Family

Christ Elevates Marriage to a Sacrament

DVRodriguez2025-03-30T13:26:07-04:00

God created marriage. At Cana, He elevated it to the level of a sacrament. Just as Christ was present at Cana, so He is present in every sacramental marriage. We should invite Our Lady to our marriage. Mary took note of the couples humiliating situation, interceded, and turned it to great joy. From water used for purification, Christ created a superabundance of the most exquisite wine, representing sacramental grace. Just as His disciples believed, so spouses should trust in Christ and His grace. What is a good reason for people to enter marriage? What should spouses do first thing in the [...]

Christ Elevates Marriage to a SacramentDVRodriguez2025-03-30T13:26:07-04:00

Duty and Peace in the Family

DVRodriguez2025-03-24T17:45:11-04:00

Marriage is under attack: its roles reversed, ends inverted, and duties abandoned. We must look to the Holy Family. The man has authority and must make difficult decisions for the good of the family. He provides, protects and leads prayers. The woman must embrace [monotonous] house work, support and obey her husband, and guide the children. Children must obey, be respectful, and ease the family’s burdens. (Obedience does have limits; it may never violate God’s law.) Pray for the light and grace to imitate the Holy Family. The Reign of Christ spreads in the world through true families.

Duty and Peace in the FamilyDVRodriguez2025-03-24T17:45:11-04:00

The Two Ends of Marriage

DVRodriguez2025-03-11T09:39:09-04:00

The primary end of marriage is to "increase and multiply" (Gn 1:28). God wants souls with which to share His goodness – Himself – for all eternity. Parents are 'stewards' of their children with the duty for help children reach the perfection God has planned for them (think of the parable of the talents). The secondary end is mutual help and the quelling of passion (Gn 2:18,23). Marriage demands a man and woman who are open to all the children God wishes to give them. They must be ready to die for their vocation, and not be motivated by self-interest or [...]

The Two Ends of MarriageDVRodriguez2025-03-11T09:39:09-04:00

Prayer to St. Joseph

DVR Fatima2025-03-03T10:35:26-05:00

From a sermon given on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19, 2019) Hail Joseph, image of God the Father.  Hail Joseph, father of God the Son.  Hail Joseph, temple of the Holy Ghost.  Hail Joseph, beloved of the Holy Trinity.  Hail Joseph, most faithful helper in the great plan of Redemption.  Hail Joseph, most worthy spouse of the Virgin Mother.  Hail Joseph, father of all the faithful.  Hail Joseph, guardian of holy virgins.  Hail Joseph, greatest lover of poverty.  Hail Joseph, example of meekness and patience.  Hail Joseph, mirror of humility and obedience. Blessed art thou among all men. And blessed are thine eyes, which have seen what thou hast [...]

Prayer to St. JosephDVR Fatima2025-03-03T10:35:26-05:00

Be Guided by Light of Faith

DVRodriguez2025-02-22T14:23:29-05:00

The Epiphany Star represents Jesus, the True Light. Secondarily, it represents the true Faith. Today, a Catholic simply can't rely on what this priest or that bishops says because so many of them are no longer guided by true worship and right doctrine. Instead, each Catholic has to strive to learn the truth. Live your vocation within the family so as to offer it as fitting adoration to the Christ Child. Parents are especially called to educate their children in the truth and to offer reparation for past failings.

Be Guided by Light of FaithDVRodriguez2025-02-22T14:23:29-05:00

The Marriage Vows

DVRodriguez2025-02-28T20:13:45-05:00

Marriage is under terrible attack in our society. Even many Catholics are succumbing to the errors which have proliferated society. In order to live holy matrimony well, the wedding vows and the nature of the sacred contract must be understood and appreciated. This contract can only end by death (God does not permit divorce). The primary end of marriage is the procreation and formation of children. The secondary end is the mutual good of the spouses. Unity and indissolubility are essential properties. These deep truths have very practical consequences for how marriage must be lived on a day to day basis.

The Marriage VowsDVRodriguez2025-02-28T20:13:45-05:00

The Family Needs Purity of Intent

DVRodriguez2025-02-11T09:03:13-05:00

Our Lady provides a great model for what it means to be pure, which is far more than just purity in body. Purity begins in the mind. A family can't be happy unless it is a pure family. Purity helps us resist pride, selfishness, and the world. It means not judging things by our feelings but according to what God wills. Parents, practice purity and form your children accordingly. Children should not face these things alone. It is far easier to shun vice when we know the truth. Marriage is not for pleasure or self, it is to die; to die [...]

The Family Needs Purity of IntentDVRodriguez2025-02-11T09:03:13-05:00

Ten Sins Against Marriage

DVRodriguez2025-02-11T17:19:04-05:00

Go spiritually to the cave at Bethlehem. Contemplate what you see: the Holy Family. You have a role within a family. Offer it to Baby Jesus as a gift; that it may please, serve and honor Him. We can't change someone else, but we must know the truth and stand fast in what Christ the King teaches regarding holy Matrimony. Do your best to live according to His truth, transmit these truths to others, and resist the errors and evil of others. Offer prayers and sacrifices for the failings of your past sins against marriage and in reparation for mankind's many [...]

Ten Sins Against MarriageDVRodriguez2025-02-11T17:19:04-05:00

Pray to Imitate the Holy Family

DVRodriguez2025-02-11T17:19:20-05:00

The Feast of the Holy Family is a Christmas Feast. With His nativity, Jesus gives us not only Himself but also the Holy Family. Note how the Holy Family has a central role in all twelve mysteries of Christ's infancy. We are called to imitate the Holy Family and thereby grow in the grace of God. This is why God has placed us upon this earth. Yet mankind today is more than ever opposed to marriage. How terrible! A rejection of holy matrimony is a rejection of the Holy Family. Take these things seriously and really reflect upon them.

Pray to Imitate the Holy FamilyDVRodriguez2025-02-11T17:19:20-05:00

Charity Must Begin at Home

DVRodriguez2024-12-01T12:29:50-05:00

Faith, hope, and charity are like a mustard seed. Meant to grow from the moment of baptism, they are essential to the Kingdom of God. Charity means loving God above all things for His own sake and loving our neighbor for the sake of God. We must patiently endure the faults of others, forgive injuries, and do good to our enemies. God also calls us to practice charity towards the souls in Purgatory. To be more effective, sacrifices, prayers and indulgences should be offered with true charity. Look to the teaching and example of the saints, such as St. Gertrude the [...]

Charity Must Begin at HomeDVRodriguez2024-12-01T12:29:50-05:00