The demons tremble at the name of Mary, Mary: Day 031

The demons tremble at the name of Mary

St. Alphonsus Liguori elaborates on the power of Mary’s name to terrify the powers of darkness.

The demons tremble even if they only hear the name of Mary. St. Ber- nard declares that “in the name of Mary every knee bows,” and “the devils not only fear but tremble at the very sound of that name.”

As men fall prostrate with fear if a thunderbolt falls near them, so do the demons if they hear the name of Mary. Thomas à Kempis expresses the same sentiment in this way: “The evil spirits greatly fear the Queen of Heaven, and flee at the sound of her name, as if from fire. At the very sound of the word Mary, they are cast down as if by thunder.”

O how many victories have those who turn to Mary gained only by mak- ing use of her most holy name! It was in this way that St. Anthony of Padua was always victorious. In this way also so many other lovers of this great queen conquered.
We learn from the history of the missions in Japan that many demons appeared under the form of fierce animals to a certain Christian, to alarm and threaten him. But he addressed them in this way: “I have no arms that you can fear; and if the Most High permits it, do whatever you please with me. In the meantime, however, I take the holy names of Jesus and Mary for my defense.” At the very sound of these tremendous names, the earth opened, and the proud spirits cast themselves headlong into it.

St. Anselm, the great archbishop and Doctor of the Church, once declared that he himself “knew and had seen and heard many who had invoked the name of Mary in time of danger, and were immediately delivered.”—St. Alphonsus Liguori, The Glories of Mary

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .
What do the demons have to fear about Jesus’ and Mary’s names? If the demons are so powerful, why do they flee just to hear these names spoken?

CLOSING PRAYER
From a prayer of St. Alphonsus: Mary, sweet refuge of miserable sinners, when my soul is on the point of leaving this world, drive the enemy from hell far from me, and come and take my soul to yourself, and present it to the eternal Judge.

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