List of points

Detach yourself from people and things until you are stripped of them. For, says Pope Saint Gregory, the devil has nothing of his own in this world, and naked he comes to battle. If you go clothed to fight him, you will soon be pulled to the ground: for he will have something to catch you by.

At the time of examination beware of the devil that ties your tongue.

Confused-I knew you were in danger of making the wrong decision. And so that you could understand me, I wrote: The devil has a very ugly face, and since he is so clever, he won't risk our seeing his horns. He never makes a direct attack. That is why he so often comes in the disguise of nobleness and even of spirituality!

The non serviam of Satan has been too fruitful. Don't you feel the generous urge to express your daily desire for prayer and work with a serviam — I will serve you, I will be faithful! — which will surpass in fruitfulness that cry of revolt?

Let us flee from 'routine' as from the devil himself. The great means to avoid falling into this abyss, the grave of true piety, is constant presence of God.

If you call upon your guardian Angel at the moment of trial, he will protect you from the devil and will bring you holy inspirations.

You ask me why I always recommend, with such insistence, the daily use of holy water. I could give you many reasons. But none better than that of the Saint of Avila: 'From nothing do evil spirits flee more, never to return, than from holy water.'

With what infamous lucidity does Satan storm against our Catholic faith!

But, let us tell him always, without stopping to argue: I am a son of the Church.

The world, the flesh and the devil are a band of adventurers who take advantage of the weakness of that savage you bear within you, and want you to hand over to them, in exchange for the glittering tinsel of a pleasure — which is worth nothing, — the pure gold and the pearls and the diamonds and rubies drenched in the life— blood of your GodRedeemer, which are the price and the treasure of your eternity.

You tell me that in your breast you have fire and water, cold and heat, empty passions and God… one candle lit to Saint Michael and another to the devil.

Don't worry: as long as you want to fight there are not two candles burning in your breast. There is only one: the Archangel's.

Listen to me, you who are absorbed in science: your science cannot deny the reality of diabolic activities. My Mother, the holy Church, for many years required her priests each day at the foot of the altar to invoke Saint Michael, 'against the wickedness and snares of the devil'.

Pray always for perseverance for yourself and your companions in the apostolate. Our adversary, the devil, knows only too well that you are his great enemies,… and when he sees a fall in your ranks how pleased he is!