A Rosary to fight the devil, the world and the flesh

Although the so-called Combat Rosaries were originally distributed by the US military during the World War I, the term is still used by those who, answering Pope Francis’ call, engage in the spiritual battle.

"Customers come specifically to us to purchase a Combat Rosary. They are not looking for a classic rosary but for a strong and effective way to get help," says Pauline Alves, manager of the online store of the Rosary Palace in Lourdes. Adorned with a miraculous medal, a medal representing St Michael (or St Benedict according to the models) and the Cross of Forgiveness consecrated by Pope St Pius X, the Combat Rosary helps people pray to ward off evil and to be freed from addictions. The Blessed Virgin of the Miraculous Medal is represented crushing a snake, a symbol of sin. As for St Michael, the archangel, and the general of the heavenly militia, he is depicted on the front of the medal as a warrior slaying the evil one, and on the back as a protecting guardian angel.

"The Devil exists and we have to fight against him," declared Pope Francis on October 30, 2014, in a meditation on St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians that provoked a great deal of discussion at the time. According to the Holy Father, "spiritual warfare" is necessary in the life of every Christian, in order to fight three enemies: "the demon, the world and the flesh… To pursue a spiritual life," he added, "you have to fight... not a simple confrontation but a continuous battle." A Combat Rosary can therefore be most useful and effective for the salvation of one's soul!

Adapted from: Aleteia