Good Friday
DVRodriguez2025-04-16T15:22:57-04:00Preparation for Easter by discussing the four singular parts of the sacred liturgy on Good Friday, according to our immemorial Catholic Tradition (pre-1955). Talk by Fr. James Mawdsley
Frequently Sigh After Heaven
DVRodriguez2025-04-16T13:30:19-04:00Our Lord provides a remarkable example: He raises His eyes to Heaven (to pray). The Church begins every Sunday Mass in Lent with a call to prayer. We rejoice today because we go to the House of the Lord, to be with Him in this ‘house of prayer.’ Everyone can pray, no matter their station or condition. Prayer, unlike many other laws or works, has no possible substitute. We often don’t pray as we ought. So don’t just go through the motions but apply yourself to prayer with diligence and care, fervor and devotion, and especially, great faith and love. We [...]
Maundy Thursday
DVRodriguez2025-04-13T23:54:56-04:00Preparation for Holy Week. Father explains how all the rites of this sacred day point to, are unified by, the Holy Eucharist. This includes the Reconciliation of Penitents, Consecration of Holy Oils, Institution of the Holy Eucharist, Vespers, Stripping of Altars, Washing of the Feet, and Nocturnal Adoration at the Altar of Repose.
First Seven Councils
DVRodriguez2025-04-30T10:08:25-04:00[An evening conference given in Northern Kentucky on 31 March 2025.] Insights for today from the first seven Councils of the Church. Questions addressed include: How did the Church resolve issues when Scripture was unclear? How did the Church deal with weak, even false, Councils? Why was a Pope declared a heretic? How did a layman defend the truth before a powerful prelate? How did the State attempt to exercise control over Church dogma? How is Tradition upheld and defended by these Councils?
Palm Sunday
DVRodriguez2025-04-13T16:10:35-04:00Preparation for Holy Week. Father explains the history, prayers, and theology behind the most important rites of the pre-1955 Palm Sunday liturgy. This includes the Blessing of Palms, the Procession with Palms, and the Mass.
Living Water from The Rock
DVRodriguez2025-04-06T00:19:48-04:00Moses led the Hebrews –and Gentiles– in the wilderness. They had no water, which means certain death. God's people were ready to revolt and return to Egypt. Moses interceded, taking an impossible situation to God. But why was Moses unable to enter the Promised Land? Because he struck the rock (Christ) twice instead of obeying God. The two strikes from his wooden staff represent the two beams of a cross. This is a type of the Passion. Just as an abundance of water flowed from the Rock, so too an abundance of grace flows from Christ’s pierced side.
Primer on Prayer
DVRodriguez2025-04-05T21:03:51-04:00Without the grace of God, man can do nothing towards his salvation. Yet grace is not given, in God’s ordinary providence, except to those who pray for it. Thus prayer is necessary for salvation. We ought to pray unceasingly and give thanks to God in all things. Prayer is an elevation of our soul to God to offer him our homage and ask His favors in order to grow in holiness for His glory. Prayer has four ends: adoration, thanksgiving, importation, and propitiation. We should always pray for: love of God, love of prayer, forgiveness of our sins, and a happy [...]
The Golden Rose
DVRodriguez2025-04-05T20:32:39-04:00The origins of Rose Sunday lie in antiquity. The Pope would bless golden roses and give them as gifts. The symbolism is deep: gold for Christ the king, flower for beauty, fragrance for the Gospel, and thorns for the passion. This tradition reminds us that Christian joy and suffering are inseparably bound. Those who desire a life of joy only (or pleasure) are always angry, for this can’t be attained. Suffering is inevitable. The soul that accepts suffering, unites it with Christ, and offers it to God, receives many graces and lives at peace.
Demon Returns with Seven Worse Demons
DVRodriguez2025-03-31T09:06:18-04:00With his characteristic brilliance and insight, Father explains one of the most confusing gospels (Lk 11:14-28). The dumb and deaf man can't hear God's word or praise God, representing Adam and all his offspring born in sin. The strong man is satan. Christ overcomes him. The Jewish people represent the cleansed man. Waterless places are the Gentile lands whom Christ has won. The demon returns to the Jews. Their home is clean but no one dwells there, meaning the religion is one of pure externals and hypocrisy. Thus the devil abides there with seven worse demons. This has been the Jews' [...]
Christ Elevates Marriage to a Sacrament
DVRodriguez2025-03-30T13:26:07-04:00God created marriage. At Cana, He elevated it to the level of a sacrament. Just as Christ was present at Cana, so He is present in every sacramental marriage. We should invite Our Lady to our marriage. Mary took note of the couples humiliating situation, interceded, and turned it to great joy. From water used for purification, Christ created a superabundance of the most exquisite wine, representing sacramental grace. Just as His disciples believed, so spouses should trust in Christ and His grace. What is a good reason for people to enter marriage? What should spouses do first thing in the [...]