OR SOMETHING DIABOLICAL?

"The Blessed Virgin -- or Something Diabolical?"

From: Page 45 of online synopsis of Foley, Donal Anthony. Understanding Medjugorje, Heavenly Visions or Religious Illusion?. Nottingham, England: Theotokos Books, 2006.

Foley cites one "Msgr. Farges, author of the celebrated study entitled Mystical Phenomena:

The signs of diabolical intervention are well known. The devil's deeds always carry with them at least some ridiculous, unseemly, or coarse details; or even something opposed to faith and morals.

If his vices were too obvious his influence would soon be unmasked; they are therefore always disguised under more or less inoffensive appearances, even under deceitful traits of virtue and sanctity.

He transforms himself at will into an angel of light.

God occasionally allows him to assume the most majestic forms, such as those of Our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, or the saints.

Nevertheless -- for God could not otherwise permit it -- the disguise, no matter how bold, is never complete, and he always betrays himself in some particular which cannot escape an attentive and prudent observer.

Furthermore, the work of the devil becomes very soon unmasked by evil results, for an evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit.

[Farges, Msgr. Albert. Mystical Phenomena, trans., S.P. Jacques. London, England: Burns, Oates & Washbourne Ltd., 1926.]

TO WHICH WE FEEL FREE TO ADD OR SIMPLY TO IMPROVISE WITH WHIMSICAL GLEE THE FOLLOWING:

"The so-called Spirit of the Society of St. Pius X here in El Paso: is it the real deal -- or Something Diabolical?"

"The Spirit of that small clique of hardcorps Perversos within Fr. Rick Mattey's Mens ACTS Retreat Movement Team, who dominate all the rest: are they really some warm and loving fuzzies -- or Something Diabolical?"

"Father Fabian Marquez's claims of acting with the Holy Spirit in inciting the youth of the Teens ACTS Retreat Team to mob action: was it indeed the Holy Spirit -- or Something Diabolical?"

"The Spirit with which Father Rick Mattey lets his padre vicario lose it and run all amok at will, and with which he, Father Rick Mattey, continues to defend John Pilch's attcks on Jesus Christ -- is in indeed the Holy Spirit -- or Something Diabolical?"