Section 4 | Rule 19: How the Evil Spirits Will Tempt the Custos to Have Contempt for His Wife

The evil one hates woman and has an infernal contempt for her ability to give birth to children, who bear the image of God. Though the evil spirits’ hatred is for all women, they despise the Most Holy Virgin Mary in particular, for she is the ultimate “Bride of Christ,” daughter of God the Father, and spouse of the Holy Spirit. She is the ultimate life-bearer (Theotokos), in that she gave birth to Life itself—the Word incarnate.

Let the Custos be aware that the evil spirits will strive to instill contempt in his heart for the Blessed Virgin Mary, for women universally, and particularly for his own wife. In regard to his wife, this contempt will become manifest first in interior judgments; second, in verbal criticisms that demean her physical and emotional character and her performance in her duties; third, in distancing of himself from her emotionally; and fourth, in eventual separation from her.

Therefore, let the Custos examine the manner in which he speaks of and to his wife—as the Lord says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34)—while also determining whether he is maintaining emotional intimacy with her or is withdrawing from her. This will assist him in assessing his true interior disposition toward her. If he speaks ill of her, or is distancing himself from her, let him repent and seek forgiveness and assistance from God immediately, and God will provide the charity necessary to fulfill his vocation. Yet, if he continues in his fallen and sinful ways, refusing to repent, he will become a tool of the devil and will transmit the sin and wound of misogyny to his children.

Additionally, let the Custos be aware that devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary will serve as a sure remedy for any lack of love for his wife, for she obtained from her Son the miracle of new wine—a rich symbol of the grace of the Lord Jesus—at a marriage feast (see John 2). Therefore, she can also obtain the grace necessary for the healing of a marriage, if she is invited into the sacrament. As the Custos’ devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary increases, so will his devotion to his wife.

Devin Schadt | Executive Director of the Fathers of St. Joseph

Ite ad Joseph