MONDAY OF THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT | DECEMBER 15, 2025 |

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 15, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

MEMORIAL OF SAINT MAXIMIN OF MESMIN, ABBOT; SAINT VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI, RELIGIOUS AND BLESSED JOHN THE DISCALCED, FRANCISCAN FRIAR | DECEMBER 15TH | Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Maximin of Mesmin, Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli, and Blessed John the Discalced | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-december-15th/

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | December 15, 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-december-15-2025/

ADVENT SEASON AND IT’S SIGNIFICANCE IN THE LITURGICAL YEAR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/advent-season-and-its-significance-in-the-liturgical-year/

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

SAINT ANDREW’S CHRISTMAS NOVENA: [The Saint Andrew’s Christmas Novena prayer below is traditionally prayed 15 times a day from November 30, the Feast of Saint Andrew, through Christmas Eve] | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-dayfeast-day-november-30th/

Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, Monday of the Third Week of Advent, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God’s voice as we continue our journey of preparation for Christ’s coming. Through the Scriptures and the witness of the saints we commemorate today, we are reminded that true authority comes from God and calls for humility, discernment, and faithful obedience as we await the fulfillment of His promises.

We joyfully thank God for the gift of life and for leading us safely into the month of December. As we continue this sacred journey of faith, we give thanks for God’s boundless mercy and the hope of eternal life promised to those who believe in Him. May the witness of the Saints and the faith of our loved ones inspire us to live each day in holiness, humility, and love. This month of December, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, invites us to grow in grace and devotion, following her example of purity, obedience, and complete trust in God’s plan. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of All Saints, may God fill our hearts with hope, strengthen our faith, and guide us in holiness throughout this Advent season. May this month bring light to our minds, peace to our hearts, and strength to our souls. Amen 🙏🏽

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” ~ Matthew 5:4

We join our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV to pray for the gentle repose of the souls of our dear beloved late Pope Francis, the Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Religious who have gone to be with the Lord. We also remember in prayer all who began this journey of life with us but are no longer here. We pray for the gentle repose of the souls of our loved ones who recently passed away, and we continue to pray for the souls in Purgatory; lost souls. For the repose of the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom.

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His Saints.” ~ Psalm 116:15

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽

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🙏🏽✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

Lord Almighty, we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your unfailing love, protection, and mercy that carried us through the past months. We entrust the days of December into Your hands, asking for Your blessings, guidance, and peace upon our lives and families. May this month be for us a time of renewed faith, deeper hope, and overflowing joy. We pray especially for all families, for children, parents, and teachers, that they may be strengthened and protected. Bless those who will celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, new opportunities, and milestones this month, and comfort those who enter it with heavy hearts or struggles. Lord, go before us, walk beside us, and remain with us always, now and forever. Amen. 🙏🏽

Today, we humbly pray for the poor, abandoned, and those in need, for all those who are marginalized in our society. For those who are imprisoned, especially those who are unjustly imprisoned. We pray for charitable organizations, asking God’s blessing upon their mission and we lift our prayers for peace, love, justice and unity in our families, marriages and our world. May God protect us all and keep us safe and united in peace, love and faith. Amen 🙏🏽

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary on this special Feast day, we lift our prayers for the protection, safety and well-being of healthcare professionals, educators, missionaries, pilots, and all travelers. We ask for healing for the sick and dying, especially those who are suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases, strength for the weary, peace in troubled homes, and provision for all in need. Guide our steps in righteousness, protect us from harm, and fill our hearts with faith, joy, and gratitude. May this month draw us closer to Your will, and may every day be a testimony of Your goodness and mercy in our lives. We begin this month with trust in Your unfailing love, Lord, and we surrender all that lies ahead into Your hands. Amen 🙏🏾

We continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, that they be sanctified in their ministry to God’s people. We pray for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world suffering from political and religious unrest.

Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, mothers, workers, and all those who labor in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands, and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Advent. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of December. 🙏🏽

ADVENT SEASON AND IT’S SIGNIFICANCE IN THE LITURGICAL YEAR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/advent-season-and-its-significance-in-the-liturgical-year/

Advent is the sacred four-week ŕ Year, inviting us to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus Christ and to look forward with hope to His Second Coming. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival,” reminding us that this season is marked by both joyful expectation and spiritual readiness. Traditionally, Advent is represented by the wreath and its four candles symbols of hope, peace, joy, and love, guiding us week by week as we reflect on the unfolding mystery of our salvation.

As we enter this holy season, the Church calls us to step back from the noise and hurry that often fill this time of year. Advent is not merely a countdown to Christmas; it is a grace-filled invitation to renew our relationship with God, deepen our prayer life, and open our hearts to the transforming light of Christ. Through Scripture, quiet reflection, and acts of charity, we are encouraged to grow in faith and to make room for the Lord who desires to dwell within us. This season also reconnects us with the longings of God’s people throughout history, those who waited in hope for the Messiah and trusted in God’s promises even in times of darkness.

As we journey through these weeks, may Advent help us rediscover what truly matters: the gift of God’s love made flesh in Jesus Christ. May it inspire us to embrace a spirit of watchfulness, simplicity, and gratitude, allowing Christ’s light to shine through our words and actions. And as we prepare to celebrate His birth, may our hearts be renewed with the hope that He who came once in humility will come again in glory.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, as we begin this season of Advent, open our hearts to Your presence and fill us with the hope, peace, joy, and love that only You can give. Teach us to wait for You with faith, to prepare for You with sincerity, and to welcome You with humility and gratitude. May Your light guide our steps and renew our spirits as we journey toward Christmas. Amen 🙏🏾

ADVENT PRAYER – THIRD WEEK PRAYER: The joyful Sunday in Advent (known as “Gaudete”) is represented by rose (or pink) instead of the penitential purple color. Each night during the third week the mother of the family lights the pink, as well as the two previously burned purple candles, after the following prayer has been said.

LEADER: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Through Christ our Lord.
ALL: Amen 🙏🏾

(The three candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of the third week.)

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Monday of the Third Week of Advent | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Monday of the Third Week of Advent | December 15, 2025
Reading 1: Numbers 24:2–7, 15–17a
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25:4–5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8–9
Gospel: Matthew 21:23–27

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 21:23–27

“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

“When Jesus had come into the temple area, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus said to them in reply, “I shall ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I shall tell you by what authority I do these things. Where was John’s baptism from? Was it of heavenly or of human origin?” They discussed this among themselves and said, “If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” So they said to Jesus in reply, “We do not know.” He himself said to them, “Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus confronts not ignorance, but resistance disguised as caution. The chief priests and elders question His authority, not because they seek truth, but because they fear its implications. Their hearts are already closed. Jesus, knowing their motives, redirects the question toward John the Baptist, exposing their unwillingness to commit to God’s truth. They are caught between fear of God and fear of people, and so they choose the safest answer: “We do not know.”

Today’s Gospel reveals a subtle but serious spiritual danger: refusing to respond to God out of fear, convenience, or self-preservation. The religious leaders had knowledge, position, and familiarity with the Law, yet they lacked the courage to acknowledge God’s work when it stood before them. Advent calls us to a different posture, one of honesty, humility, and readiness. Jesus does not force belief; He invites a sincere heart. Where there is evasiveness, faith cannot grow. Advent challenges us to ask whether we, too, sometimes avoid commitment to God’s truth because it may disrupt our comfort, challenge our authority, or demand conversion. Christ still teaches in the temple of our hearts, asking us to recognize His authority not only with words, but with obedience and trust.

The First Reading presents one of the most striking Advent prophecies spoken through an unexpected voice. Balaam, a pagan seer, is overtaken by the Spirit of God and proclaims a vision of blessing, beauty, and promise over Israel. He speaks of flourishing tents, abundant waters, and a future king whose reign will be exalted. Then comes the powerful declaration: “A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel.” This prophecy looks far beyond Balaam’s time toward the coming Messiah. God reveals His saving plan through someone outside Israel, reminding us that God’s truth is not confined by human boundaries. Even those who may seem unlikely can become instruments of divine revelation when their hearts are 0900 to the Spirit. In Advent, this reading invites us to trust that God is already at work, even when fulfillment seems distant: “I see him, though not now; I behold him, though not near.” Waiting does not mean absence. God’s promises are certain, though their timing may challenge our patience. The star rising from Jacob points us toward Christ, the true Light who comes to guide, lead, and reign with justice and peace.

Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, “Teach me your ways, O Lord.” The psalm becomes the prayer of a humble heart seeking guidance. It recognizes that God alone is the true teacher, the One who leads sinners in justice and instructs the humble in His ways. This is a psalm of trust, repentance, and dependence on divine mercy. In the context of today’s readings, the psalm contrasts sharply with the attitude of the religious leaders in the Gospel. Where they resist God’s truth, the psalmist surrenders to it. Advent calls us to this posture of humility, allowing God to guide our steps rather than relying on our own understanding. When we pray, “Teach me your paths,” we are asking God to shape not just our thoughts, but our choices and direction.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are invited to examine our hearts: Do I truly seek God’s truth, or do I avoid it when it challenges my comfort or control? Am I open to recognizing God’s work even when it comes through unexpected people or circumstances? Like the religious leaders, do I sometimes choose silence or indecision rather than a faithful response to God’s call? Do I trust that God’s promises, though not yet fulfilled, are already unfolding in my life? As Advent continues, am I allowing the Lord to teach me His ways, guide my steps, and prepare my heart to welcome Christ with sincerity and obedience? As we journey deeper into Advent, today’s Word urges us to move beyond cautious neutrality and into courageous faith. Christ stands before us with divine authority, inviting us not merely to question, but to believe. The star promised in the First Reading has already risen in Jesus Christ, and His light continues to shine for all who are willing to see. Let us not allow fear, pride, or hesitation to keep us from recognizing God’s presence among us. Instead, may we respond with humility, trust, and readiness, allowing the Lord to guide our lives according to His truth. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and as we prepare for the coming of Christ, may our hearts be open, our faith sincere, and our witness bold, so that we may welcome Him not only in word, but in the way we live. 🙏🏽

Lord God, You reveal Your truth to humble hearts and guide those who sincerely seek You. Grant us the grace to recognize Your authority in our lives and the courage to respond with faith and obedience. Remove from us every fear, hesitation, or pride that keeps us from fully welcoming Your Son. As we journey through this Advent season, teach us Your ways, lead us in Your truth, and prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, the Star who rises to bring light and salvation to the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾

MEMORIAL OF SAINT MAXIMIN OF MESMIN, ABBOT; SAINT VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI, RELIGIOUS; AND BLESSED JOHN THE DISCALCED, FRANCISCAN FRIAR – FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 15TH: Today, the Church commemorates Saint Maximin of Mesmin, Abbot (Model of monastic leadership and charity); Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli, Religious (Witness of mercy, service to the poor, and maternal charity); and Blessed John the Discalced, Franciscan Friar (Example of radical poverty, humility, and sacrificial love). Though they lived in different centuries and states of life abbot, widow and foundress, and humble friar, each surrendered completely to God through lives marked by self-denial, compassion for the suffering, and unwavering fidelity. As we continue our Advent journey, their lives remind us that true preparation for Christ is found in humility, service, prayer, and love poured out for others. May their intercession help us welcome the Lord with hearts purified by charity and trust in God’s providence. 🙏🏾

Saint of the Day with Daily Reflections | December 15th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

( Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Maximin of Mesmin, Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli, and Blessed John the Discalced | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-december-15th/)

SAINT MAXIMIN OF MESMIN, ABBOT: Saint Maximin of Mesmin (c. 480–520) was a native of Verdun and became Abbot of the monastery of Micy near Orléans. Raised under the guidance of his uncle, the holy priest Euspicius, Maximin grew in wisdom, humility, and zeal for God. Through Euspicius’ reconciliation efforts, King Clovis granted land for the founding of a monastery, where Maximin was ordained first a deacon, then a priest.

After the death of his uncle, Maximin was appointed abbot while still young. His leadership attracted many fervent souls, and the monastery flourished under his spiritual guidance. Endowed with the gift of miracles, he multiplied food during famine, healed the sick, delivered the possessed, and restored sight to the blind, always pointing hearts back to God rather than himself. Known as the “thaumaturge of his century,” Saint Maximin governed his community with wisdom, prayer, and deep charity until his holy death around the year 520.

PRAYER: Lord God, through the example of Saint Maximin, teach us to seek You above all things and to serve others with generous hearts. May we live faithfully amid the things of this world while remaining firmly anchored in what is eternal. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT VIRGINIA CENTURIONE BRACELLI, RELIGIOUS: Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli (1587–1651) was born into a noble and devout family in Genoa, Italy. Though she longed for religious life, she was married at the age of fifteen and became the mother of two daughters. After five difficult years, her husband died, leaving her widowed at twenty. Refusing remarriage, Virginia consecrated herself fully to God through a vow of chastity and a life of prayer and charity.

Once her daughters were grown, she dedicated her wealth and energy to caring for the poor, the sick, the abandoned, and the forgotten. She founded shelters, hospitals, and charitable institutions that later became religious congregations dedicated to Our Lady of Refuge. Saint Virginia not only served the poor but sought to restore their dignity, teaching skills, reconciling families, and working tirelessly for peace amid social divisions. Canonized in 2003, she stands as a radiant witness to compassionate love lived in action.

PRAYER: O God of mercy, who inspired Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli to serve You in the poor and the suffering, grant that we may open our hearts to those in need and become instruments of Your compassion. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾

BLESSED JOHN THE DISCALCED, FRANCISCAN FRIAR: Blessed John the Discalced (1280–1349) was born near Quimper, France, and spent his early life as a laborer, building bridges, arches, and crosses for the glory of God and the good of his neighbors. Despite mockery and opposition, he persevered in his studies and was ordained a priest. Known for his extreme austerity, he walked barefoot in his pastoral visits, fasted rigorously, and gave everything he had to the poor.

Later entering the Franciscan Order, he became renowned for his humility, prayer, poverty, and deep trust in God. He endured spiritual battles with courage and relied on Scripture in times of temptation. Blessed John foresaw great calamities that would befall his city and ultimately offered his life in service to the plague-stricken. He died during the pestilence of 1349, having given himself completely in love for God and neighbor.

PRAYER: Lord God, who strengthened Blessed John the Discalced in radical poverty and sacrificial love, grant that we may learn to trust You fully and serve others without reserve. Through his intercession, teach us to carry our crosses with faith and hope. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Maximin of Mesmin, Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli, and Blessed John the Discalced ~ pray for us, that we may prepare our hearts worthily for the coming of Christ. 🙏🏾

SAINT ANDREW PRAYER: St. Andrew Christmas Novena begins on the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30th). The following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen”🙏🏾

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

Watch “HOLY MASS PRESIDED BY POPE LEO XIV IN TURKEY | LIVE FROM ISTANBUL VOLKSWAGEN ARENA | VIGIL OF THE 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT | November 29, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-november-30-2025/

POPE LEO XIV ON HIS FIRST FOREIGN TRIP AS PONTIFF TO TURKEY AND LEBANON | TRIP BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/pope-leo-xivs-on-his-first-foreign-trip-as-pontiff/

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

COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/

THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/

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

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 DECEMBER: For Christians in areas of conflict. Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.

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

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER | MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a celebration of God’s most wondrous work in preparing a pure and spotless Mother for His Son. From the first moment of her existence, Mary was preserved from the stain of Original Sin by a singular grace and privilege, in view of the merits of Christ’s saving passion. She is the “all-holy,” full of grace, the radiant dawn announcing the coming of our Savior, and the perfect model of what God desires for every Christian—a life transformed by grace.

This devotion reaches its summit on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, one of the most cherished Marian feasts of the Church. Throughout this month, the Church invites us to contemplate Mary’s unique call, her purity of heart, and her total openness to God’s will. As we enter the Advent season and prepare for the birth of Christ, Mary stands before us as the first and most faithful disciple—the woman whose “yes” changed the course of salvation history.

In honoring Mary Immaculate, we are drawn into the mystery of God’s redeeming love and reminded that holiness is possible for us too through God’s grace. May this month awaken in us a deeper devotion to the Mother of God and inspire us to imitate her virtues of humility, purity, obedience, and trust.

“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” 🙏🏽

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: On this Monday of the Third Week of Advent, as we reflect on God’s revealed plan and the authority of His truth, we lift our prayers to the Lord. Through the intercession of Saint Maximin of Mesmin, who lived a life of prayer and humble obedience, we pray for all abbots, religious leaders, and spiritual guides, that they may lead God’s people with wisdom, integrity, and fidelity to Christ. Through Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli, who served the poor with heroic charity, we pray for hearts that are attentive to the needs of the vulnerable, the forgotten, and the suffering, especially during this Advent season. Through Blessed John the Discalced, who embraced simplicity and penitence, we pray for a spirit of humility and conversion, that we may recognize God’s authority not as a threat but as a saving call to truth. We also pray for ourselves, that we may be guided by the Lord’s ways, resist spiritual pride or fear, and open our hearts to the coming of Christ, the Star who rises from Jacob and leads us into the light of salvation.

LET US PRAY:

Lord of true Wisdom, You always knew how to interact with people with perfect charity and truth. To those who needed Your compassion, You were compassionate. To those who were irrational, You humbly revealed their irrationality. Please t me the gift of wisdom so that I will always relate to those in my life in accord with Your holy will. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

Lord God, You guide the humble in justice and reveal Your truth to those who seek You with sincere hearts. As we await the coming of Your Son, teach us Your ways and lead us along Your paths. Remove from us all fear, pride, and resistance to Your authority, and grant us the grace to trust fully in Your divine plan. Through the example and intercession of Saint Maximin of Mesmin, Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli, and Blessed John the Discalced, form us into faithful witnesses of hope, charity, and obedience. May the light of Christ guide our steps, strengthen our faith, and prepare our hearts to welcome Him with joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Maximin of Mesmin, Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli, and Blessed John the Discalced ~ 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 on this Monday of the Third Week of Advent, may our hearts remain open to the quiet working of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide, renew, and strengthen us each day. As we begin the month of December, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the blessings of the past and entrust the days ahead into God’s loving hands. In this sacred season of hopeful expectation, may our Advent journey be filled with light, peace, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ, our long-awaited Savior, walks with us always. Alleluia! May God grant journey mercies to all those traveling this week. Have a blessed, safe, grace-filled Monday, a fruitful season of Advent, a fulfilling week ahead and a peaceful month of December 🙏🏽

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

Dr. Philomena Ikowe and Her Joyful Catholic Witness | Lights, Catholic, Action! | Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/dr-philomena-ikowe-and-her-joyful-catholic-witness/