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10/24/2012

HOW DEMONS AFFECT OBJECTS

When people cease to believe in the One True God, they will believe in anything: materialism, superstition, the Occult… spiritism, witchcraft, divination… animism (the worship of spirits in trees, rocks, rivers…) and/or the worship of mother earth (Gaia). The worship of idols of pagan gods and goddesses is the worship of demons. 

Demons can affect objects directly, as in a case of the physical movement of objects… or preternatural effects on lights and other electrical appliances (demonic infestation). But demons usually affect objects indirectly, by tempting people to do evil (like the desecration of churches). 

Demons can also “attach to” or “reside with” objects: New Age crystals, idols (gods and goddesses of false religions), objects used in pagan rituals (ceremonial masks, candles, knives, chalices, cauldrons...), objects of the Occult (amulets, good luck charms… Ouija boards, Tarot cards), cursed books written by Occultists (like Helena P. Blavatsky, Alice Bailey and Aleister Crowley) and objects used in witchcraft, voodoo, Santeria and Satanism... 

Such objects can be cursed and bring a dark presence into your home. Cursed objects can serve as a conduit for evil. They can be the source of a demonic infestation. This can cause fear, obsessive thoughts, emotional stress, anger, arguments… anxiety, depression, nightmares, insomnia, sleep paralysis… headaches, nausea, digestion problems… and other physical ailments due to a weakened immune system. Any object connected to a dark, diabolical force will carry a “spiritual attachment.” 

Cursed objects (like objects of the Occult) must be removed from the home. They must be destroyed in such a way that they no longer resemble what they once were and/or blessed with holy water and buried. (Some people bury cursed objects with a blessed St. Benedict medal.

~ * * * ~ 

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: (...) take some of its blood (the blood of a lamb) and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses (...) But for you the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thereby, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you. (Exodus 12:1,7,13) 

The blood of the Lamb protects.

Pleading the blood of Jesus on an object (or, applying the blood of Jesus to an object) will drive away evil spirits. It will also protect an object from people under the influence of evil spirits. (People who desecrate Catholic statues are under the influence of evil spirits.

~ * * * ~

Before my friend Ashok left for India, he offered me a statue -- an idol of Ganesh, a Hindu god. I accepted this gift because I know that evil spirits can “attach” to idols of false gods. (The worship of Hindu gods and goddesses is the worship of demons!) So, I accepted the gift. My intention was to protect others from something that could possibly be harmful. (Bringing such an object into one's home can be the cause of a demonic infestation.)


I pled the blood of Jesus on (I applied the blood of Jesus to) the idol of Ganesh. And when Ashok was gone, I destroyed it.

~ * * * ~

Any object exposed to a diabolical force can carry a “spiritual attachment.” For example, antique furniture can have a spiritual attachment and bring a dark presence into your home. [Always spray antique furniture with (a mist of) holy water.]

~ * * * ~

“From long experience I have learned that there is nothing like 'holy water' to put devils to flight.” _ St. Teresa of Avila 

Sacramentals such as the crucifix, blessed medals and icons, exorcised salt and holy water can help in restoring peace to your home. (I have used holy water to clear demon-infested homes.)

Sacramentals are sacred signs instituted by the Church. [These blessed objects] prepare men to receive the fruit [the chief effect] of the Sacraments and sanctify different circumstances of life [various occasions in life are rendered holy]. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1677) 

Like many Catholics, I wear a blessed Miraculous Medal: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” And in my home, I have a blessed canvas of The Divine Mercy.


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10/10/2012

HOW TO COPE WHEN UNDER A CURSE


By Fr. John H. Hampsch, CMF

One of the most disconcerting types of suffering is that which results from being targeted by another person as the object of an evil curse, (similar to a hex, which is a witchcraft-induced evil spell). A curse or hex may take any of countless manifestations; and, in many cases, the victim may never know who the culprit is who imprecated the curse or hex.

A curse may be cultural (Gypsy, Indian, Italian, etc.); it may be of an Occult or Satanic origin, or simply an act of perverse retaliation as a kind of vendetta -- simply an enmity-engendered hatred from another person. Invoking curses is a frequent practice among those involved in any of the many evil forms of the Occult, such as Santeria, Voodoo, Obeah, etc.

Anyone who invokes a curse is certainly (knowingly or otherwise) under demonic influence. By invoking a curse such a person commits the most heinous sin against the virtue of charity that is possible; it delights Satan, but calls down the vengeance of God upon the one responsible. The most serious type of curse is one that turns a good Christian into an irreligious or anti-religious person. The most difficult type of curse to break is one invoked by a family member or by a living or deceased ancestor.

The following may be regarded as effective Catholic norms for responding, if you are unfortunate enough to be targeted by a curse or hex:

1) Your success in drawing down God’s power against a curse will be in proportion to the level of your faith. In the words of Jesus, “According to your faith it will be done” (Matthew 9:29). It helps to elicit a faith-filled prayer of deliverance from a priest, a mature Christian or a prayer group. Like healing or any prayer-induced miracle, curse-lifting is not a frequent occurrence. Why? Because most people pridefully overestimate their own faith; they are satisfied with their low level of faith that is enough to induce them to pray frantically for relief, but not enough to humbly beg for a deeper degree of faith that would trigger that sought-for relief. Praying for a cure is less important than praying for enough faith to induce that cure. The latter must come first, as Jesus taught when correcting his apostles’ failed attempt at exorcism (Mark 9:19,23).

2) Make frequent and fervent use of the Sacraments -- especially by very humble and contrite confessions, and by receiving Communion with exquisite devotion and love. The Enemy’s power, even when operating through malicious human agents, is vastly reduced when these Sacraments are received, not routinely, but humbly and devoutly.

3) Never reverse a curse by calling down harm on the person or persons responsible for this flood of evil. (See 1 Peter 3:9 and Romans 12:17-21).

4) Stand meditatively and expectantly beneath the cross of Jesus to be covered symbolically by His Precious Blood as a shield to deflect the onslaughts of evil in the afflicting curse. By that “atoning blood” (Romans 3:24) shed on the cross, the forces of evil are disarmed and conquered, as Paul says (Colossians 2:15).

5) Do the four things that Jesus asks us to do in relating to our enemies, like those who invoke curses on us; these are outlined in Luke 6:27-28. The four things are: Love your enemy, do good to your enemy, pray for your enemy and call down God’s special blessings on your enemy (see also 1 Peter 3:9). Love of enemies is a challenge, but loving in this context does not mean liking. It means benevolent love, or “agape” love, as St. Thomas Aquinas says. This love consists in desiring good for one’s enemies. Yearn for their salvation, not their damnation; desire that they repent and become holy. In this endeavor, St. Augustine’s maxim is pertinent: Hate the sin but love the sinner, as God does.

Every Christian must sincerely desire that bad persons become good, like the great terrorist, Saul, who, when converted became St. Paul, a champion of Christianity; or, like the thief, Dismas, when dying next to Jesus, was canonized by him: “This day you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). In the words of Jude 22, “Snatch others from the fire and save them…show mercy.” James 5:20 speaks of the amazing benefits of converting a sinner from his life of sin. If you turn from sin the one cursing you, that enemy will befriend you for all eternity.

6) Until the time arrives for you to be released from the curse, strive to conform to even hidden moves of Providence, with faith-reliance on Jesus as demon-evictor (Mark 16:17). Offer up your sufferings that result from the curse or curses. Like all suffering, disappointment, adversity, etc., this unique type of suffering should be united -- even joyfully -- with Jesus’ redemptive suffering (1 Peter 4:13). Don’t waste suffering that could otherwise lead to your sanctification and consequent reward. Carrying this cross courageously infuriates the Devil and his demons lurking behind this evil. Sustaining the affliction will grace-fill your soul, help other souls, and reward you for all eternity (see Hebrews 6:10-11).

7) For curse-breaking, invoke the angels and saints, your guardian angel and patron saint, Archangel Michael, and the especially the sinless Virgin Mary who is prophesied to crush the head of the sinful serpent (Genesis 3:15).

Of course, you should seek relief from the effects of a curse, as you would for sickness or any hurtful situation. But meanwhile, as you await your release, use your curse-caused suffering; though it is admittedly hurtful, it may well be the very sacrifice used by God to obtain salvation for your persecutors, as well as your own sanctification and your unimaginable heavenly reward.

The bottom line: After our lifelong struggle against evil, the last chapter of the Bible tells how it will all end. With Christ, we are the winners!


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6/11/2012

BREAKING CURSES

Practitioners of black magic (witchcraft) evoke (summon) malevolent powers (demons) to kill, steal, injure, cause misfortune or destruction… A curse will create an “opening” (portal) for evil spirits to attack another and cause considerable damage…

Some signs of a curse can include: a history of mental/emotional breakdown, repeated/chronic/hereditary illness, accident-proneness, repeated miscarriages, a history of marriage breakup, a history/cycle of poverty… and/or a family history of suicides and unnatural deaths.

 
“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

In the Name of Jesus, I rebuke and banish from me all curses, hexes, spells and malefice... In the Name of Jesus, I rebuke and banish from me all voodoo practices, black magic and witchcraft... In the Name of Jesus, I rebuke and banish from me all Satanic rituals, blood oaths and unholy soul ties... In the Name of Jesus, I rebuke and banish from me all diabolical incantations, infestations and oppressions... In the Name of Jesus, I rebuke and banish from me all evil wishes, and the evil eye... In the Name of Jesus, I rebuke and banish from me all fasting prayers, not of the Lord, that have been sent my way, or have been passed down through my generational bloodline.
In the Name of Jesus, I take authority over all of them, and I command that they go back where they came from and be replaced with a blessing.

May the waters of my baptism now flow back through my family line and remove every evil influence. Amen.

In the Name of Jesus, I break every curse, hex, spell… and I bind all black magic and witchcraft directed against me. In the Name of Jesus, I break every curse, hex, spell… and I bind all black magic and witchcraft directed against my husband/wife. In the Name of Jesus, I break every curse, hex, spell… and I bind all black magic and witchcraft directed against my family and home. [Do this three times.]

Lord Jesus, I ask forgiveness for, and I renounce all negative inner vows that I have made. And I ask You, Lord Jesus, to release me from any bondage they may have held in me.
Lord Jesus, I plead Your Most Precious Blood on every aspect of my life, and on all my relationships. “Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over me. Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over all my relationships.”
Lord Jesus, I ask You to cleanse me from all impurities. And I ask You, Lord Jesus, to deliver me from all that is evil and unclean. “Jesus, I trust in You; Mary, Take Over.”

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, (and) spread the effect of grace of thy Flame of Love over all of humanity, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

~ * * * ~

FOLLOW-UP

You know what it is that causes you to suspect a curse on your life and/or family… Do the following spiritual warfare daily, until you feel released:

“In the Name of Jesus, I take authority over every curse, hex and spell directed against me and my family, and I command that they go back where they came from and be replaced with a blessing.”

“Lord Jesus, I choose to forgive everyone responsible for sending a curse to me and my family -- and I ask You to bless them. Amen.”

This will reverse the curse,
and release the blessing of God.

__________

 
When you receive the Eucharist, for about 15 minutes, you have within you, flowing through your veins, the Blood of Jesus Christ. The Blood of Jesus Christ is now mixing with your blood -- and it is one! This is the time to pray:

“Lord Jesus, as You flow through me, touch the brokenness, the physical ailments within me; heal me. Lord Jesus, as Your Blood flows through my veins, cleanse my family line from every curse, hex and spell. Amen.” 

_______________

6/02/2012

THE UNFORGIVABLE SIN

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit

“Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” For they had said, “He has an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:28-30)

This sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit) is called an everlasting sin because it attributes to Satan, who is the power of evil, what is actually the work of the Holy Spirit, namely, victory over the demons. (NAB)

“Therefore, I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:31-32)

“Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Luke 12:10)
 
Saint Augustine explains the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit to be “final impenitence” -- that is, dying in a state of un-repentance. The refusal to repent of mortal sin, even at the moment of one’s death, is absolutely opposed to the remission of sins. (Until death, it is possible to repent of any sin, renounce evil, and embrace the One True Faith.)

Refusal to accept the salvation 
which God offers to man.



(Pope) Saint John Paul II
Dominum et Vivificantem
On the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Church
and the World

#6 -- The Sin Against the Holy Spirit 
46) …(W)hoever rejects (the “convincing concerning sin” which comes from) the Spirit and the (redemptive power of Christ’s) Blood remains in “dead works,” in sin. And the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit consists precisely in the radical refusal to accept this forgiveness… If Jesus says that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven either in this life or in the next, it is because this “non-forgiveness” is linked, as to its cause, to “non-repentance,” in other words to the radical refusal to be converted… Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, then, is the sin committed by the person who claims to have a “right” to persist in evil -- in any sin at all -- and who thus rejects Redemption. One closes oneself up in sin, thus making impossible one’s conversion, and consequently the remission of sins, which one considers not essential or not important for one’s life. This is a state of spiritual ruin, because blasphemy against the Holy Spirit does not allow one to escape from one’s self-imposed imprisonment and open oneself to the divine sources of the purification of consciences and of the remission of sins.

~ * * * ~

“Be not afraid of your Savior, O sinful soul. I make the first move to come to you, for I know that by yourself you are unable to lift yourself to Me. Child, do not run away from your Father; be willing to talk openly with your God of mercy Who wants to speak words of pardon and lavish His graces on you. How dear your soul is to Me! I have inscribed your name upon My hand; you are engraved as a deep wound in My Heart.”

…“My mercy is greater than your sins and those of the entire world. Who can measure the extent of My goodness? For you I descended from heaven to earth; for you I allowed Myself to be nailed to the Cross; for you I let My Sacred Heart be pierced with a lance, thus opening wide the Source of mercy for you. Come, then, with trust to draw graces from this fountain. I never reject a contrite heart. Your misery has disappeared in the depths of My mercy. Do not argue with Me about your wretchedness. You will give Me pleasure if you hand over to Me all your troubles and grief. I shall heap upon you the treasures of My grace...” 
Jesus -to- Saint Faustina, “Divine Mercy in My Soul” (1485)

_______________

4/30/2012

PRAYER FOR THE HEALING OF YOUR FAMILY TREE


“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
 
Heavenly Father,
I come before You as Your child, in great need of Your help; I have physical health needs, emotional needs, spiritual needs, and interpersonal needs. Many of my problems have been caused by my own fault, failure, neglect and sinfulness, for which I humbly beg Your Forgiveness. But Father, I also ask You to forgive the sins of my ancestors whose failures have left their effects on me in the form of unwanted tendencies, behavior patterns and defects in body, mind and spirit. Heal me, O Lord, of all these disorders. Amen.

Heavenly Father,
With Your help I sincerely forgive everyone, especially living or dead members of my family tree, who have directly offended me or my loved ones in any way, or those whose sins have resulted in our present sufferings and disorders. In the Name of Your Son Jesus, and by the Power of His Holy Spirit, I ask You, Eternal Father, to deliver me and my entire family tree from the influence of the Devil. Free all living and dead members of my family tree, including those in adoptive relationships, and those in extended family relationships, from every contaminating form of bondage. By Your loving concern for us, Eternal Father, and by the Most Precious Blood of Your Son Jesus, I beg You to extend Your Blessing to me and to all my living and deceased relatives. Heal every negative effect transmitted through all past generations and prevent such negative effects in future generations of my family tree. Amen.

Heavenly Father,
I symbolically place the Cross of Our Lord Jesus over the head of each person in my family tree, and between each generation; I ask You to let the cleansing Blood of Jesus purify the bloodlines in my family lineage. Set Your protective angels to encamp around us, and permit Archangel Raphael, the patron of healing, to administer Your Divine Healing Power to all of us, even in areas of genetic disability. Give special Power to our family members’ guardian angels to heal, protect, guide and encourage each of us in all our needs. Let Your Healing Power be released at this very moment, and let it continue as long as Your Sovereignty permits. Amen.    [Pause]

Heavenly Father,
In our family tree, O Lord, replace all bondage with a Holy bonding in family love. And let there be an ever-deeper bonding with You, Eternal Father, by the Holy Spirit, to Your Son Jesus. Let the Family of the Holy Trinity pervade our family with Its tender, warm, Loving Presence, so that our family may recognize and manifest That Love in all our relationships. All of our unknown needs we include with this petition that we pray in Jesus’ Precious Name. Amen.

St. Joseph, Patron of family life,
pray for us.
 
“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Rev. John H. Hampsch, CMF
 
_______________

4/09/2012

PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF YOUR FAMILY

Lighting Votive Candles

“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Eternal Father,
I offer You the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Son Jesus, in atonement for my sins and the sins of my family. May the Blood and Water from the pierced Heart of Jesus cleanse my family line of every stain of sin and remove every evil influence. Amen.

Immaculate Mother Mary,
Please crush the head of the serpent in the life of each member of my family and work your miracles of grace in each soul. Please hold each member of my family (and me) in your Immaculate Heart. Amen.

Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over us. Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over my family. Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over me.

Eternal Father,
In the Name of Jesus, please create an opening in the soul of each member of my family. And please give each member of my family the graces of True Repentance and Conversion to Your Son Jesus. Please give each member of my family the grace to experience Your Love and be transformed by It. Amen.

Eternal Father,
In the Name of Your Son Jesus, please send an honor guard of angels to surround, protect, defend, guide, guard, assist and minister to each member of my family (and me) today, and every day. Amen.

Angels from heaven, direct my path.
Saints in heaven, pray for us.

“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

__________


TRUST ME

Do you believe that I am the Son of God?
And do you believe that I died for all men
and women and that I rose from the dead?
Then why do you continue to be distracted
and anxious about your loved ones?
Do they not also belong to me?
Would I refuse to work in their lives
just as I work in yours? 


I have not put you in charge of
redeeming them.
I have already done that.
Nor do you have the power to
change their hearts;
Only my Holy Spirit searches
and knows the deepest
hearts of men and women,
and only He can heal their deepest wounds. 


Your task is to love, to forgive, to pray for
them and to turn them over to Me.
Come closer to Me yourself
and I will do the rest.
TRUST ME! 


(Author unknown) 


_______________

3/15/2012

POWER OF THE BLESSING

London, England (Spring 2011) _ A “40 Days for Life” vigil site came under attack by pro-choice, anti-Christian hecklers:

“You are just wasting your time.
There is no God!”
 
“You hypocrites, what about
the millions of starving children around the world?”
 
“Why aren’t you praying for
the 20,000 back-street abortions
that take place in Pakistan?”
 
“I know all about your fabricated propaganda.
I don’t need to read any more about it!”
 
“I don’t NEED your prayers, thank you.
I don’t BELIEVE in your evil God!”

"Hail Satan! Abort Everyone!" 

Click to enlarge
 
Evil spirits often speak, rant and rave through people. The good news is that we have the power to silence them. When these spiritual attacks occur, immediately respond with a blessing: 

“Lord Jesus, please bless this person / 
these people.”

“Lord Jesus, please bless everyone
in this house.”

If you do this, you will notice a change. The blessing will drive the evil spirits away, and the person/people will become quiet. (It may take a few moments for the person/people to calm down, but you will have defused the situation.) Evil spirits cause people to behave badly... But when we bless these people -- when we bless those who curse us -- deliverance occurs. 

One day while helping a friend tear down a poorly constructed addition to a house, we heard the mother and daughter inside screaming at one another. I said a simple prayer: “Lord Jesus, please bless everyone in this house.” And within moments, it was quiet. The fighting stopped.

Therefore… Respond with a blessing!
And see what God does.

__________

 
FOR YOUR PROTECTION 

When entering a building
(house, office, store, church…) 
Or a car, bus, train, plane… 
ALWAYS ASK JESUS TO BLESS EVERYONE.

“Lord Jesus, please bless everyone 
in this place.”

“Lord Jesus, please bless everyone 
I come in contact with.”

This will prevent the enemy from using others against you! 

When I remember to practice this, the people I meet are kind, helpful, friendly… But when I fail to practice this, something unpleasant usually happens. Evil spirits cause people to behave badly. 

~ * * * ~ 

Before answering the phone and
before making a call, 
ALWAYS ASK JESUS TO BLESS
THE PHONE CALL -- TO BLESS
THE PERSON ON THE OTHER END.

“Lord Jesus, please bless
this phone call.”

“Lord Jesus, please bless _____ 
(the person you are calling).”

This will prevent the enemy from
interfering with your conversation! 

Remember: Evil spirits cause confusion,
misunderstandings, arguments… 
But you can protect yourself. 

_______________

2/21/2012

HELL EXISTS!

“For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Souls of the Damned in Hell being Tormented by Demons

I remember thinking:
“A fire that consumes without destroying.”
And then the Holy Spirit responded,
“Like the burning bush.”

Moses and the Burning Bush

Jesus often speaks of “Gehenna” of “the unquenchable fire” reserved for those who to the end of their lives refuse to believe and be converted, where both soul and body can be lost. (Matthew 5:22,29;10:28;13:42,50 / Mark 9:43-48) Jesus solemnly proclaims that He “will send His angels, and they will gather… all evil doers, and throw them into the furnace of fire,” (Matthew 13:41-42) and that He will pronounce the condemnation: “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire!” (Matthew 25:41)

The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of Hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, “eternal fire.” The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in Whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs.

… Since we know neither the day nor the hour, we should follow the advice of the Lord and watch constantly so that, when the single course of our earthly life is completed, we may merit to enter with Him into the marriage feast and be numbered among the blessed, and not, like the wicked and slothful servants, be ordered to depart into the eternal fire, into the outer darkness where “men will weep and gnash their teeth.” (Matthew 22:13; 25:13,26,30,31-46 / Hebrews 9:27)
[Catechism of the Catholic Church: 1034 - 1036]


THE “LAKE OF FIRE” IN REVELATION
IS “SYMBOLIC” OF GOD’S PUNISHMENT

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; and if any one’s name was not found written in the book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15)

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)


ONE TORTURE IN HELL IS
A PURELY “SPIRITUAL” FIRE
THAT CONSUMES WITHOUT DESTROYING

St. John Paul II - Divine Mercy image - St. Faustina

Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
“Divine Mercy in My Soul”
(Notebook 2, Paragraph 741)

Today, I was led by an Angel to the chasms of Hell. It is a place of great torture; how awesomely large and extensive it is! The kinds of tortures I saw: the first torture that constitutes hell is the loss of God; the second is perpetual remorse of conscience; the third is that one’s condition will never change; the fourth (torture) is the fire that will penetrate the soul without destroying it -- a terrible suffering, since it is a purely spiritual fire, lit by God’s anger; the fifth torture is continual darkness and a terrible suffocating smell, and, despite the darkness, the devils and the souls of the damned see each other and all the evil, both of others and their own; the sixth torture is the constant company of Satan; the seventh torture is horrible despair, hatred of God, vile words, curses and blasphemies. These are the tortures suffered by all the damned together, but that is not the end of the sufferings. There are special tortures destined for particular souls. These are the torments of the senses. Each soul undergoes terrible and indescribable sufferings, related to the manner in which it has sinned. There are caverns and pits of torture where one form of agony differs from another. I would have died at the very sight of these tortures if the omnipotence of God had not supported me. Let the sinner know that he will be tortured throughout all eternity, in those senses which he made use of to sin. I am writing this at the command of God, so that no soul may find an excuse by saying there is no hell, or that nobody has ever been there, and so no one can say what it is like.

I, Sister Faustina, by the order of God, have visited the abysses of hell so that I might tell souls about it and testify to its existence. I cannot speak about it now; but I have received a command from God to leave it in writing. The devils were full of hatred for me, but they had to obey me at the command of God. What I have written is but a pale shadow of the things I saw. But I noticed one thing: that most of the souls there are those who disbelieved that there is a hell. When I came to, I could hardly recover from the fright. How terribly souls suffer there! Consequently, I pray even more fervently for the conversion of sinners. I incessantly plead God's mercy upon them. O my Jesus, I would rather be in agony until the end of the world, amidst the greatest sufferings, than offend You by the least sin.

“O my Jesus, forgive us our sins,
save us from the fires of Hell,
lead all souls to Heaven,
especially those who are in most need of 
Thy mercy.”
Prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima

_______________


FOUR PRINCIPAL TORMENTS IN HELL
 
Dictated by St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) during a state of ecstasy while in dialog with God the Father.

 
Of the four principal torments of the damned, from which follow all the others; and particularly of the foulness of the Devil.

“My daughter, the tongue is not sufficient to narrate the pain of these poor souls. As there are three principal vices, namely: self-love, whence proceeds the second, that is love of reputation, whence proceeds the third, that is pride, with injustice and cruelty, and with other filthiness and iniquitous sins, that follow upon these. So I say to you, that in Hell, the souls have four principal torments, out of which proceed all the other torments. The first is, that they see themselves deprived of the vision of Me, which is such pain to them, that, were it possible, they would rather choose the fire, and the tortures and torments, and to see Me, than to be without the torments and not to see Me.

This first pain revives in them, then, the second, the worm of Conscience, which gnaws unceasingly, seeing that the soul is deprived of Me, and of the conversation of the angels, through her (his) sin, made worthy of the conversation and sight of the devils, which vision of the Devil is the third pain and redoubles to them their every toil. As the saints exult in the sight of Me, refreshing themselves with joyousness in the fruit of their toils borne for Me with such abundance of love, and displeasure of themselves, so does the sight of the Devil revive these wretched ones to torments, because in seeing him they know themselves more, that is to say, they know that, by their own sin, they have made themselves worthy of him. And so the worm of Conscience gnaws more and more, and the fire of this Conscience never ceases to burn. And the sight is more painful to them, because they see him in his own form, which is so horrible that the heart of man could not imagine it. And if you remember well, you know that I showed him to you in his own form for a little space of time, hardly a moment, and you chose (after you had returned to yourself) rather to walk on a road of fire, even until the Day of Judgment, than to see him again. With all this that you have seen, even you do not know well how horrible he is, because, by Divine justice, he appears more horrible to the soul that is deprived of Me, and more or less according to the gravity of her (his) sin. The fourth torment that they have is the fire. This fire burns and does not consume, for the being of the soul cannot be consumed, because it is not a material thing that fire can consume. But I, by Divine justice, have permitted the fire to burn them with torments, so that it torments them, without consuming them, with the greatest pains in diverse ways according to the diversity of their sins, to some more, and to some less, according to the gravity of their fault. Out of these four torments issue all others, such as cold and heat and gnashing of the teeth and many others. Now because they did not amend themselves after the first reproof that they had of injustice and false judgment, neither in the second, which was that, in death, they would not hope in Me, nor grieve for the offense done to Me, but only for their own pain, have they thus so miserably received Eternal Punishment.”

The Dialog of Saint Catherine of Siena
A Treatise of Discretion (pp. 42-43)
 
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