Potential Catechumens worried about the demonic

  • Thread starter Thread starter marlap2
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

marlap2

Guest
As an RCIA teacher, I’m getting a lot of phone calls lately from people who desire baptism RIGHT AWAY. They tell me that they are under demonic oppression/possible possession and want to see a exorcist. They’ve been phoning the archdiocese for a list of exorcists, and talking to priests. Somehow, someway, they end up on the other end of the line. I’ve been teaching RCIA for over 10 years now, and I’ve never come across such a surging of this.

What I do tell them is:
  1. The exorcists are not commonly known by the laity. Only the archbishop and possibly a few priests know who they are. They generally live a life of quiet solitude, unless they are praying for someone…
  2. You’d have to go through the process of visiting your priest/then archbishop/who would also want you to go through a psychiatric evaluation prior to moving forward. My last person who was worried also loves to spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, so I’m thinking, he’s just fine, albiet he’s worried.
  3. RCIA is a process. Baptism is a process. I talk at length about how important the process of discerment and then journeying towards the Sacraments at Easter. I’ve told them that I’ve never had a person go through the process and say it was too long. Most say it’s not long enough.
  4. I encourage them to go HERE (to the Forums) to ask for continued prayer, to frequent local prayer groups, where there are probably people who have the gifts of the Holy Spirit, who may be able to pray laity church approved deliverance.
  5. I encourage the Rosary and visiting the Blessed Sacrament.
  6. I encourage attending Mass, but not receiving, (saying a prayer of Spiritual Communion)
It’s just really interesting how busy the phone is with these calls lately.
 
I wonder why the surge in calls regarding this issue. OP it seems as though you are giving some wonderful information to these callers.

God bless

Mary.
 
Do you refer them onto a Priest?

On one hand it’s quite wonderful that there is a group of non baptised who do believe in the work of the devil, and realise Jesus is their shelter.
 
I am glad after they have been given the run-around that you are the one they get on the phone. I hope they just don’t give up. I almost did.
 
I’ve always referred them to a priest. In one case, I actually introduced them to a priest. The priests are always charitable and suggest that they continue to fast and pray.
That’s not what they want to hear, of course. They are diagnosing themselves in a sense.

However, I never discount or suggest anything to them. If they have mental problems, and the voices or manifestations are there, then all I can do is be supportive, and suggest they also talk to their doctor. I say (and it’s true) that it’s all part of the process in seeing an exorcist eventually. But I’m almost positive that they aren’t possessed, because they are going to church and the blessed sacrament frequently. No demon could stand in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
I also said that part of our journey of Catholics (and they all desire to be Catholic) is a level of obedience. If the Church calls for a period of time (RCIA) prior to baptism, then there must be a good reason. I told them I’ve NEVER had a person finish RCIA and say it wasn’t worth it or it was too long.
 
That is curious. Is it the same person/people calling repeatedly? There is always the possibility of demonic activity, but I do know there are certain mental illnesses out there which cause paranoia, delusions etc. Also there are a lot of television programs on air dealing with hauntings, possessions, etc. Not to say this is the cause, but I can certainly see how the two can mix and make someone think they are under some type of oppression. I’ll add these folks to my prayers.
 
I’ve had three lately, and one last year. The one last year was a woman, and I’m almost certain she was bi-polar. She ended up leaving her husband and moving away. She was angry at me because I wouldn’t just phone an exorcist and help her right away. I don’t think she believed me when I said I didn’t know any exorcists.

There are, from time to time, Charismatic priests who have done deliverance or currently are, and they come to our city from time to time.

I’ve used the analogy of a schoolyard bully. If you are being bullied on the schoolyard, the best thing you can do is not make eye contact and move and have conversations with nice kids. The bully will eventually get frustrated and pick on someone else. I believe the same is with the minions of the evil one. If we give them any heed, they will continue to harass.

But, indeed, if it is mental illness, the poor souls… they suffer so much with fear and anxiety.
God Bless
 
marlap2 said:
But, indeed, if it is mental illness, the poor souls… they suffer so much with fear and anxiety.
God Bless
Click to expand...
The issue is that much of what is characterized as mental illness might well be a mild or even severe form of demonic attack, and that this cannot be determined until a solemn exorcism is begun, at which point the evil spirit makes crystal clear his presence.

Or, to put it another way, scientific materialism makes for a wonderful cloak.

Regarding the bullying: the reason God permits this sort of thing altogether is for the great spiritual good that comes to a soul from beating these guys up. Ignoring them is counter-productive to why they’ve been allowed to bully in the first place.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top