Sacramentals

The Advent Wreath

DVRodriguez2023-12-22T08:21:13-05:00

The Advent Wreath is full of rich symbolism. The circular shape evokes eternity and the evergreen represents hope and renewal. Purple stands for penance and rose for joy. Each colored candle represents a millennia and a person(s). A blessed and lighted candle always symbolizes Christ. Each candle also represents a great truth about Christ: [1] He will come again in power to judge all. [2] He will judge me at the moment of my death. [3] Jesus comes to me with His grace, now, especially at Mass. [4] Jesus came in the flesh to save us - to save me. Hope [...]

The Advent WreathDVRodriguez2023-12-22T08:21:13-05:00

The Perfect Carmelite

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

St. Teresa of Jesus of the Andes wrote, “The Most Holy Virgin, my Mother, was a perfect Carmelite.” The word 'Carmel' means 'Garden of God.' With this in mind, St. Louis de Montfort wrote of her: “Mary is the true paradise of the new Adam… filled with untold riches, with beauty, with delights, with all sorts of good things the new Adam left there." God wants us to come out of the world and into this Garden, to partake of its beauty and graces. Jesus Himself is always in this garden. How do we do this? [1] If we become nothing [...]

The Perfect CarmeliteDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

True Disciple and Brown Scapular

DVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

Our Lord gave His own Mother to St. John at the foot of the Cross. By this, He showed that she is included in what it means to be faithful Catholic. As one of His final public acts, its gravity and importance is indisputable. Moreover, He did it from the Cross so that it would be remembered and re-presented for all time in the Holy Mass. In this scene, we have a kind of definition for what it means to be a 'beloved disciple' of Christ. He has climbed the mountain, he contemplates the passion atop Calvary, he suffers with Christ, and he is a [...]

True Disciple and Brown ScapularDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00

Power of Sacramentals

DVRodriguez2020-03-18T05:17:55-04:00

We should obviously be careful in regards to preventing the spread of the coronavirus by practicing proper hygiene. Those who are sick should not come to Mass – out of charity to others. The history of past flus, such as the Spanish Flu (1918) or Swine Flu (2009), should serve as warnings that these diseases can be deadly. Yet more importantly, we should employ spiritual means to combat such diseases: holy water, blessed palms, scapulars, the St. Benedict Medal and processions to name a few. Churches should be open, Holy Mass available, and public prayer encouraged. Above all, this is a [...]

Power of SacramentalsDVRodriguez2020-03-18T05:17:55-04:00

Blessed Candles and the Heart of Mary

DVRodriguez2020-02-18T06:40:12-05:00

The Christmas Season engrains in our minds Our Lady's great love for Jesus. This is what is characteristic of her heart. Mary teaches us to contemplate Jesus, for her eyes and ears were only focussed on Him. What about us? Today's feast also reminds us that Our Lady has a sorrowful suffering Heart. She suffers so that our hearts will be purified. In Christmastide, God is giving us the heart of His Blessed Mother, so that we may love, contemplate and suffer for Jesus after her example. Today is also Candlemas, the end of the Christmas season, when the Church uses [...]

Blessed Candles and the Heart of MaryDVRodriguez2020-02-18T06:40:12-05:00