*When a Priest Sees the Devil More Than His Guardian Angel* It was shared with me by a trusted source that a priest—whom both my late mother and I knew—spent his final years tormented by demons. He was constantly harassed by the devil, and even on his deathbed, he saw demons more often than his guardian angel In his desperation, he sought the presence of an albularyo (folk healer), a tragic sign that perhaps he was not strengthened by the sacraments of the Church before he passed away. I do not know if he renounced such occult practices before his death, but it is deeply saddening to think that a man consecrated to God would be so afflicted in his final moments. I had once seen this priest in a very compromising place during a time when I, too, was living a sinful life. It is said that some souls, even those consecrated to God, may see the devil more clearly than their guardian angel due to their negligence in the spiritual life This serves as a grave reminder that without true devotion to our vocation and the continual pursuit of holiness, we risk falling into the snares of the evil one. This reflection serves as a grave warning to all of us, especially priests and religious: it is not enough to wear the cassock, recite prayers, and celebrate the sacraments if one's heart is not truly devoted to God. The devil spares no one in his mission to drag souls to hell, and even those consecrated to the Lord can fall into deception, compromise, and ultimately, damnation if they are not vigilant in their spiritual life. The Fate of Fallen Priests: A Warning from the Saints The Church Fathers and saints have spoken much about the grave responsibility of priests and the terrifying consequences for those who betray their vocation. St. John Chrysostom, one of the greatest Doctors of the Church, warned: “The floor of hell is paved with the skulls of priests and bishops.” This chilling statement reminds us that the greater the calling, the greater the fallnwhen one does not remain faithful. Priests are called to lead souls to salvation, but if they neglect their duties, live in sin, or fail to guard their souls against the devil, they will be judged more severely. The weight of their office does not exempt them from the devil’s attacks—on the contrary, it makes them his prime targets. The Holy Must Also Fight: The Example of St. Andrew Avelino Even pious and holy priests are not spared from the enemy's assaults, as seen in the case of St. Andrew Avelino. He was a man of great sanctity, yet at the hour of his death, he was attacked by 10,000 demons. The sheer violence of their assault was so intense that he almost despaired, nearly losing his soul in his final moments. But what saved him? The intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Despite the overwhelming demonic torment, St. Andrew Avelino fixed his gaze upon an image of the Blessed Mother. In that moment, he was strengthened, and by her assistance, he overcame the demons’ final attack and surrendered his soul to God. The Final Hour: Why Prayers for the Dying Are Crucial The story of St. Andrew Avelino teaches us a critical lesson: even those who live a holy life can be snatched by the devil in their final hour if they do not seek the assistance of Our Lady and the Church’s sacraments. The devil fights hardest for souls at the moment of death because that is his last chance to drag a soul to eternal ruin. That is why it is so important to pray for the dying —especially for priests—and to offer the Rosary, indulgences, and Holy Mass for them. As Our Lady of Fatima warned: "Many souls go to hell because there is no one to pray and make sacrifices for them." Let us never assume that any soul—even a priest—is beyond the danger of hell. The story of the priest I knew, who saw demons more than his guardian angel, is a tragic reminder of what happens when a soul compromises with the world and neglects the spiritual battle. On the other hand, the example of St. Andrew Avelino shows us that even when under extreme attack, those who turn to Our Lady can be saved. May this reflection remind us all to pray fervently for priests and the dying, that they may be strengthened by grace and assisted by the Blessed Virgin Mary, who crushes the head of the serpent. Let us strive for holiness, avoid compromise, and entrust our souls entirely to God before our final hour comes. Pray For Our Priest And Our Seminarians Let us fervently pray for our priests, that they may be holy and faithful shepherds, leading souls to Christ rather than betraying Him. As Our Lord told St. John Vianney, "Give me two priests like St. John Vianney, and I will save the world."We do not need more priests if they are spiritually leprous, leading souls away from God rather than sanctifying them. It is deeply sorrowful to hear that a priest who once played a significant role in my childhood—who even became an instrument for me to meet St. Pope John Paul II —was later found engaging in occult blood rituals before house blessings. As shared by a trusted friend, one family who underwent such a ritual suffered terrible spiritual oppression afterward. Where are our bishops? Why do they not act decisively against these grave abuses? Priests, we challenge you: be holy! If you are discerning the priesthood, do not waste time wondering whether you need a girlfriend—be single-hearted for Christ. If you are in the seminary, demand strict and authentic formation that upholds chastity and purity. Stop the acceptance of masturbation, homosexuality, and the culture of sexual abuse within our seminaries and church. Such behaviors corrupt the vocation and lead to a compromised priesthood. It is alarming to hear that some seminarian introduce pornography as a so-called "desensitization process. These are grave sins that destroy both the individual and the Church. The Church does not need more priests who offend God—we need saints! Bishops and seminary rectors, be firm in forming priests who will be true shepherds, not wolves in clerical garments. The salvation of souls depends on it. ~Catholic Tradition & Evangelization