Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Septuagesima

Week

Week 1 of Septuagesima

Rank

Feast

The season of Septuagesima is part of the preparatory weeks before Lent, a short liturgical time focused on growing penance and spiritual readiness. Meals, devotions and prayer in this season often take on a slightly more restrained, penitential tone as families look ahead to the Lenten fast. The rank “Double” is a traditional liturgical distinction meaning the feast is fully celebrated in the liturgy: its texts (collect, readings, prayers) take precedence in Mass and the Divine Office over the ordinary weekday material. No octave or vigil is indicated here, so the celebration is observed on the single calendar day. It is a helpful annual reminder of the value of silence, contemplative prayer, and reforming one’s life toward holiness within the Christian household.

Introit (Daily Prayer)

Ps 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart. (Alléluia, alléluia.)
Ps 36:1
Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
Glory Be to the Father…

May the intercession of the blessed Abbot Romuald, commend us to You, O Lord, so that through his merits we may obtain that which we cannot accomplish by our own.
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

Romuald

St. Romuald, Abbot

founder of the Camaldolese order

Born: 0951-01-01 · Ravenna
Died: 1027-06-19 · Fabriano

Romuald was the founder of the Camaldolese order and a major figure in the eleventh-century "Renaissance of eremitical asceticism". Romuald spent about 30 years traversing Italy, founding and reforming monasteries and hermitages.

Learn more about Romuald

Today in Church History

Death of Saint Jordan of Saxony
1238Church Father
Saint Jordan of Saxony, the second Master General of the Dominican Order, died on February 7, 1238. He was instrumental in expanding the Order across Europe.
His leadership exemplifies the importance of guidance and growth in faith communities.
Death of Blessed Eugenia Ravasco
1943Founding
Blessed Eugenia Ravasco, founder of the Congregation of the Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, died on February 7, 1943, leaving a legacy of education and care for youth.
Her dedication to education and care for the young reminds us of the transformative power of love.
Death of Pope Pius IX
1878Papal
Pope Pius IX, who convened the First Vatican Council and defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, passed away on February 7, 1878, after the longest papacy in history.
Pope Pius IX's legacy reminds us of the enduring impact of faith and doctrine.

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.

In the Catechism, we are reminded that God’s creation of the heavens and the earth is the starting point of faith, revealing him as Creator and forming the foundation of all his saving plans, which culminate in Christ (CCC 279-280). The teaching on creation matters deeply because it helps us consider enduring questions: Where do we come from, where are we going, what is our origin, and what is our end? These questions help give meaning and direction to our lives and actions (CCC 282). Scientific discoveries can enrich our knowledge of the universe and lead us to greater admiration and thanksgiving for the Creator, as well as appreciation for the wisdom given to researchers (CCC 283). In our daily prayer and reflection, we can bring these questions before God, considering whether the world comes from chance or from the wisdom and goodness of the transcendent God, and honestly facing the question of evil and liberation from it (CCC 284).

¶ 277

Today's Mass Readings

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