Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Septuagesima

Week

Week 1 of Septuagesima

Rank

Feast

Septuagesima is the penitential pre-Lenten season that prepares hearts for Lent through Scripture, prayer, and simpler observance. A celebration ranked “Double” in the older liturgical system means this feast has a clear place in the liturgy: it is observed with particular prayers and proper readings, but it does not override the principal Sundays or the penitential character of the season. No octave or vigil is indicated for this day, so the observance is for the day itself.

Introit (Daily Prayer)

Sir 45:30
The Lord made a covenant of friendship with him, and made him a prince; that he should possess the dignity of priesthood forever. (Alléluia, alléluia.)
Ps. 131:1
Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness.
Glory Be to the Father…

Commemoration St. Dorothy
We who have been refreshed by the richness of Your divine sacrament beseech You, O Lord our God, that through the intercession of blessed Dorothy, Your Virgin and Martyr, we may forevermore abide in its participation.
Through our Lord…

Weekly Prayer

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Weekly Formation

Idolatry, Sorcery, and Faithfulness

The Works of the Flesh

Idolatry
Idolatry gives a creature, image, power, or human good the worship or absolute trust owed to God alone. It is a work of the flesh because it turns the heart from the Creator toward something finite and makes that created thing the governing object of life.
Sorcery
Sorcery seeks hidden power, knowledge, or control through occult practices rather than through God’s providence and lawful means. It violates faith by appealing to spiritual powers apart from God and can involve superstition, deception, or direct openness to evil.

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Faithfulness
Faithfulness is steadfast reliability toward God and toward rightful human commitments. It makes belief, promises, duties, and relationships stable rather than subject to convenience, mood, or pressure.

Saint & Feast

Principal celebration

Titus

St. Titus, Bishop and Confessor

early Christian missionary and church leader

Born: 0013-00-00 · Crete
Died: 0107-00-00 · Gortyn

Titus was an early Christian missionary and church leader, a companion and disciple of Paul the Apostle, mentioned in several of the Pauline epistles including the Epistle to Titus. He is believed to be a Gentile converted to Christianity by Paul and, according to tradition, he was consecrated as Bishop of the Island of Crete.

Learn more about Titus

Commemoration

Customs & Fasting

No traditional fast · Complete abstinence

Traditional Friday complete abstinence.

Today in Church History

Erection of the Diocese of Manila (1579)
1579Founding
The Diocese of Manila was established by Pope Gregory XIII on February 6, 1579, but the formal erection of the diocese and the appointment of Domingo de Salazar as its first bishop occurred later. The establishment marked a significant expansion of the Catholic Church in Asia, reflecting the Church's commitment to evangelization in the Philippines.
The establishment of new dioceses reminds us of the Church's mission to spread the Gospel and nurture faith in diverse cultures.

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism teaches that God’s omnipotence is central to our faith: his power is universal, loving, and shown in his fatherly care for us. As families, we can find hope in knowing that nothing is impossible for God, who rules the universe and governs history with wisdom and justice, even when suffering and evil test our faith. In the voluntary humiliation and Resurrection of Christ, God reveals his power by conquering evil; and in our weakness, faith draws us to Christ’s power. Like the Virgin Mary, we are invited to trust that nothing is impossible with God. God also shows his almighty power through mercy, forgiving our sins and restoring us to friendship with him by grace.

¶ 269

The Holy Scriptures repeatedly confess the universal power of God. He is called the "Mighty One of Jacob", the "LORD of hosts", the "strong and mighty" one. If God is almighty "in heaven and on earth", it is because he made them. Nothing is impossible with God, who disposes his works according to his will. He is the Lord of the universe, whose order he established and which remains wholly subject to him and at his disposal. He is master of history, governing hearts and events in keeping with his will: "It is always in your power to show great strength, and who can withstand the strength of your arm?

¶ 270

God is the Father Almighty, whose fatherhood and power shed light on one another: God reveals his fatherly omnipotence by the way he takes care of our needs; by the filial adoption that he gives us ("I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty"): finally by his infinite mercy, for he displays his power at its height by freely forgiving sins.

Today's Mass Readings

Open the day's Sancta MissaDivinum Officium · Divino Afflatu - 1954View readings