Ijournal entry 052917 #21. May, Month of Blessed Mary. The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes from St. Eugene De Mazenod, Billy Cox, and Charles Kingsley. Article: "Seminary Patron: Blessed Rolando Rivi", Part I, from Our Lady of Mount Carmel USA site. Article: "Quotes-Spiritual Warfare", Part I, by Pope Leo XIII Institute. YouTube video presentation: Part 1 "UNSEEN Christian SPIRITUAL WARFARE", (by St. Nicodemus)
"Blessed Thomas of Saint John was well known for his sermons on the Most Holy Rosary, and the devil, jealous of the success he had with souls, tortured him so much that he fell ill and was sick so long that the doctors gave him up. One night when he really thought that he was dying, the devil appeared to him in the most horrible form imaginable. There was a picture of Our Lady near his bed; he looked at it and cried with all his heart and soul and strength: "Help me, save me, my sweet, sweet Mother!" No sooner had he said this than the picture seemed to come alive and Our Lady put out her hand, took him by the arm and said: 'Do not be afraid, Thomas my son, here I am and I am going to save you: get up now and go on preaching my Rosary as you used to do. I promise to shield you from your enemies.' When Our Lady said this the devil fled and Blessed Thomas got up, finding that he was in perfect health. He then thanked the Blessed Mother with tears of joy. He resumed his Rosary apostolate and his sermons were marvelously successful. Our Lady blesses not only those who preach her Rosary, but she highly rewards all those who get others to say it by their example". By St. Louis De Montfort
"Let us do as saith the prophet: I said, I will take heed unto my ways, that I offend not with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth. I was dumb and was humbled, and kept silence even from good words. Here the prophet shows that if we ought at times to refrain from good words for the sake of silence, how much more ought we to abandon evil talk because of the penalties of sin. Therefore, on account of the great value of silence, let leave to speak be seldom granted to observant disciples, even though it be for good, holy, and edifying conversations; for it is written: In much speaking thou shalt not escape sin; and elsewhere: Death and life are in the power of the tongue. For it becometh the master to speak and to teach; but it befits the disciple to be silent and to listen. And therefore, if there be anything to be asked from the superior, let it be sought with all humility and reverent submission. But as for buffoonery and talk that is vain and stirs laughter, we condemn such things everywhere with a perpetual ban, and forbid the disciple to open his mouth for such conversation."
MC= My goodness, these days to experience a bit of silence is like coming into contact with a dinosaur. Where can it be found? Maybe faster at the cinema, than at church or chapel. Does this seem an exaggeration or what? Every now and then to get in Monk mode would do us all well. A definite boost to one's spiritual life, if we quieten our spirit.
MC= My goodness, these days to experience a bit of silence is like coming into contact with a dinosaur. Where can it be found? Maybe faster at the cinema, than at church or chapel. Does this seem an exaggeration or what? Every now and then to get in Monk mode would do us all well. A definite boost to one's spiritual life, if we quieten our spirit.
🔴 "By our particular vocation we are involved with the redemption of humanity… May we, by the sacrifice of our whole being, so cooperate as not to render His redemption fruitless for ourselves and for those we are called upon to evangelize". By St. Eugene De Mazenod
🔘 "Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, A heart that forgives the worst, A mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith."-Billy Cox
🌑 One good man-one man who does not put on his religion once a week with his Sunday suit, but wears it for his working dress, and lets the thought of God grow into him, and through and through him, till everything he says and does becomes religious-that man is worth a thousand sermons. He is a living gospel-he is the image of God". By Charles Kingsley
🎾 Prayer for the Faithful by Saint Patrick
May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us.
Against the snares of the evil one.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Grace, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and forevermore.
In Jesus' Name Amen.
🔘 "Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, A heart that forgives the worst, A mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith."-Billy Cox
🌑 One good man-one man who does not put on his religion once a week with his Sunday suit, but wears it for his working dress, and lets the thought of God grow into him, and through and through him, till everything he says and does becomes religious-that man is worth a thousand sermons. He is a living gospel-he is the image of God". By Charles Kingsley
🎾 Prayer for the Faithful by Saint Patrick
May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us.
Against the snares of the evil one.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Grace, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and forevermore.
In Jesus' Name Amen.
The SHORT DELIVERANCE PRAYER below was sent a while back by Maggie. Today is the day for it's debut.
👌🏼Of course my resistance from tweaking & making it personal was low
👌🏼How much so?
👌🏼Like a minus zero
👌🏼Seeing only green, the signal in sight to go, go, go
It all started with the inspiration to include her in the morning text mess being sent out for that day. She is on my "occasional list",not one on the "everyday list". Turned out it was the perfect day to include her, because she was the first to respond to that text message:
Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR: "Jesus can fill us wit much peace & joy so dat we radiate Jesus’ love in da world. Wit Jesus, we stand in His resurrected light & allow His luv 2 flow thru us as rivers of God’s “livin water.” I learned last from a religious Sister friend of mine, of a demonic plan 2 hep destroy our country. Look on da web 4 Church Militant R on witches & Trump. There R articles dat witches gathered @ midnight placin curses & other negative things on our new President & those who work with him 2 improve our country. In conjunction with other witches around da world, they will do this every waning crescent moon til he is removed from office. What can we do? Da best we can do is, frequently if not daily, pray da Chaplet of Divine Mercy 4 Jesus 2 pour out mo luv on various situations. Ask Him 2 protect & guide our new administration & da conversion of all terrorists"
(MC= If u can't pray da Chaplet, then pray how U can, rather than how U can't. We R either part of da problem R part of da solution. As Christians we acknowledge Scripture, which brings forth truth dat set's captives free
👌🏼How much so?
👌🏼Like a minus zero
👌🏼Seeing only green, the signal in sight to go, go, go
It all started with the inspiration to include her in the morning text mess being sent out for that day. She is on my "occasional list",not one on the "everyday list". Turned out it was the perfect day to include her, because she was the first to respond to that text message:
Fr. Bob Hilz, TOR: "Jesus can fill us wit much peace & joy so dat we radiate Jesus’ love in da world. Wit Jesus, we stand in His resurrected light & allow His luv 2 flow thru us as rivers of God’s “livin water.” I learned last from a religious Sister friend of mine, of a demonic plan 2 hep destroy our country. Look on da web 4 Church Militant R on witches & Trump. There R articles dat witches gathered @ midnight placin curses & other negative things on our new President & those who work with him 2 improve our country. In conjunction with other witches around da world, they will do this every waning crescent moon til he is removed from office. What can we do? Da best we can do is, frequently if not daily, pray da Chaplet of Divine Mercy 4 Jesus 2 pour out mo luv on various situations. Ask Him 2 protect & guide our new administration & da conversion of all terrorists"
(MC= If u can't pray da Chaplet, then pray how U can, rather than how U can't. We R either part of da problem R part of da solution. As Christians we acknowledge Scripture, which brings forth truth dat set's captives free
It's prayers not dissension dat will work out da kinks, allowin God's justice 2 prevail, regardless of what or who tries 2 stand in da way)
Maggie's Response = "Thank you, I did hear that & believe there is something about this on Spirit Daily. Recently going through a handful of papers & came across this prayer, so typed it & sent it out 2 a few people. We certainly need 2 pray this type of prayer 4 President Trump & his family & administration, especially in light of da demonic activity directed against our President & wishes for da failure of this administration."
Now, because of that response, an Ijournal entry about spiritual warfare developed. Really, to look back, the Holy Spirit was at work the week before, because on my playlist, a couple of YouTube videos about spiritual warfare were viewed. The one shared with Claudia is the dessert being served up today, enjoy!
Maggie's Response = "Thank you, I did hear that & believe there is something about this on Spirit Daily. Recently going through a handful of papers & came across this prayer, so typed it & sent it out 2 a few people. We certainly need 2 pray this type of prayer 4 President Trump & his family & administration, especially in light of da demonic activity directed against our President & wishes for da failure of this administration."
Now, because of that response, an Ijournal entry about spiritual warfare developed. Really, to look back, the Holy Spirit was at work the week before, because on my playlist, a couple of YouTube videos about spiritual warfare were viewed. The one shared with Claudia is the dessert being served up today, enjoy!
🙏🏼Original Deliverance Prayer🙏🏽
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the power of His blood and the Holy Spirit, I lift to the Lord myself,
(my family, home, neighborhood, church, workplace, city, state, nation, and the world, and each person and area for whom I am praying.)
I plead the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ over all of us for our protection. By the authority of the Word of God, it is written: whatsoever is bound on earth is bound in heaven; what is loosed on earth, is loosed in heaven. (Matt. 16:19)
I bind Satan, the spirits, powers and forces of darkness...I bind any demonic assignments sent against me or any of the people and areas I am lifting up to the Lord. I bind all interaction, interplay or communication of spirits as it may affect any of the people and areas for which I am praying. I command in the name of Jesus Christ that all these satanic and demonic forces go now to the feet of Jesus. I call forth and loose the Holy Spirit of God and the holy angels to come and cleanse every place where Satan has had a foothold in the lives and situations of any of these people and areas, and to fill each cleansed area with the life and love of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I rebuke and break any curses, hexes, spells, demonic activity, and any other evil thing that has been sent against me or passed down through the generations to me or to any of the people or areas for whom I am praying.
I renounce and ask forgiveness for any negative inner vows made by me or by any of the people for whom I am praying. I ask that Jesus Christ release us from these negative inner vows and from any bondage they have caused us. I take the Sword of the Spirit and cut free myself and those for whom I am praying from all generational sins, weaknesses, character defects, demonic attachments, and cellular and genetic disorders, in the name of Jesus Christ.
I cut all bonds of all relationships that are not of the Lord, and put His Cross between us. We are cut free and we are free indeed (John 8:36). We are now free to become the children of God the Lord intended us to be, filled to overflowing with the power of the Holy Spirit of God, and the life and love of Jesus Christ.
I claim the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, over all that I have lifted to You, Lord, for our protection, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
🙏SHORT DELIVERANCE PRAYER🙏 tweaked
“In the name of Jesus Christ, I lift to the Lord myself, my family, my home, my neighborhood, my workplace, my church, my city, my state, my Nation, my World, and each person for whom I am praying. For Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops, Archbishop Aymond, priests and religious, President Trump, his family and his administration.
By the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ and His Blood, and the Word of God I bind satan, the spirits, powers, and forces of darkness, the netherworld and the satanic forces of nature. I bind any demonic assignments sent against me, Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops, Archbishop Aymond, priests and religious, President Trump, his family and his administration, or anyone I just lifted to the Lord; I bind all interaction, communication, and games between demonic and satanic spirits as they would affect me and others, and command they all go to the feet of Jesus Christ.
I/we call forth and loose the Holy Spirit of God and the Holy Angels to come and cleanse every place where satan has had a foothold in the lives and situations of any of the above people mentioned and areas, and to fill each cleansed area with the life and love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we rebuke and break any curses, hexes, spells, demonic activity, voodoo practices, all fasting prayers not of the Lord, occult, masonic, and satanic rituals, all occult, masonic, and satanic blood sacrifices, evil wishes, and any witchcraft that have been sent against us ,Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops, Archbishop Aymond, priests and religious, President Trump, his family and his administration, or passed down through the generational bloodline to us, or to any of the above people mentioned. Amen & amen.
O Mary Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (& those who do not recourse to thee - my addition). Amen.
The following info came in a post three days ago:
"Fr. Heilman was the initiator of the Nineveh90 call to solidarity in prayer. On Wednesday, the 54 Day Novena to the Holy Face of Jesus began and Father writes about it here. His assessment of our times, of which he writes here, inspired him to summons all who are interested to join forces once again.
Fr. Heilman's directive: Those who enlist in this 54 Day Holy Face Novena, will be asked to offer three things each day:
Led to make Holy Face chaplets the first week of May and sent dapic out to those receiving text messages, so God does have us on the same page with certain people at certain times.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the power of His blood and the Holy Spirit, I lift to the Lord myself,
(my family, home, neighborhood, church, workplace, city, state, nation, and the world, and each person and area for whom I am praying.)
I plead the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ over all of us for our protection. By the authority of the Word of God, it is written: whatsoever is bound on earth is bound in heaven; what is loosed on earth, is loosed in heaven. (Matt. 16:19)
I bind Satan, the spirits, powers and forces of darkness...I bind any demonic assignments sent against me or any of the people and areas I am lifting up to the Lord. I bind all interaction, interplay or communication of spirits as it may affect any of the people and areas for which I am praying. I command in the name of Jesus Christ that all these satanic and demonic forces go now to the feet of Jesus. I call forth and loose the Holy Spirit of God and the holy angels to come and cleanse every place where Satan has had a foothold in the lives and situations of any of these people and areas, and to fill each cleansed area with the life and love of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the name of Jesus Christ.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I rebuke and break any curses, hexes, spells, demonic activity, and any other evil thing that has been sent against me or passed down through the generations to me or to any of the people or areas for whom I am praying.
I renounce and ask forgiveness for any negative inner vows made by me or by any of the people for whom I am praying. I ask that Jesus Christ release us from these negative inner vows and from any bondage they have caused us. I take the Sword of the Spirit and cut free myself and those for whom I am praying from all generational sins, weaknesses, character defects, demonic attachments, and cellular and genetic disorders, in the name of Jesus Christ.
I cut all bonds of all relationships that are not of the Lord, and put His Cross between us. We are cut free and we are free indeed (John 8:36). We are now free to become the children of God the Lord intended us to be, filled to overflowing with the power of the Holy Spirit of God, and the life and love of Jesus Christ.
I claim the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, over all that I have lifted to You, Lord, for our protection, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
🙏SHORT DELIVERANCE PRAYER🙏 tweaked
“In the name of Jesus Christ, I lift to the Lord myself, my family, my home, my neighborhood, my workplace, my church, my city, my state, my Nation, my World, and each person for whom I am praying. For Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops, Archbishop Aymond, priests and religious, President Trump, his family and his administration.
By the power of the Cross of Jesus Christ and His Blood, and the Word of God I bind satan, the spirits, powers, and forces of darkness, the netherworld and the satanic forces of nature. I bind any demonic assignments sent against me, Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops, Archbishop Aymond, priests and religious, President Trump, his family and his administration, or anyone I just lifted to the Lord; I bind all interaction, communication, and games between demonic and satanic spirits as they would affect me and others, and command they all go to the feet of Jesus Christ.
I/we call forth and loose the Holy Spirit of God and the Holy Angels to come and cleanse every place where satan has had a foothold in the lives and situations of any of the above people mentioned and areas, and to fill each cleansed area with the life and love of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we rebuke and break any curses, hexes, spells, demonic activity, voodoo practices, all fasting prayers not of the Lord, occult, masonic, and satanic rituals, all occult, masonic, and satanic blood sacrifices, evil wishes, and any witchcraft that have been sent against us ,Pope Francis, Cardinals, Bishops, Archbishop Aymond, priests and religious, President Trump, his family and his administration, or passed down through the generational bloodline to us, or to any of the above people mentioned. Amen & amen.
O Mary Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (& those who do not recourse to thee - my addition). Amen.
The following info came in a post three days ago:
"Fr. Heilman was the initiator of the Nineveh90 call to solidarity in prayer. On Wednesday, the 54 Day Novena to the Holy Face of Jesus began and Father writes about it here. His assessment of our times, of which he writes here, inspired him to summons all who are interested to join forces once again.
Fr. Heilman's directive: Those who enlist in this 54 Day Holy Face Novena, will be asked to offer three things each day:
- Pray the Chaplet of the Holy Face (the “how to” can be found HERE)
- Pray St. Patrick’s Lorica Prayer for the President (found HERE)
- Add a daily penance (described HERE)
Led to make Holy Face chaplets the first week of May and sent dapic out to those receiving text messages, so God does have us on the same page with certain people at certain times.
"Seminary Patron: Blessed Rolando Rivi", from Our Lady of Mount Carmel USA site
Info from this site:
ourladyofmountcarmelusa.com/2013/10/24/
Info from this site:
ourladyofmountcarmelusa.com/2013/10/24/
"His image will hang in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Seminary:
Rolando Rivi: The testimony of the bloodied cassock.
Contemporary historiography is always presenting more deeds of blood that involve priests and seminarians in the Italian post-war and of which the communist party was responsible. One very moving and particular example that is the young Rolando Rivi, selected, kidnapped and killed because of the cassock that he used to love and that he used to call the intact vestiges of Christ and because of his desire to imitate and celebrate Christ once he would become a priest.
A small church of Visignolo di Baiso, in Emilia, upon the first mountain range of the Apennines, in a large picture frame of a crucifix surrounded by saints, there is noted the presence of a seminarian with the clothing and the hat of a priest. The painting was made 30 years ago by the pastor of the parish; he was convinced that the young aspirant to the priesthood would sooner or later become a canonized saint. His clean face and his vision is striking. It is the seminarian Rolando Rivi, one of the victims of the immediate post war, who happened to die just a few kilometres from this place as a result of the homicidal rage of the communist party members.
The story was not spoken of until recently, but it is impossible to deny that the Emilia region was especially bathed with the blood of priests and seminarians, who were victims in that period of the persecution and hatred against Christ and the Church. Just a few weeks before his assignation, a member of the party, armed to the teeth, who was around the town of Rolando spoke openly saying: “The fascists and Germans are almost extinct… our fight must now be made against the masters, the rich and certain priests… These are now our enemies." The hatred which had spread during the war was still alive among many and was producing the death of many innocents, because of the ideology of class wars and the proletariat revolution made by a group of violent men, who even today, decades later are still celebrated even in school history books, as national heroes and liberators. Rolando Rivi was kidnapped, tortured and killed for his fidelity in the use of the cassock, which made such hatreds arise from the members of the party, making him a very vulnerable person and easy to individuate.
They wanted to silence a future priest, but the eloquence of his martyrdom became an even stronger message after his death. Rolando Rivi was born in San Valentino in the Emilia region January 7th, 1931. His parents, Roberto and Albertina Canovi were humble farmers whose only treasure was the faith. He was baptized the following day and he received the second name of Maria because in the last part of the Rite he was entrusted to Our Lady. After the transmission of physical life, the supernatural life received in baptism was the greatest gift he received from his parents. It was a simple gesture, but it was animated by a correct sense of Christian doctrine and by a strong faith that was able to recognize original sin and its consequences together with the justification and sanctifying grace received in baptism. The pastors of St. Valentino, Fr. Luigi Jemmi and later Fr. Olinto Marzocchini had the privilege to form a generation of their parishioners in doctrine and Christian piety. Their apostolate was fruitfully fed by a rich, transparent interior life and perceptible also to the eyes of a child.
In fact, Rolando was fascinated with his pastor Fr. Olinto: “How beautiful -he thought- to become like him! To celebrate the Mass with Jesus in my hands, to carry the soul of Jesus…”. He gave everything of himself with the intention of guiding his people to the Christian life; he was very active with the Catholic Action movement, distributing the meetings on different days so that different categories of people could participate; his presence among children and young people invited them to an intense life of prayer focused on the Eucharist and Mary; his catechesis to the adults every Sunday afternoon was very frequented; the charity that he used to exercise toward the poor people; his continual availability for confession and spiritual direction, his constant visits to sick people; his long prayers in front of the tabernacle, where even in late hours, he stayed awake praying for his parishioners, especially those who were killed fighting in the war.
The most beautiful memories of his childhood (Rolando remembered) were when he used to help serve the mass as an altar boy. He was deeply touched by the words of the priest. Brief homilies, but directed to the heart, messages that really made one consult, question and reflect about the sense of existence and eternal destiny. “Sacerdos propter Eucharistiam” The priest according to the Eucharist Rolando used to ask himself: “Why can’t I become like him?” When he was just eleven he entered to the diocesan seminary of Marola. It was October 1st 1942, that same day as was the custom; the young man wore the cassock with happiness for the first time. Guided by his spiritual director Fr. Alfedo Castagnetti, he entrusted his new life to Our Lady in the month of October that is dedicated to the rosary. Actually in that year it was the 25th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima (1917-1942).
The Rector Msgr. Luigi Bronzoni, a very educated priest, authoritative and paternal, used to teach more by his life than with words, offering a healthy example of love towards God and towards each one of the boys entrusted to his care. When vacations were approaching he would explain to the seminarians that they had to be very careful not to associate with bad companions and occasions of sin, but moreover they had the obligation to distinguish themselves by prayer and service in the parish, in study and in purity, in good works and dedication to the Lord. “Even in vacations – he used to recommend – the seminarians must always wear the cassock which is the sign of our belonging to Jesus.” Rolando used to encourage his peers saying: “Someday with the help of the lord we will be priests. I will be a missionary. I will go make Jesus known to those who do not know him yet. Our duty as priests is to pray a lot and to save many souls and to bring them to paradise.” His father always admired him deeply: “My son is so good and studious.”
Rolando wore his cassock and white collar with pride, even in vacations in the hot month of summer. Some of his peers who normally sought comfort didn’t wear the cassock and even some of his relatives told him: “You are on vacations, take off your cassock, be freer to move and play…” He answered: “I don’t have to take my cassock off, I can’t, it is the sign that I belong to Jesus!” His cassock was not for him a human or social barrier for relationships with others. It was not an impediment for the development of his activities, even the recreational ones. The seminarian Rolando Rivi was a very active young man. A witness of this was one of his classmates from seminary, who is now a priest and pastor, Fr. Vezzosi: “Rolando was vivacious and smart in all the games: at soccer, at volleyball, he was the champion of the class. He was very attentive in school, an exemplary student, deeply in love with Jesus. Everything in him was a superlative, it was a big joy to be with him, he transmitted to all his happiness and optimism. He was the perfect image of a holy young man and rich with all possible virtues in daily life, a “hero.”
After having “amazed” the kids of his town with his abilities and his virtues he used to propose to them: “Now let’s go to pray to Jesus in the church.” He took the opportunity to lead them to the front of the altar and teach them to relate to Jesus, who was his best friend. Everyone knew how affectionate he was to his cassock. He wore it always. It was very common to see him walking the streets of San Valentino, normally going towards the Church alone or with others, always smiling in peace, ready to say hello to everyone, always with his austere cassock. But not everything in his life was cheerful, carefree and worriless. In his personal and family life there was the reality of the Great War in which three of his uncles died. More than anyone else, he was the consoler of the heart of his grandma, who deeply mourned the loss of her sons. Another sad surprise arrived on the horizon…in September 1944 the seminary was occupied by a hundred German soldiers. The seminarians had to flee and return home.
Rolando Rivi returned to his family in San Valentino just like his friends, but he brought books with him, intending to study Italian, Latin and Mathematics with the intention of not losing time, but waiting for better times. In his house he continued to feel like a seminarian. He was like a little twig flying around in a storm, his biggest joy was daily Mass and Communion, meditation, afternoon adoration and the rosary. His favourite place was the rectory. Besides sports, another passion of his was music. Whenever he placed his hands over the keyboard of a harmonium he was in ecstasy. Even the time of trial was for him peaceful and he always knew how to be happy. He was never an introvert in his seminary years, but always very friendly, alive and very sociable even to the point that everyone was happy with him. He was so amicable that everyone used to talk to him. He had contact with all the people and children of his town. In his house, in the afternoon, he used to lead the rosary together with his grandma Anna. To the children and little cousins and to those of five or six years old, he used to teach them to serve Mass and he would play with the smaller ones to create in them a sense of serenity on their sadder days.
Rolando was very sure of his role as tutor, so to speak, in his relationship with the youth. The daily life in the town of San Valentino was very calm until the summer of 1944. After this many groups, Germans, fascists and partisans began to pass through. Many bad things began to occur, robberies and violence, even against the priests. The priest, a servant of the Gospel, became the true sign of contradiction before, during and after the war. Anyone who denied love made this witness of Christ the target of his anger. In this way hatreds were becoming stronger against priests, who worked for the pacification of souls and denounced violence from whatever source. The priests who were killed were the real friends of the people in the most difficult times, when there was lack of food, protection work and help they always offered everything, even depriving themselves of these goods. But the system of “Striking the shepherd that the sheep may be dispersed is characteristic of the enemies of God from any country or any race.
Rolando Rivi: The testimony of the bloodied cassock.
Contemporary historiography is always presenting more deeds of blood that involve priests and seminarians in the Italian post-war and of which the communist party was responsible. One very moving and particular example that is the young Rolando Rivi, selected, kidnapped and killed because of the cassock that he used to love and that he used to call the intact vestiges of Christ and because of his desire to imitate and celebrate Christ once he would become a priest.
A small church of Visignolo di Baiso, in Emilia, upon the first mountain range of the Apennines, in a large picture frame of a crucifix surrounded by saints, there is noted the presence of a seminarian with the clothing and the hat of a priest. The painting was made 30 years ago by the pastor of the parish; he was convinced that the young aspirant to the priesthood would sooner or later become a canonized saint. His clean face and his vision is striking. It is the seminarian Rolando Rivi, one of the victims of the immediate post war, who happened to die just a few kilometres from this place as a result of the homicidal rage of the communist party members.
The story was not spoken of until recently, but it is impossible to deny that the Emilia region was especially bathed with the blood of priests and seminarians, who were victims in that period of the persecution and hatred against Christ and the Church. Just a few weeks before his assignation, a member of the party, armed to the teeth, who was around the town of Rolando spoke openly saying: “The fascists and Germans are almost extinct… our fight must now be made against the masters, the rich and certain priests… These are now our enemies." The hatred which had spread during the war was still alive among many and was producing the death of many innocents, because of the ideology of class wars and the proletariat revolution made by a group of violent men, who even today, decades later are still celebrated even in school history books, as national heroes and liberators. Rolando Rivi was kidnapped, tortured and killed for his fidelity in the use of the cassock, which made such hatreds arise from the members of the party, making him a very vulnerable person and easy to individuate.
They wanted to silence a future priest, but the eloquence of his martyrdom became an even stronger message after his death. Rolando Rivi was born in San Valentino in the Emilia region January 7th, 1931. His parents, Roberto and Albertina Canovi were humble farmers whose only treasure was the faith. He was baptized the following day and he received the second name of Maria because in the last part of the Rite he was entrusted to Our Lady. After the transmission of physical life, the supernatural life received in baptism was the greatest gift he received from his parents. It was a simple gesture, but it was animated by a correct sense of Christian doctrine and by a strong faith that was able to recognize original sin and its consequences together with the justification and sanctifying grace received in baptism. The pastors of St. Valentino, Fr. Luigi Jemmi and later Fr. Olinto Marzocchini had the privilege to form a generation of their parishioners in doctrine and Christian piety. Their apostolate was fruitfully fed by a rich, transparent interior life and perceptible also to the eyes of a child.
In fact, Rolando was fascinated with his pastor Fr. Olinto: “How beautiful -he thought- to become like him! To celebrate the Mass with Jesus in my hands, to carry the soul of Jesus…”. He gave everything of himself with the intention of guiding his people to the Christian life; he was very active with the Catholic Action movement, distributing the meetings on different days so that different categories of people could participate; his presence among children and young people invited them to an intense life of prayer focused on the Eucharist and Mary; his catechesis to the adults every Sunday afternoon was very frequented; the charity that he used to exercise toward the poor people; his continual availability for confession and spiritual direction, his constant visits to sick people; his long prayers in front of the tabernacle, where even in late hours, he stayed awake praying for his parishioners, especially those who were killed fighting in the war.
The most beautiful memories of his childhood (Rolando remembered) were when he used to help serve the mass as an altar boy. He was deeply touched by the words of the priest. Brief homilies, but directed to the heart, messages that really made one consult, question and reflect about the sense of existence and eternal destiny. “Sacerdos propter Eucharistiam” The priest according to the Eucharist Rolando used to ask himself: “Why can’t I become like him?” When he was just eleven he entered to the diocesan seminary of Marola. It was October 1st 1942, that same day as was the custom; the young man wore the cassock with happiness for the first time. Guided by his spiritual director Fr. Alfedo Castagnetti, he entrusted his new life to Our Lady in the month of October that is dedicated to the rosary. Actually in that year it was the 25th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima (1917-1942).
The Rector Msgr. Luigi Bronzoni, a very educated priest, authoritative and paternal, used to teach more by his life than with words, offering a healthy example of love towards God and towards each one of the boys entrusted to his care. When vacations were approaching he would explain to the seminarians that they had to be very careful not to associate with bad companions and occasions of sin, but moreover they had the obligation to distinguish themselves by prayer and service in the parish, in study and in purity, in good works and dedication to the Lord. “Even in vacations – he used to recommend – the seminarians must always wear the cassock which is the sign of our belonging to Jesus.” Rolando used to encourage his peers saying: “Someday with the help of the lord we will be priests. I will be a missionary. I will go make Jesus known to those who do not know him yet. Our duty as priests is to pray a lot and to save many souls and to bring them to paradise.” His father always admired him deeply: “My son is so good and studious.”
Rolando wore his cassock and white collar with pride, even in vacations in the hot month of summer. Some of his peers who normally sought comfort didn’t wear the cassock and even some of his relatives told him: “You are on vacations, take off your cassock, be freer to move and play…” He answered: “I don’t have to take my cassock off, I can’t, it is the sign that I belong to Jesus!” His cassock was not for him a human or social barrier for relationships with others. It was not an impediment for the development of his activities, even the recreational ones. The seminarian Rolando Rivi was a very active young man. A witness of this was one of his classmates from seminary, who is now a priest and pastor, Fr. Vezzosi: “Rolando was vivacious and smart in all the games: at soccer, at volleyball, he was the champion of the class. He was very attentive in school, an exemplary student, deeply in love with Jesus. Everything in him was a superlative, it was a big joy to be with him, he transmitted to all his happiness and optimism. He was the perfect image of a holy young man and rich with all possible virtues in daily life, a “hero.”
After having “amazed” the kids of his town with his abilities and his virtues he used to propose to them: “Now let’s go to pray to Jesus in the church.” He took the opportunity to lead them to the front of the altar and teach them to relate to Jesus, who was his best friend. Everyone knew how affectionate he was to his cassock. He wore it always. It was very common to see him walking the streets of San Valentino, normally going towards the Church alone or with others, always smiling in peace, ready to say hello to everyone, always with his austere cassock. But not everything in his life was cheerful, carefree and worriless. In his personal and family life there was the reality of the Great War in which three of his uncles died. More than anyone else, he was the consoler of the heart of his grandma, who deeply mourned the loss of her sons. Another sad surprise arrived on the horizon…in September 1944 the seminary was occupied by a hundred German soldiers. The seminarians had to flee and return home.
Rolando Rivi returned to his family in San Valentino just like his friends, but he brought books with him, intending to study Italian, Latin and Mathematics with the intention of not losing time, but waiting for better times. In his house he continued to feel like a seminarian. He was like a little twig flying around in a storm, his biggest joy was daily Mass and Communion, meditation, afternoon adoration and the rosary. His favourite place was the rectory. Besides sports, another passion of his was music. Whenever he placed his hands over the keyboard of a harmonium he was in ecstasy. Even the time of trial was for him peaceful and he always knew how to be happy. He was never an introvert in his seminary years, but always very friendly, alive and very sociable even to the point that everyone was happy with him. He was so amicable that everyone used to talk to him. He had contact with all the people and children of his town. In his house, in the afternoon, he used to lead the rosary together with his grandma Anna. To the children and little cousins and to those of five or six years old, he used to teach them to serve Mass and he would play with the smaller ones to create in them a sense of serenity on their sadder days.
Rolando was very sure of his role as tutor, so to speak, in his relationship with the youth. The daily life in the town of San Valentino was very calm until the summer of 1944. After this many groups, Germans, fascists and partisans began to pass through. Many bad things began to occur, robberies and violence, even against the priests. The priest, a servant of the Gospel, became the true sign of contradiction before, during and after the war. Anyone who denied love made this witness of Christ the target of his anger. In this way hatreds were becoming stronger against priests, who worked for the pacification of souls and denounced violence from whatever source. The priests who were killed were the real friends of the people in the most difficult times, when there was lack of food, protection work and help they always offered everything, even depriving themselves of these goods. But the system of “Striking the shepherd that the sheep may be dispersed is characteristic of the enemies of God from any country or any race.
Rolando was a witness of these events when he was insulted by the communist partisans who were passing through the mountains. One of his friends today remembers: “The Communist partisan who encountered us on the road, threatened us with obscene phrases about our future that in reality were not very reassuring.” Rolando perceived everything and suffered without allowing himself to be weakened by anyone, he was really proud to belong to Jesus and of the fact of having been chosen by him for a very important mission. He continued to be the good and sociable young man that everyone knew. In his simplicity he believed in the goodness of everyone, it seemed impossible that anyone was able to do something bad. In San Valentino, the pastor Fr. Marzocchini, the one who was a strong inspiration for the vocation of Rolando was targeted. One morning, it came to be known that during the preceding night the priest was humiliated and suffered a beating. They robbed everything, even the shoes he was wearing. During the mass that he celebrated after the brutal aggression, Fr. Olinto was feeling ill: Rolando and the other altar boy serving Mass understood that something bad had happened. When Rolando came to know what happened, he felt this like an offense against his own father. He did not say a word of hatred against the partisans.
In the meantime that Fr. Olinto Marzocchini was moved to a more secure place, a very young priest, Fr. Alberto Camellini age twenty five, arrived in the town to provide his priestly service. Even today it is recounted: “It was an atmosphere of fear and tension which made relationships between the people very difficult. To be able to know parishioners, visits normally took place in the company of seminarians and Rolando Rivi took part in these.” The seminarian did not hesitate to explain what his future plans were (…I will be a priest and missionary). As well he was very open showing his heart, his love for Jesus Christ, the Church and even his vivacity and his talents together with his musical gifts. Fr. Alberto began to know him and to appreciate him. Everyone used to see the young seminarian walking in the streets, everyone knew his life style, he was known as: “The little priest.” His parents used to tell him: “Don’t wear the cassock, at least don’t wear it during these times…” They used to explain that it was not prudent to wear it in such unstable moments. But Rolando used to answer: “But why, what is so wrong with me wearing it? I don’t have any reason not to wear it. I am studying to be a priest and this cassock is the sign that I belong to Jesus.”
Belong to Jesus, belong only to Jesus, It was the only desire of his whole existence to belong only to Jesus every day. “Jesus of my life. Jesus of my heart” he used to write. He was always ready for Jesus, not only to work hard for him but even to sacrifice himself. It is true that this clothing which symbolizes the eternal God and Christ, who is the savior and judge, was a motivation of hatred for those who wanted to know nothing about it. It is a motivation of hatred even today. It constricts those who just want to speak blasphemies and forget whatever they have said.Notwithstanding the risk, Rolando did not ever want to take off the cassock, but for him it already meant a lifelong duty. He really loved that cassock. To wear it was for him a true honor and a glory. It was like an open declaration of love and belonging to Jesus.
It was clear for him what it meant in that time to prepare himself for being a priest. He knew that the future was not supposed to be easier. But he was not discouraged nor closed in his house, he was without fear. We can say today that he really showed his love to fulfil the mission, walking around the town with his cassock very visible in his unique style and clear identity, always in peace. Even in that horrible, unsafe environment, he continued wear his cassock. He used to say: “No I can’t I can’t take away my cassock, I have no fear, I am not afraid or worried, I cannot hide myself. I belong to the Lord.” He was only fourteen years old, a little older than a child, but he never hid his clear identity of being a passionate aspirant to the priesthood. He continued wearing the black robes and the biretta. In a very instinctive way he already knew that to camouflage oneself harms the apostolic work in which signs and symbols, in the same way as gestures, are a very important part.
Yesterday like today, the ecclesiastic habit is not indifferent both to the user and the one having seen it. It may not be hated in itself, but because of the deepest reality that reminds people of something they do not always like. It can be rejected because of requirements that it carries for the one who wears it and who has to become a witness of coherence and who has to be a worker before God and men. If it doesn’t produce admiration in everybody, it causes respect, because more so in hostile environments to Christianity, it is a sign that the one who wears it serves a reality that he believes more than using it to his advantage. Msgr. Giuseppe Mora said: “It was frequent in the town that certain disputes arose and it was not easy to reply to them. Sometimes it was easier to be silent, it happened that in a discussion some people attacked the Church unjustly and the activity of the priest. Rolando defended directly the Pope, Jesus, the Church and the priests without any fear.”
In the meantime that Fr. Olinto Marzocchini was moved to a more secure place, a very young priest, Fr. Alberto Camellini age twenty five, arrived in the town to provide his priestly service. Even today it is recounted: “It was an atmosphere of fear and tension which made relationships between the people very difficult. To be able to know parishioners, visits normally took place in the company of seminarians and Rolando Rivi took part in these.” The seminarian did not hesitate to explain what his future plans were (…I will be a priest and missionary). As well he was very open showing his heart, his love for Jesus Christ, the Church and even his vivacity and his talents together with his musical gifts. Fr. Alberto began to know him and to appreciate him. Everyone used to see the young seminarian walking in the streets, everyone knew his life style, he was known as: “The little priest.” His parents used to tell him: “Don’t wear the cassock, at least don’t wear it during these times…” They used to explain that it was not prudent to wear it in such unstable moments. But Rolando used to answer: “But why, what is so wrong with me wearing it? I don’t have any reason not to wear it. I am studying to be a priest and this cassock is the sign that I belong to Jesus.”
Belong to Jesus, belong only to Jesus, It was the only desire of his whole existence to belong only to Jesus every day. “Jesus of my life. Jesus of my heart” he used to write. He was always ready for Jesus, not only to work hard for him but even to sacrifice himself. It is true that this clothing which symbolizes the eternal God and Christ, who is the savior and judge, was a motivation of hatred for those who wanted to know nothing about it. It is a motivation of hatred even today. It constricts those who just want to speak blasphemies and forget whatever they have said.Notwithstanding the risk, Rolando did not ever want to take off the cassock, but for him it already meant a lifelong duty. He really loved that cassock. To wear it was for him a true honor and a glory. It was like an open declaration of love and belonging to Jesus.
It was clear for him what it meant in that time to prepare himself for being a priest. He knew that the future was not supposed to be easier. But he was not discouraged nor closed in his house, he was without fear. We can say today that he really showed his love to fulfil the mission, walking around the town with his cassock very visible in his unique style and clear identity, always in peace. Even in that horrible, unsafe environment, he continued wear his cassock. He used to say: “No I can’t I can’t take away my cassock, I have no fear, I am not afraid or worried, I cannot hide myself. I belong to the Lord.” He was only fourteen years old, a little older than a child, but he never hid his clear identity of being a passionate aspirant to the priesthood. He continued wearing the black robes and the biretta. In a very instinctive way he already knew that to camouflage oneself harms the apostolic work in which signs and symbols, in the same way as gestures, are a very important part.
Yesterday like today, the ecclesiastic habit is not indifferent both to the user and the one having seen it. It may not be hated in itself, but because of the deepest reality that reminds people of something they do not always like. It can be rejected because of requirements that it carries for the one who wears it and who has to become a witness of coherence and who has to be a worker before God and men. If it doesn’t produce admiration in everybody, it causes respect, because more so in hostile environments to Christianity, it is a sign that the one who wears it serves a reality that he believes more than using it to his advantage. Msgr. Giuseppe Mora said: “It was frequent in the town that certain disputes arose and it was not easy to reply to them. Sometimes it was easier to be silent, it happened that in a discussion some people attacked the Church unjustly and the activity of the priest. Rolando defended directly the Pope, Jesus, the Church and the priests without any fear.”
Article: "Quotes-Spiritual Warfare"' by Pope Leo XIII Institute
Info from this site:
popeleo13institute.org/5-things-to-know-about-spiritual-warfare/quotes-spiritual-warfare/
💎"Keep doing some kind of work, that the devil may always find you employed." – St. Jerome
💎"I bind to myself today the power in the love of the Seraphim, in the obedience of the Angels, in the ministration of the Archangels, in the hope of Resurrection unto reward, in the prayers of the Patriarchs, in the predictions of the Prophets, in the preaching of the Apostles, in the faith of the Confessors, in the purity of the holy Virgins, in the deeds of Righteous men." – St. Patrick
💎"There are in truth three states of the converted: the beginning, the middle, and the perfection. In the beginning they experience the charms of sweetness; in the middle the contests of temptation; and in the end the fullness of perfection." – St. Gregory the Great
💎"And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross." – St. Catherine of Siena
💎"Remember that you will derive strength by reflecting that the saints yearn for you to join their ranks; desire to see you fight bravely, and that you behave like true knights in your encounters with the same adversities which they had to conquer, and that breathtaking joy is theirs and your eternal reward for having endured a few years of temporal pain. Every drop of earthly bitterness will be changed into an ocean of heavenly sweetness." – St. Henry Suso
💎"On Trinity Sunday, in the choir of a certain monastery, and in a trance, I saw a great fight between evil spirits and the angels. I could not make out what the vision meant. In less than a fortnight it was explained clearly enough by the dispute that took place between persons given to prayer and many who were not, which did great harm to that house; for it was a dispute that lasted long and caused much trouble. On another occasion I saw a great multitude of evil spirits round about me, and, at the same time, a great light, in which I was enveloped, which kept them from coming near me. I understood it to mean that God was watching over me, that they might not approach me so as to make me offend Him. I knew the vision was real by what I saw occasionally in myself. The fact is, I know now how little power the evil spirits have, provided I am not out of the grace of God; I have scarcely any fear of them at all, for their strength is as nothing, if they do not find the souls they assail give up the contest and become cowards; it is in this case that they show their power."– St. Teresa of Ávila
💎"But the devil comes with his artful wiles, and, under the color of doing good, sets about undermining [the soul] in trivial ways, and working it in practices which, so he gives it to understand, are not wrong; little by little he darkens its understanding and weakens its will, and causes its self love to increase in one way or another he begins to withdraw it from the love of God and persuade to indulge its own wishes." – St. Teresa of Ávila
💎"I know by frequent experience that there is nothing which puts the devils to flight like holy water. They run away before the sign of the cross also, but they return immediately: great, then, must be the power of holy water. As for me, my soul is conscious of a special and most distinct consolation whenever I take it. Indeed, I feel almost always a certain refreshing, which I cannot describe, together with an inward joy, which comforts my whole soul." – St. Teresa of Ávila
💎"The temptation of the devils… is stronger than those of the world and the flesh, because the devils reinforce themselves with these other two enemies, the world and the flesh, in order to wage a rugged war." – St. John of the Cross
💎"After you have made a decision that is pleasing to God, the Devil may try to make you have second thoughts. Intensify your prayer time, meditation, and good deeds. For if Satan’s temptations merely cause you to increase your efforts to grow in holiness, he’ll have an incentive to leave you alone." – St. Ignatius of Loyola
💎"Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs." – St. Francis de Sales
💎"Remember that the Devil doesn’t sleep, but seeks our ruin in a thousand ways."– St. Angela Merici
💎"Do you want to outwit the devil? Never let him catch you idle. Work, study, pray, and you will surely overcome your spiritual enemy." – St. John Bosco
💎"The usual snare with which the devil catches the young is to fill them with shame when they are about to confess their sins. When he pushes them to commit sins, he removes all shame, as if there were nothing wrong with it, but when they are going to confession, he returns that shame magnified and tries to convince them that the priest will be shocked by their sins and will no longer think well of them. Thus the devil tries to drive souls to the brink of eternal damnation. Oh, how many lads does Satan steal from God — sometimes forever — by this trick. – St. John Bosco
💎"The Devil never runs upon a man to seize him with his claws until he sees him on the ground, already having fallen by his own will." – St. Thomas More
💎"Be prepared My child. The Devil, at my bidding, will be the one who, by the war he will rage against you, will give the last touch to the work that I will accomplish in you." – Jesus to St. Gemma Galgani
💎"First, do not fight against a temptation by yourself, but disclose it to the confessor at once, and then the temptation will lose all its force. Second, during these ordeals do not lose your peace; live in My presence; ask My Mother and the Saints for help. Third, have the certitude that I am looking at you and supporting you. Fourth, do not fear either struggles of the soul or any temptations, because I am supporting you; if only you are willing to fight, know that the victory is always on your side. Fifth, know that by fighting bravely you give Me great glory and amass merits for yourself. Temptation gives you a chance to show Me your fidelity." – Jesus to St. Faustina
Info from this site:
popeleo13institute.org/5-things-to-know-about-spiritual-warfare/quotes-spiritual-warfare/
💎"Keep doing some kind of work, that the devil may always find you employed." – St. Jerome
💎"I bind to myself today the power in the love of the Seraphim, in the obedience of the Angels, in the ministration of the Archangels, in the hope of Resurrection unto reward, in the prayers of the Patriarchs, in the predictions of the Prophets, in the preaching of the Apostles, in the faith of the Confessors, in the purity of the holy Virgins, in the deeds of Righteous men." – St. Patrick
💎"There are in truth three states of the converted: the beginning, the middle, and the perfection. In the beginning they experience the charms of sweetness; in the middle the contests of temptation; and in the end the fullness of perfection." – St. Gregory the Great
💎"And of what should we be afraid? Our captain on this battlefield is Christ Jesus. We have discovered what we have to do. Christ has bound our enemies for us and weakened them that they cannot overcome us unless we so choose to let them. So we must fight courageously and mark ourselves with the sign of the most Holy Cross." – St. Catherine of Siena
💎"Remember that you will derive strength by reflecting that the saints yearn for you to join their ranks; desire to see you fight bravely, and that you behave like true knights in your encounters with the same adversities which they had to conquer, and that breathtaking joy is theirs and your eternal reward for having endured a few years of temporal pain. Every drop of earthly bitterness will be changed into an ocean of heavenly sweetness." – St. Henry Suso
💎"On Trinity Sunday, in the choir of a certain monastery, and in a trance, I saw a great fight between evil spirits and the angels. I could not make out what the vision meant. In less than a fortnight it was explained clearly enough by the dispute that took place between persons given to prayer and many who were not, which did great harm to that house; for it was a dispute that lasted long and caused much trouble. On another occasion I saw a great multitude of evil spirits round about me, and, at the same time, a great light, in which I was enveloped, which kept them from coming near me. I understood it to mean that God was watching over me, that they might not approach me so as to make me offend Him. I knew the vision was real by what I saw occasionally in myself. The fact is, I know now how little power the evil spirits have, provided I am not out of the grace of God; I have scarcely any fear of them at all, for their strength is as nothing, if they do not find the souls they assail give up the contest and become cowards; it is in this case that they show their power."– St. Teresa of Ávila
💎"But the devil comes with his artful wiles, and, under the color of doing good, sets about undermining [the soul] in trivial ways, and working it in practices which, so he gives it to understand, are not wrong; little by little he darkens its understanding and weakens its will, and causes its self love to increase in one way or another he begins to withdraw it from the love of God and persuade to indulge its own wishes." – St. Teresa of Ávila
💎"I know by frequent experience that there is nothing which puts the devils to flight like holy water. They run away before the sign of the cross also, but they return immediately: great, then, must be the power of holy water. As for me, my soul is conscious of a special and most distinct consolation whenever I take it. Indeed, I feel almost always a certain refreshing, which I cannot describe, together with an inward joy, which comforts my whole soul." – St. Teresa of Ávila
💎"The temptation of the devils… is stronger than those of the world and the flesh, because the devils reinforce themselves with these other two enemies, the world and the flesh, in order to wage a rugged war." – St. John of the Cross
💎"After you have made a decision that is pleasing to God, the Devil may try to make you have second thoughts. Intensify your prayer time, meditation, and good deeds. For if Satan’s temptations merely cause you to increase your efforts to grow in holiness, he’ll have an incentive to leave you alone." – St. Ignatius of Loyola
💎"Make friends with the angels, who though invisible are always with you. Often invoke them, constantly praise them, and make good use of their help and assistance in all your temporal and spiritual affairs." – St. Francis de Sales
💎"Remember that the Devil doesn’t sleep, but seeks our ruin in a thousand ways."– St. Angela Merici
💎"Do you want to outwit the devil? Never let him catch you idle. Work, study, pray, and you will surely overcome your spiritual enemy." – St. John Bosco
💎"The usual snare with which the devil catches the young is to fill them with shame when they are about to confess their sins. When he pushes them to commit sins, he removes all shame, as if there were nothing wrong with it, but when they are going to confession, he returns that shame magnified and tries to convince them that the priest will be shocked by their sins and will no longer think well of them. Thus the devil tries to drive souls to the brink of eternal damnation. Oh, how many lads does Satan steal from God — sometimes forever — by this trick. – St. John Bosco
💎"The Devil never runs upon a man to seize him with his claws until he sees him on the ground, already having fallen by his own will." – St. Thomas More
💎"Be prepared My child. The Devil, at my bidding, will be the one who, by the war he will rage against you, will give the last touch to the work that I will accomplish in you." – Jesus to St. Gemma Galgani
💎"First, do not fight against a temptation by yourself, but disclose it to the confessor at once, and then the temptation will lose all its force. Second, during these ordeals do not lose your peace; live in My presence; ask My Mother and the Saints for help. Third, have the certitude that I am looking at you and supporting you. Fourth, do not fear either struggles of the soul or any temptations, because I am supporting you; if only you are willing to fight, know that the victory is always on your side. Fifth, know that by fighting bravely you give Me great glory and amass merits for yourself. Temptation gives you a chance to show Me your fidelity." – Jesus to St. Faustina
Part 1 "UNSEEN Christian SPIRITUAL WARFARE", (by St. Nicodemus)
YouTube video link:
youtu.be/GvUdXjkqSrQ
YouTube video link:
youtu.be/GvUdXjkqSrQ