Fr. Michael Rodriguez

Cooperate with Actual Graces

DVRodriguez2025-03-03T17:29:18-05:00

Each of us struggles mightily with conversion. Let us not receive the grace of God in vain. Sanctifying grace – the life of God – gives us eternal life. Actual grace is a supernatural help which God bestows upon us daily to work out our salvation. When we cooperate with grace we merit more graces. But the abuse of God's grace prevents us from receiving further graces. There is direct relationship between the amount of grace in our soul when we die and the level at which we will experience the beatific vision of God for all eternity. God is faithful. [...]

Cooperate with Actual GracesDVRodriguez2025-03-03T17:29:18-05:00

My Son, Give Me Thy Heart

DVRodriguez2025-03-03T21:04:32-05:00

Septuagesima season is another example of the great need for us to recover our Catholic Faith. God is calling each of us to be converted to Him with all our heart [intellect & will]. Penitential practices – such as prayer, fasting and almsgiving – are meant to bring about this conversion. To give God our heart, we must be less attached to our own will (that's the biggest problem in all relationships). We also give him our heart by being faithful to the Church's lex orandi, lex credendi. In all this, we look to imitate the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart of [...]

My Son, Give Me Thy HeartDVRodriguez2025-03-03T21:04:32-05:00

Cinco Misterios de la Candelaria

DVRodriguez2025-02-28T10:37:12-05:00

La fiesta de la Candelaria pone en relieve: [1] Jesús es la Luz y la Salvación para todos hombre. [2] El ejemplo de Simeón. [3] Jesús nació para ser sacrificado. [4] Esforzarnos en cumplir la voluntad de Dios. [5] El papel de la Santísima Virgen María. Cristo obvaimente es la Luz y la Verdad, pero Dios desea que la Virgen lo entregue a los brazos de Simeón y luego de Ana.

Cinco Misterios de la CandelariaDVRodriguez2025-02-28T10:37:12-05:00

Five Mysteries of Candlemas

DVRodriguez2025-02-28T10:29:31-05:00

Bringing the Christmas season to its glorious conclusion, the feast of Candlemas emphasizes: [1] Jesus is the Light and Salvation for all men. [2] Simeon's example. [3] Jesus was born to be sacrificed. [4] Strive to fulfill the will of God. [5] The Blessed Virgin Mary's role. Christ is obviously the Light, but it is God's will that she place Him into the arms of Simeon and then of Anna.

Five Mysteries of CandlemasDVRodriguez2025-02-28T10:29:31-05:00

Año Nuevo Para Crecer en la Gracia

DVRodriguez2025-02-23T14:53:05-05:00

El santo nombre de Jesús representa su infinito amor, su infinito poder y su misión de salvarnos (del pecado). Su nombre es la oración más corta, fácil y poderosa. ¿Qué has estado haciendo con todo el tiempo que Dios te ha dado? ¡El fin de tu vida es vivir para Él! En este nuevo año, debemos dedicarnos a crecer en la gracia de Dios, a reparar los pecados pasados y a implorar la ayuda del Espíritu Santo.

Año Nuevo Para Crecer en la GraciaDVRodriguez2025-02-23T14:53:05-05:00

Los Suyos No Le Recibieron

DVRodriguez2025-02-22T16:29:50-05:00

El nombre de Jesús significa «salvador». Qué misterio tan asombroso: El mismo día de su nacimiento (octava), ya está derramando su sangre por nuestra salvación. María conserva estos misterios y los medita en su corazón. Estamos llamados a imitarla. ¿Qué hago para compensar a Dios por la ingratitud de los hombres?

Los Suyos No Le RecibieronDVRodriguez2025-02-22T16:29:50-05:00

Be Guided by Light of Faith

DVRodriguez2025-02-22T14:23:29-05:00

The Epiphany Star represents Jesus, the True Light. Secondarily, it represents the true Faith. Today, a Catholic simply can't rely on what this priest or that bishops says because so many of them are no longer guided by true worship and right doctrine. Instead, each Catholic has to strive to learn the truth. Live your vocation within the family so as to offer it as fitting adoration to the Christ Child. Parents are especially called to educate their children in the truth and to offer reparation for past failings.

Be Guided by Light of FaithDVRodriguez2025-02-22T14:23:29-05:00

Pilgrimage to Quito, Ecuador

DVR Fatima2025-02-15T16:50:46-05:00

St. Vincent Ferrer Pilgrimages to Our Lady of Buen Suceso in Quito, Ecuador A brief overview of the 2016 pilgrimage can be viewed / downloaded HERE. Sites we have visited on our various pilgrimages are listed below. This miraculous statue, completed by St. Francis and the archangels, will last until the end of time.Priests leading prayers during the novena processions before dawn.The incorrupt body of Mother Mariana de Jesús Torres y Berriochoa (+1635).Touched to Mother Mariana's incorrupt body, the pilgrims' sacramentals become third class relics.Sermons preached by Father are included in the Mission Talks.Monasterio de la Inmaculada ConcepciónOur Lady of the [...]

Pilgrimage to Quito, EcuadorDVR Fatima2025-02-15T16:50:46-05:00

Ten Sins Against Marriage

DVRodriguez2025-02-11T17:19:04-05:00

Go spiritually to the cave at Bethlehem. Contemplate what you see: the Holy Family. You have a role within a family. Offer it to Baby Jesus as a gift; that it may please, serve and honor Him. We can't change someone else, but we must know the truth and stand fast in what Christ the King teaches regarding holy Matrimony. Do your best to live according to His truth, transmit these truths to others, and resist the errors and evil of others. Offer prayers and sacrifices for the failings of your past sins against marriage and in reparation for mankind's many [...]

Ten Sins Against MarriageDVRodriguez2025-02-11T17:19:04-05:00

Pray to Imitate the Holy Family

DVRodriguez2025-02-11T17:19:20-05:00

The Feast of the Holy Family is a Christmas Feast. With His nativity, Jesus gives us not only Himself but also the Holy Family. Note how the Holy Family has a central role in all twelve mysteries of Christ's infancy. We are called to imitate the Holy Family and thereby grow in the grace of God. This is why God has placed us upon this earth. Yet mankind today is more than ever opposed to marriage. How terrible! A rejection of holy matrimony is a rejection of the Holy Family. Take these things seriously and really reflect upon them.

Pray to Imitate the Holy FamilyDVRodriguez2025-02-11T17:19:20-05:00