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Today's Subtle Demonic Attack Against the Sacraments

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Today's Subtle Demonic Attack Against the Sacraments

By Mary M.

I have a theory which I intend to prove below. My theory is that the devil is presently waging a subtle attack against the sacraments - and he is winning, at least for now.

Let me make my case. First let me remind you that the most precious, most valuable, most important things that exist in our entire universe are the Sacraments. Our salvation depends on them! One of them is Christ Himself! So of course Satan will attack them. And, Satan's tool of choice may not be so obvious because good people would be put off by that, plus God might prevent the devil from being able to carry on a lengthy & widespread direct attack against the Sacraments. Instead, the devil will need to make use of more subtle methods to carry out his evil plans.

Let me try to illustrate my point, albeit poorly I'm afraid, and in an earthly way. Say you had the most extraordinary, potent & efficacious cream in the entire world. It could bring you and your loved ones practically painlessly from death to life in an instant from every conceivable malady. It never failed. It never expired. It had no bad side effects. It cost basically nothing to produce. And the supply was abundant - more than enough for everyone on earth - and in reach of everyone, no matter how poor or rich, smart or ignorant.

In good times, everyone would make use of that cream and the effects would be marvelous. And the people would be full of gratitude for that amazing medicine.

But then, we have a mortal enemy. This merciless enemy would see how good things were for those whom he hates and he'd plan an attack. He couldn't go into peoples' homes directly and steal the cream from everyone - he doesn't have the power to do that, and people would stop him if he did. Besides, the people could just get more of the freely available cream. So he has to use a more subtle approach.

What if he were to encourage people on their own to belittle the cream (despite the proven benefits) or to simply ignore it and forget about it? When they were sick, he'd encourage much of the populace to let their cream just sit in the back of drawers, disregarded and forgotten about by many, even though it retained its full potency and effectiveness. Instead much of the general population would simply choose to die (and let their loved ones die) from their maladies rather than use this painless, amazing cream. Would you not think it insane if even one person did that? But what if it was so widespread that many people - even the majority of people - were tossing their cream in the back of drawers and forgetting about it or even misusing it to their detriment? Would that not be the height of insanity?

Impossible you think? Not so. In the Sacraments, we have something infinitely more valuable than a life-saving cream. The Sacraments are extraordinary, potent & efficacious gifts from God that never fail. They never expire and have no side effects. They cost basically nothing to produce. And the supply is abundant - more than enough for everyone on earth. They are in reach of everyone, no matter how poor or rich, intelligent or ignorant. They have the power to bring you and your loved ones practically painlessly from eternal death to eternal life in an instant from every conceivable malady. Unless prevented by the recipient, they can never ever fail. Yet, just like in the example, so many people today let their amazing remedy (the Sacraments) just 'sit in the back of drawers', disregarded and forgotten about, while they die of their maladies. The devil can't destroy the Sacraments themselves, but he can help people not appreciate them, not use them, reject them, or even forget about or abuse them.

Prove me wrong if you can. Consider the facts:

Since that disastrous Second Vatican Council which has inflicted so much harm on the Church...

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BAPTISM is ignored / rejected / belittled / abused, even among Catholics. Some effects of Satan's subtle attacks against Baptism...

* Many today put off baptism unnecessarily

* Many today completely fail to have their children baptized

* Many today won't firmly assert the necessity of baptism for salvation, including some prelates - especially in the name of 'ecumenism'. Despite the UNCHANGEABLE biblical charge to convert & baptize, Pope Francis even scandalously called proselytism "solemn nonsense"!

* Catholics today may abort their (unbaptized!) children and many Catholics today falsely assert that unbaptized aborted and/or miscarried babies can 'certainly' be saved without baptism. So much for Original Sin! So much for the necessity of baptism! So much for the Blessed Virgin Mary's singular privilege!

* Many Catholics today (including priests!) may fail to warn unbaptized persons in their charge of the danger to their souls of going without baptism

* Many Catholics today apparently, falsely, hold that a 'forced' baptism of an adult can suffice for salvation (I am thinking of Faustina of the 'Divine Mercy' devotion and the followers of her devotion who have no objection to what she has documented)

* Some Catholics today may utilize all manner of inappropriate persons as 'godparents', and priests may even allow it

* Some unrepentant Catholics today live in serious sin and seek baptism without any intention of ever having a proper Christian home, and priests may even welcome it

* Etc.

Decreased rates of infant baptism in recent years are further proof that this first, most essential sacrament has been under grave, yet subtle diabolical attack. This should be of no surprise considering that the post-Vatican II watered-down baptism rite virtually eliminates the exorcism. As Fr. Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of Rome, stated, "[The rite of baptism for children] has been so drastically overhauled that the exorcism against Satan has virtually been eliminated." I'm sure the devil appreciates that. It makes his evil plans much easier to accomplish. As a result, many souls are surely lost.

Council of Trent: "If any one saith that baptism is optional, that is, not necessary to salvation; let him be anathema."

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PENANCE is ignored / rejected / mocked / abused, even among Catholics. Some effects of Satan's subtle attacks against Confession...

* Many today never (or hardly ever) go to Confession

* Many today seem to think Confession is unnecessary - even some prelates!

* Many today omit Confession before receiving Holy Communion, despite committing serious sins, and thereby add more sin

* Many today fail to emphasize the necessity of Confession for those in serious sin (again, think of the 'Divine Mercy' devotion and the post-Vatican II ideas of false mercy that abound)

* Catholics today may make a mockery out of Confession by their behavior or failure to confess serious sins (e.g. contraception)

* Catholics today may go to Confession not properly disposed and may have no intention of stopping serious sin or making amends for past sins, perhaps even making the sacrament worthless for them, or even a sacrilege

* Prelates today may scandalously give absolution to 'penitents' who manifestly aren't penitent and who clearly plan to continue in serious sin (especially in the wake of Amoris Laetitia)

* Etc.

Falling Confession rates in recent years are further proof that this essential sacrament has been under grave, yet subtle diabolical attack. But then how are penitents to think the sacrament is so essential, so grave, when the post-Vatican II version is almost treated so glibly, even as a 'optional psychology session'? As a result, many persons may die with mortal sin on their souls - and would therefore face the prospect of eternal damnation.

Council of Trent: "For those who fall into sin after Baptism the Sacrament of Penance is as necessary to salvation as is Baptism for those who have not been already baptized."

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CONFIRMATION is ignored / rejected / belittled / abused, even among Catholics. Some effects of Satan's subtle attacks against Confirmation...

* Fewer parents today may ensure that their children receive Confirmation

* Despite the evil influences so prevalent in our age, few prelates tend to emphasize the need for Confirmation

* A significant number of young Catholics today may reject Confirmation as they leave the Church

* Many Catholics today apparently consider Confirmation to be unimportant or insignificant

* Confirmation today may become an exercise in 'social justice' (i.e. an indoctrination tool for liberals) rather than strengthening Catholics to be 'soldiers of Christ'

* Some Catholics today may receive Confirmation in grave sin and even those who pertinaciously hold immoral views may be allowed to receive Confirmation

* Etc.

Sadly, declining Confirmation rates are only to be expected as fewer persons today remain Catholic after baptism. One might expect this sacrament may suffer slightly less diabolical attack since it is may not be absolutely necessary for salvation. However, in the post-Vatican II Church where it is pretended that there is little need for proselytizing or being a 'soldier of Christ', it has nevertheless suffered gravely. As result, many persons are deprived of graces needed to become 'perfect Christians'.

St. Thomas Aquinas: "Though he who is baptized is made a member of the Church, nevertheless he is not yet enrolled as a Christian soldier. And therefore he is brought to the bishop, as to the commander of the army, by one who is already enrolled as a Christian soldier."

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THE HOLY EUCHARIST is rejected / belittled / abused, even among Catholics. Some effects of Satan's subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) attacks against the Holy Eucharist...

* Declining Mass attendance since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass

* Widespread disbelief in the Real Presence since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass

* Loss of focus on God & our sinfulness since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass

* Loss of adoration for & reverence towards the Holy Eucharist since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass

* 'Childish focus on lay participation' to the detriment of the Holy Sacrifice since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass

* Shifting emphasis from the Holy Sacrifice to mere "religious entertainment" or a "religious gathering" since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass

* Questionable consecrations since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass

* Offensive 'social justice' orientation of many Novus Ordo Masses

* Very few references to sin, hell, repentance, etc. since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass

* Widespread Eucharistic abuses, including 'Communion in the hand' by 'Eucharistic ministers' since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass

* Frequent sacrilege (e.g. consider the Sacred Particles spewed across the floor in so many parishes) since the introduction of 'Communion in the hand' at the Novus Ordo Mass

* Etc.

It is no surprise that the highly inferior Post-Vatican II Novus Ordo rite of Mass has brought so much wreckage in its train. This, THE most precious Sacrament of all - being literally Christ - and a sacrament that is necessary for salvation - has suffered undoubtedly the greatest Satanic attack of all. Books could be written on the many issues with the post-Vatican II novelties (actually, they have been written). There is little doubt that this, the MOST precious of all Sacraments, has been attacked the most. That in itself should provide ample evidence of a satanic attack. As a result of this attack, many souls may be lost and, I presume, God has been gravely offended. And do not relatively few of those who claim love God try to change this? Do they even recognize there is a problem?

St. John, Jn. 6:53: "Jesus said to them, 'Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.'"

St. Paul, 1 Cor. 11:27: "Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord."

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MATRIMONY is ignored & greatly abused, even among Catholics. Some effects of Satan's subtle attacks against Holy Matrimony...

* Many who consider themselves Catholics today choose to live in a state of sin rather than enter into Holy Matrimony

* Many who consider themselves Catholics today fornicate, causing them to procreate outside of a lawful marriage, and many will subsequently raise the (illegitimate) child as a 'single parent', thereby depriving so many children of a proper two-parent Catholic upbringing

* Many Catholics today are 'divorced' and 'remarried', even though marriage is for life and these 'remarried' persons are really living in a state of ongoing adultery, not to mention the fact such persons often generate new children which may then be raised by the adulterous couple (obviously not a proper environment to raise good Catholic children)

* Many Catholics today, even if not 'divorced' themselves, tolerate 'divorce' and 'remarriage' (that is, adultery), not to mention sinful cohabitation and carnal relations outside of marriage, despite the fact that scripture tells us that fornicators and adulterers will not enter heaven. See 1 Cor. 6:9-10: "Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God."

* Few Catholics today accept - or even know - the truth that the primary purpose of marriage involves children [Note: As per 1917 Code of Canon Law, Can. 1013 § 1: "The primary end of marriage is the procreation and education of children"]

* Many so-called Catholics today sinfully engage in contraception, abortion, and sterilization

* Many persons in the Church today promote an immoral use of NFP

* Sadly, many Catholics today falsely believe two persons of the same sex/gender can be 'married' (an impossibility, of course, and a perversion that must be very insulting to God, who made us male & female)

* Etc.

Shockingly, Pope Francis has recently chimed in with a scandalous document that further harms marriage and elevates sin (Amoris Laetitia). As Sr. Lucy of Fatima said, the "final battle" with Satan will be about marriage and the family. Clearly, the sacrament of Holy Matrimony is undergoing a severe, widespread diabolical attack. As a result, many souls are likely to be lost.

St. Paul, St. Paul, Heb. 13:4: "Let marriage be honored among all and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterers."

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HOLY ORDERS is badly mistreated or challenged, even among Catholics. Some effects of Satan's subtle attacks against Holy Orders...

* Many lay Catholics today fail to respect the power of and dignity of Holy Orders - some even put themselves 'on par with the priest'

* Often Catholics today will usurp priestly roles that they have no business engaging in (e.g. 'Eucharistic ministers', laity transporting the Holy Eucharist to the sick, females speaking from the sanctuary, etc.)

* Many priests today fail to respect the dignity of Holy Orders (e.g. using their first name instead of last as a general rule, wearing 'street clothes', provoking laughter during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, being a 'buddy' instead of a Father, etc.)

* Fewer vocations are discerned among the fewer children people have (for example, due to contracepting couples and illicit use of NFP)

* It has been widely reported that good candidates are rejected and abused by seminaries who do not want to ordain tradition-minded men

* Church leaders wrongly act as if those outside the only true Church have valid orders when they do not have valid orders

* Many Catholics today call into question precious treasures of the priesthood (e.g. celibacy)

* The 'permanent diaconate' today (including the inclusion of non-celibate men) may be seen as a further watering-down of the value of the priesthood and of celibacy in the minds of laity

* Etc.

Declining vocations in recent years is strong proof that this sacrament has been under grave, yet subtle diabolical attack. In fact, the more Holy Orders is attacked and belittled, the more the other Sacraments are likely to suffer since the priest is the minister or witness of them. In fact, Confession, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, and Extreme Unction could not even exist without priests. So it makes a lot of sense for Satan to attack Holy Orders, and this diabolical attack has been borne out in recent decades. As a result, fewer people may receive life-saving sacraments and more souls may be lost.

Dom Gueranger: "But since the disciple is not above his Master, the Pastors and Doctors of the Christian people, if they are faithful in the discharge of their duties, are sure to be hated by the enemies of God; for they cannot spread the Kingdom of Christ without at the same time taking from the power of Satan. Hence it is that the history of the Church is filled with the persecutions endured by her Pastors and Doctors, who continued the ministry and zeal and charity begun by Christ upon the earth."

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EXTREME UNCTION is ignored & rejected, even among Catholics. Some effects of Satan's subtle attack against Extreme Unction...

* Many people today do not request this last Sacrament before death

* Sick persons today may encounter lay people instead of priests when they are at the hospital and may therefore be unable to receive the sacrament in a timely manner

* Certain people today may see no need for this sacrament (e.g. Faustina's 'Divine Mercy' devotion followers who wrongly substitute their less powerful prayers for this powerful sacrament instituted by God)

* Some priests may be unwilling (or not especially eager) to dispense this sacrament

* Etc.

As a result, persons may lack healing or even die without the benefit of this sacrament. Sadly, this occurs when the devil may be making his last & strongest attempt to get their souls damned for all eternity.

St. Alphonsus Liguori: "At death, the Devil exerts all his powers to secure the soul that is about to leave this world; for he knows, from the symptoms of the disease, that he has but little time to gain her for eternity."

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It is clear that in the post-Vatican II Church, the Sacraments are NOT being treated as the precious gifts they are. Being the most precious treasures in the world (one being literally Christ Himself), have no doubt that they are priority targets of Satan. Attacks against them may very well lead persons to eternal ruin, thereby achieving Satan's 'greatest desire'.

I believe the above proves my theory regarding the devil's attacks on the Sacraments. In short, Satan has a very strong desire to attack these life-giving Sacraments, he has the actual intent to attack them (as Sr. Lucy said about Marriage), he has had the opportunity to attack them in this subtle way (especially since Vatican II), and the results clearly show that there has, in fact, been a subtle, yet successful & powerful, widespread attack on the Sacraments over the last several decades - so who else could have done this but Satan and his minions? It may be a somewhat 'new' way of attacking - not attacking the Sacraments themselves - but disposing people not to receive or consider them, to make them seem irrelevant ('putting them in the back of the drawer'), or even to abuse them is, I believe, a subtle satanic attack. You can be assured that Satan is very pleased when the sacraments are not used, misused, or abused, and when souls are thereby lost.

Don't be deceived by Satan's tricks and lies. Today some of his insidious attacks may be subtle, but that only makes them more effective. The opening to these subtle attacks in recent decades is clearly, at least in my opinion, Vatican II (remember Pope Paul VI's famous post-Vatican II lament that "the smoke of Satan has penetrated the temple of God"?), and subsequently with bad prelates & assorted modernists, and also in an array of troubling devotions (e.g. Faustina's 'Divine Mercy' devotion) and false apparitions (e.g. Medjugorje). Cling safely to tradition and be well armed against all falsehoods of our modern age, especially those slithering throughout the Church like a serpent.

But, thanks be to God, it is not all bad news. Not at all. The good news is that Satan does not have to keep winning! It is within our power to stop him. Catholics can (and must) go back to the Sacraments that have been there for us all along. Use them frequently (where applicable), and use them correctly. This is what God wants, I am sure. They are truly extraordinary, potent & efficacious, life-giving gifts from God that never fail us if we do not fail them. Catholics must no longer let the amazing remedy for all our maladies just 'sit in the back of drawers', disregarded and forgotten about, or even abused. They are our life. Without them, we are hopeless - disarmed against our powerful adversary who will do everything to secure our eternal death. Yet, Christ purchased the remedy for us with His Blood (which literally REMAINS in the Holy Eucharist) and He and His Most Blessed Mother will be on our side in fighting against the devil's attacks. Be on guard, and don't be so foolish as to let the Sacraments - the great & powerful life-giving remedy handed down to us by God - be ignored or abused, and therefore be useless to you. 'Open that drawer!'

Signature: By Mary M.

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