Spiritual Battle | Temptations from the Art of Dying
In 2023, I sat by a friend’s hospital bed, holding her hand as she lay unresponsive. Our parish priest, Fr. Johnson, arrived to anoint her and perform the final rites. As I watched him pray in persona Christi, guiding her through her last breaths, her hand went from warm to ice-cold. I learned a lot from watching Fr. Johnson that day.
A year later, another friend faced a terminal illness, and my apologetics training—great for defending the faith—left me at a loss for easing death’s heavy weight.
I turned to prayer, and the Holy Spirit nudged me toward a memory: my friend Chuck, during the pandemic, urging me to read the Ars Moriendi, a 15th-century guide for the soul’s final spiritual battle. Expecting a thick book, I got a slim 11-page pamphlet; half of the pages were vivid woodcuts, born in the Black Death’s terror when survival was a long shot. Yet those pages, representing the second pillar on the temptations of the dying, gave me a blueprint for spiritual warfare and guidance to help my friend face his fears, reshaping my understanding of a “good death.”
Summarize at:
The Black Death’s Psychological Toll
The Black Death swept over Europe from 1346 to 1353, killing up to a third of its people. Later outbreaks kept Europeans scared into the 15th century. Victims faced spiritual challenges, and the religious at the time were dying as fast as lay people. Even survivors had wounds from feeling guilty for outliving loved ones.
The Black Death was always on people’s minds because of the pandemic. Families watched loved ones die in days, often without the help of a priest. The Ars Moriendi was a way for domestic churches, the term used to describe individual homes, to minister without a priest or religious presence. The second pillar names five temptations as demonic attacks on the dying soul. Each temptation was fought by a virtue: trust, hope, patience, humility, and detachment. Chuck’s admonition that “the devil fights hardest in your final hours” resonated with me, and the lessons became my guide in this unseen spiritual war.
This section on temptations gave people a clear way to fight the final spiritual battle. The woodcuts of demons whispering doubts and attacking the soul were effective for many who were unable to read or write. These images of temptations were effective then and are effective now. Questions about God and remorse over things done in the past.
A Battle for the Soul
The images, written in medieval Latin, outline a series of spiritual exhortations and actions to ensure the soul’s salvation, reflecting the Church’s teachings during the 15th century.
These exhortations were meant to prepare believers for spiritual battles not only at death but also throughout life in the spiritual realm.
The first image serves as an introduction to the pamphlet, and the following is a brief summary.
The dying should be encouraged to:
Believe in Christ and the Church’s teachings
Be sorry for their sins
Promise to amend if they recover
Forgive those who have offended them
Ask forgiveness of those they have offended
Restore stolen property
Acknowledge that Christ died for them
Confess their sins and receive the sacraments
The Devil’s Temptation regarding Faith
Infernus f[r]actus est
There is a hell.
Fac sicut pagani
Imitate the pagans
Interficias teipsum
Kill yourself
The Black Death’s devastation led some to question God’s existence or kindness.
Demons in Ars Moriendi woodcuts whispered skepticism, but the text urged reciting the Apostles’ Creed to affirm faith in the Trinity and Christ’s redemption.
The two images depict a dying person on a bed, surrounded by angels offering spiritual support. The Exhortation of Faith, the first of the five temptations addressed in the text, focuses on encouraging the dying to maintain unwavering belief in Christ and the Church’s teachings despite the Devil’s attempts to sow doubt or disbelief.
A practical application of the Exhortation of Faith in this context involves actively supporting the dying person to reinforce their trust in divine mercy and salvation. This can be done by:
- Verbal Reassurance: Attendants (family, priests, or friends) should gently remind the dying individual of core Christian beliefs such as Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection for their sins and the promise of eternal life. Using simple phrases like “Jesus loves us so much.” I asked a lot of questions about how God has blessed us, and my dying friend responded with gusto! We spent hours discussing the blessings in his life from the beginning, recognizing that the trials and tribulations were also part of His plan.
- Prayer and Scripture: Reciting comforting passages, such as the Lord’s Prayer or Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd”), can help anchor their faith and counter doubts whispered by evil spirits, as depicted by the demons in the image. We prayed together every single time we were together.
- Presence and Affirmation: Staying by the bedside to affirm their faith through presence and encouragement, ensuring they feel supported rather than abandoned, which aligns with the angelic figures’ role in the illustration and the Holy Spirit’s comforting presence. This was the easiest and hardest thing to do. Sometimes it’s important to just be present and not fill the room with noise.
This practice not only strengthens the dying person’s spiritual resolve but also aligns with the goal of guiding them toward a “good death” by resisting temptation and embracing salvation.
The Angel’s Exhortation regarding Faith
Sis firmus in fide
Be steadfast in faith
Fugiamus
Let’s get out of here
Victi sumus
We’ve had it
Frustra laboravimus
All for nothing
The Devil’s Temptation regarding Despair
Ecce peccata tua
Take a look at your sins
Periurs es
You’ve lied
Fornicatus es
You’ve fornicated
Occidisti
You’ve murdered
Avare vixisti
You’ve been greedy all your life
Guilt for surviving or for unconfessed sins drove many to despair, fearing their soul was lost.
One image depicted demons taunting with past wrongs, while the other offered hope, pointing to the penitent thief who was promised paradise.
We all carry regrets, and my friend was no different. He carried regrets that weighed him down, and I leaned on this lesson to remind him of God’s mercy, lifting his spirit toward peace.
The temptation of Despair is the second of the five principal temptations, where evil forces attack the dying person’s spirit by magnifying their sins and suggesting that forgiveness is impossible, leading to a loss of hope in God’s infinite mercy.
This is portrayed allegorically as demons presenting vivid reminders of transgressions such as murder, adultery, or theft to instill a sense of irredeemable damnation.
The Exhortation against Despair, provided by angelic inspirations, urges the individual to focus on Christ’s atoning sacrifice and the Church’s promise of absolution through repentance, reminding them that no sin is beyond God’s grace if sincerely confessed.
A practical application of the Exhortation against Despair involves guiding the dying person to reclaim hope through structured spiritual support, helping them resist the internal turmoil depicted by the demons in the first image while embracing the comforting presence of Christ Jesus. This can be done by:
- Verbal Reassurance of Mercy: Attendants, or loved ones, should calmly affirm God’s boundless forgiveness. “Remember, Christ died for sinners like us; your repentance opens the door to His mercy,” directly addressing the despairing thoughts of unworthiness shown in the demonic scrolls, to shift focus from guilt to grace.
- Guided Reflection on Redemptive Stories: Encourage the dying to recall biblical examples of forgiven sinners, such as the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) or King David after his adultery and murder (Psalm 51), using these as anchors of hope. My friend and I often read the Bible aloud to each other. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).
- Sacramental and Prayerful Intervention: Facilitate confession or the Anointing of the Sick if possible, followed by communal prayers like the Divine Mercy Chaplet (“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us”), creating a supportive atmosphere that mirrors the angelic exhortations and helps the person feel enveloped in divine compassion rather than isolated in despair.
My friend was not Catholic, but most denominations have their own version of Confession, and he was glowing with peace, letting me know when he had completed it.
The Angel’s Exhortation against Despair
Nunquam desperes
Never despair
Victoria michi nulla
I’ve lost this one.
The Devil’s Temptation regarding Impatience
Ecce quantam penam patitur
He’s in terrible pain.
Quam bene decipi eum
How well I’ve deceived him
The first image depicts attendants (possibly family or caregivers) and a demon with a scroll, emphasizing the torment of physical pain and abandonment that fuels impatience, contrasted by the supportive presence of others bringing comfort.
The second image depicts a dying person on a bed, surrounded by holy figures with halos (such as the Virgin Mary, saints, and an angel holding a scroll), offering spiritual solace. At the same time, demons lurk below, suggesting unrest and suffering.
The temptation of Impatience is the third of the five principal temptations, where the dying person, overwhelmed by physical suffering or the delay of death, becomes irritable or resentful toward God, others, or their condition.
This is allegorically portrayed as demons exacerbating pain and isolation, urging the individual to curse their fate or reject divine will. The
Exhortation against Impatience, delivered through angelic and human encouragement, calls for endurance and acceptance, reminding the dying to unite their suffering with Christ’s and to trust in God’s timing for their deliverance.
A practical application of the Exhortation against Impatience involves helping the dying person maintain peace and acceptance despite their suffering, countering the demonic influence depicted in the images with compassionate support. This can be achieved by:
- Verbal Reassurance of Endurance: Attendants should gently encourage patience with phrases like “Offer your pain to Christ, who suffered for us,” redirecting focus from suffering to spiritual purpose by addressing the frustration shown by the demon’s taunts.
- Guided Reflection on Christ’s Example: Remind the dying of Lord Jesus Christ’s patience on the cross (e.g., “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” – Luke 23:46), using this as a model; for instance, recite “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9) while pointing to the angelic figure in the first image for inspiration.
- Compassionate Physical Care: Provide comfort through touch, hydration, or adjusting their position, as seen with the attendants in the second image, alongside prayers like “Lord, grant me strength to bear this” to foster a sense of communal support and divine presence, easing the sense of abandonment.
The Angel’s Exhortation regarding Impatience
Sum captivatus
I’ve been caught
Labores amisi
All my work for nothing
The Devil’s Temptation regarding Vainglory
Gloriare
Be proud of yourself
Tu es firmus in fide
You’re such a firm believer
Coronam meruisti
You deserve a crown
Exaltate ipsum
Exalt him
In paciencia perserverasti
You’ve never lost patience
The fourth set of temptations was directed toward the religious, including ordained ministers and religious orders such as monks and nuns.
The first image portrays demons actively tempting the dying with scrolls, such as “Coronam meruisti” (“You deserve a crown”) and “Exaltate ipsum” (“Exalt him”), encouraging self-satisfaction and recognition, which is contrasted by the presence of divine figures countering this pride.
The second image depicts a dying person on a bed, with an angel holding a scroll that reads “Sis humilis” (“Be humble”) and holy figures offering spiritual guidance, while demons lurk below, taunting with phrases like “Victus Sum” (“I give up”).
The temptation of Vainglory is the fourth of the five principal temptations, where the Devil tempts the dying to take pride in their virtues, faith, or endurance, leading to spiritual complacency and a reliance on self rather than God’s mercy.
This is allegorically shown as demons flattering the individual with reminders of their good deeds or steadfastness, diverting them from humility and repentance.
The Exhortation against Vainglory, delivered through angelic and ecclesiastical support, urges the dying to reject pride, recall their sins, and depend wholly on divine power for salvation rather than self-reliance.
A practical application of the Exhortation against Vainglory involves guiding the dying person to embrace humility and dependence on God, countering the demonic pride depicted in the images with supportive spiritual practices. This can be achieved by:
- Verbal Reassurance of Humility: Attendants should gently encourage a focus on God’s mercy with phrases like “All glory belongs to God, not us,” addressing the self-praise suggested by the demons’ scrolls, to redirect attention from personal merit to divine grace.
- Guided Reflection on Sinfulness: Remind the dying of their need for forgiveness, using examples like the publican’s prayer “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13), and recite “Pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18) while pointing to the angel’s humble exhortation in the first image for reinforcement.
- Prayerful and Communal Support: Lead prayers of contrition, such as the Confiteor (“I confess to Almighty God…”), alongside attendants affirming shared human frailty, creating an atmosphere that mirrors the angelic guidance and helps the person resist the temptation to boast, as shown in the second image.
The Angel’s Exhortation against Vainglory
Sis humilis
Be humble
Superbos punio
I punish the haughty
Victus sum
I give up
The Devil’s Temptation regarding Avarice
Provideas amicis
Take care of your friends
Intende thesauro
Keep an eye on your treasures
This last set of temptations can be used against all of us. It’s about worldly possessions, which we all have, except for many religious. They deal more with the fourth set, Vainglory.
The first image depicts a dying person on a bed, with a demon holding a scroll reading “Provideas Amicis” (“Take care of your friends”) and other figures suggesting attachment to worldly goods, contrasted by an angelic presence urging detachment.
The second image depicts Christ on the cross alongside holy figures (e.g., the Virgin Mary) and a scroll bearing the inscription “Non sis avarus” (“Don’t be greedy”), highlighting the futility of material wealth, while a demon tempts with images of riches and possessions.
The temptation of Avarice is the fifth of the five principal temptations, where the Devil tempts the dying to cling to earthly wealth, possessions, or legacies, diverting their focus from spiritual preparation to material concerns.
This is allegorically portrayed as demons presenting visions of gold, land, or family inheritance, fostering greed or anxiety about leaving worldly goods behind.
The Exhortation against Avarice, supported by angelic and divine guidance, encourages the dying to renounce material attachments, trust in God’s promises, and prepare their soul for eternity by focusing on heavenly treasures.
A practical application of the Exhortation against Avarice involves helping the dying person release their grip on material concerns, countering the demonic influence depicted in the images with spiritual redirection. This can be achieved by:
- Verbal Reassurance of Spiritual Wealth: This one stands out because it’s easy to reminisce on the achievements one possesses. Attendants should gently affirm the value of eternal life with phrases like “Your true treasure is in heaven with God,” addressing the greed suggested by the demon’s scroll to shift focus from possessions to divine promise. Instead, ask questions like, “What do you think heaven is like?” “What favorite food or drink will the heavenly banquet provide?”
- Guided Reflection on Transience: Encourage the dying to consider the impermanence of wealth, using Christ’s words, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36), and recite “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20).
- Prayerful and Symbolic Release: Lead prayers of detachment, such as “Lord, I surrender all to You,” and, if possible, have the dying person symbolically give away a small item or express intent to let go of earthly concerns, mirroring the angelic guidance and countering the demon’s temptation with a focus on spiritual freedom.
The Angel’s Exhortation against Avarice
Non sis avarus
Don’t be greedy
Ne intendas amicis
Don’t worry about your friends
Quid faciam?
What am I to do?
Summarize at:
… our salvation is totally dependent on the way we die
…tota salus hominis in fine consistat
Spes nobis nulla
There’s no more hope
Heu insania
What madness
Animam amisimus
We’ve lost a soul
Furore consumor
I’m furious
Confusi sumus
We’ve been routed
The final image from the second pillar of the Ars Moriendi portrays a grim scene where demons, with scrolls reading “Spes nobis nulla” (“There’s no hope”), “Heu insania” (“What madness”), “Animam amisimus” (“We’ve lost a soul”), “Furore consumor” (“I’m consumed with fury”), and “Confusi sumus” (“We’ve been routed”), surround a dying person, symbolizing the ultimate failure to resist temptation and secure a good death.
This contrasts with holy figures, including Christ on the cross and the Virgin Mary, offering a last chance for redemption.
The epilogue underscores that “the whole of one’s salvation depends on the way one dies,” urging everyone to make the conscious effort to ensure a faithful companion assists in their final hour, encouraging steadfast faith, patience, devotion, confidence, and perseverance, while offering devoted prayers during the death agony. This spiritual discipline not only strengthens the dying but also reflects God’s truth, guarding against the devil’s schemes.
A practical application to wrap this up involves ensuring a supportive presence to guide the dying toward a peaceful end. This can be done by:
- Assigning a trusted friend or spiritual advisor to stay close, offering steady encouragement, and reminding them that “God is with you.“
- Leading prayers such as the Our Father or a personal plea for mercy, reflecting the holy figures’ support, to counter despair.
- Maintaining a calm, reassuring environment, helping the dying focus on eternal hope rather than the demons’ taunts, ensuring their final moments align with the epilogue’s call for a holy death.
The Art of Dying
For me, these teachings were transformative. My apologetics background equipped me to defend the faith, but the Ars Moriendi revealed how to accompany someone through life’s darkest trials. Chuck’s insight about the devil’s last stand echoed as I supported my friend, guiding him through each temptation to find faith amid fear. Those 11 pages, brief yet rich, became a compass for navigating suffering, not only for my friend but for anyone confronting death’s shadow.
The Ars Moriendi’s spiritual battle against the temptations of the dying guided my friend to a peaceful death, turning fear into faith. Its wisdom, forged in a plague-ravaged world, remains a powerful tool for facing death.
Explore our six-part series, starting with “Art of Dying,” to uncover more medieval wisdom.
Which temptation would test you most in your spiritual battle?
