SAINT OF THE DAY: SAINT LAWRENCE OF CANTERBURY, ARCHBISHOP

FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY: FEAST DAY ~ FEBRUARY 2, 2024

FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE

NOVENA IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES [Novena Starts: February 2nd; Feastday: February 11th ~ Novena prayer below]

Greetings beloved family. Happy Friday and Happy Feast of the Presentation of the Lord!

Watch “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | February 2, 2024 |

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary on February 2, 2024 on EWTN” |

Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | February 2, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | February 2, 2024 |

Pray “Chaplet of the Divine Mercy from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | February 2, 2024 |

Pray “Holy Rosary ALL 20 Mysteries VIRTUAL🌹JOYFUL🌹LUMINOUS🌹SORROWFUL🌹GLORIOUS” on YouTube |

Today’s Bible Readings: Friday, February 2, 2024
Reading 1, Malachi 3:1-4
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 24:7, 8, 9, 10
Reading 2, Hebrews 2:14-18
Gospel, Luke 2:22-40

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY: MONTH OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD: The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the Passion of Our Lord in anticipation of the liturgical season of Lent. In this month, we begin to meditate on the mystery of Jesus’ sufferings which culminated in his death on the Cross for the redemption of mankind. Saints who had a special devotion to Christ’s passion include St. Francis of Assisi, who was the first known saint to receive the stigmata; St. John of the Cross; St. Bridget of Sweden; and St. Catherine of Siena.

On this special feast day, with special intention through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, and the Saints, we pray for the sick and dying. We especially pray for our loved ones who have recently died and we continue to remember our beloved late Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the first memorial anniversary of his death. We pray for the repose of his gentle soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May the gentle soul of Pope Benedict XVI and souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

Please let us continue to pray for peace all over the world, particularly in the Middle East, for an end to the current war in Israel-Palestine, and the Ukraine-Russia conflicts and for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World. 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🙏

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/

SAINTS OF THE DAY: Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. And on this special feast day we celebrate World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life (Celebrated in Parishes February 3-4, 2024). Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this special feast of World Day of Consecrated Life, we humbly pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Clergy – Bishops, Priests, all religious, for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits… Amen 🙏

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD: The 2nd day in February is the feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple, which is also called the “Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary”. Another name for this popular feast is “Candlemas Day”, the fortieth day of Christmas. Candlemas, the celebration of the Light of Christ revealed to all of the people of God and to all the nations. On this day, candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. This feast  commemorates the occasion when the Blessed Virgin Mary, in obedience to Jewish law, went to the Temple in Jerusalem both to be purified 40 days after the birth of her son, Jesus, and to present Him to God as her firstborn. The Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord as the Law of Moses prescribed. They carried with them the usual offering of the poor, a pair of turtledoves. At the time of the presentation and purification there was in the Temple a just and God-fearing man named Simeon, who recognized the infant Messiah, and taking Him in his arms declared Him to be the savior, the Light of the Gentiles and the Glory of Israel and the testimony of Anna the prophetess. According to the law of God, given by Moses to the Jews, ordained that after childbirth a woman should continue for a certain time in a state which that law calls unclean, during which time she was not to appear in public. The term was of forty days following the birth of a son, and double that time for a daughter. When the term expired, the mother was to bring to the Temple a lamb and a young pigeon or turtle-dove, as an offering to God. These being sacrificed to Almighty God by the priest, she was cleansed of the legal impurity and reinstated in her former privileges. A dove was required of all as a sin-offering, whether rich or poor; but as the expense of a lamb might be too great for the poor, these were allowed to substitute for it a second dove. Such was the case, Scripture tells us, for the Holy Family. (Luke 2:22-38)

The festival was formerly known in the Roman Catholic Church as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is now known as the Presentation of the Lord. This feast emphasizes Jesus’ first appearance in the Temple more than the Blessed Virgin Mary’s purification. The feast was first observed in the Eastern Church as “The Encounter.” The earliest reference to the festival is from Jerusalem, where in the late 4th century, a Western pilgrim, named Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to attend the celebration on February 14, 40 days after Epiphany (then celebrated as Christ’s birthday), and wrote of it in the Peregrinatio Etheriae. Etheria’s journal, discovered in 1887, gives an unprecedented glimpse of liturgical life there. Among the celebrations she describes is the Epiphany (January 6), the observance of Christ’s birth, and the gala procession in honor of his Presentation in the Temple 40 days later on February 15. The observance soon spread to other Eastern cities and throughout the Western Church in the fifth and sixth centuries. In 542 Justinian I decreed that its date should be moved back to February 2 (40 days after Christmas). Because the Church in the West celebrated Jesus’ birth on December 25, the Presentation was moved to February 2, 40 days after Christmas.

By the middle of the 5th century the custom of observing the festival with lighted candles had been introduced, and the name Candlemas developed from this custom. In the East it is primarily a festival of Christ. In the West it was primarily a celebration of the Virgin Mary until the calendar reform of 1969. At the beginning of the eighth century, in the Western church, Pope Sergius I (687–701) instituted the festival in Rome and inaugurated a candlelight procession; at the end of the same century the blessing and distribution of candles which continues to this day became part of the celebration, giving the feast its popular name: Candlemas. This feast is known as Candlemas, because candles are blessed on this day to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world and the light of our life. There are two ways of celebrating the ceremony, either the Procession, which begins at a ‘gathering place’ outside the church with blessed candles and appropriate prayer, or the Solemn Entrance, celebrated within the church.” The blessed beeswax candles typify the humanity that God the Son assumed, and signify that Jesus Christ is the True Light of the world by His doctrine, grace, and example. They also represent the ardent faith, hope, and charity with which the Christian should follow Christ by humble obedience to His Gospel and imitation of His virtues. Blessed candles are lighted at Mass and other church services; at the administration of all the Sacraments except Penance; in imparting blessings, in processions, and in other liturgical ceremonies. There should be at least two blessed candles in every Catholic home for use when the Sacraments are administered to the sick, and at times of any special danger, blessing, or family devotion. The Presentation of the Lord concludes the celebration of the Nativity and with the offerings of the Virgin Mother and the prophecy of Simeon, the events now point toward Easter.

PRAYER: Almighty and ever-living God, on this day Your only Son was presented in the Temple as sharing our human nature. We humbly ask that we too may be presented to You with purified intentions. Amen🙏
 
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE: World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life –  February 2, 2024 (Celebrated in Parishes February 3-4, 2024): In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. On this Feast of Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life invites all the Church to reflect on the role of Consecrated Life within the Christian community. Those who choose to live a consecrated life do so for the sake of the Gospel. Some Christian women and men respond to God’s call to become followers of Jesus through profession of vows and a life dedicated to prayer and service. They live out the consecrated life in different ways. Religious sisters, nuns, brothers, religious priests and monks consecrate their lives through their profession of the evangelical vows and live as part of a community.   Secular institutes are another form of living the consecrated life as single people. Those who become followers of Jesus through the consecrated life bless the Church. And so, as we think about the many ways in which we are called to love in ordinary ways and do it extraordinarily well, let us not forget those women and men who have responded to God’s call to serve as a consecrated religious. This day Mass is dedicated to them throughout the world. On this World Day for Consecrated Life, may the lives of consecrated women and men be blessed with God’s overwhelming grace of love! May their lives inspire us to hear God’s vocational call. May this tune be forever in our minds and transform our hearts to say boldly: “Here I am, Lord, send me!”

The celebration of World Day for Consecrated Life is transferred to the following Sunday in order to highlight the gift of consecrated persons for the whole Church. This year, the World Day for Consecrated Life is celebrated in the Church today, Friday, February 2, 2024 and in parishes over this coming weekend of February 3-4, 2024. Please let us all pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, and let us appreciate them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God’s gift of their vocation.

“BROTHERS AND SISTERS, GO FORTH! Remember the beauty of your first call. Jesus continues to call you today with the same full love and untamed grace. GO FORTH! There is always more to do, to encounter, to be grateful for, to be astonished by. Begin and end with the joy of prayer—the marrow of consecrated life. GO FORTH! Each of us has a role to play in the Church. Witness and sow well each day, and look to tomorrow with hope. GO FORTH! Grow in love for God so that others will be attracted by the divine light in you. Welcome the new vocations the Lord sends to continue the work of consecration. We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of God and first disciple of her son, Jesus, our Lord. Amen.” ~ Pope Francis

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL: For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. We pray to the Lord… Lord hear our prayers. For those who have responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to be a consecrated person that they may experience the support of the Church as they continue their growth in holiness. We pray to the Lord…Lord hear our prayers… Amen🙏

LET US PRAY: Loving God, You call all who believe in You to grow perfect in love by following in the footsteps of Christ Your Son. Call from among us more men and women who will serve You as religious. Open the hearts of many, raise up faithful servants of the Gospel, dedicated, holy priests, sisters, brothers and deacons, who will spend themselves for Your people and their needs. Bless those who are serving now with courage and perseverance. Grant that many will be inspired by their example and faith. By their way of life, may they provide a convincing sign of Your Kingdom for the Church and the whole world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen 🙏

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life Link | https://www.usccb.org/committees/clergy-consecrated-life-vocations/world-day-consecrated-life

Today, we also celebrate the Memorial of Saint Lawrence of Canterbury, Archbishop.

SAINT LAWRENCE OF CANTERBURY, ARCHBISHOP: St. Lawrence (d. 619 A.D.) was born in the 6th century. A Benedictine Monk and was the second Archbishop of Canterbury, serving from about 604 to 619. He was a member of the Gregorian mission sent from Italy to England by Pope St. Gregory I the Great to Christianize the Anglo-Saxons from their native Anglo-Saxon paganism. St. Lawrence, a Benedictine, was among the original band of Gregorian missionaries sent from Rome in 595 to evangelize England and he arrived at Thanet, Kent, with St. Augustine in 597. As a fruit of their labor the region’s most powerful ruler, King Æthelberht of Kent, became a baptized Christian along with many of his countrymen. St. Augustine was the 1st Archbishop of Canterbury, when St. Augustine died on May 26, 604, St. Lawrence succeeded him as archbishop in 604 and became Canterbury’s 2nd Archbishop to to ensure continuity in office. As Archbishop St. Lawrence was a zealous leader and urged the Celtic bishops to keep peace and unity with Rome. He attempted unsuccessfully to resolve differences with the native British bishops by corresponding with them about points of dispute.

Following the death of King Æthelberht of Kent on February 24, 616 A.D., St. Lawrence was faced with a crisis when the king’s successor, his pagan son, Eadbald abandoned Christianity. During St. Lawrence’s tenure there was a serious anti-Christian reaction in c. 617. The King’s son caused great damage to the faith of the people and the mission work which had been done among them; because of this, some of the missionaries fled to Gaul. When the Britons lapsed into pagan customs, St. Lawrence was so upset by the abandonment of Christianity among his flock that he considered abandoning his bishopric as well. St. Lawrence planned to return to France, but in response, St. Peter the Apostle appeared to him in a vision, rebuked him for abandoning his flock, and scourged him so badly that Lawrence had physical marks on his body from the encounter. St. Lawrence then remained in his see and relayed his vision to the king, showing him his wounds, the physical scars on his back, causing the local ruler King Eadbald to convert to the Christian faith as his father did. St. Lawrence died in Canterbury on February 2, 619 A.D. and was buried beside Augustine in the church of SS. Peter and Paul, Canterbury (St. Augustine’s Abbey).

PRAYER: Lord God, you counted Saint Lawrence, Archbishop of Canterbury, among your Holy pastors, renowned for the faith and love which conquers evil in this world. By the help of his prayers and intercession keep us strong in faith and love and let us come to share his glory. We make our prayer 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. Amen🙏

PRAYER INTENTIONS: We thank God for blessing us all with the gift of His precious son, on this feast of the Presentation of the Lord, may we be saved by the name of our Savior Jesus Christ! May the Lord grant us His grace as we continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary and the Saints on this special feast of World Day of Consecrated Life, we humbly pray for our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the Clergy – Bishops, Priests, all religious, for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits… Amen. We pray for the Church, for persecuted christians, for all the innocent who suffer violence due to political or religious unrest, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world. We pray for peace, love and unity in our families, our marriages and our divided and conflicted world. Every life is a gift. We continue to pray for the sick and dying, especially sick children, those who are mentally and physically ill, strokes, heart diseases, and those suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases. May God restore them to good health and grant them His Divine healing and intervention. May our Mother Mary comfort them, may the Angels and Saints watch over them and may the Holy Spirit guide them in peace and comfort during this challenging time. We pray for the safety and well-being of us all and our families. We pray for God’s deliverance from impossible causes or situations. We pray for torture victims, the poor, the needy and the most vulnerable in our communities and around the world. And we continue to pray for the souls in Purgatory and the repose of the gentle souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen. For all widows and widowers. Please let us continue to pray for peace in our families and throughout our divided and conflicted World.🙏

NOVENA IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES [Novena Starts: February 2nd; Feastday: February 11th]

NOVENA PRAYER: Most Holy Mother Mary, at Lourdes you asked us to do penance and to pray for the conversion of sinners. Obtain for each of us the grace of true repentance. Help those for whom we pray, and especially those who most need God’s mercy. Your Divine Son so loves every soul that He gave His life to pay the price for our redemption. Help us to return His love by making the sacrifices needed to keep his commandments. Most Holy Mother you offered your Divine Son to the Eternal Father when you presented Him in the temple; offer us to the Father as your other children; watch over us and guide us. Blessed Mother, obtain for me the grace I most need, and especially these favors that I ask in this Novena, if they be in keeping with God’s will. Amen.
O Immaculate Virgin Mary, preserved from the slightest stain of sin, and enriched with all the treasures of divine grace, I thank you for the many blessings I have received through your most powerful intercession. You know my needs, my trials, my sufferings. Mother of mercy, I beseech you to hear my prayer, and to obtain for me of your Divine Son the favors I seek in this Novena. (Here make your requests.)

THE MEMORARE: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother; to thee I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen🙏(Add your daily Rosary)

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes Link | https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/novena-to-our-lady-of-lourdes-297

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 2:22–40

“My eyes have seen your salvation”

“When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, He took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”

In today’s Gospel reading, the elderly Simeon and the prophetess Anna both witnessed the coming of the Lord in the form of the little Child, presented there that day at the Temple and House of God. Simeon declares Jesus to be a light to enlighten the pagans, as well as being the glory of Israel. Today’s feast closes the Christmas festival of light. It is a joyful feast and, yet, a shadow is cast over this joyful scene in the Temple in Jerusalem. Having declared the child Jesus to be God’s light to enlighten the pagans and to bring glory to Israel, Simeon goes on to declare that this same child is also destined to be a sign that is rejected. Not everyone will welcome the light that He brings which is why this child, according to Simeon, is destined for the fall and the rising of many in Israel. Some in Israel will stumble over Jesus; others will be lifted up by Him. In the language of the fourth Gospel, ‘the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil’. We are all capable of turning away from the light, the light of God’s love and God’s truth shining through Jesus. We can be more comfortable with lesser lights. Yet, the light of God continues to shine through Jesus, the risen Lord. No amount of human rejection diminishes that light.

Simeon and Anna were both blessed with the gift of recognition or insight. They both recognized the true identity of the child who was carried into the temple by His young parents, Mary and Joseph. Simeon recognized Jesus as the light to enlighten the pagans and as the glory of Israel. Anna recognized Him as the Deliverer for whom people had been waiting. They both went on to proclaim to others what they had come to recognize for themselves.  Their gift of recognition was the fruit of their prayer. Simeon’s response when he met the infant Jesus was to pray; he blessed God. His prayer has become part of the official prayer of the church and is prayed every night by those who pray night prayer. Anna’s response on meeting the child Jesus was to speak about Jesus to others, especially to those who were waiting for God to visit them in a special way. Simeon’s meeting with Jesus and His parents led him to look upwards towards God in prayer; Anna’s meeting with Jesus and His parents led her to look outwards towards others in witness. Simeon and Anna have each something to say to us about how to receive the Lord. We too are called to respond to the Lord’s coming to us as light of the world, in the same two-fold way, in prayer and in witness. We bless God, we thank God, in prayer for the gift of his Son, the light to enlighten all people, and we also allow that light to shine through us before others, by witnessing to the Lord in the way that we live, by what we say and do. The Lord who entered the temple in Jerusalem as the light of the world has entered and is entering all our lives; today we look to Simeon and Anna to show us how best to respond to His gracious coming. Every day we are called by God to keep turning towards this radiant light of Jesus, after the example of Simeon and Anna in the Gospel reading. Today’s feast encourages us to keep presenting ourselves, our hearts, minds and bodies, to the Lord.

In today’s first reading, the Lord spoke to His people through prophet Malachi, who announces that the Lord will one day enter His Temple in Jerusalem as the refiner and purifier of His people, so that their worship will be as the Lord desires it. The Lord spoke of the Covenant which He has established with His people and the Envoy of this Covenant which was coming into the world. This prophecy was often referred to the promise of the coming of the Messiah, the Holy One of God and also His herald, St. John the Baptist. In the context of today’s celebration, we are reminded of the expectation of the coming of the Saviour from the Lord, which the prophets had been proclaiming and reassuring the people of God for ages. The prophet Malachi was one of the last prophets of the Old Testament era, who continued the traditions of the prophets in delivering the words of God to His people. Through his words and ministry, the people kept on waiting patiently for the coming of the Lord’s salvation.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures and rejoice today on this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, let us all also then take note that the Light of Christ has been passed on to us, just as we have the blessing of candles this day, to remind us of the Light of Christ that we all have received at our baptism. All of us have received the Light of the Lord and His Light having been present in us, should be the source of light for this world, for one another. What does this mean? It means that we should be beacons of God’s Light, His truth, love and all the hope which He has brought into our midst, taught and revealed to us. As Christians, all of us have received this truth and share this same knowledge and love of God, and we should therefore be the bearers of His Light in our world today. All of us have to live our lives to the best of our abilities so that we may become source of inspiration and hope for others, and that we may help others to find their way in obeying the Law and the commandments of God. Each and every one of us are parts of the Church’s effort to evangelise and to proclaim the truth of God to more and more of the people all around us, both within and outside the Church. Each one of us are the bearers of His Good News and truth, and through us many people may come to find our way to salvation and eternal life. May the Lord continue to lead and guide us down this path of righteousness. May all of us continue to strive to live our lives as best as we can in showing our faith truly through our every day actions, even in the smallest and the seemingly most insignificant things we do in life. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us the grace to keep our relationship with the Lord to the fore in all we say and do and may all of us continue to be encouraged to live our lives to the fullest, and may the Lord empower all of us to walk in His presence, and to glorify Him, as the beacons of His Light, righteousness, virtues and justice, now and always, forevermore. Amen🙏

Let us pray:

My spiritual Lord, I thank You for the countless ways in which You speak to me day and night in the depths of my own soul. Help me to be always attentive to You and to Your gentle voice as You speak to me. May Your voice and Your voice alone become the guiding direction of my life. May I trust in Your Word and never waver from the mission You have given to me. Jesus, I trust in You ~ Amen🙏

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joseph and Saint Lawrence of Canterbury ~ Pray for us🙏

Thanking God for the gift of this new year and praying for justice, peace, love and unity in our families and our world and for God’s Divine Mercy and Grace upon us all as we begin this Ordinary Time. Wishing all of us a most blessed, safe, healthy, prosperous and grace-filled New Year. Have a blessed, safe and fruitful month of February ~ Amen🙏

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖