Saint Joseph Terror of Demons Fresco at St. Joseph, Montreal (above)

Saint Joseph Terror of Demons

Imagine sitting ringside at a MMA fight and the announcer introduces the two fighters. "Ladies and gentlemen for tonight's main event we have weighing in at 205 pounds wearing the red and black trunks, the prince of Darkness, the Father of Lies, Luuuuuucifer!". The crowd lets out a few sporadic boos as he enters the ring to his walk up song, ACDC's Hells Bells.

His formidable foe is then introduced. "His opponent in the Gold and white trunks, weighing in at 170 pounds, the Pride of Nazareth, the Terrorrrrrr of Demons, Saint Jooooooseph!!". The crowd goes crazy as Saint Joseph holds out a few white lilies then tosses them into the crowd. The standing ovation drowns out Andrea Bocelli's Ave Maria and then the bell rings, It's on, the spiritual battle commences. 

When I hear that title, 'Terror of Demons' this is what I imagine because that title is obviously reserved for a scrappy, no-nonsense fighter. Someone who, today, might be ridiculed for his toxic masculinity. 

Actually Saint Joseph under that title, his fight name, is called upon during exorcisms to battle demons even today. “I call on St. Joseph very much during exorcisms the demons are terrified of him” Msgr. John Esseff, a 92-year-old priest and exorcist in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

All fathers should use this spiritual help that we find in our Catholic Faith’s spiritual armory and arsenal when we are experiencing a spiritual attack against our families, our homes, our jobs, our spouse or our purity. 

Saint Joseph wants to protect families against the demonic and he has a special ability to fight. His superpower is his relationship to Mary and Jesus. Imagine the Holy Family in the shape of a target. At the center is the child Jesus. The next ring is his mother Mary wrapping him in the warmth of her protective mantle. The outer ring is like a hard shell where the arrows of the Enemy are deflected. That outer ring is the father, Joseph. The purpose of his existence was to provide for and protect the immaculate embodiment of holiness in Mary and Jesus. He was made by God to be the 'Terror of Demons'.

Here’s a prayer to Saint Joseph,Terror of Demons that we too can use in spiritual warfare. 

Saint Joseph, Terror of Demons, cast your solemn gaze upon the devil and all his minions, and protect us with your mighty staff. You fled through the night to avoid the devil's wicked designs; now with the power of God, smite the demons as they flee from you!

As the human father of Jesus he has the right to be honored through the fourth commandment. Which mandates even Jesus to ‘honor your mother and father’. This puts the petitions of Joseph at the highest level of influence with Jesus. He has to honor the request of Mary and Joseph. We saw that when he reluctantly performed the first miracle at the request of his mother.  No one else can do that. The devil knows that, and it terrifies him. God doesn’t obey angels, but Our Lady and St. Joseph are his mom and dad.

What’s more, Joseph as the first century Jewish father named and circumcised Jesus. The first person to handle that atomic weapon of the Name of Jesus was Saint Joseph. The first person to come into contact with the Precious Blood in a religious ritual was Joseph. The demons have an aversion to all things holy. This is why the Holy Name and Precious Blood are the most powerful, terror provoking weapons in spiritual warfare. These were first in the possession of Saint Joseph. Saint Joseph also has the human weapon against the devil which is  purity of heart. 

According to the messages from Our Lady of Fatima (where Saint Joseph also appeared) the final battle that the Devil will wage on humanity is a direct attack against the family unit. Our marriages and families have been in decline for some time in the West. The number of children born out of wedlock continues to soar. Saint Joseph teaches fathers to be the first line of defense in the family. 

His willingness to fall in battle to protect his spouse and her honor teaches a father how to be a man who is more chaste, prudent, faithful and patient. He exemplified the virtues of fortitude and courage which men are in most need of today. For example, he fled Bethlehem at the proper time, having the humility to do what he was told. He worked in concert with angelic guidance to provide for the needs of Mary and Jesus.

He has a knack, like Mary has, of seeing people’s needs and he’s ready to lend a helping hand to those who ask. Many fathers have sought his intercession to get a job and carry out duties at work. Good fathers also call on Joseph to be their wingman as protector of the family and of the home. They call on him to watch over things while they are away at work.  

Finally, the Terror of Demons is known to protect the honor of virgins. Two women saints, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Faustina were known to have a devotion to Saint Joseph in their own pursuit of sanctity. Saint Joseph may be invoked for the guidance and protection over engaged couples who are striving to maintain chastity and preparing to establish a home and a family. 

Whatever our situation in life or all vocations as father, mother, religious, engaged or even as a child, we would do well to call upon the help of the Terror of Demons.

Oh ya... as far as that imaginary MMA fight between Satan and Joseph...It was over in the first round- TKO. Lucifer could not withstand the suffocating headlock of holiness and he tapped out and fled in terror.

St. Joseph, Terror of Demons,  Pray for us!