Terror of Demons

My absolute favorite title given to Joe is 'Terror of Demons'. How awesome of a name is that! It's even better than St. Anthony of Padua's 'Hammer of Heretics'. Yet, no matter where I've looked, I have not been able to find where and how the title originated. So, rather than giving an historical explanation, I offer a more reflective one:

Consider first what the word 'terror' means to you. In today's world, I imagine it's pretty common for us to conjure up images of the acts of radical islamists - Terrorism. So, the question is: "Is this the same kind of terror that Joe instills in the hearts of the demonic?" You might be surprised, but I say yes.

What makes terrorism an effective tool in war? It is unexpected, it attacks without distinction, and it usually goes for the weakest and most vulnerable in a society. Joe is the same with the demonic. Demons do not know where and how he will "strike" next, and he certainly doesn't seem to too selective of the kinds of demons he smites. As Teresa of Avila said, "To other saints the Lord seems to have given grace to succour us in some of our necessities, but of this glorious saint my experience is that he succours us in them all" (Autobiography Chapter 6). In other words, Joe isn't at all too picky about which demons he liberates us from.

Now, obviously, this is far from justifying the use of terrorism as a means of physical warfare. It's one thing to act violently towards innocent human beings made in the image and likeness of God; it's totally another to wage spiritual warfare with demonic spirits who have rejected the Gift God's Presence. So, as we approach the Solemnity of St. Michael and other the Holy Archangels this Saturday, let us call upon them with Joe to do spiritual battle on our behalf during this very tumultuous time in our Church's history.