How to Scare the Devil Out of You

If Saint Benedict of Nursia were alive today, witnessing the constant attacks not only on the Church, but on the Holy Father to the point that the Catholic Media would have crucified Pope Francis 2000 years ago, along with St Peter, St Paul and Jesus, St. Benedict would most probably have sought a life of peace and prayer in Mount Khuiten – The world’s most remote mountain.  

According to Catholic Online “St. Benedict is believed to have been born around 480, as the son to a Roman noble of Norcia and the twin to his sister, Scholastica. In the fifth century, the young Benedict was sent to Rome to finish his education with a nurse/housekeeper. The subject that dominated a young man’s study then was rhetoric — – The power of the voice without foundation in the heart was the goal of the student’s education. And that philosophy was reflected in the lives of the students as well. They had everything — education, wealth, youth — and they spent all of it in the pursuit of pleasure, not truth. Benedict watched in horror as vice unraveled the lives and ethics of his companions.”

Tomorrow, July 11th, we celebrate the feast of St. Benedict of Nursia.  Tomorrow  July 11th, we celebrate the feast of St. Benedict of Nursia.  St, Benedict  is known as the founder of the Benedictine Order, Exorcist, Mystic, Abbot of Monte Cassino, and Father of Western Monasticism, having established a Rule that would become the norm for innumerable Christian monks and nuns. He is the patron saint of Europe St Benedict of Nursia died in the mountains of Monte Cassino Italy around the year 547. Frustrated with the secular creep of the world into the life of the Church, Benedict sought a lift of peace and prayer in the mountains outside Rome, writing the Rule of St. Benedict and founding Christian monasticism as we know it. In 1964, in view of the work of monks following the Benedictine Rule in the evangelization and civilization of so many European countries in the Middle Ages, Pope Paul VI proclaimed him the patron saint of all Europe.

There are many miracles associated with saint Benedict, but the most famous is the story of a raven that swept down and took poisoned food from his hand, saving his life. After his death, there was a trial of a witch in Germany who claimed she was unable to curse an Abbey protected by the cross and seal of St. Benedict.  Exorcists today use the cross of St. Benedict in the healing ministry of exorcism. Many recommend Christians place this cross in their homes or wear it on their bodies as a reminder of the protection of Christ and the saints against diabolical influence. We should note that on Sunday March 18, 2018, Pope Francis said that “the crucifix is not just something decorative to hang on the wall or wear, it is an important sign of our beliefs – and should be truly looked at and prayed before as the source of our salvation.” On March 18 Pope Francis made emphasized the point again: “Today’s Gospel invites us to turn our gaze to the crucifix, which is not an ornamental object or clothing accessory – sometimes abused! – but a religious sign to be contemplated and understood,”

Like St. Benedict, many Catholics today are worrying about the chaos and corruption of not only secular life, but also attacks on the Church, on Pope Francis and are getting more and more concerned about the end times,  The good news is that we can find solace in Saint Benedict’s teachings: “

Saint Benedict’s fifth-century guide to humility offers the antidote to the epidemic of stress and depression overwhelming modern young adults. But the language of The Rule by Saint Benedict is medieval, and its most passionate advocates are cloistered monks and nuns. How then does this ancient wisdom translate into advice for ordinary people? With candor, humor, and a unique approach to classical art, Father Augustine, a high school teacher and coach, breaks down Saint Benedict’s method into twelve pithy steps for finding inner peace in a way that can be applied to anyone’s life.”

Since 1963 when the Supreme Court in Abington Township v. Schempp (1963) decided that teaching children about wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord., charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity was too radical we have had a mental health crisis and mass shootings people blame on toxic masculinity, among other excuses, we all could benefit from the Rule of St. Benedict.

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