SATURDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | AUGUST 1, 2026

SATURDAY OF THE SEVENTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | YEAR A | AUGUST 1, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saturday-of-the-seventeenth-week-in-ordinary-time-year-a-august-1-2026/

SAINTS OF THE DAY | AUGUST 1, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-1st/

FEAST OF SAINT PETER’S CHAINS; SAINT ALPHONSUS  LIGUORI, BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH AND THE SEVEN HOLY MACCABEES, MARTYRS

History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day

Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | August 1, 2026 | “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-august-1-2026/

FIRST FRIDAYS AND FIRST SATURDAYS DEVOTIONS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/02/01/first-fridays-and-first-saturdays-devotions/

FIRST FRIDAYS DEVOTION: https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/03/first-friday-devotion-to-the-sacred-heart-of-jesus/

DAILY PRAYERS: St. Michael the Archangel Prayer; Angelus Prayer; and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/st-michael-the-archangel-prayer-angelus-prayer-and-the-chaplet-of-divine-mercy-prayer-2/

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

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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!

Today, as we joyfully welcome the new month of August, today also marks the First Saturday of the month, a day traditionally dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, inviting us to offer prayers of reparation and to seek her motherly intercession for the world. The Church celebrates the Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time, together with the Feast of Saint Peter’s Chains, the Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, and The Seven Holy Maccabees, Martyrs. In today’s liturgy, Saint John the Baptist and the prophet Jeremiah courageously proclaim God’s truth to earthly powers without fear, demonstrating that unyielding fidelity to God is worth more than life itself. This heroic trust shines through today’s saints, in the broken chains of Saint Peter, reminding us that God liberates us from every spiritual bondage; in Saint Alphonsus Liguori, who dedicated his brilliant mind and pastoral heart to preaching the Gospel to the poor; and in the Seven Holy Maccabees and their mother, who embraced martyrdom rather than compromise God’s holy law. As we step into August, may we stand firm in moral truth, confident in God’s saving help.

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:

Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading

Today’s Bible Readings for Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church | Saturday, August 1, 2026
Reading 1: Jeremiah 26:11-16, 24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34
Gospel: Matthew 14:1-12

Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 14:1-12

“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”

“Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, ‘This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.’ Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’ Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.’ The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.”

SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS

In today’s Gospel, we witness the martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist, who courageously spoke God’s moral truth to power, even when it cost him his freedom and ultimately his life. Herod, driven by human respect, pride, and fear of his guests, compromised his conscience and ordered the execution of a righteous man. John the Baptist’s witness stands as a timeless reminder that standing up for God’s truth requires us to fear God rather than men, trusting that our ultimate reward lies not in human approval, but in the Kingdom of Heaven.

In the First Reading, the prophet Jeremiah faces a deadly trial for delivering God’s call to repentance. When threatened with death by the priests and false prophets, Jeremiah surrenders himself completely to God’s hands while boldly repeating his divine message. God protects His faithful prophet through the intervention of Ahikam.

The Responsorial Psalm echoes this deep trust in times of trial: “Rescue me out of the mire… let your saving help, O God, protect me.” Both readings show us that God never abandons those who stand up for righteousness.

As we step into this new month, today’s scriptures invite us to ask ourselves where we might be compromising our faith out of fear or desire for approval. May we be granted the courage of John the Baptist and Jeremiah to stand firm in moral truth, living with integrity and trusting in God’s saving help.

Lord God, You are our stronghold and defender. As we begin this new month, give us the courage to stand unyielding for Your truth, even in the face of pressure or opposition. Forgive us for the times we have chosen human respect over Your holy law. Protect all who suffer for righteousness’ sake, and strengthen our hearts to remain faithful witnesses to Your Gospel in every circumstance. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽

SAINTS OF THE DAY | AUGUST 1ST:

Link to Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections | August 1st https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com

Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Peter, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, and the Seven Holy Maccabees | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-august-1st/

FEAST OF SAINT PETER’S CHAINS: Also known as Lammas Day (“Loaf Mass”), this feast originated from the dedication of the Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains (San Pietro in Vincoli) in Rome, consecrated on August 1 in the early 5th century. Built under the patronage of Empress Eudoxia to house the chains believed to have bound St. Peter in Jerusalem, the basilica became a place of great veneration. These relics were honored throughout the centuries small filings of the chains were often enclosed in golden crosses or keys and sent to rulers and bishops across Europe. The feast reminds us that God sets His people free not only from literal prison, but from every form of bondage. As St. John Chrysostom once said: “No glittering diadem so adorns the head as a chain borne for Christ.”

PRAYER: O God, who freed Saint Peter from his chains and gave him strength to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, break every chain that binds us, and give us courage to live for You. Amen. 🙏🏾

SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI (1696–1787): Born near Naples to a noble family, Saint Alphonsus was a gifted child who earned a doctorate in law by age 16. After a failed court case shook his conscience, he left his promising legal career and became a priest. He soon founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), dedicated to preaching missions, especially to the poor and forgotten. As bishop of Sant’Agata dei Goti, he combined pastoral care with prolific writing. A master of moral theology, his seminal work Moral Theology charted a compassionate and faithful course between rigorism and laxity. Though he struggled with scrupulosity and debilitating arthritis, his spiritual wisdom deepened. His enduring writings, including The Glories of Mary and The Way of the Cross, remain beloved. Declared a Doctor of the Church, Saint Alphonsus exemplifies courage, intellect, and a heart for the lowly.

Quote: “Realize that you may gain more in a quarter of an hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament than in all other practices of the day.”

PRAYER: Loving Redeemer, through the example and prayers of Saint Alphonsus, enkindle in us zeal for souls and compassion for the weary. May we never compromise truth, and always act with mercy. Amen. 🙏🏾

THE SEVEN HOLY MACCABEES, MARTYRS (2nd Century B.C.): The Seven Holy Maccabees along with their mother were martyred during the reign of King Antiochus IV Epiphanes for refusing to violate Jewish law by eating forbidden meat. Their defiance and unwavering faith in the resurrection gave rise to one of the most heroic stories in the Old Testament (2 Maccabees 7).

Honored uniquely in both Eastern and Western Christianity, these martyrs bore witness to the truth of God’s law centuries before Christ, yet their sacrifice pointed to the coming Messiah. Their relics were brought to Rome and enshrined at San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains), making today’s commemorations deeply intertwined. As St. Gregory Nazianzen reflects: “If already before the passion of Christ they suffered death as martyrs, what heroism would they have shown after Christ, and with His death as a model?”

PRAYER: God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, through the courage of the Maccabees, You showed that true fidelity requires total surrender. Grant us the faith to hold fast to You in every trial. Amen. 🙏🏾

Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Peter, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, and the Seven Holy Maccabees, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saint Peter (St. Peter in Chains), Saint Alphonsus Liguori, and the Seven Holy Maccabees, we also honor: SAINT ALMEDHA, SAINT ARCADIUS, SAINT CHARITY, SAINT DOMINIC VAN HONH DIEU, SAINT ELINED, SAINT ETHELWOLD OF WINCHESTER, SAINT EXUPERIUS OF BAYEUX, SAINT FRIARD, SAINT HOPE, SAINT JONATUS, SAINT JUSTIN, SAINT LEONTIUS, SAINT LEUS, THE BLESSED MARTYRS OF NOWOGRODEK, SAINT MARY THE CONSOLER, SAINT PEREGRINUS, SAINT RIOCH, SAINT SECUNDEL, SAINT SOFIA, BLESSED THOMAS WELBOURNE, AND SAINT VERUS. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.

PRAYER INTENTION: NEW MONTH BLESSINGS, VOCATIONS, AND MORAL COURAGE

Heavenly Father, as we begin this new month of August, we lift our hearts to You in thanksgiving for Your endless mercy and grace. Guide our steps in the days ahead, break every spiritual chain that holds us back, and grant us the moral courage to live faithfully for Your Kingdom. Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Peter, Saint Alphonsus Liguori (Patron of confessors, theologians, and those suffering from arthritis or scrupulosity), and the Seven Holy Maccabees, we lay our petitions before You. We pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life; for moral theologians and confessors; for all who struggle with scrupulosity, arthritis, or chronic pain; and for the sick and dying, especially those suffering from cancer and terminal illnesses. Protect our families with peace and unity, provide for the poor, comfort persecuted Christians, and lead all sinners to conversion. May this new month bring us closer to Your sacred heart. Amen. 🙏🏽

PRAYER FOR PEACE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/a-prayer-for-peace/

THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST: For evangelization in the city
Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness, we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.

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

DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF AUGUST | MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY: August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, inviting us to reflect on her pure love, deep sorrow, and unwavering obedience to God. Her heart, aflame with charity and pierced by suffering, mirrors the life of Christ and calls us to follow Him more closely through her example. This month, the Church encourages us to console her sorrowful heart and grow in holiness through prayers like the Rosary, the Litany of the Immaculate Heart, and the First Saturday Devotion. Through Mary’s heart, we are led ever closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

“O Immaculate Heart of Mary, be our refuge and the way that leads us to God.”

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us and draw us into deeper love and trust in your Son. Amen. 🙏🏽

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/month.cfm?y=2026&m=8

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD
We pray for the repose of the gentle souls of our loved ones and souls of all the faithful departed. 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 🙏🏽

Thanking God for His love and the gift of this glorious day, we offer Him a prayer of gratitude for the graces of the past months and entrust this month of August to His loving providence. We pray for God’s grace and mercy as we anchor ourselves in the steady, life-giving rhythm of Ordinary Time. May the profound mysteries of the Cross, the cleansing power of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, and the enduring fire of the Holy Spirit continue to help us seek You in every moment of our lives. May the peace, hope, and divine communion that flow from the Heart of our Redeemer shape our steps, inform our decisions, and strengthen our resolve to live each day in the light of Christ and the daily guidance of the Advocate. As we journey onward through the rest of this month, may God bless our families and loved ones, and may His light continue to shine brightly in every home. Let us draw closer to God and be renewed through the joy of the Gospel, the gifts of the Spirit, and generosity to the poor. May God keep us all safe and well during these challenging times. Wishing us all a spiritually enriching, most blessed, and grace-filled August ahead. Amen. 🙏🏽

Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary Saint Peter, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, the Seven Holy Maccabees, and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏽

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you! Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽

Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES

A Guide to Catholic Prayer & Faith Resources: Prayers, Devotions, Teachings, and the Liturgical Year | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-prayer-faith-resources/

Catholic Mission & Witness: Foundations, Media Features, Global Outreach and Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-mission-witness-foundations-media-features-and-global-outreach/

Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org/

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