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“Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11

Stand firm. Know why.

Courage, not conquest. The battle St. Paul describes is spiritual, and the case for the Catholic faith is stronger than many people have been told.

The Archangel Michael, Byzantine icon: the angel stands calmly with a staff and a crystal orb.
Byzantine icon, The Archangel Michael, 14th century. Byzantine and Christian Museum, Athens. Public domain, source.

The armour of God

  • Truthloins girt about with truth
  • Justicethe breastplate of justice
  • Peacethe gospel of peace
  • Faiththe shield of faith
  • Salvationthe helmet of salvation
  • The word of Godthe sword of the Spirit

Ephesians 6:14-17

“For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood.” Ephesians 6:12 Our fight is never against people. St. Michael fought the dragon, not his neighbors. Revelation 12:7 [Douay Apocalypse 12:7]

Heroes of the faith

Fortitude “enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions.” CCC 1808 The Church holds up the saints “as examples who draw all men to the Father through Christ.” CCC 1173

St. Ignatius of AntiochBishop and martyr, on his way to Rome
“I seek him who died for us; I desire him who rose for us.”
CCC 2474
St. Joan of ArcAnswering her judges
“About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they’re just one thing, and we shouldn’t complicate the matter.”
CCC 795
St. Thomas MoreShortly before his martyrdom, to his daughter
“Nothing can come but that that God wills.”
CCC 313