WEDNESDAY OF THE THIRTY-FIRST WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME | NOVEMBER 4, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/wednesday-of-the-thirty-first-week-in-ordinary-time-november-4-2026/
SAINTS OF THE DAY | NOVEMBER 4, 2026 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-november-4th/
MEMORIAL OF SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO, BISHOP AND SAINTS VITALIS AND AGRICOLA, MARTYRS
HISTORY OF THE SAINTS SERIES ON YOUTUBE CHANNEL | https://www.youtube.com/@dailyreflectionswithphilomena
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History of the Saints | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | November 4, 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-november-4-2026/
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Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop, alongside Saints Vitalis and Agricola, Martyrs. Saint Charles Borromeo, though born into aristocratic wealth, emptied himself of worldly luxury to become a shepherd of self-sacrificing charity—selling everything he owned to feed and heal the plague-stricken of Milan. His heroic witness perfectly embodies today’s Gospel, where Jesus calls His disciples to carry their cross and renounce all earthly attachments to follow Him. In the First Reading, Saint Paul exhorts us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, shining like lights in the world without grumbling or questioning. As Saint Charles Borromeo and the martyrs Vitalis and Agricola calculated the cost and laid down their lives for Christ, let us also surrender our self-will so that the Lord may truly be our light and our salvation.
BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY’S HOLY MASS:
Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop | Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Reading 1: Philippians 2:12-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
Gospel: Luke 14:25-33
Gospel Reading ~ Luke 14:25-33
“Everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.”
“Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, ‘If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, “This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.” Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms. In the same way, everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.'”
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS
Today’s readings call us to count the total cost of Christian discipleship, demanding a radical, wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ above every earthly bond, ambition, or security. In the Gospel, as great crowds follow Him, Jesus turns to clarify the true demands of discipleship. Using stark Semitic hyperbole (“hating” family and one’s own life in comparison to love for Him), Jesus reveals that no relationship or material possession can take precedence over our devotion to God. Through the parables of the tower builder and the king preparing for battle, He urges us to sit down, calculate the cost, and willingly pick up our daily cross to follow Him, renouncing all self-centered attachments.
This deliberate work of discipleship is mirrored in the First Reading, where Saint Paul encourages the Philippians: “work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.” True Christian living is not passive; it requires active obedience, done without grumbling or questioning, so that we may shine like bright lights in a dark world. When we surrender our lives completely and make the Lord our refuge, we experience the profound peace of the Responsorial Psalm: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?”
Today, let us examine what attachments or reservations are preventing us from giving our entire heart to Christ. Are we trying to build our spiritual life without calculating the cost of surrendering our self-will?
How can you carry your cross today by renouncing a self-serving desire or preference so that Christ’s light may shine more brightly through your life?
Heavenly Father, we thank You for calling us into the noble discipline of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive us for the times we have hesitated, grumbled, or allowed material possessions and human attachments to compete with Your rightful place in our hearts. Grant us the grace and courage to calculate the cost, pick up our daily cross, and renounce all that hinders our salvation. Work within us both to desire and to accomplish what pleases You, so that we may shine as lights in the world for Your glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINTS OF THE DAY | 4TH:
Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Charles Borromeo and Saints Vitalis and Agricola | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saints-of-the-day-feast-day-november-4th/
SAINT CHARLES BORROMEO, BISHOP: Saint Charles Borromeo (1538–1584) was the Cardinal-Archbishop of Milan and a monumental figure of the Counter-Reformation. Born into a wealthy aristocratic Italian family, he enjoyed a lavish youth before surrendering his status to serve God. During the devastating plagues and famines in Milan, he demonstrated heroic charity—selling his personal possessions and furniture to feed tens of thousands daily, personally ministering to the sick and dying, and sleeping on bare boards. Surviving an assassination attempt while kneeling at prayer, he exhausted his life reforming the clergy, establishing seminaries, and founding institutions for religious education. He was canonized in 1610 and is the patron saint of bishops, seminarians, catechists, catechumens, spiritual directors, and those suffering from stomach diseases, ulcers, colic, and intestinal disorders.
PRAYER: God, maintain in Your people that spirit with which You inspired Your Bishop, St. Charles, so that Your Church may be constantly renewed, conforming herself to Christ and manifesting Christ to the world. Amen. 🙏🏽
SAINTS VITALIS AND AGRICOLA, MARTYRS: Saints Vitalis and Agricola (d. c. 304 A.D.) were early Christian martyrs of Bologna who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. Agricola was a wealthy citizen who converted his slave, Vitalis, to Christianity, forming a deep bond of spiritual brotherhood. Vitalis was arrested first and endured brutal tortures in the amphitheater without renouncing his faith until he died in prayer. Strengthened by his slave’s courageous witness, Agricola withstood all threats and promises, ultimately being crucified for Christ. Their bodies were discovered in 393 A.D. in the presence of Saint Ambrose.
PRAYER: Lord God, You united master and servant in the glorious crown of martyrdom. Through the intercession of Saints Vitalis and Agricola, give us the grace to stand firm in our faith and live in true Christian unity. Amen. 🙏🏽
Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Charles Borromeo and Saints Vitalis and Agricola ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾
HONORING THE SAINTS OF THE DAY:
Alongside Saint Charles Borromeo and Saints Vitalis and Agricola (Saint Vitalis), we also honor: SAINT BIRRSTAN, SAINT CLARUS, SAINT JOANNICUS OF MOUNT OLYMPUS, BLESSED MARTHA LE BOUTEILLER, SAINT MODESTA, SAINTS NICANDER AND HERMAS, SAINT PERPETUA, SAINTS PHILOLOGUS AND PATROBAS, SAINT PIERIUS, AND SAINT PORPHYRIUS. May their faithful lives inspire our own journey today.
PRAYER INTENTION: FOR BISHOPS, SEMINARIANS, CATECHISTS, THOSE SUFFERING FROM STOMACH AND INTESTINAL ILLNESSES, AND WHOLEHEARTED DISCIPLESHIP
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the radiant witness of Saint Charles Borromeo and Saints Vitalis and Agricola. Through the intercession of Saint Charles, patron of bishops, seminarians, catechists, catechumens, and spiritual directors, shower Your divine grace upon all Church leaders and teachers, that they may guide Your flock with holy firmness and pastoral charity. Reach out Your healing hand to all who suffer from stomach diseases, ulcers, colic, and intestinal disorders, granting them relief and strength. Lord, give us the grace to count the cost of true discipleship today; help us to pick up our daily cross, renounce our selfish attachments, and shine as blameless lights in our generation for Your glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, Saint Charles Borromeo, Saints Vitalis and Agricola and all the Saints we celebrate today ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾
THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2026: FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER: For the proper use of wealth. Let us pray for the proper use of wealth, that not succumbing to the temptation of selfishness, it may always be put at the service of the common good and solidarity of those who have less.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER | MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS: November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, a month of prayerful remembrance for all the faithful departed who await the joy of Heaven. The Church calls us to intercede for them through our prayers, sacrifices, and Masses, trusting in God’s mercy to purify their souls and welcome them into eternal light. These souls, known as the Church Suffering, are united with the Church Triumphant in Heaven and the Church Militant on earth, one communion of love bound together in Christ.
This devotion is beautifully expressed in the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) on November 2, which follows the Solemnity of All Saints on November 1. As the liturgical year draws to a close, the Church invites us to reflect on eternity, on the hope of resurrection and the promise of Heaven. Each prayer offered for the departed becomes an act of mercy that brings comfort to their souls and strengthens our own journey toward holiness.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.” 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena đź’–
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/
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/
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org/
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
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