Author: Rev. Francis J. Hoffman

Rev. Francis J. Hoffman

Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, "Fr. Rocky" is the Chairman and CEO of Relevant Radio and a priest of Opus Dei.

Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments 6: What are the “rituals” of the Sacraments?

February 24, 2026February 18, 2026 Articles, Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments

Lesson 6 What are the “rituals” of the Sacraments? Since the Sacraments are a gift from Jesus Christ to His Church, and since the Catholic Church has the sole authority over the Sacraments, each minister of the Sacrament must follow the “rite” for the Sacrament. He cannot make up the words and actions by […]

Today’s Mass for February 23, 2026

February 23, 2026 Podcasts, Today's Mass

Today’s Mass for Monday of the First Week of Lent from the Chapel of the Proclamation in Lincolnshire, IL. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSPodcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments 5: Who is the Minister of the Sacraments?

February 23, 2026February 18, 2026 Articles, Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments

Lesson 5 Who is the Minister of the Sacraments? When Jesus appeared to the Apostles in the Upper Room the night of the Resurrection, he breathed the Holy Spirit upon them and said, “Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain are retained”. (JN 20:23) At that moment He […]

Lenten Lessons on the Mass 5: The Crucifix

February 23, 2026February 19, 2026 Articles, Lenten Lesson

Every Catholic Church has this… Today’s Lesson: The Crucifix Every Catholic church has a Crucifix – which is a cross with the figure of Jesus Christ crucified. The Crucifix is in the sanctuary near the altar and should be clearly visible. It reminds us how much Jesus loved us and is an invitation to love […]

Lenten Lessons on the Mass 4: The Altar

February 21, 2026February 19, 2026 Articles, Lenten Lesson

(Hint) It’s not a table… Today’s Lesson: The Altar A-L-T-A-R. That’s how you spell altar. While the tabernacle is the most important item in a Church, the altar is no less important during Mass, because upon the altar the perfect sacrifice is renewed. For that reason, when the priest enters and leaves the Mass, he […]

Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments 4: Who can receive a Sacrament?

February 21, 2026February 18, 2026 Articles, Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments

Lesson 4 Who can receive a Sacrament? Since Jesus said, “Unless a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5), Baptism is necessary for salvation. For that reason, Baptism is the one Sacrament that can be received by anyone — so long as that […]

Today’s Mass for February 20, 2026

February 20, 2026 Podcasts, Today's Mass

Today’s Mass for Friday after Ash Wednesday from the Chapel of the Proclamation in Lincolnshire, IL. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSPodcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Lenten Lessons on the Mass 3: The Tabernacle

February 20, 2026February 19, 2026 Articles, Lenten Lesson

Ever hear of the “Holy of Holies?” Today’s Lesson: The Tabernacle The “Holy of Holies” was the innermost chamber in the Temple of Jerusalem reserved only for the High Priest. Today, in a Catholic church, the “Holy of Holies” is the tabernacle, because inside of it, in a golden vessel covered by a silk veil, […]

Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments 3: What kind of Sacraments are there and how many?

February 20, 2026February 20, 2026 Articles, Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments

Lesson 3 What kind of Sacraments are there and how many? The old Catechism of the Catholic Church listed the Sacraments as either “Sacraments of the Living or Sacraments of the Dead.” The Sacraments of the Living could only be worthily received if you were in the State of Grace, while the Sacraments of […]

Today’s Mass for February 19, 2026

February 19, 2026 Podcasts, Today's Mass

Today’s Mass for Thursday after Ash Wednesday from the Chapel of the Proclamation in Lincolnshire, IL. Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSPodcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: ... Read more

Lenten Lessons on the Mass 2: Genuflection

February 19, 2026February 19, 2026 Articles, Lenten Lesson

At the Name of Jesus, do this! Today’s Lesson: Genuflection After you bless yourself with holy water, you make a genuflection. “At the name of Jesus, every knee must bend” (Philippians 2:10). That’s what Saint Paul wrote to the Philippians years ago, and that’s why we bend our right knee and make a genuflection to […]

Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments 2: What is a Sacrament?

February 19, 2026February 18, 2026 Articles, Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments

Lesson 2 What is a Sacrament? Welcome back to our Lenten Lessons on the Sacraments. My name is Fr. Rocky, and I am very happy to teach you a little bit more about our Catholic Faith. Let’s begin with the word Sacrament. It comes to us in English from both Latin and Greek, and […]

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