Physical attacks from the devil are not uncommon in the life
of a mystic, especially in the case of a victim soul, and Marie Julie
Jahenny was no exception. God often sends sufferings in the form of
outward demonic attacks so they may suffer more for sinners and also
gain more merits. Here are a few accounts of how he tried to trick
or attack her, and she recognised and dealt with him.
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(Commentary
by the “Friends of Marie-Julie Association” Website)
To
avoid the illusions and tricks of the devil who appeared at times to
Marie-Julie in the most varied and hypocritical forms, she asked from
time to time during the ecstasy, (for) holy water with which she
signed (i.e., made
the sign of the cross)
and before speaking, she invoked the lights (enlightenment) of the
Holy Spirit. If there came to her a Saint she did not yet know, she
required (them to
make) an act of love for
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, if it is the devil, he immediately tookflight.
The devil is easily recognized by her then.
If
he appears with a cross, it is twisted (i.e there is something wrong
with the cross), he has a halo, it is missing its rays. (i.e if the
devil tries to appear with a halo, it is not perfect and missing the
glorious rays).
The
devil bothered Marie-Julie in many ways; he also beat her, leaving
traces of his blows.
It
even happened at the Holy Table (i.e. at Mass) (leaving her unable)
to unclench (her) teeth, (to receive Communion), but Father David,
knowing what that meant, brought the Sacred Host close to her mouth
and in the presence of the Body of the Divine Saviour, Satan had to
let Marie-Julie go so she could receive Communion, despite the
efforts of hell.
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A
small dialogue with the devil recounted by Marie-Julie:
“I
have sent Quéquet* packing and I said to him:
“You
beautify yourself to come and see me and to deceive me; you are only
a mask and a mass
of
sins. All the dirt that is hidden below passes above in spite of you.
(i.e., he can not keep
his
real
traits hidden from her.) You think you have a beautiful
white covering, but it is all black and
unclean,
and I recognize you anywhere.”
(*
Difficult to understand,
'Quequet' apparently this is a derogatory nickname she gave
the
devil?)
He
said:
“If
I take this beautiful façonnerie of lace, I will seduce you.”
(i.e., if I come dressed
in this
finery,
I will seduce you. Apparently, he tried to appear as a
handsome gallant man of fashion.)
Marie-Julie:
“You are too ugly, come no more on the Earth.”
The
devil: “I am obliged as the greatest part calls me.” (i.e.,
he is obliged to come to earth as so many souls call him to earth
with their sins, and worst yet, with their Satanic worship?)
Marie-Julie:
“Well! Me, I curse you. Your voice does not make me very afraid.”
“Oh!
I am very thirsty,” he said.
Marie-Julie:
“Come on, big black dog, I will give you something to drink (it was
holy
water).”
He
shouted, running away:
“It
burns me!”
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It
is the Mark of Martyrdom – The Devil's Attacks in the last year of
her life
"The
demon has left me (well) quiet now," she said one day, at the
end of her life. He returned,however,
especially after February 2, 1940 when Marie-Julie offered herself
once again to remain(on
earth) for sinners. She was saving souls! She would never die, this
little woman who tore away his prey! And so the evil spirit would try
to make a final assault – strange noises are heard first in the
cottage.
"Do
not be afraid, my little sister," Marie-Julie says to her guardian
(i.e the person watching over her), “he will do you no harm!"
It
is night, Satan is there in the cell (i.e her room), close to the one
he would like to destroy. He can not touch her! But he fixed his
hellish eyes on her. The guardian heard Marie-Julie moan and cry out
in anguish "I can not support his gaze." Satan was gone.
Noticing
one day on her dear face signs of injury:
"You
fell, Marie-Julie?"
"Yes,
I know not how, I reckon it is the devil who pushed me."
"The
devil! In fact, I had just then taken the holy water at church this
morning." (i.e. her helper just brought holy water from the
church.)
"Oh!
Put it in everywhere! Start here," and Marie-Julie showed me the
cell. "It is God,” she then said, “who gave you this idea of
holy water."
As
I did so again referring to the scars of her recent fall on the left
cheek:
"It
is the mark of martyrdom," she said.
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