making him the first bishop of that great Christian center. There, he zealously preached the Gospel and established a thriving Christian community, which would go on to produce some of the greatest early theologians of the Church. According to tradition, he was martyred around the year 68 AD, dragged through the streets for boldly proclaiming Christ.

Saint Mark is often represented by a winged lion, a symbol of courage and royal strength—attributes that echo both the dignity of Christ and the boldness of Mark’s proclamation. His relics were later brought to Venice, Italy, where the grand Basilica of Saint Mark stands today, and he is venerated as the city’s patron saint.

PRAYER: O God, who raised up Saint Mark Your Evangelist and inspired him to proclaim the Gospel, grant that we may profit by his teaching and always follow faithfully in the footsteps of Christ. May we have the boldness to share the Word, the humility to serve others, and the perseverance to carry our cross with joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Saint Mark the Evangelist – Pray for us. 🙏🏽

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF APRIL | MONTH OF HOLY EUCHARIST: April is dedicated to the Holy Eucharist, the greatest gift of Christ to His Church. In the Eucharist, Jesus is truly present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity offering Himself as the Bread of Life. This month invites us to deepen our love and reverence for the Eucharist, especially as we approach Holy Week and Easter, celebrating the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord. The Eucharist was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper when He said, “Take and eat; this is My Body… Drink from it, all of you, for this is My Blood of the Covenant” (Matthew 26:26-28). In receiving the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and His Church. It is the source of our strength and the culmination of our salvation, as Christ Himself said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” As we journey through Lent, we are called to renew our reverence for the Eucharist. During Holy Week, we remember that Christ instituted this sacrament on Holy Thursday, offering us a way to remain in union with Him. Let us take this opportunity to attend Mass regularly, spend time in Eucharistic adoration, and reflect on the mystery of Christ’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

In this season of penance and reflection, may our devotion to the Eucharist strengthen our commitment to living as true disciples of Christ, leading us to the joy of Easter and the Resurrection.

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine! Lord Jesus, You have given Yourself to us in the Eucharist. May we receive You with reverence and love, and let Your grace transform us this Lenten season and always. Amen 🙏🏽

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: As we continue to rejoice in the light of the Resurrection this Easter Friday, we lift up our hearts in prayer to the Risen Lord. We pray for all evangelists, missionaries, and Gospel writers, through the intercession of Saint Mark the Evangelist, that they may continue to proclaim Christ with clarity, courage, and humility. May the bold witness of the Apostles in the Acts of the Apostles inspire today’s leaders in the Church to preach without fear and to stand firm in the name of Jesus, the cornerstone rejected by the builders. We remember all those who feel empty or are returning to the Lord after a time of doubt like the disciples on the shore who did not first recognize Jesus may they encounter Him anew in the simple moments of daily life. We pray for all who labor tirelessly in service of others, especially fishermen, farmers, and workers, that they may receive the fruits of their labor and recognize Christ walking with them. For those who suffer rejection or feel unworthy, we ask for healing and courage, trusting in the words of the Psalmist: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” May all who are lost, discouraged, or in despair be lifted by the hope of Easter morning and nourished by the love of Christ made manifest in the breaking of bread. Finally, we pray for all who feel called to preach, write, or teach the faith may Saint Mark be their guide, and may the Spirit of the Risen Lord open their minds and hearts to share the Gospel with joy. 🙏🏽

LET US PRAY

My divine Lord, You are constantly present to me, day and night, and yet I so often fail to perceive You and adore You. Help me to become more aware of Your presence in my life. As I do, help me to enter more deeply into these holy mysteries with love, devotion and awe. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

Lord Jesus Christ, Risen and Glorious, You stood on the shore and called out to Your disciples, filling their nets and their hearts once again. As You revealed Yourself to them in the breaking of bread and the bounty of fish, reveal Yourself to us today in the ordinary and the sacred. Teach us to recognize You in our daily tasks, in the face of the stranger, and in the silence of our hearts. Through the intercession of Saint Mark the Evangelist, may we boldly proclaim Your truth with faith and simplicity. Open our minds to understand the Scriptures, just as You did for the apostles, and fill our hearts with burning love for Your Word.

Make us steadfast in our mission, O Lord. Like Peter before the Sanhedrin, may we never be ashamed to speak in Your Name, for there is no other name under heaven by which we are saved. Strengthen all evangelists and catechists, especially those working in dangerous or forgotten places. May their work bear great fruit for Your Kingdom. We ask this in Your Most Holy Name, Jesus Christ our Risen Lord, who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save us, Savior of the world. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint Mark the Evangelist – Pray for us. 🙏🏽

Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day and the immeasurable love shown through His Son, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. As we continue to rejoice in the glory of the Resurrection, may our hearts remain open to the peace and hope that flow from His victory over sin and death. During this joyful Easter season, we pray that our loving Savior will deepen our faith and draw us closer to the mystery of His Passion, death, and Resurrection. May we walk in the light of His risen life, renewed in spirit and overflowing with grace. Praying for us all andoour loved ones today and we pray for journey mercies for all those traveling during this Easter season. May this Easter Friday be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ is truly risen! Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled Easter Friday and weekend 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

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

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