Of all of the actions that the human person can carry out while living on earth, there is no greater action possible than that of receiving Holy Communion.  In the Diary of Saint Faustina, the angels experience a holy envy towards the human person and for two reasons: 1) we can receive Holy Communion; 2) the ability to suffer and merit through our sufferings.

However, Sacramental Theology teaches us a very important concept—that of the dispositive grace.  By this is meant quite simply that the graces we receive from the Sacraments are in direct proportion to our disposition—that is to … Read more

He was going through a terrible interior storm. There seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel.  It seemed hopeless; no way out!  Loss of appetite, loss of sleep, loss of desire for anyone and anything.  Life seemed to be insupportable.  As if he was hanging from a steep precipice, his life seemed precarious to say the least!  This was the interior state of one of the most known, most loved, and most admired saints in the Catholic Church.  Yes!  This was the interior state of near despair experienced by the great Saint Francis de Sales!

THE … Read more

A powerful wind, an event similar to an earthquake, and the descent of fire in the form of tongues—these and more phenomena—culminated with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles that Pentecost day.

THE NOVENA.  All of these events were preceded by the NOVENA—the word actually means NINE!  The Apostles, as well as the Blessed Virgin Mary, spent nine days and nine nights in the Cenacle before the Holy Spirit descended upon them.  What were they doing in those nine days?  Deep prayer, silence, and fasting were their activities, resulting in the descent of the Holy Spirit.… Read more

Our life on earth is a constant battle.  Spiritual writers assert that we have to defend ourselves against three constant enemies: the devil, the flesh, and the world.  The battle is relentless and ends only when our life comes to an end.

Now more than ever temptations wage against the virtue of chastity, or if you like, the virtue of purity.  In clear, certain, and unequivocal language Jesus wants us to live out this most challenging virtue taken from the Sermon on the Mount, one of the eight Beatitudes: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see … Read more

Our Lady is sad, with the deep sorrow of her sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, as she says these words that all of us should seriously take to heart and put into practice:

“Sacrifice yourself for sinners and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice: ‘O Jesus, it is for Thy love for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.’” (Our Lady of Fatima to the three shepherd children and to the whole world.)

With these words as an introduction, let us enter into the topic of this specific … Read more