During a life-threatening cataclysmic event like a major hurricane, earthquake, tornado, fire, tsunami, or other disasters, our most important goal is to save our lives but most especially our souls if we are facing imminent death. To save our souls there are four ways to forgive mortal sins, but three of them will most likely… [Read More]
Is God Punishing Us with Hurricanes and Earthquakes?
We are having unprecedented hurricanes and earthquakes plus many deaths from the “destructive forces of nature.” (CCC 309) The big questions in the back of everyone’s mind is are we at the point in the bible where it says, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations… [Read More]
Angels & Dragons III: The St. Michael Relic Stone
In 490 AD, through a series of miraculous events, St. Michael the Archangel indicated that he had chosen a cave in Gargano, Italy, to be a shrine in his honor. He appeared to the local bishop, and he explained how unique and special this cave was to him, “I am the Archangel Michael, and am… [Read More]
The Immaculate Heart of Mary – The New Ark
“Go into the ark, you and your whole family.” (Gen.7:1) This year, 2017, is the centenary year of the messages of Fatima. On May 13, 2010 when visiting Fatima, Pope Benedict XVI said, “[May] the centenary of the apparitions HASTEN the fulfillment of the prophecy of the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,” and… [Read More]
Pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Ps. 84:5)
“Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover.” (Lk.2:41) Jesus went on pilgrimage to the “Holy City” (Mt. 4:5) from infancy until His death. We don’t often think of Jesus on pilgrimage to the “City of David,” (1Chron.15:1) but Jesus’ parents would make pilgrimages three times a year as God decreed,… [Read More]
The Brown Scapular and “The First Born” (Col. 1:15)
July 16th is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel where the faithful have their Brown Scapulars blessed, and they are enrolled into the Order of Mount Carmel. The feast originated when Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251 and said, “Receive my beloved son, the scapular of thy Order…. [Read More]
Strewing Flowers at the Corpus Christi Procession
For centuries one of the customs at Corpus Christi processions is strewing (throwing) flowers before Jesus in the monstrance to proclaim Him our King in a very special and public manner. Many saints have written about this wonderful experience but one of the most well known is St Therese of Lisieux (Doctor of the Church),… [Read More]
It Is Finished! (Jn. 19:30)
The fight went the distance! Fifteen rounds of pure guts, grit, and blood! It was a courageous nail-biting fight of perseverance and determination that left the onlookers spellbound. Those on the sidelines witnessed a tenacious battle against our oldest and unseen enemy – death. My mom, Gloria Rodriguez age 89, passed away on May… [Read More]
The 7 Contemplative Gazes
Peter constantly gazed at Our Lord but like most of us listened poorly. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains how “gazing” at Jesus is a form of contemplation by stating, “Contemplation is a gaze of faith fixed on Jesus.” (2715) Contemplation is the highest form of worship, and it is none other than two… [Read More]
A Sign of Our Times: The Temptation of Survivial
The temptation of survival begins with fear in our hearts deceiving us that there are not enough jobs, resources, and food even though statistically we throw away half of our food every year. The spirits of fear and greed trick us into believing we are no longer safe, and we must protect and preserve all… [Read More]
The Importance of Consecration to Mary’s Immaculate Heart
Here is a homily from Sunday, February 19, 2017 at St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX, promoting Marian consecration to the Immaculate Heart. You can find resources for doing the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary at MyConsecration.org. Here is a homily from Fr. Kevin Rai on the Total Consecration to the Immaculate… [Read More]
Lessons from the Crib
Many saints have experienced the love and wisdom that comes from the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus, but none more than St. Faustina who had many, many visits from the Divine Infant. One Christmas season the Blessed Mother brought the Baby Jesus to St. Faustina and said, “strive after silence and humility,”… [Read More]
“Live” Christmas Posada at Community First! Village
On Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 5:30 – 6:30 P.M. the Deacon Candidates of the Diocese of Austin, Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Regina Mater Educational Community will host a “live” Posada for the residents of Community First! Village located on 9301 Hog Eye Rd, Austin, TX 78724. Community First! Village is a community for… [Read More]
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
On October 2, 2016 Pope Francis commented about the upcoming U.S. presidential election, “Study the proposals well, pray and choose in conscience.” While I was praying and thinking about the above comment the four horsemen of the Book of Revelation came to mind several times. Pope Francis added, “When a country has two, three or… [Read More]
Go to Joseph (Gen. 41:55)
On March 4, 2004 in my sixth year of law enforcement, I was involved in a car chase that spanned four counties and ended in a shoot-out with a man carrying drugs worth half a million dollars. Traveling at 100 mph in my police vehicle a tire blew out. The night before, I had… [Read More]
A Wedding Garment (Matt. 22:11)
In the Gospel of Matthew, we read about a guest who is not wearing “a wedding garment,” (22:11) and how the guest is bound hand and foot and expelled from the ceremony. What is this all about? This parable points to the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and holy orders and much more. We receive… [Read More]
Seek His Face (Psalm105:4)
In Misericordiae Vultus, Pope Francis states, “Introduce everyone to the great mystery of God’s mercy by contemplating the face of Christ,” (25) and similarly on June 29, 2016, he states in the newly released apostolic constitution, “Seeking the face of God has always been a part of human history.” (Vultum Dei quaerere “Seeking the Face… [Read More]
The Image of Divine Mercy In My Soul
In the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska when speaking of the image of Divine Mercy, Jesus tells her, “My image already is in your soul.” (Diary 49) The image of God was present in man from the beginning when God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness,” (Gen. 1:26) and… [Read More]
You are gods (Jn 10:34)
Jesus says, “You are gods.” (Jn. 10:34) How is this possible? At baptism, we become “partakers of the divine nature,” (CCC 1265 or 2Pt.1:4) or as St. Athanasius states that we are, “becoming by grace what God is by nature.” The Catechism quotes St. Athanasius to explain this teaching, “For the Son of God became… [Read More]
Gazing at the Image or Icon of Divine Mercy
What does gazing at an image or icon of Divine Mercy do for my mind, body, and soul? The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The beauty of images moves me [us] to contemplation…” (1162) So what is contemplation? “Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus, ‘I look at him and he… [Read More]
The Divine Mercy Image: A Heavenly Sign
Throughout history, Christians have always had a heavenly sign to lead them. Seventeen hundred years ago, the Emperor Constantine’s insignia was the Sign of the Cross from a heavenly sign in the sky, which put a stop to the persecution and martyrdom of Christians. Five hundred years ago the heavenly sign was the image of… [Read More]
First Saturday Devotion of Reparation to Our Lady
HER CHILDREN ROSE UP, AND CALLED HER BLESSED.” (Proverbs 31:28 Douay Rheims) As we enter the new year 2016 celebrating the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, I am making a new year’s resolution to complete the Five First Saturday Devotion of Reparation to Our Lady. I have tried many times in the past and… [Read More]
A Jubilee of Mercy by Deed, Word, and Prayer
We are about to embark on one of the most important years of our present lifetime, the Jubilee Year of Mercy. This year imparts a special grace that cannot be received twice. These types of years don’t come often in the church’s history except every 25 or 50 years, so we need to take advantage… [Read More]
March For Religious Freedom November 22 Part II
Saint Relics of Knights of Columbus: Kevin Russell, Vice President of the Greater Austin Area Knights of Columbus and lead organizer, stated that, “It will be one of the greatest days in the history of the Knights of Columbus in the Austin area,” referring to the relics of the six Knights of Columbus saints that… [Read More]
March for Religious Freedom November 22 Part I
“[T]he most fundamental human freedom [is] that of practicing one’s faith openly, which for human beings is their reason for living.” Saint John Paul II On Sunday, November 22nd, the Solemnity of Christ the King, the Knights of Columbus from the Austin area and around the state of Texas will march for Religious Freedom from… [Read More]
Angels & Dragons II
What is a Dragon? The Hebrew word “tanniyn” is used to depict a mysterious and vile creature similar to a giant reptile. “Tanniyn” is found 28 times in the Old Testament, with English translations sometimes referring to it as dragon, sea-monster, serpent, whale, or jackal. In the New Testament the Book of Revelation uses the… [Read More]
Corpus Christi Procession: “Where the Body is, there the eagles will be gathered together” (Part 4)
“Where the Body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” (Lk. 17:37 RSV) This scripture is also found in Matthew 24:28. This scripture is taken from the Revised Standard Version Bible which is the bible translation used for the Catechism of the Catholic Church since the New American Bible uses the word “vultures” instead… [Read More]
Corpus Christi Procession – “That Your Joy May Be Complete” (Part 3)
The Corpus Christ procession is one of those cosmic events in our lives that recalls the words of Jesus, “That your joy may be complete.” (Jn. 16:24) In the gospel Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus in procession (Lk. 19: 1-9) and this encounter fills him with an over abundance of joy. To keep… [Read More]
Corpus Christi Procession – “One Heart and Soul” (Part 2)
The upcoming, June 7, 2015, Corpus Christi procession unites the Austin, English and Spanish communities, as when the early Church was a “Community of believers [that] was of one heart and soul.” (Acts 4:32) From the very beginning the early Christians were a convergence of a trilingual culture, so public statements were often, “Written in… [Read More]
Homily on the Ascension of Our Lord
This homily was given by Deacon Guadalupe at St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX on the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord in the season of Easter. “When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is… [Read More]
Open the Door of Mercy Homily
This homily was given at St Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin on May 7, 2015 in the 4th Week of Easter. Pope Francis Prayer for the Jubilee of Mercy Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show us… [Read More]
Corpus Christi Procession – “That They May All Be One” (Part 1)
The Corpus Christi Procession in Austin, Texas, is a very special one. This year, two communities are coming together to praise and adore the Lamb of God on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. For the first time in Central Texas history, the English and Spanish Corpus Christi Processions will… [Read More]
Homily on the Works of Mercy
This homliy was given at St Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX on April 30, 2015 in the fourth week of Easter Jesus in the priest and in the deacon as servant. Homily based on the Gospel of John 13:16-20 The Corporal Works of Mercy Feed the hungry Give drink to the thirsty Clothe the… [Read More]
Pope Francis’ Holy Year of Mercy Message
Pope Francis released the Papal Bull of Indiction of the Year of Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy titled Misericordiae Vultus on Saturday April 11, 2015. This homily was given by Deacon Guadalupe at St Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX.
Divine Mercy Homily
The second Sunday of Easter is celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This homily was given by Deacon Guadalupe at St Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX in the Octave of Easter. Divine Mercy Image Prayers from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Optional Opening Prayers You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for… [Read More]
Finding Jesus at a Street Retreat
In early December, thirty men in the diaconal formation program from the Diocese of Austin went on a three day street retreat based on the scripture “He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only: no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse” (Mark 6:8). The men were… [Read More]
The Fatherhood of Saint Joseph
This homily was given at St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Read the daily readings for this solemnity at USCCB’s daily readings page. Main Points of the Homily for the Feast of Saint Joseph Entrustment to the fatherhood of Saint Joseph Saint Joseph –… [Read More]
The World’s Greatest Love
As the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary approaches on March 19th let us contemplate the betrothal and love of Joseph and Mary, and how it can help couples and also single people in their search for a spouse. Pope Benedict XVI reminded us on July 5, 2010 that the “The… [Read More]
Angels & Dragons
“Proclaim a War! Let the weak man say, ‘I am a warrior!’” (Joel 4:9-10) In these dark times we must contemplate and understand the spiritual battle we are facing. We must take a step back and ask ourselves, “What is happening to the world and to us?” The answer is that mankind is at the… [Read More]
Our Christian Vocation Is Like That of The Three Kings!
Every Christmas we ready ourselves for the birth of our Lord with lights, lights, and more lights. We string lights on Christmas trees, wreaths, and nativity sets; we outline windows, rooftops and walkways. We decorate our downtown trees and light poles with lights and some neighborhood yards are aglow with lighted reindeer, snowmen, and nativity… [Read More]
