Saints

God Never Rejects the Contrite Sinner

svfonline2019-10-03T06:42:39-04:00

The Ember Days consecrate new seasons by prayer, penance, abstinence and fasting. They remind us that no one gets to Heaven without prayer and penance. Catholicism - and really this life on earth - is about climbing Cavalry and being crucified with Christ! Realize the road to Heaven is not for the light-hearted, while the path to hell is easy and broad. Thus, we won't survive the current 'crisis from hell' without being committed to Christ and His Way. Yet we are heartened knowing Christ came for us sinners. He never forces us but He never rejects the contrite sinner who [...]

God Never Rejects the Contrite Sinnersvfonline2019-10-03T06:42:39-04:00

Commandments Not Unreachable Ideals

svfonline2019-09-06T06:04:00-04:00

A very dangerous idea that has crept into moral theology is that the Commandments of God are only ideals; hence, modern man can adapt them to his concrete circumstances. It is now claimed that a faithful indissoluble marriage directed towards procreation is just for those with heroic virtue, instead of a universal norm. This is gravely contrary to Christ's immutable teaching and a pastoral disaster. It turns all the Commandments into mere counsels or suggestions which may or may not be followed by a "good conscience." We need to hear from our shepherds the thundering voice of John the Baptist which demands [...]

Commandments Not Unreachable Idealssvfonline2019-09-06T06:04:00-04:00

Use Memory to Grow in Sanctity

svfonline2019-08-23T05:23:39-04:00

In the parable of the publican and the pharisee, note how the publican remembered his sins, whereas the pharisee did not (instead he remembered the sins of others). This shows us that overcoming sin and growing in grace, truth and virtue has a lot to do with memory. When you have been rescued from a pit, it is good to remember that God rescued you because He loves you. It is also good to remember that, on your own, you are capable of falling back into a deeper pit. Our Lord gave St. Margaret of Cortona nine remembrances for graces - [...]

Use Memory to Grow in Sanctitysvfonline2019-08-23T05:23:39-04:00

One True Religion from Adam to Christ

svfonline2019-08-05T06:44:29-04:00

There has only been and always will be only one True Religion that has been proclaimed and practiced by believers throughout history. True Religion, revealed by God, began with Adam and continued through Abraham, Moses, David, and various prophets. This True Religion received its perfection and completion in Jesus Christ. The Roman Canon, which in essence originated with St. Peter and comes from the oldest of the Church's liturgical rites, sublimely proclaims this reality. All other religions, including Judaism as it is practiced today, are false religions. Yet we pray that God will lift the veil from disbelieving Jews, as he [...]

One True Religion from Adam to Christsvfonline2019-08-05T06:44:29-04:00

Catholic or Worldling

svfonline2019-07-30T07:30:07-04:00

The world is opposed to the Church. The world holds that each man should be able to judge what is good and evil for himself, and that government should preserve man's (false) freedom to choose to do evil things (to believe lies, to worship falsely, to poison himself). The worldling does not like conflict, fears appearing judgmental, and only holds his beliefs as a 'personal preference.' He claim to be Christ's disciple but loves the world (and the world loves him). The reality that Catholicism is the only true religion (no other religion is good, true, or saving) is abhorrent to [...]

Catholic or Worldlingsvfonline2019-07-30T07:30:07-04:00

Maturity Full Stature in Christ

svfonline2019-07-22T08:37:32-04:00

Maturity is an essential trait for a servant of God. In a way, that is the purpose for our time on this earth - to mature into the full stature of Christ. Guided by the wisdom St. Paul, who coined this term, let us strive after this maturity (cf. Eph. 4:13-15; 2 Cor 4:7-9). The saints also guide us in this path. We ought to look to St. Anne as we approach her great feast. Why did God make Saints Joachim and Anne wait to receive a child? Apart from the significance of their age and sterility being linked to the [...]

Maturity Full Stature in Christsvfonline2019-07-22T08:37:32-04:00

You Draw Out What You Put In

svfonline2019-07-06T05:44:12-04:00

St. John of the Cross exclaims: “Where there is no love, put love and you will draw out love.” This is a simple way to understand the Sacred Heart. God looked upon the world and found it forsaken, without true and authentic love. Thus, Divine Charity, the Holy Ghost came down and formed the Sacred Heart in the womb of the Blessed Virgin. Yet this statement applies to many other things: Where there is no [anger, suspicion, immodesty, irreverence, etc.], put it in - and you will draw it out! Too often we act like the proverbial Trojan horse, claiming to [...]

You Draw Out What You Put Insvfonline2019-07-06T05:44:12-04:00

Hunger for the Most Blessed Sacrament

svfonline2019-07-05T06:34:45-04:00

Many great miracles were performed by St. Anthony of Padua. Yet perhaps the most notable is when a starving donkey preferred to adore its Creator in the Eucharist over eating fresh hay. St. Ignatius of Antioch (+107 AD) likewise longed for his Creator, writing "I hunger for the bread of God, the flesh of Jesus Christ ... I long to drink of his blood, the gift of unending love." Too many of us prefer to be satisfied by worldly passing things than by the Bread of Heaven. Let us instead long to consume Our Savior and to be consumed by Him [...]

Hunger for the Most Blessed Sacramentsvfonline2019-07-05T06:34:45-04:00

St Paulinus Antidote for Narcissism

svfonline2019-06-25T09:08:45-04:00

St Paulinus of Nola gives an example of being detached from the world in order to be attached to God. Too many today are narcissistic, remaining attached to their ego and their sin. Instead we need zeal for souls. Poverty is not just about material things, but also being poor in spirit. You must know thyself and thy end – which is to be crucified with Christ.

St Paulinus Antidote for Narcissismsvfonline2019-06-25T09:08:45-04:00