34 Laetare Sunday

Frequently Sigh After Heaven

DVRodriguez2025-04-16T13:30:19-04:00

Our Lord provides a remarkable example: He raises His eyes to Heaven (to pray). The Church begins every Sunday Mass in Lent with a call to prayer. We rejoice today because we go to the House of the Lord, to be with Him in this ‘house of prayer.’ Everyone can pray, no matter their station or condition. Prayer, unlike many other laws or works, has no possible substitute. We often don’t pray as we ought. So don’t just go through the motions but apply yourself to prayer with diligence and care, fervor and devotion, and especially, great faith and love. We [...]

Frequently Sigh After HeavenDVRodriguez2025-04-16T13:30:19-04:00

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

Constantly Called to Faith

DVRodriguez2024-03-23T08:02:26-04:00

You that have been in sorrow, exult! These are words a soul hears upon entering Heaven. The only thing that truly matters is that you save your soul. Faith and humility are necessary to save your soul. Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are the best spiritual weapons to fight against sin and to be receptive to grace. He who does not employ these arms will surely be lost. Do not receive God's grace in vain! Make good use of it to get to Heaven.

Constantly Called to FaithDVRodriguez2024-03-23T08:02:26-04:00

Seven Privileges for St Joseph Devotees

DVRodriguez2023-05-01T11:50:14-04:00

God's gift of St. Joseph is a cause for great rejoicing. No saint's intercession, excepting Our Lady, is more powerful. Know the seven privileges granted those who invoke St. Joseph in a devout and proper manner. Meditate upon his life (as seen by the mystics). Appreciate his patronage more and grow in your devotion to him.

Seven Privileges for St Joseph DevoteesDVRodriguez2023-05-01T11:50:14-04:00

Rejoice Over the Crosses God Sends You

DVRodriguez2021-03-21T15:56:06-04:00

Today, the Church calls those who have been in sorrow to rejoice. This joy is not one connected to pleasures of the senses, but is a fruit of the Holy Ghost which brings great peace and tranquility of soul. It is a spiritual joy that comes from following Christ. It is a lenten joy that does not come without the Cross. It is a joy that comes through much pain and sorrow, yet it endures (unlike the passings joys of the senses). The Cross alone nourishes our love of God. So rejoice and be glad when God favors you with one [...]

Rejoice Over the Crosses God Sends YouDVRodriguez2021-03-21T15:56:06-04:00

Guided by Faith Not Pandemic Precaution

DVRodriguez2020-03-23T15:03:05-04:00

As we pass through this supposed Coronavirus pandemic, let us have our eyes ever upon the Lord. In turning our hearts to God, we also seek the intercession if the saints, such as St Roch, and St. Rosalia. I pose to you three questions having to do with Faith which every Catholic ought to seriously ponder. [1] Do I truly believe that the most dangerous virus is sin? That sin is disastrous for the soul and the body? [2] Do I truly believe that that Jesus Christ is present in the Holy Eucharist? [3] Do I truly believe in the present reality [...]

Guided by Faith Not Pandemic PrecautionDVRodriguez2020-03-23T15:03:05-04:00

Behold a Rose of Judah

svfonline2019-04-12T08:46:42-04:00

Laetare Sunday is also known as Rose Sunday because of an ancient practice of the Church of Rome where the Pope himself would bless a rose and then carry it in procession. The rose symbolized the Son of God and Son of Mary. Flowers are given on many occasions, but roses are for one's beloved. The Father's only Rose - a long stemmed Blood Red Rose complete with thorns - was presented to us. Like the Adam of old, who was called to cultivate and work the Garden of Eden, so the New Adam cultivates spiritually His own garden, the Holy [...]

Behold a Rose of Judahsvfonline2019-04-12T08:46:42-04:00

This Too Shall Pass

svfonline2019-04-08T09:24:16-04:00

How helpful is a sanguine lighthearted approach to Lent and especially to the trails of this life. Let us consider Lent as a holy game with its particular rules, exercises, and even a "half-time," represented by Lætare Sunday. It is important to avoid two excesses when playing a game, and this holds for Lent as well. Avoid not taking it seriously enough (e.g. the Catholic who does the absolute minimum, considers Lent a nuisance, and fails to excite great contrition for his sins) and avoid taking it too seriously (e.g. the Catholic who prides himself in his austerities and views them [...]

This Too Shall Passsvfonline2019-04-08T09:24:16-04:00