Mary and "spiritual warfare"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It seems to me the Church today is engaged in “spiritual warfare” more than I experienced in my youth. The culture seems to be far less “Godly” refusing to acknowledge His Goodness in Creation. There have been times of upheaval before, but there was more evidence of Faith among Catholics in the USA. As I read about other countries, it seems it is not just here that secular atheism and practical Atheists have grown more numerous among those who used to be firm in faith.

Recently, I wrotee about the Spirituality of St. Louis de Montfort, particularly found in his treatise on “True Devotion” and the living out of the Act of Total Consecration by the Founder of the Legion of Mary and many Legion members. I wrote a bit about Deacon Cody’s words to the Legion of Mary Congress. I continue to ponder different thoughts this Deacon expressed. One was the “spiritual warfare” of today and how we need a spiritual army to fight against evil.

Each day, Legion Members pray Mary’s Canticle from Luke’s Gospel, preceded by an Antiphon – words taken from the “Song of Songs”:

Who is she who comes forth as the morning rising fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array.

Some of you, may picture as I do the Virgin of Guadalupe with the rays of the Sun behind her, standing on the moon. Other thoughts are from the last book of the Bible:

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Rev. 12:1)

…the dragon became angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus…( REv. 12:17)

In “True Devotion” St. Louis wrote:

1. But what will they be like, these servants, these slaves, these children of Mary?

They will be ministers of the Lord who, like a flaming fire, will enkindle everywhere the fires of divine love. They will become, in Mary’s powerful hands, like sharp arrows, with which she will transfix her enemies.

They will be as the children of Levi, thoroughly purified by the fire of great tribulations and closely joined to God. They will carry the gold of love in their heart, the frankincense of prayer in their mind and the myrrh of mortification in their body. They will bring to the poor and lowly everywhere the sweet fragrance of Jesus, but they will bring the odor of death to the great, the rich and the proud of this world.

Much to ponder…

 

[NeedImprovement]

Dear Brothers and Sisters . . .
In “True Devotion” St. Louis wrote:

1. But what will they be like, these servants, these slaves, these children of Mary?

To me, being “thoroughly purified by the fire of great tribulations” could possibly imply tribulations of a personal nature which others do not experience . . . and there is also the likelihood that we may not be fully aware of all that Our Blessed Mother is accomplishing with our cooperation. What is necessary, is our Consecration to her Immaculate Heart . . . and all the rest will follow naturally.

 

[po18guy]

For anyone who still believes that the Catholic Church holds Mary in too high esteem, read the words of an exorcist priest who faces demons down during exorcisms: regnumchristi.org/english/articulos/articulo.phtml?id=14318&se=364&ca=118&te=782

Specifically (emphasis mine):

"At the end, the priest says to the demon, “Go away! Disappear!” The demon usually answers, “No, I don´t want to.” It rebels and revolts. Sometimes it says “You have no power over me. You are nothing to me.” But after a while, its resistance weakens. This usually happens after the invocation of the Holy Mother, she´s very important for that. No demon ever dares to insult her during an exorcism. Never.

Does he have more respect for Mary than for God himself?

Apparently. Otherwise no holds are barred, and everyone is insulted: the priests, everyone present, the bishops, the Pope, even Jesus Christ. But never the Virgin Mary. It´s an enigma."

Talk about the Church militant! This has provided me with immense comfort.

 

[MariaChristi]

To me, being “thoroughly purified by the fire of great tribulations” could possibly imply tribulations of a personal nature which others do not experience . . . and there is also the likelihood that we may not be fully aware of all that Our Blessed Mother is accomplishing with our cooperation. What is necessary, is our Consecration to her Immaculate Heart . . . and all the rest will follow naturally.

Dear Needimprovement,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I agree that “great tribulations” can come to individuals as well as to entire nations. God is always working good, often in very hidden ways in our souls. The Holy Family underwent trials in Bethlehem that others did not notice, but God permitted their difficulties, for us to learn from, and for Joseph and Mary to grow in grace.

Our total consecration to Jesus through Mary is a life-time commitment. The more we read “True Devotion” the more we begin to appreciate the beauty and privilege of Grace, we’ve been given to pray the words of the Consecration and continually strive to LIVE the words we prayed.

 

[MariaChristi]

For anyone who still believes that the Catholic Church holds Mary in too high esteem, read the words of an exorcist priest who faces demons down during exorcisms: regnumchristi.org/english/articulos/articulo.phtml?id=14318&se=364&ca=118&te=782

Specifically (emphasis mine):

"At the end, the priest says to the demon, “Go away! Disappear!” The demon usually answers, “No, I don´t want to.” It rebels and revolts. Sometimes it says “You have no power over me. You are nothing to me.” But after a while, its resistance weakens. This usually happens after the invocation of the Holy Mother, she´s very important for that. No demon ever dares to insult her during an exorcism. Never.

Dear po guy,

Thanks for your reply and for the link. I read the article and it was very interesting. I have read similar accounts by Catholic priests who are exorcists, who have said the demons fear Mary. I think they have intellects superior to humans and so they know how much God loves her and how powerful her intercession is with God.

It is so sad to see how human persons will deface Mary’s statues and say ugly things about Mary. I wonder about such people and what causes this kind of behavior. I’m no psychologist but I wonder if they have such self-hatred that they hate Mary for being so perfect a human person, able to love God so completely, and all others because of God. It is as the priest says in his article an “enigma”.

 

[brad90956]

Mary is the exact opposite of Satan. Satan fell due to pride while Mary rose due to humility. She is the new Eve.

Satan would rather be defeated by God because He is all mighty and omnipotent. Being crushed by Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, is absolutely humiliating. It drives him crazy.

Satan will do anything in his power to discourage devotion to Mary. Have you ever noticed that those people who reject the Church and her teachings have the strongest reactions against Mary, Marian dogmas and devotions to her.

I made my Consecration to Mary through Jesus last month. Before my 33 day Consecration, I was mostly ignorant of Mary. Now I feel like I know her a lot better and call on her intercession daily. She has been a tremendous help to me as I ask her daily to help lead me closer to Jesus.

God Bless

 

[Jesus_123]

. . . . . .

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

One day, after celebrating Mass, the aged Pope Leo XIII was in conference with the Cardinals when suddenly he sank to the floor in a deep swoon. … after a short interval the Holy Father regained consciousness and exclaimed with great emotion: "Oh, what a horrible picture I have been permitted to see!

He had been shown a vision of evil spirits who had been released from Hell and their efforts to destroy the Church. But in the midst of the horror the archangel St. Michael appeared and cast Satan and his legions into the abyss of hell. Soon afterwards Pope Leo XIII composed the following prayer …"​

Original - Prayer to St. Michael

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, DEFEND US in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom ALMIGHTY GOD created immortal, made in His Own Image and Likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the LORD, together with the holy angels :angel1:, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primevIl enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of GOD and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be.

Arise then, O Invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of GOD, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has GOD entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the GOD of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the LORD; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the CROSS OF THE LORD; be scattered ye hostile powers.
R. The LION of the tribe of Judah has conquered the root of David.
V. Let THY mercies be upon us, O LORD.
R. As we have hoped in THEE.
V. O LORD, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto THEE.

** Let us pray. **

O GOD, the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, we call upon THY holy Name, and as supplicants, we implore THY clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, THOU wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.​

In dedication to the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary . . .

. . . all for Jesus+
​

 

[MariaChristi]

Mary is the exact opposite of Satan. Satan fell due to pride while Mary rose due to humility. She is the new Eve.

Satan would rather be defeated by God because He is all mighty and omnipotent. Being crushed by Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, is absolutely humiliating. It drives him crazy.

Satan will do anything in his power to discourage devotion to Mary. Have you ever noticed that those people who reject the Church and her teachings have the strongest reactions against Mary, Marian dogmas and devotions to her.

I made my Consecration to Mary through Jesus last month. Before my 33 day Consecration, I was mostly ignorant of Mary. Now I feel like I know her a lot better and call on her intercession daily. She has been a tremendous help to me as I ask her daily to help lead me closer to Jesus.

God Bless

Dear Brad,

Thanks so much for your reply and for making your Act of Total Consecration. Mary is Jesus’ gift to us from His Cross. When we “Behold” our Mother, we see all we are called to be as Church, and as unique sons and daughters of God. Please let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of His Mercy.

 

[MariaChristi]

** Let us pray. **

O GOD, the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, we call upon THY holy Name, and as supplicants, we implore THY clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, THOU wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.[/INDENT][/INDENT]

In dedication to the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary . . .

. . . all for Jesus+
​

Thanks so much for all your prayers to honor God Who will indeed bring the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

 

[Bob_Crowley]

And once it´s said it?

At the end, the priest says to the demon, “Go away! Disappear!” The demon usually answers, “No, I don´t want to.” It rebels and revolts. Sometimes it says “You have no power over me. You are nothing to me.” But after a while, its resistance weakens. This usually happens after the invocation of the Holy Mother, she´s very important for that. No demon ever dares to insult her during an exorcism. Never.

Does he have more respect for Mary than for God himself?

Apparently. Otherwise no holds are barred, and everyone is insulted: the priests, everyone present, the bishops, the Pope, even Jesus Christ. But never the Virgin Mary. It´s an enigma.

I’ve read this quote before, and I’ve put it in a previous post or three of my own.

My own belief is that God won’t allow Satan or his demons insult Mary. If we were to use a human example, we might find that a bit tough bloke doesn’t really care what insults we use against him as it’s no skin off his nose, and words from his enemies will never hurt him.

But just insult his mother and see what happens!

I think He’s made it clear that they’d better not do anything of the sort. There is such a thing as mains force, and in the end God’s going to use it. He already uses it in constraining the devil and his minions to Hell most of the time. They’re not there because they respect the rules - they’re kept there by force, by spiritual chains.

And if they insult His mother, I think they know that He has promised retribution to suit.

I don’t think it’s Mary’s power they fear - I think it’s God’s power on behalf of the “Mother of God”, the mother of Christ. That’s what they really fear.

So they don’t insult her, not so much out of respect for her, but because of God’s promised threat. And they know He’ll keep it.

 

[MariaChristi]

I’ve read this quote before, and I’ve put it in a previous post or three of my own.

My own belief is that God won’t allow Satan or his demons insult Mary. If we were to use a human example, we might find that a bit tough bloke doesn’t really care what insults we use against him as it’s no skin off his nose, and words from his enemies will never hurt him.

But just insult his mother and see what happens!

I think He’s made it clear that they’d better not do anything of the sort. There is such a thing as mains force, and in the end God’s going to use it. He already uses it in constraining the devil and his minions to Hell most of the time. They’re not there because they respect the rules - they’re kept there by force, by spiritual chains.

And if they insult His mother, I think they know that He has promised retribution to suit.

I don’t think it’s Mary’s power they fear - I think it’s God’s power on behalf of the “Mother of God”, the mother of Christ. That’s what they really fear.

So they don’t insult her, not so much out of respect for her, but because of God’s promised threat. And they know He’ll keep it.

Dear Bob,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, Mary has no “power of her own” but all comes from God, and it does seem as if the devils fear Mary more because of God’s Love for her and His power Almighty power over all. It is an enigma – a mystery – to us perhaps that He allows demons to insult Jesus, but I believe that is the Great Mystery of God Who loved us all so much that He spared not His only begotten Son.

It adds to the beauty of Jesus’ gift of Mary to all of us from His Cross. We can fly to Mary’s protection, knowing she will intercede for us as she did at the Wedding in Cana, when Jesus answered her with a miracle! He has willed all graces now to come through Mary, just as the Father willed to send Jesus through Mary to save us.