Saints

Prayer to St. Joseph

DVR Fatima2025-03-03T10:35:26-05:00

From a sermon given on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19, 2019) Hail Joseph, image of God the Father.  Hail Joseph, father of God the Son.  Hail Joseph, temple of the Holy Ghost.  Hail Joseph, beloved of the Holy Trinity.  Hail Joseph, most faithful helper in the great plan of Redemption.  Hail Joseph, most worthy spouse of the Virgin Mother.  Hail Joseph, father of all the faithful.  Hail Joseph, guardian of holy virgins.  Hail Joseph, greatest lover of poverty.  Hail Joseph, example of meekness and patience.  Hail Joseph, mirror of humility and obedience. Blessed art thou among all men. And blessed are thine eyes, which have seen what thou hast [...]

Prayer to St. JosephDVR Fatima2025-03-03T10:35:26-05:00

Charity Must Begin at Home

DVRodriguez2024-12-01T12:29:50-05:00

Faith, hope, and charity are like a mustard seed. Meant to grow from the moment of baptism, they are essential to the Kingdom of God. Charity means loving God above all things for His own sake and loving our neighbor for the sake of God. We must patiently endure the faults of others, forgive injuries, and do good to our enemies. God also calls us to practice charity towards the souls in Purgatory. To be more effective, sacrifices, prayers and indulgences should be offered with true charity. Look to the teaching and example of the saints, such as St. Gertrude the [...]

Charity Must Begin at HomeDVRodriguez2024-12-01T12:29:50-05:00

Glorious is God in His Saints

DVRodriguez2024-11-21T16:48:59-05:00

Christ the King has redeemed and transformed all time. Living in accordance with the liturgical year is a basic and daily way by which we truly live as Christ's subjects. Yet the vast majority of Catholics ignore His being Lord of all time. The recent feasts emphasize the importance of the saints. Make a special effort to draw closer to them. The examples of St. Rita of Casia (+1457), saint of the impossible, and St. Humility (+1310), illustrate how the saints made Christ sovereign over mind, will, body, time, and life. By their intercession may we too enthrone Christ over our [...]

Glorious is God in His SaintsDVRodriguez2024-11-21T16:48:59-05:00

The Saints Believe Christ is King

DVRodriguez2024-11-04T08:46:50-05:00

The saints truly believe – and live! – that Christ is King. We see this in their heartfelt prayer, which we should strive to adopt as own. Do not fall prey to the founding principles of modern democracies which reject, or set aside, Christ's Kingship. Catholics should not live in accordance with these errors, even if everyone else around us does. While this is not an issue we can force, we can be clear regarding the truth and plant the seeds of truth in others. You may not be able to change the trajectory of the nation (that may require a [...]

The Saints Believe Christ is KingDVRodriguez2024-11-04T08:46:50-05:00

Patronage of St Michael

DVRodriguez2024-11-04T08:48:23-05:00

St. Michael promotes and defends the glory of God, which includes the truth of God and what He has revealed. St. Michael is the guardian angel of the Holy Eucharist and of the Catholic Faith. He is the defender of the Church and of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When these are not upheld, his guardianship lessens. Catholic bulwarks are being dismantled and satan is wrecking havoc in the Church. Francis' latest statements, perhaps his worst on record, clearly contradict Our Lord. Priests are being persecuted by churchmen simply for defending the Church's doctrine and worship. Our love and devotion to St. [...]

Patronage of St MichaelDVRodriguez2024-11-04T08:48:23-05:00

Holy Communion with Mary and Joseph

DVRodriguez2024-10-27T17:39:01-04:00

Sermon at the First Communion of one of Father's nieces. Saint Teresa, ora pro nobis.

Holy Communion with Mary and JosephDVRodriguez2024-10-27T17:39:01-04:00

What Does It Mean to Be Merciful

DVRodriguez2024-08-29T17:54:41-04:00

God shows His power most by being merciful. Yet this is terribly misunderstood. Mercy means we see someone who is suffering and are moved to act! Mercy means replacing an evil with a good and thereby alleviating the suffering. We find this mercy in the Sacrament of Penance. Too often Catholics lose respect and honor for the sacrament; then one fails to receive all the available graces. Review how to make a good confession. See the greatness of what God is giving us. The examples of Saints Mary Magdalene. Zacheus, and Dismas will help enliven our souls with true contrition.

What Does It Mean to Be MercifulDVRodriguez2024-08-29T17:54:41-04:00

The Saints and the Precious Blood

DVRodriguez2024-08-25T16:18:11-04:00

May the saints who had a a great devotion to the Precious Blood be our guides in participating more fruitfully at Holy Mass. They help us believe in – and focus our attention upon – Our Lord's great mysteries. Saints Mechtilde, Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, Margaret Mary Alacoque, John Vianney and St. Dominic are but a few examples. At Mass, Our Lord presents His wounds to His Heavenly Father. Upon seeing them, the Father forgives us. We too should look upon His wounds, for it will move us to repent of our sins. His Precious Blood shall move us to confidence [...]

The Saints and the Precious BloodDVRodriguez2024-08-25T16:18:11-04:00

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

Martyrs of Christmastide

DVRodriguez2024-02-04T09:05:02-05:00

At the center of Christmas we see Jesus willing to take on a human nature so that we may be conformed to His likeness. Another "epiphany" is the Divine Child revealing Himself by shedding His Precious Blood and giving us the grace to live and die for Him. As Christ's disciples, we are called to believe in Him and to be faithful to His teaching (which is the teaching of the Church). Every single martyr gave his blood for the truth; we must be willing to suffer for the truth. The Church honors many martyrs in this season: SS. Peter and [...]

Martyrs of ChristmastideDVRodriguez2024-02-04T09:05:02-05:00