THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

SAINT PROTUS AND HYACINTH, MARTYRS; SAINT PAPHNUTIUS THE GREAT, BISHOP AND SAINT JOHN (JEAN) GABRIEL PERBOYRE, PRIEST AND MARTYR | SEPTEMBER 11TH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Saint Paphnutius the Great, and Saint John Gabriel Perboyre | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-11th/)

MEET THE NEW SAINTS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/canonization-of-carlo-acutis-pier-giorgio-frassati/

SAINT CARLO ACUTIS (1991–2006): a teenager from Milan, passionate about computer science, he used new media to spread the faith and love for the Eucharist. Beatified in 2020, he is a model of digital evangelization. | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-carlo-acutis/

PIER GIORGIO FRASSATI (1901–1925): a young man from Turin, sportsman and mountain enthusiast, he stood out for his charity towards the poor and his joyful witness to the Gospel. Beatified in 1990, he is the patron of young people and students. | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-pier-giorgio-frassati/

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF SORROWS: REMINDER – The 2025 Novena to Our Lady of Sorrows is scheduled to begin on Saturday, September 6, and end on September 14 in preparation for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15th. Novena Link | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/novena-to-our-lady-of-sorrows/

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

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | September 11, 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-187/

JUBILEE OF HOPE 2025: JUBILEE PRAYER | Link to the prayer of the Jubilee of Hope 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/08/the-jubilee-prayer/

Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time.

On this day, please let us pray for the safety and well-being of all service men and women, we also pray for peace in our world. We especially pray for the victims of the September 11th attacks (USA). We 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,  we particularly pray for the repose of the souls of the victims of September 11th attacks (USA) 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.

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

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🙏🏽

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 🙏🏽 ✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯

We joyfully welcome the gift of this month, September! Lord Almighty, we thank You for granting us the grace to see this new beginning, and we entrust every day of this month into Your loving hands. May September be a season of renewal, hope, and abundant blessings for us and our families. We continue to pray for all families and for the safety and well-being of children all over the world, especially those beginning the new school year. Bless those who will celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, new opportunities, and milestones this month, and be near to those who carry heavy burdens in their hearts.

Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary on this special Feast Day, 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 🙏🏾

On this feast day, through the intercession of the Saints we celebrate today, we humbly pray for the poor 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 those who fight for truth, peace, justice, love, and unity in our families and our world. May God protect us all and keep us safe and united in peace, love and faith. 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 Ordinary Time. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of September. 🙏🏽

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

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

PRAYER FOR THE BEGINNING OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/prayer-for-the-beginning-of-a-new-school-year/

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:

Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings: Thursday of the Twenty-third Week in Ordinary Time | September 11, 2025
Reading 1: Colossians 3:12–17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 150:1b–2, 3–4, 5–6
Gospel: Luke 6:27–38

Gospel Reading ~ Luke 6:27–38

“To you who hear I say, love your enemies; Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”

“Jesus said to His disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

Today’s Gospel is one of the most radical and challenging pieces of the teachings of Jesus: we are to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, pray for those who treat us badly, to give to others without any hope or expectation of a return, not to condemn but to forgive others. This was no more the normal way of relating to people in the time of Jesus than it is today. This commandment overturns every instinct for revenge, self-defense, and self-preservation. It challenges us to respond to hatred with goodness, to curses with blessings, and to mistreatment with prayer. Jesus does not simply ask for tolerance, He calls us to an active and generous love, even toward those who harm us. This way of love is not natural, it is divine. When we forgive, bless, and give without expecting repayment, we reflect the heart of the Father, who “is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” Christian love must go beyond human logic, reaching toward the mercy of God Himself. The Lord reminds us that mercy, generosity, and forgiveness are not optional but are the marks of true children of God. The measure we use for others will be measured back to us; therefore, our hearts must overflow with the same compassion that Christ has shown us.

The calling of the Gospel reading today is very demanding. More fundamental even that this high ideal of how we are to relate to others is how God relates to us. We are to relate to others in all these ways because that is how God relates to us. As the Gospel reading says, God is merciful and compassionate; He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. God has loved us in an extraordinary way in the person of Jesus and we are to relate to each other out of that tremendous grace that we have been given. The Gospel reading also declares that in giving as we have received, we open our hearts to receive even more from God. ‘Give, and there will be gifts for you’. We give out of what we have received and our giving opens us up to receive even more.

In the first reading, St. Paul gives us a spiritual wardrobe: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Over all these, he tells us to “put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” Just as clothing is visible, so too must these virtues be visible in our daily lives. The peace of Christ should govern our hearts, shaping our decisions and interactions. Gratitude is also central; Paul reminds us to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, expressed in prayer, song, and thanksgiving. Whatever we do in word or deed must be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the psalm bursts with pure praise: “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!” Praise is the natural response to God’s goodness. Whether with music, song, or simple gratitude, every aspect of life should glorify Him. True praise rises from a thankful heart and draws us into communion with the Creator.

As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, we are called to examine our own lives: Do I truly love my enemies and forgive those who hurt me, or do I hold grudges? Do I measure others with harsh judgment or with mercy? Am I clothing myself daily with compassion, humility, and patience, as St. Paul teaches? And above all, does my life radiate thanksgiving and praise to God in everything I do? As disciples of Christ, we are called not only to love those who love us but to go further to love as God loves. This radical mercy is not weakness but strength, for it is in forgiving, blessing, and giving that we become true children of the Most High. Let us live today clothed in compassion, guided by Christ’s peace, and filled with praise for the God who first loved us. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace as we remain steadfast in faith and continue to serve Him in spirit and in truth. 🙏🏽

Heavenly Father, Your Son has shown us the way of perfect love, a love that forgives, blesses, and gives without measure. Clothe us with compassion, humility, and patience, and fill our hearts with Your peace. Teach us to love even those who hurt us, to forgive without limit, and to live each day with gratitude. May our words and actions reflect the mercy we have received from You, so that our lives may overflow with praise to Your holy name. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

MEMORIAL OF SAINTS PROTUS AND HYACINTH, MARTYRS; SAINT PAPHNUTIUS THE GREAT, BISHOP; AND SAINT JOHN (JEAN) GABRIEL PERBOYRE, PRIEST AND MARTYR ~ FEAST DAY: SEPTEMBER 11TH: Today, the Church honors four holy witnesses of Christ: Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Martyrs (Roman brothers who chose death rather than deny Christ), Saint Paphnutius the Great, Bishop (a disciple of St. Anthony of the Desert, a confessor of the faith, and defender of orthodoxy at the Council of Nicaea), and Saint John (Jean) Gabriel Perboyre, Priest and Martyr (a Vincentian missionary to China, betrayed and executed for the faith). Through their intercession, we pray for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancer and terminal illness, for the poor and needy, and for the souls in Purgatory. We also lift up prayers for peace in our families and world, for persecuted Christians, for the Church and her shepherds, and for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. May these saints strengthen us to remain steadfast in faith, courageous in trials, and merciful in love. 🙏🏾

Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | September 11th | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

(Direct link to the detailed history of Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Saint Paphnutius the Great, and Saint John Gabriel Perboyre | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-september-11th/)

SAINTS PROTUS AND HYACINTH, MARTYRS (d. 3rd century): Saints Protus and Hyacinth were Roman brothers and servants of St. Eugenia, a noblewoman who had converted to Christianity. After their baptism, they dedicated themselves to prayer and Scripture, living for a time as hermits in Egypt before returning to Rome. During Emperor Gallienus’ persecution (257–259), they were arrested with St. Eugenia. Refusing to deny Christ, they endured severe beatings and were beheaded for their faith. Their relics were later discovered in the Catacombs, and Pope St. Damasus honored their memory as courageous witnesses of the Gospel.

Reflection: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

PRAYER: O God, who crowned Your holy martyrs Protus and Hyacinth with the glory of eternal life, grant that through their prayers we may hold fast to our faith with courage and joy, and so be worthy of everlasting union with You. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT PAPHNUTIUS THE GREAT, BISHOP (4th century): A disciple of St. Anthony of the Desert, St. Paphnutius embraced the monastic life in Egypt before being ordained bishop of the Upper Thebaid. Under Emperor Maximinus, he was tortured for his faith his right eye was gouged out, his leg maimed, and he was condemned to hard labor in the mines. Surviving persecution, he became a revered confessor of the faith. At the Council of Nicaea (325), he defended the divinity of Christ against Arian heresy and upheld the Church’s ancient discipline regarding married clergy. Known for his wisdom and steadfast orthodoxy, he remained a strong defender of Christian truth alongside St. Athanasius. His feast is kept on September 11th.

PRAYER: Lord, through the steadfast witness of St. Paphnutius, strengthen us to defend the truth of the faith with courage and charity. May his prayers help us to endure trials with hope and remain faithful to Christ in all things. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT JOHN (JEAN) GABRIEL PERBOYRE, PRIEST AND MARTYR (1802–1840): Born in France, St. John Gabriel Perboyre was a Vincentian priest known for his holiness and dedication to formation of seminarians. Long desiring to serve in the missions, he was sent to China in 1835. There he ministered with zeal but was betrayed by a catechumen during a persecution. His Passion mirrored Christ’s: betrayed for silver, bound, flogged, and dragged before tribunals. On September 11, 1840, he was executed by strangulation while bound to a cross. Canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 1996, he is honored as the first canonized saint of China.

PRAYER: O God, who granted St. John Gabriel Perboyre strength to endure suffering for the sake of Christ, grant us, through his intercession, the grace to remain faithful in trials and to proclaim Your love to the ends of the earth. Amen. 🙏🏾

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Saint Paphnutius the Great, and Saint John Gabriel Perboyre ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾

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

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 SEPTEMBER: For our relationship with all of creation. Let us pray that, inspired by Saint Francis, we might experience our interdependence with all creatures who are loved by God and worthy of love and respect.

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

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER | MONTH OF OUR LADY OF SORROWS: September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, inviting us to unite our hearts with Mary in her profound sharing of Christ’s Passion. As Simeon foretold, “a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35), and throughout her life Mary endured deep sorrows that culminated at Calvary. In her silent strength and unwavering faith, she became the compassionate Mother of all Christians, offering her suffering with Christ for the salvation of the world.

This month, the Church calls us to meditate on the Seven Sorrows of Mary: Simeon’s prophecy, the Flight into Egypt, the loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple, meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary, standing at the foot of the Cross, receiving His lifeless Body, and placing Him in the tomb. By reflecting on these sorrows, we learn patience in trials, compassion for the suffering, and a deeper love for Jesus who suffered for us.

Prayers such as the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows, the Rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, and the Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows help us to walk with Mary in her suffering and to discover hope and consolation in her maternal heart.

“Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, teach us to stand with you at the Cross, sharing in Christ’s love and redemptive sacrifice.”

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us. Amen 🙏🏾

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

PRAYER INTENTIONS: Heavenly Father, today we give You thanks for the witness of Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Saint Paphnutius the Great, and Saint John Gabriel Perboyre, who remained steadfast in faith and love even in the face of suffering and death. Through their intercession, we pray for all who endure persecution and hardship because of their faith, that they may be strengthened by Your Spirit. We lift up families and communities, asking that they be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience as St. Paul teaches us. We remember the sick and dying, especially those carrying heavy crosses, and we pray for peace in our world, reconciliation among divided peoples, and the conversion of hearts to forgiveness and mercy, as Christ calls us to love even our enemies.

LET US PRAY:

My merciful Lord, Your love is beyond my own ability to comprehend. Your love is absolute and always seeks the good of the other. Give me grace, dear Lord, to love with Your heart and to forgive to the extent that You have forgiven. Use me, especially, to be an instrument of salvation and mercy to those who need it most in my life. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽

Lord God, source of all love and mercy, help us to live according to the Gospel command to love without limits, forgive without measure, and serve with humility. As You filled Your saints with courage and charity, so fill us with Your grace, that we may radiate Your peace and bear witness to Christ in word and deed. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints we honor today, may we persevere in faith and grow in holiness, until we share eternal joy in Your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Saint Paphnutius the Great, and Saint John Gabriel Perboyre ~ 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 during this gentle rhythm of Ordinary Time, may our hearts remain open to the quiet working of the Holy Spirit who continues to guide, renew, and strengthen us each day. May this new month be filled with blessings, safety, and the quiet joy that comes from knowing that Christ walks with us always. Alleluia! Have a blessed, safe and grace-filled Thursday and a fulfilling month of September🙏🏽

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 | https://youtu.be/gB31nuOFx0A?si=mSoZs-wiByhGs

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