THURSDAY OF THE FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER
SAINT(S) OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ MAY 22, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT RITA OF CASCIA, RELIGIOUS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Rita of Cascia | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-of-the-day-feast-day-may-22nd/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | May 22, 2025 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-79/
Greetings and blessings, dear beloved family. Happy Thursday of Fifth Week of Easter!
May this week be filled with peace, joy, and the renewed hope that comes from Christ’s Resurrection. Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, workers and all those who labour in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands 🙏🏽
The entire month of May is dedicated to our beloved Mother Mary, the Mother of God. As we continue to rejoice in the victory of Christ’s Resurrection, we give heartfelt thanks to God for the gift of life and for bringing us safely into the month of May. May this Easter season renew our strength, deepen our faith, and fill our hearts with the peace of the Risen Lord. May our Mother Mary continue to intercede for us and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Easter. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, blessed start to the month. Amen 🙏🏽
A PRAYER FOR OUR HOLY FATHER, POPE LEO XIV
Almighty God, we thank You for the gift of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Grant him wisdom, courage, and humility as he leads the Church in truth and love. May the Holy Spirit guide his every word and action, and may he be a bridge of unity for all nations. Through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace, strengthen him in his mission to proclaim Christ to the world. Amen 🙏🏽
Heavenly Father, You have raised Your servant, Pope Leo XIV, to the Chair of Saint Peter. Pour out Your abundant blessings upon him. Through him, guide Your pilgrim Church along the path to Heaven. Grant him wisdom to discern Your will, Courage to fulfill it, And charity to shepherd Your people with the Heart of Christ. In this time of transition, Bring peace to troubled hearts, Joy to those who suffer, And hope to the despairing. May he be a faithful successor to Peter, A humble servant of Your Word, And a fearless herald of Your Divine Mercy and Truth. Strengthen him with the grace of the Holy Spirit, That he may lead the Church in unity, holiness, and fidelity. We entrust him to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary, And to the prayers of all the saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen 🙏🏽
We thank God for the successful celebration of the Inauguration Holy Mass for Pope Leo XIV. May the Holy Spirit guide him as he shepherds the faithful, and may his pontificate be a source of renewal and unity for the Church. Amen 🙏🏽
MEET THE NEW POPE: Pope Leo XIV | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/live-from-st-peters-square-white-smoke-habemus-papam/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
PRAYER FOR THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS: With the passing of Pope Francis, let us continue to pray for the eternal repose of his soul. 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 🙏🏽
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/
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 🙏🏽
Still dwelling in the joy of Eastertide, the Church today honors Saint Rita of Cascia, Religious (Patroness of Impossible Causes, abused women, difficult marriages, and broken families). A shining example of perseverance in suffering, heroic forgiveness, and unwavering faith, Saint Rita remains a beacon of hope for all who find themselves trapped in painful, unjust, or seemingly hopeless situations. On this day, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the powerful intercession of Saint Rita, we lift our prayers for peace and healing in marriages, families in crisis, abused spouses, and all who carry hidden crosses. May her life inspire us to embrace the sufferings permitted by God with trust and to radiate mercy even amid personal pain. We pray especially for reconciliation in homes, strength for single mothers and widows, and courage for all who long to enter the convent or seminary but face delays and trials. May the grace of Christ Crucified bring light to all impossible causes. 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/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/12/03/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
(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, Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter | May 22, 2025
Reading 1: Acts 15:7- 21
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10
Gospel: John 15:9-11
Gospel Reading ~ John 15:9–11
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love, that your joy might be complete”
“Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks about joy. He wants His disciples to have joy, not just any kind of joy but the same joy that He Himself experiences. Indeed, he goes so far as to say that the purpose of all the words He has spoken to them is that His own joy may be in them. Everyone wants to be happy and we try to seek happiness in all kinds of ways. We find our happiness, our joy, in loving relationships. The sense of being loved brings us joy. Prior to speaking about his own joy, Jesus spoke of his Father’s love for him. That is the source of his joy. He also declares that he has passed on the love the Father has for him to his own disciples, to us today, ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you’, and he calls on us to remain in his love. We do this by keep his commandments, especially his one commandment to love one another as he has loved us. This will be the source of our own joy. When we know ourselves to be loved unconditionally by God through Jesus and allow that love to flow through us to touch others, then we will experience something of the joy that Jesus knows. Christianity is a joyful religion. If it ceases to be a religion of joy, something fundamental has gone missing. At the heart of our faith is a profound experience of love, love received and love given, and it is that experience of love which brings us true and lasting joy. This is the joy that Saint Paul refers to as the fruit of the Spirit.
Reflecting further on today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks with profound intimacy about love, a love that flows from the Father to Him and from Him to us. This love is not distant or conditional; it is divine, constant, and full. Jesus invites us to dwell, to remain, to abide in this love. How do we do that? By keeping His commandments not out of obligation, but as a response to the love we have received. Obedience, then, is not mere rule-following; it is the fruit of communion. When we remain in Jesus’ love, we are not only sustained, we are filled with joy a joy that is complete, unshakable, and divine. This joy is not the fleeting kind the world offers, tied to success or pleasure. It is the joy of knowing we are deeply loved, chosen, and called. It is the joy of being united with the One who gave His life for us. Jesus isn’t offering superficial happiness but a deep-seated joy that comes from living in right relationship with God. In remaining in His love, we become partakers of the divine life. This joy is both a gift and a mission to remain in His love and to extend that love to others.
In the First Reading, we are brought into a critical moment in the early Church. There is a debate about whether Gentile converts need to follow Jewish customs to be saved. Peter reminds the assembly that it was through his preaching that the Gentiles came to believe and received the Holy Spirit just like the Jewish believers. “God, who knows the heart,” made no distinction between them. He purified their hearts by faith. Peter’s words challenge the legalism creeping into the community. Salvation is by grace, not by burdensome laws. James supports this with Scripture, affirming that God’s plan always included the Gentiles. The decision is made not to place unnecessary obstacles before those turning to God. This moment marks a turning point in the Church’s mission grace over law, faith over external rituals, unity over division. This reading speaks powerfully to our time. How often do we, perhaps unconsciously, place expectations or burdens on others as they come to Christ? Are we welcoming or gatekeeping? Do we believe God’s grace is enough to transform hearts, or do we insist on conformity before communion? The early Church models discernment, humility, and trust in the Spirit’s work.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm today, the Psalm is a call to proclaim God’s marvelous deeds to all the nations. It echoes the theme of universality found in the first reading God’s love and salvation are not confined to one people but offered to all. “Announce His salvation, day after day,” the psalmist urges. Our call, like that of Paul, Barnabas, Peter, and James, is to make the Lord known to all peoples, to bear joyful witness to the glory and equity of His reign. “Say among the nations: The Lord is king.” This is not just an ancient declaration it’s a mission mandate for every baptized believer. Our lives should proclaim that the Lord reigns in our hearts, in our communities, and in the world.
Are we remaining in Christ’s love daily, not just in prayer but in obedience and witness? Do we let His joy fill us, especially in moments of dryness or discouragement? Do we believe that His love is enough not just for us but for every soul seeking truth and grace? How can we help remove the obstacles that keep others from turning to God? And how do we proclaim God’s marvelous deeds not just with our lips but through our actions?
As we meditate on today’s readings, we are drawn deeper into the heart of God a heart that loves generously, that saves by grace, that rejoices in unity, and that calls us to a life of joyful witness. May we remain in this love, walk in this grace, and proclaim this joy to every soul we encounter. In a world fractured by division and weighed down by burdens, the Gospel offers a clear and radiant message: You are loved. Remain in that love, and your joy will be complete.
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we continue to be reminded of the importance of following the Lord our God in the right manner, and not be divided against each other because of our prejudices and different preferences in ideologies and ways of observing God’s Law and commandments. We are reminded that what is truly important is to truly love God wholeheartedly and to commit ourselves to His ways, through proper understanding and appreciation of His will and teachings, and not to be easily divided because of our personal preferences that can lead us to be pitted one against another, which is exactly what the evil ones want with us, in attacking us and the unity of the Church. Reflecting on the life and works of St. Rita of Cascia, we are all reminded to be always faithful to God and not to be easily swayed by our worldly ambitions, desires and pursuits which may lead us down the path of divisions, disagreements and violence, all of which would lead to more and more harm and destruction as what had happened to the families involved in the feud during the time of St. Rita of Cascia. Instead, as God’s followers and as His holy people, all of us are called to put our faith and trust, our focus and emphasis once again on the Lord our God, dedicating our time and efforts once again to glorify the Lord by our lives. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace and let us all not be distracted by all these worldly ambitions, but instead focus ourselves wholeheartedly ever towards God, now and always. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, help me to remain in Your love each day. Teach me to obey not from fear, but from love a love that responds to the gift You have already given. Let Your joy be my strength, and Your peace my anchor. Cleanse my heart of judgment and pride. Make me welcoming to all who seek You, and help me proclaim Your marvelous deeds with humility and joy. Let my life reflect the truth that You are King and that Your kingdom is for all people. Amen. 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT RITA OF CASCIA, RELIGIOUS ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 22ND: Still dwelling in the joy of Eastertide, the Church today honors Saint Rita of Cascia, Religious (Patroness of Impossible Causes, abused women, difficult marriages, and broken families). A shining example of perseverance in suffering, heroic forgiveness, and unwavering faith, Saint Rita remains a beacon of hope for all who find themselves trapped in painful, unjust, or seemingly hopeless situations. On this day, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the powerful intercession of Saint Rita, we lift our prayers for peace and healing in marriages, families in crisis, abused spouses, and all who carry hidden crosses. May her life inspire us to embrace the sufferings permitted by God with trust and to radiate mercy even amid personal pain. We pray especially for reconciliation in homes, strength for single mothers and widows, and courage for all who long to enter the convent or seminary but face delays and trials. May the grace of Christ Crucified bring light to all impossible causes. Amen.🙏🏽
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | May 22nd https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Rita of Cascia | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-of-the-day-feast-day-may-22nd/)
SAINT RITA OF CASCIA, RELIGIOUS (1381–1457): Affectionately known as “La Santa de los imposibles” The Saint of the Impossible—Saint Rita of Cascia is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church. Born Margherita Lotti in the turbulent hills of Spoleto, Italy, she lived during a time marred by civil wars, family feuds, and social unrest. Though drawn to religious life from her youth, she obeyed her parents’ wishes and married a man of harsh temper and violent ways.
For nearly twenty years, Rita endured a tumultuous marriage marked by cruelty and fear. Through silent endurance, prayer, and unwavering kindness, she softened her husband’s heart before his tragic murder. Her two sons, overcome by the desire for revenge, threatened to follow a path of bloodshed. Saint Rita torn between maternal love and the fear of mortal sin begged God to intervene. Her sons died of natural illness before they could commit vengeance, a mysterious yet merciful act that spared their souls and prepared Rita for her next calling.
Widowed and childless, she sought to enter the Augustinian convent in Cascia, but was repeatedly refused due to her family’s involvement in a long-standing feud. Undeterred, Rita implored the intercession of Saints John the Baptist, Augustine, and Mary Magdalene, and in a miraculous sign of divine approval, she was eventually allowed to profess vows and dedicate the rest of her life to Christ.
In the convent, Saint Rita became known for her deep union with the Passion of Jesus. One day while praying before the Crucifix, she received a mystical wound—a thorn from Christ’s Crown—embedded in her forehead. This visible stigmata became a source of both physical pain and spiritual grace. For the next fifteen years, she bore the wound in humility and silence, drawing ever closer to her Crucified Lord.
Saint Rita died on May 22, 1457, after years of illness, sustained by the Eucharist alone. Her body remains incorrupt in the Basilica of Santa Rita da Cascia, a sanctuary of miracles and hope. She was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1900 and honored by Pope John Paul II on the centennial of her canonization as a radiant witness of the “feminine genius” through her physical and spiritual motherhood.
Saint Rita is the Patron Saint of impossible causes, marital problems, widows, abuse victims, infertility, sickness, wounded souls, and those facing hopeless circumstances. She teaches us that no cross is wasted, no prayer unheard, and no situation beyond God’s reach when united with Christ in love.
PRAYER: O God, who bestowed on Saint Rita such grace that she loved her enemies and bore suffering with patient and heroic courage, grant us through her intercession the grace to forgive as she forgave, to persevere in trials, and to entrust our impossible causes into Your divine hands. May we, like her, find in the Cross of Christ our strength, our healing, and our hope. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Rita of Cascia ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
THE HOLY FATHER, POPE FRANCIS’ MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF MAY: For Working Conditions ~ Let us pray that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.
PRAYER FOR THE MONTH OF MAY ~ POPE FRANCIS: For Working Conditions ~ Jesus, You knew work in this world, and You understand its hardships and joys… Hear our prayer today. Working is a human trait… Work is sacred… The beauty of the earth and the dignity of work were meant to be united… The earth becomes beautiful when man works… Lord, You see that we believe this with conviction, but we desire even more for it to become a reality among us.
We are saddened when people can’t find work and lack the dignity of bringing bread to their home. Give us the light of your Spirit, open our hearts, do not let indifference overcome us.
Help us recover the gift of universal brotherhood. We ask for a heart as big as Jesus’s so we can embrace the call to work to give dignity to people and families.
Amen 🙏🏽
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF MAY | MONTH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and our spiritual Mother. This month invites the faithful to draw closer to Mary through prayer, reflection, and imitation of her virtues especially her humility, obedience, purity, and unwavering faith. As the first and most perfect disciple of Christ, Mary leads us gently but firmly to her Son. Throughout Church history, May has been a time to honor Mary with special devotions such as the Rosary, May Crownings, Marian processions, and prayers like the Litany of Loreto. The Church teaches that Mary, assumed body and soul into Heaven, intercedes for us as Queen of Heaven and Mother of the Church. During this month, we are called to renew our relationship with her and seek her maternal care in our joys, sorrows, and needs. Mary said “yes” to God’s plan with total trust: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Her faithful surrender encourages us to say “yes” to God’s will in our own lives. As we meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary and contemplate her role in salvation history, we grow in our love for her and our desire to follow Christ more closely.
In this beautiful month of blooming flowers, may our hearts also blossom with deeper devotion to the Mother of our Savior. Let us bring her our prayers, our homes, and our lives, asking her to accompany us with her love and protection.
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
Hail Mary, full of grace! Teach us to love Jesus as you loved Him. Cover us with your mantle of mercy, and help us to walk always in the light of your Son. Amen 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: On this memorial of Saint Rita of Cascia, the patroness of impossible causes and a model of perseverance in suffering, we lift up our hearts in prayer for all who are burdened by trials that seem too heavy to bear. May those facing family strife, emotional pain, or seemingly hopeless situations find consolation through Saint Rita’s intercession and the strength to endure with faith. We pray for those who struggle to forgive, that Christ’s command to remain in His love may soften hearts and restore broken relationships. As the Church continues her mission, may the Holy Spirit guide her in truth and unity, just as it did in the early Christian community. We remember in a special way all religious women and hidden souls who, like Saint Rita, live lives of quiet sacrifice, that they may be strengthened in love and joy.
LET US PRAY
My obedient Lord, You obeyed the will of Your Father in Heaven to perfection. Through this obedience, You not only experienced the full love and joy of the Father in Your human nature, You also set for us a perfect example and model for holiness. Help me to see the areas of my life in which I need to be more obedient, so that I, too, will share in Your holy life and that of the Father’s. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord God, You call us to remain in Your love and to find joy in obedience to Your will. As we meditate on Your word and honor Saint Rita of Cascia today, help us to trust in Your divine providence even when the way is painful or unclear. Give us hearts like hers patient in suffering, humble in service, and confident in Your mercy. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, may we live the joy of the Gospel, spreading Your truth with gentleness and courage, as the early Church did. May our lives proclaim Your kingdom and inspire others to walk in faith.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen🙏🏽
Save us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Rita of Cascia ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, for the gift of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV 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 and our loved ones today and we pray for journey mercies for all those traveling during this Easter season. As we embrace the blessings of this new month, may God’s abundant grace continue to shower upon us, filling our hearts with peace, joy, and hope in His Resurrection. May this Thursday 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 Thursday and joyful Fifth Week of Easter!🙏🏽
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