Catholic Morning Offering, Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Starting the morning off with God is the key to strength and success in your day!

Join me in praying the Catholic morning offering, as well as hear meditations, learn about the saint of the day,  and hear today's Scripture readings from Holy Mass.

To sign up to receive a daily email of the Morning Offering through The Catholic Company, go to https://www.morningoffering.com/

Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Morning Glory Consecration Prayer is excerpted from "33 Days to Morning Glory:  A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration" by Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, © 2011 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M., p. 137.

If you have any comments, please email me at Deanna.pierre25@gmail.com.

Transcript

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Starting the morning off with God is the key to strength and success in your day. Good morning. Today is Tuesday, january twentieth, 2026. Please join me in praying the morning offering prayer and prayers for our Holy Father. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, for all the intentions of your sacred heart, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the holy intentions of the Holy Father this month, amen. Prayers for the Holy Father Almighty and everlasting God, have mercy upon thy servant, Pope Leo XV, our supreme pontiff, and direct him according to thy loving kindness in the way of eternal salvation, that of thy gift he may ever desire that which is pleasing unto thee, and may accomplish it with all his might, through Christ our Lord, amen. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, amen. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Quote from Saint Therese of Les Even a little child can scatter flowers, to scent the throne room with their fragrance. Even a little child can sing in its shrill treble the great canticle of love. That shall be my life to scatter flowers, to miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word, always doing the tiniest things right and doing it for love. Meditation of the day an excerpt from Imitation of Mary in four books by Alexander de Rouville, pages seventeen through twenty. Mary was free of original sin from the very first moment of her existence. She possessed the grace of God in the very instant of her conception. All of us come into this world as the unfortunate victims of God's anger. Mary alone was protected from the very beginning by God's love, and so came into this world as a masterpiece of grace. God did not want the temple in which he was to dwell to be soiled in any way. The son's honor required that his mother not be even for a single moment the slave of Satan. How Mary must have valued the incomparable favor done her. In her eyes that favor was, as wisdom had been for Solomon, the source of all blessings. Proverbs chapter eight eighteen The Lord possessed her from the beginning of his ways Proverbs chapter eight twenty two. That is what Mary valued more than anything earth could offer. She had many other prerogatives given her by God, but this first favor was more precious than all the rest, since it brought her closer to God. Her life in its entirety was a continuous expression of gratitude to him for a gift which she shared with no other pure creature. Christian soul, in baptism you received the sanctifying grace that Mary received in the moment of conception. That grace brought you the right to call God your Father and Jesus your brother. You became an heir of God and a co heir with Christ Jesus Romans chapter eight seventeen. The kingdom of heaven itself was set aside as your inheritance. Do you fully understand what a great and glorious privilege is yours? And do you understand all the duties it lays upon you? Alas, how few Christians even reflect on this privilege? How few try to live holy lives and thus prove worthy of the dignity that is theirs? How few make an effort to keep unspotted the baptismal garment of sinlessness that marks the innocent, pure, and loving child of God? On the contrary, we often take pride in the honors bestowed by the world, and in an extraordinary inversion of values, put grace last, even though it is the only thing that, properly speaking, deserves our respect and esteem. Many take pride in not being unworthy descendants of a supposedly illustrious lineage. At the same time, however, they are not afraid to betray their spiritual descent from God by an unclean life given over to the pleasures of the senses. They boast of an independence that is in fact an illusion, but are not ashamed to enter into a horrible partnership with the devil and thus to accept his dominion once again, to put on his uniform once more, and to return to the condition of slavery in which they had the misfortune of being born. They eagerly pursue earthly goods and neglect or even scorn the everlasting heritage of heavenly blessings set aside for them. Ungrateful hearts, pitiful victims of sin, whoever you may be, at least do not close your hearts to God's voice as he calls out to you Psalm ninety five verses seven through eight. You can regain the grace of adoption which you threw away, for there is a second baptism, the baptism of penance. Make use of it with trust and assurance, for your heavenly Father's greatest desire is to make you his friends once more. But use it quickly, who knows but that a short time from now you may no longer be able to do so. Pure and spotless virgin, pray for us that we may stop sinning, that we may sin no more, that we may persevere in our intention of making up for the great harm done by our sins. Your intercession will win us the grace of perfect friendship with God. Therefore, we shall be able to praise you for being, after your Son Jesus, the source of our salvation. Scripture verse of the day Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Proverbs chapter thirty verse five. Saint of the day. The saint of the day for January twentieth is Saint Sebastian. Saint Sebastian died around 288 AD. He was born in Gaul, which is present day France, to wealthy Italian parents. According to tradition, he went to Rome to serve and encourage the Christians who were being persecuted under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. To do so effectively and without suspicion, he enrolled in the Roman army as an officer. In this position he did much to encourage the faith of the Christians in the face of brutal martyrdom, and in the process made many new converts through his gift of healing. Once he was discovered to be a Christian, he was seized by Roman officers, tied to a tree, and shot through with arrows. He survived this and was healed by Saint Irene of Rome. Being fully recovered, he returned to preach to Diocletian himself. Diocletian then had him beaten to death with clubs. Saint Sebastian is the patron of many causes, most notably of archers, athletes, police officers, soldiers, and against plague victims and enemies of religion. Saint Sebastian, pray for us. Readings for Holy Mass for Tuesday of the second week in ordinary time. A reading from the first book of Samuel, chapter sixteen verses one through thirteen. The Lord said to Samuel, How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as King of Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons. But Samuel replied, How can I go? Saul will hear of it and kill me. To this the Lord answered, Take a heifer along and say, I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I myself will tell you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I point out to you. Samuel did as the Lord had commanded him. When he entered Bethlehem, the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and inquired, Is your visit peaceful, O seer? He replied, Yes, I have come to sacrifice to the Lord, so cleanse yourselves and join me today for the banquet. He also had Jesse and his sons cleanse themselves and invited them to the sacrifice. As they came he looked at Eliab and thought, Surely the Lord's anointed is here before him. But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance, but the Lord looks into the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him before Samuel, who said, The Lord has not chosen him. Next Jesse presented Shama, but Samuel said, The Lord has not chosen this one either. In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, The Lord has not chosen any one of these. Then Samuel asked Jesse, Are these all the sons you have? Jesse replied, There is still the youngest who is tending the sheep. Samuel said to Jesse, Send for him, we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here. Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The Lord said, There, anoint him, for this is he. Then Samuel with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers, and from that day on the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David. When Samuel took his leave, he went to Rama. The Word of the Lord Responsorial Psalm Psalm eighty nine I have found David my servant. Once you spoke in a vision, and to your faithful ones you said, On a champion I have placed a crown over the people I have set a youth. I have found David my servant, with my holy oil I have anointed him, that my hand may be always with him, and that my arm may make him strong. I have found David, my servant. He shall say of me, You are my father, my God, the rock, my Savior, and I will make him the firstborn highest of the kings of the earth. I have found David, my servant. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark, chapter two verses twenty three twenty eight. As Jesus was passing through a field of grain on the Sabbath, his disciples began to make a path while picking the heads of grain. At this the Pharisees said to him, Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath? He said to them, Have you never read what David did when he was in need, and he and his companions were hungry? How he went into the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and ate the bread of offering that only the priest could lawfully eat, and shared it with his companions? Then he said to them, The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. That is why the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. The Gospel of the Lord Prayer of Spiritual Communion In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most blessed sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there, and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen. Morning Glory Consecration Prayer. Mary, my mother, I give myself totally to you as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all that I am and have, whatever most pleases you. Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for bringing the greatest possible glory to God. Amen. Prayer to Saint Joseph. O glorious Saint Joseph, chosen by God to be the guardian of the Holy Family, whose protection is so great, so strong, in union with the Blessed Virgin Mary and our Savior Jesus Christ, send down from heaven a blessing from God to protect us from any harm, strengthen us in body, soul, and spirit. We ask this through thy powerful intercession. Holy Family, pray for us, amen. Guardian Angel Prayer O angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide, amen. Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls, amen. The three Hail Mary's Devotion The first Hail Mary, in honor of God the Father, Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. The second Hail Mary in honor of God the Son. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. The third Hail Mary, in honor of God, the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen. O my mother, preserve my soul from mortal sin during this day. Amen. Memori to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 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. Act of Faith. O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man, died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because you have revealed them who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen. Act of hope. O my God, relying on your almighty power, infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of your grace, and the life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen. Act of love. O my God, I love you above all things with my whole heart and soul, because you are all good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen. Prayer for the poor souls in purgatory. O gentle heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in purgatory, have mercy on them. Be not severe in thy judgment, but let some drops of thy precious blood fall upon the devouring flames. Merciful Savior, send thy angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Amen. Act of resignation to the divine will. O Lord my God, from this moment do I accept from thy hands with burning love and sincere contrition, with a calm and willing disposition, whatsoever death thou shalt choose to send me with its pains and griefs. Amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Starting the morning off with God is the key to strength and success in your day.