Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Brown Scapular and Holy Mass

DVRodriguez2023-08-29T06:48:39-04:00

In today's Gospel, Our Lord speaks directly about what one must do to enter Heaven. It is not enough to call on Him in speech. Rather, the chief disposition of our heart must be to do the will of His Father. Holy Mass has the purpose of helping us become more committed to doing God's will by uniting ourselves to Christ. These are the same goals of the Brown Scapular. This is where its power to save comes from: the unlimited intercessory power of Our Lady, the omnipotent Blood of Christ, and the Father's perfect divine will.

The Brown Scapular and Holy MassDVRodriguez2023-08-29T06:48:39-04:00

The Supreme Dignity of Man

DVRodriguez2023-08-27T12:25:32-04:00

What will help us most, in our spiritual and material well-being, is true and faithful participation in the Holy Sacfrice of the Mass. This applies to every single person. The best thing we can do for our neighbor is help him carry out this chief duty, which is also his supreme dignity. Strive to have the dispositions Jesus had when He offered Himself. (See Pius XII's Mediator Dei, No, 80-81.) Deny yourself, do penance, detest sin, offer reparation, and die a mystical death: to your will, you desires, and your sense of self-importance.

The Supreme Dignity of ManDVRodriguez2023-08-27T12:25:32-04:00

The Chief Duty of Man

DVRodriguez2023-08-20T11:56:06-04:00

To participate in the Eucharistic Sacrifice is man's chief duty and supreme dignity. And not in an inert and negligent fashion, but with such earnestness and concentration as to have a profound union with Christ the High Priest. Take this teaching to heart! Because most Catholics today are clueless about it. In fact, this is one of the reasons why the Church is enduring such a terrible crisis. The first step is to know this, the next is to believe it. The Traditional Latin Mass shows this in many ways, the New Mass does not. Devotion to the Sacred Heart and [...]

The Chief Duty of ManDVRodriguez2023-08-20T11:56:06-04:00

Devotion of All Devotions

DVRodriguez2023-08-12T07:51:48-04:00

"The devotion of all devotions is love for Jesus Christ – and frequent meditation on the love which this amiable Redeemer has borne and still bears to us" (St. Alphonsus). Our holy religion is not primarily about saying prayers, following the commandments, or doing good deeds. Rather, all we do should first and foremost be a conscious and intentional expression of our love for Christ. We make little progress in the spiritual life and remain in the same sins because we take little care to acquire the love of Christ. This has great relevance for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, [...]

Devotion of All DevotionsDVRodriguez2023-08-12T07:51:48-04:00

We Must Recognize the Risen Lord

DVRodriguez2023-05-31T06:22:13-04:00

Some disciples adored the Risen Christ, yet others doubted. All had difficulty recognizing Him. Why? His appearance is clearly different. He chooses to remain with us in His mysteries. Thus, our focus should be on how He is present at Mass – by faith and by the power of the Holy Ghost. Sadly, many aspects of the Mew Mass deform our belief in the Mass and our understanding of what it means to participate in the Mass. Pay special attention to Our Lady's role in the Mass and participate in the Mass after her example.

We Must Recognize the Risen LordDVRodriguez2023-05-31T06:22:13-04:00

Mane Nobiscum

DVRodriguez2023-05-22T08:06:42-04:00

Read the resurrection accounts with faith for a deeper understanding. Far too many people invent their own way of believing in Jesus. Instead, note how Christ establishes His Church and chooses to remain with us (Teaching, Apostles, Mass, Eucharist). These are patterns He continues to this day. Follow the examples of St. Mary Magdalene, the Emmaus disciples, and St. Thomas. With great desire remain with Christ!

Mane NobiscumDVRodriguez2023-05-22T08:06:42-04:00

At the Heart of the Mass

DVRodriguez2022-06-07T12:49:49-04:00

God's relation to men mirrors the manner in which men relate to each other. A true spiritual friendship is the most intimate union among men. It begins through communication, intensifies in the giving of gifts (symbolic of who one is) and culminates in the giving of one's own self (one's will). True friends give not just what they have, but even give who they are. We see the same dynamic at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!

At the Heart of the MassDVRodriguez2022-06-07T12:49:49-04:00

Presentation and Purification

DVRodriguez2022-02-19T13:14:54-05:00

Consider the Twelve Mysteries of Christ's Infancy and Childhood. The Holy Family suffers much and endures many trials. Why? Because they are obedient to God's holy will. So how should we respond to these Mysteries? With obedience. What of those who are fearful and have heard this 'virus-crisis' excuses them from Sunday Mass? Meditate upon the connection between Christ's Presentation in the Temple, His Sacrifice on Calvary, and the Mass. Imitate Our Lady.

Presentation and PurificationDVRodriguez2022-02-19T13:14:54-05:00

Never Deformed Never Reformed

DVRodriguez2021-10-14T07:27:41-04:00

St. Bruno of Cologne (+1101) founded the Carthusians after witnessing the revival of the corpse of a man condemned for all eternity. This order is considered to be the most ascetic. It has never experienced radical change. The Order has never needed to be reformed because has never been deformed. The Carthusian motto: 'The Cross Stands Still While the World Turns.' The world is always restless. Modern man is rarely at peace and easily distracted. Covid and the vaccine have caused great disruptions. The Church too is greatly agitated from within. Yet tradition remains firm and consistent. Our love for the [...]

Never Deformed Never ReformedDVRodriguez2021-10-14T07:27:41-04:00

Our Lady Within St Annes Womb

DVRodriguez2021-09-13T10:22:14-04:00

Within St. Anne's womb, the Blessed Virign Mary was continuously occupied with ten pious exercises. These express the sentiments in her Immaculate Herat. They did not require external activity as she was still a tiny infant. Thus, we can practice them at Mass. We will thereby more actively participate at, and derive more spiritual fruit from, the Holy Sacrifice. Too often we doubt - deep down - that God is all-good, all-wise, and all-powerful. If we had greater confidence - faith! - then we would have nothing to worry about. Strive to foster a greater devotion to Mary's Immaculate Heart and [...]

Our Lady Within St Annes WombDVRodriguez2021-09-13T10:22:14-04:00