Description of an evil force I saw/felt last night

[teresanneheath]

Dear Uzumaki Naruto

  I want to encourage you, along the same vein as Carlyn did.  Don't be surprised if you find it hard to carry through on your resolve to go to confession and (I'm hoping) follow up with regular mass attendance and reception of the blessed sacrament (the eucharist).  You go first; then, bring the family.

  I'm going to tell you a story that was told me by my friend (whom I'll call Eileen) at a Christmas party in 2006 (in New Jersey).  (This is not to frighten you--just to underline the validity of your experience of perceiving an evil presence specifically after you.)  Eileen told me that one night, in bed with her husband, she felt a distinctive poke in her back.  She turned and saw Satan.  She said he was like a giant, a disgusting slimy large standing lizard-like creature.  She was not that frightened, but after looking at him awhile, turned over and just ignored him.  He did not speak or touch her again.  When she turned back, he had left.

  I said to her "what do you think that meant?"  She said "I don't know."  At the time, I couldn't fathom the meaning either--though I believed her story.  I didn't feel moved by the Spirit, it simply did not occur to me then (though on reflection, it is clear)--God was trying to awaken Eileen to the reality of the existence of evil and the need for reform.  (The next time I see her, which could be years, I will tell her.)

 My sense is that Eileen and her husband (and their three children) are good people--but indifferent Catholics.  They strike me as only-Christmas-and-Easter-attendance type Catholics.  My guess--that gets you Purgatory, not Hell.  But, then again, who would want Purgatory?  Remember what God warned--

American Standard Version
So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Bible in Basic English
So because you are not one thing or the other, I will have no more to do with you.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold, not hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:16

and

King James Bible
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

American Standard Version
Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Bible in Basic English
Do your best to go in by the narrow door, for I say to you, A number will make the attempt to go in, but will not be able to do so.

Douay-Rheims Bible

Luke 13:24

This letter is way over my self-imposed limit (for readability). I’ll close by saying read C.S. Lewis’s “Screwtape Letters,” a brilliant novel you can get at the library which catalogs the correspondence between an appretice devil and his master devil (his “teacher,” called “Wormwood”, I think). All havoc breaks lose when the temptee decides to become a Christian and starts attending church services. It is pretty funny in places, and you will recognize what is happening in your own life–I did.

Sincerely, Teresa

 

[MomaMary8]

If I were a demon I would want people to think that they had special powers over me or that maybe I wasn’t even real so that they would communicate me more or so that I could manipulate them further into more things that are harmful to their soul. I might even want them to think I was God or an angel. That way I could really get my claws into them and when the time was right I would strike hard and their soul would be mine.
Seems like a good plan doesn’t it?

Very interesting that you would say this. May I relate what happened to me about two years ago? I’d love feedback on this incident:

My children were attending our parish school, but I knew I had to make a change. The things they were being taught were not Catholic teaching (to put it simply). Just before a scheduled meeting with the principal to tell her of our decision to leave and the many “why’s” I went to mass and prayed for guidance. A former priest/monsigneur appeared to me, but didn’t say a word. This man was the head of my parish school growing up, and was VERY faithful (kept the kneelers post VII, had kids attending daily mass, etc. Being around him, you could feel the Holy Spirity radiate from him). I still see him as a model for a church and church school leader/pastor. My eyes were open when I saw him, I was amazed and closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes he was gone.

I went on to the meeting with the principal, telling her I did not want to be like the woman chased out of Padre Pio’s confessional because she did not do enough to teach her children the faith and save her children from Hell.

Later I learned the Fr. Caropi prayer “In the name of Jesus Christ, evil spirit be gone.” (Why that show was on the radio later that day amazes me!) The next time I went to mass, I said that prayer, and I’ve never been visited again.

The only person I’ve told this story to is my husband. I’m convinced the devil was trying to give me a false message, trying to keep my children in that school. I believe he chose the image of my former priest because of how much I look up to him for spiritual education of children.

My children are in a wonderful, faithful school now, and my 15 yo son is wondering about the priesthood. He often asks about exocisms and wonders about the priests that do these. Should I encourage him to look into it, or stay away from the temptaion of evil? The school we are in is great, but for the first time, is struggling financially. The benefactor can no longer afford to support our little school. I wonder if the devil is attacking this little school that teaches kids to go to the adoration every day?

Sorry for typing a short story! I would love to hear what others’ thought are on this?

Mary

 

[teresanneheath]

Dear Mary:

  I do not think that God would allow the devil to appear to you in the form of a devout priest that you admired from your earlier youth.  I  cannot easily interpret the vision you had, but I do believe it was the priest himself you saw (i.e., God allowed a visitation).  That is, from what you wrote, I cannot tell if the vision of the devout priest was supposed to encourage to stay or encourage you to leave.  My instincts tell me the vision was meant to keep your foot planted where it stood--perhaps as a way of saying to you "Stay and reform the place rather than flee."  But I could be wrong.

  Mary, could you tell us what offended you so much in the teaching your children were receiving at this particular parish school that you left?

  I don't know if I'd encourage a child thinking about priesthood to go toward toward a specialty of exorcism.  One has to be called to that by God, for it is a very tough calling within a calling.  All priests are giving the devil the heave-ho, at some level, in their administration of the sacraments as a means of saving the soul.  But only a few are called for the very tough work of exorcising demons from those who have become possessed.  Possession is a pretty rare state, and usually comes from willfully dabbling in the occult.  (For instance, do you know Hitler dabbled in the occult?  You can read about this (and more) in Roy Schoeman's book entitled  "Salvation is from the Jews". (He is a Jewish convert to the faith and is active (along with others) in a group called "Hebrew Catholics" that has a newsletter I receive.  No, I am not a Jewish convert--I'm Irish American-heritage cradle Catholic.)

  CS Lewis said (I forget which book--probably in "Mere Christianity") that one can err in two directions regarding the devil:  (1) by being overly concerned with him (overly fearful, or alternatively, overly fascinated), or (2) denying that the devil exists and is a force for evil in the world and tempter of our souls.

In warning against over-fascination with the devil (and our seeming power of the devil by God’s assistance), I think Lewis was nicely recapping Christ’s words that:

American Standard Version
Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Bible in Basic English
Do not be glad, however, because you have power over spirits, but because your names are recorded in heaven.

Douay-Rheims Bible

But yet rejoice not in this, that spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice in this, that your names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:20
Sincerely, Teresa

 

[MomaMary8]

Thank you Teresa,

Your thoughts regarding my son mirror my own. I tell my children that the devil is real, but not to focus on him, but rather on God who has power over the devil. I don’t want my son becoming consumed with an unhealthy obsession, which is what I fear if I were to allow it. At present it is a curiosity. I just struggle in knowing how to encourage my son in discerning his vocation, be it single, married or priesthood. I don’t want to dismiss a glimpse that may be his future (does that make sense?).

The school my children attended taught many things in error, such as women may be priest someday, angels were fictional and never taught the children about transubstansiation (much was left to their imaginations and never given official doctrine). My oldest son was introduced to pornography by a fellow student and accused of lying when we brought it to the attention of the principal. These are just a few things that happened. I wont go into details of the “sex ed” that the school taught. As life goes on, and my children are taught the Truth, they will comment on the other school’s view of things. I stayed for years with the intent of trying to “fix” things, but had to give up in order to focus on the well being of my children. I could not put their souls in jepordy. We are still a part of the parish and encourage positive changes, but we are not able to put our children in that atmosphere, as of yet.

Thank you for taking an interest in my post. This “vision” is something I’ve always kept close and never discussed except once with my husband.

Mary

 

[allymarie]

Dear Mary:
I do not think that God would allow the devil to appear to you in the form of a devout priest that you admired from your earlier youth. I cannot easily interpret the vision you had, but I do believe it was the priest himself you saw (i.e., God allowed a visitation). That is, from what you wrote, I cannot tell if the vision of the devout priest was supposed to encourage to stay or encourage you to leave. My instincts tell me the vision was meant to keep your foot planted where it stood–perhaps as a way of saying to you “Stay and reform the place rather than flee.” But I could be wrong.

It has been documented that the evil one uses the images of beloved figures to confuse and distort the truth. From her description, I, too, firstly thought it to be a demonic manifestation - not a sign or visitation from God. However, considering that I, too, could be mistaken, my next thought is, it was her priest, but who was warning her - not asking her to stay.

I think your instincts about the vision are incorrect. Homeschooling families are often given this “guilt trip” (not that this is what you are doing; I’ve just seen it countless times with others) to stay and reform a school, even at the expense of our children. This school is teaching blatant misinformation, which directly comes from a spirit of evil. More likely, it was a defensive measure to keep this holy family planted in misinformation, to lead them astray. Satan uses this trick constantly with the faithful. Even in my own life, when I have made a move to come closer to God, cutting something unholy from my life, there is an attack to thwart my decision.

I also think it is worth mentioning that if it was a visitation truly from Christ, the poster would have known immediately. She would not have even had to question if it was good or bad. I realize this is not the case in every situation, but with her situation in particular, considering the details of her story, I think it goes without saying.

Mary, could you tell us what offended you so much in the teaching your children were receiving at this particular parish school that you left?

I, too, began homeschooling my children some years ago after removing my children from their tri-parish school. I worked at the school and adored most, if not all, of the teachers. I did not feel they were teaching incorrectly; it was more of a disciplining the other students’ behaviors and lack there of , issue. Also, we were called to homeschool.

In some cases, there needn’t be any offense to cause a family to leave a parish school. We don’t leave just for bad reasons; we also leave for good.

I would never agree that children should be left in a school going astray, to reform the school. Nor should their parents who are entrusted to care for their well-being. I think God sends grown adults to do that sort of work - people who can understand the false teachings and other issues, and deal with them accordingly. People who have the power to fire individuals who are spreading disinformation. People who can go to the Diocese and inform them of the problems. I should also mention, people are called to pray for schools, whether they are homeschooling parents or not.

The fact that there are visions of dead priests involved, also, is upsetting. It’s my personal opinion that there is something very wrong attached to this school the poster speaks of. I am glad my own tri-parish school did not have these problems. Many of our friends still send their children there.

I hope you understand I am not attacking your post; I simply wanted to offer my interpretation, especially since I am a homeschooler, like the poster. I’ve never encountered a presence, but we did have a great deal of resistance when we made the decision to remove our children from the school and bring them into the home for their education. Actually, the small but noticeable attacks have never stopped.

Which reminds me, I need to call our priest to come bless our new home.

 

[teresanneheath]

Hi Allymarie:

  I still think that God will not allow the devil to appear to us in the form of a loved one.  God knows that it is confusing enough without masquerades.  If He let the devil appear as a loved one, what are we to make of the apparitions at Fatima, St. Faustina's visions, etc.?  There is no end to where this would lead one.  The devil is tethered by God.  He is on a short leash, and I think it would be too confusing for any believer if he were allowed to start appearing as holy figures.  We'd all get led to the pit.

  Mary, that Catholic school sounds like it had really gone off the rails.  How could they prepare the children for Holy Communion if they didn't teach transubstantiation?  What I tell my kids re:  religious/priesthood is this:  you can be whatever you want (married, single, religious) and we will support your decision.  God has a plan for your life and He himself will persuade you of your place in the world as His servant.  Whatever you do, don't do it to please us, do it to please God and because you want to do it.

  Allymarie, I haven't homeschooled (just not up for it), but I can identify with the discipline issue.  We had some bad experiences with Catholic schools (mainly, too many badly behaving little boys in the class) and had to move the kids out (to public and private schools).  The main thing is to give them the faith, which I hope we've done.

Regards. Teresa

 

[allymarie]

Hi Allymarie:

  I still think that God will not allow the devil to appear to us in the form of a loved one.  God knows that it is confusing enough without masquerades.  If He let the devil appear as a loved one, what are we to make of the apparitions at Fatima, St. Faustina's visions, etc.?  There is no end to where this would lead one.

Hi Theresa,

Thanks for your reply - my only thought (and I agree with most everything you wrote) is the apparitions at Medj. and other places where the faithful have seen certain visions. These are seen as good things - good visions - but the church has warned us about them. As I understand it, part of the reason is because there are so many, the church is unable to substantiate all of them in a timely fashion. So, they may be good, but without the proper authorities investigating, we don’t know for sure.

If there were no danger of these apparitions being something else, then we wouldn’t even be in this position with Medj. There are visions of Mary, if I understand my reading. So…one can only come to the conclusion that evil can even transform itself to mimic our Blessed Mother.

If that’s the case, if Satan would mimic Mary, then why wouldn’t he mimic our loved ones? Who do (or should) we love more than Mary, I have to ask myself. It’s not that I’m arguing with your point, as I believe like you. But I also don’t underestimate the power of evil, and what it is capable of. I agree that God has the devil on a short leash…but God doesn’t put humans on that same leash. He gave us Free Will, which changes the picture dramatically.

I have to add here, that I am no expert by far on the situation in Medj. (sorry, I can’t spell the whole name) A priest gave me a pamphlet on it, and I think there were visions. Perhaps there were only auditory messages - I don’t remember exactly. But I seem to remember some did have visions of the Blessed Mother.

Thanks for your reply. I’ll be interested in your response.

 

[Coreopisis]

Hi Theresa,

Thanks for your reply - my only thought (and I agree with most everything you wrote) is the apparitions at Medj. and other places where the faithful have seen certain visions. These are seen as good things - good visions - but the church has warned us about them. As I understand it, part of the reason is because there are so many, the church is unable to substantiate all of them in a timely fashion. So, they may be good, but without the proper authorities investigating, we don’t know for sure.

If there were no danger of these apparitions being something else, then we wouldn’t even be in this position with Medj. There are visions of Mary, if I understand my reading. So…one can only come to the conclusion that evil can even transform itself to mimic our Blessed Mother.

If that’s the case, if Satan would mimic Mary, then why wouldn’t he mimic our loved ones? Who do (or should) we love more than Mary, I have to ask myself. It’s not that I’m arguing with your point, as I believe like you. But I also don’t underestimate the power of evil, and what it is capable of. I agree that God has the devil on a short leash…but God doesn’t put humans on that same leash. He gave us Free Will, which changes the picture dramatically.

I have to add here, that I am no expert by far on the situation in Medj. (sorry, I can’t spell the whole name) A priest gave me a pamphlet on it, and I think there were visions. Perhaps there were only auditory messages - I don’t remember exactly. But I seem to remember some did have visions of the Blessed Mother.

Thanks for your reply. I’ll be interested in your response.

FYI - They can and do appear to you as loved ones. It has happened to me.

The church and the bible believes this also which is why they talk about one of the gifts of the holy spirit being “Discernment” of spirits. I believe it is John who tells us to test the spirits and he tells us this because we can be fooled.

God warns us over and over again through the bible to watch out for false prophets and people who claim to tlak to spirits. This is because you can’t know if they are talking to good spirits or bad and they can be so easily decieved. We all are so easily decieved.

I have been.

 

[teresanneheath]

Hi folks:

  I do not think that God would allow the devil to assume the appearance of the Virgin Mother.  There are limits, in my opinion, and that "goes beyond the pale" of what will be tolerated by God, in my humble opinion.  Upfront right here:  I've never had an apparition, and I suspect I never will.  I've had other types of experiences, but not involving visions.  But I believe in many that others describe to me.  St. Teresa of Avila (and others) have said that one can judge the authenticity of the vision by the effect it has on the visionary.

 This does not mean that I think everyone who claims to have seen the Virgin Mother is sincere.  There is such as thing as sham and mental illness.  

  Rereading other parts of this thread (some from October), I do not believe that one person can put a curse on another person.  God will not allow that, in my humble opinion.  If any person were to tell me they were putting a curse on me, I'd just smile.  Why would God let such a person "have his/her way" with me?  Ain't going to happen, in my opinion.  So, what about the devout girl in Iowa in the 20's?  I guess I don't believe it--that one can put a curse on another person and have them become possessed as a result.

 I don't think God would allow a devil to appear to me in the form of, say, a beloved deceased relative.  I know some of you say it is happening to you, but it just strains credulity.  What we'd get is total spiritual chaos, and that has not been my experience with the Holy Spirit.  It is not that the devil doesn't try to confuse us--he does, but God helps.  

  How are the Christmas plans going, folks?  I'm headed to the Poconos in eastern PA.  I have a feeling we're going to get a white Christmas there this year.

  Sincerely, Teresa

 

[Uzumaki_Naruto]

I want to encourage you, along the same vein as Carlyn did. Don’t be surprised if you find it hard to carry through on your resolve to go to confession and (I’m hoping) follow up with regular mass attendance and reception of the blessed sacrament (the eucharist). You go first; then, bring the family.

After what i’ve been experiencing lately, I know that I can not afford not to do that. I talked to my priest about this, and he said it’s not totally unheard of when a person starts taking steps out of the darkness. He also pointed out that when a head of a household (like myself) takes steps towards Christ, his wife and children are brought along as well. What makes this really intersting is that i’m reading a book from Stephen Wood, “Christian Fatherhood”. In it, Stephen Wood just about says that exactly. In what i’m reading and what i’ve experienced, it is truely time to change my life, or else.

To steal a part from Joshua 24:15: “… choose this day whom you will serve … as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”

This letter is way over my self-imposed limit (for readability). I’ll close by saying read C.S. Lewis’s “Screwtape Letters,” a brilliant novel you can get at the library which catalogs the correspondence between an appretice devil and his master devil (his “teacher,” called “Wormwood”, I think). All havoc breaks lose when the temptee decides to become a Christian and starts attending church services. It is pretty funny in places, and you will recognize what is happening in your own life–I did.

That is an interesting book. Screwtape was the mentor, Wormwood is the apprentice… I have it, but have only read a little bit of it. Last week I also ordered some G K Chesterton online. I’m getting “What’s Wrong With the World” and “The Everlasting Man”. There’s a powerful writer right there.

 

[revelations]

Just to get back to the OP, since my conversion I’ve traded the knife that’s usually under my pillow for my “combat” rosary, and I’ve yet to take off my scapular medal, which started my whole journey for me. Daily holy water blessing and half hour with our Lord must do a little bit to help mark me as a man of God.

I’ve never had any bad things like what’s been described happen to me and i pray that they don’t…that could change after the Easter Vigil though.

Peace in Christ,

-revelations

 

[nobeerinheaven]

You should also know a little bit about shielding…You can imagine a shield of golden white coming down from a figure of Jesus above you and surrounding you. As it expands, imagine it is driving the dark force back. The more effort you put into this the better the result will be. Good Luck!

This is a classical witchcraft practice, known as the magical circle. Much magic employs Christian symbols, such as the rosary, holy water, Christ, St. Michael, etc so that the magician can wield power over a demonic entity, and force it to do what the magician wants. It is not our concentration, nor anything that WE can do, which rids one from the demonic - it is Christ and the will of God. This is a very important, though somewhat subtle, distinction.

 

[Grat02]

Things like that and worse have occurred with me since my early twenties. When it happens it is very difficult for me to say the name of Jesus. But when His name is fully said, the oppressive force goes away.

Before repentance and conversion, I messed around with New Age stuff like ouja boards, imaging, and out of body experiences which I’m sure opened a window for the demonic to step in. Once my bed shook so hard that I was bouncing up and down in it uncontrollably. On another occasion I was pulled out of my body and saw the faces of 2 classic “alien” faces looking menacingly at me. From that time, I firmly believe that the UFO mystery has a demonic origin and will somehow play a role in a great deception before the Lord’s return.

After becoming a Christian and a member of the Church, I still occassionally awake to find myself being molested, but I simply voice the name of Jesus and turn over and go to sleep. I often wrongly take pride in being fearless against these forces. It’s not that I’m fearless that’s wrong, but that I sometimes take pride in it. What we’re dealing with have the power to do unimaginable things, but it’s only through the grace of Jesus that they are restrained. We may find comfort in knowing that they are not permitted to harm but only to cause fear. These forces thrive on fear because fear separates us from Jesus by weakening our faith.

Continue stand firm in strong faith and confidence that Jesus has given them boundaries that they may never cross.