Liturgical Year

O Immaculate Virgin Mary

DVR Fatima2023-12-16T17:17:45-05:00

From the Sermon 'Special Graces of the Immaculate Conception' given on December 8, 2019 O Immaculate Virgin Mary, conceived without sin! Thou wert miraculously preserved from even the shadow of sin, because thou wert destined to become not only the Mother of God, but also the mother, the refuge, and the advocate of man; penetrated therefore, with the most lively confidence in thy never-failing intercession, we most humbly implore thee to obtain for us that angelic purity which was thy favorite virtue, that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone, and that purity of intention which will consecrate [...]

O Immaculate Virgin MaryDVR Fatima2023-12-16T17:17:45-05:00

The Saints on Purgatory

DVRodriguez2023-12-11T16:30:52-05:00

You will be judged by God at your death, the moment your soul leaves your body, at the very spot where you breathe your last. All you ever said, thought or did shall come under God's judgment. Consider your end and the Last Things. Can the souls in Purgatory help us? When can our normal prayers not aid a soul in Purgatory? What grace is there in a mother who forgives even murder for the love of God? May the teaching and example of saints help motivate us.

The Saints on PurgatoryDVRodriguez2023-12-11T16:30:52-05:00

The Great Thought

DVRodriguez2023-12-08T16:58:46-05:00

For Christ to truly be King, He must reign in men's minds. This means man assents – with perfect submission and firm belief – to the doctrines taught by Christ and His Church. How terrible that many occupying high places in the Church are instead seeking to undermine His teachings. We instead must remain steadfast and faithful to the Great Truth. As an example, consider the Church's teachings on the Four Last Things. Review a 'Short Catechism on Eternity.' Heed the example of St. Anthony Mary Claret. And in all thy works, remember thy last end, and thou shall never sin [...]

The Great ThoughtDVRodriguez2023-12-08T16:58:46-05:00

Mystery is Essential to Christmas

DVRodriguez2023-12-08T16:06:31-05:00

Christ subverts the expectations of the worldly. Yet we are still in love with the things of this world – and our vice – because we have yet to see the true worth in tossing them aside. Christ changes the way we value things. The element of mystery, which surrounds Christmas, compels us to acts of greater virtue. (Note: Father's considerations of the Holy Family in Bethlehem touch upon matters not defined by Scripture or Tradition. Faithful Catholics are free to disagree on such details.)

Mystery is Essential to ChristmasDVRodriguez2023-12-08T16:06:31-05:00

Immaculate Conception Prayer

DVR Fatima2023-12-07T10:25:08-05:00

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Mary, mystic rose of purity, I rejoice with thee at the glorious triumph thou didst gain over the serpent by thy Immaculate Conception, in that thou wast conceived without original sin. I thank and praise with my whole heart the ever blessed Trinity, Who granted thee that glorious privilege; and I pray thee to obtain for me courage to overcome every snare of the great enemy, and never to stain my soul with mortal sin. Be thou always mine aid, and enable me with thy protection to obtain [...]

Immaculate Conception PrayerDVR Fatima2023-12-07T10:25:08-05:00

Be a Master of Your Craft

DVRodriguez2023-11-26T19:38:16-05:00

Here are three means to progress and excel in the spiritual life. [1] An ability to identify defects. We usually don't want to hear any critique of ourselves. Yet seeing our [minor] defects, which aren't easy to self detect, is the only way to make progress. [2] Humility in the spirit of collaboration. Every criticism has an element of truth, so be hungry for criticism (not paranoid or angry). [3] Love what you do and study your craft. Be obsessed with being Catholic. If you love your state in life, then at every moment you will try to learn how to [...]

Be a Master of Your CraftDVRodriguez2023-11-26T19:38:16-05:00

The World Beyond

DVRodriguez2023-11-26T16:55:07-05:00

The Church's feasts at the end of the liturgical year lead us to contemplate the Four Last Things. The enemies of Christ mind earthly things but those who seek to follow Christ contemplate the world beyond us. Tell yourself often, "I am going to die and I will be judged." This judgment shall be rigorous; are you prepared? Man must perfectly submit his mind to the truths of Christ, which always flow from the truth about who God is. And man must live in accordance with truth. As an example, consider the Church's teaching on Purgatory. It must be true for [...]

The World BeyondDVRodriguez2023-11-26T16:55:07-05:00

Thou Shall Not Make a False Peace

DVRodriguez2023-11-26T16:31:51-05:00

Why is the Synod discussing so many un-Catholic things? Why is the Latin Mass being suppressed? Why is Russia once again at war? We must seek the cause. And we shall find an all encompassing answer to these problems. Christ's truth requires that man first conquer in the interior life; then he can conquer on the outside. Yet modern man has sought new avenues according to his own wisdom. He seeks an easy way apart from the cross. He chooses compromise with the world to accomplish only an external peace. Yet false peace brings perpetual war. As we ignore Our Lady [...]

Thou Shall Not Make a False PeaceDVRodriguez2023-11-26T16:31:51-05:00

The One Thing That Prevents Your Sanctity

DVRodriguez2023-11-21T07:43:24-05:00

All Saints is time to reflect and celebrate those men and women who accomplished what they were born for. We are all meant to be saints and to reign in Heaven. Yet the Saints were at a time ordinary men and women. There is no difference between them and us on the level where we begin. So what did they do differently? What iron clad gates do we build up around our soul to prevent sanctity? Examine yourself and firmly resolve to eliminate just one simple thing which holds you back.

The One Thing That Prevents Your SanctityDVRodriguez2023-11-21T07:43:24-05:00

Great Pearl and Irrelevance of Novelty

DVRodriguez2023-11-20T08:46:34-05:00

False religions deny Christ and thus have the spirit of anitchrist. Modern Jews are defined by their rejection of Christ. Protestants identify themselves by their denial of the Church. This same pattern, of finding one's identity by denial or rejection, is found in the novus ordo liturgy. Many of its advocates harbor a virulent animus against Tradition, wishing to sentence the traditional liturgy to death. Revolutionaries long for the complete destruction of the old order, otherwise their revolution can't fully succeed. Traditional Catholics should not fall prey to identification by being against the new order for they have the most beautiful thing [...]

Great Pearl and Irrelevance of NoveltyDVRodriguez2023-11-20T08:46:34-05:00