There are many messages of the Virgin Mary from past years in which she warns us about Satan and his activity in human hearts and through people in the world. It is good to recall some of her messages, in which she maternally encourages us:

“Dear children! These days Satan wants to frustrate my plans. Pray that His plan not be realized. I will pray my Son Jesus to give you the grace to experience the victory of Jesus in the temptations of Satan.” (July 12, 1984)

“These days you have experienced God’s sweetness through the renewals which have been in this parish. Satan wants to work still more fiercely to take away your joy from each one of you. By prayer you can completely disarm him and ensure your happiness.” (January 24, 1985)

“With the rosary you shall overcome all the adversities which Satan is trying to inflict on the Catholic Church. All you priests, pray the Rosary! Dedicate your time to the Rosary!” (June 25, 1985)

“You know that I promised you an oasis of peace, but you don’t know that beside an oasis stands the desert, where Satan is lurking and wanting to tempt each one of you. Dear children, only by prayer are you able to overcome every influence of Satan in your place.” (August 7, 1986)

“Dear children, do not be afraid. If you pray, Satan cannot injure you even a little bit because you are God’s children and He is watching over you. Pray and let the rosary always be in your hand as a sign to Satan that you belong to me.” (February 25, 1988)

“Dear children! I am with you to tell you that I love you and to encourage you to prayer; because Satan is strong and every day his strength is stronger through those who have chosen death and hatred. You, little children, be prayer and my extended hands of love for all those who are in darkness and seek the light of our God.” (April 25, 2024)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us: “By our first parents’ sin the devil has acquired a certain domination over man, even though man remains free. This dramatic situation of the whole world [which] is in the power of the evil one (cf. 1 Jn 5:19), makes man’s life a battle.” (CCC 407; 409).

The Virgin Mary warns us that Satan is alive and active in the world. The Apostle Paul also warns Christians to put on the armor of God, so that they may withstand the devil’s schemes (Eph 6:11). Saint Paul presents human existence as a spiritual struggle. The enemy, Satan, is so powerful that he surpasses our strength. We do not fight against flesh and blood, but against evil spirits.

Saint Pope John Paul II, in his address before the Angelus on the first Sunday of Lent in 2002, said:

“The Church, expert teacher of humanity and holiness, shows us ancient and ever new instruments for the daily combat against evil suggestions:  prayer, the sacraments, penance, careful attention to the Word of God, vigilance and fasting. (…) The devil, the “prince of this world” (Jn 12,31), even today continues his deceitful action. Every man, over and above his own concupiscence and the bad example of others, is also tempted by the devil, and the more so when he is least aware of it.”

The Virgin Mary encourages us that we can overcome Satan if we fight for the holiness of life, which the evil one wants to devalue and destroy. Satan is a creature, and to true Christians he can do nothing. But who among us lives one hundred percent Christianity? We realize that we can grow more and better in faith, love, and hope. Only one in human history has defeated Satan—Jesus Christ, who came to destroy the works of the devil (1 Jn 3:8).

If we draw near to the evil one, sooner or later we can expect the fruits he leaves in our hearts and lives—restlessness and hatred. Unfortunately, in the world, in us, and among us there is too much fear, unrest, and hatred. That is why Mother Mary tirelessly invites her children always to return to the source of life, freedom, and peace. Let us not grow weary of taking her maternal words seriously and putting them into practice.

Prayer

Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, you first came to us with the child Jesus in your arms, to bring us the Prince of Peace and to lead us to him, who alone is our peace. Obtain peace for us and for the whole world, especially for the nations that suffer the horrors of war, unrest, and hatred. We especially entrust to you the children who suffer from the consequences of hatred and killing. Enfold every heart with your maternal mantle. Let every prayer reach you, and you present it to your Son Jesus, so that we may experience and live the peace which the Lord wishes and longs to give to those who return to him with all their heart. Amen.