Our Lady of Fatima

08/25/2026

Today’s message from Pope Leo XIV

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

"The primacy of divine love implies that human action is carried out not for self-interest or reward, but as a manifestation of a love that transcends ritual norms and find expression in authentic worship. To serve one’s neighbor is to love God through deeds."

Pope Leo XIV

08/25/2026

Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Matthew 23:23–26
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus forcefully calls the Pharisees (and us) to change their hearts and behavior.

St. Augustine defines sin as incurvatus in se—that means “caved in around oneself.” To be in sin is to be “caved in” around the ego and its narrow concerns. When the Lord says, “Reform your life,” he means move from that old mind and make him the center of your life.

We must know and feel in our bones what is wrong in us; we must look it in the face and acknowledge it with uncompromising honesty. Without this journey into our own inner hell, we will not feel the compunction to shift our way of being and seeing. And we must awaken to what is godlike in us, what is rich and unbroken, what is united with the saving designs of God. Without this clear sense, we will fall into complacency and see metanoia as, at best, a cruel illusion.

08/25/2026

A Cause of Murmuring

Meditation:
My daughter, I have something to tell you. I replied, “Speak, Jesus, for I thirst for Your words.” It displeases Me that, because the sisters were murmuring, you did not ask to have Father Andrasz hear your confession in your cell. Know that, because of this, you gave them even greater cause for murmuring. Very humbly I begged the Lord’s forgiveness. O my Master, rebuke me; do not overlook my faults, and do not let me err (Diary, 1460).

My Prayer Response:
Lord, help me not to be a cause of murmuring among my family and friends nor react to their murmuring. May I avoid offending You and be quick to beg Your forgiveness when I sin.

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

👑 Feast Day of Saint Louis IX, King of France 👑
August 25

Today, the Church honors Saint Louis (King Louis IX of France), a remarkable monarch who proved that true royalty is found in humility, justice, and absolute devotion to God. He famously balanced his heavy political responsibilities with deep personal holiness, frequent prayer, and profound charity toward the poor.

✨ A Few Facts About His Holy Life:

Justice & Charity: Known for his legendary fairness as a ruler, he personally administered justice to his people and fed scores of the poor and afflicted every day.

Builder of Faith: He commissioned the construction of the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle in Paris to house precious relics of the Passion, including the Crown of Thorns.

Defender of the Cross: Deeply devoted to Christ, he led the Seventh and Eighth Crusades and ultimately died of illness during campaign in North Africa.

May Saint Louis inspire leaders, parents, and all the faithful to lead lives rooted in integrity, compassion, and unwavering faith.

🙏 Saint Louis, King of France, pray for us!

08/25/2026

Saint of the Day (Morning Offering, The Catholic Company)
St Genesius Of Rome
Patron Saint of: Actors, comedians, and musicians
Feast Day: August 25

St. Genesius of Rome (d. 303 AD) was a renowned actor and playwright, the leader of a popular acting troupe during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. When the Emperor was killing Christians, Genesius wrote plays to mock them and expose their secret rites to ridicule. To research for a play mocking baptism, he went to a priest pretending to desire the sacraments and was fully instructed as a catechumen. Genesius prepared his play and instructed the other actors in their parts. On performance day the Emperor was present. Genesius played the lead character seeking baptism, and the rite was performed in such a ludicrous manner that all present laughed. As the water was poured over Genesius' head by an actor playing the priest's part, Genesius saw a vision of the heavens opened and the hand of God touching him. He also saw an angel who showed him that his many sins had been washed away through the valid baptism he had just received. At that moment Genesius' heart was changed by the Holy Spirit and he believed in the truth of Christianity. At the conclusion of the play Genesius boldly declared his new faith, recounting how he had been a scoffer until that moment. He implored the audience, including the Emperor, to follow Christ. The crowd thought this was part of the performance, but once they understood it was real, Genesius was seized. The Emperor, furious, subjected him to cruel tortures daily to make him renounce his faith in Christ. Genesius staunchly refused and was beheaded. The Christians collected his body and buried him with the other martyrs. St. Genesius is the patron saint of comedians, dancers, actors, musicians, printers, and torture victims. His feast day is August 25th.

08/25/2026

Thoughts on Today's Gospel (Morning Offering, The Catholic Company)

“He rebukes them also, because having a certain boasting of useless affectation, they abandon the ministry of the most useful things. Therefore, the first thing to be careful of is the brightness of the inner conscience” (Saint Hilary of Poitiers)

“The good news is that He is willing to cleanse us, the good news is that we are not finished yet, that as good disciples we are on the way” (Francis)

“Truth as uprightness in human action and speech is called truthfulness, sincerity, or candor. Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 2468)

08/25/2026

Quote of the Day (Morning Offering, The Catholic Company)

08/25/2026

Today's Meditation (Morning Offering, The Catholic Company)

"God will forgive you if you ask him to. Though your sins be numerous as the grains of sand on the shore, God’s merciful forgiveness is far greater than your sins. Do not be afraid. Trust in his love. Repent of your sins without delay and return to the house of the Father. He is waiting for you. "

Patrick Madrid

08/25/2026

Tuesday of the Twenty-first Week in Ordinary Time
8/25/26

Gospel
Matthew 23:23-26
Jesus said:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You pay tithes of mint and dill and cu**in,
and have neglected the weightier things of the law:
judgment and mercy and fidelity.
But these you should have done, without neglecting the others.
Blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel!“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.
You cleanse the outside of cup and dish,
but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.
Blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup,
so that the outside also may be clean.”