Sacraments

A Catholic Profession of Faith

DVRodriguez2026-06-03T06:59:29-04:00

Baptism, Faith, and the Church. These three major themes of Eastertide always go together and can’t be separated. God gives us Faith at Baptism through the Church. To be saved one must believe the Faith preached by the Church and be baptized. There Is a great crisis in the Church today because these three are being separated, especially by members of the hierarchy. He that believeth not shall be condemned. Doctrinal errors rampant today are exposed by a ‘Declaration of Catholic Faith’ recently published by a group of traditional Catholics. Women, look to the example of the Church to see what [...]

A Catholic Profession of FaithDVRodriguez2026-06-03T06:59:29-04:00

Adoro Te Devote

DVRodriguez2026-06-01T11:52:13-04:00

The Church presents us with three great Easter themes — Faith, Baptism, Holy Eucharist — and three great Easter professions of Faith. It is very easy to deceive ourselves regarding religion and faith. Anyone who considers himself ‘good’ but does not strive to keep the Faith deceives himself and his faith is in vain. We must be on guard to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, for the world inevitably takes us away from the Faith. A man of faith seeks to grow in faith and act by faith.

Adoro Te DevoteDVRodriguez2026-06-01T11:52:13-04:00

The Catholic Walketh by Faith

DVRodriguez2026-05-27T08:14:37-04:00

Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world. The Catholic Faith is the victory which overcometh the world. Faith is God’s free gift to us; it makes eternal life possible. Man must believe the Faith (truth), live by Faith (God’s commandments), and pray according to the Faith (worship revealed by God). It is impossible to please God without the True Faith. The just man – he who acts in accordance with his baptism – guides his thoughts, words, and actions by faith (truths revealed by God), not by his reason, experience, senses, perceptions or feelings.

The Catholic Walketh by FaithDVRodriguez2026-05-27T08:14:37-04:00

Do You Act Based on Faith?

DVRodriguez2026-05-17T08:13:33-04:00

Baptism and Faith are themes central to Easter (as is the Holy Eucharist). We must understand Faith as a supernatural virtue, knowing it rests on the authority of God, not our own reason or experience. Far too often we speak, act, dress, select our entertainment guided not by faith, but by our opinions or those of the world. This is a fatal mistake. Offer reparation, not because it is logical, but out of faith. Be faithful in prayer, not because you see its effects, but out of faith. Always carry the Faith in your mind and heart.

Do You Act Based on Faith?DVRodriguez2026-05-17T08:13:33-04:00

Death to Sin New Life in Christ

DVRodriguez2026-04-28T19:57:54-04:00

During the Easter Octave, the Church provides readings which prefigure baptism. Why? Because, as the Church Fathers teach, baptism is a practical consequence of the Resurrection. Every single day we must make efforts to be faithful to our grace of baptism, to guard our faith and to live by it, so that it may continue to grow. As long as our earthly pilgrimage lasts, we must pursue this double work of dying to sin and living for God. This is our call in Baptism. This is why Christ died and rose.

Death to Sin New Life in ChristDVRodriguez2026-04-28T19:57:54-04:00

Will You Reject God’s Invitation

DVRodriguez2025-11-04T10:43:01-05:00

Have you ever wondered why Our Lord told a parable where a king has a wedding guest bound and cast into the exterior darkness for simply failing to have proper attire? Father explains this parable (Matthew 22:1-14), noting that the Church is signified by the wedding feast. Clearly, it is not sufficient to simply be a member of the Church. Now those who preferred worldliness –or killed the messengers– are the Jews, and their city is destroyed (70 AD). Their fall opened the Church to the Gentiles, bad and good alike. In baptism, the soul “puts on Christ,” I.e. Jesus’ mind, [...]

Will You Reject God’s InvitationDVRodriguez2025-11-04T10:43:01-05:00

Secret of Matrimonial Poison or Happiness

DVRodriguez2025-08-23T15:11:12-04:00

We ask God to grant us an increase in religion; that we recognize His infinite majesty and our own nothingness. The natural fruit of religion is sacrifice. Today we apply this prayer to marriage. In marriage, God calls us to renounce ourselves (our senses, passions, will, judgment) for the good of our spouse and children. If you are not sacrificing in your marriage, how can you sacrifice to God? Self will spoils and corrupts marriage. Spouses must crucify the ‘old self’ and be motivated by the desire to do God’s will.

Secret of Matrimonial Poison or HappinessDVRodriguez2025-08-23T15:11:12-04:00

Christ Elevates Marriage to a Sacrament

DVRodriguez2025-03-30T13:26:07-04:00

God created marriage. At Cana, He elevated it to the level of a sacrament. Just as Christ was present at Cana, so He is present in every sacramental marriage. We should invite Our Lady to our marriage. Mary took note of the couples humiliating situation, interceded, and turned it to great joy. From water used for purification, Christ created a superabundance of the most exquisite wine, representing sacramental grace. Just as His disciples believed, so spouses should trust in Christ and His grace. What is a good reason for people to enter marriage? What should spouses do first thing in the [...]

Christ Elevates Marriage to a SacramentDVRodriguez2025-03-30T13:26:07-04:00

Duty and Peace in the Family

DVRodriguez2025-03-24T17:45:11-04:00

Marriage is under attack: its roles reversed, ends inverted, and duties abandoned. We must look to the Holy Family. The man has authority and must make difficult decisions for the good of the family. He provides, protects and leads prayers. The woman must embrace [monotonous] house work, support and obey her husband, and guide the children. Children must obey, be respectful, and ease the family’s burdens. (Obedience does have limits; it may never violate God’s law.) Pray for the light and grace to imitate the Holy Family. The Reign of Christ spreads in the world through true families.

Duty and Peace in the FamilyDVRodriguez2025-03-24T17:45:11-04:00

The Two Ends of Marriage

DVRodriguez2025-03-11T09:39:09-04:00

The primary end of marriage is to "increase and multiply" (Gn 1:28). God wants souls with which to share His goodness – Himself – for all eternity. Parents are 'stewards' of their children with the duty for help children reach the perfection God has planned for them (think of the parable of the talents). The secondary end is mutual help and the quelling of passion (Gn 2:18,23). Marriage demands a man and woman who are open to all the children God wishes to give them. They must be ready to die for their vocation, and not be motivated by self-interest or [...]

The Two Ends of MarriageDVRodriguez2025-03-11T09:39:09-04:00