Section 4 | Rule 3: Regarding the Two Primary Temptations Against the Custos’ Queen

Regarding the honor and respect due to his queen,

let the Custos be aware that the evil spirits will tempt him in one of two primary ways: abdication or domination. On one hand, the evil spirits will condition the Custos to exalt his wife in a such a highly disordered way that he relinquishes or surrenders much of his divinely instituted office of headship. If he abdicates his office and authority, the fruitfulness of his vocational role and responsibility will be hindered greatly, or abolished altogether, rendering him spiritually neutered.

On the other hand, the evil spirits will attempt to convince the man that his wife and her role is less important in rank, dignity, position, and honor than his own. If he believes this demonic lie –even subconsciously–he will inevitably dominate her, objectify her, demean her, disrespect her, and treat her as a servant rather than his equal partner. Let the Custos be aware that both dispositions are gravely disordered. This indebtedness is expressed most perfectly by the Custos’ fidelity to his wife by serving her and reverencing her for love of Christ.

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

Ite ad Joseph