Saints

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

My Heart Remains in Bethlehem

DVRodriguez2024-01-22T14:35:24-05:00

Epiphany is truly a feast of the Nativity of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Three Kings are central to Christmas. They teach us that every single person (ALL!) is called to know, love, serve and adore Jesus Christ. And we are to do this with our entire being.

My Heart Remains in BethlehemDVRodriguez2024-01-22T14:35:24-05:00

The Doctrine of Predestination

DVRodriguez2023-12-17T10:57:40-05:00

God by the eternal resolve of His will has predetermined certain men to eternal blessedness. The number of the elect is predetermined and can not change (none added, none taken away). While God wills all men to be saved, not all men are saved. This is based not on God's providence but on a man's sin and lack of contrition. The heresy of "double predestination" holds that men are like brute beasts with God leading some to salvation and others to damnation by His (predetermined) divine will. For men how are saved, it is a gift from God; from men who [...]

The Doctrine of PredestinationDVRodriguez2023-12-17T10:57:40-05:00

Eternity Always in View

DVRodriguez2023-12-17T10:22:20-05:00

Nothing impure can enter Heaven. Thinking about Purgatory inspires penance and self denial (which we all struggle with). Here are five important means to avoid Purgatory. Our Lady is the Mother of everyone in Purgatory and there is no soul there whose pain is not alleviated by her. Happy is the he who loves with eternity always in view; with a lively faith that he must shortly die and enter into eternity.

Eternity Always in ViewDVRodriguez2023-12-17T10:22:20-05:00

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

Catholic Origins of Thanksgiving

DVR Fatima2023-11-21T12:21:42-05:00

Have you ever wondered why we eat turkey at Thanksgiving? Most Americans know the story about the Puritan Pilgrims who came aboard the Mayflower and landed at Plymouth in 1620. They nearly starved to death but were helped by the Wampanoag tribe. The next fall they held a food-filled autumn fest celebrating their friendship and thanking God – for their survival.It was quite natural for the pilgrims to hold such a celebration, as autumn harvest feasts had been celebrated in Europe since time immemorial. But have you ever wondered why a large fowl served as the centerpiece?Although the protestant Puritans had [...]

Catholic Origins of ThanksgivingDVR Fatima2023-11-21T12:21:42-05:00

Viva Cristo Rey

DVRodriguez2023-11-19T07:32:40-05:00

Jesus Christ is God. Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus Christ is King. We were born to profess this Faith. A major problem is how many claim to know and feel Jesus, but it is not about believing in Jesus "in our own way" but according to His way. Everything must be subject to Him: governments, schools, media, entertainment, sciences, arts, families, marriages, and each individual. Consider these examples of how He must reign in every person's mind, will, heart and body. [Father José María Robles was killed for Christ on June 26, 1927. He helped build a huge statue of Christ [...]

Viva Cristo ReyDVRodriguez2023-11-19T07:32:40-05:00

Humility of Intellect and of Will

DVRodriguez2023-11-07T09:45:37-05:00

St. Francis is the first recorded instance of the stigmata. Suffering with Christ –the Cross!– is central to our faith. The Cross is the source of all blessings, the cause of all grace, and the only path to Heaven. Carrying our cross well is what it means to be Catholic. Yet pride leads us to reject the cross. So we must grow in humility. Humility of intellect (an honest acknowledgement of our total dependence on God and of our real incapability of doing anything good without His assistance) makes us faithful to prayer. Humility of will (the readiness of the heart [...]

Humility of Intellect and of WillDVRodriguez2023-11-07T09:45:37-05:00

St Teresa and Mental Prayer

DVRodriguez2023-10-30T22:50:57-04:00

Church tradition honors St. Teresa of Avila as the virgo seraphica, doctrix mystica, and reformer of the Carmelite Order. Her life was marked by such miracles as a 'resurrection' and the transverbration. She can teach us much about mental prayer, including overcoming failures. Prayer is essential for salvation and meditation is necessary for growth in virtue. Mental prayer is nothing else than an intimate friendship, a frequent heart to heart conversation, with God. [This sermon includes a brief, yet excellent, explanation of how to do mental prayer.]

St Teresa and Mental PrayerDVRodriguez2023-10-30T22:50:57-04:00

Synod Follows Path of Devils not of Angels

DVRodriguez2023-10-10T07:31:04-04:00

October is a month dedicated to the Rosary and holy angels. The angels reflect God's glory as images of His perfections. Consider what St. Michael defends and promotes: the glory of God; the Church; the Blessed Virgin Mary; the Holy Eucharist; the Pope; and true doctrine and true worship. St. Michael fights against the enemies of God who seek to undermine, change and destroy the holy things of God. Lucifer attempted it before creation. Today, we see Francis and his synod undermining the Deposit of Faith (foundational truths revealed by God and necessary for our salvation). We are in the midst [...]

Synod Follows Path of Devils not of AngelsDVRodriguez2023-10-10T07:31:04-04:00