Virtue

Humility Heaven’s Stairway

DVRodriguez2020-01-27T09:03:19-05:00

The saints have often praised the humility of Our Lady, unsurpassed by no other human person. God finds humility irresistible. In fact, many saints have noted that it was the Blessed Virgin Mary's humility which drew the Lord down from Heaven. You see, God will not be outdone in humility. If our Lady humbled herself so greatly, God would humble Himself even more by taking on human nature within her so as to suffer for our sins. The teachings of St. John Climacus (+649), a desert monk, and of Bl. Mary of Jesus Crucified (+1878), a Carmelite nun, can help inspires [...]

Humility Heaven’s StairwayDVRodriguez2020-01-27T09:03:19-05:00

Enslavement is Inescapable

DVRodriguez2019-11-14T16:54:26-05:00

Slavery is inescapable! You can however chose your master. Yet there really are only two choices: the dreary slavery of the devil or the sweet yoke of Christ. Heaven or hell. The saints see infallible dogmas as golden chains that bind the mind to the One Truth, God. The damned are held fast by only one principle, 'Do what you will.' The saints are yoked by a holy routine of prayer, penance, fasting, study and duty. The damned are imprisoned by the routine of habitual sin and regular indulgence. If you pick Christ as your King and allow Him to draw [...]

Enslavement is InescapableDVRodriguez2019-11-14T16:54:26-05:00

Ark of the Covenant Revealer of Faults

svfonline2019-10-22T07:33:12-04:00

Holy Simeon prophesied "And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed" (Lk 2:35). A study of the Ark of the Covenant shows that it does indeed reveal man's faults. This is true in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, when the Ark is given its perfect fulfillment in Blessed Virgin Mary Herself, and even in our own times. When man's faults are revealed, he can respond in one of four ways: [1] Try to change things to match the fault. [2] Blame others. [3] Run away. Or [4] Submit to the [...]

Ark of the Covenant Revealer of Faultssvfonline2019-10-22T07:33:12-04:00

Temptation in a Crisis of Authority

svfonline2019-10-22T07:29:25-04:00

We are currently enduring a grave crisis in authority. Our Lady forewarned this in the Vision of the Third Secret of Fatima. As if in a mirror, Sr. Lucia saw a ‘bishop in white.' He is not acting as the pope ought and Sr. Lucia does not refer to him as the pope. Then she does see the pope: he is martyred, followed by all the ranks of the Church in proper order. Understandably in this crisis, a great temptation is for the laity to lead themselves. Instead it is highly advisable that the laity find a good trustworthy priest (a [...]

Temptation in a Crisis of Authoritysvfonline2019-10-22T07:29:25-04:00

Exaltation of St. Michael

svfonline2019-10-07T16:26:03-04:00

A magnificent abbey in northwestern France, Mont Saint-Michel, and numberless altars and churches are consecrated in honor of St. Michael. Why? Because St. Michael grew indignant at the outrage offered to the sovereign Lord by Lucifer and the rebellious angels. True to his very name, he exclaimed: "Who is like unto God?" How dare anyone question, much less revolt, against God's perfect plan! St. Michael’s faithfulness, good example, and humility strengthened the good angels. With him they stood, defeated the devils, and passed their test. God rewarded them by unveiling to them His very Face in the Beatific Vision. St. Michael [...]

Exaltation of St. Michaelsvfonline2019-10-07T16:26:03-04:00

Sorrow and Humility Restore Creation

svfonline2019-09-25T19:26:02-04:00

We have often heard that the Church Fathers call Mary the New Eve (Christ the New Adam), and how by her obedience at the Ave, she undid the disobedience of Eva. Let us reflect more profoundly on how this 'role reversal' is accomplished. God restores creation according to His plan from the foundation of the world! Yet weakness, humility, complete dependence on God, and profound sorrow all play indispensable roles in achieving this peak of glory. Note how sacrifice is necessary for the perfection of creation, [2] man's reparation can console Our Lady's sorrow, and (3) the simplest more direct way [...]

Sorrow and Humility Restore Creationsvfonline2019-09-25T19:26:02-04:00

Dependence Upon God is Freedom

svfonline2019-09-10T06:36:29-04:00

There are three basic 'rules' for satanists: [1] Do what you want; [2] No one has the right to command you; [3] You are your own god. These false maxims give the impression of freedom (independence), but lead to ruin and destruction. On the other hand, Catholics honor Our Lady because she is supremely successful in being completely dependent upon God. No part of our Our Lady is "free" of God. In fact, while virginity in man is complete dependence, virginity in God is complete autonomy! God in turn grants dominion upon His dependents. Protestants misunderstand Our Lady because they fail to value [...]

Dependence Upon God is Freedomsvfonline2019-09-10T06:36:29-04:00

Music Can Establish or Destroy Morality

svfonline2019-08-31T08:54:24-04:00

Music has a profound effect on man as it is a 'language' which speaks directly to the soul. It can be used to bring order to man, refresh the human soul, and glorify God. Yet the devils can also pervert it to bring disorder, arouse the passions, and lead man into much sin and immorality. Studies have shown that music even affects plants and animals! Ancient traditions recount how bad music led the sons of Seth into sin, and we know it played a role in the quintessential idolatry of the golden calf. St. Peter Claver, not unlike Our Lord cleansing [...]

Music Can Establish or Destroy Moralitysvfonline2019-08-31T08:54:24-04:00

Chastity and Reverence

svfonline2019-08-23T06:23:33-04:00

Blessed Mary’s perfect and immaculate purity, of both body and soul, are contributing causes to today’s mystery of the Assumption. Nothing impure can enter into heaven says the Apocalypse! After all, no human being can be good or truly happy, in this life or the next, without chastity. Rob man of chastity and you take from him self-respect and his desire to pray. No wonder the devil likes to start with impure temptations! To remain truly chaste, it greatly helps to understand the connection between chastity and reverence. Yet we need the aid of the Blessed Virgin to deal properly with [...]

Chastity and Reverencesvfonline2019-08-23T06:23:33-04:00

Use Memory to Grow in Sanctity

svfonline2019-08-23T05:23:39-04:00

In the parable of the publican and the pharisee, note how the publican remembered his sins, whereas the pharisee did not (instead he remembered the sins of others). This shows us that overcoming sin and growing in grace, truth and virtue has a lot to do with memory. When you have been rescued from a pit, it is good to remember that God rescued you because He loves you. It is also good to remember that, on your own, you are capable of falling back into a deeper pit. Our Lord gave St. Margaret of Cortona nine remembrances for graces - [...]

Use Memory to Grow in Sanctitysvfonline2019-08-23T05:23:39-04:00