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sadie2723
Guest
This is one of my pet topics, and I was just wondering if anyone had been a party to an exorcism. If so, could you tell your story?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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iceman
Guest
I cannot add anything personally to the topic, Brad, but exorcism is an interest of mine as well. I currently am reading the books by Fr. Amorth and I have read about other Catholic exorcisms as well. The happenings at exorcisms, as reported by priests (credible in my humble opinion) should be sufficient to drive everyone back to the faith (worked for me, among other things), but unfortunately, most wander through life oblivious to what is happening around them (myself included for over twenty years). Any acknowledgement/experience of the existence of demons forces one to reacquaint himself with God, if he has any sense at all. It is surprising how quick people are to believe in what some call ghosts and aliens but at the same time, completely discount the existence of angels and demons, in spite of the extensive recording of their existence and influence for thousands of years.
We modern people pride ourselves on being so much more aware, knowledgeable and enlightened about the world around us, compared to our ancestors, and yet we blindly follow interpretations of supernatural matters by people we have no reason to trust over the church wisdom of two millennia. As usual, our arrogance (pride) is our biggest handicap.
I used to be quite anxious about “aliens”, believing that I had been subjected to some of their influence in the past and also believing that there was nothing I could do about it as how can one fight creatures from other planets? My concern also was that any proof of their existence negates scripture and my understanding of the existence of the Holy Trinity. My fear was quickly alleviated upon realizing that my faith, the faith taught to me from young, had simply been perverted by modern “experts” and that in truth my escape from evil simply required me to return to my Catholic faith. Fortunately, I was immediately welcomed back although very undeservedly so. I no longer am anxious about this evil influence.
A little off topic, I know, but this is how my interest in exorcisms resurfaced.
We modern people pride ourselves on being so much more aware, knowledgeable and enlightened about the world around us, compared to our ancestors, and yet we blindly follow interpretations of supernatural matters by people we have no reason to trust over the church wisdom of two millennia. As usual, our arrogance (pride) is our biggest handicap.
I used to be quite anxious about “aliens”, believing that I had been subjected to some of their influence in the past and also believing that there was nothing I could do about it as how can one fight creatures from other planets? My concern also was that any proof of their existence negates scripture and my understanding of the existence of the Holy Trinity. My fear was quickly alleviated upon realizing that my faith, the faith taught to me from young, had simply been perverted by modern “experts” and that in truth my escape from evil simply required me to return to my Catholic faith. Fortunately, I was immediately welcomed back although very undeservedly so. I no longer am anxious about this evil influence.
A little off topic, I know, but this is how my interest in exorcisms resurfaced.
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AlanFromWichita
Guest
I think I had one, on a particularly strange and extreme day, January 29, 2004. Do not take that for fact because I am only relating the things that happened as I experienced them as compared to a televised Catholic exorcism I had seen on TV once years before it.
I had been particularly manic that day, when my “severe bipolar disorder” had been acting up pretty bad. I was on an IM chat with two other guys who were non-Catholic and younger than I was. I was typing incredibly fast, and was very angry about certain events and situations. They told me that the things I was typing sounded just like lyrics of “Eminem,” a white rapper aka Marshall Mathers – I personally had no knowledge of any of his songs but these guys said my rantings were very much like him.
At times I thought I was everything from the anti-Christ to God, and I was pretty sure that all the problems of the world were my fault somehow and “people” were preventing me from doing anything about it. I was acting so strangely that at one point she started to walk away and said, “this is too weird; I can’t take this.” At that time I became very frightened for I had no idea whether I would live or die another minute and I said, “please don’t go. I’m scared.”
She turned around and looked at me like she’d never looked at me before. I was very agitated, uncomfortable, and although I had taken some of my prescribed tranquilizers they weren’t touching my mania. Suddenly she got down on the floor in front of me, took hold of me and looked right into my eyes and started saying a whole bunch of stuff like, “St Michael the archangel…” and that’s all I remember – apparently she had been studying prayers like this. Suddenly I experienced the strangest feelings of purging I’ve ever had before. It was almost as if I was vomiting out thoughts and ideas and fears without even being able to articulate them. I made strange noises and recall displaying some facial gestures not unlike those I saw the girl make in the exorcism. At the time I didn’t really think about what was going on, except that as time went on, Julie kept praying and holding on to me, ignoring anything I said that wasn’t directly to her, and making me keep looking her direction. How can I possibly describe it? It almost would sound vulgar to describe in terms of anything I know to share, but it was wonderful and comforting. As long as Julie was praying and I was confident she was in control, I felt safe and I was able to “let go” and let my fears escape.
All in all, it was loud and extreme and exciting. This was not too long after I lost my spiritual director (it was an unfortunate combination of his health and diocese politics it seemed that he moved out of town) so I didn’t discuss with him. I know who our diocesan exorcist is, so I’ve had some ideas about going to him and asking about it. I haven’t, though, because I don’t know if it was important and I just don’t know why else. It probably wasn’t a “real” exorcism, but it was among the most amazing hours I’ve experienced in my life. Certainly it wasn’t an official exorcism, since I think technically “exorcism” is a set of prayers – whatever it was, it was a life-changing experience that brought me some peace at the time. Since then I’ve gradually found peace, but that night it was like a huge zit had popped or something.
Alan
I had been particularly manic that day, when my “severe bipolar disorder” had been acting up pretty bad. I was on an IM chat with two other guys who were non-Catholic and younger than I was. I was typing incredibly fast, and was very angry about certain events and situations. They told me that the things I was typing sounded just like lyrics of “Eminem,” a white rapper aka Marshall Mathers – I personally had no knowledge of any of his songs but these guys said my rantings were very much like him.
At times I thought I was everything from the anti-Christ to God, and I was pretty sure that all the problems of the world were my fault somehow and “people” were preventing me from doing anything about it. I was acting so strangely that at one point she started to walk away and said, “this is too weird; I can’t take this.” At that time I became very frightened for I had no idea whether I would live or die another minute and I said, “please don’t go. I’m scared.”
She turned around and looked at me like she’d never looked at me before. I was very agitated, uncomfortable, and although I had taken some of my prescribed tranquilizers they weren’t touching my mania. Suddenly she got down on the floor in front of me, took hold of me and looked right into my eyes and started saying a whole bunch of stuff like, “St Michael the archangel…” and that’s all I remember – apparently she had been studying prayers like this. Suddenly I experienced the strangest feelings of purging I’ve ever had before. It was almost as if I was vomiting out thoughts and ideas and fears without even being able to articulate them. I made strange noises and recall displaying some facial gestures not unlike those I saw the girl make in the exorcism. At the time I didn’t really think about what was going on, except that as time went on, Julie kept praying and holding on to me, ignoring anything I said that wasn’t directly to her, and making me keep looking her direction. How can I possibly describe it? It almost would sound vulgar to describe in terms of anything I know to share, but it was wonderful and comforting. As long as Julie was praying and I was confident she was in control, I felt safe and I was able to “let go” and let my fears escape.
All in all, it was loud and extreme and exciting. This was not too long after I lost my spiritual director (it was an unfortunate combination of his health and diocese politics it seemed that he moved out of town) so I didn’t discuss with him. I know who our diocesan exorcist is, so I’ve had some ideas about going to him and asking about it. I haven’t, though, because I don’t know if it was important and I just don’t know why else. It probably wasn’t a “real” exorcism, but it was among the most amazing hours I’ve experienced in my life. Certainly it wasn’t an official exorcism, since I think technically “exorcism” is a set of prayers – whatever it was, it was a life-changing experience that brought me some peace at the time. Since then I’ve gradually found peace, but that night it was like a huge zit had popped or something.
Alan
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GrowingMyWings
Guest
No…But this is a topic I’ve always been intrested in, but also scared of…
My family has had many “experiences”…
My family has had many “experiences”…
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sadie2723
Guest
Wow! I think you should tell him about it. Thanks so much for talking about it with us!
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sadie2723
Guest
Can you tell us about them? Thanks!
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GrowingMyWings
Guest
Sure, I’ll try as best I can.
These are all “ghost” type stories
and may seem far fetched. But they have really happened.
First off, in my moms old house, they would all complain about seeing an all black figure.
#1) It jumped out at my uncle while he was laying in bed. and jumped out at him while he was walking down the hall.
#2) My grandma got into her bed one night, and she thought my grandfather was already in bed, but when she rolled over to look closer at him, it was the black figure laying next to her.
#3) When my mom was 21, she moved back home. and the black figure started coming into her room at night/ It would just stand at the side of her bed and watch her. then later, she said it was like it was tyring to take over her body, it would touch her arm, and she would feel weird, and hear this sound. but she would fight it. It didn’t come to her room every night. She would always be too scared to move.
She doesn;t like to talk about it, because she’s afriad it will come back.
My grandmother and father are Catholics. Have always been praciting. All their kids were brought up, and some went to catholic school. But yeah… That’s my mom and her familys story…
And also there are things that my sister and I have experienced in our house…
These are all “ghost” type stories
and may seem far fetched. But they have really happened.
First off, in my moms old house, they would all complain about seeing an all black figure.
#1) It jumped out at my uncle while he was laying in bed. and jumped out at him while he was walking down the hall.
#2) My grandma got into her bed one night, and she thought my grandfather was already in bed, but when she rolled over to look closer at him, it was the black figure laying next to her.
#3) When my mom was 21, she moved back home. and the black figure started coming into her room at night/ It would just stand at the side of her bed and watch her. then later, she said it was like it was tyring to take over her body, it would touch her arm, and she would feel weird, and hear this sound. but she would fight it. It didn’t come to her room every night. She would always be too scared to move.
She doesn;t like to talk about it, because she’s afriad it will come back.
My grandmother and father are Catholics. Have always been praciting. All their kids were brought up, and some went to catholic school. But yeah… That’s my mom and her familys story…
And also there are things that my sister and I have experienced in our house…
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thistle
Guest
My understanding of an exorcism is when a priest commands the devil (evil spirits) to depart from someone possessed. I haven’t seen any poster talk about this. There has only been talk about ghosts.
The topic is exorcism. Has anyone been present during an exorcism or not?
The topic is exorcism. Has anyone been present during an exorcism or not?
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Gelassenheit
Guest
I remember once hearing the famous exorcist, Fr Malachi Martin, on a radio show responding to caller who claimed that he had been assaulted by an all black figure that woke him in the middle of the night and tried to drag him by the feet from his bed. Fr Martin told him that should it happen again, he should look at the figure and say the following (at least this is what I wrote down, which I believe to be word for word what he said):
O creature of God
In the name of God, who created you
And in the name of Jesus, who saved me
I exorcise you
I don’t know if that helps. I can search through my audio collection of MM interviews for verification if you should like me to, I can probably track down the reference (show information and date). It was an Art Bell radio show appearance from either 1997 or 1998, I am fairly certain.
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AlanFromWichita
Guest
That is my understanding as well, which is why I didn’t claim my particular experience was an exorcism. Whether it was some sort of “spontaneous” version of an exorcism or how closely related to one is what I have not established.
Yes, I know the topic is exorcism, but since I wasn’t aware of the specific, I cannot actually give a learned yes/no to that question. I suppose I had hoped another poster more informed on what is required to constitute an exorcism or other such psycho-spiritual phenomena might have some idea on this.
Since I can’t answer the question on my own behalf, I’ll defer to others who may have had a formal exorcism.
Alan
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Gearoidin
Guest
My paternal grandmother saw one. She had a younger cousin who could make things fly around the room, doors open with touching etc. Her behaviour became more and more erratic, including speaking strange languages, and the the doctors could do nothing. Finally the local priest got involved and said that they needed outside help. This help came when the exorcist arrived. I don’t know the details of what happened next because my grandmother would never talk about it but she did say that it terrified her and all the family. Following the exorcism her cousin’s strange behaviour stopped and she returned to normal. My grandmother said the St. Michael prayer every morning and evening for the rest of her life.
Gearoidin
Gearoidin
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GrowingMyWings
Guest
Sure! If you could find it, I would love to read it. I would actually like to know more about him too… That’s very intresting
Thistle, I don’t know why we can’t talk about our expeirence??? since they have something to do with the topic? I don’t why it’s such a big deal.
anyways, I have heard many time that actual exorcisms are very rare. So it’s not surprising that no one here has been present.
Have you heard of Lorrain and Ed warren? Demonologist, Catholics.
warrens.net/
Here is their web site. I know they say they have been present during a lot of exorcisms.
But I’m not sure about them anyways.
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GrowingMyWings
Guest
Omgosh! That is so scary…Such a difficult experience to go through…
After the things happened to my sister and I in our house, I started saying the St. Micheal prayer too. But not as often anymore, since most “activity” has stopped…
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Magicsilence
Guest
Im not sure how credible it is, but my dad says he has seen an exorcism once.
The posessed person was forced down onto a chair inside a church. It was late at night, and pouring with rain. The priest began the exorcism and the devil that was posessing the woman showed its ugly face. It distorted the womans face and body, and she (it) spoke with an unhuman deep voice. After saying the prayers the demon asked to leave her body for the prayers were tormenting him (it). The priest told it to leave through the lady’s foot. And the demon responded that he would like to leave through her ear.
The priest was firm. "You want to do it to deafen her, No, you shall leave through her big toe.
“Let me leave through her eye”
“No!, you wish to blind her”
Eventually the demon consented and left through her big toe. She began to bleed from it as soon as he had left.
As my dad left the Church he could hear the demon screaming and shouting in the Church making hideous sounds, arguing with the priest, etc…
Thats the best ive heard, and my dad doesnt lie, but you are all welcome to your own opinion.
In Christ.
Andre.
The posessed person was forced down onto a chair inside a church. It was late at night, and pouring with rain. The priest began the exorcism and the devil that was posessing the woman showed its ugly face. It distorted the womans face and body, and she (it) spoke with an unhuman deep voice. After saying the prayers the demon asked to leave her body for the prayers were tormenting him (it). The priest told it to leave through the lady’s foot. And the demon responded that he would like to leave through her ear.
The priest was firm. "You want to do it to deafen her, No, you shall leave through her big toe.
“Let me leave through her eye”
“No!, you wish to blind her”
Eventually the demon consented and left through her big toe. She began to bleed from it as soon as he had left.
As my dad left the Church he could hear the demon screaming and shouting in the Church making hideous sounds, arguing with the priest, etc…
Thats the best ive heard, and my dad doesnt lie, but you are all welcome to your own opinion.
In Christ.
Andre.
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AlanFromWichita
Guest
It is pretty tough to believe, but I’ll take it as fact to make one observation. For some reason I am strangely desirous to witness one of these people who are so possessed in person. I am sooo not afraid of what they might say or do, but if I were in the situation where these things are happening – or as in other stories things flying about the room. For some reason, from whatever it is I’ve been through in the past five years, I find that life itself tests me to the point where I feel like trying out some hard core demon confrontation. That could possibly be about the strangest thing I’ve ever wanted to do, but there it is – something to do on a Saturday afternoon.
Like I said, I may be more inclined to back out if something flies off the wall and into my head.Alan
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Gelassenheit
Guest
I tried to track down a transcript for you, but to no avail.
I’m not sure, because I haven’t had time to listen to it again and verify the date of the program, but I believe that the Fr Martin reference I made earlier was from an interview with Art Bell originally broadcast in July 1998.
You might check out his book Hostage to the Devil . Hope that helps.
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Shoshana
Guest
Yes, it seems this subject is very much an attention-grabber. people are very curious about the supernatural…and saying this…so was I. Until I was part of an exorcism team of 2 priests, 2 other ladies and myself, and all under the protection of the Church (the bishop’s blessing)…after a lenthy 5 years! Although it is quite late now 2:00AM, I will terminate here and pick up to-morrow if you don’t mind. I have told my story on a number of threads and I may just fish them out…God bless and good night! 
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imagine7777
Guest
Fr. Martin was a guest on Coast to Coast w/ Art Bell (George Noory hosts it now, but they have archives of their past shows). They had a guest on there not too long ago who was a priest and supposed friend of Fr. Martin.
coasttocoastam.com
Just posting for reference since it’s been mentioned a couple of times in this thread.
coasttocoastam.com
Just posting for reference since it’s been mentioned a couple of times in this thread.
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Shoshana
Guest
http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/statusicon_cad/post_old.gif October 18, 2004, 03:23 PM
Shoshana http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/statusicon_cad/user_online.gif vbmenu_register(“postmenu_249874”, true);
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http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon1.gif Re: Can I perform an exorcism?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prester John
While it is true that in times past laymen and women performed exorcisms, that has not been the case for a very long time. We can pray, even use the prayers of the Rite, but only to ask God for deliverence - Church Law commands, even in our present days, that only ordained priests and bishops may perform the Rite to cast out demons, either from people or places. A priest appointed to such a task must be known for the orthodoxy and piety of his faith, and he must be a man known for his solid moral character. He must be in good health, mentally and physically. Older priests have historically been given preference over men who are new to their vocation. Laymen may assist in exorcisms, in fact this a common practice; but in the event that an exorcist cannot continue the exorcism, another priest is brought in to finish, or the bishop himself – never the laity.
I have assisted on one of these exorcisms for five long years. With the blessing of two bishops and two ordained priests. One priest had experience and the other not. We were mainly two women ministering and praying during this whole ordeal (as it surely was). Because the victim was a woman, it is wise to have females present. In an exorcism the priest has the full backing of the Church behind him as he confronts Evil. This is no game. He speaks on behalf of the whole communion of Saints. No lay person could ever do this and get away with it. That is, if there truly is demonic activity going on. There are many tests that need to be done. And you could also test the spirit that is working within the person. For example, if she flinches and has a violent reaction when she thinks she is being blessed with Holy Water, when it is only common tap water, etc., it is then you can determine the extent of demonic vs psychological/pathological activity going on. Chances are most people who are demonized are not well mentally. And of course, this could the entrance point of the Evil. There is a lot of web to untangle during this procedure. Everything must be done with compassion and the love of Christ. Although, you may be stretched big time in any way (physically, mentally, spiritually, etc).
Lay people are only there normally to pray, a prayer that befits a spiritual warrior. You cannot enter into this ministry without praying…it is essential. If you, as a lay person, manifest some spiritual gift, it must pass through the priest. You are never to enter into discussion with Evil. You wouldn’t want to anyway. Prayers of exorcisms are to be left to the priest alone! Evil will try to entice you in every which way, and you must always be on your guard.
There is such a thing as a deliverance ministry that is performed in the Charismatic Renewal. I understand now that we are not to use imprecatory prayer in these situations anymore. For example, a person comes up for prayer. He smokes and doesn’t want to anymore. Many Charismatics will shout the demon of smoking out of the person. Healing hands will be put upon the person and that person MAY be free. Do you see the difference? You are not engaging really with an Evil entity.
Anyway, it is not something I would want to do on a regular basis…but in the end, you don’t want to miss God’s mercy also.
Shoshana http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/statusicon_cad/user_online.gif vbmenu_register(“postmenu_249874”, true);
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http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon1.gif Re: Can I perform an exorcism?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prester John
While it is true that in times past laymen and women performed exorcisms, that has not been the case for a very long time. We can pray, even use the prayers of the Rite, but only to ask God for deliverence - Church Law commands, even in our present days, that only ordained priests and bishops may perform the Rite to cast out demons, either from people or places. A priest appointed to such a task must be known for the orthodoxy and piety of his faith, and he must be a man known for his solid moral character. He must be in good health, mentally and physically. Older priests have historically been given preference over men who are new to their vocation. Laymen may assist in exorcisms, in fact this a common practice; but in the event that an exorcist cannot continue the exorcism, another priest is brought in to finish, or the bishop himself – never the laity.
I have assisted on one of these exorcisms for five long years. With the blessing of two bishops and two ordained priests. One priest had experience and the other not. We were mainly two women ministering and praying during this whole ordeal (as it surely was). Because the victim was a woman, it is wise to have females present. In an exorcism the priest has the full backing of the Church behind him as he confronts Evil. This is no game. He speaks on behalf of the whole communion of Saints. No lay person could ever do this and get away with it. That is, if there truly is demonic activity going on. There are many tests that need to be done. And you could also test the spirit that is working within the person. For example, if she flinches and has a violent reaction when she thinks she is being blessed with Holy Water, when it is only common tap water, etc., it is then you can determine the extent of demonic vs psychological/pathological activity going on. Chances are most people who are demonized are not well mentally. And of course, this could the entrance point of the Evil. There is a lot of web to untangle during this procedure. Everything must be done with compassion and the love of Christ. Although, you may be stretched big time in any way (physically, mentally, spiritually, etc).
Lay people are only there normally to pray, a prayer that befits a spiritual warrior. You cannot enter into this ministry without praying…it is essential. If you, as a lay person, manifest some spiritual gift, it must pass through the priest. You are never to enter into discussion with Evil. You wouldn’t want to anyway. Prayers of exorcisms are to be left to the priest alone! Evil will try to entice you in every which way, and you must always be on your guard.
There is such a thing as a deliverance ministry that is performed in the Charismatic Renewal. I understand now that we are not to use imprecatory prayer in these situations anymore. For example, a person comes up for prayer. He smokes and doesn’t want to anymore. Many Charismatics will shout the demon of smoking out of the person. Healing hands will be put upon the person and that person MAY be free. Do you see the difference? You are not engaging really with an Evil entity.
Anyway, it is not something I would want to do on a regular basis…but in the end, you don’t want to miss God’s mercy also.
A
anamchara
Guest
wow!!
that almost sounds made up…this kind of stuff gives me the willies! So why did I come in here and read is the question?? 
- Status