Fr. Michael Rodriguez

A must hear sermon! - deep insight and powerful exhortation sure to increase a much-needed devotion in your soul. We are sinners… And why is it that so often do we not change? How much of an effort have you truly made to behold the Sacred Heart of Jesus? It is the love of His Sacred Heart that leads Him to seek out sinners and the power that brings them to conversion. Every time you hear the Gospel (Christ’s words, actions, miracles), reflect upon how the Sacred Heart is there: beating and loving. Consider the immense joy that is felt by the Sacred Heart upon one sinner doing penance! Meditate upon how the Sacred Heart is related to all the [...]

God made us to unite us to Himself through Holy Communion. We must always pray [1] for greater faith in the Blessed Sacrament and [2] for the grace to love Jesus above all things. Moreover, in order to truly adore and love Him in the Most Holy Sacrament, [3] we must be pure (in body and soul) and be ready to suffer. This is exemplified by the Virgin Martyrs. In beholding our heart, may Our Lord always be able to say “It is all Mine.”

Consider the infinite mystery of the Precious Blood of the God-man, which was shed to cleanse our souls of sin and open for us the gates of Heaven. [1] This IS the price of our redemption. [2] It lay in the mind of God from all eternity to redeem man in this manner. St. Bernard calls the Precious Blood a trumpet that calls to Heaven for mercy. St. Catherine of Siena exhorts men to forget themselves and keep their memory ever filled with the Blood of their Redeemer. Aptly does this describe the life of a faithful Catholic - to die to one’s self and to [...]

In considering the Trinity, we do well to familiarize ourselves with the Athanasian Creed. The mystery of the Holy Trinity is, after all, the substance of the New Testament. It is greatest of all mysteries since it is the fountain and origin of them all. It is the central mystery of Christian Faith and life, for it is the mystery of God in Himself. In fact, in order to know and contemplate this Mystery, the angels were created in Heaven and men upon earth. Consider twelve brief examples of how this Mystery is the source of all the mysteries of the Faith and the Light which enlightens them all [...]

St. Paul exclaims, “But by the grace of God I am what I am and His grace in me has not been void.” Consider the mystery of grace – increase your awareness of its grandeur! - strengthen your conviction in its great value! Grace is a supernatural gift of God. It is above and beyond human nature. We can’t grasp it with our senses or fully comprehend it with our reason. Yet it is through sanctifying grace that we become sharers in the divine nature – we become like God – and only by it can we enter Heaven and exist therein. If you wish to consider the value of grace, know that one single soul in a state of grace has more value before [...]

In 1216, St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers for the express purpose of proclaiming the doctrine of the Church and defending it against errors. St. Dominic is also well known for meriting the reception of the Rosary from our Lady (though the Rosary’s origin is in apostolic times), the Ash Wednesday Miracle, and the admirable purity of his heart.