Liturgical Year

Knowing Jesus Christ Crucified

DVRodriguez2023-04-27T10:30:47-04:00

Passiontide is a time of mourning. All our statues, save the Stations, are veiled in purple. These are the two great weeks of our salvation. St. Philip Neri converted Rome by turning eyes onto the Passion of Christ. St. Paul of the Cross reminds us" "The greatest most stupendous overwhelming work of God's love is the passion and death of our Savior Jesus Christ; and so we have that always before us." Strive to meditate on His passion, at least a few minutes, every day. And pray for grace to suffer for the love of Jesus.

Knowing Jesus Christ CrucifiedDVRodriguez2023-04-27T10:30:47-04:00

Seven Last Words

DVRodriguez2023-05-01T11:08:09-04:00

There is nothing more conducive to the attainment of salvation than to think every day on the pains which Jesus Christ suffered for love of us. One way to do this is to meditate upon His final words from the Cross. By these words, it is clear that His death brings us seven magnificent graces.

Seven Last WordsDVRodriguez2023-05-01T11:08:09-04:00

Just Be Good

DVRodriguez2023-04-20T08:50:58-04:00

Lent and Easter have passed. The spiritual battle remains. We must reject the devil and ALL his works. satan's battle is focused on a grand scale against goodness where Catholics don't even realize he is attacking. Identify where in your own life you are supporting the world and the enemy who incessantly attack God. See the inconsistencies which are stopping you from doing good. Root them out and just be good.

Just Be GoodDVRodriguez2023-04-20T08:50:58-04:00

The Exsutlet

DVRodriguez2023-04-17T07:03:11-04:00

At the Easter Vigil we sing the Exsultet. It is a great Christian hymn praising the sacrificial Lamb and victory of our King. It proclaims the Cross. By the Cross He conquered; from the Cross He reigns; His wounds heal. The Cross puts the devil to flight, brings conversion, and bestows innumerable graces. The principal reason we have not received more graces and blessings is because, rather than embrace and love the Cross, we complain and reject the Cross. Yet the Cross is the source of all blessings and the cause of all graces. We must truly believe this.

The ExsutletDVRodriguez2023-04-17T07:03:11-04:00

The True Roman Rite

DVRodriguez2023-04-17T07:55:55-04:00

The Roman Empire's Fall sent shockwaves throughout the world. The unthinkable had occurred. Then God sent a holy man - St. Benedict - to revitalize a continent in darkness. The Benedictines most important work was true divine worship. Today another great fall threatens: the collapse of the Roman Liturgy. No one should dare touch its essentials, for fidelity to the liturgy is fidelity to Christ and confession of the True Faith. But we have witnessed a liturgical rupture. Tradition is the guiding principle for all Christian Liturgy. It is handed down, not artificially constructed. It originates from Christ and is guided [...]

The True Roman RiteDVRodriguez2023-04-17T07:55:55-04:00

Early in the Morning

DVRodriguez2023-04-17T05:44:21-04:00

Throughout history, God likes to work early in the morning. This is typological. It reflects the Resurrection. The psalms teach that at this time He hears prayers, grants mercy, and destroys His enemies. Consider Sennacherib's Assyrian siege of Jerusalem under good King Hezekiah (~701 BC). Consider the prophecy of Isaias 28:14-19 and let us avoid entering a league with falsehood, hell and death. Hold fast to the Faith and the Mass, which remain immovable – even in this dark time. Let us rise early and be about the duties of our state, for the glory of God and salvation of our [...]

Early in the MorningDVRodriguez2023-04-17T05:44:21-04:00

Prayer – Why How What

DVRodriguez2023-04-08T08:06:18-04:00

Like fasting, prayer makes satisfaction for sins, protects us from the enemies of our soul, and obtains grace from God. Prayer is offering God our homage and imploring His favors in order to grow in holiness for His glory. It ought to be humble, fervent, resigned, persevering and accompanied with great reverence. Practice the Presence of God, have a set time to prayer, and use traditional prayer books. Look to three great examples of prayer in Our Lord's life: His time in the desert, His agony in Gethsemane, His death on the Cross.

Prayer – Why How WhatDVRodriguez2023-04-08T08:06:18-04:00

Fruits of Fasting

DVRodriguez2023-04-06T14:32:08-04:00

The goal of Lent is to grow in your love of God: to do His holy will, to live for Him, to be with Him. Fasting gives strength against sin, represses evil desires, repels temptation, humbles pride, cools anger, quenches fires of lust, renders the heart contrite, detaches from the world and and helps practice every virtue. It has great spiritual fruit: [1] makes satisfaction for sins, [2] protects the soul from its enemies, [3] and obtains grace from God. What better motives can you have to fast and abstain!

Fruits of FastingDVRodriguez2023-04-06T14:32:08-04:00

When Is It Asking Too Much

DVRodriguez2023-04-03T14:37:27-04:00

Things are now different in Passiontide. The Church covers up her saints? Why? She is merely following the spirit of her Master, who now covers up His glory. If Christ has nothing to give you, will you still follow Him? What are the limits of your love for Him? All that really matters is that we fall in love with Christ. This is the Catholic Faith. These two weeks define us as Catholics, how will you respond?

When Is It Asking Too MuchDVRodriguez2023-04-03T14:37:27-04:00

Fasting and Prayer Dispel Spiritual Blindness

DVRodriguez2023-04-05T10:15:04-04:00

In today's Gospel, Jesus Himself teaches us how to see supernatural realities (the value of grace, of union with God). Satan works to tempt him in worldly ways. Take to heart the importance of prayer and fasting. Without these, we are guaranteed to lose the spiritual battle. Make efforts to grow in your prayer repertoire and to pray with a pure heart. Fasting is urgently needed to do necessary penance and to recover our Catholic Faith. Write down your Lenten plan for accountability!

Fasting and Prayer Dispel Spiritual BlindnessDVRodriguez2023-04-05T10:15:04-04:00