This week, while listening to a Fr. Chad Ripperger video, I heard about Auxilium Christianorum, a Roman Catholic prayer association. In the video, Fr. Ripperger, a priest and exorcist, spoke highly of this association. I wanted to learn more about it; and I am presenting what I learned as today’s post.
The first question I asked, and you might, too: what is the aim of Auxilium Christianorum?
The website of Auxilium Christianorum states that the primary aims of this association are twofold. The first:
to provide prayer for priests associated with Auxilium Christianorum so that their apostolate in driving out demons is efficacious.
And, two:
To provide prayers for the members – priests, laity, family and friends – so that they are not adversely affected by the demonic.
Explaining these aims further, the website states:
The Church teaches us that it is divided into the Church Triumphant (which includes the members of the Church in heaven), the Church Suffering (this includes the members of the Church in purgatory), and the Church Militant (this refers to those members of the Church who are alive in this world). Because we are part of the Church Militant, we are in a spiritual warfare and this spiritual warfare requires that we recognize, as Saint Paul teaches us “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
The members of the Auxilium Christianorum should always bear in mind the reality of our state as members of the Church living in this world. Despite St. Paul’s teaching, many Catholics do not take seriously their obligation to wage war against the demonic forces. It is for this reason the Association of the Auxilium Christianorum was founded.
The requirements for membership are:
- Prior to becoming a member of the Auxilium Christianorum, the layman is strongly exhorted to consult his spiritual director or confessor.
- They are to seek to lead a habitual life of sanctifying grace, always desiring never to fall into the state of mortal sin and to avoid all intentional venial sin.
- The members are to continually seek to increase and to perfect their life of prayer which includes not only the vocal prayers which are required (see Prayers section) but also a consistent life of meditation which is very effective in driving out the demonic and avoiding demonic oppression.
- To pray the rosary daily. The intention of the rosary may be for any intention and does not have to be offered for the aims of the Auxilium Christianorum.
- The members are to fulfill the daily vocal prayer requirements, having as their intention the principal aims of this Association. The members are to make frequent use of the sacramentals known to ward off and drive out the demonic.
- The members are to strive to keep the words of Saint Paul in their hearts that since we fight against principalities and powers, i.e. against the demonic, they are to strive for meekness and humility in relationship to their neighbor, never striking out in anger or vindication but seeking to root out any demonic influence according to their state in life. This involves using binding prayers according to authentic Catholic principle and to avoid any form of superstition, whether that is in the daily living of their lives or when they engage in battle against the evil spirits. This means that their use of the Association prayers, or any prayers to drive out the demonic, will always be subordinate to authentic Catholic principle and always be done with devotion and faith.
- The members must strive to increase their devotion to Our Lady under the title of Virgo Potens (Virgin Most Powerful).
- Each member must strive to increase his devotion to his Guardian Angel.
- When it is financially possible, each member of the Auxilium Christianorum is to keep a statue of Our Lady and Saint Michael in his home, before which a votive candle is to be burned.
- The members of the association should be aware that none of these requirements bind under the pain of sin.
The website contains the required daily prayers in this section, here. There is also a book of the prayers written by Fr. Ripperger which can be purchased here. As a side note: the Amazon reviews (in the last link) contain stories of the efficacious nature of the prayers. Due to the overwhelmingly positive reviews of the book, I ordered the book; and will post on it next week.
Back to Auxilium Christianorum: I looked for a sign-up page to become a member, but eventually discovered that there is no formal enrollment required. I found this in the FAQ section of the website which states:
All that is required to be a member is that one says the daily prayers. If one decides to cease one’s association with the Auxilium Christianorum, one simply stops saying the prayers. There is no other requirement in order to be a member.
The FAQ section delves into more questions about the association, here.
While I was looking about the internet for information on Auxilium Christianorum, I noticed that Fr. Ripperger, once a member of the FSSP, is now a member of a new religious order based in the Archdiocese of Denver: the Society of the the Most Sorrowful Mother, the “Doloran fathers”- see here. I also noticed that you can become an auxiliary member of this order by offering the Auxilium Christianorum prayers each day and some additional prayers, see here.
You might be tempted to think, especially if you are out on your own in the world, that your prayers do not matter, but they do. Every member of the Church is a member of the Church Militant, and every member of this army is needed to fight for the eventual victory of Christ the King. Organizations, such as Auxilium Christianorum, join members of the Church Militant into small prayer armies; and according to Fr. Ripperger, they are growing and are of great assistance in the spiritual battle that is being waged in the world today.
Virgo Potens, Virgin Most Powerful, pray for us!
St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!
May you have a good day, and weekend.
~SCF
