Episode 8 – Know your Weapons pt. 3 – A Manual for Spiritual Warfare with Dr. Paul Thigpen, Ph.D

In this episode of Put on the Armor: A Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Dr. Paul Thigpen and Kris McGregor turn to the Church’s sacramentals and their place in the spiritual battle. Dr. Thigpen explains that sacramentals are sacred signs established by the Church that dispose us to receive grace and help sanctify the circumstances of life. He distinguishes them from the sacraments while showing why they matter so deeply: through the prayer and intercession of the Church, sacramentals become genuine occasions of grace. The discussion also explores the importance of rites, liturgical form, and proper authority, especially in relation to exorcism, where the Church’s wisdom and discipline protect both the afflicted and those who seek to help them.

The conversation then moves from major and minor exorcisms to one of the most familiar and powerful sacramentals in Catholic life: the Sign of the Cross. Drawing on St. Athanasius and St. John Vianney, Dr. Thigpen explains why the Cross is so feared by the enemy. It proclaims the victory of Christ and reminds the Christian of his or her identity in the One who has already defeated Satan. The episode also highlights the importance of blessed crucifixes and other sacramentals in the home, not as magical objects, but as visible signs joined to faith, prayer, and the Church’s intercession. This is a strong reminder that Catholic spiritual warfare is rooted not in superstition or improvisation, but in Christ, His Church, and the means of grace He has entrusted to her.

A SPECIAL NOTE: We mourn the death of Dr. Paul Thigpen on February 24, 2026. He was a good friend, supporter, and contributor to Discerning Hearts. We will miss him deeply and will continue to share his ministry with gratitude and prayer.

Dr. Thigpen offers insights on the Manual for Spiritual Warfare, Chapter 4:

The weapon of sacramentals The Catechism of the Catholic Church describes sacramentals as sacred signs that bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, especially of a spiritual kind, that are obtained through the Church’s intercession. Through sacramentals, we are disposed to receive th