DEALING WITH

TEMPTATION A Practical guide to

Everyday Spiritual Warfare

Fr. Dennis J. J. Mancuso. M.Div., OCDS

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DEDICATION To Mom, Miss Pat, Sharon Tonn,

and to my many devout friends and parishioners.

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Nihil obstat: Rev. David D. Baker Imprimatur: Michael W. Fisher, Bishop of Buffalo July 26, 2021 The nihil obstat and imprimatur are declarations that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal or moral error. No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the nihil obstat or imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed.

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Statement of the Author concerning the reproduction of this Work

I am not seeking any compensation from the publication of this work. It is my desire that it be copied frequently and widely so that it may give assistance to as many as possible. I freely grant permission for its reproduction by whatever means -- on the following two conditions: (1) That this work be reproduced in its entirety, without any editing,

additions or changes, and giving true credit to its author. (2) That this work be distributed to others at no charge whatsoever.

Fr. Dennis J. J. Mancuso, M.Div., OCDS ---------------------------------------------------------------

Cover Image: Icon of the Ladder of Divine Ascent 12th Century St. Catherine's Monastery - Mt. Sinai The icon shows St. John Climacus leading monks up the ladder of Divine Ascent to Christ; all the while, demons try to tempt them into sin so they can pull them down. The author has always seen this icon as an apt depiction of his personal struggle for holiness.

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CONTENTS I. PROLOGUE 4 A. The Reality of the Thing B. The Purpose of this Little Book C. A Basic Strategy II. IN THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION 7 A. Strategy in time of Temptation B. A Simple Useful Prayer C. Rebuking of the Tempter III. GETTING BACK UP AFTER A FALL 12 A. The Enemy’s Strategy B. The Art of Making a Quick Recovery

Step I - Run to Jesus Step II - Tear up the Agreement Step III - Get to Confession

IV. BASIC PRACTICES FOR LIVING IN A STATE OF GRACE 16 A. The Sacramental Life B. The Importance of Prayer V. EPILOGUE 18 APPENDICES Appendix I - An Examination of Conscience 19 Appendix II - The Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation 23 Appendix III - Prayers of Protection 24 ABOUT THE AUTHOR 31

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I. PROLOGUE

For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Romans 7:19-23) 1

St. Paul understood the soul's desire for holiness and the real human experience of falling into sin. One does not have to venture far to see the effect of sin's corruption on our present world. Nor is the experience of the same far from our own human nature. Every devout Christian knows periods of success against temptation and sin. They also are acquainted with the failure and desolation of a fall into sin. The disciple of Christ, who possesses self-knowledge, is aware of this truth. My dear reader, if you have been drawn to this short work, this your experience too! If it is not, then this booklet is not for you.

A. The Reality of the Thing

From the temptation and the Fall of our first parents in the garden, humanity has struggled for integrity and holiness, only to find ourselves amid a spiritual battle. The Second Vatican Council fathers spoke about this reality in their Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World.

1 New American Bible. (2011). (Revised Edition, Ro 7:19–23). Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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For a monumental struggle against the powers of darkness pervades the whole history of man. The battle was joined from the very origins of the world and will continue until the last day, as the Lord has attested. Caught in this conflict, man is obliged to wrestle constantly if he is to cling to what is good, nor can he achieve his own integrity without great efforts and the help of God’s grace. (Gaudium et Spes, § 37) 2

My dear reader, knowing this conflict exists in our lives is the first significant milestone. Many are unaware. There are still more who are intent on making sin into something neutral or a human right. Because of the human intellect's darkening due to the Fall, we must rely on the clarity of God's definitive judgment on what is sin.

B. The Purpose of this Little Book

This work aims to share with the reader specific prayers and practices I have found helpful in my spiritual battle. This treatise was conceived in the confessional. It flows from a confessor's desire to have something beneficial to give the sincere penitent who urgently desires holiness. This work is not intended to be exhaustive. Instead, by centering ourselves on three simple questions, I hope to deliver a concise and valuable aid. These three questions are: (1) How am I to deal with the occasion of temptation? (2) How do I come back quickly from a fall into sin? And (3) what simple things are needful to stay in a state of grace?

2 Catholic Church. (2011). Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World: Gaudium Et Spes. In Vatican II Documents. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

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C. A Basic Strategy

Having read countless works of the fathers, saints, and spiritual authors on this topic, I find that many, while helpful, cannot summarize their advice into a few simple dicta. Here are my dicta, followed by a brief description.

1. Stay close to Jesus: The enemy of our soul will not come near if we are close to Christ. When I was a boy, there was a bully who picked on me. As long as my big brother was around, he would not come near. What is true of the bully is the norm with the tempter. The key to overcoming temptation is to stay close to Jesus. The ordinary means of staying close to Jesus is discussed in part IV of this booklet.

2. Avoid Pride: This is critically important. We can do nothing by ourselves. Remember, if you succeed in your struggle against sin, it is because of God's grace. Pride leaves you open to temptation. The Book of Proverbs tells us: "Pride goes before disaster, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18) 3

3. When you fall, run back and cling to Jesus: We will deal with this in greater detail in part III of this booklet.

4. Be Self-Aware: Self-awareness is necessary to understand the stages of temptation and the current state of one's soul. A stance of recollection and prayer is essential to foster this self-awareness.

3 New American Bible. (2011). (Revised Edition, Pr 16:18). Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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II. IN THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION

One of the most frequent questions asked in the confessional by devout souls is: "How do I deal with temptation when it presses upon me?" Before we answer this devout query, let us answer the question: "Why does God allow temptation?" God tempts no one but allows temptation. God allows temptation, not for us to fall into sin, but that we may grow in virtue by resisting it. For as the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us:

“God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one”; on the contrary, he wants to set us free from evil. 4

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it. 5

A. Strategy:

The strategy for dealing with temptation can be divided into two forms of response. First is the Preventative Strategy. The Second is the Immediate Strategy employed in the Hour of Temptation.

1. The Preventative Strategy: As a result of past experience of falling into sin, we become aware of specific triggers or "near occasions," which frequently becomes a prerequisite for sinful behavior. The preventative strategy can involve the following:

4 Catholic Church. (2000). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd Ed., p. 684). Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference. § 2846. 5 Catholic Church. (2000). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd Ed., p. 684). Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, § 2848.

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a. An active avoidance of the "near occasions of sin."

b. In the case of Unwholesome curiosity or Lust: Custody of the eyes -- that is, knowing when to look away, to change the channel, to fast forward the movie, or to retreat from a particular website.

c. A vibrant prayer life (which includes all those practices found in part IV of this book). The whole idea is this: The closer you are to Jesus, the further the tempter will be from you.

d. A Daily Rebuke of the Tempter. The tempter will not attack when we are strong; he will attack where he sees weakness. As St. Ignatius Loyola tells us in his Rules for Discernment of Spirits from his Spiritual Exercises:

. . . for, as a captain and chief of the army, pitching his camp, and looking at the forces or defenses of a stronghold, attacks it on the weakest side, in like manner the enemy of human nature, roaming about, looks in turn at all our virtues, theological, cardinal and moral; and where he finds us weakest and most in need for our eternal salvation, there he attacks us and aims at taking us.6

A daily rebuke of tempter puts him on notice that we are on watch. He will flee us and look for an easier target elsewhere. While the Rebuke of the Tempter below can be used as an

6 Ignatius of Loyola, S. (1914). The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. (E. Mullan, Trans.) (p. 175). New York: P. J. Kenedy & Sons.

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immediate response to temptation, I personally have found it helpful as a preventative.

2. The Immediate Strategy: The immediate strategy for dealing with temptation is simply this -- Wholly and quickly reject the enticement of sin, and send the tempter packing. Don't play around with temptation. Push it away with urgency, and the tempter will flee to try another day. I suggest the two simple prayers and the rebuke found below. Prayers that are powerful, simple, and quick are especially helpful. One may not always have this book with them at the hour of temptation, but the use of a short memorable prayer is highly advantageous.

B. A Simple Useful Prayer

The first prayer is the Sign of the Cross -- this prayer was suggested by St. Anthony of Egypt as recorded in Life of Holy Anthony by St. Athanasius of Alexandria. The power of this simple prayer should not be underestimated. The power of Christ's cross is invoked, and we are reminded that we are part of God's people by Holy Baptism. This prayer should be repeated over and over again until the temptation dissipates and the tempter flees in failure. Believe me; he will run away. This simple prayer is like a slap in the face to the tempter or a swift kick in the posterior. He will not stick around for long.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

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C. At the Name of Jesus The second of these powerful and simple prayers comes from the Byzantine tradition of the Church. Tomes have been written on this prayer's power as a response to St. Paul's injunction to "pray without ceasing" (cf. 1 Thess 5:17). For this application, this prayer has two elements that make it highly effective. First, we invoke the powerful name of Jesus:

There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved (Acts 4:12).” 7

. . . God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9-11). 8

The second element that makes it highly effective is the stance of humility taken by the petitioner. We follow the holy example of the Publican in the parable of our Lord (cf. Luke 18:9-14). Humility is grounded in a trust in God and a realistic self-awareness. This prayer should be repeated over and over again until the temptation dissipates and the tempter flees in failure.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

7 New American Bible. (2011). (Revised Edition, Ac 4:12). Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 8 New American Bible. (2011). (Revised Edition, Php 2:9–11). Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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D. The Rebuking of the Tempter The third, a Rebuke of the Tempter, is found in the spiritual classic The Imitation of Christ by Thomas á Kempis. This rebuke can be used to push away the seducer in the hour of temptation. As I have already said, it can be employed as a routine precaution to keep the tempter at bay.

Begone, unclean spirit! Be ashamed, you wretched creature! You are foul to bring such things to my ears. Begone, most wretched seducer! You will have no hold on me, for my Lord Jesus Christ will be my strong defender, and you shall stand in enduring confusion. I would rather die and suffer all torments than consent to you. Be silent and speechless; I will not listen to you, though you bring many temptations upon me. The Lord is my light, my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Though armies unite against me, my heart will not fear, for the Lord is my Helper and my Redeemer.9

9 Thomas á Kempis, Imitation of Christ, Bk 3, Chap. 6, § 4. -- Translated from the original Latin by Fr. Dennis Mancuso.

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III. GETTING BACK UP AFTER A FALL

A lesson drawn from the lives of the saints is the needfulness of getting up quickly after a fall into sin. It is not that the saints never sinned but that they got up quickly. A quick reversal from sin is the best way to thwart the strategy of the tempter.

A. The Enemy's Strategy

So what is the enemy's strategy? The tempter wants nothing more than to entrap us into an ever-deepening web of sin. When we sin, especially when we commit a sin of grave matter, we believe the tempter's lies and enter into a tacit agreement with him. The tempter will use this unintentional agreement to draw us back into sin over and over again to set up a pattern of habitual sin. Sins against chastity are a particular trap because of their implicit power to warp our relationship with ourselves and others. Once we have fallen into his snare, the tempter will tell us several lies to keep us in his grasp:

(1) He will tell us that we are so depraved that God will never forgive us. He wants us to believe that there is no hope for us. The tempter wants to keep us away from Jesus at all costs.

(2) The tempter will tell us that we are just not cut out to be holy. We are just not good enough. Despair and low self-esteem are some of the tools of the tempter's toolbox. He wants to keep us from immediately turning back to God. He wants to keep us from trusting in the power of the Lord's mercy and grace.

(3) He will tell us that we might as well sin again on account of the above two lies.

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B. The Art of Making a Quick Recovery

Blessed is the LORD, who did not leave us to be torn by their teeth. We escaped with our lives like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare was broken, and we escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:6-8) 10

Now that we understand the strategy of the tempter let us see how we thwart his plans. I have found that the following three-step process is effective in foiling the tempter's designs:

Step I - Run to Jesus

We begin as the Prodigal Son did - we turn around and go back the way we came. We reverse our path and return to Jesus. Our return requires three things: (1) A trust in God's Mercy; (2) A contrite recognition of the harm that we have done to ourselves, others, and our relationship with God; and (3) A recognition that our return is already a response to God's grace.

I would suggest that one make a sincere Perfect Act of Contrition. A perfect act of contrition is motivated (as best we can) by a recognition of the love that is due to the One who loved us first.

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because they have offended Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.

or the Byzantine form of that same prayer:

10 New American Bible. (2011). (Revised Edition, Ps 124:6–8). Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me. O Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number.

Step II - Tear up the Agreement

So long as the tacit agreement with the tempter is in place, his temptations will have a greater resonance with us. It is much easier for us to be pulled back into the same sin again. Breaking this unintentional compact will lessen the effectiveness of subsequent temptations. Why should we give the enemy a break or help him to tempt us? Tear up the agreement!

I have found that the Prayer for a Spiritual Canopy is especially helpful in this regard.

Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me for all the times I have not submitted to your will in my life. Please forgive me for all my sinful actions, making agreements with the enemy, and for believing the devil’s lies. I now submit to you as my Lord, dear Jesus. Now I break every agreement that I have made with the enemy. Lord Jesus, please send an assignment of angels to remove and bind to the abyss all demons and their devices that had access to me because I believed their lies. I now ask you to establish a hedge of protection around me, over me and under me, and seal it with your blood, Lord Jesus Christ. I now choose to put on the full armor of God and ask that you cleanse me and seal me, body, mind, soul and spirit, with your blood, Lord Jesus Christ. Please have

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your angelic army bind up and remove all demons, their devices, and all their power from within this protective hedge and have them sent to the abyss. Please have your angels stand guard over me and protect me from all attacks of the enemy. I thank you for establishing an impenetrable shield of protection around me, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 11

Step III - Get to Confession:

Once we have done Steps I and II, we have moved away from the grasp of the tempter. For those in mortal sin, we will still need to avail ourselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as we are able. Confession is also recommended for venial sins as a means of grace. For those in venial sin, even serious venial sin, there is no impediment to receiving Holy Communion. I would remind the reader that Venial Sins are forgiven with the reception of Holy Communion.

We should regularly utilize the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I would suggest once a month as a helpful norm.

In Appendix I of this book, I have included an Examination of Conscience.

The Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation can be found in Appendix II of this book.

11 https://www.catholicwarriors.com/pages/warfare_prayers.htm (Prayer was edited for content by the author of this book.)

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IV. BASIC PRACTICES FOR LIVING IN A STATE OF GRACE

The last portion of this book is devoted to spiritual housekeeping. We answer the question: what simple things are necessary to stay in a state of grace? While this treatment will not be exhaustive, we will cover the basics.

A. The Sacramental Life

If the first and primary dictum for our struggle against temptation is to stay close to Jesus, then the Sacramental Life is essential. Our gracious Lord established the sacraments as those seven ordinary channels through which His grace impacts our lives. Of particular importance for our struggle with temptation is the frequent reception of Holy Communion and the regular employment of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Connected with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a daily examen at the end of the day is a laudatory practice.

B. The Importance of Prayer

We can not underestimate the power of prayer in the task of staying close to Jesus.

Prayer! But, how much prayer?

We must foster a daily pattern of prayer. For the average layperson, One hour out of twenty-four should be devoted to daily prayer. For the average layperson: which prayers and devotions we are employing is less important than the fact we are praying daily for an hour. If one desires, this hour of prayer can be broken up into two half-hour prayer periods.

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A Temptation to be Avoided.

The seducer will assault pious souls by encouraging them to pile prayers upon prayers. So much so that the person will find it impossible to complete the accumulated number of prayers in a timely manner. Our time of prayer becomes more about getting it in and less about opening ourselves up to a more intimate relationship with our God. The seducer's purpose for this multiplication of prayers upon prayers is to make the individual give up praying altogether. If you wish to add devotions, you might consider subtracting others. You might consider rotating devotions, from time to time, as a way to keep your prayer life fresh.

Prayer, yes! But what prayers?

These are my recommendations of powerful prayers that one might consider as staples of your prayer life or for use on a rotating basis:

(1) Eucharistic Adoration - a Holy Hour once a week can bring great healing to our lives;

(2) Morning and/or Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours - the powerful prayer of the Church. For those who have a subscription to the Magnificat, that publication has a more simplified form of the same for each day.

(3) The Rosary - a powerful classic prayer;

(4) The Divine Mercy Chaplet and Novena - A powerful prayer of mercy and healing.

(5) Prayers of Protection -- This is especially helpful during times of frequent temptation or after a fall. In Appendix III of this book, I have provided the reader with three potent prayers of protection that I suggest be said together. (1) The Lorica, or

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the Breastplate of St. Patrick, (2) The Prayer of Intention, and (3) the Litany of the Precious Blood.

V. EPILOGUE

For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 7:22-25a)12

In this reading, we have come full circle, ending with the same biblical text with which we began. We close this short work, emphasizing the principle dictum that has emerged from our exploration: STAY CLOSE TO JESUS. My dear reader, I hope that this little work proves to be of some benefit to you.

12 New American Bible. (2011). (Revised Edition, Ro 7:22–25a). Washington, DC: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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APPENDICES

Appendix I - An Examination of Conscience

To receive the Sacrament of Penance a personal preparation is necessary. This is called an examina-tion of conscience. It is more than a recalling of the serious sins, the faults, the commission and omis-sion of acts, for it is also a placing of our intention, a personal acknowledgment of our sorrow for sins committed, and a private, mental resolve not to sin again. This examination must focus on our sins against God's right order, against the laws of the Church, against the community or our social obliga-tions of charity and justice.

We first consider God's law, known to us as the Ten Commandments, and our relationship to God:

Do I direct my thoughts to God in Whom I have faith? Am I aware of His care and goodness to me?

Do I worship Him and respond to the Holy Spirit through devotion and giving honor to God?

Do I abuse His goodness by presumption or by using Him name irreverently?

Do I go to Mass on Sundays and the other days on which the Church asks us to honor God?

Do I deliberately or inadvertently fail to use the Sacraments as a means of gaining my salvation?

Do I act against religion by denying God or using false symbols or superstitious practices?

In the Ten Commandments God asks that we show our love for Him through our positive actions and through our relationship to others, our service and love of neighbors.

Do I show regard and love for my mother and father? For my neighbors, my sister, my brother, my husband or wife, my relatives, the people I work with, my friends and all who call upon me for love and patience, for good example and necessary aid?

Do I criticize or belittle others and cause them to be discouraged?

Do I make false judgments or detract from anyone's good name or

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reputation?

Do I carry out my promises to others; do I act honestly with others even if they are strangers?

Do I pay others fairly who serve me?

Do I try to help others on their way of salvation, or do I hinder them through false actions, bad example, or my selfish interests and ways?

Have I been proud intellectually or in my actions?

Do I act violently against others? Do I strike them to harm them? Do I injure them or kill them? Have I shown hatred for anyone in action or out of prejudice? Have I harmed their reputation or dis-criminated against them? Have I been angry with others? Have I failed or been slow to respond to the needs of others?

Have I treated others with dignity, or have I used them badly by sexual abuse, by adultery, fornication, by unchaste actions or example? Have I used reading or thoughts or pictures to arouse sexual actions?

Have my words or actions caused others to sin, or have I by example caused them to sin? Have I taken part in an abortion or abused the life or rights of others to life?

Have I abused the rights of the young, the aged, the retarded or the handicapped? Do I try to serve others in charity and love with justice?

Have I stolen from another? Have I been just in what I am obliged to pay; in how I serve and work for others? Do I speak falsely about another; do I lie or cheat? Do I detract from the life or rights of another?

Do I speak the truth when I am called upon to do so? Do I falsely accuse another or blame another for my actions?

Have I thought of another's person, his wife or husband or children, to harm them, to take what is theirs, to mislead them on their way to salvation?

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Have I been a good example to others? Have I sought to deprive another of his or her good name, his or her possessions, or have I harmed or broken or destroyed what belongs to another?

Do I through prayer and good works strive to help others to live a Christian life? Do I actively promote the good of others so they may come to salvation?

Do I actively seek my own salvation by prayer and good works?

In worship of God and service to our neighbors we show our love and fulfill the commandments of charity. We must ask ourselves if we have practiced the spiritual and corporal works of mercy: Have I done all that I can to help others who are hungry, sick, homeless, in want of clothing or shelter? Have I been aware of the social wrongs done to others? Do I visit those in prison or who are sick? Do I help the dying and the bereaved?

Have I helped to aid others in becoming more responsive to the faith, to comfort and heal the injured, to forgive those who have harmed me, to pray for all that they may be comforted with God's grace and love?

Do I take care of my health by avoiding overeating, drunkenness, by not taking harmful drugs or other substances?

Do I seek my own spiritual growth and that of others? Do I try to respond to the Holy Spirit in seeking my own good and the good of others?

Do I presume that I am saved without effort on my part? Do I persist in sin of any kind rather than trying to overcome it?

The Church was instituted to help us give worthy worship to God, to receive and use the Sacraments, and to direct us in prayer and good works to gain our salvation and join God in His glory. The Church has made laws which will aid us and we should respond to the institution of the Church by recognizing her authority and following it.

We ask ourselves: Have I gone to Mass on the holy days on which

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the Church obliges me to attend? On Sundays? Have I fasted and abstained from food when required by the Church? Have I sought sacramental confession once a year? Have I received Holy Communion during the Easter season?

Have I contributed by my talents, my money and my use of time to the support of the Church?

Have I obeyed the laws and regulations of the Church concerning marriage? Have I done all these things to serve God more worthily?

And finally, I am aware now of my sins and have sorrow for them. I am willing to accept and do penance for my transgressions and I will try to avoid sinning in the future that I may come through the love of God and my neighbor to my personal salvation.

I wish to persevere in doing all these things because I strongly trust in God's mercy and His love.

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Appendix II The Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

The Penitent (YOU) makes the sign of the cross, then says: Bless me Father for I have sinned.

This is my First Confession or My last confession was . . . Tell the priest how long it’s been since your last confession These are my sins … Tell the priest your sins. The priest may give spiritual advice at this time.

The priest will give a PENANCE which is a set of prayers that you say after the priest has given absolution. Then you say aloud the Act of Contrition: O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they have offended you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

Then the priest will give the absolution: Forgiving the sins of the penitent. The penitent makes the sign of the cross as absolution is given. After Confession: Thank God for his merciful love and SAY YOUR PENANCE.

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Appendix III Prayers of Protection

The Lorica of St. Patrick, Bishop and Confessor also known as The Breastplate of St. Patrick

I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. I arise today Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism, Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial, Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension, Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom. I arise today Through the strength of the love of cherubim, In the obedience of angels, In the service of archangels, In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward, In the prayers of patriarchs, In the predictions of prophets, In the preaching of apostles, In the faith of confessors,

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In the innocence of holy virgins, In the deeds of righteous men. I arise today, through The strength of heaven, The light of the sun, The radiance of the moon, The splendor of fire, The speed of lightning, The swiftness of wind, The depth of the sea, The stability of the earth, The firmness of rock. I arise today, through God's strength to pilot me, God's might to uphold me, God's wisdom to guide me, God's eye to look before me, God's ear to hear me, God's word to speak for me, God's hand to guard me, God's shield to protect me, God's host to save me. From snares of devils, From temptation of vices, From everyone who shall wish me ill, afar and near.

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I summon today All these powers between me and those evils, Against every cruel and merciless power that may oppose my body and soul, Against incantations of false prophets, Against black laws of pagandom, Against false laws of heretics, Against craft of idolatry, Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards, Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul; Christ to shield me today Against poison, against burning, Against drowning, against wounding, So that there may come to me an abundance of reward. Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

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Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. I arise today Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, Through belief in the Threeness, Through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. AMEN.

Prayer of Intention Composed by Fr. Dennis J. J. Mancuso

Dear Lord Jesus, pour forth Your Precious Blood on us, on all the members of our family, on our neighbors, on our fellow parishioners, and on our clergy. Let no one who is attached to us in any way, or to whom we are attached, be outside the realm of Your protecting mercy whether they are near to us or afar. Amen.

The Litany of the Precious Blood

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

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God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the eternal Father, save us. Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, save us. Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, save us. Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in the Agony, save us. Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, save us. Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, save us. Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, save us. Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, save us. Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, save us. Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, save us. Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, save us. Blood of Christ, victor over demons, save us. Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs, save us. Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors, save us. Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins, save us. Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, save us. Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, save us.

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Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, save us. Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, save us. Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, save us. Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, save us. Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life, save us. Blood of Christ, freeing souls from purgatory, save us. Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honor, save us. Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord. V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood. R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom. Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life

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so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Dennis J. J. Mancuso was ordained as a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, New York, in May 1996. He was granted Bi-Ritual Faculties in the Ukrainian Catholic Church in 2000. Fr. Dennis currently serves as the Pastor of three Roman Catholic Parishes: St. Patrick's R. C. Church in Belfast, N.Y.; Our Lady of the Angels R. C. Church in Cuba, N.Y.; and St. Patrick's R. C. Church in Fillmore, N.Y. Father also provides Sacramental Ministry to St. Mary of the Dormition Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic Church in Olean, N.Y. Father is definitively professed as a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) and serves as the Spiritual Assistant to the Our Lady of Grace OCDS Community in Cuba, N.Y. Fr. Mancuso serves as a member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors in the Diocese of Buffalo.