Liturgical Year

Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

DVR Fatima2025-10-27T19:07:31-04:00

Prayer prescribed by Pius XI for the Feast of Christ the King.[Read the encyclical Quas Primas, 1925] Most sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, look down upon us humbly prostrate before Thy cross. We are Thine, and Thine we wish to be; but to be more surely united to Thee, behold, each one of us this day freely consecrates himself to Thy most Sacred Heart. Many, indeed, have never known Thee; many, too, despising Thy precepts have rejected Thee. Have mercy on them all, most merciful Jesus, and draw them to Thy Sacred Heart. Be Thou King, O Lord, not only of the faithful who have never forsaken Thee, but also [...]

Consecration of the Human Race to the Sacred Heart of JesusDVR Fatima2025-10-27T19:07:31-04:00

Bear One Another’s Burdens

DVRodriguez2025-10-23T16:14:38-04:00

Faith has to show forth in actions. Exercise charity by bearing one another’s burdens, especially those in our household [of faith]. This is our duty and it is also very fatiguing. Prudently give others the benefit of the doubt. Wisely know when to bear a wrong in silence. This is more challenging when we have the same defect, as seeing it another pricks our conscience. It is also harder when dealing with those who are close to us and whom we love. But carrying a heavier cross brings greater graces. Let us not tire in doing good. May those who encounter [...]

Bear One Another’s BurdensDVRodriguez2025-10-23T16:14:38-04:00

Saint Joachim

DVRodriguez2025-10-21T13:54:22-04:00

Saint Joachim is the patron of fathers, grandparents and married couples. His name means “Preparation for the Lord.” The glory and intercessory power that St. Joachim has are proportioned to the merit and dignity of being the Father of Mary and grandfather of Jesus. In fact, the more grace a soul possesses, the more powerful are its prayers. (Our prayers are often weakly effective for we lack grace.) The grace which a soul possesses at the moment of death is the grace it will have for all eternity. Rightly then is Our Lady called the Mightiest Helper of the Christian people.

Saint JoachimDVRodriguez2025-10-21T13:54:22-04:00

Called to Be Especially Devoted to the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart

DVRodriguez2025-10-20T10:49:21-04:00

Our Lady’s Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart has loved God more purely and ardently than all the holy hearts of angels and saints combined. God used the blood in her heart to create the human nature of His Son. Christ depended upon His Mother’s Heart for His existence. Mary’s heart preserves and glorifies the marvelous mysteries of Her Son’s life, passion, death and resurrection. This is in fact the very mission of the Church. It is also an aim of the Rosary. We all need conversion and Mary’s heart serves as a marvelous ‘road map’ in this necessary work. Being devoted to [...]

Called to Be Especially Devoted to the Immaculate and Sorrowful HeartDVRodriguez2025-10-20T10:49:21-04:00

Avarice of the Pharisees

DVRodriguez2025-10-07T10:19:49-04:00

In his gospel, St Luke often focuses on the sicknesses that afflict men. The various physical ailments also represent spiritual illnesses. For example, a withered hand represents the inability to persevere in good works, leprosy stands for heresy, and dropsy (edema) for avarice. The pharisees were watching Our Lord, trying to trap him. These pharisees would violate the sabbath to save their beast, not out of compassion or fidelity to the law, but on account of their avarice. (In the question Jesus poses, the ox represents the Jews and the donkey the Gentiles.) Their avarice reflects their pride. Hence, Our Lord [...]

Avarice of the PhariseesDVRodriguez2025-10-07T10:19:49-04:00

More Spiritual Lessons from the Assumption

DVRodriguez2025-09-30T07:30:21-04:00

The Mystery of Mary’s Assumption provides valuable lessons. It shows the centrality of Christ and how Mary is the path to Christ. Since Our Lady shared in Jesus’ sufferings in a completely unique way, so she too shares in His glory in a completely unique way. Yet there is great glory for ALL who carry their cross faithfully. Imitating Our Lady, we are to persevere in God’s grace and keep our focus always on Heaven. May this mystery also inspire us to seek God’s will above our own in all things, especially as regards sickness and death. Our Lady willingly denied [...]

More Spiritual Lessons from the AssumptionDVRodriguez2025-09-30T07:30:21-04:00

The Cross: Means of Suffering and Life

DVRodriguez2025-10-02T09:25:05-04:00

The True Cross was first found by St. Helena. Centuries later, the Persians stole it. The Christian Emperor, Heraclius, fasted and prayed, then conquered the Persians and recovered the Cross. He returned it to Jerusalem. Yet as he approached Calvary, the Cross grew heavier and he could no longer move forward. Only by imitating Our Lord’s humility could he proceed. Our Lord has tailor made crosses for each of us and they are rarely what we choose. We too can only advance if we follow Christ’s example, embracing our crosses. We do not like suffering; it goes against our nature. So [...]

The Cross: Means of Suffering and LifeDVRodriguez2025-10-02T09:25:05-04:00

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

DVRodriguez2025-10-02T09:23:04-04:00

Tradition holds that four famous portraits of the Virgin and Child were painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. One of these is the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, located today in the Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome. The order St. Alphonsus founded, the Redemptorists, have done much to promote this devotion after it was already greatly venerated in the East. St. Luke painted it on a table top crafted by Our Lord. The image was blessed by Our Lady, and she promised: “My grace will accompany it.” In this icon, Mary directs us to her Son. The Child [...]

Our Lady of Perpetual HelpDVRodriguez2025-10-02T09:23:04-04:00

The Prayer of St. Anne

DVRodriguez2025-09-08T12:26:58-04:00

“By their fruits you shall know them.” Let us apply our Lord’s words to St. Anne. She is Our Lord's grandmother and Our Lady's mother. St. Anne is a patroness for many, although her intercession is particularly focused on the family. She excelled in charity for the poor and love of God. She fervently prayed for a husband who would help her live according to the divine law. She and St. Joachim bore very heavy crosses with faith and humility. In fact, her deeds and prayers and deeds serve as a powerful example and inspiration. May we each grow in our [...]

The Prayer of St. AnneDVRodriguez2025-09-08T12:26:58-04:00

The Pharisee and the Publican

DVRodriguez2025-09-08T12:25:28-04:00

More people go to hell for their ‘good qualities’ than their weaknesses because they rely on themselves and forget God. 'Perfection' is the enemy of the good. And mercy is removing an evil by giving a good. The pharisee followed the law and did good. Yet he did not thank God, or ask anything of God, content in his pride and self-righteousness. That is why he judges others and considers himself above them. The publican, however, has humility. Humility is true knowledge of self. It is a foundational virtue, necessary to acquire all the others. Humility always stands in the truth. [...]

The Pharisee and the PublicanDVRodriguez2025-09-08T12:25:28-04:00