Fr. Michael Rodriguez

Note: These are actually three short daily sermons edited into one on-line. They correspond to the first three days of Lent following Ash Wednesday and serve as a means to prepare us for the whole Lenten season. The Baptist and Our Savior both began their mission by preaching “Do Penance, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” Lent is a time for increased prayer and penance. Both are absolutely necessary for our salvation and sanctification.The three most fundamental things in the spiritual life are: [1] prayer, [2] self-denial (penance), [3] and love of Our Redeemer. The motives for prayer and [...]

What are you doing to gain eternal life? Today, what shall you do to gain merit for Heaven? Do you value God’s grace above everything in the world? One has to practice detachment from the world to grown in holiness and to get to Heaven. This is an absolute requirement and not optional. Yet our thoughts, words and actions are usually far more worldly than godly. Detach yourself in spirit from all that you see, feel and experience – and instead hold fast to the truths which God has revealed. Cling to the faith, for example in matters regarding suffering, praying, [...]

Two brief daily sermons on the Immaculate Heart of Mary. - It is only by suffering that we increase our capacity to love. This is exemplified by St Rose of Lima. She lived an extremely austere and ascetic life. The more she suffered for God’s sake, the more graces she received to truly love. She exclaimed: “If we understood this we would seek infirmities, trials and torments instead of good fortune in order to obtain the unfathomable treasure of grace.” - Our Lady appeared at Beauraing, Belgium with a golden heart. This apparition is closely connected to that of Fatima.

Two brief daily sermons. - Like St Augustine, let us pray for the grace of ‘confession’ in all three of its meanings: [1] To acknowledge our sin and repent [2] To profess the Catholic Faith, whole and entire, and [3] To praise God and proclaim His greatness. - The Baptist gave up His life to protect God’s law and the sanctity of marriage. His witness shows the direct link between loving God and upholding His law. How sinister to speak of ‘love’ and ‘mercy’, yet advocate that which is contrary to God’s law. This deception is a false love, a false [...]

Two brief daily sermons. - The Twelve Holy Brothers were from Southern Italy and died around 300 AD. Celebrating the glorious martyrs always provides a window into the Mystery of the Cross. During this month, let us focus our attention more upon the Cross. Consider how the martyrs and saints would arm themselves with the Sign of the Cross, for all the armies of the flesh cannot withstand it. - To be Christ’s disciple - to be truly Catholic – one must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him. Our Lady shared in this mystery more than any other [...]

Two brief sermons from the Fatima Conference. - Before time began, God willed - in His goodness and mercy - to consecrate His most holy Mother to Himself, and His plan of salvation, in such a perfect way so as to open the way to Himself through her Immaculate Heart. - At Fatima, a brilliant supernatural light surrounds, permeates and radiates forth from Our Lady. She brings an immense and intense light for she brings God. God is light (1 Jn 1:5). It is in this Light (grace!) that we must know God and know ourselves in order to grow in [...]

Consider the vision which Sr. Lucia received at Tuy on 13 June 1929. Accompanying the divine command to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary are (1) a magnificent revelation of the one Triune God which human words can never even begin to describe, and (2) a striking reference to Holy Mass as a Sacrifice. As the consecration has not been obeyed, Catholics have largely forgotten these two truths. The Mass exists to give perfect adoration, praise and thanksgiving to the Infinite Majesty of the Triune God (maiestas Domini). Catherine of Siena was left speechless and cried with Jeremias when [...]

Let us consider the mighty presence and maternal intercession of Our Lady in the two grand mysteries of the Ascension and Pentecost, which is brought to a climax at Fatima. Pious belief holds that at the Ascension Our Lady was also brought to Heaven, but she chose to leave the ineffable glory so that ‘Faith in God be spread, His Holy Name be exalted, and His holy Church enlarged.’ Sadly, the exact opposite is now taking place in our time, which is why Our Lady came at Fatima. Never forget that Mary and the Holy Ghost are mystically espoused and share [...]

A succinct yet fundamental catechism on the Holy Ghost in two brief sermons. The salvation and sanctification of souls is one of the great works of the Holy Ghost. Without His help we can do nothing good nor avoid evil. Thus we must always pray Him to come and aid us. The Catholic Church is another great work of the Holy Ghost. He, the Spirit of Truth and Charity, brought her into existence and He is the very life and soul of the Church. It is primarily through the Church that He saves and sanctifies souls. It is on account of [...]