Listed in the Roman Ritual are five indicators (signs) of possible demonic possession: 1) speaking foreign or ancient languages of which the possessed has no prior knowledge; 2) supernatural abilities and strength; 3) knowledge of hidden or remote things which the possessed has no way of knowing; 4) an aversion to anything holy; 5) profuse blasphemy and/or sacrilege. And when these specific signs of demonic possession are absent, the “rite of exorcism” is usually denied.
But there are other signs/indicators of demonic possession. Sometimes it takes more time to discern these other signs; sometimes it is a compilation of signs. It is also possible for one to be “partially” possessed -- that is, demonized.
The partially possessed person is "demonized" -- that is,
has an evil spirit in his/her body.
has an evil spirit in his/her body.
Too many cases of possession are "falling through the cracks." They are considered (and dismissed as) oppression or obsession -- or misdiagnosed as mental illness.
What are these other signs/indicators of demonic possession?
The following is from a 2010 case that was not recognized as demonic possession. It is from my correspondence with a desperate mother seeking help for her suffering son.
It is obvious that something more than mental illness is happening here! And many of the same signs/indicators are present in current cases.
A young man had been depressed for a couple months... His mother writes:
"He made his room real dark so that sunlight doesn't shine in. He starts crying for no reason. Then he shakes, becomes violent, and punches holes in walls. Cursing, throwing things, playing with fire. He broke windows, he had episodes of destroying his bedroom, ripping up photos, breaking stereos, cell phones, remote controls. He coughs alot and has thick phlem. He makes noises, and hears you talk even if you talk as low as possible."
"His father committed suicide in 2003 and I think but am not sure if he is experiencing energy from the dark side. I need some help please. He also doesn't associate with family and friends much. He stays home all day and goes out at night between the hours of 9 pm and 2 am."
"... I didn't believe that this happens in real life. I just started noticing changes within the last couple months. He won't go see a psychiatrist for any help."
"My oldest son said when he lived here and slept in this room he would experience and see things. I'm scared to death of what's going on. My sister would never feel comfortable here and would never use the bathroom upstairs."
"As far as I know... he is not involve with the Occult. I don't know what to do or where to turn or what is really going on. I JUST KNOW HE SEEMED DEPRESSED AND NOW ITS GETTING WORSE AND HE BECOMES ANGRY AND DESTRUCTIVE AND CRYS AND SHAKES FORCEFULLY AND HE WONT TELL ME WHATS BOTHERING HIM! HIS FATHER COMMITTED SUICIDE IN 2003 AND I'M AFRAID HE'S GONNA DO THE SAME."
"He has never been baptized. He got into smoking weed which makes him vulnerable for take-over -- Am I correct?"
"I'm not going crazy. I don't use drugs or alcohol, and I can feel something is really wrong. I feel like when I leave in the morning that someone is watching me from his window. It's really scary and creepy."
"I am not getting no where with him. I had the cops here 4 times already and no help. I contacted the priest you referred me to but he has not returned any of my phone calls."
"Still breaking holes in the wall, threatening to commit suicide. Nobody is helping. Police took him for several psychiatric evaluations -- and they let him go. I contacted Crisis today to see if they can help because even if there is demonic activity, he also needs psychiatric care."
"They are releasing him from the hospital today. I was wondering if you have heard anything yet about getting him baptized."
"I have been praying, still haven't noticed a change, unless its my nerves. I've been real shaky and my body trembles when I'm sleeping. I hope he (the parish priest) contacts me soon. He was released today."
"...I think Father (parish priest) was trying to call me last night, but the phone only rang twice, and when I answered there was nothing but (name of church) showed up on my caller ID. As for me, I am still praying and I am still shaky..."
"Thanks to the hospital releasing my son and not getting the help he needed, he ended up taking someones life. I am totally stressed out and hurting so bad."
In submission to rightful spiritual authority, I presented the facts of this case to the parish priest. I explained that this is a case of demonic possession, and that the young man had never been baptized. I trusted the priest to act on this -- but he waited too long...
The young man is now in prison. He has not yet been baptized -- and he is still possessed. The priest continues to visit him in prison and is doing all he can do. (The young man is allowed only one visitor.)
“O Jesus, I surrender
Miguel, Dillon, Daniel and Guillermo
To You;
Take care of everything!”
Miguel, Dillon, Daniel and Guillermo
To You;
Take care of everything!”
“To fix a set ‘model’ for demonic possession would be a serious mistake; the affliction runs the gamut of symptoms and severity.” _ Fr. Gabriele Amorth
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