Joy – Saint Vincent Ferrer Foundation

The Golden Rose

DVRodriguez2025-04-05T20:32:39-04:00

The origins of Rose Sunday lie in antiquity. The Pope would bless golden roses and give them as gifts. The symbolism is deep: gold for Christ the king, flower for beauty, fragrance for the Gospel, and thorns for the passion. This tradition reminds us that Christian joy and suffering are inseparably bound. Those who desire a life of joy only (or pleasure) are always angry, for this can’t be attained. Suffering is inevitable. The soul that accepts suffering, unites it with Christ, and offers it to God, receives many graces and lives at peace.

The Golden RoseDVRodriguez2025-04-05T20:32:39-04:00

As A Man Hopes in His Heart So He Is

DVRodriguez2022-12-18T06:36:51-05:00

Every single human seeks joy, but we are always looking in the wrong place. Our habitual thoughts [hopes] make us who we are. True and lasting joy comes from Christ. Without Him, man is filled with sadness. By abiding in Him, our joy is complete. The Day of Wrath will be one of great joy for those called to eternal beatitude. Christ comes through Our Lady and thus she is the Cause of Our Joy. Nothing should take away our joy for we should allow nothing to take us away from Jesus.

As A Man Hopes in His Heart So He IsDVRodriguez2022-12-18T06:36:51-05:00

Heavenly vs Worldly Joy

svfonline2019-06-14T10:33:13-04:00

In relationships we often find four stages: infatuation, realization, despair and, if it endures, then true love. When the Apostles first knew Jesus, they thought of Him in worldly terms. In the forty days leading up to the Ascension, Christ dashed their illusions with a far better reality. We too must learn to have a spiritual joy. Our joy ought not be giddy, hasty, or without reason, like the fleeting glee of worldlings. The Christian's joy is serene, stable and tinged with sadness over spiritual causes. Sacred Gregorian chant is a wonderful example of true spiritual joy. Like the Apostles, our [...]

Heavenly vs Worldly Joysvfonline2019-06-14T10:33:13-04:00