As a consequence of original sin the powers of our soul have been wounded. Our passions, feelings and desires now propel us toward sin rather than toward God and our intellect has become darkened and confused while the will is weak. As a result, we desire and choose things that are not good for us, we sin, we turn away from God and toward the devil, even if unknowingly. (1 John 3:7-8, CCC 407). Even though Jesus conquered the devil by his death and Resurrection, tragically, people still choose sin which keeps them under the influence of the devil. That is why the devil is the Ruler of this world. People choose to serve him under the guise of all the idols of our age. You are I are not immune to his influence. There are vices, temptations and sins we are powerless against. Do you know the ones you cannot root out? (CCC 410). Revelation chapter 12 describes the cosmic battle between the Woman, Mary, and the great Red Dragon, Satan. The Catechism then connects this prophecy with the Antichrist who will usher in a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers, causing them to turn away from Christ and the Catholic Church. There is a universal spiritual battle raging right now Not between the US and Russia, Christians and Islam, but between the Woman (Mary) and Satan Mary stands on the battlefield, inviting her children to fight with her to save souls from hell and to bring about the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart The weapons she offers are Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Rosary and by taking up our cross and following Jesus. At Fatima in 1917 Mary revealed to the three children that God wanted to save the world through devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Devotion means to consecrate oneself to Mary. Consecration is an unconditional gift of self to Mary so that the Holy Spirit and Mary may form Jesus within you. This is not a one-time event. We must live the consecration, moment to moment, day after day, by living in imitation of Jesus’s relationship with Mary as he grew up under her influence and care. Practice living in the presence of Mary. Do this especially when you are plagued by some spiritual storm, temptation, sin, doubt, weakness or fear. Turn to Mary and say, “Mary, I surrender to you, take care of everything!” Or simply say, “Mary.” I say Ya Adhra – The Virgin Pray the Rosary every day At the approved apparition in San Nicolas Mary said: “The weapon that has the greatest influence on evil is to say the Rosary." Sister Lucia of Fatima The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new power to the praying of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether earthly or spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families…that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary. Take up your cross and follow Jesus Lourdes, Fatima and every approved Marian apparition emphasizes the power of uniting our sacrifices and sufferings to Jesus to save souls. The Angel of Portugal said to the visionaries of Fatima: "Make of everything you can a sacrifice and offer it to God as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for the conversion of sinners. In this way, you will draw peace upon your country…Above all, accept and bear with submission the sufferings which the Lord will send you." What you did not choose, do not like and cannot change Accept it with trust and unite it to the Cross of Jesus to bring about the final defeat of Satan and the salvation of souls. Your own cross is a T-bar, a lever to move the world and souls Archimedes: “If I had a lever long enough and a place to stand, I could move the whole world.” Do not waste the gift and power of your suffering; Leverage your cross for Souls and help Our Lady crush the head of Satan.