An ongoing event

[misfitz]

It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted concerning some issues with my mother, most specifically her claim to having visions. I’m still struggling with it among other things as a result of it. I’ve made several attempts at scheduling an appointment with a priest for guidance. Unfortunately, he continues to cancel on me, so I’ve never been able to meet with him. Apparently, like all priests these days, he’s extremely busy.

So, here I am with a question.

Is it wrong to ask God to be shown things?

As I try to study the many things my mother has tried to feed to me, I begin thinking about her telling me that, during her divorce from my father, she had asked God to show her what my father had been doing. It’s my understanding that it was at that time in her life when she began having her “visions”.

I’ve been struggling with wether or not she really does have visions, and if so, who is providing them to her. I’m wondering if by her wanting to be shown things she invited the other source to entertain himself with her mind.

Also, a strange question…can any of you recommend a good, simple book about the devil? Yes, I know. Most people want to read about the saints. I’d like to find something easy to read that basically would or could educate me as to what he is capable of doing. I seem to remember reading somewhere that he can take on many forms, even possibly that of the Virgin Mary.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Prayers would also be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Luke65]

It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted concerning some issues with my mother, most specifically her claim to having visions. I’m still struggling with it among other things as a result of it. I’ve made several attempts at scheduling an appointment with a priest for guidance. Unfortunately, he continues to cancel on me, so I’ve never been able to meet with him. Apparently, like all priests these days, he’s extremely busy.

So, here I am with a question.

Is it wrong to ask God to be shown things?

Visions? That’s not a good idea.

As I try to study the many things my mother has tried to feed to me, I begin thinking about her telling me that, during her divorce from my father, she had asked God to show her what my father had been doing. It’s my understanding that it was at that time in her life when she began having her “visions”.

Oh boy.

I’ve been struggling with wether or not she really does have visions, and if so, who is providing them to her. I’m wondering if by her wanting to be shown things she invited the other source to entertain himself with her mind.

Also, a strange question…can any of you recommend a good, simple book about the devil? Yes, I know. Most people want to read about the saints. I’d like to find something easy to read that basically would or could educate me as to what he is capable of doing. I seem to remember reading somewhere that he can take on many forms, even possibly that of the Virgin Mary.

That’s definitely a possibility (a phantom). But rather than reading a book about the devil, I would recommend you study up on true and false private revelations. The best place I know of for this is Rick Salbato’s website, and you’ll see he also talks about the new manual Pope Benedict is having published on this very subject (top of page “Pope to crack down…”).

Any feedback would be appreciated. Prayers would also be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

You’re welcome, and prayers on the way

 

[Trishie]

Please don’t get caught up in your mother’s vision issue. There are medical problems that can cause such things, don’t immediately think of the devil. Best not to focus one that side of things. If we feed our mind on negative things we’re more likely to go down that path.

If your priest knows about you mother’s issue he could be uncomfortable dealing with it. Or maybe he’s very busy. Or maybe the Lord is letting you know not to get involved nor to worry as worry and anxiety don’t come from God, though peace does.

Your mother may or not be having visions but the issue followed emotional trauma. Love and respect your mother, but it’s not important to focu on her 'visions. As a Catholic Christian you need to concentrate on the gospels and on the sacraments. Don’t let your spiritual energy be sapped away by concentrating on what isn’t essential, and visions true or false arent that important…because we know what God requires of us. We know we must live gospel love. We know we must participate as fully as we can in the Sacraments. And we know that we must pray for others, our loved ones, ourselves, and the world. We know we must live in charity and in respect to the rules of the Church.

Pray for your mother’s peace and well-being, and that she will live quietly and joyfully the above truths.

 

[Luke65]

Trishie makes a lot of good points, but I have to say that you should definitely talk to a priest about this. I take what you say very seriously because I have studied these issues, and red flags went off with some of the things you said. One example:

Salbato:

SEEKING THE SUPERNATURAL

The greatest of all mystics, St. John of the Cross, says:

"(God’s) — displeasure at the quest for revelations and locutions, even though He sometimes answers them, lies in the illicitness of transcending the natural boundaries God has established for the governing of creatures. He has fixed natural and rational limits by which man is to be ruled. A desire to transcend them, hence, is unlawful, and to desire to investigate and arrive at knowledge in a supernatural way is to go beyond the natural limits. It is unlawful, consequently, and God who is offended by everything illicit is displeased.

“The devil is most pleased when he sees that a man desires to admit revelation. For then he has an excellent opportunity to inject errors and disparage faith. As I have declared, a man desiring these apprehensions becomes coarse in his faith and even exposes himself to many temptations and improprieties.” (The Ascent of Mt. Carmel, II, 21, 1).

See what I mean? So talk to a priest, and hopefully she will too (if she hasn’t already), and I would recommend that you tell your mother to tell God that she doesn’t want to see any more visions, and that she’s sorry for asking for them - even if there’s not much to this.

 

[misfitz]

She doesn’t want to see a priest.

The freaky thing is that some of the things she has told me has come true. I have to remind myself that even if she does have visions and even if they do come true, there’s no guarantee that they are from God.

I have another appointment scheduled for Thursday. I’m hoping he doesn’t cancel on me again. I’ve been trying to see this priest since September. He is not aware of what I’m going in for.

 

[FCEGM]

She doesn’t want to see a priest.

The freaky thing is that some of the things she has told me has come true. I have to remind myself that even if she does have visions and even if they do come true, there’s no guarantee that they are from God.

I have another appointment scheduled for Thursday. I’m hoping he doesn’t cancel on me again. I’ve been trying to see this priest since September. He is not aware of what I’m going in for.

I hope he will see you and that you will be helped by him. If he cannot help, then ask him to recommend a priest who can. The fact that your mother doesn’t want to see a priest is a strong indication that whatever she is experiencing isn’t from God - He comes to the humble who readily turn to His Church for aid. My prayers are with you both!

 

[RB2]

I’m a little amiss at the rather inadequate answers that preceded mine.
Perhaps the title of this post is not adequate to the subject and not drawing the appropriate interest.

There is discernment to be made concerning people who are assisted
and aided by the Holy Spirit with visions or answers to prayer.
These are called gifts, and the people who usually receive them are
good catholics, very prayerful, daily rosary.

Then there are people who dont fit the above category of which
the issues could be any of one or more from a mixed bag.

My girlfriend, a couple of her longtime friends and mine fall into this first category of being faithful and prayerful catholics who do receive gifts,visions,etc from the Holy Spirit. Its not uncommon, but not common. A priest or someone with this background would be able to
discern/recognize your mothers situation. I dont know ‘Misfitz’ background but
I am guessing your background wont help and there is no quick way
for you to learn just to discern your mother. If she prays the rosary daily and many things have come true, and there are no other outstanding issues, I would go with her prayerful reliance on God being rewarded/aided by the Holy Spirit.

 

[Joannm]

I would suggest going to see a doctor. Could be a medical problem. My husband worked for awhile in a psychiatric hospital and some people had visions that they truly believed came from God. In fact, one of the questions they ask on admittance is if the person has visions. There are many other physical conditions, aside from psychiatric problems that can cause visions, voices, etc. I would have her checked out by a doctor, in fact any good priest would probably recommend that first.