Fr. Michael Rodriguez

Five brief daily sermons on Our Lady from the month of May; first made available on the website this past week. - As we begin the month of May, let us consider three reasons why we ought to practice devotion to Mary. [1] She is the Mother of God. [2] She is our mother. [3] She is the holiest of all creatures. - Mary ‘s greatest title is “Mother of God.” This makes her an inseparable element of the Church of Christ. Our Lady is adorned with all the gifts of nature and grace. - We should also be devoted to [...]

Four brief daily sermons on Our Lady and the Saints from the month of May; first made available on the website this past week. - It is not possible for one devoted to Our Lady to be lost. The life and teaching of St. Antoninus are a powerful proof of this truth. - We can never describe the blessing which Our Lady confirms upon the Church and upon every one of her members; this is especially true of her maternal solicitude for the apostolic college. - Christ gave us His Immaculate Mother to help us grow in purity and holiness. These [...]

The two questions of being and action regarding the Holy Ghost occupy our thoughts at the time of Pentecost. [1] Who Is He? He is the Lord and giver of life. [2] What does He do? He completes and perfects the saving mission of Jesus Christ. He saves and sanctifies souls by giving grace, both sanctifying and actual. He gives life - primarily through Truth and through Charity. To love God and neighbor, in a selfless and disinterested manner (that is, in deed and truth, not just with words and feelings), is the great challenge of our Catholic Faith. No man [...]

A continuation of last week's sermon on the Person and work of the Holy Ghost. of The Holy Ghost is primarily [1] completing and perfecting the mission of Christ [2] and saving and sanctifying souls - through the Holy Catholic Church. As Christ is the Head of His Mystical Body, so the Holy Ghost is the Soul of the Catholic Church. He is the principle of the Church’s life. The essence of the Church is summarized by her four marks and three attributes; and these are a manifestation of the life, presence and action of the Holy Ghost. It is He [...]

Four brief daily sermons on Our Lady and the Saints - Consider a few aspects of the Marian devotion of St. Mechtilde and St. Charles Borromeo. - St. Bernadine of Siena was consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary as an infant and became one of the greatest Marian saints. - Devotion to Our Lady is not only a source of holiness, but often becomes a fountain of extraordinary favors; for example, St. Philip Neri received the gifts of prophecy and discernment of hearts - It is certain that growth in holiness is your vocation. St. Louis de Montfort teaches that one [...]

Four brief daily sermons on Our Lady - St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, great Carmelite mystic, exemplified [1] perfect obedience, [2] a burning love for Jesus Crucified, [3] and a total consecration to the glorious Virgin Mary. - Through, with, and in Mary, we can most easily obtain from God the grace needed for holiness and union with God. - The Crowning of Mary as Queen is richly described by both mystics and popes. Her kingdom is as vast of that of her Son; nothing is excluded from her dominion.

St. Alphonsus Liguori is known as the Most Zealous Doctor of the Church. Let us listen to and reflect upon twelve of the Moral Doctor's teachings that lead to sanctity. "O Mary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for me and make me a saint."

Three brief daily sermons to to practice and increase your devotion to Christ’s Precious Blood. - [1] Meditate more fervently upon the price of our redemption and pledge of eternal life. [2] Consider its efficacy which is without limit. [3] Reflect upon the seven sheddings of His Previous Blood and ask Him for corresponding graces. - A marvelous way of truly coming to know Jesus Christ, and His infinite Love, is to meditate, adore and petition the Most Precious Blood. Here is one prayerful example of each. - God has destined us for Heaven and we are to grow in God’s [...]

The month of July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood. It is the price of our redemption and the ever-present sign of Christ’s infinite love for man. Three great ways to know adore, revere, and love Jesus are devotion [1] to His Holy Name, [2] to His Sacred Heart, and [3] to His Precious Blood. Devotion to the Precious Blood consists in three acts. (1) Meditate upon It and consider how sin is so terrible and His love so great. (2) Adore It with grateful love, especially at the elevation of the chalice and when receiving Holy Communion. (3) Offer [...]

Three brief daily sermons to to practice and increase your devotion to Christ’s Precious Blood. - [1] Meditate more fervently upon the price of our redemption and pledge of eternal life. [2] Consider its efficacy which is without limit. [3] Reflect upon the seven sheddings of His Previous Blood and ask Him for corresponding graces. - A marvelous way of truly coming to know Jesus Christ, and His infinite Love, is to meditate, adore and petition the Most Precious Blood. Here is one prayerful example of each. - God has destined us for Heaven and we are to grow in God’s [...]