Fr. Linus Clovis

The Church is One

DVRodriguez2026-10-26T18:32:28-04:00

The holy catholic apostolic Church is one. It is not divided. Christ prayed for this unity and therefore the Church must have it as an indispensable quality that cannot be lost. Fundamentally, this unity is based upon the deposit of faith. The principle function of the bishop is to teach the same doctrine Christ entrusted to the Apostles, for this saves us. Paul urges Christians to be united in the same mind and judgment, avoiding schism and heresy. Everything in our faith depends on Christ crucified and this must be driven home today.

The Church is OneDVRodriguez2026-10-26T18:32:28-04:00

Our Lady of Ransom

DVRodriguez2026-10-19T07:58:09-04:00

For centuries Barbary pirates harassed the coastline of Christendom and kidnapped Christians. Under Our Lady’s guidance, St. Peter Nolasco founded the order of Mercedarians with the purpose of ransoming captives. He was supported by St. Raymond Peñafort and King James I of Aragon. Today many are unable to freely practice the Catholic Faith. Catholics are still being persecuted, even killed. Many are enslaved to the wickedness of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Yet Our Lady continues to break the chains of slavery and ransom us. She is always ready to help us!

Our Lady of RansomDVRodriguez2026-10-19T07:58:09-04:00

Only One of Ten Lepers Was Saved

DVRodriguez2026-10-06T06:34:43-04:00

Although today’s gospel is about gratitude, it is about much more. Jesus comes to heal our body and save our souls. All ten lepers were cleansed in body, but only one was told his faith had saved him. We must enter into the mystery hidden in this event. Then we see parallels between the Samaritan leper and both St. Paul and Cornelius the Centurion. Moreover, we see practical implications for how we must navigate the crisis in the Church today.

Only One of Ten Lepers Was SavedDVRodriguez2026-10-06T06:34:43-04:00

Command Consent Provocation.

DVRodriguez2026-07-27T10:30:49-04:00

Sin breeds more sin. It clings closely to us and can overwhelm us. Thus we must strive to avoid every venial sin. We must also learn there are ways in which we can participate in the sin of another and be guilty of the sin even when we don’t actually commit it. Three such ways are by command, by consent and by provocation. Scripture provides ample examples as well as the justice by which God punishes sin. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Ghost, examine your conscience frequently and diligently, and always trust in God’s mercy, for He will forgive [...]

Command Consent Provocation.DVRodriguez2026-07-27T10:30:49-04:00

Unlocking the Power of Identity

DVRodriguez2026-07-13T16:54:56-04:00

The testimony of John the Baptist confirms the prophecies: the time has come. His identity is questioned by the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees challenge his authority to baptize. Who are you? God IS. He is the abyss of all goodness. God is everything and man is nothing. Yet God has made us to be something in Christ. Only in Him can we 'find ourselves' and realize our true end.

Unlocking the Power of IdentityDVRodriguez2026-07-13T16:54:56-04:00

St Paul the Hermit and Detachment

DVRodriguez2026-05-11T08:38:34-04:00

Paul’s parents died and his brother-in-law defrauded him. He retreated into the desert. In the silence of a cave he saw clearly the vanities of this world. Paul lived a life of simplicity and peace, supported only by the providence of God. Many years later his solitude was discovered by St. Anthony, who witnessed his miraculous death. Every disciple must detach from the deceit and dangers of the world to follow Christ. Yet living with Christ is eternal life — beginning here and now. May the example of the saints be a constant help and encouragement to us.

St Paul the Hermit and DetachmentDVRodriguez2026-05-11T08:38:34-04:00

Blood of Martyrs in Morocco

DVRodriguez2026-04-18T15:10:17-04:00

When Jesus sends His disciples, He tells them the task will not be easy and they should expect suffering. Yet He will give them the strength to endure and bear testimony before jew and gentile. St. Francis’ sent friars on mission into lands seized by muslims. Their witness inspired the great St. Anthony, Pope Marcellus I rejected a false mercy and insisted man make reparation for sin. He was in turn exiled and killed by the State. Today’s heroic saints provide powerful models for us to imitate and invoke.

Blood of Martyrs in MoroccoDVRodriguez2026-04-18T15:10:17-04:00

Who Are You?

DVRodriguez2026-03-15T19:08:25-04:00

The testimony of St. John the Baptist fulfills the prophecies and confirms that the Messiah has come. The religious authorities want to ascertain his identity. Is he the Christ, Elias, the Prophet? He does not deny his identity or dissimulate. He is the voice crying in the wilderness. Each one of us can only know our true identity in Christ. It is only by God’s grace and favor (baptism) that we are children of God.

Who Are You?DVRodriguez2026-03-15T19:08:25-04:00

Four Kinds of Sin

DVRodriguez2026-03-01T17:44:01-05:00

God become man to save souls and destroy the works of the devil. In the Gospels, Christ works many healings but only sends cleansed lepers to the priests. The Old Testament priests can’t cure or forgive, merely declare the truth of a matter. The Old Law has no grace, it can merely identify sin. Leprosy represents sin which keeps us out of the community. There are sins of malice, of weakness, of passion and of ignorance. Christ is the one who forgives sins and He gives this power to His priests. All He requires is that we have contrition and confess.

Four Kinds of SinDVRodriguez2026-03-01T17:44:01-05:00

Faith and Charity of the Blind

DVRodriguez2026-02-17T16:19:12-05:00

In calling ‘Son of David!” the blind man acknowledges Jesus is the Messiah. In begging for mercy, he professes Jesus is God. The crowd -symbolic of our sins– rebukes the blind man because it lacks faith. The crowd is just a noisy gong; a tactic of the devil. The blind man calls out because he has hope. His desire for the Messiah proves his charity. Jesus hears him above the tumult and works a miracle. The healed man now follows Jesus. Pray, that you too will have faith by hearing, cry for mercy above your sins, and then follow Christ in [...]

Faith and Charity of the BlindDVRodriguez2026-02-17T16:19:12-05:00