Liturgical Year

Dark Night of Advent

DVRodriguez2019-12-24T13:58:13-05:00

We are nearing the end of Advent. It is the darkest time of the year in more ways than one. You may be feeling more attacks and temptations than normal. Are you physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually worn down? Patience runs low, relationships are stained, some even broken. We desire to do the good, but the power seems lacking. This is Advent. It is a revealer of faults and problems. God means for it to be a passive purgation. With St. John of the Cross as our guide, let us consider various spiritual maladies which prevent those who want to grow [...]

Dark Night of AdventDVRodriguez2019-12-24T13:58:13-05:00

Special Graces of the Immaculate Conception

DVRodriguez2019-12-15T08:07:50-05:00

Pope Pius IX lists seven Old Testament types which support the great dogma of the Immaculate Conception. A natural question to ask is 'How does this dogma practically affect me?' Well, the practical applications are far more extensive than Catholics probably realize. Above all, this dogma draws one to turn to the Immaculate Conception with great confidence, whatever the need. Ask for her intercession in all dangers, difficulties, needs, doubts and fears. Also, frequently request from her the special graces that are particularly linked to the mystery of her Immaculate Conception. For example, [1] An intense hatred for sin; [2] A [...]

Special Graces of the Immaculate ConceptionDVRodriguez2019-12-15T08:07:50-05:00

Our Lady Prepares Us

DVRodriguez2019-12-15T08:00:20-05:00

The Blessed Virgin Mary is completely victorious over Satan and sin; she crushes the head of the dragon. And this overcoming sin is a reason why devotion to Our Lady is given so much importance at the start of the Church Year; in Advent, as we look to the Day of Judgment. God is holy and only reposes in holy places. If we wish Him to come to us, we must united to Our Lady.

Our Lady Prepares UsDVRodriguez2019-12-15T08:00:20-05:00

Immovable Column

DVRodriguez2019-12-15T07:55:15-05:00

In a Roman piazza near the famous Spanish Steps, stands a high and beautiful marble column of the Immaculate Conception. It is fittingly located in front of the office of the Propagation of the Faith. Right away we see a connection. If we want to preserve our faith, then be devoted to this Woman. The column was dedicated to honor Pius XI's proclamation of the Immaculate Conception and its prophetic statues and base reliefs provide a deeper explanation of the Church's teaching on this dogma. Yet there is more, for in ancient times this column had been dedicated to Minerva, the [...]

Immovable ColumnDVRodriguez2019-12-15T07:55:15-05:00

Fix Your Heart on the World to Come

DVRodriguez2019-11-28T06:59:58-05:00

Three signs given to us by God which urge us to fix our minds and hearts on the world to come are [1] This month of November, [2] Today's Holy Gospel on the Coming of Christ at the Last Judgment, and [3] The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. So many of the changes made to the Mass have contributed, directly and indirectly, to the Catholic Faithful no longer fixing their attention on the life hereafter, but rather on things of this world which are passing away. At Holy Mass, Heaven comes down to earth and we are raised up to Heaven. [...]

Fix Your Heart on the World to ComeDVRodriguez2019-11-28T06:59:58-05:00

Thou Callest Me Master and Heedest Me Not

DVRodriguez2019-11-24T11:21:25-05:00

Consider the following words carved by an unknown sculptor into the walls of an old European Cathedral: "Thou callest Me Master, yet heedest not Me. Thou callest Me Light, yet I shine not in thee. That callest me Way, but dost follow Me not... Thou callest Me JUST; Oh! if just then I be, when I shall condemn thee, reproach thou not Me." These words can serve as a helpful examination of conscience. Place them in your prayerbooks or refrigerator door - anywhere you will see them often and meditate upon their profound import.

Thou Callest Me Master and Heedest Me NotDVRodriguez2019-11-24T11:21:25-05:00

Church vs Occult Connectivity

DVRodriguez2019-11-18T05:26:56-05:00

There is lots of talk about how everything in the world is 'interconnected.' As with so many things, there is a good and true connectivity and also an evil and deceptive connectivity. Through His One Holy Catholic Church, God does establish a universal connectivity, which goes even beyond this world. His connections are ordered, based upon grace, and are imminently vertical. The Church's one Faith, one Priesthood, and Sacraments establish and maintain this connection. The devil's interconnections are horizontal, based on earthly things (e.g. environmentalism, animism, false brotherhood). God's is like a ladder; the devil's is like a spider’s web. The [...]

Church vs Occult ConnectivityDVRodriguez2019-11-18T05:26:56-05:00

Enslavement is Inescapable

DVRodriguez2019-11-14T16:54:26-05:00

Slavery is inescapable! You can however chose your master. Yet there really are only two choices: the dreary slavery of the devil or the sweet yoke of Christ. Heaven or hell. The saints see infallible dogmas as golden chains that bind the mind to the One Truth, God. The damned are held fast by only one principle, 'Do what you will.' The saints are yoked by a holy routine of prayer, penance, fasting, study and duty. The damned are imprisoned by the routine of habitual sin and regular indulgence. If you pick Christ as your King and allow Him to draw [...]

Enslavement is InescapableDVRodriguez2019-11-14T16:54:26-05:00

Forgiving Enemies to Free Poor Souls

DVRodriguez2019-11-14T06:30:31-05:00

We can help the poor souls in Purgatory by our seeking to be reconciled with those who have offended us here on earth. St. Teresa of Jesus liked to forgive her enemies because she would then turn to God and ask Him to fulfill His promise to forgive her all her faults. A powerful example comes from the life of St. Gerard Majella, reputed for his pace-making ability. Through him God shows that our forgiveness can even cancel the debts of the poor souls. This is yet another reason not to let enmity simmer or desire revenge, but to seek a [...]

Forgiving Enemies to Free Poor SoulsDVRodriguez2019-11-14T06:30:31-05:00

Strive for the Eternal not the Perishable

DVRodriguez2019-11-14T06:11:18-05:00

We belong to God. Thus, we must do our very best to fulfill His holy will and our primary focus has to be on the world to come. During November, Holy Mother Church focuses us on the world to come in a more intense manner. She turns our attention to the saints and poor souls in Purgatory, reminding us that the Church is much more than those here on earth. On the other hand, a common trait shared by the three enemies of our soul's salvation is 'the insatiable craving for things perishable with complete forgetfulness of things eternal.' The more one learns [...]

Strive for the Eternal not the PerishableDVRodriguez2019-11-14T06:11:18-05:00