Virtue

Martyrs of Christmastide

DVRodriguez2024-02-04T09:05:02-05:00

At the center of Christmas we see Jesus willing to take on a human nature so that we may be conformed to His likeness. Another "epiphany" is the Divine Child revealing Himself by shedding His Precious Blood and giving us the grace to live and die for Him. As Christ's disciples, we are called to believe in Him and to be faithful to His teaching (which is the teaching of the Church). Every single martyr gave his blood for the truth; we must be willing to suffer for the truth. The Church honors many martyrs in this season: SS. Peter and [...]

Martyrs of ChristmastideDVRodriguez2024-02-04T09:05:02-05:00

O My Adorable Infant!

DVR Fatima2024-01-12T10:37:18-05:00

From the Sermon 'Day of Joy and Pardon' given on December 25, 2023 O My Adorable Infant - by St. Alphonsus Ligouri O my dearest Redeemer, for the sake of the suffering Thou didst endure and the tears Thou didst shed in the stable of Bethlehem, give me tears – give me a great sorrow – that may make me all my life long lament the displeasure I have caused Thee. Grant me love for Thee, but such love as may compensate for the offenses I have committed against Thee. I love Thee, my Infant Savior, my Infant God. O my [...]

O My Adorable Infant!DVR Fatima2024-01-12T10:37:18-05:00

O Immaculate Virgin Mary

DVR Fatima2023-12-16T17:17:45-05:00

From the Sermon 'Special Graces of the Immaculate Conception' given on December 8, 2019 O Immaculate Virgin Mary, conceived without sin! Thou wert miraculously preserved from even the shadow of sin, because thou wert destined to become not only the Mother of God, but also the mother, the refuge, and the advocate of man; penetrated therefore, with the most lively confidence in thy never-failing intercession, we most humbly implore thee to obtain for us that angelic purity which was thy favorite virtue, that purity of heart which will attach us to God alone, and that purity of intention which will consecrate [...]

O Immaculate Virgin MaryDVR Fatima2023-12-16T17:17:45-05:00

The Great Thought

DVRodriguez2023-12-08T16:58:46-05:00

For Christ to truly be King, He must reign in men's minds. This means man assents – with perfect submission and firm belief – to the doctrines taught by Christ and His Church. How terrible that many occupying high places in the Church are instead seeking to undermine His teachings. We instead must remain steadfast and faithful to the Great Truth. As an example, consider the Church's teachings on the Four Last Things. Review a 'Short Catechism on Eternity.' Heed the example of St. Anthony Mary Claret. And in all thy works, remember thy last end, and thou shall never sin [...]

The Great ThoughtDVRodriguez2023-12-08T16:58:46-05:00

Immaculate Conception Prayer

DVR Fatima2023-12-07T10:25:08-05:00

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Mary, mystic rose of purity, I rejoice with thee at the glorious triumph thou didst gain over the serpent by thy Immaculate Conception, in that thou wast conceived without original sin. I thank and praise with my whole heart the ever blessed Trinity, Who granted thee that glorious privilege; and I pray thee to obtain for me courage to overcome every snare of the great enemy, and never to stain my soul with mortal sin. Be thou always mine aid, and enable me with thy protection to obtain [...]

Immaculate Conception PrayerDVR Fatima2023-12-07T10:25:08-05:00

The One Thing That Prevents Your Sanctity

DVRodriguez2023-11-21T07:43:24-05:00

All Saints is time to reflect and celebrate those men and women who accomplished what they were born for. We are all meant to be saints and to reign in Heaven. Yet the Saints were at a time ordinary men and women. There is no difference between them and us on the level where we begin. So what did they do differently? What iron clad gates do we build up around our soul to prevent sanctity? Examine yourself and firmly resolve to eliminate just one simple thing which holds you back.

The One Thing That Prevents Your SanctityDVRodriguez2023-11-21T07:43:24-05:00

Decline of Public Authority

DVRodriguez2023-11-06T13:53:21-05:00

Obedience is a moral virtue that inclines the human will to comply with the will of another who has the right to command. We must obey the just commands of superiors because they represent the authority that comes from God. A grave error is to think men ("the people") are the source of public authority. Our nation is founded upon this false principle. When those in authority do not acknowledge the divine source of their authority, they abuse their power, becoming despotic. Subjects in turn mock rulers and only comply out of fear. The result is social dysfunction. Having cast Christ [...]

Decline of Public AuthorityDVRodriguez2023-11-06T13:53:21-05:00

Humility of Intellect and of Will

DVRodriguez2023-11-07T09:45:37-05:00

St. Francis is the first recorded instance of the stigmata. Suffering with Christ –the Cross!– is central to our faith. The Cross is the source of all blessings, the cause of all grace, and the only path to Heaven. Carrying our cross well is what it means to be Catholic. Yet pride leads us to reject the cross. So we must grow in humility. Humility of intellect (an honest acknowledgement of our total dependence on God and of our real incapability of doing anything good without His assistance) makes us faithful to prayer. Humility of will (the readiness of the heart [...]

Humility of Intellect and of WillDVRodriguez2023-11-07T09:45:37-05:00

Is it Catholic to Support Illegal Immigration?

DVRodriguez2023-10-07T20:21:03-04:00

We are witnessing a Great Replacement via mass immigration. This is not a conspiracy theory merely a factual observation. A mass population influx can destabilize a country similar to a military invasion. Nations in Europe and North America are experiencing such tremendous ethnic and civilizational substitution that one wonders if traditional Western cultures will be lost. Mass migration is a new form of slavery, hurting the immigrant and inflicting terrible damage on his homeland. Thomas Aquinas and our Popes have provided sound teaching regarding immigration but few Catholics know it. It is part of the Natural Law that we love and [...]

Is it Catholic to Support Illegal Immigration?DVRodriguez2023-10-07T20:21:03-04:00

Walk in the Spirit

DVRodriguez2023-09-05T06:23:09-04:00

To 'walk in the Spirit' is an apt description of the Catholic life, of grace at work, and of the Holy Ghost bringing about salvation and sanctification. Yet we all suffer from concupiscence, a consequence of original sin. This is our inclination to evil that desires what seems agreeable whether good or evil, true of false. It operates upon every aspect of our being, exterior and interior senses. This battle is not easy and lasts all life long. Take this struggle seriously. As soldiers of Christ we are called to fight this battle. Where do we get the grace to conquer?

Walk in the SpiritDVRodriguez2023-09-05T06:23:09-04:00