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7/10/2013

MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE DEMONIC

Catholic priests work with mental-health professionals to discern what is mental illness and what is demonic possession. In fact, the Catholic Church demands this cooperation before considering an exorcism.

Exorcism _ St. Francis Borgia 

Listed in the Roman Ritual are five indicators 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. When these (obvious) signs of possible demonic possession are absent, the “rite of exorcism” is usually denied by the local bishop.

In his book, An Exorcist Tells His Story, Fr. Gabriele Amorth writes about Demonic Possession: “This occurs when Satan takes full possession of the body (not the soul); he speaks and acts without the knowledge or consent of the victim, who therefore is morally blameless.” Fr. Amorth advises, “to fix a set ‘model’ for demonic possession would be a serious mistake; the affliction runs the gamut of symptoms and severity.”

There are other (less obvious) signs of possible demonic possession (and partial possession), but these are usually considered signs of (and dismissed as) demonic oppression or obsession -- or misdiagnosed as mental illness. Therefore, the rite of exorcism is not warranted.

~ * * * ~

While it is true that "full possession" is rare, "partial possession" is quite common. Partial possession exists when a demon enters one’s body and takes control over a specific area of one’s life, a specific aspect of one’s character and personality...

The partially possessed person is "demonized" -- that is, has an evil spirit inside the body. Such a person may sense that something is wrong -- but no connection is made with the demonic. One can be full of anger, have uncontrollable rage, and be violent... One can be full of lust and have insatiable desires or unnatural passions... One can be full of fear, have crippling phobias or experience paralysis... Although one is able to function normally most of the time, one suffers internally with something from which there seems to be no relief. The demon remains hidden within the body -- until it is provoked by a priest or deliverance minister. And when the demon feels threatened, there will be manifestations that expose it.

~ * * * ~

Priests work with mental-health professionals to discern what is mental illness and what is demonic possession. But during this time of testing and observation, a truly possessed person may not necessarily show signs of possession.

[“The fallen angels did not lose their natural knowledge by their sin; nor did they lose their angelic intellect.” _ Saint Thomas Aquinas, The Summa Theologica]

Demons often hide within the victim’s body during the discernment process... Observation by a mental-health professional poses no threat to them. However, provocation by a priest will cause demons to manifest and reveal themselves. But today this rarely happens.

~ * * * ~

Schizophrenia _ People diagnosed with schizophrenia can experience bizarre hallucinations, delusions… disorganized thinking and hearing internal voices. But are these only psychotic manifestations?

Allentown, PA (2011)A psychiatric nurse took me to see a woman who was locked away in a private, psychiatric facility. The woman was suicidal and being treated for “schizophrenia.” Although heavily medicated and sedated, the voices in her head did not stop. She described a constant “chatter” that would neither give her a moment of peace nor allow her to sleep at night.

This woman knew she was not schizophrenic. She exclaimed, “NOT VOICES -- CHATTER!” But the staff at this psychiatric facility did not understand what she was saying. Rather, they kept her heavily medicated and sedated with powerful, antipsychotic drugs and locked up behind closed doors.

In one email, the woman wrote: “I’ve had soooo many out of my body experiences (supernatural abilities) again. I’ll have to explain more explicit about that… I have had two kinds of light. the bad, and the good. each side was big experience… but I feel like I have no god, and he doesn’t exist, I always feel so lost, alone. and this is why I get suicidal thought, cause I feel no one is helping me, and I lose all interests, but dear, death is here, it’s touching me (physical contact by a demon). I feel like life is sad...death is better. death is perfection. like suicides my job. do you really think I will go to hell if I kill myself? or is your god so trusting and forgiving, and he’d just take me cause he loves everybody and doesn’t want them to suffer?”

In another email, she wrote: “…I’m not used to all this god stuff, I’ve really only known the other side (the dark side), and all the things we would have to do to those animals… and their was lots of blood involved, cutting, and a whole lot of sexual and physical abuse (Satanic ritual abuse; profuse blasphemy and/or sacrilege). I had five abortions from that sick man. and I didn’t want his evil parts of me in my body, so I aborted them all. It was constant rape (extreme trauma) and he’d put some kind of powder in the blood to drink (black magic). I think it made us in more of his control, so we couldn’t resist, so it made it easier for him to control us. I cant talk no more,....they (?) want me off the computer…”

I knew the psychiatric nurse from another case; and, the possessed woman was one of her patients when she worked in the state hospital. I still remember how (unnaturally) cold the woman’s (temperature-controlled) room was -- evidence of a demonic presence.

~ * * * ~

Q: Can you imagine how many possessed people are heavily medicated and sedated with powerful, antipsychotic drugs and locked up behind closed doors in state hospitals and private, psychiatric facilities?

A: However many there may be, one thing is certain. Their numbers are growing!

Abandoning Christianity, many people are turning to the Occult… Living in a hostile and aggressive secularist (Godless) society/culture, we can expect to encounter more and more people under the influence of the demonic.

~ * * * ~

Dissociative Identity Disorder / Multiple Personality Disorder _ People diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder can experience dissociative amnesia… and “switching” to alternate identities when under stress. But are these only psychotic manifestations?

Oakland, CA (1991) _ A young woman had been misdiagnosed as having MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder). Her psychotherapist did not realize that her “multiple personalities” were actually demons.

[The reality of “Satanic ritual abuse” has been investigated, and denied by many, over the years... but God has allowed me to witness the “trauma” -- the aftermath -- of Satanic ritual abuse.]


IS SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE REAL? 
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING TESTIMONY.

In August 1991, I was told by a friend about two people who were good in spiritual deliverance. I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk to them. I was afraid that they would tell me that I had to make drastic changes in my life. I wasn’t prepared to give up the lifestyle I was leading.

Since I was very young, I had been involved with a Satanic cult. I was born into the cult and forced to perform hideous acts. Because of all this abuse I developed severe emotional problems. My therapist thought I was a multiple personality -- and I was convinced that these separate entities were good and that they should be there. I enjoyed being different people at times and I would often ask these entities to perform tasks that I didn’t want to (perform).

But life was not all calm for me. I was often suicidal, very depressed, always in some sort of crisis and very self-destructive. I wanted to leave the Satanic cult, but the “personalities” kept drawing me back to the cult. I hated going to the Satanic rituals, but I couldn’t stop. I was so oppressed I couldn’t think of anything but the horrible experiences I had gone through. I was preoccupied with revenge and self-pity. I was constantly reaching out for help, which I sometimes didn’t get. I burned out friends because I was so emotionally needy.

God prepared me to accept what Gene and Mary had to say to me. I didn’t want to believe at first that these “personalities” were actually demons. I didn’t want them to leave. I liked them, cherished them, and didn’t know how to live without them. But when Gene and Mary prayed for me, I knew they were right. Several times I was sick with a fever or in pain, and when Gene prayed, I was healed. The demon “personalities” knew that Gene and Mary were Christians and were able to help deliver me. The demons spat at them and wanted to bite them. The demons cursed them and yelled and screamed.

But when I wanted them to leave, they had no right to stay when Gene and Mary commanded them to leave. So many demons were cast out, some went easily, and others took a lot of work. Memories had to be brought to the surface, hurt emotions had to be healed and forgiveness given to the perpetrators before some demons would leave. We met together many times and Gene and Mary were so loving and gentle to me. Though there were a few times when Gene became firm because I wouldn’t listen or was being stubborn.

Most of all the demons are gone and much healing has taken place. I feel so much better. No longer do I wallow in self-pity or obsessively think about the horrible tortures I had endured. No longer do I hate my parents who did all this to me. I know that God has restored to me all the things that Satan had stolen from me. I know that God has blessed me and has turned a horrible past into a promising future.

-Linda

~ * * * ~

Demonic Possession occurs within the body. Demonic Oppression occurs outside the body. Demonic Obsession occurs in the mind.

In his book, An Exorcist Tells His Story, Fr. Gabriele Amorth explains:

Demonic Oppression _ “There is no possession, loss of consciousness, or involuntary action and word,” just severe to mild events that plague the individual. Fr. Amorth points to Job’s severe afflictions and St. Paul’s thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7). Fr. Amorth reveals that he and his fellow exorcists “run into a great number of people who have been struck by the devil in their health, jobs or relationships.”

Demonic Obsession _ “Symptoms include sudden attacks, at times ongoing, of obsessive thoughts, sometimes even rationally absurd, but of such nature that the victim is unable to free himself.” Moreover, “the obsessed person lives in a perpetual state of prostration, desperation, and attempts at suicide. Almost always, obsession influences dreams.”

_______________

6/24/2013

ADDICTIONS AND DIVINE MERCY

From “Divine Mercy Answers Life’s Crises and Problems”
By Fr. George W. Kosicki, C.S.B.


Father George Kosicki, CSB (1928 - 2014) worked with
the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception
in spreading the message of Divine Mercy. 

“What Should I Do When I’m Addicted?”

There are various types of addictions. They all affect the whole person in body, mind and spirit. The various addictions begin with a seeking of euphoria or pleasure and eventually end in moral degradation and violent behavior. Consider the following:

Addiction to alcohol is a complex phenomenon that involves the chemistry of the brain, genetic propensity stimulated by excessive intake of alcohol and stress. Some researchers have shown that the break down product of alcohol is not excreted but is “dumped” into the brain and sits on the site of the endorphins. The endorphins are the natural chemicals that stimulate a sense of well-being and pleasure. The end product of alcohol metabolism blocks the site of the natural endorphins -- so the alcoholic is addicted to stimulating the endorphin pleasure site with alcohol.

Addiction to drugs (such as heroine, etc.) follows the same pattern as the end-product of the metabolism of alcohol’s inhibiting the natural endorphins. So the drug addict seeks the euphoria of the drug in a compulsive way.

Addiction to pornography is the latest addition to the list of addictions. The euphoric site in the brain is stimulated to give a sense of pleasure from looking at pornographic materials, for example on the internet. Researchers are reporting that addiction to pornography is the major cause of most of the violent action of molestation of the young and the break-up of the family.

“What Should I Do As An Addict?”

There are Twelve-Step programs for each of the various addictions. Seek them out for help; that is why they exist.

In terms of Divine Mercy as the antidote to addiction, consider the following points that echo the Twelve-Step programs:
  1. Admit your misery and your inability to overcome the complex pneumo-psycho-somatic (spiritual, psychological and physical) addiction by yourself. Turn to God’s mercy. Plunge into the ocean of God’s mercy with complete trust.
  2. Repent of your sinful addiction and repent of your violent actions and moral degradation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
  3. Ask a prayer group or a priest to pray over you for healing of the addiction.
  4. Trust in God Who in His infinite mercy is always ready to forgive and to heal.
  5. Seek out a support group of merciful friends to encourage you and challenge you to keep your resolutions.
  6. Stop all addictive behavior by the grace of God -- i.e., no alcohol, no drugs, no porn...
  7. Start with a new life -- new friends, new work if needed to reduce stress, new hobbies, new recreations, change your diet to a balanced intake of food.
  8. Start a life of mercy in action: by deeds, by word and by prayer. Seek out ways to be merciful to those in need of help.
  9. Repent of your self-concern and be concerned for others.
  10. Continue in regular, daily prayer of thanks and asking the Lord for mercy on all those with addictions.
  11. Receive regular and frequent Holy Communion to strengthen and nourish you with the Body and Blood of the Lord, the Presence of Mercy Incarnate.
  12. Entrust your new life to Mary our Mother, the Mother of Divine Mercy.
Ask for His mercy.
Be merciful.
Completely trust in Jesus.

_______________

6/17/2013

DELIVERANCE AND INNER HEALING

 
Many Protestant deliverance ministers behave as though freedom from the demonic is the ultimate objective. One of these once told me, “I’ll have you know that I am ‘triple-mantled’ for deliverance.” I don’t even know what that means.

Deliverance is part of God’s healing ministry. And deliverance -- apart from inner healing -- is abuse. The ultimate objective should be “inner healing and wholeness.”

“Nature abhors a vacuum.” The same is true in the spiritual realm. Deliverance from evil spirits creates a “spiritual vacuum.” Therefore, the immediate need (for one who is already baptized) is for the “infilling of the Holy Spirit” and prayer for “inner healing.” Then, through Daily Eucharist and frequent Confession, one will continue to be healed and become more whole. Sanctifying Grace received in the Sacraments fills the “spiritual vacuum.”

~ * * * ~

Some time ago, I came to realize that many of the healings I witness are, in fact, deliverances. A woman once exclaimed, “When you prayed for me, I felt something lift!” It was an oppressing spirit that left her -- because of the anointing (that is, the charism of healing).

For some cases, all that is required is a touch and a prayer; other cases require some spiritual warfare. And all that is required of me are simple commands “in the Name of Jesus,” as inspired by the Holy Spirit. [I do not perform exorcisms. Only a priest may perform an exorcism -- and only with the permission of his Bishop.] It is this charism that causes demons to manifest, and ultimately leave.

The charism that heals also delivers!

San Francisco, CA (September 1990)

_ I attended a Mario Murillo Crusade where I (a Catholic layman) was welcomed to pray for people in the ministry tent. One night I was led to three women. As I approached, one of them became silent and lowered her head. When I looked into her face, I saw her eyes “roll backward” into her skull. Only the white of her eyes could be seen.

The woman was possessed -- but the demons did not begin to manifest until I approached her. It was the presence of the anointing (the charism) that caused these demons to manifest.

This was my “introduction” to the deliverance side of God’s healing ministry. [God is in control, and I do my part.] I followed the inspirations of the Holy Spirit, and the woman was set free.

Days later, I was informed that this woman was one of two lesbians who had made a “suicide pact” with the Devil. That night, she had planned to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge -- but God intervened, and led her to the Crusade (below the bridge) where He had placed me.

Diocese of Arlington, VA (October 2010)

_ After a healing service in Northern Virginia, a psychotherapist asked me to pray with her patients. Then she took me to see one of her patients believed to be a “locutionist.” [A locution is a form of private revelation, similar to an apparition, but rather than being seen a locution is heard or received internally.]

The locutions were convincing -- but diabolical. The woman’s psychotherapist suspected demonic possession, and an exorcism had been approved and scheduled. I had been invited to participate in this exorcism, but the invitation was withdrawn because of liability concerns. Later, I was told the exorcism had been cancelled.

As we approached a large house in the suburbs, a woman yelled from the front door, “They know you’re coming!” The woman invited us into her home and proudly showed us her “shrine” -- a beautiful display of holy icons and statues… She was a nice lady, and it was obvious that she was a devout Catholic. But when she began to speak about Jesus, I heard the mocking voice of a demon!

I interrupted with the command, “In the Name of Jesus, evil spirit shut up!” And immediately, the woman became silent. I remember the surprised look on the doctor’s face.

I asked the woman to sit down, and we began to pray. I asked the doctor to pray the Rosary while I prayed for deliverance and inner-healing. [Once delivered, a man once said that he could feel the Power of the Rosary -- during the war for his soul!]

After two 3-hour sessions, the woman was free. And when the doctor asked me about the diabolical locutions, I told her to burn them.

~ * * * ~

Once delivered from evil spirits, there is no going back to the former (sinful) way of life. One is now called to “a life of holiness” -- a life centered on the Holy Eucharist. This is now very important -- because the evil spirits will return!

“When an unclean (evil) spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first.” (Luke 11:24-26)

[“When the assault of demons (evil spirits) is repulsed, the devil is not rendered incapable of further attack. But it seems that he cannot return immediately to the assault, but only after the lapse of a definite time.” _ St. Thomas Aquinas, The Summa Theologica]

When evil spirits return and find their (former) home Spirit-filled and Sacramentally fortified, they cannot “move in and dwell there.” All doors are closed; all permission (consent) is revoked.

_______________

4/18/2013

DELIVERANCE FROM FEAR

THE SCREAM

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

Jesus, You are my Salvation.
Whom should I fear?

But there is fear in me, O God.
Fear from childhood abuse and traumas
long forgotten,
fear buried alive in my subconscious mind,
fear that cripples me in the present day.

There is fear in me, O Lord.
Fear that binds me and imprisons me,
even though I am now in the Light.

Jesus, please BIND the "spirit of fear"
in my life.

Please heal all areas vulnerable to
the spirit of fear,
and all areas under its control.

I thank You for the gift of faith --
a faith greater than fear.

Eucharistic Jesus,
You are the healer of my soul.

Please heal my mind and memory,
my intellect and will.
Please heal all childhood memories
of abuse and trauma
that cause me such pain, anguish
and anxiety in the present day.

Jesus, I give You my wounded heart,
my troubled mind.
I give You my broken family.

In total abandonment and trust,
I surrender my life and family to You.
Take care of everything.

Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament,
I trust in You.

Blessed Virgin Mary, liberator of 
the oppressed,
Crush the “head of the serpent”
in the lives of all who cannot
or will not forgive (me).

Immaculate Mother,
you are Mediatrix of all Grace.

For the sake of the sorrowful passion
of your Son Jesus,
please work your miracles of grace
in all whom I have injured.
Hold them, form them,
in your Immaculate Heart. Amen.

I now entrust all members of my family,
and myself,
to the Blessed Virgin Mary:
“Envelop us in thy mantle,
Immaculate Mother,
and we will be in total security. Amen.”

“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
  
"O Blood and Water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You." 
_ Diary of St. Faustina, #84
 
_______________

2/21/2013

CONFESSION: HEALING THE SOUL

One’s mortal sin testifies to Satan’s victory in one’s life.

When’s the last time you went to confession? The Sacrament of Reconciliation not only takes away our sins, but takes away any “right” Satan has that we may have relinquished to him through sin. One exorcist told me that a lot of deliverance happens in the context of sacramental confession... The voice of the accuser is silenced in the face of God’s mercy, thus restoring peace of mind and soul. Satan is a “liar and the father of lies.” So when you bring the lies you’ve been living into the light, the darkness scatters. _ Mark Mallett, Hell Unleashed: The Sacraments,
 https://www.markmallett.com/blog/hell-unleashed/
 
Sacrament of Reconciliation - Penance / Confession

Jesus told St. Faustina:

“Write, speak of My mercy. Tell souls where they are to look for solace, that is, in the Tribunal of Mercy [the Sacrament of Reconciliation]. There the greatest miracles take place [and] are incessantly repeated. To avail oneself of this miracle, it is not necessary to go on a great pilgrimage, or to carry out some external ceremony; it suffices to come with faith to the feet of My representative and to reveal to Him one's misery, and the miracle of Divine Mercy will be fully demonstrated. Were souls like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint there would be no [hope of] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full.” _ Diary of St. Faustina, “Divine Mercy in My Soul” (1448)

“When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I Myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls. The proud remain always in poverty and misery, because My grace turns away from them to humble souls.” _ Diary of St. Faustina, “Divine Mercy in My Soul” (1602)  
 

Dr. Ray Guarendi

“‘Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned Your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with You. I need You. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into Your redeeming embrace.’ How good it feels to come back to Him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking His mercy.” _ Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium

“When I go to confession, it’s for healing: healing the soul, healing the heart because of something that I did to make it unwell.” _ Pope Francis

Through the Sacraments, we receive sanctifying grace. The Sacrament of Confession is more powerful than the rite of exorcism. And living a Sacramental life is the best defense we have against the Devil.

_______________

2/05/2013

NEW AGE

 
From an Exorcism / Deliverance Workshop
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary (10/25/2007)
 
“Ransomed From Darkness”
Moira Noonan
 
“Is your faith stronger than your fascination?”
 

 
“When you come into the land which the LORD, your God, is giving you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of the peoples there.
Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the fire, nor a fortune-teller, soothsayer, charmer, diviner, or caster of spells, nor one who consults ghosts and spirits or seeks oracles from the dead.
Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the LORD, and because of such abominations the LORD, your God, is driving these nations out of your way.” (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)

All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future. Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2116)

All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame Occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others -- even if this were for the sake of restoring their health -- are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2117)

Superstition is a departure from the worship that we give to the (One) True God. It is manifested in idolatry, as well as in various forms of divination and magic. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2138)

“I will sprinkle clean water upon you to cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.
I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts.
I will put My Spirit within you and make you live by My statutes, careful to observe My decrees.” (Ezekiel 36:25-27)


 
JESUS CHRIST
THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE
A Christian reflection
on the “New Age”

#4 _ NEW AGE AND CHRISTIAN FAITH IN CONTRAST:
The New Age which is dawning will be peopled by perfect, androgynous (hermaphroditic) beings who are totally in command of the cosmic laws of nature. [For example: biotechnology (engineering and manipulating the genetic makeup, the DNA, of organisms) and nanotechnology (engineering and controlling matter at the atomic level)] In this scenario, Christianity (and Christian morality) has to be eliminated and give way to a global religion (a religion of naturalism) and a (totalitarian) new world order.

12/12/2012

PURGATORY, HUMAN HAUNTINGS & VISITATIONS

“…every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory…” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1472)

Even when someone dies in a state of grace, there is usually “spiritual baggage” (venial sins… selfishness, stubbornness… abusiveness). Every trace of sin must be eliminated; every imperfection in the soul must be corrected.

“I did not know that even the smallest transgressions will have to be accounted for.” _ St. Faustina, Divine Mercy in My Soul, #36

According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, the work of each will come to light, for the Day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire [itself] will test the quality of each one’s work. (Fire both destroys and purifies.) If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone’s work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire.
(1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

~ * * * ~

“For Catholics, there is no such thing as a lingering or wandering soul who has not cut the bonds of this earthly life.” _ Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, exorcist

THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF HAUNTINGS: 
2) Human hauntings are purgatorial.


HUMAN HAUNTINGS

There are places (usually houses) where people have heard things -- like faint voices, moans, sobs, sighs… footsteps or knocking -- when no one is there. There are places where things have moved -- like finding personal items where they have not been placed or doors opening and closing… And there are places where people have seen shadows (and shadow men)…

Places like these could (but not always) be haunted by disembodied human souls -- purgatorial souls. These human souls are working out their spiritual baggage… and need our help to be released. Some are allowed by God to communicate with the living.



St. Padre Pio once told the story of a little friar doing some cleaning (and making some noise) during the night, in the shadow of the Tabernacle lamp. When asked who he was, the young monk answered, “I am a brother of yours that made the novitiate here. I was ordered to clean the altar during the year of the novitiate. Unfortunately many times I didn’t reverence Jesus while passing in front of the altar, thus causing the Holy Sacrament that was preserved in the tabernacle to be disrespected. For this serious carelessness, I am still in Purgatory. Now, God, with His endless goodness, sent me here so that you may quicken the time I will enjoy Paradise. Take care of me.”

Wanting to be generous to this suffering soul, Padre Pio exclaimed, “You will be in Paradise tomorrow morning, when I will celebrate Holy Mass.” The poor soul cried out, “Cruel!” Then he wept and disappeared.

With pain and regret, Padre Pio later confessed, “…In fact, I would have been able to immediately send that soul to Heaven, but I condemned him to remain another night in the flames of Purgatory.”

~ * * * ~

It is true. Some poor souls do their Purgatory on earth. Although some are dark, and are in the lower levels of Purgatory, they are not demonic! They are disembodied human souls working out their spiritual baggage...

These “human hauntings” are never destructive; they pose no harm to the living. And when purgatorial souls subtly make themselves known, they are usually asking for prayers (and Masses), blessings and sacrifices… Sometimes a house blessing by a priest -- along with prayers for the purgatorial souls -- is enough to release them and clear a house.

WARNING!

“Those who engage in spiritism think that they are summoning up the souls of the dead. In reality, if there is some response to their call, it is always and without exception Satan and his (fallen) angels who are answering. People who practice spiritism are doing something very dangerous for themselves and for those who come to them for advice. (They are opening themselves and others to the demonic.) They are up to their necks in lies. It is forbidden, strictly forbidden, to call up (conjure) the dead. (This is necromancy.) As for me, I have never done so, I do not do so, and I never will do so. When something appears to me, God alone permits it.”
_ Maria Simma of Austria

~ * * * ~

VISITATIONS FROM PURGATORY

Only with God’s consent may the dead in Purgatory (the poor souls) visit the living on earth. When these poor souls appear to the living, they usually look as they did during life -- but with expressions of suffering… They always present themselves in a way that evokes compassion -- not fear. Sometimes they speak… and then they disappear.

About five years ago when I lived on the east side, my neighbor was a 90-year-old woman in very good health. We became good friends…

The Our Lady Help of Christians chapel was across the street and my neighbor often saw me going to daily Mass. One day after Mass, she was waiting at her door, calling for me. I ran over to her and saw that she was troubled. Then she sat me down and told me what had happened to her the night before.

She woke up during the night and saw her late husband standing in the doorway. (He had been dead for over 25 years!) He walked over to her bed and laid down beside her. Then he got up, walked towards the doorway, and disappeared.

I found this interesting because she was an Evangelical Lutheran -- and the Lutheran Church does not believe in Purgatory. (According to Martin Luther: “Of Purgatory there is no mention in Holy Scripture; it is a lie of the devil, in order that the papists may have some market days and snares for catching money…”) But God knew that I lived next door, and that I could explain what had happened.

I explained that her husband was in Purgatory, and that God had allowed him to visit her to ask for her prayers, that he may be released from his purification and enter Heaven. Then I was inspired to tell her to close her eyes and ask Jesus if I had told her the truth. She did as I asked, opened her eyes and said, “Yes. It is true.” (Jesus had spoken to her.)

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Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great
(To Release 1,000 Souls from Purgatory)

“Eternal Father, I offer You the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with all the Masses being said throughout the world today for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, those in the Universal Church, in my home and within my family. Amen.”

 THE PORTIUNCULA INDULGENCE
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12/04/2012

ORIGINAL PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

VISION OF POPE LEO XIII

One day, after celebrating Mass, the aged Pope Leo XIII was in conference with the Cardinals when suddenly he sank to the floor in a deep swoon. Physicians who hastened to his side could find no trace of his pulse and feared that he had expired. However, after a short interval the Holy Father regained consciousness and exclaimed with great emotion: “Oh, what a horrible picture I have been permitted to see!”

He had been shown a vision of evil spirits who had been released from Hell and their efforts to destroy the Church. But in the midst of the horror the Archangel St. Michael appeared and cast Satan and his legions into the abyss of hell. Soon afterwards Pope Leo XIII composed the following prayer to Saint Michael.


PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
(The Original Version)

“O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered the root of David.
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.”

Originally published in the Roman Raccolta of July 23, 1898

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