D-Day — Decision Day

A Catholic priest conducts mass on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, June 1944. Photo by Robert Capa.

When God created man, He gave each of us a profound gift: free will. This sacred freedom allows each of us to consciously  choose God and, in doing so, to choose love, or to not choose God, and fall into darkness. Satan — cast out of heaven like lightning, along with a third of the heavenly host (cf. Revelation 12:4,9; Luke 10:18) — has sought to pervert that gift. The devil, the "roaring lion seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8), wages war against the souls of men, using hatred, violence, and chaos to lead us away from our Creator.

The spiritual battle for each soul begins at the moment of conception and continues until our final breath. One of the most horrific manifestations of this battle — where evil and human suffering reached staggering depths — was the global devastation of World War II. The devastation was nearly unfathomable: over 70 million lives lost, with more than 400,000 Americans among the fallen. The world stood on the brink of darkness. Yet in this global trial, the forces of good did not remain passive.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States — still a young nation — entered the war with determination. Together with the Allied forces, a decision was made to liberate Europe from the grip of Nazi tyranny. That decision culminated in one of the most pivotal days in history: June 6th, 1944 — D-Day.

The plan to land on the beaches of Normandy was immense and fraught with risk. And almost immediately, everything seemed to go wrong:

• Paratroopers were dropped miles off course due to poor weather and intense anti-aircraft fire.

• Many landing craft missed their designated positions or capsized in rough seas.

• The German defenses were far stronger and more coordinated than anticipated.

• Communication failures left some units stranded without support.

• Thousands of soldiers were mowed down as they stepped onto the beaches, trapped in a deadly crossfire.

Although the ancient serpent sought to snuff out hope before it could take root — striving to halt the light of freedom, and to trample the promise of deliverance beneath the crushing weight of darkness, however,  even in the chaos, God prevailed. Remember where  Satan hoped for destruction, God turned the Cross into the ultimate instrument of victory.

St. Augustine: “The devil was conquered by his own trophy of victory... the Cross of Christ.”

Against impossible odds, the Allied forces took the beaches. Soldiers pushed forward, driven not only by duty but by a conviction that evil could not be allowed to triumph. By the end of the day, over 156,000 troops had landed in Normandy. The tide had turned — not just in the war, but in the spiritual fight for humanity. It was a decisive moment —  between good and evil.

Amid the bullets and bloodshed, the Catholic faith stood as a light in the darkness. Catholic priests braved enemy fire to minister to the dying. On the sand soaked with sacrifice, they administered Last Rites, praying over men who had laid down their lives for their nation. In some sectors, Mass was offered on the beach itself, a solemn and powerful testament to Christ's presence even amid chaos.

These acts remind us that the war we fight is not just of flesh and blood, but of powers and principalities (cf. Ephesians 6:12). Just as D-Day marked a decisive turning point in history, each of us faces a personal D-Day — a Decision Day — when we must choose: God or the world, love or hatred, courage or cowardice, eternal life or eternal death.

Freedom is never free. It demands sacrifice. But in the sacrifice of love, we find our greatest victory — just as Christ found victory on the Cross.

So today, remember the bravery of those who stormed the beaches. Honor the priests who carried the sacraments to the dying. And reflect on your own daily decisions — for today may be your D-Day.

Deliver us, O Lord, from the snares of the enemy and the shadow of death.

Enkindle in us the fire of Your divine love and strengthen our resolve for holiness.

Fortify our hearts with the courage of the saints who faced darkness without fear.

Equip us with the armor of faith, the shield of truth, and the sword of the Spirit.

Arrest the power of evil that seeks to devour Your children.

Teach us to love sacrificially, to forgive freely, and to serve humbly.

Elevate our minds to things eternal, not things passing.

Vanquish the pride in our hearts and replace it with the humility of Christ.

us to proclaim Your Gospel with boldness and grace.

Lead us, Lord, to final victory, where death is no more, and You reign forever.

Amen

God Bless,

Patrick Leigh, COO

The Modern Apostle LLC.