68 Pentecost 8th Sunday

Our Lady of Perpetual Help

DVRodriguez2025-10-02T09:23:04-04:00

Tradition holds that four famous portraits of the Virgin and Child were painted by St. Luke the Evangelist. One of these is the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, located today in the Church of St. Alphonsus in Rome. The order St. Alphonsus founded, the Redemptorists, have done much to promote this devotion after it was already greatly venerated in the East. St. Luke painted it on a table top crafted by Our Lord. The image was blessed by Our Lady, and she promised: “My grace will accompany it.” In this icon, Mary directs us to her Son. The Child [...]

Our Lady of Perpetual HelpDVRodriguez2025-10-02T09:23:04-04:00

The Mammon of Iniquity

DVRodriguez2025-08-07T12:38:55-04:00

Our Lord praises the unjust steward’s shrewdness: he saw himself as he is and did what it took to survive. All created goods (mammon) are given to us by God to be used moderately and prudently. In this way we are “friends” to them and they help us reach God. But when we misuse them they turn to evil (iniquity). What created things are you misusing? Some common ones are technology, alcohol, debt, friends, and clothing. A basic Catholic life, with the penance of prayer and sacrifice, will help us use all created goods as God intended.

The Mammon of IniquityDVRodriguez2025-08-07T12:38:55-04:00

Saint Longinus

DVRodriguez2024-09-08T21:31:02-04:00

St. Longinus was present both at the crucifixion and the resurrection. He was miraculously healed and instructed by the Apostles. Refusing to worship demons, he was tortured and martyred. Yet he preserved relics of the Precious Blood for all generations. We have access to the Precious Blood at Mass; but we must exercise Faith. The Sacraments are like seven channels by which the salvific stream of the Precious Blood flows to mankind. At every Mass, the shedding of His Blood blood is repeated in a manner imperceptible to our senses. How ardently do you believe –and live– this great truth?

Saint LonginusDVRodriguez2024-09-08T21:31:02-04:00

Mammon of Iniquity

DVRodriguez2024-07-28T21:47:04-04:00

Created things are not sinful. They are good for God has made them. We are to use the created things God has given us to please Him, to merit His graces, to fulfill our duty and come to Heaven. But they become an object of sin when we misuse them. Consider our use of food, drink, cell phones, clothing, and time to excess or defect. We restore the balance with penance and fasting. Everything is good, but not everything is good for me. So, what creature has become the mammon of iniquity for me?

Mammon of IniquityDVRodriguez2024-07-28T21:47:04-04:00

Refuge of Sinners Atone for Us

DVRodriguez2023-09-03T11:22:01-04:00

Devotion to the Precious Blood is an excellent way to participate well at Holy Mass. Adore and thank the Precious Blood; invoke Its infinite power; and beg It to atone for our may sins. This is devotion to the Person of Christ. It leads to a deeper union with Him. Jesus shed every drop of His Precious Blood for our salvation; It is the fountain of every grace we need. Practical ways to grow in this devotion come from the saints and the Church's prayers.

Refuge of Sinners Atone for UsDVRodriguez2023-09-03T11:22:01-04:00

Concrete Spiritual Goals and Focus

DVRodriguez2022-11-07T12:39:23-05:00

In the spiritual life, how clear are our goals and vision? These things define us; yet they require careful examination and determination. So often we are misdirected. We accept the devil’s lies that sanctity is not for me, that life is too unmanageable, and I can’t overcome my problems. What we need is passion: to love our vocation – even to the point of obsession.

Concrete Spiritual Goals and FocusDVRodriguez2022-11-07T12:39:23-05:00

Reparation and the Precious Blood

DVRodriguez2022-10-17T07:15:15-04:00

Holy Mass, Confession, and Holy Communion are the great vessels, or fountains, of the Precious Blood. We must place the greatest importance upon them, for their power is far above our devotions and sacramentals. These three are also the greatest means to make reparation. We must open our eyes to see how great is this need. Remember your sins first, then those of the Church and the world - there is so much ingratitude, indifference and infidelity. By reparation we 'balance' the evil with good and console Our Lord and Our Lady.

Reparation and the Precious BloodDVRodriguez2022-10-17T07:15:15-04:00

New Mass Amtrak and Coke

DVRodriguez2022-09-06T09:28:27-04:00

Why do we not learn from two colossal business failures (new coke and Amtrak)? The New Mass is not a "change" rooted in any apostolic tradition but an utterly new man-made rite of a committee's innovation. Despite hierarchical subsidies and elimination of 'competition,' churches with the New Mass continue emptying. The New Mass does not interest the youth or generate vocations. The Traditional Mass is the most significant area of growth in the Church, yet ecclesial leaders are now seeking to contain and eliminate it. We must persevere in the True Faith!

New Mass Amtrak and CokeDVRodriguez2022-09-06T09:28:27-04:00

Resist the False Attack upon the Mass

DVRodriguez2021-07-19T09:15:03-04:00

A terrible document aimed at destroying the Mass of All Time is upon us. It goes against the Church's ancient Tradition; against God Himself. Hence we cannot obey it. We must stand fast despite being persecuted. Sadly, many Catholics do not realize that there are limits to the authority of the pope and bishops - limits witnessed to by the Church Herself. The hierarchy has authority so as to guard, protect, and transmit the Catholic doctrinal, moral and liturgical tradition - not to eliminate it! We have been infected with the falsehood that the liturgy is our work. No. It is [...]

Resist the False Attack upon the MassDVRodriguez2021-07-19T09:15:03-04:00

This Too Shall Pass

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

To be led by the Holy Ghost, you must repeatedly ask for His help. Come Holy Ghost! Enlighten my mind. Strengthen my will. Inflame my heart. The Holy Ghost is opposed by a three-fold source of evil: the devil, the world and the flesh. These spiritual enemies lead men's minds into error and enslave their wills to vice. On account of our fallen nature, our wills are weak and our hearts are selfish and self-seeking. We must take this seriously! To love in a proper and self-sacrificial way, we need the light and strength that comes from God. Pray especially for [...]

This Too Shall PassDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00