Blessed Virgin Mary

The Assumption Crushes Neo-Gnosticism

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

The world is currently enduring neo-gnosticism, which is a form of occultism. Gnosticism was the first heresy to attack the Church. It offers salvation through secret knowledge. Yet its very essence is to reject the revealed Genesis account of creation and substitute an unreal world for the real. Thus, it cannot be reconciled with Christianity. The reemergence of gnosticism constitutes the very essence of modernity. The fact that gnosticism has returned so strongly, and we are inundated in it, ought to concern us - especially since it has deeply infiltrated the Church. Neo-gnostics have given up on Heaven above and instead look to salvation by 'moving forward' to [...]

The Assumption Crushes Neo-GnosticismDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

Humility Builds Great Things to Gods Glory

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

In today's gospel, the pharisee tithed and fasted, but all to no avail as his motivation was false. The pharisee prayed badly, looking instead to see what the publican was doing... and criticizing him. This is a tendency in sinful man. Avoid this at all costs for it stems from human pride and is destructive. The best way to contribute towards building up any community (including our families) is through a concerted effort to grow in the interior life; to grow in holiness. Pray with humility as did the publican. Bear in mind that God exalts the one who humbles himself. [...]

Humility Builds Great Things to Gods GloryDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

The Perfect Carmelite

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes wrote, “The Most Holy Virgin, my Mother, was a perfect Carmelite.” The word 'Carmel' means 'Garden of God.' With this in mind, St. Louis de Montfort wrote of her: “Mary is the true paradise of the new Adam… filled with untold riches, with beauty, with delights, with all sorts of good things the new Adam left there." God wants us to come out of the world and into this Garden, to partake of its beauty and graces. Jesus Himself is always in this garden. How do we do this? [1] If we become nothing [...]

The Perfect CarmeliteDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

Mary Spouse of the Holy Ghost

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

Many saints have pondered the infinite fertility of the Most Blessed Trinity. The Heavenly Father eternally begets the Divine Son. From the infinite love of these Two Divine Persons eternally proceeds the Holy Ghost. Yet the Third Person does not bring forth another Divine Person. Rather, He is fruitful through His union with Holy Mary. Together they brought forth the Incarnate Christ. In each Christian they bring forth "another Christ." Thus, the Church is the continuation of the mission of the Incarnate Son of God; what Jesus is by nature, we become by grace. We could say Mary is the mold of God [...]

Mary Spouse of the Holy GhostDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

Great Gift and Responsibility of Motherhood

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:51-05:00

God's best gifts come from above. They are perfect and unchanging. They make us more like Him. We are to conform our lives to them. Motherhood is one such gift. It is sacred and unchanging. However, our fallen world is doing much to try to change, devalue, even destroy motherhood. It is so great a gift that God provides us with two spiritual mothers: Our Lady and the Church. It is through them that God chooses to transmit His life (grace) to us. A mother [1] gives life and she [2] nourishes life. She must also strive to [3] bring the life of [...]

Great Gift and Responsibility of MotherhoodDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:51-05:00

Pray the Rosary with Mary

DVRodriguez2023-10-05T16:51:00-04:00

Two brief daily sermons. "If you desire consolation in every labor .. desire to live and die with Jesus and Mary." - Thomas a'Kempis. Rejoice with Mary, Weep with Mary! Pray with Mary! Seek Jesus with Mary! Be more conscious of this as you pray the Holy Rosary, especially during this month of Mary.

Pray the Rosary with MaryDVRodriguez2023-10-05T16:51:00-04:00

Blessed Candles and the Heart of Mary

DVRodriguez2020-02-18T06:40:12-05:00

The Christmas Season engrains in our minds Our Lady's great love for Jesus. This is what is characteristic of her heart. Mary teaches us to contemplate Jesus, for her eyes and ears were only focussed on Him. What about us? Today's feast also reminds us that Our Lady has a sorrowful suffering Heart. She suffers so that our hearts will be purified. In Christmastide, God is giving us the heart of His Blessed Mother, so that we may love, contemplate and suffer for Jesus after her example. Today is also Candlemas, the end of the Christmas season, when the Church uses [...]

Blessed Candles and the Heart of MaryDVRodriguez2020-02-18T06:40:12-05:00

Humility Heaven’s Stairway

DVRodriguez2020-01-27T09:03:19-05:00

The saints have often praised the humility of Our Lady, unsurpassed by no other human person. God finds humility irresistible. In fact, many saints have noted that it was the Blessed Virgin Mary's humility which drew the Lord down from Heaven. You see, God will not be outdone in humility. If our Lady humbled herself so greatly, God would humble Himself even more by taking on human nature within her so as to suffer for our sins. The teachings of St. John Climacus (+649), a desert monk, and of Bl. Mary of Jesus Crucified (+1878), a Carmelite nun, can help inspires [...]

Humility Heaven’s StairwayDVRodriguez2020-01-27T09:03:19-05:00

How to Begin the New Year

DVRodriguez2020-01-16T12:31:42-05:00

How important for Catholics to pray for the grace to grow in love for Jesus! There can be no greater new year's resolution. Let us use the privileged means given by God, namely devotion to Mary's Immaculate Heart. This devotion's end is to conform one's hearts to the Sacred Heart. Our Lady's Heart is strong and mighty to conquer all enemies, obtains from God whatever it asks, and showers men with many graces and blessings. Three ways to practice devotion to her Heart, as given by St. John Eudes, are: [1] Live a true conversion to God, fulfilling your baptismal promises. Pray [...]

How to Begin the New YearDVRodriguez2020-01-16T12:31:42-05:00

Love Jesus with the Heart of Mary

DVRodriguez2019-12-31T16:04:22-05:00

The Infant Jesus grants special graces during Christmastide. [1] Pray for these special graces and persevere in asking Baby Jesus for them. I urge you to put greater faith and trust in the Love of Our Savior Jesus Christ. [2] Especially pray for the grace to love God from this day forth with your whole heart. Now, it isn't just about loving Jesus "in our own way" because each one of us is a fallen human whose soul carries hurts, sorrows and scars. Amongst other things, this prevents us from truly loving after the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Our love is all too [...]

Love Jesus with the Heart of MaryDVRodriguez2019-12-31T16:04:22-05:00