Liturgical Year

Christ and the Liturgical Year Part1

svfonline2019-04-22T11:03:56-04:00

During the course of the liturgical year we are celebrating the great mystery of our Savior Jesus Christ. The five most holy days provide the structure of the entire liturgical year: Christmas, epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost. Most Catholics fail to realize that, as Pius XII teaches, the liturgical year is Christ Himself - Who is ever living in His Church. We always have to keep making this act of Fatih for little of it is apparent to our senses. It is primarily through living the liturgical year that we come to truly know Christ, believe in Him, and follow Him. The [...]

Christ and the Liturgical Year Part1svfonline2019-04-22T11:03:56-04:00

Prisoner of Love

svfonline2019-04-20T07:06:12-04:00

Cell Block 26 at the concentration camp in Dachau (Bavaria, Germany) was known as the 'Priest Block.' More than 3000 priests suffered at Dachau, yet in the midst of this terrible imprisonment, they had Mass and our Eucharistic Lord. In the Blessed Sacrament, and through His sacred Priests, Christ has chosen to abide among those who crucified Him as a "Prisoner of Love." Here he humbles Himself even more than at the Incarnation, as now both His Divinity and humanity are hidden. He is now more vulnerable and more dependent than even as an Infant in Mary's arms. He perpetually dwells [...]

Prisoner of Lovesvfonline2019-04-20T07:06:12-04:00

Grievance Culture vs Christ the Victim

svfonline2019-04-18T06:18:47-04:00

We hear a lot about grievances today. 'Grievance communities' compete for exceptional treatment and vie to claim the role of greater victim. In fact, we are a nation of grievance-nurturers, living in a grievance culture. Yet as we enter Holy Week, we are called to deepen our meditation upon the horrific injustices perpetrated against our dearest Lord, to God Himself! We are awed by His power and by His willingness to hand Himself over to His enemies. Compare this to the devil, the ultimate Lord of the grievance community, who is always filled with rage and resentment. Although a true Victim [...]

Grievance Culture vs Christ the Victimsvfonline2019-04-18T06:18:47-04:00

Christ Will Not Be Known Without His Cross

svfonline2019-04-16T06:20:48-04:00

Throughout the three years of His public life, His Majesty did not allow anyone to publicly proclaim Him to be the Christ (Messias, Savior). He silenced the demons who tried to reveal Him and commanded His disciples to keep quiet until after He had risen from the dead. Why did Our Blessed Lord not want to be known as the Christ? We learn the answer on Palm Sunday, for this is when He first allows people to proclaim Him to be the Christ, the Son of David and King. His hour is now at hand and Palm Sunday begins the immediate [...]

Christ Will Not Be Known Without His Crosssvfonline2019-04-16T06:20:48-04:00

Whose Glory Do You Seek

svfonline2019-04-12T08:52:01-04:00

How do we keep Christ's words? Do we seek to use them simply to justify ourselves and serve our cause? If so, we glorify ourselves. Yet if speak with meekness, bless, and give good words - for our salvation and our neighbor's advantage - then we glorify God. When one is unable to speak thus, silence is best, lest one mimic the devil's tongue uttering curses, insults, deceit and envy. In such an event we are worse than devils, because we use that very same tongue to also taste the Flesh of the Savior. We know it is hard to remain [...]

Whose Glory Do You Seeksvfonline2019-04-12T08:52:01-04:00

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

Passiontide and the Mass

svfonline2019-04-08T07:27:33-04:00

Passiontide is upon us and and we enter the two holiest weeks of the year. At this time, Christ calls His Church, each and every member, to be focussed on His Passion. His Passion is the font of all grace and mercy, of all life and salvation; the means whereby He conquered death and opened the gates of Heaven. The statues are now veiled, calling us to mourn and meditate constantly on His Passion. The saints teach there is no exercise more profitable for the salvation of the soul and to advance in virtue and grace. We have many ways by [...]

Passiontide and the Masssvfonline2019-04-08T07:27:33-04:00

God Protects the Humble

svfonline2019-04-01T06:17:51-04:00

Consider the prideful desire we often have for defending our honor. We are so busy protecting our name that we often don't allow God to do so. Learn from the collect, a prayer which always teaches how to pray and how to live. If you want your prayer heard - be humble! If you seek God's protection - be humble! That is, think, speak and act like you need God's protection, instead of relying on your own. Do not be prideful in your Lenten penances, but through them see your weakness. Good penances make us diminish so that Christ increases (recall [...]

God Protects the Humblesvfonline2019-04-01T06:17:51-04:00

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION – Dec 8
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IMMACULATE CONCEPTION – Dec 8

DVRodriguez2025-02-05T11:11:29-05:00

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY (DEC 8) PRESENCE OF GOD I place myself in the presence of Mary Immaculate, my loving Mother, and listen to her invitation: "Come over to me all you who desire me, and I will declare to you what great things God has done for my soul." MEDITATION 1. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is in perfect harmony with the spirit of Advent; while the soul is preparing for the coming of the Redeemer, it is fitting to think of her, the all-pure one, who was His Mother. The very promise of a [...]

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION – Dec 8DVRodriguez2025-02-05T11:11:29-05:00