Jun 19 – St Philip Minh, Priest and Companions, Martyrs
St Philip Minh is a Vietnamese martyr. Born in Vietnam, he joined the Society for Foreign Missions of Paris and was ordained a priest with the purpose of working for the Church in Vietnam. Seized by anti-Catholic forces, he was beheaded. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1988.
Vietnamese Martyrs, also known as the Martyrs of Annam, Martyrs of Tonkin and Cochinchina, Martyrs of Indochina, are saints on the General Roman Calendar who were canonized by Pope John Paul II. On June 19, 1988, thousands of Overseas Vietnamese worldwide gathered at the Vatican for the Celebration of the Canonization of 117 Vietnamese Martyrs, an event chaired by Monsignor Tran Van Hoai.[2] Their memorial is on November 24 (although several of these saints have another memorial, having been beatified and on the calendar prior to the canonization of the group).
2 Cor 11:1-11
Mt 6:7-15
Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
When I first left my job to become a stay-at-home mum and study theology, I struggled. I had spent years working, building my career, contributing to big projects. Then suddenly, my days were filled with routines at home, caring for my child, and studying Scripture in the quiet.
At first, I felt lost. Was I doing enough? Was I still useful? I prayed often, but my prayers felt clumsy, unsure — like I had to explain everything to God, or prove I was still “doing something meaningful.” Then, I read Matthew 6:7–15 again.
Jesus said, “Do not keep on babbling… your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” It stopped me in my tracks. God already knows. I don’t need to impress Him. I just need to come to Him — as a daughter to her Father.
As I kept reading and studying His Word, especially the Lord’s Prayer, something in me began to shift. I started praying simpler prayers — more honest, more trusting. I began saying, “Your will be done,” and really meaning it.
And slowly, I began to see grace showing up in my life in the most unexpected ways — quiet moments of joy with my daughter, little confirmations in my studies, a newfound community, and encouragement through people I had not expected. Grace upon grace.
This journey has not been easy. But it has been full of God. I am learning that I don’t need to say a lot for Him to hear me. I just need to trust. And when I do, He meets me — not always in dramatic ways, but in gentle, steady faithfulness.
If you’re in a season of change or uncertainty, take heart. You don’t have to have perfect prayers, just a willing heart. Because God already knows — and He is ready to give you what you truly need.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stephanie Eber)
Prayer: Lord, teach us to trust You more, and to rest in the quiet power of Your presence.
Thanksgiving: Thank You, Father, for meeting us where we are, and filling our days with unexpected grace.
OXYGEN 
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