Ghosts are real?

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MonteCristo

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Hello everyone,

This is not one of those supernatural story posts but I would like to hear the Catholic community’s opinion of what happened to me.

Years ago I was sleeping one night upstairs. One of my grandparents was terminally ill and we knew that they would be passing soon. At around 3 a.m., I awoke to the sound of a woman wailing and sobbing. Not screeching or screaming, but sobbing a long and painful cry. I sat upright and put my ear close to the wall for about 5 minutes I think? The sound seemed to be coming from INSIDE the wall. I checked on my parents and grandparents, all were sound asleep. The woman persisted crying. Keep in mind, we did not have neighbors living around us (our house was large and secluded.) I know that some people may think that this was merely a dream or hallucination, but I am saying I was WIDE AWAKE and terrified at this moment! It was clearly the voice of a woman, and she would not stop crying.

After a few more minutes, I went to my parents’ room and told them about this. They whispered to me to go to sleep and that they heard nothing. I don’t know whether I should have gone downstairs, I was honestly scared my heart would fail me if I was to see something I did not want to see. After I told my parents and had lay down on the sofa in their room to sleep, I heard my dog (who was sleeping downstairs) begin to growl. He was growling and I could hear his footsteps pattering around the kitchen and living room as he walked around quickly.

A week after this whole experience, one of my grandparents passed.

My questions…
1.) WHAT could have this possibly been? A warning of a passing, or something else perhaps?
2.) looking back now, as an adult, I sometimes regret not going downstairs to see this woman, or apparatition, but then I realize that I may have been in danger. Am I correct in thinking this?
3.) what is the Catholic stance on this? I read somewhere that God gives people the ability to hear this for a special reason, but I’m not sure if I believe that.

Any help is appreciated! Friends, this has been bothering me for YEARS and I just need some answers for closure. Also, anyone else ever experience something like this?

Thank you so much and God bless you all!!!
 
The Church has no teaching on ghosts, one way or the other.

They might be figments of our minds. They might be deceptive spirits. Or they might be apparitions from the human afterlife (but there is no reason a priori to believe that really happens).

ICXC NIKA
 
Subtle cues from your parents, grandparents that ones health was failing, premonitions, seeing a disturbing movie, reading a book about death…lots of logical (pyschological) possibilities there before resorting to ghosts. I don’t doubt the reality to you…the human mind is probably the most enigmatic and baffling thing on the planet!
 
Dacinom said:
God may occasionally permit people to appear to us in the form of ghosts. Sometimes our loved ones. However, we are not permitted to attempt to contact the dead, engage in séances or any kind of activity of that nature. You didn’t visually see anything however, and at the time your grandparents were still living so I wouldn’t even venture a guess as to what this was.

There would be no way of knowing that the noises you heard were not demonic in nature. There is most certainly a spiritual world that is powerful and it can be dangerous for us to encounter it. It is most wise that you stayed where you were! I would believe that your guardian angel did his job and kept you safe!

I have heard that the best kind of closure is not needing any, and I believe this is true. Perhaps say a prayer of thanksgiving that you are safe, and were kept from harm. Maybe you can take this opportunity and look deeper into your own relationship with your angel, many people have drawn closer into their relationships with their guardian angels. After possibly having such a close call, and having it impact you so many years later, maybe you are being called into a deeper relationship with the best friend you could ever hope to have on this earth.
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Regarding what I bolded in your post; this honestly did not even occur to me, and looking back at it, I do not know how it didn’t. I always assumed it was just a lost soul maybe, but you’re right, it may very well have been a demonic entity. I too am glad that I did not venture downstairs at that moment! Thank you for the good post!
 
I think Monicad gave you the most excellent advice you can get. Peace!
 
Ghosts are real. After Jesus rose from the dead:

“Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” Luke 24:39 NIV

Sometimes, it is a vivid dream, sometimes, it is a premonition, and sometimes, it could be demonic. Animals are recorded as being able to sense something unnatural, but there seems to be no final word from science regarding that.

Ed
 
Ghost are not real.

From Dan Burke:

Believe it or not, I have actually given this a lot of thought because of my own experience with these matters.


  1. *]Are there such things as ghosts? No. There are no such things as “ghosts” when ghosts are defined as people who are stuck in an in-between state (in-between heaven and hell or purgatory and the beatific vision). Scripture says that “It is given unto man once to die, and then comes judgement” (cf Hebrews 9:27). So, we die and are judged. What happens then? We either go to hell, heaven, or purgatory. There are no other options.
    *] Are these manifestations sometimes real? Yes. I believe there is sufficient evidence to say that there are actual manifestations of beings of some sort.
    ] ** If some of these manifestations are real, what exactly are they? This can be deduced by simple logic regarding created beings revealed to us by God. Human beings can only be alive, or dead and in heaven, in purgatory, or in hell. There is no in-between state of wandering in scripture or tradition. Thus, these cannot be humans. However, they often take on a human appearance. If they take on human appearance and are not ghosts and not humans, what are they?
    ] ** What are the only creatures than can emulate humans? There are only two kinds of non-human beings that can be or take the form of human beings, 1) God, and 2) angels.
    ] ** If these things called “Ghosts” are actually manifestations of God or good angels, can one deduce this by their actions or teachings? In scripture we see God or angels take on human form to do good, teach good, or lead someone to good. If these “ghosts” are doing good things (good as defined by the teachings of Jesus) then they are likely either manifestations of God or they are angels.
    ] What if they are not God or good angels? If they are not God, and they are not good angels, then there is only one more kind of being that can emulate human beings and these are bad angels, or demons.
    ] How would I know if it was a demon? Demons teach untruth and lead people to believe untruth and produce fear that is unproductive and fails to lead the fearful to God.
    ] Are ghosts, if they produce fear or false teachings, actually demons seeking to deceive people into believing there are other possibilities than what is taught by the Church? Yes.
    *] If they are demons, how do I deal with them? Lysol sometimes works! But seriously, holy water can be useful. If this doesn’t work, check with your local pastor for assistance. He may come and bless the house. Never talk directly to the “ghosts” themselves. Persistent cases might require consultation of an exorcist.

    Editors Note: The author does believe that it is possible for God to allow those in purgatory to communicate with those outside of this state. These, of course, would not be “Ghosts” in the common use of the term. However, has chosen to leave this topic for another post.

    Read more: spiritualdirection.com/2013/11/05/ghosts-exist#ixzz43aU23oR3
 
People don’t realize that by being baptized by we are protected by so much of the paranormal world. Unfortunately, the Christian world doesn’t talk about the harms that is related to paranormal world. For instance on TV and in movies, we watch individuals being bothered by ghosts, being bothered by evil spirits, and individuals living with evil spirits. I’ve known many Christians, including Catholics, and individuals from all of the other denominations play around with witchcraft and other similar religions. People don’t see harm in playing with the ouija boards and other games of that nature. On tv and in real life we think it is cute, harmless and fun to watch but in reality, the paranormal does exist and it’s important to NEVER play games with it.

The spirit that showed it’self could be a ghost or an evil spirit. It’s hard to know which one it is therefore it’s important to never be afraid and for heavens sake don’t tick off the spirit. Animals are naturally sensitive to the paranormal therefore if they are barking for apparent no reason in some cases it could be related to that. To help combat the problem, the easiest way is to open a bible and leave it open. You might want to get your house spiritually cleansed by a priest with Holy Water. If you are strong, you can treat it like a friend and tell it: “it has been wonderful having you but it is time to move on.” Be loving and kind. You can also sprinkle Holy water in your house as well.

Most people who read this message will think I’m crazy but the advice I am giving you is from someone who was into witchcraft who was used to dealing with the spiritual world in areas that we can only imagine.

I hope this helps,

SG
 
Thanks SG. I have seen a few things that people would not believe. Not ghosts, but people engaged in ritual, for lack of a better term, and chanting. The supernatural is real. We don’t get that unless we experience it. It is not to be played with.

Ed
 
edwest2 said:
Ghosts are real. After Jesus rose from the dead:

“Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” Luke 24:39 NIV

Sometimes, it is a vivid dream, sometimes, it is a premonition, and sometimes, it could be demonic. Animals are recorded as being able to sense something unnatural, but there seems to be no final word from science regarding that.

Ed
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Certainly something corresponding to “ghosts” exist, but there is no reason to assume they are dead human beings.

ICXC NIKA
 
Sounds like a banshee to me! The general idea of banshees was that they were fairies with some sort of alliance or friendship with a human family. They wailed because the family and friends should get some warning that someone was going to pass, so that they could get to the funeral or wake. Some people still say they hear banshees. So if your family has any Irish in it, you are totally okay. 🙂

Other than that, there are a lot of natural possibilities, as people have noted above. You can be dreaming and think you’re awake, in stressful times. There are even some animals that can sound like someone crying (and a lot of them live in Ireland, ahem), and house acoustics through walls can be very weird. This doesn’t sound like anything demonic.

But anyway, I wouldn’t let this cut up your peace. Weird things happen sometimes that don’t really mean anything.
 
I don’t know for sure.

Many years ago, (30+) I lost my precious brother to a house fire in Alaska. He was just 23. : (

Two weeks after he died, I guess I got up in the middle of the night, went downstairs, wrote something, went back to bed. When I awoke the next morning, when I got back downstairs, there was a poem on the kitchen counter. I do not remember going downstairs at all, but I must’ve, as the poem was in my writing.

It told a story about God asking my brother to come with Him and a comforting message followed.

Two weeks later, I was dreaming about my brother and in the dream, I saw him turn around and say to a lady “When did you get here?”

At that moment, the phone rang and it was mom telling me that my favorite auntie just died.
 
I believe it’s possible- but calling it a ghost just makes it sound silly to me (I get visions of casper- haha). I believe the spirit world is all around us. Just as Angels and demons can walk among us- sometimes souls can reach out to us for help from Purgatory (with God’s permission). I don’t know what you experienced, it could have been a soul- or it could have been something dangerous. The only thing you can do in those cases, even now, is to pray. Time doesn’t exist in Heaven- it only exists for us… so a prayer even long after the fact could still help her even now. She may have been a lost soul needing your prayers? If she no longer needs your prayers and she’s now in Heaven, then those prayers will go towards another soul who needs them. If your experience was demonic in nature- then those prayers still won’t go to waste. Thank God and your Heavenly family for keeping you safe.
 
OP, just a thought. *Perhaps *you were being called to pray for that particular soul. I would suggest praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the dying.

It may be of interest for you to read, This is the Sound of a Lost Soul, which details the account of a woman named June Klins. One morning at 3:00 am, June was awakened by loud sounds of trains. She got on her knees and began praying the Chaplet for the dying. The following day, a friend asked her to pray for a girl who had committed suicide the night prior by throwing herself in front of a train. That is why she heard all the trains. The trains were a sign that a soul was in need of prayers, just as the crying *may have been *in your case. If that was the case, then it is not too late to pray for that soul, remember that God is outside of time and our prayers are still meritorious.

I should also note that God does permit souls to appear on earth to request prayers. Saints such as St. Padre Pio and St. Gemma Galgani received visits from purgatorial souls requesting prayers and/or Masses. Also, St. Faustina, was given certain knowledge of souls that were dying in order to pray for them.

God bless
 
I just wanted to add that you shouldn’t feel bad about not investigating further. I would definitely trust your instinct in these type of circumstances. Personally, I think I would be scared stiff.
 
In college some friends of mine lived in an old house and weird stuff would happen.

Pet birds going nuts for no reason
Dog barking at things not there
Lights going on and off

I was in a bedroom changing cloths and the TV came on, changed channels twice and then turned off. There was no one else in the room and the remote was sitting next to me on a table.

No idea if ghost are real or not and I don’t dwell on it to the point of letting it effect my faith but that was freaky and not something I think should be played with.

My advice is to let the memory be just that, a memory, and not to search for answers or reasons.
 
WT1 said:
In college some friends of mine lived in an old house and weird stuff would happen.

Pet birds going nuts for no reason
Dog barking at things not there
Lights going on and off

I was in a bedroom changing cloths and the TV came on, changed channels twice and then turned off. There was no one else in the room and the remote was sitting next to me on a table.

No idea if ghost are real or not and I don’t dwell on it to the point of letting it effect my faith but that was freaky and not something I think should be played with.

My advice is to let the memory be just that, a memory, and not to search for answers or reasons.
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I used to live in a house which was said to be haunted. I never saw anything but time and time again, visitors would ask me if I had another visitor. They keep seeing a man in the living room, sitting down as if deep in thought. What is eerie, is that the visitors, friends or family, who did not know each other, would describe this man and their description would be the same, time and time again.

I also shared the house with relatives and their friends also saw that man. Weird.
 
Sarcelle said:
I used to live in a house which was said to be haunted. I never saw anything but time and time again, visitors would ask me if I had another visitor. They keep seeing a man in the living room, sitting down as if deep in thought. What is eerie, is that the visitors, friends or family, who did not know each other, would describe this man and their description would be the same, time and time again.

I also shared the house with relatives and their friends also saw that man. Weird.
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Wow this gave me chills!
 
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