Catechism Basic

Christ Teaches and Breathes

DVRodriguez2024-05-14T14:27:59-04:00

We are called to believe – in faith – that when the Church teaches it is Christ who teaches. The mission of the Church is to give testimony to Christ, witness His resurrection, and teach in His Name. We should not believe the Gospels were it not for the authority of the holy Catholic Church. Christ breathes on the Apostles, giving them the power of the Holy Ghost. He gives them authority to act in His name forgiving sins, making His sacrifice present, teaching the Truth, and bestowing grace and eternal life. This is the foundation of the Christian religion.

Christ Teaches and BreathesDVRodriguez2024-05-14T14:27:59-04:00

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

Two Lessons from the Easter Encounters

DVRodriguez2024-05-02T06:22:28-04:00

Contemplate Christ's words and actions following the Resurrection. He abides in our midst, teaches the truth, calls us to faith, feeds us, and commands us. Clearly, the foundation of the Catholic Faith is Jesus Christ. He is alive and active in the Church He founded. He commands that we go to all nations (no exceptions) teaching everyone the truth and baptizing all.

Two Lessons from the Easter EncountersDVRodriguez2024-05-02T06:22:28-04:00

The Doctrine of Predestination

DVRodriguez2023-12-17T10:57:40-05:00

God by the eternal resolve of His will has predetermined certain men to eternal blessedness. The number of the elect is predetermined and can not change (none added, none taken away). While God wills all men to be saved, not all men are saved. This is based not on God's providence but on a man's sin and lack of contrition. The heresy of "double predestination" holds that men are like brute beasts with God leading some to salvation and others to damnation by His (predetermined) divine will. For men how are saved, it is a gift from God; from men who [...]

The Doctrine of PredestinationDVRodriguez2023-12-17T10:57:40-05:00

The Great Thought

DVRodriguez2023-12-08T16:58:46-05:00

For Christ to truly be King, He must reign in men's minds. This means man assents – with perfect submission and firm belief – to the doctrines taught by Christ and His Church. How terrible that many occupying high places in the Church are instead seeking to undermine His teachings. We instead must remain steadfast and faithful to the Great Truth. As an example, consider the Church's teachings on the Four Last Things. Review a 'Short Catechism on Eternity.' Heed the example of St. Anthony Mary Claret. And in all thy works, remember thy last end, and thou shall never sin [...]

The Great ThoughtDVRodriguez2023-12-08T16:58:46-05:00

A Prayer for Studying the Faith and an Act of Consecration

DVR Fatima2023-11-20T09:47:28-05:00

From the Raccolta (Prayer 763) Under Thy patronage, dear Mother, and invokingthe mystery of Thine Immaculate Conception, Idesire to pursue my studies and my literary labors:I hereby solemnly declare that I am devotingmyself to these studies chiefly to the followingend: that I may the better contribute to the gloryof God and to the spread of Thy venerationamong men. I pray Thee, therefore, most lovingMother, who art the Seat of Wisdom, to bless mylabors in Thy loving kindness. Moreover, Ipromise with true affection and a willing spirit, asit is right that I should do, to ascribe all the goodthat shall accrue to [...]

A Prayer for Studying the Faith and an Act of ConsecrationDVR Fatima2023-11-20T09:47:28-05:00

One True Religion from Adam to Christ

svfonline2019-08-05T06:44:29-04:00

There has only been and always will be only one True Religion that has been proclaimed and practiced by believers throughout history. True Religion, revealed by God, began with Adam and continued through Abraham, Moses, David, and various prophets. This True Religion received its perfection and completion in Jesus Christ. The Roman Canon, which in essence originated with St. Peter and comes from the oldest of the Church's liturgical rites, sublimely proclaims this reality. All other religions, including Judaism as it is practiced today, are false religions. Yet we pray that God will lift the veil from disbelieving Jews, as he [...]

One True Religion from Adam to Christsvfonline2019-08-05T06:44:29-04:00

The Power of Compunction

svfonline2019-07-30T07:40:34-04:00

On 13 Oct 1917, the little shepherdess Lucia asked Our Lady at Fatima, “I have many things to ask of You: to heal some sick people and to convert some sinners…” The beautiful Lady responded: “Some, yes; others, no. People must amend their lives and ask pardon for their sins. [then growing still more sad, She added] They must not offend Our Lord any more for He is already too much offended.” Our Lady said some of the prayers, conversions, and healings would be denied. Why? These people were not committed to amending their lives. They did not have true contrition. [...]

The Power of Compunctionsvfonline2019-07-30T07:40:34-04:00

Return to God Who Made You

svfonline2019-07-22T06:35:39-04:00

We are not created to obey the world, much less were we created to become the slave of our passions and appetites. Being noble children of the Most High God, we were born for greater things: to praise, adore and serve God. By these means we save our very souls. We came forth from God and we must return to Him. God is our reward and He is our salvation. Whatever may be the cost - we must save our souls. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but suffers the loss of his immortal soul? [...]

Return to God Who Made Yousvfonline2019-07-22T06:35:39-04:00