Can demons infest objects?

[Sonic]

I think it’s a bit juvenile of some of you to trivialize this issue by derailing the thread with inanities. I also think that the OP has a valid concern and pagan rituals can very easily open up one’s heart to the Devil and his influence. While God is certainly infinitely more power than the Devil, it would be a fatal mistake to make to underestimate what Satan and his minions are capable of.

Unfortunately, most of those trivializing the issue aren’t doing so from a position of knowledge on the subject any more than a lot of people who are quick to jump to conclusions and see devils under every bed.

The key to understanding how an object can be infested is to first gain an understanding about sacramentals (holy medals, crucifixes, icons, etc.) If an object can be blessed for use by the Church, then it can also become cursed for use in occult rituals. Various objects used in occult rituals are in fact “blessed” for usage just like sacramentals. We say it’s cursed (the opposite of blessing), because the item is not in service of God and His church.

Just like a icon or holy medal dedicated to a saint is associated with that saint, an object dedicated to a demon is associated with that entity through the invocation of its protection or realm of powers.

Fr. Amorth points out in his book that people are haunted and not objects or houses. That is because the items attachment affects the people around it and not the object itself. The affect of such infestation is also dependent on the state of grace a person’s soul is in, and whether God has granted permission for phenomena to take place (usually reasons for good from which God only knows).

The reason for breaking such cursed “blessings” on objects is simple. We release the object out of bound service contrary to the natural order which God created it for. Blessing an object places the object in the service of God’s kingdom for the betterment of our salvation and ensures its place within God’s eternal kingdom.

Generally, that’s my understanding of it. I hope that helps some people understand. I know I didn’t use any technical language like tangible matter or malefice.

Someone correct me or clarify my statement if needed.

 

[Rascalking]

I think it’s a bit juvenile of some of you to trivialize this issue by derailing the thread with inanities. I also think that the OP has a valid concern and pagan rituals can very easily open up one’s heart to the Devil and his influence. While God is certainly infinitely more power than the Devil, it would be a fatal mistake to make to underestimate what Satan and his minions are capable of.

@OP:

If I were you I WOULD get a priest to properly dispose of it. A priest is able to confer his blessings to such an object to ‘rid it of its past’ (or so to speak) and then donate it/whatever he sees fit.

Sorry you feel it’s “Juvenile”. I think it’s delusional to worry about things like this.

 

[SeaShoreGirl]

Sorry you feel it’s “Juvenile”. I think it’s delusional to worry about things like this.

It’s not that we’re saying there’s no spiritual warfare, no devil, it’s that the OP posted about two decorations that were used in pagan practices. She has either broken ties to that world, or she has not. The swords themselves cause no harm.

IMO it’s silly to keep them around. It’s like an alcoholic keeping a wine collection, or a sex addict buying Swimsuit Illustrated. Foolish on a practical level, not on a spiritual one.

 

[aurora_borealis]

Hello everyone. I have two swords in my apartment that I have been thinking of getting rid of because I used to use them during Pagan rituals when I was involved in such. Well, I was just wondering, is it possible for such objects to be infested by demons?

I don’t know if there is a way to know if these items are infested with deamons, but just looking at them remind you of past activities, things that you might not want to be reminded of . Maybe it is best to get rid of them and replace them with objects that bring to mind God.

 

[MtnDwellar]

Sorry you feel it’s “Juvenile”. I think it’s delusional to worry about things like this.

Thinking that it’s delusional is not a reason to make a mockery of the thread.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

Holly, here is the proper procedure for getting rid of occult or cursed objects.

saint-mike.org/spcdc/materials/destroycursedobjects.pdf

You can send the swords to the St. Padre Pio Center for Deliverance Counseling. They will properly dispose of the items for you. You don’t want to give the objects away as what was suggested by another poster. That will only pass the infestation (should one actually exist) to someone else.

I don’t think its wise to recommend that website or it’s sister sites, See here.

 

[styrgwillidar]

Well, I don’t know anything about the subject of objects connection to demons, however,

What are they worth? Do you have some use for them other than decoration? I have used a short sword for trimming/clearing brush, kind of like a machete. I know an ex-marine who actually has a sword which he has used to defend his home.

I think that getting rid of them as an indication of your revocation of your past and a commitment to God in the future would be my approach. Especially if they’re just decorative.

However I could see depending on their worth and possible use, taking them to your priest, explaining the background and asking him to bless them if you’re going to keep them around. He may be able to provide you additional insight and guidance, or direct you to someone he knows who can.

 

[Sonic]

I don’t think its wise to recommend that website or it’s sister sites, See here.

Thanks for the heads up, Bruised Reed. I will no longer be using their resources. I didn’t know about any of this till today.

@ Holly… call your Diocese and ask for the Diocese exorcist.

 

[Daegus]

Thinking that it’s delusional is not a reason to make a mockery of the thread.

Exactly. On top of that, a Catholic calling someone’s beliefs delusional would seem just a wee bit hypocritical to outsiders. Don’t you think? They might be wrong but there’s no reason to call a valid concern delusional.

 

[Sonic]

Sorry you feel it’s “Juvenile”. I think it’s delusional to worry about things like this.

If I remember correctly, Holly stated (a year or so ago) that she was experiencing phenomena in her house due to her past activities and conversion to the Catholic church.

 

[Rascalking]

Thinking that it’s delusional is not a reason to make a mockery of the thread.

Actually, I wasn’t mocking anything. Just saying it’s quite hard to believe that something is truly infested.

 

[Rascalking]

If I remember correctly, Holly stated (a year or so ago) that she was experiencing phenomena in her house due to her past activities and conversion to the Catholic church.

The other day my dinner plate got up, put on a hat, took out a cane and started dancing. After that, I got a text from Jessica Alba telling me she was going to accept my marriage proposal. Do you believe everything you read on the internet? Do you believe everyone who says they’re “possessed” or that they see the Virgin Mary in their grilled cheese? Do you think the church should investigate these things a bit before we jump on the bandwagon and say “she/it/whatever is possessed”?

I’m no expert in this (I highly doubt anyone here is, regardless of what they might say) but I think the church investigates these things for a bit before they send out the exorcism force.

My goodness, I think it gives Catholics a bad name to other people. Many Catholics seem willing to believe anything. That’s not normal.

 

[helloeveryone]

Hello everyone. I have two swords in my apartment that I have been thinking of getting rid of because I used to use them during Pagan rituals when I was involved in such. Well, I was just wondering, is it possible for such objects to be infested by demons?

You should get rid of them because they were used in evil rituals.

 

[Sonic]

The other day my dinner plate got up, put on a hat, took out a cane and started dancing. After that, I got a text from Jessica Alba telling me she was going to accept my marriage proposal. Do you believe everything you read on the internet? Do you believe everyone who says they’re “possessed” or that they see the Virgin Mary in their grilled cheese? Do you think the church should investigate these things a bit before we jump on the bandwagon and say “she/it/whatever is possessed”?

I’m no expert in this (I highly doubt anyone here is, regardless of what they might say) but I think the church investigates these things for a bit before they send out the exorcism force.

My goodness, I think it gives Catholics a bad name to other people. Many Catholics seem willing to believe anything. That’s not normal.

Rascalking, I don’t believe everything I read on the internet. Don’t you think think you are overreacting a little? You are verging on rudeness.

 

[MtnDwellar]

Actually, I wasn’t mocking anything. Just saying it’s quite hard to believe that something is truly infested.

Objects can be possessed. It is not rare. I think that Holly is just being cautious. If she is not having any signs of an infestation then there is no reason to dispose of the swords. If there was an infestation it would be prudent for her to dispose of anything that may have been used in a pagan ritual. In that case she may be well advised to also dispose of any item purchased used or that which had an uncertain past.

Blessings are a good idea. If they are nice swords and she wants to keep them, my recommendation is to bless them. I bless used cars after I purchase them. I bless my food before every meal. What the heck! Why not bless everything she owns?

 

[Willy_Jose]

Folks,
Please allow me to digress a bit…

I believe we can all agree that we should first ascribe good intentions to our brethren in this forum. Whenever there is a comment that seems to be off-tangent with the Christian way, we respectfully clarify. We then assert the truth guided by the Magesterium for this is after all a Catholic Forum. We are all here as truth-seekers (i believe so). No one in this forum can claim infallibility and we don’t treat comments as if we are exercising exegesis by parsing previous comments word by word and micro-analyzing them for faults and responding in less than a charitable way. Context…

I have attempted to give some helpful information and advise (I hoped so) in my previous responses to the OP in my comments of #4 and #10. My response to Raskalking in my comment #16 was a good-natured response to what I interpreted was an obvious attempt at wry humor. There is nothing more. Raskalking’s comments to my mind (minus the silly and funny one) basically says we should guard against ascribing devious, supernatural attributes into every perception. It is a perfectly legitimate concern. I believe he did not mean to derail the thread, he just made some corny jokes. I don’t think us Catholics are prohibited for some fun remarks once in a while (neither do I see such prohibition in the forum rules), and besides we can always identify a troll when we encounter one. A regular member, prayer warrior, and regular forum supporter, is certainly not a troll. Besides, we can always choose to ignore obvious jokes (ascribing more attention than it deserves will only derail the thread) if we are not inclined to do so. Let us lighten up folks. I did however, learn a lot from all the commenters in this thread. Thanks.

(P.S.) I post very infrequently and have never encountered Raskalking in this forum prior to this thread.

Peace, all.

 

[Rascalking]

Rascalking, I don’t believe everything I read on the internet. Don’t you think think you are overreacting a little? You are verging on rudeness.

Well, if I’m verging on rudeness, I apologize. I prefer to think I’m using satire and embracing my dry sense of humor.

 

[Sonic]

Well, if I’m verging on rudeness, I apologize. I prefer to think I’m using satire and embracing my dry sense of humor.

It’s cool, Rascalking. I’d have just blocked your posts if I didn’t already know you. Still, a few of your posts go little beyond humor even if that wasn’t your intention to do so.

@ Bruised Reed-

The link I posted was from one of the few places online that had a reliable list sources for books on the subject. Catholic Culture’s evaluation of the site does show that the resources are good, but the fidelity of the site’s owner is questionable (mostly his identity and credentials). This shows the danger of relying on online sources for information on this subject. The owner was able to keep up a facade of legitimacy that seems to have fooled a lot of people (including EWTN experts). I originally received the link through a posting from the EWTN expert forum.

There should be more links to the website via a search of the expert forum:
ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=352884&Pg=&Pgnu=&recnu=

 

[Rascalking]

It’s cool, Rascalking. I’d have just blocked your posts if I didn’t already know you. Still, a few of your posts go little beyond humor even if that wasn’t your intention to do so.

No worries. If they go beyond humor, then that was probably my intention-not rudeness, but bluntness.

 

[Holly3278]

Well, I did get rid of the swords. I threw them away. I found no use for having them anymore and simply didn’t want them. As for whether or not they were infested or whatever, I don’t know. However, I do know that at least now I don’t have to be reminded of my past with the Occult now that they are out of sight and out of mind.