Slaying Dragons, page 16
St. Teresa of Avila utilized holy water frequently in her struggles with the devil. In her autobiography, she describes how, after some of her nuns “sprinkled a great deal of holy water,” she “saw a huge crowd of [devils] running away as quickly as though they were about to fling themselves down a steep place.”[75] She also gives us a remarkable passage about her reliance on this powerful sacramental. She says,
“From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like holy water to put devils to flight and prevent them from coming back again. They also flee from the Cross, but return; so holy water must have great virtue. For my own part, whenever I take it, my soul feels a particular and most notable consolation. In fact, it is quite usual for me to be conscious of a refreshment which I cannot possibly describe, resembling an inward joy which comforts my whole soul. This is not fancy, or something which has happened to me only once: it has happened again and again and I have observed it most attentively. It is, let us say, as if someone very hot and thirsty were to drink from a jug of cold water: he would feel the refreshment throughout his body. I often reflect on the great importance of everything ordained by the Church and it makes me very happy to find that those words of the Church are so powerful that they impart their power to the water and make it so very different from water which has not been blessed.”[76]
As St. Teresa mentions, the blessing on holy water is quite powerful. In the Roman Ritual, the water is first exorcised, then a very small amount of blessed salt is mixed in, and then it is blessed. The exorcism includes a petition that the water be “empowered to drive afar all power of the enemy, in fact, to root out and banish the enemy himself, along with his fallen angels.” It continues, asking God that the water will
“serve to cast out demons and to banish disease. May everything that this water sprinkles in the homes and gatherings of the faithful be delivered from all that is unclean and hurtful; let no breath of contagion hover there, no taint of corruption; let all the wiles of the lurking enemy come to nothing.”
The final part of the blessing includes the petition for Our Lord to:
“let the light of Your kindness shine upon it, and to hallow it with the dew of Your mercy; so that wherever it is sprinkled and Your holy name is invoked, every assault of the unclean spirit may be baffled, and all dread of the serpent’s venom be cast out.”
With the knowledge of the blessing which holy water carries with it, it would be advisable that Catholics have a bottle of holy water in every room of their house. Not only would this make it easy to find the holy water should there be some sort of disturbance in the home, but it would also encourage a devotion to this sacramental, and an increase in the virtue of humility, as we constantly realize our dependence on God’s blessing and protection.
Blessed Candles
Blessed candles, also referred to as votive candles, are candles that have been blessed in the traditional form which includes a prayer of exorcism. These candles, when burned, drive demons out of the air and out of the house in which the candle resides. Blessed candles function in the same way as blessed incense, whose smoke also drives demons out of the air and the dwelling place. Fr. Ripperger recommends that every candle in your house be blessed.[77] The Roman Ritual blessing on candles includes the following petition:
“Let the blessing that they receive from the sign of the holy cross be so effectual that, wherever they are lighted or placed, the princes of darkness may depart in trembling from all these places, and flee in fear, along with all their legions, and never more dare to disturb or molest those who serve you.”
Demons are permitted to occupy all aspects of the natural world: the air, water, areas underground, dwelling places, the atmosphere, etc. Fr. Ripperger shared a story that demonstrates how demons can also occupy the air in the atmosphere and can stir up violent storms. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, one summer, the area was warned to take cover as two tornadoes touched down nearby. Instead, Father decided to pray an exorcism against storms and tempests. He then checked the news and heard, as he described it, “the newscasters baffled at the fact that the tornadoes just vanished from the air.”[78] Fr. Ripperger added that he has heard of this happening to many priests.
A priest friend of mine told me a story related to the path of a hurricane, which changed suddenly after he offered similar prayers. Inspired by what I have personally learned while studying Fr. Ripperger’s teachings, and speaking to priest friends well-versed in spiritual warfare matters, I used the binding prayer[79] against a couple of violent and tornado-prone storms that emerged in my area several summers ago. Each time, while watching the storm approach on the radar on my computer, the strong line of storms parted suddenly and went around our small town. While we were, each time, predicted to endure very high winds, downed trees, small hail, and possible tornadoes and power outages, it was reduced to a light rain and a small breeze. It seems that through this binding prayer, in combination with the burial of the blessed palms of Saint Peter Verona,[80] this protection over our property has endured, since this protection has impacted all violent thunderstorm activity ever since.
Sacred Images
Images of Our Lord and Our Lady and the saints powerfully convey the reality of the Person or person signified. As such, as Fr. Ripperger says, sacred images in the home annoy the demons.[81] He recommends that we have them in our homes and wear them on our person, as we are able. Fr. Amorth also recommends keeping sacred images and statues on your person and in your home, as a reminder to ask them for their intercession and protection and to imitate their holiness.[82] St. Louis de Montfort recommends carrying statues in processions, or carrying a small statue of Our Lady, as “an effective protection against the evil one.”[83]
Regarding statues, these are recommended in the same manner as any sacred image. In the discussion of statues, it is appropriate to issue the caution, which Fr. Ripperger also does in his talks,[84] about the popular yet superstitious practice of burying the statue of Saint Joseph in order to sell a house. Contrary to the good will of people, this custom is superstitious. This is clear when examining one form of this practice, which involves using the statue in ways that are not proper to its purpose and which are ritualistic. This includes burying the statue upside down, near the “For Sale” sign, facing the road, and utilizing prayers that tell St. Joseph that he will not be freed from the ground until the house sells. Instead, we should place the statue in a prominent place in the home and pray to him for his intercession.
A great means of utilizing sacred images is to have the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary enthroned in your home and to consecrate your family to Jesus and Mary. The Roman Ritual contains a rite of enthronement and a blessing of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During the enthronement, among many other petitions, the priest asks that Our Lord “let no evil spirits approach this place but drive them far away. Let your angels of peace take over and put down all wicked strife.” While the enthronement itself does not have an indulgence attached to it, the Consecration to Our Lord does, according the current Manual of Indulgences.
Relics are also helpful and should be placed throughout the house. As it is a Catholic custom to give special attention to saints on their feast days, it is also recommended to venerate, on the proper feast day, the relic of any saint which you may possess in your home. Relics in general should be given regular and due attention. In addition to obtaining the special help of that saint, relics are very powerful against diabolical activity, as seen in exorcisms. They are also, as can be seen in the ministry of “Treasures of the Church,” very powerful instruments through which Our Lord chooses to bestow healings and other wonderful blessings.[85]
Holy Oil
Holy oil is also a powerful sacramental with a traditional blessing that includes an exorcism. This exorcised oil is not the oil used for the Sacraments but is a separate sacramental approved by the Church. This oil is extra virgin olive oil and may be used in food and by parents to bless their children.
The Roman Ritual contains both an exorcism and a blessing over the oil. In the exorcism, it says,
“Let the adversary’s power, the devil’s legions, and all Satan’s attacks and machinations be dispelled and driven afar from this creature, oil. Let it bring health in body and mind to all who use it.”
In the blessing, it asks that those who use it
“may be delivered from all suffering, all infirmity, and all wiles of the enemy. Let it be a means of averting any kind of adversity from man, made in your image and redeemed by the precious blood of your Son, so that he may never again suffer the sting of the ancient serpent.”
Fr. Ripperger gives several ways that this sacramental may be used. It may be used on the forehead of the child when parents give them a blessing, which he recommends doing regularly. It may also be used in food, in a similar way to blessed salt, after the food is cooked, such as on salads. It would be a sacrilege to pour it out and it should be wiped up after use. It may be placed on anything which is being influenced by the demonic. The father of the family should make the sign of the cross with the oil, silently, on all the entrances to the house.[86] This is similar to, though distinct from, what Fr. Thomas mentions is done in an exorcism. The exorcist seals all the doors of the Church with chrism so the demon cannot leave once expelled from the person.[87]
The Angelic Warfare Confraternity
This is an ancient Confraternity, officially founded in 1727 by Pope Benedict XII. It unofficially began after the death of St. Thomas Aquinas, after whom it takes its inspiration. It is a Confraternity devoted to helping its members achieve chastity according to their state in life. Numerous saints have been members of this Confraternity, including St. Aloysius Gonzaga and Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati.
In the life of St. Thomas Aquinas, his early devotion to his religious vocation and to purity and chastity were greatly tested or, perhaps more fitting to say, assaulted by his family who opposed his decision. In their final desperate attempt to dissuade him from his vocation to the religious life, they imprisoned him and sent a prostitute into his room to seduce him. Immediately, he grabbed a bundle of burning twigs from the fireplace and chased the woman out of his room. After closing the door, he drew a Cross on the door with the smoldering twigs. At that moment, he fell into a vision, where two angels appeared to him and girded him with a cord around his waist and, in so doing, obtained for him the grace of perfect chastity.
This event was known to people in his day and, after his death, the cord was displayed for veneration. People touched cords of their own to this cord and wore them around their waists, in imitation of St. Thomas and seeking his intercession. The Church later instituted this Confraternity and also permitted the use of a medal which was printed to honor this angelic event and grace. The Angelic Warfare Confraternity is now in the keeping of the Dominican Order. Any Dominican priest, or a priest who has received permission from them, may enroll individuals in the Confraternity.
There have been many good fruits and special graces given to those who have enrolled and taken up this devotion. Like the other sacramentals mentioned, the blessing of the cord and medal carry with it great protections from Our Lord. The blessing contains such wording as:
“By means of the sacred cord of St. Thomas, grant to us who implore Your help through his intercession that we may successfully overcome the temptations of body and soul and come to be crowned with perpetual purity and integrity among the choirs of angels.”
Part of the blessing on the cord and medals says,
“So that whoever reverently carries and wears them around his waist (bears and wears them) may be purified from all uncleanness of mind and body.”
After the cord and medal have been presented to the individual, the priest says, among other things,
“May the Lord gird you with the cincture of purity, and by the merits of St. Thomas Aquinas, extinguish within you every evil desire.”
For those who are interested in enrolling in the Angelic Warfare Confraternity, speak to your pastor about doing so, or contact the Dominicans for more information.[88] Purity and chastity are virtues that every single Christian in all states of life must establish in order to protect the grace of salvation which Our Lord has bestowed upon us. To drive home this point, the words of St. Alphonsus Liguori are very helpful to reflect upon. He says,
“Whenever the devil tempts us, let us place our entire confidence in the divine assistance, and let us recommend ourselves to Jesus Christ, and to the Most Holy Mary. We ought to do this particularly as often as we are tempted against chastity; for this is the most terrible of all temptations, and is the one by which the devil gains the most victories. We have not the strength to preserve chastity; this strength must come from God.”[89]
He adds,
“The occasion of sins of the flesh, in particular, is like a veil placed before the eyes, which prevents the soul from seeing either its resolutions, or the lights received from God, or the truths of eternity: in a word, it makes it forget everything, and almost blinds it.”[90]
Binding Prayers
As mentioned in a previous section,[91] Christians have the authority to use what are called binding prayers. These must be used only within the authority structure established by God. It is a self-exorcism, similar to what Our Lord did against St. Peter.[92] The binding prayer can be as simple and direct as this, saying “Get behind me, Satan!” The more complete form of this prayer is, “In the Name of Jesus, I bind you, spirit of _________, and I cast you to the foot of the Cross to be judged by Our Lord.”
Fr. Ripperger offers a lot of good advice on the use of binding prayers. In the binding prayer, name the behavior with which you are tempted. It could be sloth, if you are feeling lazy and unmotivated, or sadness, if it is an emotion that burdens you. The binding prayer can be used on certain other people than simply yourself. Within a marriage, there is an authority structure and also an exchange of bodily rights with the spouse. If one of the spouses is in need, the other can say binding prayers against that with which the spouse is struggling. Parents can also say these prayers over their children. To a certain extent, you can use these direct binding prayers over other people outside of your family, but there is a risk of retaliation.[93] It is best to start using these prayers within your family first and, when spiritually strong, discern if and when to use them over others.[94]
When binding and removing the demon with this prayer, it is important to send them to the Cross for judgment, so they receive their sentence from God instead of continuing to roam around the earth.[95] St. Alphonsus comments on this passage, adding a helpful emphasis on the malice of the demon. He says, “When banished from a soul, the devil finds no repose, and does everything in his power to return: he even calls companions to his aid; and if he succeeds in re-entering, the second fall of that soul will be far more ruinous than the first.”[96]
Ultimately, it is unknown where the demon goes after the liberation. Fr. Amorth says he sends the demon, in the name of Jesus, “to return to the eternal inferno or to go under the Cross of Jesus,” but it is only Our Lord who gives the final command and destination.[97] Fr. Thomas has a very fascinating insight as to the behavior of the demons at this point, and what he does to ensure the demon does not have a chance to roam around, prowling on more souls. He says,
“The exorcisms happen only in the Church. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar along with relics of the saints. They seal every door with chrism so that the demons are not permitted to leave. When they’re delivered, they’re assigned to the foot of the Cross to be bound there. Otherwise they could just go off and find someone else to attach themselves too.”[98]
Fasting
Our Lord teaches that some demons cannot be cast out except by prayer and fasting.[99] As St. Francis de Sales says, “Besides the ordinary effect of fasting in raising the mind, subduing the flesh, confirming goodness, and obtaining a heavenly reward, it is also a great matter to be able to control greediness, and to keep the sensual appetites and the whole body subject to the law of the Spirit.” He recommends that, if we are able to fast, we do so beyond what the Church requires. Still, he says that, even if we are “able to do but little, the enemy nevertheless stands more in awe of those whom he knows can fast.”[100] Fr. Amorth adds that, “Beyond a certain limit, the devil is not able to resist the power of prayer and fasting.”[101]
St. Alphonsus warns against abandoning a spirit of fasting. He states, “As fasting prepares the mind for the contemplation of God and of eternal good, so intemperance diverts it from holy thoughts.” He adds that St. John Chrysostom taught that “the glutton, like an overloaded ship, moves with difficulty; and that, in the first tempest of temptation, he is in danger of being lost.”[102] A lack of temperance and control of the appetite leads to an inclination to indulge the other senses as well. This exposes the soul to many moral dangers, the worst of which is an assault on chastity. Sins of the flesh, as St. Alphonsus says, are so powerful that they cause the soul to nearly forget everything related to God and become almost blind.[103] However, as the saints experience, the devil does not tempt us toward lust once he is thwarted by temperance.[104]
Know Thyself
This section will cover different aspects related to self-awareness, and not necessarily in the introspective sense. We should know, for example, a good deal about our family history and about where we currently live.
