Saints

The Church Seemingly Possessed

DVRodriguez2021-03-09T08:01:31-05:00

Consider Bl. Miriam of Jesus Crucified (+1878) as a type for the Church. God allowed the devil to possess this Carmelite mystic for forty days as a victim soul. She suffered terribly but never sinned as God preserved her soul in grace. Could Holy Mother Church presently be enduring a similar trial? The Church has so many failures and is seemingly possessed, yet she remains the holy and immaculate Bride of Christ. This has caused a breakdown in authority. All faithful souls feel a certain aloneness as they struggle to defend their fortress. We need great patience, perseverance and fortitude to [...]

The Church Seemingly PossessedDVRodriguez2021-03-09T08:01:31-05:00

Lenten Spirituality of St Francis de Paola

DVRodriguez2021-02-16T07:37:37-05:00

St Francis Paola (1416-1507), an extraordinary miracle worker, founded an order of Franciscan hermits: The Minims. They were to be ‘minimal’ in their possessions and diet and in the eyes of the world. They also took a fourth vow: to perpetually live in accordance with the Church’s ancient Lenten discipline. Theirs was a lifelong fast and abstinence from meat and all animal products. St. Francis required this rigor as a heroic act of mortification and to make reparation for the laxity that had entered into Christians’ lenten practices — in the 15th century! He knew that any austerity can be embraced [...]

Lenten Spirituality of St Francis de PaolaDVRodriguez2021-02-16T07:37:37-05:00

Apostle of Christmas

DVRodriguez2021-02-11T08:05:44-05:00

St. John helps us to believe in - and live - Christmas. More than anyone else, he provides profound insight into the [1] Incarnation and [2] Holy Eucharist, both mysteries which are central to Christmas. These two mysteries each elicit from us a more profound faith. St. John shows that faith and adoration go together. He presents Christ as the light and life of the world. He teaches us what it means to truly believe and love. St. John gives us an example of perfect devotion to Our Blessed Mother and to the Sacred Heart. He calls us to remain faithful [...]

Apostle of ChristmasDVRodriguez2021-02-11T08:05:44-05:00

St. Michael Who Loves God

DVR Fatima2023-09-21T09:23:41-04:00

St. Michael Who Loves GodDVR Fatima2023-09-21T09:23:41-04:00

Focus on Heavenly Not Earthly Things

DVRodriguez2023-11-06T10:34:15-05:00

Especially during this month of November, we are to turn with greater fervor and faith to the Church beyond this earth. Many are the enemies of Christ; their minds and hearts are always fixed on earthly things. Stay focused on Heaven, on our Savior, and upon His Second Coming. This is one of the great purposes of Holy Mass, where the angels and saints ceaselessly praise and worship the majesty of God. We entreat God to allow our voices and prayers to be one with theirs! We can help the Poor Souls by our suffrages and by offering to God the [...]

Focus on Heavenly Not Earthly ThingsDVRodriguez2023-11-06T10:34:15-05:00

To Hide Sins Well Confess Them Well

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

St. Thomas Aquinas taught "there are three sources of trial for the Church: (i) external persecution; (ii) undermining of the Truth from within by heresy and spreading of error; and (iii) corruption of members through sin." Under the guidance of the Holy Cure d'Ars, let us consider the third source. St. John Vianney could be tough in the confessional, but he would also shed tears and himself perform most of the penance due to his penitents. He knew that sin ties man to his shameful bonds (enslavement) and that absolved sins are completely gone! He had such a love for God and the [...]

To Hide Sins Well Confess Them WellDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

Athanasius Against the World

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

Once Constantine legalized Christianity (313 AD), the Church's exterior threats were largely eliminated - for a time. Yet the devil never rests and the threat of interior enemies, amongst the baptized, grew. In the 4th century, the heresy of Arianism (denial of Christ's divinity) infested the Church. More than 90% of bishops betrayed Christ by accepting an Arian or Semi-Arian creed. During this crisis, God raised up a true champion: St. Athanasius the Great, Patriarch of Alexandria and Champion of Orthodoxy. It seemed almost every civil and ecclesial institution was set against him. He was only supported by a small number [...]

Athanasius Against the WorldDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

Six Means of Preserving Gods Grace

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

God wishes all men to be saved. Thus, He provides all the graces necessary for our salvation (this is infallible). However, man also has to cooperate with God's grace (this is often forgotten, unsaid, or not emphasized). St. Alphonsus Liguori, the great moral doctor of the Church, teaches there are six means of preserving God's grace: [1] Flee from occasions of sin; [2] Mental prayer; [3] Frequenting the Sacraments; [4] Hearing Mass; [5] Visiting the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin; [6] Prayer. He guarantees that the one who lives by them faithfully will be saved. This sermon includes a brief biographical sketch of St. Alphonsus and his prayer to [...]

Six Means of Preserving Gods GraceDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

St. Camillus de Lellis

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

St. Camillus (1550-1614) founded the Camillians, a religious order dedicated to the care of the sick whose habit prominently displays a red cross. Yet his early life was dissolute, filled with gambling, violence and laziness. Twice he tried to save his soul, but failed. Yet he did not give up! Following St. John Cassian's explanation of St. Paul (1 Thes 4), he eventually conquered his predominant fault: acedia. We can all conquer this besetting vice of sloth by adhering to St. Paul's teaching. [1] Make the effort to be quiet, eliminating the 'noise' of the world. [2] Remain in the sphere of activity given [...]

St. Camillus de LellisDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:49-05:00

St Vladimir the Great

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

Before the coming of the Holy Ghost, the world was full of idolatry, superstition, tyranny, oppression and revolting practices. The poor and suffering were uncared for. Half the world was enslaved. Yet the Holy Ghost renewed the face of the earth! Civilization flourished and the world became a far better place, filled with truth and compassion. By way of example, we can look to Prince Vladimir of Kiev (+1015). He was a cruel, vice-ridden leader who even offered human sacrifice. Then he was baptized, married a Christian princess, destroyed idols, brought his nation to Christianity, and became a saint. Sadly in today's [...]

St Vladimir the GreatDVRodriguez2020-11-13T21:49:50-05:00