The Third Order of St. Francis & The Diabolic

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in praelio!

The Fraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Circular Letter For October
Year of Our Lord 2008
October 13th. Fatima Miracle Anniversary.

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Penance, God give you peace.

Every evening the Church in Her Divine Office has Her members chant: “Brethren: Be sober and watchful! For your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith.”(1) Fortes in fide! Being very helpless against this terrible personage, the evil one, the Devil, we have only one powerful defense. Prayer, prayer with great faith and confidence in Him, Who has come precisely to save us from this beast.

The Devil who has lost none of his angelic power, sees in a mere human man, a lump of useless coal. Less than that, we are like tiny ants compared to one angel, and though these Demons are suffering a great deal in Hell, and are burning for eternity, we cannot of our own power defend ourselves against them. As of late, I had the opportunity to hear (recordings) a real life exorcism taking place, and I take it as a grace because never before has the reality of the utter, absolute hatred of those Demons in Hell for God and for man redeemed by Him, been so evident. When theologians explain Hell as a place, absent of all good, this becomes literally personalized in each of the damned. A terrible example would be during the exorcism one could hear what sounded like a mixture of an unknown beast, a visceral deep voice which was like that of a snorting pig and a man uttering confusing phrases, threats, and projecting total hatred and rage. One could hear this beast spitting over and over at the crucifix held by the exorcist, it was terrible.

This, although not pleasant to think of, is what we are up against. Spirits of damned angels and men who long, desire and thirst for our damnation and eternal misery. With an unbelievable hatred, these forces try to drag us to where they are, but they can do nothing if we are living a life of grace and prayer in union with Almighty God. All of the prayers of the Tertiary Rule, even the simplest are so important. This is why the recommended fasting and penance is so very important. We must be disciplined soldiers in the army of Our crucified Jesus and His Mother the Blessed Virgin Mary.

There may be souls (hopefully not!), who tend to overlook the wisdom involved in some of the simplest and seemingly obvious prayers asked of them in the Holy Rule such as the saying of prayers before and after meals. The old Rule asked the Tertiaries to say a Pater Noster before and after the meal followed by the Deo gratias. The Rule of Leo XIII asks simply that God be invoked before and after meals. The Rule demands that if this is forgotten that a penance be performed. (The traditional Rule asked for 3 Paters in penance for a missed prayer before and after meals.) Why? What is the big deal in praying before meals? The Church is wise dear brethren! Ask anyone who is familiar with the activity of Satan, and they will tell you that there have been innocent souls who have become possessed by a maleficium! A maleficium is something which is cursed and put in the food of another. This maleficium would be rendered useless with the invocation of the Almighty before a meal, this prayer acts as a minor exorcism of our food. Not to mention, is it not a sign of ingratitude to leave the table without thanking the good God who provides for all of our needs? It helps to think that it was the traitor Judas who left the company of Our Lord without thanksgiving when he went to summon the Lord’s betrayers. It was just before this sign of ingratitude that the Holy Gospel tells us the Devil entered into him. Vigilate, obey the Church as She so tenderly and lovingly puts the obligation of prayer before and after meals in the Rule of the Franciscan Tertiary.

Let each and every [tertiary] say each day the seven canonical hours, namely, Matins, Prime, Terce, Sext, Nones, Vespers and Compline. Let the clerics say the Psalter, for Prime Deus in nomine tuo, Beati immaculate . . ., up to Legem pone . . . and the other psalms of the hours, in accord with the Ordo of the clergy with the Gloria Patri. But when they do not go to church, let them strive to say the psalms for Matins, which the clergy say or which they say in the Cathedral church, or at least, let them not omit to say twelve Pater nosters with the Gloria Patri, as the other illiterate [do] for Matins, and seven for each of the other hours. At which time, namely at the hours of Prime and Compline, let them add the Apostles Creed [minorem symbolum] and the Misereri mei, Deus, who know these. But let the infirm not be bound to say the hours this way, unless they want. Moreover in the Lent of St. Martin [which begins Nov. 1], and even in the larger churches in the parishes of which they dwell, let them take care to personally attend the morning hours [Matins, Lauds, Prime], unless excused for a reasonable cause.(2)

The prayer asked of the Tertiary in the Rule of Nicolas IV is indeed a Rule of prayer for a religious in the world. Leo XIII allowed for the recitation of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary and asked only 12 Paters, Aves and Glorias as obligation for the Tertiary. These prayers being imposed by the Church, are of the highest order after the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Being the prayer of the Church, when the Tertiary prays his Office, he prays, unworthy though he may be, on behalf of the entire Church! All Tertiaries may take this quotation from the Officium Divinum as their own: “We should approach our prayer of the breviary saying: Now the Church is praising God through my mouth; now the Church is struggling after souls with my hands!”(3) A sublime grace indeed to be used as instruments for the glory of God, of His Church and the salvation of souls. Think dear Brothers and Sisters that your prayer, because of its potency and efficacy is like a burning flame. Indeed, you are all, in reality, spiritually like little flame throwers showering the earth with the flames of the love and grace of the good God. God allows that you appease the thirst of Our Divine Saviour and like Him each of you may truly say that with Christ the King: “I am come to cast fire on the earth!”(4) How does the good God set fire to souls if not by the prayers, penance and good works of his children? Each of us, in prayer, and especially the prayer of the Church, may know that we as members of Christ are praying, as other Christs. Jesus lives and prays in us and through us dear brethren! A sublime lofty vocation is ours. We damage and put to confusion the Devil’s works by our prayers, and this is why prayer is so needed in our age of apostasy.

Something which it is impossible to ignore is the power of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. During the exorcism mentioned above, the Rosary was being recited, which caused the miserable creature possessing the lady to cry out terrible sounds, moans and groans. When the Litany of Our Lady began it seemed too much, the sinister being began to cry out helplessly. The Holy Rosary of Our Blessed Lady is not a option in our day. It must be impossible for a Franciscan Tertiary to lay his head upon a pillow without having said at least 5 decades of the Rosary during the day. If the Holy Rosary is not being said by every one of our Tertiaries every day, then for sure, there is something wrong, there will be something amiss in the spiritual life of that Tertiary. The Holy Rosary of our divine Mother is not an option in our day. She, the magnificent Mother, the most holy Queen, the purest fairest dove, the Spouse of God the Holy Ghost, has crushed the head of the serpent. It is right that She is honoured!

Following is the exorcism prayer of the Church which you are urged to use frequently. It may be used by laity and priests alike, but said privately only. If you suspect someone is afflicted by the Demon or you yourself are being oppressed, do not hesitate to say this prayer privately. But NEVER must a layman take up an exorcism publicly for another by himself. This must be done by a priest with the permission of the bishop. Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us!

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THE EXORCISM PRAYER AGAINST SATAN AND THE APOSTATE ANGELS

Fully restored to its original text as issued by Pope Leo XIII, May 18th 1890.
1. RECITE STANDING:
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Let GOD arise and let His enemies be scattered: and let them that hate Him flee from before His Face!

As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the Presence of GOD (Ps 67:1-2). Judge Thou, O' Lord, them that wrong me: overthrow them that fight against me.
Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and be confounded that devise evil against me. Let them become as dust before the wind: and let the Angel of the Lord straighten them. Let their way become dark and slippery: and let the Angel of the Lord pursue them.
For without cause they have hidden their net for me unto destruction: without cause they have upbraided my soul.

Let the snare which he knoweth not, come upon him: and let the net which he hath hidden, catch him: and into that very snare let him fall. But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall be delighted in His Salvation (Ps 34:1, 4-9).
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

O' Most Glorious Prince of the Heavenly Armies, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in our wrestling against principalities and powers against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places (Ephes 6:12). Come to the aid of men, whom GOD created incorruptible, and to the Image of His own Likeness He made him (Wis 2:23); and from the tyranny of the devil He bought him at a great price (Cor 7:23).

Fight the battles of the Lord today with the Army of the Blessed Angels, as once thou didst fight against lucifer, the leader of pride, and his apostate angels; and they prevailed not: neither was their place found anymore in Heaven. But that great dragon was cast out, the old serpent, who is called the devil and satan, who seduceth the whole world. And he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him (Apoc 12:8-9).

Behold, the ancient enemy and murderer strongly raises his head! Transformed into an angel of light, with the entire horde of wicked spirits he goes about everywhere and takes possession of the earth, so that therein he may blot out the Name of GOD and of His Christ and steal away, afflict and ruin into everlasting destruction the souls destined for a Crown of Eternal Glory. On men depraved in mind and corrupt in heart the wicked dragon pours out like a most foul river, the poison of his villany, a spirit of lying, impiety and blasphemy; and the deadly breath of lust and of all iniquities and vices. Her most crafty enemies have engulfed the Church, the Spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, with sorrows, they have drenched her with wormwood; on all her desirable things they have laid their wicked hands.
Where the See of the Blessed Peter and the Chair of Truth have been set up for the light of the gentiles, there they have placed the throne of the abomination of their wickedness, so that, the Pastor having been struck, they may also be able to scatter the flock. Therefore, O' thou unconquerable Leader, be present with the people of GOD and against the spiritual wickedness which are bursting in upon them; and bring them the victory.

The Holy Church venerates thee as its Guardian and Patron; and it glories in the fact that thou art its Defender against the wicked powers of earth and hell. To thee the Lord has assigned the souls of the redeemed to be placed in Heavenly bliss. Beseech the GOD of Peace to crush satan under our feet, that he may no more be able to hold men captive and to harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that the mercies of the Lord may quickly come to our aid, that thou mayest seize the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and satan and that having bound him, thou mayest cast him into the bottomless pit, so that he may no more seduce the nations (Apoc 20:3).

Hence confiding in thy protection and guardianship, by the sacred authority of our ministry*, we confidently and securely begin the task in the Name of Jesus Christ our GOD and Lord, of driving away the attacks of diabolical deceit.
LEADER: Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee away ye hostile forces. ALL: The lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David hath conquered

LEADER: May Thy mercy, O' Lord, be upon us. ALL: Since we have hoped in Thee.

LEADER: O' Lord, hear my prayer. ALL: And let my cry come unto Thee.

LEADER: The Lord be with you, ALL: And with thy spirit.

LEADER: LET US PRAY:

O' GOD and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we invoke Thy Holy Name, and we humbly implore Thy mercy, that by the intercession of the Mother of GOD Mary Immaculate Ever Virgin, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of Blessed Joseph the Spouse of the same Blessed Virgin, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and of all the Saints, Thou wouldst deign to afford us help against satan and all the other unclean spirits and against whatever wanders throughout the world to do harm to the human race and to ruin souls, through the same Christ Our Lord, Amen.
We exorcize thee, O' every unclean spirit, satanic power, infernal invader, wicked legion, assembly and sect; in the Name and by the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ (+); may thou be snatched away and driven from the Church of GOD and from the souls made to the Image and Likeness of GOD and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb (+). Most cunning serpent, thou shalt no more dare to deceive the human race, persecute the Church, torment GOD's elect and sift them as wheat (+). The Most High GOD commands thee (+). He with whom in your great insolence, thou still claimest to be equal; He who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth (1 Tim 2:4).

GOD the Father commands thee (+), GOD the Son commands thee (+), GOD the Holy Spirit commands thee (+). The Majesty of Christ, the Eternal Word of GOD made flesh, commands thee (+); He Who to save our race outdone through thy envy, "humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death" (Phil 2:8). He who has built His Church on the firm rock and declared that the gates of hell shall never prevail against Her, because He will dwell with Her "all days even to the end of the world" (Mat 28:20). The Sacred Sign of the Cross commands thee (+), as does also the power of the Mysteries of the Christian Faith (+), the Glorious Mother of GOD, the Virgin Mary, commands thee (+); She who by Her humility and from the first moment of Her Immaculate Conception, crushed thy proud head. The faith of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of the other Apostles command thee (+). The Blood of the Martyrs and the pious intercession of all the Saints command thee (+).

Thus, cursed dragon and thee diabolical legion, we adjure thee by the Living GOD (+), by the True GOD (+), by the Holy GOD (+), by the GOD "who so loved the world that He gave up His Only Son, that every soul believing in Him might not perish but have life everlasting" (John 17:1-3); stop deceiving human creatures and pouring out to them the poison of eternal damnation; stop harming the Church and ensnaring her liberty. BEGONE, satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy of man's salvation. Give place to Christ in whom thou hast found none of your works; give place to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church acquired by Christ at the price of His Blood. Stoop beneath the powerful Hand of GOD; tremble and flee when we invoke the Holy and terrible Name of Jesus, this Name which cause hell to tremble, this Name to which the Virtues, Powers and Dominations of Heaven are humbly submissive, this Name to which the Virtues, Powers and Dominations of Heaven are humbly submissive, this Name which the Cherubim and Seraphim praise unceasingly repeating: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the GOD of Armies!

LEADER: O' Lord, hear my prayer, ALL: And let my cry come unto Thee

LEADER: May the Lord be with thee, ALL: And with thy spirit.

LEADER: LET US PRAY:

GOD of Heaven, GOD of Earth, GOD of Angels, GOD of Archangels, GOD of Patriarchs, GOD of Prophets, GOD of Apostles, GOD of Martyrs, GOD of Confessors, GOD of Virgins, GOD Who has power to give life after death and rest after work, because there is no other GOD than Thee and there can be no other, for Thou art the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, of whose Reign there shall be no end. We humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy Glorious Majesty and we beseech Thee to deliver us by Thy Power from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from their snares, their lies and their furious wickedness; deign, O' Lord, to grant us Thy powerful protection and to keep us safe and sound. We beseech Thee through Jesus Christ Our Lord, Amen.

LEADER: From the snares of the devil, ALL: Deliver us O' Lord. LEADER: Grant that Thy Church may serve Thee in secure liberty, ALL We beseech Thee, hear us. LEADER: Deign to crush down the enemies of the Holy Church, ALL: We beseech Thee, hear us.

LEADER: Holy Water is sprinkled in the place where he may be.

ALL: St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May GOD rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, O' Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Power of GOD, cast into hell satan and all the other evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls, Amen.

LEADER: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, (Repeat 3 times) ALL: Have mercy on us.

NOTE: (+) denotes that the Sign of the Cross is to be made: "In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen," between the prayer, as indicated. (5)

Your little servant in the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Fra Pio-Francis T.O.S.F.



Circular Approved By Rev. Fr. Freddy Mery S.S.P.X.

Footnotes:
(1)Office of Compline. Pg. 54. Angelus Press
(2)http://www.franciscan-archive.org/index2.html Rule of Nicholas IV.
(3)Divine Office Angelus Press Pg. 1.
(4) Luke 12. 49. Douay Rheims Bible.
(5)http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/3543/exorcism.htm
*NOTE IF YOU ARE NOT A PRIEST LEAVE OUT THE TEXT "BY THE AUTHORITY"

“Et resedit qui erat mortuus, et coepit loqui. Et dedit illum matri suae.” Luke Chp. 7.V. 15. Gloria Tibi Domine.