The Miracles and the Power of the Rosary in Our Fight Against Evil

What do nuclear warfare, satanic priests, and serial killers have in common?

What about corrupt and evil governments usurping the rights of its people, and horrific, unjust wars wrought upon Christians by radical Muslim forces?

Each of these is a very real threat in our lives today; and yet, each of these evils has seen its destructive power rendered useless in the face of those praying the Rosary! 

In our fight against evil, it is easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged when the darkness seems to be getting only deeper and its powers more forceful… That is why it’s so important to recall the mighty power of our God and prayer; and realize again, or for the first time, the immense power we have within our grasp!

In this article I will share a very small sampling of the incredible miracles of the Rosary.  These miracles demonstrate the power of the Rosary in the instances mentioned above:

Protection in the Midst of Nuclear Warfare:

When the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945, it brought about utter destruction, except for one home, which was within a kilometer of ground zero.  The eight Jesuit priests who lived there suffered no ill effects from the radiation that killed so many, and were thus, examined and interviewed multiple times.  Fr. Schiffer, a survivor, remarked over 200 times, “we believe that we survived because we were living the message of Fatima.  We lived and prayed the rosary daily in that home.”

Conversion of a Satanic Priest:

Bartolo Longo, born in Naples in 1841, drifted so far away from God and his religious upbringing that he eventually became a satanic priest. When satanic forces were tormenting him, his family, who had never stopped praying for him, convinced him to make a good confession.  He did and was helped by a priest who encouraged him to become devoted to the rosary.  In 1870, he became a third order Dominican and chose to live a life of penance in reparation for all the sins he committed as a satanic priest. One day, nearing succumbing to despair for all the sins he had committed, he was inspired to remember Mary’s promise to help all those who encouraged others to pray the rosary.  So began a mission to promote the rosary and to restore the ruined chapel of Pompeii.  Many conversions and miraculous cures took place as people became devoted to the rosary and pledged to build a new shrine in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary.  In 1980, Pope John Paul II beatified Bartolo Longo calling him “the man of the Madonna” and the “Apostle of the Rosary.”

Protection from Serial Killers:

Ted Bundy was one of the worst serial killers in history.  On the night of January 15, 1978, at 3:00 am, Bundy murdered two girls in the Chi Omega sorority house at Florida State University – he entered a third room, but fled when he saw a girl clutching a rosary in her hands.  Later the girl explained that she had promised her grandmother to pray the rosary every night when she went to bed, even if she fell asleep while praying.  Years later, when Bundy was awaiting his execution, he asked for a priest. The priest, Monsignor William Kerr, asked him what happened that night. Bundy said he intended to murder the girl, but “some mysterious power prevented him.”

The Fall of Corrupt, Evil Governments:

In the Philippines, the corrupt Marcos regime was defeated entirely through peaceful means in 1986. While their leaders were living in luxury, the Philippine people were starving and sought to elect a new leader, Benigno Aquino. After the Marcos government assassinated him, one million people signed a petition for his widow, Corazon Aquino, to run in his place. A false, corrupt and violent election declared Marcos the winner as he took control of the media and sent out thousands of tanks to quell the unrest. Cardinal Sin, of the Archdiocese of Manila, called on all people to peacefully protest the injustice.  Thousands went among the soldiers and the tanks praying the rosary and singing hymns, while holy Mass and vigils took place in churches. The prayerful protests lasted not quite a week when all the armed soldiers left their tanks and peacefully joined the protesters.

In 1962-64, the president of Brazil, Joao Goulart, began to embrace Communism and began installing Communists into high positions of government. In response, Cardinal de Barros Camara encouraged people to follow Our Lady of Fatima’s messages and to pray the Rosary to keep their country free from communism. .  President Goulart reacted by mocking the rosary, saying that governmental control, not the rosary, would save the country.

A woman named Amelia Bastos began to recruit many people to pray the rosary, forming a group called Campaign of Women for Democracy (CAMDE).  In Belo Horizonte, 20,000 rosary-praying women broke up a pro-Communist rally. Again, all the while praying, "Mother of God, preserve us from the fate and suffering of the martyred women of Cuba, Poland, Hungary, and other enslaved nations," 600,000 women marched and prayed the rosary for peace in Sao Paulo. They called their protest the "March of the Family with God Toward Freedom," which was described by witnesses as, "One of the most moving demonstrations in Brazilian History."  Many more rosary rallies were held throughout Brazil despite threats against the women. Without a shot being fired, on April 1, 1964, President Goulart fled the country along with much of his government. 

Inexplicably to military strategists and historians, atheistic Russian Communists left Austria, a strategic stronghold, without a shot being fired on May 13, 1955 (the anniversary of the first apparition of Fatima).  This followed a rosary crusade of 70,000 Austrians praying the rosary daily for peace and freedom from Communist rule.

Miraculous Victories in the Wars Wrought Against Christians by Radical Muslim Forces

After centuries of attacks by Muslim invaders, the Muslim forces gathered for one tremendous naval battle, determined to conquer Christian Europe. The Catholic ships and sailors were vastly outnumbered, and Christian Europe seemed at the point of extinction and all hope seemed lost, when St. Pope Pius V called upon all of Europe to pray the rosary. Miraculously, during the Battle of Lepanto, on October 7, 1571, the Muslim Turks were so devastatingly defeated that they no longer posed a threat. The Church celebrates this tremendous victory by honoring Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7^th every year.

There are countless other miracles that could be enumerated if we had the space and time, but let these few challenge us to pray with renewed confidence and vigor in our families. As I wrote in a past article, “We have the power of God with us and within us and our prayers will not go unheard.  We have to hold fast to the knowledge that God is truly present in the Eucharist and He is infinitely more powerful than Satan and all the forces of evil in the world.  He sometimes allows terrible things to happen, just as He allowed His only Son to die on a cross to save us, but He allows it only if it will bring about infinitely more good to us than if it had never happened. Let us pray for the conversion of hearts of those who are instigating this black mass, for “God does not desire the death of the sinner, but rather that he be converted and live!” (cf. Ez 18: 23).

Tens of thousands united in prayer and fasting against [the evil that is seeking to destroy us] is itself a miracle of faith and a beautiful manifestation of the power and glory of God. We have untold strength in our unity!  So, as we remain united and continue in prayer and fasting, let us call to mind these miracles of the past (and hundreds of others) and rejoice that God’s power will be made manifest and many hearts will be converted.  Let us not get discouraged when we are faced with such evil forces, “For the LORD, your God, is the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome” (Deut 10:17), who gives us strong and mighty weapons at our disposal!

Let us also recall the faith and steadfastness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to King Nebuchadnezzar when confronted with certain death in the fiery furnace, and echo their words: “There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If our God, whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, may he save us! But even if he will not, you should know, O king, that we will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up” (Dn 3: 16-18).”

If these miracles aren't enough to inspire us to begin fervently and devoted praying the Rosary, here are more incentives: 

Consider these strong words by Pope St. John Paul II, who in 1980, held up his Rosary in an interview and said: 



"Here is the remedy against evil. Pray, pray and ask for nothing else. Put everything in the hands of the Mother of God. We must be prepared to undergo great trials in the not too distant future. Trials that will require us to be ready to give up even our lives and a total gift of self to Christ and for Christ. Through your prayers and mine, it is possible to alleviate this tribulation, but it is no longer possible to avert it. It is only in this way the Church can be renewed. How many times, indeed, has the renewal of the Church been effected in blood. This time it will not be otherwise. We must be attentive to the prayer of the ROSARY." 

Additionally, Sister Lucia, one of the visionaries of Fatima once said:

 “The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, or of our families, that cannot be solved by the Rosary.”

And Pope St. Pius X said: 

“In our time more than ever before, the chief strength of the wicked, lies in the cowardice and weakness of good men. All the strength of Satan’s reign is due to the easy-going weakness of Catholics.” 

Lastly, let us remember the beautiful promises Mary made for us who pray the Rosary:



The Fifteen Promises of the Virgin Mary to those who recite the Rosary



1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall receive signal graces. 


2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary. 


3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.


4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of people from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means. 


5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish. 


6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its Sacred Mysteries shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God, and become worthy of eternal life. 


7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.


8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plentitude of His graces; at the moment of death they shall participate in the merits of the Saints in Paradise. 


9. I shall deliver from purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.


10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit a high degree of glory in Heaven.


11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.


12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.


13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire celestial court during their life and at the hour of death.


14. All who recite the Rosary are my children, and brothers and sisters of my only Son, Jesus Christ.


15. Devotion of my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.


May we not be weak and cowardly as Pope St. Pius X warned, but may millions stand up against the evil Satan is perpetrating in our world.
Joining together in the battle by making the decision to pray the Rosary daily as Our Mother requested at Fatima repeatedly:

On June 13 1917, she said:

"I wish …that you pray the Rosary every day."

And again on July 13, 1917:

"Pray the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, in order to obtain peace for the world and the end of the war for she alone can help."

And again on Oct 13, 1917

"I am the Lady of the Rosary,

 I have come to warn the faithful to amend their lives and ask for pardon for their sins. They must not offend Our Lord any more, for He is already too grievously offended by the sins of men.

People must say the Rosary. Let them continue saying it everyday."

What more will it take for all Catholics to do as Our Blessed Mother requests?  

What more needs to happen in our world to incite us to pray?

May we realize and respond to the inestimable gift of Mary coming down from heaven to speak to us and to save us (!) by heeding her words and her warnings.

For more articles on the Rosary click here and here.

For Pope St. John Paul II's exhortation on the Rosary, click here: https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2ROSAR.HTM

Photo Credit: Created by Author.

© 2015 Janet Moore. All Rights Reserved.

Criminalization of Faith - The Vital Importance of Defending our Religious Freedoms

The protection of Religious Freedom must be foremost on our hearts and minds for all Christians -- particularly in light of the recent "laws" created by the Supreme Court. 

Watching the GOP debate, one conversation stood out for me. If you haven't had the chance to see it.  I offer it to you above. Governor Huckabee has been blasted for his comments by many sources on online media, so I, for one, want to cheer him on!  I thank God for his intelligence and for his articulation and defense of religious freedom!  

We, as a people, must grow in our understanding of our rights and duties as citizens and as people of God.  It is too easy to fall for the lies prevalent in our culture. These lies will certainly confuse and allure us unless we are rooted in the Truth and Wisdom of Christ.  If we do not grow in this understanding and in the courage and strength to stand up against anti-Christian laws -- I fear we may soon see all Christian principles stripped from our nation.

Before speaking about religious freedom and the rights and duties of Christians, I think it is important to first read Kim Davis' full statement -- whom Governor Huckabee is addressing.  In it, she expresses why she chose to disobey the "law" of the land regarding same sex unions:

"I have worked in the Rowan County Clerk's office for 27 years as a Deputy Clerk and was honored to be elected as the Clerk in November 2014, and took office in January 2015.  I love my job and the people of Rowan County. I have never lived any place other than Rowan County. Some people have said I should resign, but I have done my job well. This year we are on track to generate a surplus for the county of $1.5 million. 

In addition to my desire to serve the people of Rowan County, I owe my life to Jesus Christ who loves me and gave His life for me. Following the death of my godly mother-in-law over four years ago, I went to church to fulfill her dying wish. There I heard a message of grace and forgiveness and surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. I am not perfect. No one is. But I am forgiven and I love my Lord and must be obedient to Him and to the Word of God. 

I never imagined a day like this would come, where I would be asked to violate a central teaching of Scripture and of Jesus Himself regarding marriage. To issue a marriage license which conflicts with God's definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience. It is not a light issue for me. It is a Heaven or Hell decision. For me it is a decision of obedience. I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God's Word.  It is a matter of religious liberty, which is protected under the First Amendment, the Kentucky Constitution, and in the Kentucky Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Our history is filled with accommodations for people's religious freedom and conscience.  I want to continue to perform my duties, but I also am requesting what our Founders envisioned - that conscience and religious freedom would be protected. That is all I am asking. I never sought to be in this position, and I would much rather not have been placed in this position. I have received death threats from people who do not know me. I harbor nothing against them.  I was elected by the people to serve as the County Clerk. I intend to continue to serve the people of Rowan County, but I cannot violate my conscience." http://www.lex18.com/story/29933844/kim-davis-releases-statement

Many people cite that Kim Davis has sworn to uphold the law, but what if the law is against the law of God?  

What are Christians to do then? 

Is this dilemma facing Christians today what our Founding Fathers envisioned for us?

A fundamental and important distinction must first of all be understood in all these discussions as we are bombarded with the constant false interpretations regarding the separation of Church and state. The true purpose of this principle is to assure the freedom of religion -- not the freedom from religion!  (How important are prepositions?!)

If the founding fathers truly wanted a true separation of religion, why is every fabric of our constitution and the bill of rights rooted in Godly principles, evident in our nation's motto?

"One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!"

A quote by Thomas Jefferson affirms our duty to oppose injustice by saying: 

"If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so." 

Martin Luther King, Jr. also proclaimed:

“One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” 

With this in mind, we must look at some of the guiding principles the Church teaches:

If the laws of the State are manifestly at variance with the divine law .... then, truly, to resist becomes a positive duty, to obey, a crime; a crime, moreover, combined with misdemeanor against the State itself, inasmuch as every offense leveled against religion is also a sin against the State.  (Leo XIII, Encyclical Letter Sapientiae Christianae, n. 10)

"Citizens are not obligated in conscience to follow the prescriptions of civil authorities if their precepts are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or to the teachings of the Gospel. Unjust laws pose dramatic problems of conscience for morally upright people: when they are called to cooperate in morally evil acts they must refuse. Besides being a moral duty, such a refusal is also a basic human right which, precisely as such, civil law itself is obliged to recognize and protect. 'Those who have recourse to conscientious objection must be protected not only from legal penalties but also from any negative effects on the legal, disciplinary, financial and professional plane. It is a grave duty of conscience not to cooperate, not even formally, in practices which, although permitted by civil legislation, are contrary to the Law of God. Such cooperation in fact can never be justified, not by invoking respect for the freedom of others nor by appealing to the fact that it is foreseen and required by civil law. No one can escape the moral responsibility for actions taken, and all will be judged by God himself based on this responsibility (cf. Rom 2:6; 14:12)."  (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 399)

I know there is much left to be said and much more to be prayed about regarding these issues.

But, one final thought is vital to our understanding of these issues: 

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12

What we are experiencing in our nation and in the world is evidence that we are in the midst of a tremendous spiritual battle for our souls, the souls of our children and the soul of this very nation!  The Father of Lies, who is extremely adept at deception, has led many people astray.  Many, who I write about in another article, who beg Jesus to leave our nation!

This spiritual battle must be fought by:

1. Knowing and filling our minds with the Truth of Scripture in our families

2. Steadfast and ceaseless prayer that constantly places the Person of Jesus before our minds and hearts (as with the rosary)

3. Frequent repentance and turning toward God in confession 

4. Frequent reception of Holy Communion - the very Body of Christ! 

5. And Lastly, we must also fast, remembering Jesus' words: 

"This demon can only be cast out by prayer and fasting."Mk 9:29; Lk 17:21.

These are our best weapons!  These are immensely powerful weapons against the enemy who is as nothing against God! We must claim and uphold in our own life Christ's ultimate victory against satan and against the sin and death that he promotes!

Let us pray...

Dear Jesus, we consecrate ourselves and our country and our world to you.  We ask you to help us to rise above the evil that seeks to surround us with the Wisdom and Truth of a well formed conscience and the bravery and courage to exercise our religious freedoms, always "Obeying God, rather than man!" Acts 5:29.

Please God bless us and our Nation!

For further reading on this topic see http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/when-is-it-okay-to-disobey
See also: http://www.catholic.org/news/hf/faith/story.php?id=45255

Also, see another video featuring Governor Huckabee for an important understanding regarding the difference between discrimination and discretion, see:  http://video.foxnews.com/v/4148270730001/mike-huckabee-on-divisive-debate-over-religious-freedom-law/?#sp=show-clips

©2015 Janet Moore. All Rights Reserved.

In the Face of Modern Day Persecution, What Can We Learn from the Early Christian Martyrs?

In our day and age, we can no longer presume we will not be asked to suffer martyrdom.  Christianity and adhering to the Truth Christ reveals is becoming an increasingly dangerous   way of life to live in America and throughout the world.  

With this ever in Her mind, the Church is wise to hold up for us courageous witnesses who have gone before us in faith!  Reminding us of the fact that those who have endured "to the end" now enjoy heavenly crowns of glory!  As 2 Tim 2: 11-12 states:

Portrait of Cornelius in St. Paul Outside the Walls

"If we have died with him we shall also live with him;                                  If we persevere, we shall also reign with him."

We recently celebrated the memory of two martyrs of the early Church, Pope St. Cornelius and St. Cyprian.  In Cornelius' biography he is characterized as the "reluctant 21st pope, elected after a year-and-a-half period during which the persecutions were so bad that papal ascension was a quick death sentence."  He was elected in 251 during the time of the Decius persecutions.   The threat of schism also loomed darkly upon the Church as Novatian claimed that he was the rightful Pope. In this time of great uncertainty, he called a synod of bishops that confirmed Cornelius to be the rightful pontiff and opposed Novatian. Two of his staunch supporters were Saint Cyprian of Carthage (with whom he shares his feast day) and Saint Dionysius. 

One of the great legacies of his Papacy is the mercy he showed to those who apostacized during the persecutions of Decius.  He taught that the Church welcomes back those who disowned and betrayed their Savior and fellow Christians out of fear when confronted with torture and death.  His pastoral teaching on this matter settled a great debate within the Church and is seen as evidence that the Pope has final authority in dealing with disputes.  

He was exiled within a year of his election (due to the belief that Christians provoked the gods into sending plagues against Rome) and was martyred just a year later.  A document from Cornelius shows the size of the Church in Rome during his papacy --noting that Rome had 46 priests, 7 deacons, 7 subdeacons, and approximately 50,000 Christians.

St. Cyprian of Carthage

In the face of Cornelius' courageous witness, his friend Cyprian, Bishop in Carthage (in Northern Africa), wrote him a letter of encouragement. Amazingly, nearly 1800 years later, we can still read his words:

Cyprian sends greetings to his brother Cornelius. My very dear brother, we have heard of the glorious witness given by your courageous faith. On learning of the honor you had won by your witness, we were filled with such joy that we felt ourselves sharers and companions in your praiseworthy achievements. After all, we have the same Church, the same mind, the same unbroken harmony. Why then should a priest not take pride in the praise given to a fellow priest as though it were given to him? What brotherhood fails to rejoice in the happiness of its brothers wherever they are? 

Words cannot express how great was the exultation and delight here when we heard of your good fortune and brave deeds: how you stood out as leader of your brothers in their declaration of faith, while the leader’s confession was enhanced as they declared their faith. You led the way to glory, but you gained many companions in that glory; being foremost in your readiness to bear witness on behalf of all, you prevailed on your people to become a single witness. We cannot decide which we ought to praise, your own ready and unshaken faith or the love of your brothers who would not leave you. While the courage of the bishop who thus led the way has been demonstrated, at the same time the unity of the brotherhood who followed has been manifested. Since you have one heart and one voice, it is the Roman Church as a whole that has thus born witness. 

Dearest brother, bright and shining is the faith which the blessed Apostle praised in your community. He foresaw in the spirit the praise your courage deserves and the strength that could not be broken; he was heralding the future when he testified to your achievements; his praise of the fathers was a challenge to the sons. Your unity, your strength have become shining examples of these virtues to the rest of the brethren. 

Divine providence has now prepared us. God’s merciful design has warned us that the day of our own struggle, our own contest, is at hand. By that shared love which binds us close together, we are doing all we can to exhort our congregation, to give ourselves unceasingly to fastings, vigils and prayers in common. These are the heavenly weapons which give us the strength to stand firm and endure; they are the spiritual defenses, the God-given armaments that protect us. 

Let us then remember one another, united in mind and heart. Let us pray without ceasing, you for us, we for you; by the love we share we shall thus relieve the strain of these great trials.  (See Divineoffice.org)

Saint Cyprian of Carthage, would go on to suffer martyrdom five years later, during the persecutions of Valerian in 258.  

So, what can we learn from these two great men of faith as we face our own present day persecutions?   

I'm sure there are countless things we can learn, but there are five in particular that I would like to point out:

1. How good and holy it is to take notice of the trials others are enduring and to make the effort to encourage them in concrete ways (such a writing a letter).  

"Cyprian sends greetings to his brother Cornelius. My very dear brother, we have heard of the glorious witness given by your courageous faith."

2.  Cyprian notes that the honor shown to Cornelius is shared by all those who are united with him in heart and spirit.  Cyprian proclaims that we are "sharers and companions [in each others'] praiseworthy achievements."  Therefore, should we not rejoice in each others' gifts and graces -- knowing that we share in every good gift given to one another for we are all one in Christ?! With this proper understanding, there is no room for envy in the Church.  Rather, because the saints are alive in Christ, we not only share in the graces that helped them remain faithful, but we also share in their living prayers offered for us still today!!! 

"After all, we have the same Church, the same mind, the same unbroken harmony."

3. Notice the joy, glory and honor Cyprian attributes to Cornelius and to all those who are courageous and declare their faith in Christ in the face of persecution and death!  What a wondrous paradox that echoes the witness of the apostles who "rejoiced that they will able to share in the sufferings of Christ"(1 Pet 4: 13; Acts 5: 41) and Jesus' proclamation:

"He who wishes to save his life will lose it and he who loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel will save it!" Mark 8:35

4. Note the interconnectedness of the Body of Christ -- the Church!  When the Pope stands up in courage he encourages and ennobles his whole flock to stand fast in faith and courage as well.  Likewise, the Pope is strengthened and encouraged by his people's witness and faithfulness!  

Thus, each time we bear witness to Christ with 

"one heart and one voice, it is the Roman Church as a whole that has thus born witness."

5. Lastly and most importantly, how urgent, how vital it is for us to never cease loving and praying for one another!  What great compassion, love and gratitude we should have those who are being MARTYRED TODAY!!! How we must stand united in love and prayer with them! These men, women and children are holding fast to Christ; and in the unity of the Church, they are strengthening every one of us by their bravery and witness!  How deeply should we love them for their sacrifice and all those who hold us up in prayer as we undergo our trails!  These events in our modern world should help us recognize that 

"Divine providence has now prepared us. God’s merciful design has warned us that the day of our own struggle, our own contest, is at hand." 

THEREFORE, OUR LOVE FOR CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH SHOULD COMPEL US TO NEVER CEASE PRAYING!!!!  Not just halfhearted prayers murmured occasionally whenever we remember, but constant, heartfelt prayers, which plead for mercy and grace upon ourselves and upon the world!  

"By that shared love which binds us close together, we are doing all we can to exhort our congregation, to give ourselves unceasingly to fastings, vigils and prayers in common. These are the heavenly weapons which give us the strength to stand firm and endure; they are the spiritual defenses, the God-given armaments that protect us."

When I read these words I had to ask myself:

Are we doing all we can to exhort one another? 

Are we doing all we can for ourselves and for those undergoing the trial? 

Are we giving ourselves unceasingly to fastings, vigils and prayers in common? 

Do we recognize that these are the heavenly weapons which give us the strength to stand firm and endure?  

Do we recognize they are the spiritual defenses, the God-given armaments that protect us?

I understand.  No one wants to think about things these things.  I don't either.  It is easier to look away when we see Christians being lined up and brutally murdered.  It is easier to look away and pretend that over 1 BILLION BABIES worldwide (YES, heartbreakingly you read that correctly) haven't been torn apart in their mother's womb.  

But, what are the consequences of our complacency?  

What are the consequences for our souls and for future of the world?

These are sobering times and this is a sobering message.  But, it is one that is filled with hope!  For "we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus!" (Rom 8:37). For His faithful ones, He has prepared a place for us so wondrous that 

"Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor mind conceived what God has in store for us!" (1 Cor 2: 9).

Dear SS. Cornelius and Cyprian, assist us with your prayers, so that we can hold fast to your example and words exhorting us to:

"Let us then remember one another, united in mind and heart. Let us pray without ceasing, you for us, we for you; by the love we share we shall thus relieve the strain of these great trials."

For more writings by St. Cyprian and for a firsthand account of his martyrdom, see below:

You cannot have God for your Father if you do not have the Church for your mother.... God is one and Christ is one, and his Church is one; one is the faith, and one is the people cemented together by harmony into the strong unity of a body.... If we are the heirs of Christ, let us abide in the peace of Christ; if we are the sons of God, let us be lovers of peace. - Saint Cyprian, from The Unity of the Catholic Church

Whatever a man prefers to God, that he makes a god to himself. - Saint Cyprian

Let us remember one another in concord and unanimity. Let us on both sides of death always pray for one another. Let us relieve burdens and afflictions by mutual love, that if one of us, by the swiftness of divine condescension, shall go hence the first, our love may continue in the presence of the Lord, and our prayers for our brethren and sisters not cease in the presence of the Father's mercy. - Saint Cyprian from Letters, 253

On the morning of the 14th of September, a great crowd gathered at the Villa Sexti, in accordance with the order of the governor Galerius Maximus. That same day the governor commanded Bishop Cyprian to be brought before him for trial. After Cyprian was brought in, the governor asked him, "Are you Thascius Cyprian?" The bishop replied, "Yes, I am." The governor Galerius Maximus said, "You have set yourself up as an enemy of the gods of Rome and our religious practices. You have been discovered as the author and leader of these heinous crimes, and will consequently be held forth as an example for all those who have followed you in your crime. By your blood the law shall be confirmed." Next he read the sentence from a tablet. "It is decided that Cyprian should die by the sword." Cyprian responded, "Thanks be to God!" After the sentence was passed, a crowd of his fellow Christians said, "We should also be killed with him!" There arose an uproar among the Christians, and a great mob followed after him. Cyrprian was then brought out to the grounds of the Villa Sexti, where, taking off his outer cloak and kneeling on the ground, he fell before the Lord in prayer. He removed his dalmatic and gave it to the deacons, and then stood erect while waiting for the executioner. When the executioner arrived, Cyprian told his friends to give the man 25 gold pieces. The most Blessed martyr Cyprian suffered on the 14th of September under the emperors Valerian and Gallienus, in the reign of our true Lord Jesus Christ, to whom belong honor and glory for ever. Amen. - from the Acts of the Martyrdom of Saint Cyprian by Saint Pontius

You who are envious, let me tell you that however often you may seek for the opportunity of injuring him whom you hate, you will never be able to do him so much harm as you do harm to yourselves. He whom you would punish through the malice of your envy, may probably escape, but you will never be able to fly from yourselves. Wherever you may be your adversary is with you, your sin rankles within. It must be a self-willed evil to persecute a person whom God has taken under the protection of His grace; it becomes an irremedial sin to hate a man whom God wishes to make happy. Envy is as prolific as it is hurtful; it is the root of all evil, the source of endless disorder and misery, the cause of most sins that are committed. Envy gives birth to hatred and animosity. From it avarice is begotten, for it sees with an evil eye honors and emoluments heaped upon a stranger, and thinks that such honors should have been, by right, bestowed upon himself. From envy comes contempt of God, and of the salutary precepts of our Savior. The envious man is cruel, proud, unfaithful, impatient, and quarrelsome; and, what is strange, when this vice gains the mastery, he is no longer master of himself, and he is unable to correct his many faults. If the bond of peace is broken, if the rights of fraternal charity are violated, if truth is altered or disguised, it is often envy that hurries him on to crime. What happiness can such a man enjoy in this world? To be envious or jealous of another, because such a one is virtuous and happy, is to hate in him the graces and blessings God has showered down upon him. Does he not punish himself when he sees the success and welfare of others? Does he not draw down upon himself tortures from which there is no respite? Are not his thoughts, his mind, constantly on the rack? He pitilessly punishes himself, and, in his heart, performs the same cruel office which Divine Justice reserves for the chastisement of the greatest criminal. - Saint Cyprian

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