Bishop Paprocki took into account ways that the Evil One, the devil, seeks to obstruct our efforts to live virtuously and deflect us toward the path of vice.
Some people don't understand or can't accept that the devil is real, Bishop Paprocki said. Although most people have no trouble believing in angels, they don't know what to think about the devil.
"A devil is a fallen angel," he said. "They are intelligent beings (that don't have a body) with a free will. Lucifer and his followers chose not to follow God and for that they suffer eternal punishment.
"We should not be frightened of the devil," he said. "We should face the fact that the work of the devil is very real. We see the devil every day in false accusations and untruths. Most of us have a good solid relationship with Christ and the church but the ordinary work of the devil, temptation, is something we deal with every day."
Bishop Paprocki said Chancellor Marlene Mulford took on a project that led to parishioners praying the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, which asks that the saint "be our protector against the wickedness and snares of the devil." She offered to have prayer cards (provided by the Marian Center in Springfield) sent out to each parish.
"She spearheaded the project and in all, 50,000 cards were sent out," Bishop Paprocki said. He was pleased that after the cards were distributed (during the Easter Season in 2011) so many parishioners began to pray to St. Michael after the dismissal of Mass and before the recessional or closing song.
"So many people willingly said, 'We have to fight the devil,'" he said. "And I noted (upon visiting parishes) as the weeks and months went on fewer people took the prayer card out. They didn't need the card to say the prayer."
Although temptation is something we deal with every day, the extraordinary work of the devil — demonic possession — "is rather rare" said Bishop Paprocki. "Diabolic possession is not contagious. It happens when a person welcomes the devil."
Possession is overcome by a major exorcism, Bishop Paprocki said. However, all people who have been baptized have experienced a particular minor exorcism.
"Going to confession is more powerful than exorcism," he said. "That's because reconciliation was instituted by Christ." Other ways to fight off evil are, of course, receiving Communion and saying prayers, especially prayers to the Blessed Mother.
"Also, the devil doesn't like holy water, so use it regularly," he said, noting that holy water is a reminder of our baptism. "Remember, if you are close to Jesus and Mary, the devil won't want to be close to you."
Following the theme of his closing address, Bishop Paprocki joined the DAEC participants in praying The Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel and then gave them a final blessing, sending them out to do good work for the church in their various ministries.