Day 32: December 7th
TERROR OF DEMONS
Demons are not only the vicious, terrifying creatures that possess and torment souls to act against their will. They are present, they exist, and from time-to-time come forward, although not in the way that Hollywood likes to portray, and these kinds of manifestations, what we typically call possessions, are the rarer form. A better way of thinking about demons and the role that they have in the world may be through the ancient icon of the Ladder of Divine Assent.
Based on a late 6th century book from John Climacus, the icon shows us the image of a ladder stretching from earth to Christ, who awaits the faithful in our heavenly kingdom. Monks and pilgrims, the baptized who walk the way of Christ line up and down the ladder, at various heights. Along the way, there are shadowy and dark figures, some riding the back of the pilgrims as they climb, others have bows to fire arrows, some with poles and loops to pull people off the ladder. These are the demons and spirits who try everything in their power to pull people away from the path of life. This is their goal and desire: to tempt, to tease, mislead and do whatever is in their limited power to tear a soul away from Christ, to prevent us from going to heaven, to inspire us to cause harm and even lead others away from salvation.
Demons come in many forms, but primarily, in attachments to sin and temptations that one seems particularly susceptible to. We may even think of the deadly sins, according to the spirits that tempt us toward acts of: Envy, Wrath, Avarice (Greed), Lust, Gluttony, Pride or Acedia (Sloth).
We pray to St. Michael the Archangel. St. Patrick has also given us a powerful prayer in the Shield (Prayer) of St. Patrick. There is a long tradition and wealth of prayers of protection and unbinding to help free us from the influence of these demons and spirits. But the true Terror of Demons is St. Joseph, the Father, Protector, Guardian and Defender of the Church. We can invoke his name in moments of temptation and fear. Particularly if there is a longstanding sin, or spirit, that you have struggled with, pray to this patron, that he may help through the example of virtue, his prayers for fortitude, wisdom and his strength. His very presence will put demons to flight.
Based on a late 6th century book from John Climacus, the icon shows us the image of a ladder stretching from earth to Christ, who awaits the faithful in our heavenly kingdom. Monks and pilgrims, the baptized who walk the way of Christ line up and down the ladder, at various heights. Along the way, there are shadowy and dark figures, some riding the back of the pilgrims as they climb, others have bows to fire arrows, some with poles and loops to pull people off the ladder. These are the demons and spirits who try everything in their power to pull people away from the path of life. This is their goal and desire: to tempt, to tease, mislead and do whatever is in their limited power to tear a soul away from Christ, to prevent us from going to heaven, to inspire us to cause harm and even lead others away from salvation.
Demons come in many forms, but primarily, in attachments to sin and temptations that one seems particularly susceptible to. We may even think of the deadly sins, according to the spirits that tempt us toward acts of: Envy, Wrath, Avarice (Greed), Lust, Gluttony, Pride or Acedia (Sloth).
We pray to St. Michael the Archangel. St. Patrick has also given us a powerful prayer in the Shield (Prayer) of St. Patrick. There is a long tradition and wealth of prayers of protection and unbinding to help free us from the influence of these demons and spirits. But the true Terror of Demons is St. Joseph, the Father, Protector, Guardian and Defender of the Church. We can invoke his name in moments of temptation and fear. Particularly if there is a longstanding sin, or spirit, that you have struggled with, pray to this patron, that he may help through the example of virtue, his prayers for fortitude, wisdom and his strength. His very presence will put demons to flight.
LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world . . .
God the Holy Spirit . . .
Holy Trinity, One God . . .
Holy Mary. Pray for us.
St. Joseph . . .
Renowned offspring of David . . .
Light of Patriarchs . . .
Spouse of the Mother of God . . .
Chaste guardian of the Virgin . . .
Foster father of the Son of God . . .
Diligent protector of Christ . . .
Head of the Holy Family . . .
Joseph most just . . .
Joseph most chaste . . .
Joseph most prudent . . .
Joseph most strong . . .
Joseph most obedient . . .
Joseph most faithful . . .
Mirror of patience . . .
Lover of poverty . . .
Model of artisans . . .
Glory of home life . . .
Guardian of virgins . . .
Pillar of families . . .
Solace of the afflicted . . .
Hope of the sick . . .
Patron of the dying . . .
Terror of demons . . .
Protector of Holy Church . . .
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
℣. He made him the lord of his household.
℟. And prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray: O God, Who in Your ineffable providence deigned to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother; grant, we beg You, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom we venerate on earth as our Protector; You who live and reign forever, unto the ages of ages.
--AMEN
MEMORARE TO ST. JOSEPH
Remember, O most pure Spouse of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph my beloved patron, that never has it been heard that anyone invoked thy patronage and sought thine aid without being comforted. Inspired by this confidence, I come to thee and fervently commend myself to thee. Despise not my petition, dear Foster Father of our Redeemer, but accept it graciously.
--AMEN
ACT OF CONSECRATION (ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI)
O Holy Patriarch, I rejoice with you at the exalted dignity by which you were deemed worthy to act as father to Jesus, to give him orders and to be obeyed by him whom heaven and earth obey.
O great saint, as you were served by God, I too wish to be taken into your service. I choose you, after Mary, to be my chief advocate and protector.
I promise to honor you every day by some special act of devotion and by placing myself under your daily protection.
By that sweet company which Jesus and Mary gave you in your lifetime, protect me all through life, so that I may never separate myself from my God by losing his grace.
My dear St. Joseph, pray to Jesus for me. Certainly, he can never refuse you anything, as he obeyed all your orders while on earth. Tell him to detach me from all creatures and from myself, to inflame me with his holy love, and then to do with me what he pleases.
By that assistance which Jesus and Mary gave you at death, I beg of you to protect me in a special way at the hour of my death, so that dying assisted by you, iin the company of Jesus and Mary, I may go to thank you in paradise and, in your company, to praise my God for all eternity.
--AMEN
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world . . .
God the Holy Spirit . . .
Holy Trinity, One God . . .
Holy Mary. Pray for us.
St. Joseph . . .
Renowned offspring of David . . .
Light of Patriarchs . . .
Spouse of the Mother of God . . .
Chaste guardian of the Virgin . . .
Foster father of the Son of God . . .
Diligent protector of Christ . . .
Head of the Holy Family . . .
Joseph most just . . .
Joseph most chaste . . .
Joseph most prudent . . .
Joseph most strong . . .
Joseph most obedient . . .
Joseph most faithful . . .
Mirror of patience . . .
Lover of poverty . . .
Model of artisans . . .
Glory of home life . . .
Guardian of virgins . . .
Pillar of families . . .
Solace of the afflicted . . .
Hope of the sick . . .
Patron of the dying . . .
Terror of demons . . .
Protector of Holy Church . . .
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us, O Lord.
℣. He made him the lord of his household.
℟. And prince over all his possessions.
Let us pray: O God, Who in Your ineffable providence deigned to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Your most holy Mother; grant, we beg You, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom we venerate on earth as our Protector; You who live and reign forever, unto the ages of ages.
--AMEN
MEMORARE TO ST. JOSEPH
Remember, O most pure Spouse of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph my beloved patron, that never has it been heard that anyone invoked thy patronage and sought thine aid without being comforted. Inspired by this confidence, I come to thee and fervently commend myself to thee. Despise not my petition, dear Foster Father of our Redeemer, but accept it graciously.
--AMEN
ACT OF CONSECRATION (ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI)
O Holy Patriarch, I rejoice with you at the exalted dignity by which you were deemed worthy to act as father to Jesus, to give him orders and to be obeyed by him whom heaven and earth obey.
O great saint, as you were served by God, I too wish to be taken into your service. I choose you, after Mary, to be my chief advocate and protector.
I promise to honor you every day by some special act of devotion and by placing myself under your daily protection.
By that sweet company which Jesus and Mary gave you in your lifetime, protect me all through life, so that I may never separate myself from my God by losing his grace.
My dear St. Joseph, pray to Jesus for me. Certainly, he can never refuse you anything, as he obeyed all your orders while on earth. Tell him to detach me from all creatures and from myself, to inflame me with his holy love, and then to do with me what he pleases.
By that assistance which Jesus and Mary gave you at death, I beg of you to protect me in a special way at the hour of my death, so that dying assisted by you, iin the company of Jesus and Mary, I may go to thank you in paradise and, in your company, to praise my God for all eternity.
--AMEN