Occult Items-what should I do with them?

[fabricdragon]

Louisville Ky? oh wow… you ARE in Wicca central! in fact i bet we know a lot of people in common…if i ever go back out there (unlikely, but possible) perhaps we could visit.

dont fret over the snowstorm or anything. it happens.
“pray, hope, and dont worry” (padre Pio, now St. Pio of Petrelcina)

perhaps you can take advantage of being snowbound to do more Rosaries, look up the prayer to St Michael, and 'clean house" i surely bet your husband would understand a home bound person cleaning up stuff, maybe you can get him to help…
this might be a good time to mutter about “needing more shelf space” and re -organizing the books!!!

may i suggest you take heart with one thing? Our Lady’s Rosary Makers are ALSO in Louisville KY! you have a community!

some other places of interest:
www.rosaryarmy.com learn to make knotted cord Rosaries! you can also request one, free…

info and the place i buy my scapulars:
sistersofcarmel.com/brown-scapulars-brown-scapular-of-our-lady-of-mount-carmel.php

and finally found my copy:
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in the battle. Be our protection against the malice and snares of the Devil. We humbly beseech God to command him. And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the powers of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

 

[kalt]

Well, if anyone was posting this or watching this to prove that Catholics a supersticious, they’re having a field day.

Please be assured that some of the Catholic responses here don’t represent the views of most Catholics. We really don’t believe in crystal ball prophecy.

 

[wife_of_life]

I find it intriging the mixed variety of response on this topic. For the post that said that this is just proving that Catholics are superstitious, you are misunderstanding. As Catholics we believe, by default, in the realm of the spiritual life. As such we know that there angels, both those who still enjoy the beatific vision and those who are fallen. Angels are powerful beings with abilities that are beyond our scope as human beings, both the fallen and the divine. Someone once said that the Devil’s greatest accomplishment is convincing people that he doesn’t exist, because you don’t defend yourself against what you don’t think can harm you.

Jesus spent much time in the gospels casting out demons, do you think they’ve simply left on their own now that He’s not here to fight them so directly for us?

As to the objects in question, of course they don’t have power on their own, but they provide a foothold for the spirits in question to remain in the house, especially as they have your husband’s consent to be there. I would say to speak to your priest, but don’t stop there. Unfortunately not all priests are informed in all areas of spiritual warfare. Your priest may not be aware of the proper ways to address the spiritual battle in your life. If that’s the case then call your diocese or bishop’s office directly to ask for counsel.

As you are getting conflicting advice here on the ideas of burning, smashing etc of the items, I would wait until you get a solid response from an experienced exorcist, but gather everything together and get it ready for whatever remedy the exorcist recommends.

As to feeling that you are beyond the reach of these objects ever influencing you again, please guard againt this tyoe of thinking. None of us are so strong that we can know what our future selves will be capable of withstanding. Even Solomon in all his wisdom allowed himself to be tempted to entertain false gods - the very spiritual entities that are still in operation today as eternal beings.

God’s blessings on your journey to the faith, I hope it smoothes out for you soon.

Peace

 

[jewells17]

read the personal story of marcia at www.christiananswersforthenewage.org and keep an open mind. lot’s to learn on this website.

 

[Fidelis_Unus]

Someone earlier in the thread had mentioned an exorcist, I highly doubt I’m possessed, especially with how devoted I feel to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Our Virgin Mother.

Only because an exorcist specializes in this area, not that you’re demonic.

I just want to make sure I dispose of this stuff the right way.

Fantastic. It would be irresponsible to pass it along or throw it away where kids might get it. Sadly, I once saw a Ouiji in a Catholic thrift store. I suggested, perhaps, this belonged in the dumpster. Looking back, maybe I should’ve burned it, or not. Such conflicting messages! That’s why an exorcist is your best bet.

My thought is that I can’t save my husband, only God can. It’s hard, yes, very much so.

So true! You can only do your part, by praying and being an example of Christ.

t’s also lonely sometimes, especially when at Church everyone is there with their family and I’m sitting all alone. I do see little hints though that God is working in him, which keeps me praying even more

It is hard. It gets easier, but there are moments.

again. Welcome! You have been truly blessed and we are blessed to have you.

 

[mollyvrog]

been there, done that. You have to burn them, otherwise the spirits stay. Believe me, I had to. If it’s an ouiji board, they don’t burn, break it up and bury it. Then go through your house, and bless it.

 

[donanobis]

but he’s trying to give me a hard time about certain aspects of it. For instance tonight when I came in and told him the appointment for us to meet with the Priest and fill out paperwork and stuff, he told me he’s wearing the outfit we got married in into the Church and that his witness will be his satanist friend. He also wants me to wear the same dress we got married in.
The clothes wouldn’t normally be a big deal, but they were made for a wiccan handfasting and they are black/red. I kind of just wanted to wear like normal clothes, and not have a full on wedding again, we can’t really afford that.
I explained to him what it means to be married, how it’s a Sacrament and how if we have any kids, they have to be raised Catholic, he says he’s cool with that. He also said “you do your thing, and I’ll do mine, and we should be happy”.

Since the 60’s, I believe, it has been the norm to not administer the Sacrament of Baptism to a person, usually an infant or child, unless those responsible for them have a way of bringing them up in the Catholic Faith, therefore Catholic sponsors. I have seen disappointed parents because their priest did not think the parents would follow through in raising their child Catholic.

The same thing I have seen with a priest not marrying a couple who did not believe a marriage would last. He would refuse to bless the marriage.

I am puzzled why your priest so willingly will bless a marriage, that has at least right now, no future and why you need to make it a Sacrament right now. (Not to mention having a Satanist for a sponsor and the wearing of obviously dubious attire to be married in.)

and

He’s agreed to go in with me to have our marriage Blessed by my Priest so I’m not in sin,

I’m not understanding this. What sin is it that will disappear with the blessing of your marriage?

dona

 

[donanobis]

If you should need an exorcism yourself, however, your parish priest has the resources to request it of the Bishop who in all cases needs to be involved in approving it. dona

Someone earlier in the thread had mentioned an exorcist, I highly doubt I’m possessed, especially with how devoted I feel to God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Our Virgin Mother. I think what I’m going through is more of a spiritual struggle right now and probably the evil that is in the world isn’t happy with what I’m doing and therefore is sending nasties my way to try trip me up.

From all I have read, anyone can be possessed, even a devout practicing Christian. I did not mean to imply you personally needed an exorcism. In the process of elaborating, I was just passing on information on what one would do if they did need one as these forums are educational tools. Whether you need a formal exorcism for the expelling of demons or not would only be within the judgment of the Ecclesiastical Authorities under the Bishop of your Diocese. Many factors are taken into consideration.

dona

 

[donanobis]

Not all priests can be experts in all things, which is why we have priests who specialize in exorcisms.

This is just to elaborate and not meant to point the finger of exorcism at Rachel.

All priests are meant to be exorcists as established by Jesus Himself. Jesus did not deem His followers be specialists. Did Jesus need to have a psychiatrist to proclaim that it was ok for Him to exorcise? No, because He knew the condition of the soul of the person He was to exorcise as He also knew the condition of the souls of His own followers who He commanded to expel demons. He did not worry about proper training as an exorcist as He showed them what to do.

Priests are limited in their ability to exorcise demons only by their own lack of holiness and humility (the condition of their souls);

by their own belief in their power to exorcise in the Name of Jesus;

and in our present day, by their Bishop, who has the authority to authorize an exorcism and who should have some insight into the soul of his priest and deem him least likely to be harmed by the demon(s), who will not wish to depart. And the Bishop needs to be assured that his priest follows the Churchs’ rite of exorcism.

Minor or non-formal exorcisms are in the rites of the Sacraments which every priest exer/exor/cises; Baptism, Reconciliation/Penance.

dona

 

[Rachel_1]

Since the 60’s, I believe, it has been the norm to not administer the Sacrament of Baptism to a person, usually an infant or child, unless those responsible for them have a way of bringing them up in the Catholic Faith, therefore Catholic sponsors. I have seen disappointed parents because their priest did not think the parents would follow through in raising their child Catholic.

Interesting you bring this up. I was baptized Catholic as a baby myself, although I wasn’t raised Catholic at all. I think (based on young memories) that my mom was either attending RCIA with a Priest, or trying to be Catholic. I don’t know if she ever got baptized though? My dad was Catholic though (I found out later), but he didn’t live like a Catholic.
Even though I shouldn’t have been baptized Catholic, I’m glad I was. I think that is why I’m here now in my life.

The same thing I have seen with a priest not marrying a couple who did not believe a marriage would last. He would refuse to bless the marriage.

I am puzzled why your priest so willingly will bless a marriage, that has at least right now, no future and why you need to make it a Sacrament right now. (Not to mention having a Satanist for a sponsor and the wearing of obviously dubious attire to be married in.)

According to the Church all marriages (civil) are considered valid, even if not done in the Church (unless you go through the process of filing for an annulment and even then it can still be found to be a valid marriage). Being that we’re legally married, but it was done in a handfasting instead of a Sacrament, this means I’m currently living in sin. In order for me to be able to have my first Communion and be able to even have Communion at all, I have to be free of mortal sin, which I’m not right now because of my marriage not being right.
Also, in order for our marriage to be Convalidated or blessed it has to go through first the Priest, then to the Bishop who has to approve or deny it.
First we have our meeting with my Priest on the 19th, during this meeting we fill out paperwork to see if the Bishop will approve us having our marriage Convalidated and he has to talk with both of us and determine if my husband is going to try to stop me from living as a Catholic (which won’t happen).
At that point, we have to wait for permission from the Bishop then if he gives the go ahead, we set the date.
vatican.va/archive/catechism/p2s2c3a7.htm
Please see the section Mixed marriages and disparity of cult 1633-1637

I’m not understanding this. What sin is it that will disappear with the blessing of your marriage?

dona

Fornication. Although, we aren’t ‘doing anything’ right now until the marriage is blessed. (my choice, not his lol)

 

[jpk1313]

I think most have seen my story and how I came to the Church.
I was baptized as a baby Catholic, but not raised Catholic, and God miraculously brought me out of witchcraft to the Church. I’m still in RCIA but I’m being ‘fast tracked’ to Confirmation and the Sacraments before Easter. My husband is still living the pagan type life.
I’ve had all sorts of bad stuff happen to me recently and I’m fairly certain that these things are a spiritual attack of some sort. Tonight while praying for another member it hit me… like a ton of bricks why I may still have this ickky stuff going on with me.
I still have all these occult items in my house… they are ‘put away’ (my stuff, not my husbands), but they are still here because I’m afraid my husband will freak if I get rid of them… we have A LOT of this stuff in the house… tarot cards, a handmade wand made by a ‘high priest’ that has a ‘spirit’ attached to it, crystals with ‘spirits’ attached to them, channeling boards, massive amounts of occult books (not put up) etc.
So I’m feeling really gross right now as it hit me all this stuff is still here even though most of it is out of sight except the books. I have this feeling of utter despair right now after praying and realizing this.
I know my husband will likely freak out, but I’m planning to burn all the books, channeling board, tarot cards and all burnable stuff on his next work day (Tuesday), maybe he won’t notice ~shrug~. My question is, what do I do with the stuff that’s not burnable, like the crystals and things?
FYI- if you’re pagan and ask me for this stuff, the answer will be no.

I to spent along time in the occult before converting (13 years) and just before I was baptized I took a page out of act and went with some church elders to a park and burned all my magik junk as a way of saying “I renounce all of this”. When i destroyed my tarot cards I tore each one in half in Jesus name. As for the stuff that wont burn like crystals what I did was smash them with a hammer.

 

[Rachel_1]

Update-
I just got off the phone with the Archdiocese here and spoke with a wonderful woman who told me that I’m not crazy, that this stuff does exist, and she’s putting me in touch with one of the 12 exorcists in the US approved and trained by Rome to get these things disposed of the correct way.
She’s calling him now and he should return my call within the next few days (he’s going to call when my husband isn’t here so I can talk freely about this).

 

[fabricdragon]

Update-
I just got off the phone with the Archdiocese here and spoke with a wonderful woman who told me that I’m not crazy, that this stuff does exist, and she’s putting me in touch with one of the 12 exorcists in the US approved and trained by Rome to get these things disposed of the correct way.
She’s calling him now and he should return my call within the next few days (he’s going to call when my husband isn’t here so I can talk freely about this).

after you deal with YOUR issues, which are obviously of first concern… can you ask them if there is someone trained in this for the Philadelphia area, and how i would get in touch? i have a small ton of things that my local priests just dont… get.
i would be very happy to have someone to contact both for the thing i still have boxed up, and to put in touch with others, who often ask me.

some things are just not safe to dispose of casually… and not “burnable” or easily destroyed at home

 

[Rachel_1]

after you deal with YOUR issues, which are obviously of first concern… can you ask them if there is someone trained in this for the Philadelphia area, and how i would get in touch? i have a small ton of things that my local priests just dont… get.
i would be very happy to have someone to contact both for the thing i still have boxed up, and to put in touch with others, who often ask me.

some things are just not safe to dispose of casually… and not “burnable” or easily destroyed at home

I found the Priest for you to talk to… I’ll send you a PM

 

[Usbek_de_Perse]

All of that stuff you have is just junk. It has no power to bring good fortune or bad. So just toss it. That stuff is powerless and meaningless. It’s merely pieces of paper, wood, plastic, etc.

God doesn’t attack people, even those who have silly cards in a drawer, so God is not picking on your for having this stuff. If you’re having a bad time of it, and you think there is a specific reason, look for the real cause. But sometimes stuff just happens. Bad things happening to good people and such.

I am going to say something that, perhaps, is not in accord with Christianity, but demonic powers can sometimes be used against people. I had it happen to me when I was living in a country where a kind of voodoo-like practice existed. I had always heard of it, but around the time I got engaged to be married, one day, a fellow I thought was a friend told a pack of lies about me to my future parents-in-law. Even before learning of these lies, I had a massive headache, and when I saw him, he told me about a witch’s spell.

Based on this and on other stories of people I know, I respect the powers of darkness, and I do not doubt your wisdom in disposing of these objects.

 

[jewells17]

www.crossveil.org

 

[Rachel_1]

www.crossveil.org

Wow, so some Catholic places are using reiki? I was a reiki II practitioner. Reiki is NOT from God, I can guarantee that. You get it from an attunement that is passed down, and you listen/feel for ‘guides’ that help you during the reiki sesson.
Reiki is not just some innocent form of ‘healing’, not when the ‘guides’ are involved.

 

[donanobis]

Interesting you bring this up. I was baptized Catholic as a baby myself, although I wasn’t raised Catholic at all. I think (based on young memories) that my mom was either attending RCIA with a Priest, or trying to be Catholic. I don’t know if she ever got baptized though? My dad was Catholic though (I found out later), but he didn’t live like a Catholic. Even though I shouldn’t have been baptized Catholic, I’m glad I was. I think that is why I’m here now in my life.

Heaven may be smiling your way!

According to the Church all marriages (civil) are considered valid, even if not done in the Church (unless you go through the process of filing for an annulment and even then it can still be found to be a valid marriage).

Civil marriages are not valid in the eyes of the Church as a Sacrament and need no annulment. It is a legal marriage in the eyes of the state, for personal and tax purposes and the disposal of property.

Marriage before a man of God/minister who assists the couple in performing their Vows to each other is considered Sacramentally valid and needs an annulment which can involve one or both spouses. I suppose even if it is performed outside a church? (not sure of this) since many have back yard or blue grass ceremonies; ie; not in a church?

Civil marriages are not considered as a Sacramental marriage by the Church so fornication is the name the Church applies to the relationship of the couple civilly married if they have sexual intercourse.

1650 Today there are numerous Catholics in many countries who have recourse to civil divorce and contract new civil unions. … For the same reason, they cannot exercise certain ecclesial responsibilities.

This last sentence from the source you quoted is awkward. Perhaps this means marital sexual intercourse that is only allowed within a valid Sacrament?

Being that we’re legally married, but it was done in a handfasting instead of a Sacrament, this means I’m currently living in sin.

What is a handfasting??

vatican.va/archive/catechism/p2s2c3a7.htm
Please see the section Mixed marriages and disparity of cult 1633-1637

Is your husband baptized? (all baptisms performed according to prescription are valid}

Fornication. Although, we aren’t ‘doing anything’ right now until the marriage is blessed. (my choice, not his lol)

Wise choice! You are an amazing lady!

I will be among the many sending prayers.

dona

 

[fabricdragon]

Wow, so some Catholic places are using reiki? I was a reiki II practitioner. Reiki is NOT from God, I can guarantee that. You get it from an attunement that is passed down, and you listen/feel for ‘guides’ that help you during the reiki sesson.
Reiki is not just some innocent form of ‘healing’, not when the ‘guides’ are involved.

sadly, as another person who has experience with the occult and non Christian religions…
the majority of Catholic churches (and priests) fall under one of two of the fallacies of the devil.

1. that he, and the supernatural ,do not exist
2. believing that they are more powerful than they are.

so you have Christian (yes and Catholic) churches that dont see a problem with Yoga, reiki, centering prayer, etc.
and you have churches (even catholic ones) that see the devil under every rock, and behind every item, no matter how innocuous.

having been part of the pagan/new age/wiccan culture. i can assure anyone who need to be assured:
reiki is not Christian (it claims to be able to work with any religion… including Christianity and Wicca and Buddhism. but guided meditations, guides, and “revealed information” and “sacred sigils” are part of it)

there are other threads that discuss the problems with many of the other rituals that keep getting borrowed from “foreign Gods” but…

well a quote:
“do not worship ME the way they worship their gods”

 

[jewells17]

Wow, so some Catholic places are using reiki? I was a reiki II practitioner. Reiki is NOT from God, I can guarantee that. You get it from an attunement that is passed down, and you listen/feel for ‘guides’ that help you during the reiki sesson.
Reiki is not just some innocent form of ‘healing’, not when the ‘guides’ are involved.

Rachel…how did you find out the truth about reiki? Is this the same as energy medicine and healing? We have alot of this in our area.