Protection of Home
With the Sword of the Spirit
In Ephesians chapter six, St. Paul says to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” (Eph 6:17) Most of the other items mentioned in Ephesians 6 are considered armor. They provide protection. The sword, however, is a weapon. It, too, provides a soldier with protection, but it does so actively, not passively. The shield, helmet, breastplate, etc. are for defense. The sword is for offense.
​
To better understand, let’s compare the Sword of the Spirit with the Belt of Truth. The Belt of Truth fastens the Sword of the Spirit to us, right? Right. So, the belt indicates a time of peace, a time where the sword is put away (though the soldier is still equipped, armed and ready).
​
But when St. Paul says to “take the Sword of the Spirit” he is referring to a time of war, when the sword is drawn, and the Spirit is unleashed. How is it unleashed?
​
St. Paul tells us to unleash the sword by “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." (Eph 6:18) If the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, then we unleash the sword by praying with the scriptures, specifically the words of Jesus in the Gospels.
​
“From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.” (Rev 19:15)
​
“…From his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. (Rev 1:16)
​
In all the other verses of Ephesians 6, St. Paul explains how the Word of God can protect us in the battle. It can help us live righteously, understand truth, believe in Jesus, etc. But then, in verse 18, St. Paul gives orders like an army general. He says: unleash the sword. In the first several verses he tells us to prepare and protect ourselves. But in this last verse he tells us to go and fight. Why?
​
Because, as he said, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12)
​
We are not door mats strengthened merely to endure a trampling. We are soldiers of a militia equipped to win the war.
​
Home Security
Think how powerful that soldier is who has been trained by St. Paul and Ephesians 6. A soldier living in truth, acting with righteousness, understanding his faith, believing in Jesus, sharing the Gospel, and declaring the Word of God against his enemy.
​
This, friend, is how you secure protection for your home.
​
As Jesus said, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Mt 7:24-27)
​
“The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. (Proverbs 3:33)
​
“My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” (Is. 32:18)
​
Simply put: when we speak the words of Christ and obey them, we do fierce battle against outside forces. We wield the Sword of the Spirit like a security guard at our door.
​
Now, let’s take it a step further. If speaking like Jesus and acting like Jesus provides protection for the home, then how secure is a home that actually invites Jesus in to live with them?
​
How do we do that? By enthroning the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the home.
History of the Sacred Heart
First, what is the Sacred Heart of Jesus devotion?
In 1672, Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque with His Heart exposed and gave Her messages about His great love for humanity. This is where the Sacred Heart devotion comes from.
In these messages to St. Margaret Mary, Jesus asked that all people go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on the First Friday of every month, and that reparation be made for sins committed against His Sacred Heart and the Holy Eucharist.
He also asked that the Church observe a feast day for this intention, and in 1856, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart was officially added to the liturgical calendar.
Promises for Devotion to the Sacred Heart
Jesus also gave St. Margaret Mary 12 promises for those who express devotion to His Sacred Heart and observe the nine First Fridays.
1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their homes.
3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
5. I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
6. Sinners will find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
9. I will bless every place in which an image of my Heart is exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in my Heart.
12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that my all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in my disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
Home Enthronement
One of the most powerful ways to protect a home is to enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the home. Enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a world-wide mission that began in France in 1907 by Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey, SSCC, who sought to continue the work of spreading the Sacred Heart devotion that began in France with St. Margaret Mary Alocoque. Fr. Mateo believed that in order to win souls for Christ and build a civilization of love, it must start with the evangelization of the family. Pope St. Pius X approved the Sacred Heart of Jesus home enthronement ceremony in 1908, and it has gained much popularity since then.
​
The enthronement of a home is different from the consecration of a home. Consecrating a home to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (or the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary) is similar to the consecration of a person. It sets the home apart for a sacred purpose. But an enthronement ceremony takes consecration a step further. Enthronement is when the members of a household enthrone the Sacred Heart of Jesus as King of the home and the Immaculate Heart of Mary as Queen of the home.
​
How does that differ from a consecration?
​
Well, a consecration is setting something or someone apart to be used by God. We work for God. An enthronement is getting out of the way and just letting God take over. God works for us.
​
Think of it this way. Consecration is like inviting the King over to your house, where you serve Him dinner. You use your will to extend the invitation; you do the work of serving. Enthronement is like you living at the palace, where the King (and all his courts) serve you.
​
When you enthrone Jesus in your home, your home becomes His palace, a mini kingdom. Enthroned homes literally become true domestic churches. God protects a consecrated home because his children live there. But an enthroned home is protected automatically because He lives there. And His enemies dare not approach it.
The validity of a home enthronement is scripture-based. Let’s look at Psalm 91:
​
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not dread the terror of the night, or the arrow that flies by day, or the pestilence that stalks in darkness or the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.”
The Enthronement Ceremony
1. Go to Mass.
It is recommended to attend Mass as a Family and to receive Holy Communion on the Sunday prior to the enthronement.
​
2. Invite a priest.
The ceremony involves prayers and a blessing that should be said by a priest.
​
3. Prepare an altar.
You may want to decorate a table with a white cloth, flowers, and candles. Have holy water on hand. I recommend holy water that has received this blessing. The picture or statue of the Sacred Heart or United Hearts should also be placed on this table before the ceremony.
​
4. Priest will bless the home.
At the set hour, parents and children gather in the main room for the ceremony. Relatives and friends can be invited.
​
5. The priest will bless the Sacred Heart image.
It is important to have a priest preside at the ceremony, but when it is impossible to have him present, the image can be blessed beforehand.
​
6. The enthronement of the Sacred Heart.
It is recommended that the head of the family set the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a place of honor, in order to illustrate their reign in the home.
​
7. Pray the Creed.
After the blessing, in order to express the faith of the family, everyone should recite the Apostles’ Creed out loud and while standing.
​
8. The priest gives a short homily.
Everyone should be seated while the priest speaks.
​
9. The formula of consecration.
Those present at the ceremony consecrate themselves to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Below is a consecration prayer approved by St. Pius X on May 19, 1908, and required to gain indulgences.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, Who didst make known to St. Margaret Mary Thine ardent desire to reign over Christian families, behold us assembled here today to proclaim Thine absolute dominion over our home.
​
Henceforth we purpose to lead a life like unto Thine so that amongst us may flourish the virtues for which Thou didst promise peace on earth, and for this end, we will banish from our midst the spirit of the world which Thou dost abhor so much.
​
Thou wilt reign over our understanding by the simplicity of our faith. Thou wilt reign over our hearts by an ardent love for Thee; and may the flame of this love be ever kept burning in our hearts by the frequent reception of the Holy Eucharist.
​
Deign, O Divine Heart, to preside over our meetings, to bless our undertakings both spiritual and temporal, to banish all worry and care, to sanctify our joys and soothe our sorrows. If any of us should ever have the misfortune to grieve Thy Sacred Heart, remind him of Thy goodness and mercy towards the repentant sinner.
​
Lastly when the hour of separation will sound and death will plunge our home into mourning, then shall we all and every one of us be resigned to Thy eternal decrees, and seek consolation in the thought that we shall one day be reunited in heaven, where we shall sing the praises and blessings of Thy Sacred Heart for all eternity.
​
May the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the glorious Patriarch St. Joseph offer Thee this our Consecration and remind us of the same all the days of our life. Glory to the Divine Heart of Jesus, our King, and our Father!
​
10. Pray for the absent and deceased.
It is recommended that the family pray one Our Father and one Hail Mary for those family members who could not be present at the ceremony and those who have passed away.
​
11. Consecration of children.
It is not required but the children may recite a prayer to the Sacred Heart, such as:
​
Most sweet Jesus, Divine Friend of children, receive our hearts, make them pure, holy and happy; receive also our bodies, our souls, and all our strength. We consecrate ourselves to Thee now and forever. Be Thou alone our King. All our thoughts, and our words, our actions, and our prayers, we consecrate to Thee, our Friend and our King.
​
12. Final benediction.
At the end of the ceremony, the priest blesses those present and gives the family a certificate of enthronement which is signed by the priest and the family.
The Divine Mercy Image
Jesus gave St. Margaret Mary messages about the great love that is in his Sacred Heart. Then, centuries later, he gave another Saint messages about the mercy that flows from his Sacred Heart.
Jesus appeared to a Polish nun named Sr. Faustina (later, St. Faustina) between 1931 and 1938. He appeared to her wearing a white robe. His right hand was raised as if giving a blessing, and his left hand touched his heart. Two large rays shone from the center of his chest. One was red and the other a pale blue, almost white.
​
Jesus told her to have someone paint an image of him exactly how she saw him in that vision. He told her to have the words, “Jesus I trust in You,” written at the bottom of the painting.
​
Then Jesus explained to her, “I promise that the soul that will venerate this image will not perish. I also promise victory over [its] enemies already here on earth, especially at the hour of death. I Myself will defend it as My own glory. I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature: Jesus, I trust in You. I desire that this image be venerated, first in your chapel, and [then] throughout the world.” (St. Faustina’s Diary, 47, 48, 327)
​
“The two rays denote blood and water. The pale ray stands for the water, which makes souls righteous. The red ray stands for the blood, which is the life of souls. These two rays issued forth from the depths of My tender mercy when My agonized Heart was opened by a lance on the cross. Happy is the one who will dwell in their shelter, for the just hand of God shall not lay hold of him.” (Diary 299)
​
Jesus revealed that the image of Divine Mercy is a protective image, and I believe that the houses that display this image (especially on or over the doors) will be protected during the tribulations to come. Remember, the red ray coming from his heart denotes the blood of the Lamb.
​
In order to understand the importance of this, we have to look back at the Old Testament.
​
The Passover
​
At the beginning of Exodus, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, so God sent Moses to Egypt to demand that Pharaoh let his people go. But Pharaoh wouldn’t release them. As a sign of his displeasure, God sent a plague or punishment to Egypt every time Pharaoh said no. After the ninth one, God warned Moses that the tenth would be so catastrophic Pharaoh would finally agree to release the Israelites.
​
To prepare for this horrific event, God told the Israelites to slaughter a lamb at twilight and put its blood over the doorposts and lintels of their houses. Then God said to roast the lamb and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. He said to eat quickly with sandals on their feet and staff in hand.
​
The Lord said that at midnight he would go through Egypt and strike down every firstborn human and animal. But he said he would “pass over” and not harm anyone in the houses that had blood over the doorposts.
​
And that’s precisely what God did.
​
Pharaoh woke in the middle of the night to the sounds of loud cries. There was not a house in Egypt that did not have someone dead in it (except the houses of the Israelites). Even Pharaoh’s own firstborn, who sat on the throne, was struck dead. So he summoned Moses and Aaron in the night and commanded them and the Israelites to leave Egypt immediately.
​
Because the Lord had already warned the Israelites previously, they were ready to escape—with full bellies and sandals on. They grabbed the rest of their unleavened dough and set out for the wilderness.
​
Along the journey, they made unleavened cakes with the leftover Passover dough. When that ran out, the Lord rained down manna from heaven every morning. The Lord provided for their needs for more than 40 years, until they reached the promised land.
​
Every year then, the Israelites celebrated the Passover with unleavened bread to commemorate the night the Lord set them free from their slavery in Egypt. It was this Passover meal that Jesus celebrated with the apostles in the upper room that we now call the Last Supper.
​
As St. Luke recorded, “Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover meal for us that we may eat it.’ They asked him, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for it?’”
​
Then, Jesus and his twelve apostles sat down in the upper room and ate the Passover meal together. Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, “he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’” (Luke 22:19-20)
​
Jesus actually gave himself to the disciples in a new Passover meal. He became unleavened bread and shed his own Blood as the Lamb of God. Therefore because the image of Divine Mercy denotes the Blood of the Lamb, when it is placed on the doors of believers it ensures the wrath of God will "pass over" the home just like it did in Exodus.
​
This is why Jesus told St. Faustina, “You will prepare the world for My final coming.” (Diary #429)
​
Purchase the Divine Mercy Door Sticker here.
The St. Benedict Medal or Crucifix
St. Benedict is considered the Father of Western Monasticism, and his medal is considered a powerful protection against evil. Pope Benedict XIV approved and recommended the use of the St. Benedict medal in 1742.
​
The back of the medal has an abbreviated prayer that is used in the Rite of Exorcism. The front of the medal bears the image of St. Benedict holding a cross. On his left and right are words meaning, “The cross of our holy father, St. Benedict.” The outer edge contains the words in Latin, “May we at our death be fortified by his presence.”
​
The abbreviated prayer on the back is along the outer rim. It contains the letters V R S N S M V – S M Q L I V B. These stand for…
Vade retro Satana!
Nunquam suade mihi vana!
Sunt mala quae libas.
Ipse venena bibas!
This is translated….
​
Begone, Satan,
Do not suggest to me thy vanities!
Evil are the things thou offerest,
Drink thou thy own poison!
​
In order to be considered a sacramental, the St. Benedict medal must be blessed by a priest. Below is an approved prayer that can be used.
​
Prayer:
​
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. R. Who made heaven and earth.
​
In the name of God the Father + almighty, who made heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them, I exorcise these medals against the power and attacks of the evil one. May all who use these medals devoutly be blessed with health of soul and body. In the name of the Father + almighty, of his Son + Jesus Christ our Lord, and of the Holy + Spirit the Paraclete, and in the love of the same Lord Jesus Christ who will come on the last day to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire.
​
R. Amen.
​
Let us pray. Almighty God, the boundless source of all good things, we humbly, ask that, through the intercession of St. Benedict, you pour out your blessings + upon these medals. May those who use them devoutly and earnestly strive to perform good works be blessed by you with health of soul and body, the grace of a holy life, and remission of the temporal punishment due to sin. May they also, with the help of your merciful love, resist the temptations of the evil one and strive to exercise true charity and justice toward all, so that one day they may appear sinless and holy in your sight. This we ask through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
​
The medals are then sprinkled with holy water.
Blessed Candles
Blessed candles are another type of sacramental similar to blessed medals, rosaries, water, and salt. But candles provide a special protection for the home. First, because they are sacramentals, they carry the blessing of the Church. Second, from a practical standpoint, candles may be of great benefit should your home go without power or electricity due to some natural disaster or other event. Third, it has been prophesied that at some point, the earth will experience a time of great darkness, during which time only blessed candles will give light. This time of darkness is known as the Three Days of Darkness.
Three Days of Darkness
(Below is an excerpt from "Into the Ark" by Stacy Mal)
​
Click here for or a consecration that specifically protects against the three days of darkness.
​
In order for the earth to be renewed and restored, evil must first be destroyed. Visionaries and prophets alike have told how, if we do not reject evil ourselves, God will have to cleanse the world of evil with his Almighty Hand. And he will do it during an event known as the “three days of darkness.”
​
This was revealed to Blessed Anna Maria Taigi, who received messages from Jesus and Mary for 47 years in the late 18th century and early 19th century. According to Anna Maria, “There shall come over the whole earth an intense darkness lasting three days and three nights. Nothing can be seen, and the air will be laden with pestilence, which will claim mainly, but not only, the enemies of religion. It will be impossible to use any man-made lighting during this darkness, except blessed candles... All the enemies of the Church, whether known or unknown, will perish over the whole earth during that universal darkness, with the exception of a few whom God will soon convert.” (1837)
​
This was also shown to Sister Mary of Jesus Crucified (a Carmelite nun who suffered the stigmata). She said, “During a darkness lasting three days, the people given to evil ways will perish so that only one-fourth of mankind will survive. The clergy, too, will be greatly reduced in number, as most of them will die in defense of the faith or of their country.” (1878)
June 29, 1820, Italian visionary Blessed Elizabeth Canori Mora saw a vision of the three days of darkness, too. Elizabeth said, “Woe! Woe to those unobservant religious who despise their Holy Rules. They will all perish in the terrible chastisement together with all who give themselves to debauchery and follow the false maxims of their deplorable contemporary philosophy!
​
“The sky took on a morbid blue color, which terrified everyone who looked at it. A dark wind blew everywhere. An impassioned and mournful shrieking filled the air, like the terrible roar of a fierce lion, and resounded all over the earth in blood-curdling echoes. All men and animals brimmed with terror. The entire world convulsed, and everyone pitilessly slaughtered one another…
​
“When this bloody fight will arrive, the vengeful hand of God will weigh upon these fated ones, and with His omnipotence, He will chastise the proud for their rashness and shameless insolence. God will use the powers of darkness to exterminate these sectarian, iniquitous, and criminal men, who plot to eradicate the Catholic Church, our Holy Mother, by tearing Her up by Her deepest roots, and casting Her on the ground.”
​
On November 5, 1900, after reviewing Elizabeth’s messages, the ecclesiastical censor of the Holy See stated, “there is nothing against faith and good customs, and no doctrinal innovation or deviation was found.” Elizabeth Canori Mora was beatified in 1994.
​
In 1950, St. Padre Pio also wrote of the three days of darkness, warning people how they should prepare. “Close and seal your windows well. Do not look outside. Light a blessed candle, which will last for many days. Pray the Rosary. Read spiritual books. Perform acts of accepting Spiritual Communion, as well as acts of kindness, which are so essential to us. Pray with arms outstretched or face against the ground in order to save many souls. You cannot go outside, so supply yourselves with enough food. The forces of nature will be shaken, and a rain of fire will fill people with terror…The Godless will be destroyed in order for justice to then be born anew.”
​
​
Earlier Revelations
​
While it sounds quite dramatic, and maybe hard to believe, it’s important to understand that the Three Days of Darkness isn’t a new revelation. It’s found in scripture.
​
In the very first chapter of Zephaniah, God warns of the coming judgment and the Day of the Lord. The Lord said, “I will utterly sweep everything from the face of the earth…On that day I will punish all who leap over the threshold, who fill their master’s house with violence and fraud… The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter…That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick darkness…I will bring such distress upon people that they shall walk like the blind; because they have sinned against the Lord…” (Zep 1:2, 14, 15, 17-18 )
​
“When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens, and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light. All the shining lights of the heavens I will darken above you, and put darkness on your land, says the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 32:7-8)
​
The Lord also told Isaiah, “See, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the earth a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the starts of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light. I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pride of the arrogant and lay low the insolence of the tyrants.” (Isaiah 13:9-11)
​
We see hints of this, too, in the gospels. At the climax of Jesus’ passion, God the Father covered the earth in darkness for three hours. “It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun.” (Luke 23:43-45)
​
Would God not do the same thing at the climax of the passion of the Body of Christ, his Church on earth? Would he not cover the land in darkness when he finally dismantles Satan’s kingdom once-and-for-all? Would he not entomb the Body of Christ in darkness for three days (like Jesus, its head), before he sets it free and resurrects it anew?
​
The Lord did this in the Old Testament when he freed his people from slavery in Egypt. “The Lord told Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand towards Heaven so that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness that can be felt. So Moses stretched out his hand towards Heaven, and there was dense darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. People could not see one another, and for three days they could not move from where they were; but all the Israelites had light where they lived.” (Exodus 10:21-23)
​
Consecration to the Flame of Holy Love
On Easter Sunday, 1995, the Virgin Mary appeared to Maureen at Holy Love Ministries, telling her of another way souls can prepare for the three days of darkness. She said to her, “Alleluia! Praise be to Jesus, Risen and Glorified! Take up your pen, My angel. Here is the beginning of My prayer - The Consecration to the Flame of Holy Love.”
​
Maureen wrote down the following prayer dictated by the Virgin Mary: "Immaculate Heart of Mary, humbly, I ask that You take my heart into the Flame of Holy Love, that is the spiritual refuge of all mankind. Do not look upon my faults and failings but allow these iniquities to be burned away by this purifying Flame. Through Holy Love, help me to be sanctified in the present moment, and in so doing, give to You, dear Mother, my every thought, word, and action. Take me and use me according to Your great pleasure. Allow me to be Your instrument in the world, all for the greater glory of God and towards Your victorious reign. Amen."
​
After dictating the prayer to Maureen, the Blessed Mother told her, "The souls that thus consecrate themselves relinquish to Me all their faults, their sins - both past and future, their virtues - those they have and will have, their sorrows, their joys, and their fears. I will reign in their hearts being victorious over besetting sins. I will take dominion over interior and exterior goods. I ask only their undying faithfulness to living in Holy Love and to spreading the message of Holy Love. In so doing, they will be My instruments in leading souls into the New Jerusalem.
​
"Souls that desire to make this consecration must for three days prepare their hearts. Each day I desire that they perform some corporal work of Mercy. Each day they must evangelize the Holy Love message to at least one person. Each day they must reverently receive My Son in the Eucharist [if Catholic]. These three days of light will serve as armor against the three days of darkness that are to come. This is God's Merciful Love I am giving to humanity through you." (April 16, 1995)
​
​
God's Refuges
"What is a Refuge?"
See below for "Preparing a Refuge: Practical Ways to Stock up and Be Prepared."
When a home has been enthroned to the Sacred Heart or to the United Hearts of Jesus and Mary, it automatically becomes a sort of refuge for the souls living there. When Jesus becomes King of the home, those who live within it enjoy the protection of the Most High God as described in Psalm 91.
​
Sometimes the protection is also offered to other believers, too… those who do not ordinarily live in that enthroned home. It is believed that in the times of great tribulation, many consecrated buildings, blessed lands, and enthroned homes will serve as refuges for many different people. These homes – that become, in essence, domestic churches – will become places where God feeds and safeguards an entire community of believers.
​
These other believers will be led out of their original homes and will be guided by their guardian angel to these refuges… where they, too, will enjoy God’s protection foretold in Psalm 91.
​
St. Francis de Sales spoke of these refuges in his book, The Mission of the Church. He wrote, “The revolt and separation must come…the Sacrifice shall cease and…the Son of Man shall hardly find faith on earth… All these passages are understood of the affliction which Antichrist shall cause in the Church… But the Church… shall not fail, and shall be fed and preserved amidst the deserts and solitudes to which She shall retire, as the Scripture says.” (Ch. 10, #5)
He is referring to Revelations 12:14 which says, “the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she could fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to her place where she is nourished for a time, and times, and a half a time.” (That is to say, three and a half years. That is why some believe the believers of God will live in these refuges for three and a half years.)
​
Perhaps the reference to a great eagle points back to Psalm 91: “For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge…” (Ps. 91:3-4)
​
There are other scriptures that refer to refuges, too. Acts chapter 8 says the early Christians took shelter in refuges outside of Jerusalem when they were persecuted. And in 1 Maccabees Chapter 2, Mattathias and many other righteous people fled to secret refuges in the mountains.
​
Many visionaries have also received messages about God’s refuges in the end times.
​
The Lord Jesus spoke of refuges to a young American mother and housewife named Jennifer (her last name is not revealed for privacy). He said, “The time is soon coming, it is rapidly approaching, for My places of refuge are in the stages of being prepared at the hands of My faithful. My people, My angels will come and guide you to your places of refuge where you will be sheltered from the storms and the forces of the antichrist and this one world government… Be prepared My people for when My angels come, you do not want to turn away. You will be given one opportunity when this hour comes to trust in Me and My Will for you, for that is why I have told you to begin to take heed now. Begin to prepare today, for what appears to be days of calmness, darkness lingers.” (July 14, 2004)
​
There are even current priests, such as Fr. Michel Rodrigue, Founder and Superior General of The Apostolic Fraternity of Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, who are speaking about physical refuges.
​
According to Fr. Rodrigue, “Standing guard at every refuge will be a holy angel of the Lord who will block anyone from entering who does not have a sign of the cross on their forehead. Many already have the sign of the cross, which I can see, and many will desire it. And all who have received the desire for him, the sense that they need His salvation, will be marked on their forehead with a luminous cross by your guardian angel. If you desire this sign, [which is now invisible to the human eye, but not to God], say yes to Jesus with your heart and you will be marked.
​
“…when people enter a refuge, many will be healed of major illnesses so as to not be a burden to others. You will still suffer from normal aches and pains because you are human and not in heaven yet, just in a refuge. Everyone will be there willingly, knowing that the blessing of the Lord is upon them.
​
“For three and half years, you will be in your refuge or in your home consecrated as a refuge, but you will not be sad not to go out. You will be happy to be there because of what you will see is happening outside. You will just be preoccupied with the will of the Father. He will give you something great to keep you occupied. You will be astonished by what will happen in your home and on your land. Your heart will not be troubled by sadness and ennui. You will hardly be bored…
​
“From the refuge, you will see the fowlers, who are under the control of Satan, passing by your refuge or home. They will sometimes look like an army; at other times, like an enrollment person for this One World government. You will see them passing by on the street, but they will not see your home or refuge. This is how the Lord will protect you from the fowlers. They will not be able to hear you, see you, or enter into your home or into your refuge.
​
“’The destroying plague’ will be every kind of epidemic that will travel across the world…New plagues will arise, but you will be protected." ("The Time of Refuges" a virtual retreat by Fr. Michael Rodrigue. For a transcript of this retreat, visit Countdown to the Kingdom.
Preparing a Refuge
Practical Ways to Stock up and Be Prepared.
In addition to spiritually protecting your home with a home enthronement ceremony or home dedication, it may be beneficial to also prepare physically, if you are faced with a natural disaster or other life-altering situation. Below are some examples of ways to be prepared.
​
1. Have a Food Supply. (Try to have enough to last for three months.)
​
On August 18, 2020, the Virgin Mary appeared to a woman in Italy named Gisella Cardia and gave her this message:
“My children, I ask you to make reserves of food for at least three months. I had already told you that the freedom granted to you would be an illusion – you will be forced once again to stay in your homes, but this time it will be worse because civil war is near. […] My children, do not accumulate money because a day will come when you will not be able to acquire anything. Famine will be severe and the economy is about to be destroyed. Pray and increase prayer cenacles, consecrate your homes and prepare altars within them.”
​
A.) Consider stockpiling foods with a long shelf life.
​
-
Also consider larger packages, perhaps from a wholesale supplier. Some examples include large packages of white rice, flour, sugar, pasta, canned vegetables, nuts, peanut butter, crackers, jam/jelly, canned tuna (or chicken, salmon), jar of un-popped popcorn, raisins, olives, oil (consider having it blessed), and bags of uncooked dry beans such as great northern, red kidney, black, etc. Beans are nutrient dense and provide both protein and carbohydrates.
-
There are also 3-Month Survival Food Kits you can purchase online that has everything you’d need for three months, but they can sometimes be expensive.
B.) Consider how you will acquire food already in nature.
​
God will provide food for us in nature that we did not plant or plan for. We will just have to find it.
“I gave you land on which you had not labored… you eat the fruit of the vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.” (Joshua 24:13)
​
-
Prepare for Hunting and Fishing — Do you hunt or fish? Are you stocked up on supplies such as ammo and broadheads?
​
2. Preparing for Gathering – You may not realize it but many common plants that grow in the wild are actually edible! We will just need to know how and where to gather them. Therefore, it may be helpful now to download a plant identification app on your phone. (I use an app called “Picture This.”) Now, during the spring, summer, and fall growing seasons, you can walk around your yard/property and take pictures of various plants, shrubs, weeds, and trees that grow near your house in abundance. The app will use the photo to identify the plant and provide information on whether the plant is edible or toxic. You can then save your plants to a list on your phone. You can then print out the list of edible plants (with the pictures) so know which ones are safe to eat should you ever need to know.
​
C.) Consider how/if you can grow additional food.
​
-
Outdoor Gardens: Do you have an outdoor garden currently? Do you have a place where you could make an outdoor garden if needed? Pay attention to which parts of your yard get the most sun exposure. Consider purchasing seed packets and store with your stockpiled food.
-
Indoor Gardens: Do you have an indoor space with plenty of natural sunlight where you could start an indoor hydroponic garden? Consider purchasing supplies such as grow pods and tanks, even if you do not start the garden yet.
​
D.) Consider how you will prepare/cook your food.
​
-
A Place to Cook – Do you have an outdoor fire pit or an indoor fireplace? Consider purchasing a grate that fits over top of it so you can cook your food. Make sure you also have necessary fire-starting supplies such as matches, lighters, fire striker, permanent matches, wood, paper, and blessed candles.
-
Supplies to Cook/Store Food With – Make sure you have supplies to cook via alternative means, such as salt, canning jars, etc. Instead of throwing away empty jars and lids from store-bought pickles, salsa, olives, banana peppers, sauce, etc. Wash them and put them away in storage.
2. Have a Water Supply.
​
-
Stock up. Start washing out empty milk jugs, large juice bottles, even large laundry detergent bottles, and start filling them with water. Store it in a safe storage area. Consider having the water blessed.
-
Find a water source. If you have a nearby water source, such as a lake, creek, pond, or well, consider how you will access that water if you need to. Make sure you have enough buckets on hand as well as water purification pellets.
3. Have a Source of Wealth.
​
In the event that today’s currency no longer holds value, consider purchasing items of value such as gold and silver that can be traded.
​
4.) Have a Source of Warmth.
In the event that heating is scarce, it would be wise to have a stockpile of blankets and warm coats on hand. Jesus has spoken to an American visionary named Jennifer about a future time of great coldness.
​
“Too many are seeking comfort in a way that is leading them to sin and their souls are not prepared to meet Me… As the winter winds blow forth, the snow will come and cities and towns will not be seen as a great cold will come that has not plagued mankind before, and will not cease for a great period of time. China will push forward making a greater presence upon America as the change of power and currency begins to come forth.” (August 18th, 2011)
“My child, the cold air is coming. As the winter winds usher forth, you will see a freeze in the markets across the world. The truth will be seen by each and every soul of the greed that has filtered into man’s way of living. I will be the means by which true simplification will come forth and the only way in which hearts can be restored is by turning to My mercy, for I am Jesus.” (September 20th, 2011)
My child, I am coming! I am coming! It will be an era upon mankind in which every corner of the earth will know of My existence. I tell you My child that great change is coming, for the cycle of the earth will announce itself upon mankind and will catch many off guard. Ice will come and following that a great cold that has never fallen upon mankind since the beginning of creation. —December 28th, 2010
​
5.) Have Emergency Supplies.
​
Consider stockpiling emergency supplies such as batteries, flashlights, solar lights, lanterns, lantern oil, rope, paracord, compass, tarps, tent, matches, lighters, buckets, plastic bags, aluminum foil, first aid kit, knives, etc.
​
​