Show Notes
To prepare well for death, meditate on it daily, as Scripture and the Saints advise. The thought of death restrains sin while ignoring it leads to presumption and spiritual ruin. Always remain in a state of Grace because death is certain but its timing is unknown. Avoid the illusion that you can repent later: many die suddenly, without warning. Detach now from worldly possessions and pleasures, as death separates you from all earthly things. Live as if today were your last day, focusing on prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and devotion to God. The road to heaven is found in the Church, the Sacraments, and obedience to God’s will. Do not delay repentance: God’s Mercy is great, but His Justice is both great and real as well. Citations mentioned in this Mission Sermon:
St. Alphonsus Liguori – On meditating on death to avoid sin St. Gregory – God conceals the hour of death so we remain vigilant St. Bernard – Always live in expectation of death to avoid sin St. Robert Bellarmine – The art of dying well requires living well St. Augustine – God hides the day of death to keep us prepared St. Vincent Ferrer – Few habitual sinners receive the grace of a good death St. Jerome – Most who persist in sin until death are lost Book of Tobias, Ch. 12 – Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving deliver the soul from death Gospel of Matthew, Ch. 24 – Be ready, for you do not know the hour Isaiah 29:13 – True prayer comes from the heart, not just the lips James 4:3 – Prayers must be rightly ordered to be effective
Books recommended in this Mission Sermon:
St. Alphonsus Liguori – Preparation for Death St. Alphonsus Liguori – Counsels for Confessors St. Robert Bellarmine – The Art of Dying Well St. Leonard of Port Maurice – The Little Number of Those Who Are Saved
"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: