Recent Sermon
The Sacrament of Divine Conquest
Bp. Ward
The sacrament of Confirmation was instituted by Our Lord Himself. It is a sacrament of the living, meaning we must be in the State of Grace to receive it worthily. Through it the confirmed receives a great increase of sanctifying grace and the presence of the Holy Ghost. What we are given in Baptism is not sufficient in God’s mind, so He has created this ‘Sacrament of Strength’ to help us withstand the assaults of the world, the flesh, and the devil. The confirmed are called to be defenders of Christ’s honor in the face of our godless world. We follow the example of our holy ancestors who courageously endured persecution and spoke on behalf of the whole Church, because Our Lord seeks to transform the world through his confirmed soldiers. In this sacrament we participate in the triumphant victory of the Passion and death of our Redeemer. The gifts of the Holy Ghost are increased in our soul and through them we are granted a deeper intimacy in our relationship with God.
From Our Archives
Co-redemption: Her Suffering for Your Soul
Bp. Ward
The Blessed Virgin is typified by Judith, not only in her victory over the enemy, but because of her great heroism. Few Catholics consider the indomitable will of the Virgin Mary as she stood fearlessly at the foot of the Cross.
The seven sorrows of Our Lady are referred to as the ‘Via Matris’ or the ‘Way of the Mother’; however, these seven are only the highlights and do not include all the sorrows of her life. She suffered greatly when Our Lord bid farewell to her at the beginning of His public life, when He was heckled and criticized during His preaching, when He was struck and beaten during His Passion. At the supreme moment of Our Lady’s pain, as she stood by the Cross, she remained strong and steadfast, offering up her Son, along with all her own suffering, to God the Father. Not only did she share in our Redemption, but she also dispenses the graces one for us. There are three roots of the Virgin Mary's role as Co-redemptrix: her Immaculate Conception, her merit, and her compassion in suffering with Christ. If we truly appreciate the depth of her suffering, we will appreciate the value of our immortal souls.
