Here's a record I did some months ago with my brother E 2 Da' L for his mixtape "Reflective Revelation" entitled "Stereotypes". E much like myself had a journey to our faith, rather than simply growing up with it as a norm.  E now teaches Theology in a Catholic High School, and is on his way towards becoming a Deacon in the Catholic Church. Still because of his and my past, we "catch a lot of heat" from many despite how much good is done and hearts that are brought to conversion through our life efforts and example.

As we all know, we live in a culture which promotes that which is contrary to the church, and as a young person living in America I too was exposed to all sorts of immorality from a young age.  I, like the vast majority of young people did not have a priest, religious, or any youth minister who was able to guide me and protect me from the evils that the world has to offer.  Not only that, but being a minority from the Bronx whose financial situation was much less than ideal, my parents where also not taught these teachings of the church either.  In fact, if you look at our communities we were raised to believe that contraception was easily acceptable... Not only that, but due to the plan of Eugenicists like Margaret Sanger, Planned Parenthoods were strategically placed in our neighborhoods to wipe us out.  Luckily after 18 I still was able to meet Jesus for who he really is, and started a process to be completely transformed living a Sacramental life for many years now.  It wasn't until I was 21 I heard from the Idente Missionaries that I was "called to be a Saint.".... How many still haven't heard this message?

In the Catechism in part 2, section 2 article 4 it states "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."  In other words, as Catholic's we truly believe that after our sins are confessed in the Confessional at the Sacrament of Reconciliation(Penance/Confession) it is truly gone in the eyes of God.  What is sad is that many in seats of position of influence do not treat others as such.

My only passion is to reach those that otherwise would not be reached - LIKE I WAS.

I love Jesus.  And I love his Church!  My only desire is to bring people to the reality of the Incarnation in its trueness and fullness so that we all may live out our common vocation to Holiness.  My past work has only proved that, and my work from here on out will continue to prove that - No matter where I am.

I decided to post this here on the blog after seeing these images of Pope Francis praying at a Ecumenical gathering in a Lutheran Church in Sweden. Our Holy Father has been doing an amazing job at work to bring about a true Christian unity and it baffles me how I see so many "Catholics" on the internet bashing him and de-faming his character for his efforts.

My final question.... Are we really being Church?.... Can we call ourselves disciples of Christ if our disposition towards those who are different from us is not with love and open arms?

St. Thomas says "grace perfects nature" and so although the natural lifestyle of today's culture is that which is contrary to the church, we must operate in the Hope of Grace.... And stop writing people off as lost causes or preventing them from contributing to good because of their past wrongs.

- The Symbol
- All is Love

Covenant... The sacred Family bond God calls into union with him. We have all of salvation history and biblical text which speaks on the covenants of the past as God has worked to draw mankind to himself, but what does that mean for you and me? Well, a Sacrament makes real and tangible the spiritual and intangible aspects of God in our lives. 

As a baby I received the Sacrament of Baptism as it was chosen by my parents and Godparents.  As a child I received the Blessed Sacrament at Holy Communion as well as my first Sacrament of Reconciliation(Confession)... And as a pre-teen I received the gifts of the Holy Spirit as I received the Sacrament of Confirmation.  However in all of these I was a child... With the reason of a child, and was not fully aware of what I was doing. 

"When I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things.At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:11-13

Each vocation is the means by which one lives out and puts into practice the universal call/vocation to holiness.... And in marriage your spouse is the one through which you will become Holy.

Needless to say.... through all of the things we have been through and have persevered, I am happy to now be engaged to my beautiful from the inside out fiancee Janet.  As we prepare for this next step in our life of love with God, please pray for us that we may be true to the call that has been put on our hearts in our daily life and interactions.  Please.....

And shouts out to the rest of my family who shared not only the engagement at #TheEncounterNYC this past Friday it is truly a blessing to be a part of an even bigger "Covenant" now taking place in today's world with the amazing people around me.  We laughed, cried, prayed, performed, and learned more how we can be living representations of this Covenant. It is something that will forever strengthen and guide me.  Thank you.

- The Symbol
- All is Love

The somewhat tired statement of "Time flies fast" is one that I am reminded of over and over again in on levels that are deeper and truer always. 

This past weekend we celebrated my son Christian's 8th Birthday with time as a family and a little party and Dave and Busters.  As I reflected on his life, and my own role as a Father over these past years I recognize how much I continue to learn as well as how much I still need to learn.  I again see life as such a gift, and am filled with gratitude to our Heavenly Father for entrusting Christian to me...

Despite my tendencies which are far from perfect, and my lack of resources God  has trusted me to prepare this young boy for his one day vocation.  I do not have all the answers, but I just wish to raise an intelligent, motivated and strong willed boy who has a heart of compassion for mankind and a love of God. Heavenly Father, I pray that only I will learn to be more and more the image of you in his life, and I pray my sins, faults, and daily failures never lead him astray.  Father I am young I know, and by societal standards I would not be seen fit to raise this boy.... I know many even in the church see me as a scandal in this matter.... And I know there is a legal system which deems me criminal by default because of my ethnicity and social class in this matter.  Still Father I know that all of this is a gift from you, and I pray I say yes to the grace you give me to care for this gift well. Thank you.

In Jesus name... #TheJoysOfFatherhood. Amen

- The Symbol
​- All is Love

As you may know, I have been hired as a Youth Minister in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Please pray for this ministry as it starts to take form.

A symbol of the Holy Spirit is water. The church here involved in this ministry is surrounded by water. Our Ministry “The Revine” is a play on words for “ravine”. 

A ravine is a deep narrow gorge with steep sides. It derives from 18th century French which means “a violent rush (of water)”.

In the Gospel of John Chapter 15, Jesus states that He is the vine and we are the branches. Our ministry “The Revine” seeks to create a space where teens can be ‘re-connected’ to Jesus and his Church by creating an engaging environment, where teens can learn in a way that relates to their every day modern culture.

- The Symbol
- All is love

It's been a while since we released the artwork for this up and coming album, and many have wondered what happened to it due to the  long wait with no singles, releases or anything....

Next Friday, October 21st will be your first opportunity to hear some of the music that has been being worked on for so long.  7PM starts adoration, followed by food and fellowship along with our artistic performance.

You may have heard about this event, and I posted about it on my Instagram a while back, but this is the very first Charismatic conference in New York and yours truly will be there.

For more info, visit: ​http://centrobronx.com/congreso

In this broadcast, Sacerdotus interviews Catholic Hip Hop Artist & Youth Minister: BeTheSymbol.  Born Brandon Morel in the Boogie Down Bronx, Morel took on the name "BeTheSymbol" and is fulfilling a call by God in the Catholic Church to minister to the youth using Hip Hop and Rap.

Visit: www.sacerdotus.com

As you may know I have been all over teaching, and performing leading people to Christ and his Church.  One question that has been coming up in recent conversations is the dialogue between ministry and a program.

Although I have a position in faith formation and have structured weekly activities/events it has been a constant reminder that ministry goes way beyond the program.  It is not the ones who show up to your event that should only be on your mind it should be everyone in the parish and in the neighborhood.  It shouldn't just be the teens(even if its your main focus) but should also be their older/younger brothers and sisters; their parents; grandparents; cousins; friends; classmates, etc that should be in your heart, prayers, intentions, and efforts.

Many have treated the transmitting of the faith merely as work sheets, hand outs, and books.  Others have limited it to the events, with lights and music... And still others either the internet, or good preaching, etc.... Some is simply about the fun and the excitement that will engage in faith.  Although each one of these things are good and are a part of it all, true ministry is beyond the program.... It is walking with the people and seeing their needs.  It is not the easy task, but it is the true mission of Christ and his Church.

- The Symbol
- All is Love

"None of it would matter - all these rhymes that I'm rapping at you
If it didn't come from my time at the tabernacle... I'm on the cross"
READ FULL LYRICS HERE

- The Symbol
- All is Love

I finally got around to posting this portion of a performance/talk. Here is my honest and open testimony  of my life; being a single father in this modern time and the struggles that come along with that.  Here I challenged those on retreat to think about the thing that they struggle with the most and how they shouldn't let it stop them from the plan God has for their life.

- The Symbol
- All is Love