Catechism Basic

Primer on Prayer

DVRodriguez2025-04-05T21:03:51-04:00

Without the grace of God, man can do nothing towards his salvation. Yet grace is not given, in God’s ordinary providence, except to those who pray for it. Thus prayer is necessary for salvation. We ought to pray unceasingly and give thanks to God in all things. Prayer is an elevation of our soul to God to offer him our homage and ask His favors in order to grow in holiness for His glory. Prayer has four ends: adoration, thanksgiving, importation, and propitiation. We should always pray for: love of God, love of prayer, forgiveness of our sins, and a happy [...]

Primer on PrayerDVRodriguez2025-04-05T21:03:51-04:00

The Church and the Truth

DVRodriguez2025-03-29T09:48:45-04:00

Continuation of the course by Father Rodríguez on the Foundations of the Christian Faith. Jesus asks every one of us "Who do you say that I am?" We all fall into the temptation of believing in Jesus as we want to; that is, we fashion God according to our own image. Many profess to be Christians and yet they reject the Church or selectively believe some of Jesus' teachings. One who truly believes in Jesus must adhere to the truth He taught and the Church He founded. Yet today it is impossible to remain perfectly faithful to both. The crisis is [...]

The Church and the TruthDVRodriguez2025-03-29T09:48:45-04:00

Two Most Important Mysteries

DVRodriguez2025-03-11T21:04:56-04:00

First class in a course taught by Father Rodríguez on the Foundations of the Christian Faith. Father discusses the two most foundational truths of the Catholic Faith. Every Catholic should know them and really believe them. (Father tests all his first communicants on these two points.) These two truths have innumerable consequences for how we live and how we practice the Faith. Knowing these principles helps us rebut those who ask "Well, where is that in the Bible?" or "The pope said such and such, so you have to accept it."

Two Most Important MysteriesDVRodriguez2025-03-11T21:04:56-04:00

Cooperate with Actual Graces

DVRodriguez2025-03-03T17:29:18-05:00

Each of us struggles mightily with conversion. Let us not receive the grace of God in vain. Sanctifying grace – the life of God – gives us eternal life. Actual grace is a supernatural help which God bestows upon us daily to work out our salvation. When we cooperate with grace we merit more graces. But the abuse of God's grace prevents us from receiving further graces. There is direct relationship between the amount of grace in our soul when we die and the level at which we will experience the beatific vision of God for all eternity. God is faithful. [...]

Cooperate with Actual GracesDVRodriguez2025-03-03T17:29:18-05:00

Four Elements of Our Fundamental Duty

DVRodriguez2024-07-07T13:05:59-04:00

Pope Pius XII teaches that man's fundamental duty is to orient his person and life towards God. Man does this by [1] accepting all divinely revealed truths, [2] obeying the law of God and His Church, [3] rendering God right worship, [4] and centering all his acts and aspirations on God. These four are carried out perfectly by the Sacred Heart. Devotion to the Sacred Heart is a compendium of our holy religion. It comprises a devotion of love, reparation and imitation. Attaining this fundamental duty is hard. Hence, we must pray to the Holy Ghost for His assistance.

Four Elements of Our Fundamental DutyDVRodriguez2024-07-07T13:05:59-04:00

What Does It Mean to Love God

DVRodriguez2024-07-03T08:22:48-04:00

The Holy Trinity is the central mystery of the Faith. The Catholic Faith exists to make this mystery known to all souls. In this sermon, Father provides a basic catechism on the Blessed Trinity and God Himself. Man is called to know, love and serve God so as to be happy with Him forever. Yet a terrible sin of omission, the one Catholics most frequently commit, must be overcome.

What Does It Mean to Love GodDVRodriguez2024-07-03T08:22:48-04:00

The Holy Ghost and Our Lady

DVRodriguez2024-06-17T17:36:38-04:00

Frequently pray the Church's three most important prayers to the Holy Ghost. In the time between the Ascension and Pentecost Our Lady humbly guided the Apostles. Our practice of praying novenas originates from these days. Our Lady is a most perfect Mother, and her concerns for us, her children, are centered on eternity, grace and sin. Christian Mothers, imitate HER! The Holy Ghost is particularly active in carrying out the Mission of Christ where – and in whom – He finds His Spouse, the Ever Virgin and Holy Mary.

The Holy Ghost and Our LadyDVRodriguez2024-06-17T17:36:38-04:00

Five Simple Points

DVRodriguez2024-06-18T09:15:56-04:00

Our Risen Lord made His first resurrection appearance to His most Blessed Mother. This Easter, we have asked "What is the foundation of the Christian Religion?" It is Christ, His Mission, and His Church. Understanding this answer helps us love our Catholic Faith and live it well. Five simple points from the resurrection narratives in the gospel help us summarize this answer.

Five Simple PointsDVRodriguez2024-06-18T09:15:56-04:00

Christ is the Foundation

DVRodriguez2024-05-08T20:21:58-04:00

As a fruit of the Resurrection, Jesus is now present in a new way, different from before His Passion. He is alive and present by the power of the Holy Ghost in His Church! In His Church, He teaches the truths which save us. In and by His Church, He bestows life through His sacraments. The Scriptures clearly profess this. So too the witnesses of the Resurrection, who teach with the authority that Christ Himself has given. Contemplate Christ. Keep your eyes constantly fixed on Him. Set your heart on Him alone.

Christ is the FoundationDVRodriguez2024-05-08T20:21:58-04:00

The Road to Emmaus

DVRodriguez2024-05-02T06:41:00-04:00

Contemplate Christ. Keep your eyes fixed on Him. Set your heart on Him alone. Meditate upon the gospels and epistles from Easter week. St. Peter and St. Paul teach – by the power of the Holy Ghost – not their own ideas but they 'teach Christ.' The disciples journeying to Emmaus pattern a progressively deeper encounter with the Risen Lord. [1] They desire Christ, sharing their limited knowledge and love of Him. [2] Jesus then teaches them the Scriptures, showing we all need proper interpretation from the rightful authority. [3] Christ remains with them and feeds them. Every Christian is called [...]

The Road to EmmausDVRodriguez2024-05-02T06:41:00-04:00