Spiritual Classic Reveals How to Resist the Enemy’s Attacks and Safeguard Families

Another pre-Conciliar spiritual classic has been reprinted. Whilst I'm glad Sophia, Arouca, Tumblar House and others are doing this, we need more of the same!

From Catholic365

By Mary Beth Bracy

Fr. J. Godfrey Raupert, Christ and the Powers of Darkness, Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2022.

“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”  (C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters)

In the timeless classic Christ and the Powers of Darkness, Fr. J. Godfrey Raupert shares gripping true stories about obsession and possession to illustrate the reality of the supernatural and the power of Christ over the devil. Through Biblical teachings to present day examples, readers will learn about the spiritual battle that we face and the victory we can receive from Christ’s Cross.

This book will help you identify the signs of evil and resist the ploys of the devil. As Fr. Raupert explained: “The evidence, recently derived from careful and experimental research, by men of real scientific eminence and of different nationality, has made it abundantly clear that a spirit-world exists, and that it is, under many disguises and in a variety of forms.”

To this end, Fr. Raupert will teach you about:

• How demons operate and St. Thomas Aquinas’ writings on the nature of evil spirits
• The import of reading good Catholic books and avoiding the contrary
• Our greatest recourse to withstand the attacks of the evil one
• What is meant by true mysticism
• How (and why) to guard one's mind and senses
   

Readers will further discover how souls are attacked when they reach higher degrees of sanctity, as evidenced in the life of St. John Vianney, and how they withstood such trials. Although souls are tempted, especially with spiritual indifference and lethargy, Fr. Raupert emphasizes ways to protect yourself from evil, including the importance of the Sacraments and Sacramentals. 

“The entire scheme of the Incarnation and of the Redemption of man through Christ implies and presupposes the existence of the devil and his angels, and the constant action upon man of a hostile spirit-world,” Fr. Raupert related. “The supernatural truths of Christianity lose their force and consistency when this presupposition is denied and ignored and when purely natural forces are believed to be responsible for the sins and the misery of the world.”

Although we do not want to dwell upon the existence of evil, it is important to call a spade a spade and Fr. Raupert does that in these pages. In so doing, he provides readers with light to help overcome the darkness. Through his tips, they will be fortified to put on God’s armor and fight for the salvation of souls.