Talk Series by Confraternity of Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Grace
For five consecutive Wednesdays, starting last February 20, the Confraternity of Our Lady of Mediatrix of All Grace organized Marian Talks, from 7 pm to 9 m at the St. Matthew-St. Mark Rooms. There were more than 100 attendees in each of the five talks.
Fr. Jojo Zerrudo
The second talk was last February 27, on ‘Spirit of the World’, given by Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, parish priest of Holy Redeemer Parish and chief exorcist for the diocese.
Fr. Jojo began by asserting that those under Satan’s influence, or ‘the spirit of the world’begin with the first step of aspiring for wealth. After accumulating wealth, they then seek honor and public accolade. After obtaining accolades, next comes the deadliest which is the sin of pride.
The devil, i.e., this mortal and material world, is full of guile in his ways, continually deceiving and coming in many forms, usually beautiful and attractive. His temptation spares no one. No state of life, no place is exempted – even cardinals are now being exposed to have sinned, some sinning even inside the sacristy.
On the other hand, the spirit of Christ, as taken from Ignatian teaching, comes from a lowly, simple, humble place, directly opposite to that of the ‘World’. The spirit of Christ starts in poverty, both the spiritual and material kind, which is the opposite of wealth.
Next comes the openness to contempt and insults, opposite of honor and acclaim. The last is total humility, opposite of pride.
This is the reason, according to Fr. Jojo, why Jesus sent his disciples to spread His word to all over the world – so that His teachings may be preached to all, regardless of their station in life. He cited St. John of the Cross who said,
‘It is necessary to mortify our appetites.’ All of the attachment to ‘earthly creatures’, such as wealth, fame and idolatry are displeasing in the eyes of God. Attachment to such ‘creatures’ makes a person equal to that ‘creature’.
Fr. Jocis Syquia
Last March 13, in the fourth of the series, the featured speaker of the Confraternity was Fr. Jose Francisco ‘Jocis’ Syquia, who talked on the topic ‘Knowledge of Mary’.
One would understand why the country’s foremost exorcist would be the speaker of choice on the topic of Mama Mary when one reads one of his interviews as follows: ‘I went to the Blessed Sacrament and I really prostrated myself and I asked for the protection of Mama Mary. I told her that I wouldn’t be able to continue this ministry of helping others if I continued to be bombarded with all these (the Evil One’s) retaliations. I placed myself as sincerely as I could into Her hands and Her protection. After that all the harassments stopped.’
A true believer, he supports efforts for people to learn about Mama Mary not just for information but also for formation, which leads to transformation. He highlights how for centuries, Mary is one of the greatest forces in history, a key player not only in keeping Christianity alive but helping cultures to flourish.
Fr. Syquia cites the book ‘The Marian Option’ by Carrie Gress where various instances show how Mary has played a major role in major geopolitical shifts. She is indeed the most powerful woman who ever lived, above all the saints and angels.
Fr. Syquia highlights how John gives two key places to the Mother of Jesus in his gospel: Cana where Jesus officially starts his public life with his first miracle, and the Cross, the flow of blood and water, the final sign, where Jesus ends his public life. Mary was the only person to be present with Jesus at his ‘birth’ and his earthly death.
Through Mary, we go to Jesus as Jesus came to us through Mary. She always points to Jesus and leads us into His unquenchable mercy. Many Protestants still reject Mary’s exalted status within Catholicism and worry that honoring her will put her on par with Jesus. The anti-Mary movement promotes a culture that is self- absorbed and creates one’s own values and standards which flows from the flesh and values of the devil; seeks independence from all legitimate authority; and attacks motherhood and virginity.
Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the three children who witnessed the Marian apparitions at Fatima writes: ‘The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about Marriage and the Family.’
The daily ways in which this battle could be won include, among others: praying the rosary; consecration to the Virgin Mary; visiting a Marian shrine; filling the home with beautiful Marian artwork; praying the Novena to our Lady Undoer of Knots; praying the Angelus; wearing the Brown Scapular and the Miraculous Medal; being aware of Mary’s constant presence; and practicing Marian virtues.
Acknowledging that the defeat of Satan on earth has always been through unique intercession that only Mary can offer, Fr. Syquia enumerated signs of demonic infiltration as follows: generations with sin and bad luck; blockages to God’s blessings and graces in the family; outbreak of paranormal and psychic phenomena; sufferings that are not crosses anymore; diabolical obsession and possession; very strong and persistent temptations; increased and intense anger, murder, suicide, mental illness; series of freak accidents; and obstinacy and addiction in the family.
He wrapped up his presentation on battling demonic infiltration by suggesting: going as a family to sacraments – hearing mass and going to confession; praying together; family devotion to Mary and the saints; prayers of command over children, home and office; devotion to the Angels, Archangels and Guardian Angels; blessing the house regularly; charitable works of mercy as a family; offering God sacrifices and penance as family; offering masses for the protection and deliverance of the family; and removing occult paraphernalia from homes.
The St. Matthew-St. Mark Room was filled to capacity and all participants stayed till the end when blessing of sacramentals such as water, salt and oil was done by Fr. Syquia. The enlightening formation talk hopefully will lead the listeners to transformation.
The talks lead up to the total consecraSon to Jesus through Mary on ConsecraSon day, March 25, which is the Solemnity of the AnnunciaSon of Our Lady.
