Our Lord's earthly ministry often saw Him getting embroiled in controversies concerning the Jewish Law. In so doing, He was combatting the spirit of empty formalism. To this day, we are often preoccupied with formal adherence to the law rather than embracing its spirit.

What is our relationship to the Mass? Are the prayers of the Mass mere words or do they mean something to us? Do we come to this liturgy because it is merely required or because we love it?

On the feast of Pope St. Pius X, which falls on September 3rd, we reflect on the connection between this holy and St. John Vianney, the Curé d'Ars. Both of their lives instruct us on the meaning of the priesthood and living the virtue of poverty.

When the Israelites were traveling through the wilderness, God provided for them. Despite this, God’s people consistently complained and murmured, even going so far as to wish they had never been liberated from Egypt rather than accept what the Lord provided. In the ancient Israelites we see a painful reflection of ourselves, particularly when we complain about material things and the struggles of everyday life.

When making petitions to God in prayer, we desire He answer in the affirmative, but often find He does not. Even the saints, whose prayers appear to be more efficacious than our own, do not always receive what they request, for it is not God’s will. Why is this so, and does this reality mean that God leaves prayers unanswered?

Be A Spiritual Good Samaritan - SSPX Sermons

As the Blessed Virgin Mary was never far from Our Lord’s side during his earthly life, so she remains to this day. She is a golden thread that runs through the entire life of the Church, from the Incarnation to the present day.

In prayer, more is accomplished by listening than talking. Here we consider how this principle, the importance of prayer, played a central role in the life of St. Jane Frances de Chantal, founder of the Visitandines.

The sin of presumption, like despair, is a vice that's the opposite of the theological virtue of hope. Many Catholics find themselves torn between these vices, believing on the one hand that God has withdrawn His grace from the world or, on the other, believing that Our Lord does not care for our moral behavior and how permits every sort of vice.

On this day of Our Lady’s Assumption, we have the opportunity to reflect on her role in our intellectual, emotional, and moral formation. The Blessed Virgin stands as a model of Christian living while also being available to us as an advocate before the throne of Heaven.

Don't Rely On Your Own Strength - SSPX Sermons

Humility of heart is necessary to eradicate pride, which is the greatest stumbling block in the spiritual life. Like the pharisees, we are tempted to live an illusion, believing ourselves better than we truly are. This is why Our Lord reminds us that he who exalts himself shall be humbled, but that he who humbles himself shall be exalted.

From the moment of our baptism, when sanctifying grace flooded our soul, we became children of our heavenly Father and brothers and sisters of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ came into the world not only to save us from sin, but to show us what it is to live as true children of God.

We know about the gravity of sins committed against marriage - but sadly, many engaged couples start their relationship not with virtue, but with destructive tendencies.

The Catholic life forces us to navigate a sort of duality between the flesh and spirit, which sometimes leads us to absolutize one over the other. Similarly, we are often tempted to absolutize good and evil, treating the latter as substance that preys upon us rather than seeing it for what is: the privation of good. If we wish to rid our lives of evil, then we must put our souls at peace and recognize that we are surrounded by the good that God has created for us.

The opening ceremonies of the Olympics was marred by a flagrant act of blasphemy against Our Lord. This gross act does not inherently degrade the accomplishments of the athletes who compete, but it does provide an occasion to reflect on the place of sports in our lives and the disproportionate place we often give to them.

At times, we may believe our sins are too great for God's mercy. It is commonplace for us to think we are beyond God's love, and we compound our sins by losing hope and giving up. This is the exact opposite of how we should feel, for God's mercy is infinite and it is there if we sincerely seek it.

The world, the devil, and even our own flesh are sources of temptation to sin. So why then do we ask God to not lead us into temptation? Does this mean God is a source of stumbling blocks that may make us fall out of a state of grace?

It is a requirement of faith to believe in the sacraments and their efficaciousness. The sacraments are vessels of grace intended for our salvation. And it is from the Church's doctrine that we know this truth about the sacraments and their importance to our lives.

In our baptism, we renounce forever satan and his works. We are freed from sin. However, out of complacency, we do not appreciate what a vital act baptism is and the importance of putting a life of sin behind us.

The Tears of Our Lord - SSPX Sermons

The Gospels show us how Our Lord touched the lives of his followers, including St. Mary Magdalene. In her acts of service toward Him, she unveils the pureness of her heart. Moreover, she serves as a model for us all through her great faith in Christ to forgive sins and offer the path of salvation.

In the contemporary world, there are innumerable obstacles placed before those who wish to have a genuine family. The father’s authority is routinely mocked and children are told they needn’t follow their parents’ directives. Yet we know the family is the foundation upon which society is built and that is why we must not relinquish to struggle to maintain its integrity today.

Without a true love for God and neighbor, our souls can become a den of thieves. This is best exhibited in the sins of the tongue, those acts of detraction and derision that we carry out against our neighbors. In destroying the good names of others due to an absence of charity, we risk destroying ourselves.

Those considering a vocation often struggle with whether their choice is the will of God. For we know that to act outside His will imposes serious obstacles for our salvation. This is why we must be cautious in discerning His will for us, never acting hastily or imprudently.