So that you do not let yourselves be contaminated by the noxious environment prevalent in these times of darkness when innumerable iniquities cry out for justice be¬fore the throne of God, we would like to invite you to stand up and fight.
"Very well" - you will say - "but against whom and where? "
Saint Paul magnificently answered these questions by clearly pointing out the adversary: "Do we have to fight against human potentates? Do you have to battle against flesh and blood? No. Our enemy is Satan, the Prince of this world, and his de¬mons spread out in the high places. "
Dear Friends and Benefactors,
So that you do not let yourselves be contaminated by the noxious environment prevalent in these times of darkness when innumerable iniquities cry out for justice be¬fore the throne of God, we would like to invite you to stand up and fight.
"Very well" - you will say - "but against whom and where? "
Saint Paul magnificently answered these questions by clearly pointing out the adversary: "Do we have to fight against human potentates? Do you have to battle against flesh and blood? No. Our enemy is Satan, the Prince of this world, and his de¬mons spread out in the high places. "
Luminous words that dissipate whatever illusions we may have regarding the nature of our battle and what is at stake. We confront a frightening adversary whose acknowledged goal is our damnation and who, to arrive at his goal, will employ what¬ever means, not having any scruple in using the vilest tricks, especially lies.
Let us leave aside for now the temptations which strike directly at our passions, so prompt to be awakened by the caress of this world, and consider three of the more specific aspects of the satanic action today.
First of all, Satan strives to make us forget him. The enemy is all the more frightening as he conceals himself. To our contemporaries, the thought that Satan might be at work seems quite ludicrous. And even in our ranks, very often, a condescending smile accompanies the remarks of those who deny the work of the prince of darkness. We believe readily in a God and affirm that belief without hesitation. But human re¬spect prevents us from doing the same regarding Satan - although we should not fall into the opposite excess of those who see him behind each event and each face.
Secondly, Satan reigns by infiltrating the intelligence. He is the principle of all errors and for this reason deserves to be called the "Father of lies". He began his work in the Garden of Eden and continues it in us, devastating our souls by the corruption of our minds. He favors all those lies that hurt us so much by distilling and spreading the philosophical errors that blind men and drag them to damnation. Idealism, Liberalism, Modernism - the list of errors could be extended - are only the smoke of Satan. But the devil is not satisfied to corrupt us by means of false doctrines; he also infiltrates laws and inspires institutions. Today, throughout the world, error is institutionalized and revolutionary laws impress it upon souls. Every man who comes into this world, even before being born, is subject to the influence of such nefarious laws.
Finally, to complete his work, Satan exhales his stinking breath, creating a wind of fear. He frightens us by inordinately stressing one of the seemingly insurmountable problems of today's world or by showing it to us only under a naturalistic light. The state of our world is certainly worrying: its systematic forgetfulness of God makes it horrible and inhuman in its vain pretension to replace Him. But the Christian knows, by his unquestionable faith, that God remains the only and sovereign Master and that events, however painful they might be, are only a merciful and mysterious kindness of our Creator towards us. Fear and disorder are the marks of hell, quite different from the fear and dread that lead us to seek refuge in God by prayer and penance. Satan, on the contrary, only wants to cause a black despair in our soul.
What will be our answer? It is simple. Perhaps too simple for us! We must es¬tablish ourselves in a humble, deep and vigilant dependence on God.
Let us beseech the mercy of God to revive divine love in us, so that we may be¬come burning embers, ready to be inflamed and push the illusions of the devil back into the depths of hell.
In Christo sacerdote et Maria,
Fr. Yves le Roux
NEWS FROM THE SEMINARY
• Please take note that this year's ceremony of priestly ordination will take place on Friday, June 22, at 9:00 a.m.
• On Good Shepherd Sunday, most of the seminarians, together with the rector and vice-rector, traveled north to Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel in St. Paul, Minnesota. Fr. Le Roux celebrated a Solemn High Mass, and there followed a luncheon hosted by the generous parishioners. The day closed with a solemn Vespers in the late afternoon. Please see the forthcoming July issue of VERBUM for photographs and more details.
• From May 7 until May 16, the seminarians in the year of Spirituality will follow a retreat preached by Fr. Jacques Emily and Fr. Patrick Abbet. Please keep these 24 young men in your prayers.