Fr. Michael Rodriguez

St. Gertude the Great (1256-1302) was a German Benedictine mystic nun. She is the only female saint honored with the title “the Great.” She had her first vision of Christ when she was twenty and our Lord appeared to her many times. Once He revealed to her: “Whoever in his trials and adversities, units himself with My sufferings and strives to imitate my patience and resignation will truly repose on My Heart and participate in all the merits of My life.” She meditated much on the passion, had a tender love for Our Lady, and was very devoted to the Holy [...]

At the end of the liturgical year, just like at the end of each day, we turn our hearts and minds to Our Lady. The Salus Populi Romani is a sacred image of our Lady painted by St. Luke. Through it, miracles have been wrought and it has been greatly honored by the popes. Pope Clement VIII (1592-1605) was particularly devoted to the Mother of God and left us an admirable example of true devotion to her.

Adventus Domini means “the coming of the Lord.” His coming is an absolute certainty, though we can identify three separate comings: in the flesh 2000 years ago, in grace now, and in glory at the end of time. Our Blessed Mother prepares us best for His coming, and so the Church turns her liturgical attention upon Our Lady. God wants to give us special graces at this time to grow in our devotion and filial love for His holy Mother. Perhaps the most famous Marian shrine in the whole world is the Holy House at Loreto. Its origins are traced back to [...]

This ranks among Father Rodriguez's "can't miss sermons" especially on account of how frank and obviously heartfelt he exhorts all faithful Catholics. The Immaculate Conception is the foundation of Mary’s pre-eminent purity and sanctity. The IC is a singular example of the infinite power of God’s grace and of how God grants grace to overcome sin. Invoke and cooperate with God’s grace and the grace of the Immaculate Conception (1) By praying, “By Thine Immaculate Conception, make my body pure and my soul holy”; (2) By receiving Holy Communion worthily; and (3) By fighting for the true Catholic Faith. Currently the True Faith is [...]

Two brief daily Advent sermons. [1] St. Lucy is one of four Virgin Martyrs the Church honors at Advent begins. St Agatha appeared to her, cured her mother, and foretold her martyrdom. St. Lucy suffered terribly, as did St. Barbara St. Eulalia and St. Bibiana. During Advent, Holy Mother Church reminds us to keep watch, like the prudent virgins, for the coming of the Bridegroom. [2] On Ember Friday we hear, “Thou art near O Lord, and all Thy ways are truth” (Ps 118:151). Our Lord has willed to draw near to us through Mary, the “rod” of Isaias’ prophecy from [...]

The grace of Christmas is profound! May we always be in awe of God for the magnitude of this grace. Draw from this inexhaustible source of grace! - for we are all, in some way, weighed down by the darkness of sin. Seriously reflect [1] upon your own sin, [2] upon how Christ is the only true light, and [3] upon your need to pray for this light. I propose “twelve lights for Christmas” with the purpose of [1] helping you grow in the conviction that Jesus Christ is the light that you so much need, [2] and then to encourage you to [...]

Three brief daily sermons from the O Antiphon days In the beginning, before time began, when God decreed the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation of the Word, the Eternal Father also chose and prepared for His only-begotten Son, a mother. Thus we look to most holy Mary that we may imitate the same virtues with which she awaited the Word made flesh.. Let us consider Mary’s hope, which she had in the highest degree, by mediating upon the account of Mary and Joseph in the final days before the birth of the world’s Redeemer. When dangers best us, we take refuge [...]