FRIDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 30, 2025
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOAN OF ARC, VIRGIN AND SAINT DYMPHNA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Joan of Arc and Saint Dymphna| https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-may-30th/)
NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: Prayed in preparation for Pentecost. Beginning Today, Friday, May 30, 2025 (link below): Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts | EWTN | The novena – May 30- June 7, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-novena-to-the-holy-spirit/
Day One – Friday, May 30, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-novena-to-the-holy-spirit-day-1/
[This Novena begins on the day after the Solemnity of the Ascension, Friday of the 6th Week of Easter, even if the Solemnity of the Ascension is transferred to the 7th Sunday.]
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | May 30, 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-87/
Greetings beloved family and Happy Friday of the sixth Week of Easter!
We thank God for the gift of life and particularly pray for all those who celebrate their birthdays in the month of May. We also pray for all those graduating during this season. May the good Lord bless and favor them, direct their path and grant them good health of body and mind. Amen 🙏🏽
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 and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Easter🙏🏽
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, safe and blessed 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 🙏🏽
As we continue our journey in faith, today we honor two remarkable women whose lives bore courageous witness to truth, purity, and divine mission. We remember Saint Joan of Arc (Patroness of France, captives, and soldiers), the courageous young maiden who led armies by divine prompting and died a martyr’s death for her fidelity to God’s call. We also commemorate Saint Dymphna (Patroness of those with mental illness, emotional disorders, and victims of incest), who suffered martyrdom while protecting her purity and standing firm against evil. On this shared memorial, we lift our hearts in prayer for all soldiers and military personnel, for prisoners and the wrongly accused, for the mentally ill, the poor, and the suffering. May these two powerful intercessors bring consolation, healing, and peace to all in need.
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, Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter | Friday, May 30, 2025
Reading 1, Acts 18:9-18
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 47:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Gospel, John 16:20-23
Gospel Reading ~ John 16:20–23
“You will grieve, but your grief will become joy”
“Jesus said to His disciples:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices; you will grieve, but your grief will become joy. When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. So you also are now in anguish. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.”
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gently prepares His disciples for the sorrow that will come with His Passion. He compares their future grief to a woman in labor deep anguish that transforms into overwhelming joy once the child is born. This metaphor not only comforts the disciples but also reveals a profound truth of Christian life: sorrow is never the final word. Pain is not meaningless; it is often the birth canal through which God brings forth new life, deeper faith, and lasting joy. Christ does not sugarcoat the hardships. “You will weep and mourn,” He says plainly. But He also offers hope: “I will see you again.” That promise changes everything. Joy, in this context, is not a temporary emotion it is the unshakable gladness that comes from knowing the risen Christ. It is a joy rooted in eternal love, beyond the reach of the world’s fleeting pleasures and passing sufferings.
In the First Reading, the Lord speaks to Paul in a vision during his mission in Corinth, saying: “Do not be afraid… for I am with you.” These words echo the reassurance of Christ in the Gospel. Even when opposition arises and Paul is brought before the tribunal, God’s promise sustains him. Though the Jewish leaders conspire and stir hostility, Paul is not harmed. God raises up unexpected defenders even a Roman official, Gallio, who refuses to condemn Paul over religious disputes. God’s providence works even through secular powers to protect His mission. St. Paul’s courage is also fortified by community: Priscilla and Aquila accompany him, and he remains committed, even taking a vow before departing. Like the laboring woman in Jesus’ parable, Paul endures many trials, yet never loses sight of the joy set before him the growth of the Church and the fulfillment of God’s plan.
Reflecting on the Responsorial Psalm, the Psalm bursts forth with exultation: “God is king of all the earth!” It reminds us that even in moments of suffering, God reigns. Our trials may cloud our sight, but they cannot dethrone our King. “Sing praise to our king, sing praise!” becomes not just a call to worship, but a weapon of faith that pierces the darkness with song.
Am I willing to endure temporary sorrow for the sake of lasting joy? When life brings spiritual labor pains suffering, doubt, or loss do I trust that something new is being born in my soul? Do I remember that Jesus sees me, accompanies me, and will return to my heart again and again with the gift of His peace? In my trials, do I ask the Father boldly in Jesus’ name, trusting that He hears me?
As we reflect on the words of the Sacred Scriptures today, let it be a reminder that suffering in Christ always leads to transformation. Like St. Paul, remain steadfast. Like the disciples, believe that your sorrow will become joy. As you walk through the trials of life, remember: the Lord sees you, strengthens you, and is with you. Do not be afraid. Praise God through the pain. May God in His infinite grace and mercy, grant us His grace as we await His joy with faith, and carry His promise into the world with courage and hope. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus, You know the sorrows that weigh heavily on our hearts. Thank You for reminding us that our pain is not wasted. You transform our grief into joy, just as You turned the Cross into Resurrection. Help us to hold onto Your promises in times of darkness, and to remain confident that You walk with us in every season. May we ask boldly in Your name and praise joyfully, knowing that our joy in You cannot be taken away. Amen. 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT JOAN OF ARC, VIRGIN AND SAINT DYMPHNA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR ~ FEAST DAY: MAY 30TH: As we continue our journey in faith, today we honor two remarkable women whose lives bore courageous witness to truth, purity, and divine mission. We remember Saint Joan of Arc (Patroness of France, captives, and soldiers), the courageous young maiden who led armies by divine prompting and died a martyr’s death for her fidelity to God’s call. We also commemorate Saint Dymphna (Patroness of those with mental illness, emotional disorders, and victims of incest), who suffered martyrdom while protecting her purity and standing firm against evil. On this shared memorial, we lift our hearts in prayer for all soldiers and military personnel, for prisoners and the wrongly accused, for the mentally ill, the poor, and the suffering. May these two powerful intercessors bring consolation, healing, and peace to all in need.
Saint(s) of the Day with Daily Reflections | May 30th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Joan of Arc and Saint Dymphna | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-may-30th/ )
SAINT JOAN OF ARC, VIRGIN: Born in 1412 in Domrémy, France, during the turbulent Hundred Years’ War, Joan of Arc, nicknamed “The Maid of Orléans,” was a humble farm girl raised in deep piety. From the age of thirteen, she began receiving visions and heavenly voices from St. Michael the Archangel, St. Margaret of Antioch, and St. Catherine of Alexandria, calling her to support the rightful king and liberate France from English domination.
Despite resistance, Joan courageously sought an audience with Charles VII, and after gaining his trust, she led French forces to significant victories, including the lifting of the siege of Orléans in 1429. Clad in armor but bearing the names Jesus and Mary on her banner, she marched into battle with faith as her shield and became a symbol of hope and national pride. Captured by the Burgundians in 1430 and abandoned by her king, Joan was handed over to the English and subjected to a sham ecclesiastical trial under Bishop Pierre Cauchon. She was falsely accused of heresy, witchcraft, and dressing like a man. Though she remained steadfast in her mission and devotion, Joan was condemned and burned at the stake on May 30, 1431, at the age of 19. Her final words were prayers to Jesus, her eyes fixed on a crucifix. In 1456, her trial was annulled, declaring her innocent. She was beatified in 1909 by Pope Pius X and canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. Today, she stands as one of France’s greatest heroines and a radiant model of courage, purity, and trust in divine providence.
Quotes of Saint Joan of Arc:
“About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know that they are just one thing, and we shouldn’t complicate the matter.”
“If I be not in a state of grace, I pray God place me in it; if I be in it, I pray God keep me so.”
PRAYER: O God, who raised up Saint Joan to defend faith and country, grant that through her intercession we may remain steadfast in Your will and always courageous in our witness. Amen.🙏🏽
SAINT DYMPHNA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR: Saint Dymphna lived in 7th-century Ireland, the daughter of a pagan chieftain, Damon, and a devout Christian mother. From a young age, Dymphna consecrated her virginity to Christ and was raised in the light of the Gospel. After her mother’s death, her father’s grief took a tragic turn. In his madness and sin, he resolved to marry Dymphna due to her striking resemblance to her mother. In horror and faith, Dymphna fled with her confessor, Fr. Gerebernus, and companions across the sea to Gheel, Belgium, where they lived in hiding and prayerful simplicity. When her father tracked her down, he executed Fr. Gerebernus and, upon her continued refusal, beheaded Dymphna himself, enraged and possessed by evil. She was only 15 years old and received the crown of martyrdom defending her chastity and faith.
Miracles soon followed at the site of her death. A chapel built in her honor became a place of healing for those suffering from epilepsy, mental illness, and emotional distress. To this day, Gheel remains a center of psychiatric care rooted in Christian charity, where St. Dymphna is invoked as a powerful intercessor.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, You chose St. Dymphna as a witness of purity and a protector of those afflicted in mind and spirit. Through her prayers, bring healing and peace to all who suffer, especially those we name in our hearts. Grant them comfort, courage, and the grace of Your divine will. Amen. 🙏🏽
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joan of Arc and Saint Dymphna ~ 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: As we reflect on today’s Gospel, where Jesus assures us that our sorrow will turn into joy, and as we witness Paul’s perseverance in his mission despite trials, we pray for all those who are facing intense suffering especially those burdened by mental illness, fear, spiritual attacks, or persecution for their beliefs. May they be comforted with divine strength and be filled with hope. Through the courageous intercession of Saint Joan of Arc, who stood firm in her convictions amidst adversity, and Saint Dymphna, the gentle protector of those battling mental and emotional distress, may all who are suffering be granted healing, peace, and unwavering faith in God’s providence.
LET US PRAY
My glorious Lord, You endured Your passion with perfect virtue. You never wavered from fulfilling the will of the Father, and the fruit of Your perseverance was the glory of the Resurrection. Please help me to patiently endure the crosses in my life and give me hope to see that from them You will bring forth the good fruit of eternal joy. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen 🙏🏽
Lord Jesus Christ, You who turn mourning into dancing and sorrow into joy, we bring before You all those who are weary in spirit, anxious in heart, or suffering in silence. Through the example of Saint Paul’s bold witness, may we, too, be fearless in proclaiming Your truth. May the valiant courage of Saint Joan of Arc and the compassionate tenderness of Saint Dymphna inspire us to be brave in affliction and tender with those who struggle. Grant us the grace to trust in Your promises and to remain faithful in every trial. Amen. 🙏🏽
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Joan of Arc and Saint Dymphna ~ 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 Friday 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 Friday and joyful Sixth Week of Easter and relaxing weekend 🙏🏽
