Show Notes
In this sermon Father discusses the Immaculate Conception, explaining how Blessed Duns Scotus resolved theological difficulties by arguing that it was fitting for God to preserve His mother from original sin, a doctrine later defined as dogma by Pope Pius 9th. Mary is the “woman” of Genesis who crushes the serpent’s head, and as the “mold of God,” she serves as the perfect mediator to help the faithful be transformed into Christ. We need to practice total consecration to the Immaculate, imitating her virtues and relying on her intercession as it is the surest path to salvation and victory in spiritual warfare. Key quotes from Saints in this sermon:
St. Augustine: “Mary was the only one who merited to be called the mother and spouse of God.” St. Augustine: “For sin never had any entry into the soul of the Blessed Virgin.” St. Bernard of Clairvaux: “Thou alone was found worthy to be chosen as the one in whose virginal womb the king of kings should have his first abode.” St. Bernard of Clairvaux: “Noah’s ark was a type of Mary, for as by its means men were preserved from the deluge, so are we all preserved by Mary from the shipwreck of sin.” St. Bonaventure: “It was becoming that the Blessed Virgin Mary by whom our shame was to be blotted out and by whom the devil was to be conquered should never even for a moment have been under her dominion.” St. Thomas Aquinas: “It was necessary that he, Christ, who was to take away sin, should be separated from sin as to the fault under which Adam lay.” St. Ambrose: “Christ chose this vessel unto which he was about to descend not avert but from heaven and he consecrated it a temple of purity.” St. Louis de Montfort: “I still would choose the immaculate way of Mary. It is a way a road without stain or spot without original sin or actual sin without shadow or darkness.” St. Louis de Montfort: “Mary is the great mold of God fashioned by the Holy Ghost to give human nature to a man who is God… and to fashion through the grace men who are like to God.” St. John Damascene: “O Blessed Virgin, thou was born and thou mightiest minister to the salvation of the whole world.”
Links, Reading Material, and Books:
The Secret of Mary (With Preparation for Total Consecration) by St. Louis de Montfort True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis Consecration to Mary (Angelus Press)
"Video" versions of the podcasts are posted to Odysee, Rumble and sometimes on YouTube (The censors at YouTube don't like Father's preaching so we're not posting everything because we don't want his channel nuked). To financially support the work of Fr. Isaac you can donate to him via the following: Mailing address If you would like to mail a card, letter, or donation to Father Isaac you can do so at the following address:Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Good Success974 E Stuart Ave STE DBox 203Galax, VA 24333Checks should be made out to "Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Good Success" which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and donations are tax deductible. To submit questions for future episodes send email to [email protected] -- for emails SPECIFICALLY for Father and ONLY for Father, send emails to [email protected] This podcast is produced by Supernerd Media.
More from Soldiers of the Immaculate
Traditional Franciscan priest Fr. Mary-Isaac Relyea joins John-Henry Westen to address what he describes as a crisis of silence within the Catholic hierarchy. Drawing on St. John Eudes and St. Gregory the Great, Relyea argues that priests and bishops have a grave obligation to defend Catholic doctrine and warn souls against sin. He sharply criticizes Pope Leo XIV and other prelates whom he believes have failed in that responsibility, a failure that, he warns, invites damnation. The discussion addresses reception of Holy Communion, homosexuality, modernism, Vatican II, and the SSPX. Relyea argues that Catholics must remain faithful to what they understand as perennial Catholic teaching even amid opposition from Church authorities or their own families. The silence of the shepherds is not neutral; it is complicity. Relyea turns to the spiritual practices Catholics need to persevere: the Rosary, the sacraments, spiritual Communion, mental prayer, penance, fasting, and studying the lives of the saints. Mental prayer is an intimate conversation with God. Intellectual knowledge of the faith is not enough—Catholics must live it through prayer and heroic virtue. On the SSPX controversy, Relyea rejects warnings that Catholics associated with the Society are endangering their salvation. He defends resistance to commands he considers contrary to the faith and urges Catholics not to succumb to fear of persecution or condemnation. The silence must be broken. The faith must be defended. And the time to act is now.
In this episode Father discusses the mystery and necessity of the Cross, emphasizing that Christ’s disciples must renounce themselves, accept the crosses God permits, and follow Him to Calvary; the Cross is presented as the means of salvation, a source of grace, a weapon against spiritual enemies, and the path to conformity with Christ. The episode calls listeners to stop fleeing from suffering, embrace their crosses with patience and love, cultivate humility, prayer, mental prayer, and dependence upon divine grace, and seek the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, particularly through the Seven Sorrows devotion and its associated promises. Let us learn the wisdom of the Cross, ask for the grace to carry it faithfully, unite our sufferings to Christ, and persevere in prayer and penance so that we may remain faithful and attain heaven. The Promises made to those who have devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows:
In this episode Father discusses the crisis in the Church following the Second Vatican Council, focusing especially on the liturgical reform, the loss of the sacrificial character and reverence of the Mass, the failure of Church leaders to defend Catholic truth, and the growing confusion and apostasy within the Church. We must recognize the seriousness of the crisis, study the Faith and the writings of the Saints, pray and do penance, make frequent spiritual Communions, defend Christ and His Church, instruct those who are ignorant, and remain faithful even amid persecution and suffering. Let us reject cowardice and spiritual complacency, renew our consecration to the Blessed Mother, pray fervently for the consecration of Russia, and strive to remain in a state of grace so that we may persevere in the Faith and be ready to meet Our Lord. Links, Reading Material, and Books:
In this episode Father discusses the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, emphasizing her role as the Immaculate Mother, Mediatrix of All Graces, and model of total conformity to God’s will, particularly through her Fiat and participation in Christ’s redemption. Devotion to Our Lady is connected to the spiritual dangers of the present age and Catholics must detach themselves from worldly possessions, technology, fear, sin, and personal opinions; cultivate mental prayer; practice penance and the sacraments; discern and embrace their vocations; and prepare seriously for death and judgment. Let us consecrate ourselves and our families to Our Lady, imitate her virtues, persevere amid the crisis in the Church, pray and sacrifice for the salvation of others, and strive for sanctity rather than merely hoping to avoid damnation. Links, Reading Material, and Books:
In this sermon Father discusses the proper use of the tongue, emphasizing that sinful speech—including calumny, insults, immodesty, gossip, and verbal abuse—can seriously damage other people and incur responsibility before God. Christians have a duty not only to avoid sinful speech but to speak up in defense of the Catholic faith and Truth, particularly when confronted with error, while doing so with charity and a willingness to instruct those who are sincerely mistaken. We must all remain spiritually vigilant, pray for those who have been led astray, praise God with our speech, defend the Church and the innocent, and never separate Charity from Truth. Links, Reading Material, and Books: