Fr. Michael Rodriguez

The Easy Path Avoids the Cross

DVRodriguez2025-05-29T12:54:43-04:00

In the Easter liturgies, Christ issues a call to faith and a call to carry our Cross. It is by these means that one enters eternal life. The cross represents all those trials in life which God permits; things which are unpleasant, difficult, sorrowful, even evil. Today, we Catholics find ourselves in a very grave situation because we have largely rejected the Cross. We see this in worship, doctrine, and morality. Yet the good shepherd carries his cross, for he will even lay down hill life for his sheep.

The Easy Path Avoids the CrossDVRodriguez2025-05-29T12:54:43-04:00

Six Saints Who Loved the Cross

DVRodriguez2025-05-29T12:44:28-04:00

Consider three interrelated themes: resurrection, faith, and the Cross, which holds these themes together. We often lack faith, turning from the Cross and preferring the easier path. We fail to believe the Cross is the source of all blessings and what brings us sanctification. Eternal life comes through faith and the cross. The saints, who enjoy eternal beatitude, are models in faith and in carrying their cross. In fact, every saint carried a heavy cross. The cross purifies and strengthens your charity. And the more you love the cross, the more God works through you.

Six Saints Who Loved the CrossDVRodriguez2025-05-29T12:44:28-04:00

Give Testimony of Christ Crucified

DVRodriguez2025-05-29T12:44:51-04:00

The Church calls us to mourn the sufferings and death of Our Savior, especially because our sins caused His passion and because we show Him such ingratitude. Do not flee from the Cross but welcome it. Make the effort to die to yourself. Everyone must experience suffering; how we face it determines our eternity, As St. Paul teaches, to be Christ’s disciple –to be Catholic– means to walk faithfully and constantly on the path of the Cross. Look to the example of Simon of Cyrene.

Give Testimony of Christ CrucifiedDVRodriguez2025-05-29T12:44:51-04:00

Annuntio Vobis – On the Election of Pope Leo XIV

DVRodriguez2025-05-09T14:58:44-04:00

Fr. Michael Rodríguez issues a heart-felt open letter to the new pope, Leo XIV. It includes twelve pleas or requests. The world's Catholic faithful will come to learn much about the new pontiff given how he responds over the coming months (years?) to these pleas.

Annuntio Vobis – On the Election of Pope Leo XIVDVRodriguez2025-05-09T14:58:44-04:00

Salve O Santa Cruz

DVRodriguez2025-05-07T11:28:20-04:00

La Pascua es el día más importante del año, pues celebramos la gran victoria de Cristo. Sin embargo, la resurrección sólo llega por medio de Cristo crucifcado. Su cruz es la fuente de toda gracia y bendición. La liturgia ofrece muchos ejemplos de esta realidad profunda, por ejemplo el Exsultet, el Cirio Pascual, la Secuencia Pascual y la Veneración de la cruz. Ten siempre en cuenta estas dos verdades [1] Jesús nunca puede ser separado de su cruz. [2] en la cruz está la salvación. Debemos creer y vivir de acuerdo con estas verdades.

Salve O Santa CruzDVRodriguez2025-05-07T11:28:20-04:00

Domingo de la Pasión y Muerte

DVRodriguez2025-05-08T06:20:16-04:00

La Semana Santa es la semana de la pasión y muerte de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Haz un esfuerzo especial de considerar las penas que Jesucristo sufrió por amor a nosotros, pecadores. La Santa Misa es una presencia perpetua de la Cruz y de la muerte de nuestro adamisimo salvador, de la que todos podemos sacar vida, fuerza y gracia.

Domingo de la Pasión y MuerteDVRodriguez2025-05-08T06:20:16-04:00

Todo se Centra en la Pasión

DVRodriguez2025-05-09T08:33:45-04:00

Ahora se velan las estatuas y las imágenes. Es un tiempo de luto; un tiempo para llorar los sufrimientos y la muerte de Cristo. Pero el Vía Crucis se deja al descubierto para recordarnos que nuestros afectos y pensamientos deben centrarse enteramente en la pasión y muerte de Cristo. Es por la cruz que los santos alcanzaron la santidad. Esforzaos por cumplir sinceramente este deber espiritual, ahora y durante todo el año.

Todo se Centra en la PasiónDVRodriguez2025-05-09T08:33:45-04:00

Hail O Adorable Cross

DVRodriguez2025-04-29T20:20:40-04:00

Easter is the greatest day of the year for we celebrate Christ’s great victory. Yet the resurrection only comes by means of the cross. His cross is the source of all grace and blessings. The liturgy provides many examples of this, such as the Exsultet, the Paschal Candle, the Easter Sequence, and the Veneration of the cross. Keep in mind these two truths: [1] Jesus can never be separated from His cross. [2] in the cross is salvation. We must believe and live by these truths!

Hail O Adorable CrossDVRodriguez2025-04-29T20:20:40-04:00

Frequently Sigh After Heaven

DVRodriguez2025-04-16T13:30:19-04:00

Our Lord provides a remarkable example: He raises His eyes to Heaven (to pray). The Church begins every Sunday Mass in Lent with a call to prayer. We rejoice today because we go to the House of the Lord, to be with Him in this ‘house of prayer.’ Everyone can pray, no matter their station or condition. Prayer, unlike many other laws or works, has no possible substitute. We often don’t pray as we ought. So don’t just go through the motions but apply yourself to prayer with diligence and care, fervor and devotion, and especially, great faith and love. We [...]

Frequently Sigh After HeavenDVRodriguez2025-04-16T13:30:19-04:00

Primer on Prayer

DVRodriguez2025-04-05T21:03:51-04:00

Without the grace of God, man can do nothing towards his salvation. Yet grace is not given, in God’s ordinary providence, except to those who pray for it. Thus prayer is necessary for salvation. We ought to pray unceasingly and give thanks to God in all things. Prayer is an elevation of our soul to God to offer him our homage and ask His favors in order to grow in holiness for His glory. Prayer has four ends: adoration, thanksgiving, importation, and propitiation. We should always pray for: love of God, love of prayer, forgiveness of our sins, and a happy [...]

Primer on PrayerDVRodriguez2025-04-05T21:03:51-04:00