Ecclesiology

Do You Believe in the Church?

DVRodriguez2026-03-05T17:31:06-05:00

Christ intentionally set up His Church with three parts to mirror the Blessed Trinity. Likewise, Our Lady’s Rosary has three sets of mysteries. Sadly, the majority of Catholics no longer have true faith in the Mystery of the Church. For example, they think the Mass has only to do with them. They forget, that the Mass is also offered for the Church Suffering. Many also forget that the Four Last things are the inescapable destiny of every single human being.

Do You Believe in the Church?DVRodriguez2026-03-05T17:31:06-05:00

Communion of Saints

DVRodriguez2026-02-17T08:05:15-05:00

The Church transcends time and space: triumphant in Heaven, suffering in Purgatory, and militant on Earth. Jesus is the center of the Church and it is He who unites it. Members of the Church can honor and help one another because of the charity of Christ and the power of His grace. Far too often we only think of the Church in terms of this world and goods and values of this world. For those on earth, our duty is to fight the enemies of our soul and grow in God’s grace. Our goal must be to save our soul and [...]

Communion of SaintsDVRodriguez2026-02-17T08:05:15-05:00

Will You Reject God’s Invitation

DVRodriguez2025-11-04T10:43:01-05:00

Have you ever wondered why Our Lord told a parable where a king has a wedding guest bound and cast into the exterior darkness for simply failing to have proper attire? Father explains this parable (Matthew 22:1-14), noting that the Church is signified by the wedding feast. Clearly, it is not sufficient to simply be a member of the Church. Now those who preferred worldliness –or killed the messengers– are the Jews, and their city is destroyed (70 AD). Their fall opened the Church to the Gentiles, bad and good alike. In baptism, the soul “puts on Christ,” I.e. Jesus’ mind, [...]

Will You Reject God’s InvitationDVRodriguez2025-11-04T10:43:01-05:00

Catholic or Modernist Understanding of the Church’s Mission

DVRodriguez2025-06-18T15:09:05-04:00

Pope Leo XIII presents the Church’s teaching on her divine purpose. The Church is to guard true doctrine and propagate it in its integrity and purity, to convert all nations, and to render unto God fitting and divine worship. By these means she alone offers the human race the means of salvation in accord with the ordinary counsels of providence. Hence the Church is mater et magistra, that is, mother [of the life of grace] and teacher [of the true doctrine]. Given the current grave crisis, the chief priority of every shepherd must be to restore –and be faithful to– the [...]

Catholic or Modernist Understanding of the Church’s MissionDVRodriguez2025-06-18T15:09:05-04:00

The Mission of Christ and His Church

DVRodriguez2025-06-11T12:48:08-04:00

Pope Leo XIII teaches that the Church's raison d'être is to guard and propagate – in all its integrity and purity – both Christian doctrine and the fitting and devout worship of God. In faithfully doing this, the Church continues the mission of Our Savior and King, Jesus Christ. It is by true doctrine (lex orandi) and right worship (lex credendi) that the Church helps save men's souls. To further this end Christ established a hierarchy. A grave crisis exists today because so many in the hierarchy are not carrying out this mission. Every Catholic has the responsibility –within the scope [...]

The Mission of Christ and His ChurchDVRodriguez2025-06-11T12:48:08-04:00

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

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