Saint Michael Catholic Church

09/08/2026

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09/06/2026

Merciful Jesus, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Pour out Your boundless love and compassion upon every nation, family, and soul, especially those who are suffering, lost, afraid, or far from You. Forgive our sins, heal the wounds of humanity, bring peace where there is conflict, hope where there is despair, and faith where there is doubt. Protect the innocent, comfort the sorrowful, strengthen the weak, and lead all people toward Your light and salvation. Jesus, we trust in Your infinite mercy; embrace the whole world in Your loving heart and never abandon us. Amen.

09/05/2026

St. Teresa of Calcutta, known worldwide as Mother Teresa, is one of the most recognizable saints of modern times. Her life of radical charity and service to the poorest of the poor continues to inspire people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Named Agnes at birth in 1910, she grew up in Skopje in North Macedonia. She felt called to religious life and joined the Sisters of Loreto, later traveling to India, where she taught at a school in Calcutta for two decades. She became known as a dedicated teacher and later served as the school’s principal.

In 1946, as she traveled by train, she experienced what she later described as a “call within a call.” She felt Jesus inviting her to leave the convent school and serve Him among the poor and destitute in the streets of Calcutta. After a period of discernment and approval from Church authorities, she left the Sisters of Loreto and began her new mission.

Four years later, she founded the Order of Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation devoted to serving “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers.” The sisters lived among the poor, offering care and support with dignity, love, and spiritual comfort.

One of her most significant works was establishing a home for the dying destitute called Nirmal Hriday (Pure Heart), where those who had been abandoned on the streets were given care, companionship, and the opportunity to die with dignity. Mother Teresa often described this work as “doing something beautiful for God.”

Although she experienced prolonged periods of spiritual dryness, she remained faithful to her mission and exemplified compassion and joy in serving the most vulnerable. As her global recognition grew, she received numerous honors. She was a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Yet she was humble, pointing attention away from herself and toward Christ present in the suffering.

St. Teresa of Calcutta died on September 5, 1997, and was canonized in 2016. Beginning with twelve recruits, her Missionaries of Charity grew to five thousand nuns and 450 priests serving in 138 countries worldwide.

https://ewtnmission.com/dailysaint/st-teresa-of-calcutta/

09/03/2026

09/01/2026

"I plead with you never, ever give up on hope never doubt - never tire and never become discouraged.
BE NOT AFRAID"
-Saint John Paul the Great-

Saint John Paul the Great reminds us that hope is a gift we must never abandon. In times of struggle, doubt, or weariness, his words invite us to stand firm, to endure with courage, and to trust in God’s providence.

"Be not afraid" was one of his most repeated messages, urging Christians to live boldly in their faith. These words are not merely encouragement but a command rooted in Christ’s promise: “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

To give up on hope is to close the door to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. To persevere with trust, even in the darkest trials, is to live as true disciples who know that Christ has conquered sin and death.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Grant me the courage to never give up on hope, even when doubts surround me. Strengthen me when I am weary, lift me when I am discouraged, and keep my eyes fixed on Your eternal promise.
Through the intercession of Saint John Paul the Great, may I live with bold faith, tireless love, and unshakable trust in You.

Amen.

08/30/2026

The souls in Purgatory are already saved, but they are still being purified before entering the fullness of Heaven.

They can no longer earn merit for themselves, which is why our prayers for them are such a powerful act of love.

Scripture tells us it is “holy and wholesome” to pray for the dead so they may be freed from sin (2 Maccabees 12:46).

That is why Pope St. John Paul II said, “Praying for the souls in Purgatory is the highest act of supernatural charity.” We are helping people who may have no one left on earth remembering them by name.

A Mass offered for the dead, the Rosary, sacrifices, indulgences, or even a simple prayer can be offered for these souls. One day, we may hope someone will do the same for us.

Pass this on so more forgotten souls may be remembered in prayer.

💬 Be honest: do you regularly pray for the souls in Purgatory, or is this something you rarely think about? What makes you remember them?