Slain in/by the spirit?

[Layman]

PS: I should add that some saints are favoured by Heaven early on, without being ascetics. There are privileged souls, I’ve read.

**I would be very dubious, however, about your average Catholic turning up at a service(?), and, accompanied by unintelligible jabbering, getting ‘feelings’ and ‘sensations’. **

I should also warn you that occultists, who deal more with demons rather than angels, counsel strongly against surrendering your will to any spirit, or inviting them to enter you, or leaving your mind ‘open’. It is very dangerous.

 

[jilly4ski]

I tend to be a little skeptical of being slain in the spirit. My home parish is/was very charismatic. I think that being charismatic has its advantages, that it teaches people to recognize the works of the Holy Spirit and shows people that the faith is alive. However, at our parish, during a prayer service almost everyone who would go and get prayed over would get “slain in the spirit” there were always catchers to lay people gently on the ground. I am not saying that people don’t experience the presence of the Holy Spirit or a profound peace from God, but much of it seemed to be emotional responses much like protestant healing services. There was also a lot of ‘speaking in tounges’ (this was actually during mass, usually after a song. the gloria or the communion hymn). But once we got a new priest and he mentioned a few times, that speaking in tounges or raising ones hands up to heaven doesn’t mean one is closer to God, a lot of those activities stopped. I personally found being in an emotionally charged parish as a youth very beneficial for understanding the Holy Spirit and becomign emotionally connected to my faith. However, as an adult in my faith I found it to be shallow (for me) and that I needed understanding and faith that even when I didn’t ‘feel’ God’s presence that he was still there.

So I guess what I am saying, is that these feelings could very well be real, (they could be real and from the devil), they could be physical, or spiritual. But that these feelings are hard to discern and are easy to abuse. (ie be faked or one could base their spiritual life completely on these feelings).

Pax

 

[DebChris]

I tend to be a little skeptical of being slain in the spirit. My home parish is/was very charismatic. I think that being charismatic has its advantages, that it teaches people to recognize the works of the Holy Spirit and shows people that the faith is alive. However, at our parish, during a prayer service almost everyone who would go and get prayed over would get “slain in the spirit” there were always catchers to lay people gently on the ground. I am not saying that people don’t experience the presence of the Holy Spirit or a profound peace from God, but much of it seemed to be emotional responses much like protestant healing services. There was also a lot of ‘speaking in tounges’ (this was actually during mass, usually after a song. the gloria or the communion hymn). But once we got a new priest and he mentioned a few times, that speaking in tounges or raising ones hands up to heaven doesn’t mean one is closer to God, a lot of those activities stopped. I personally found being in an emotionally charged parish as a youth very beneficial for understanding the Holy Spirit and becomign emotionally connected to my faith. However, as an adult in my faith I found it to be shallow (for me) and that I needed understanding and faith that even when I didn’t ‘feel’ God’s presence that he was still there.

So I guess what I am saying, is that these feelings could very well be real, (they could be real and from the devil), they could be physical, or spiritual. But that these feelings are hard to discern and are easy to abuse. (ie be faked or one could base their spiritual life completely on these feelings).

Pax

I can understand how “being slain in the spirit” may appear as an emotional response to a person who has never had the experience. God is real and His presence can be palpably felt so that it does overwhelm our senses. As already mentioned, at all times we retain free-will and can resist God’s power. Yet like Jeremiah we cry out in our discomfort and give into the overwhelming love of God.
Discernment is a special gift. One of the differences between the Catholic Charismatic Renewal and non-Catholic gatherings is this emphasis on discernment. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a movement of the Holy Spirit officially sanctioned by the heirachy and mentioned in the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, unanimously approved by the USCCB.
“Being slain in the spirit” is not an everyday occurrence. As with any experience, maturity develops over time. The Charismatic Renewal is not something to fear, nor is “resting in the Spirit” and allowing the Lord to heal that which needs healing in our lives.
One of the criteria mentioned in scripture regarding whether what is happening is from God or man is the longevity. How long can we adhere to a fallacy? The truth on the other hand has no expiration date.

 

[barb_finnegan]

I have been to several ‘healing Masses’ or ‘healing services’ in my lifetime, but I have never been ‘slain in the Spirit’.

Last summer I went to a shrine that is a hour’s drive away from home. A very well-known priest was going to be there-I think most posters would know his name if I gave it. I arrived in the early afternoon, and slipped into the crowd that was in one of the chapels on the shrine grounds.

It was very warm and sticky, with threatening storm clouds. After praying a long list of ‘medical intentions’, the priest invited the people to come up, row by row, to be prayed over.

It took quite a long time before my row went up. I stood in a line with everyone else, and the priest anointed my forehead with holy oil. He put his hand on my head and prayed quietly, and I could feel him ‘pushing’ me with the heel of his hand. Well, I never ‘fell down’-all I got was oil irritating my left eye! My forehead was so sweaty that the oil seeped into my eye!

It started to rain, so somehow I ran out to my car without getting too wet. I had to wait till my eye was cleared before I could safely drive! The oil stung, too…

I’m glad not to be a ‘fan’ of this kind of event…too much emotionalism for my blood! I go to the EF exclusively…

But at the risk of being labelled ‘uncharitable’-well, I’m not. If people like this stuff, then that’s what they like…I’m not getting in their way…

 

[allhers]

Remember this? “Be not afraid” !
From what I understand being “Slain in the Spirit” means that you simply rest in the Lord as He works HIS healing in your life.
Jesus, I trust in YOU.
This coming Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday.
Learn more about the Divine Mercy devotion click here:
ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/index.htm

Another Divine Mercy Novena prayer-
I fly to Your Mercy, Compassionate God, Who alone are good. Although my misery is great and my offenses are many, I trust in Your Mercy because You are the God of Mercy, and it has never been heard of in all ages, nor do Heaven or Earth remember, that a soul trusting in Your Mercy has been disappointed.

(State your intentions)

__ Jesus, Friend of a lonely heart, You are my haven.
You are my peace.
You are my salvation.
You are my serenity in moments of struggle and amidst an ocean of doubts.
Amen
source: ewtn.com/Devotionals/Novena/divine.htm

 

[DebChris]

Remember this? “Be not afraid” !
From what I understand being “Slain in the Spirit” means that you simply rest in the Lord as He works HIS healing in your life.
Jesus, I trust in YOU.
…

This is good explanation. Unless you are open to the possibility it will not happen.

 

[wisdomseeker]

I think what dixibehr meant by this was that this phenenomenon known as “slain in the spirit” is really just a psychological manifestation. The preacher skillfully plays on the emotions of the susceptiple audience by resorting to emotional rhetoric. Probably not too much different from mass hypnosis. There is nothing truly spiritual going on here. The Saints on the other hand were quite different in that they experienced spiritual flights ranging from bilocation to ectasies without resorting to emotionally working themselves up. There was never a hint of any of the Saints “losing it” when they had these experiences unlike certain Charismatic groups. There is quite a difference between the two, one being spiritual, the other pyschic/soulish or carnal. Hope this helps.

i agree with you. i just cant understand why the HS would go around making people fall and breaking their heads. for what purpose? does our Lord work to entertain people? that is what it look like. i have seen this happened in the church of God. people going around and around falling over the chairs. and people standing around just looking at like if it is something great.
where does the Bible ever describes such a phenom of people acting this way. and again for what purpose? what does this acomplish?

 

[DebChris]

i agree with you. i just cant understand why the HS would go around making people fall and breaking their heads. for what purpose? does our Lord work to entertain people? that is what it look like. i have seen this happened in the church of God. people going around and around falling over the chairs. and people standing around just looking at like if it is something great.
where does the Bible ever describes such a phenom of people acting this way. and again for what purpose? what does this acomplish?

But people do not break their heads in the process.
Look at Psalm 23. Sometimes we need to rest in order to heal.
It is not a matter of entertainment. Who are we to say how God will work?
Post #16 is the best description, although even it falls short of the peace that one feels.
There are some descriptions of this happening to early members of the Franciscans in The Flowers of St. Francis. Flowers of St. Francis describes individual friars who lay as if dead for three days. I have never seen anybody rest for more than a few minutes.
As with most experiences, what happens cannot be adquately described any more than I can describe the taste of a strawberry or chocolate to somebody who has not tasted these flavors.
St. Francis and other saints were not afraid to look like the fools that they often appeared.

 

[Holly3278]

I was slain in the Spirit recently at a healing Mass where Fr. Chris Crotty was the presiding priest. This happened after the Mass when he was praying over people who wanted to be healed and was blessing them with a relic crucifix. I just kind of passed out. I remained conscious but I could not stand under the power of the Holy Spirit. I had to lay down. It was a nice experience but I do not believe that God healed me of my mental disorders which is what I went to be healed from. I do, however, feel that I received some spiritual healing.

 

[DebChris]

I was slain in the Spirit recently at a healing Mass where Fr. Chris Crotty was the presiding priest. This happened after the Mass when he was praying over people who wanted to be healed and was blessing them with a relic crucifix. I just kind of passed out. I remained conscious but I could not stand under the power of the Holy Spirit. I had to lay down. It was a nice experience but I do not believe that God healed me of my mental disorders which is what I went to be healed from. I do, however, feel that I received some spiritual healing.

Often we look for physical healing, but spiritual healing is more important. This internal healing often takes place before any emotional or physical healing is possible. Continue to pray and allow God to work with you through your difficulties. Don’t give up.

 

[po18guy]

I think what dixibehr meant by this was that this phenenomenon known as “slain in the spirit” is really just a psychological manifestation. The preacher skillfully plays on the emotions of the susceptiple audience by resorting to emotional rhetoric. Probably not too much different from mass hypnosis. There is nothing truly spiritual going on here. The Saints on the other hand were quite different in that they experienced spiritual flights ranging from bilocation to ectasies without resorting to emotionally working themselves up. There was never a hint of any of the Saints “losing it” when they had these experiences unlike certain Charismatic groups. There is quite a difference between the two, one being spiritual, the other pyschic/soulish or carnal. Hope this helps.

What you describe is the apparently simulated actions of certain televangelists and other faith hucksters. I’ve seen them too and do not believe it. However, true “baptism in the Spirit” is an actual manifestation of the Holy Spirit, Whom we all received a Confirmation. The process is part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR), and has been approved of by the last two Popes. It is a 100% Catholic practice. FYI: I am not a CCR devotee, having attended only one other function given by the CCR in the past five years. I do not approve of all that I see them doing, but what I did experience lit my faith on fire.

The priest at our parish is a charismatic and the experience was NOTHING like you describe. First, you attend a several-week seminar to learn about the practice. After this, the Priest (or Bishop) lays hands on you and prays fervently. This is only to release the gifts of the Holy Spirit - nothing more. Some may speak in tongues, others realize the other gifts, all of which were written of by Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians. The gifts may manifest themselves at the time, or later. Many are “slain in the Spirit”, but I assure you that no push is required. Forget the TV theatrics.

This should not be a controversial practice. While the Pentecostal church has based itself on this practice - they did not originate it. The Catholic Church had all but abandoned it, but is now reclaiming it. I have never spoken a single syllable in a tongue, because that is not my gift. I have seen it, though.

What I can tell you is that my fear of witnessing to my faith disappeared. My prayer became much more intense and efficacious. I have seen minor miracles in prayer before Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. If you ever experience it, you will be changed.

But, please do not dismiss manifestations of the Holy Spirit as false. I was afraid to go to the seminar, but came up with the courage. I feared looking like a fool, but denied myself and went ahead anyway. The experience, being supernatural, is difficult to describe, and is somewhat different in each person. What it is, is exhilarating. There is no fear. It is the closest I have ever felt to our Lord.

If you have the chance, please look into it. Ask questions.

As to the OP, I wonder if he/she had been kneeling just before this occurred? It could be the Spirit, or it could be the dizziness from rising to your feet too quickly.

 

[LynnGM]

(I’ve been looking for threads on the Charismatic renewal, as I am in the process of deciding if it is for me.)

*So, I’ve fainted a couple times in my life. “Syncope” is the medical term for it. I fainted a couple times when I was a little kid, when I didn’t eat. I remember being in first grade. We were getting out early, we had our coats on, and we were waiting for the Angelus. (After the Angelus, we were dismissed.) I remember my vision getting weird, then feeling faint. And I must have passed out for a few seconds, because I remember picking myself up off the floor with no memory of how I got there. (Nope, no one else noticed, not even the teacher!) It was a horrible feeling. As an adult, I’ve fainted twice. The first time, I “fought” not to lose consciousness. The second time, after the doctor drew blood, I did lose consciousness for a second or two. Fainting is not a fun experience!!! *

So, being slain the spirit. I’ve heard of it. I don’t know what to make of it!

I saw one woman collapse at a Charismatic retreat. (She was right in front of us.) People moved out of the way; I kept my eye on her just to make sure she wasn’t sick. She was totally fine when she got up.

I’ve also experienced being “pushed back” at the hands of a lay healer. Well, whatever happened there worked because I no longer have migrains or severe allergies. (I believe I would have been healed regardless of falling back!)

To the OP, be careful of attributing your experience to “slain in the Spirit”. I tend to feel lightheaded when I don’t have a full meal. I’d say double check your eating habits. Maybe get a dispensation from your bishop if you do have low blood sugar issues- then you can have something light right before Mass.

 

[banished]

Thought that I should mention that I have been a Chrismatic for close to 40 years, and I have never been, “slain in the Spirit”. I’m not saying that people who get slain are fakes, but we do have a lot of flakes in the movement, These people are really hurting and need to be ministered to during an alter-call. Many Catholic Churches in my Diocese have regular Chrismatic Healing Masses. I’m on the mailing list, so anyone in the Diocese of Oakland California wanting to attend one of these Masses, contact me. Remember, the people who attend these healings are really-really hurting, and need to be prayed for.

Richard

 

[cecilia97]

Anyone know what it means?

What are the “symptoms”?

I only say this because of my experiences at church only. This does not happen to me anywhere but at church…during mass!

My vision has blurred, I get dizzy and feel faint.

Yes, Ive had several physicals and an MRI and a cat scan. I am in tip top shape. I finally spoke to my priest and explained what has been happening to me. Sometimes I literally have to clutch the pew infront of me to keep from falling over or back during mass! He told me I was being “slain in the spirit”.

That sounds scary!!! Lately as we approach Easter it is getting stronger. I almost fell right out on Palm Sunday during the reading of the Passion of the Christ!

Is there something I can do.

I do try to fight going “under”. I dont want to pass out and crack my head open!

What is it? Is there anything I should do? Has anyone else ever had this experience? Does it eventually go away?

God Bless!

I have a very common syndrome called vasovagal syncope that has the same symptoms. I’ve passed out in Mass at least 3 times. Syncope means that your blood pressure does not rise fast enough when you stand after sitting or kneeling. MRIs, EEGs, and BP tests will not find it. A tilt table test from a cardiologist finally diagnosed me after 15 years. My Hindu cardiologist chuckled and told me that Catholics are some of the only folks that ever get this definitively diagnosed, because of our “Sunday calisthentics”.

 

[weepixie71]

I know exactly what you are talking about. I am a busy mom. I homeschool, and am a housewife. At home doing my chores, grocery store, park, etc, I havent any problems at all. I only seem to have it right before Communion. I get dizzy, and light headed, almost a numbness. One time I tried to force my way through it and I thought I was going to make it but the moment the priest put the Host on my tongue I past out. Father caught my arm and my husband took me to the emergency room because I looked so pale and green. They couldn’t find anything wrong. My blood sugar wasn’t low. My blood pressure was fiine. My blood work came out fine.

So no, you are defininately not alone in this.

 

[Siskinator]

It’s great to know I am not the only one at church to “lose” it. During Easter Mass, I saw one woman literally hit the floor. I rushed up there because some fools amongst us decided that she was either possessed or in need of prayer. She was pale, slurred speech, clammy. I called 911, then told people to lay her out on the pew and leave her be until help arrived. I quickly went outside and the first to arrive on scene of course was the FDNY. So I led them inside. She had a slight cardiac episode. It was the weirdest thing to almost see someone die during mass!

On another note, thankfully, after loads of tests…the tumor diagnosed in February in my left Ovary is GONE! Biopsy came back clear! I am completely healthy. Have I had another episode of fainting since? Not yet. I have no idea what it was but I’m glad to know that it has a name “syncope”. So Im glad to know of that! Thank you again, everyone!

 

[Jguerra]

I read some of these posts with interest. Some posters describe the symptoms occurring at Palm Sunday, for example. Here, at St. Martin’s my son started feeling dizzy and nauseous while serving as altar boy at more than one Mass. Other parishioners, especially those sitting near the front describe similar symptoms.

How we found the cause, I don’t know exactly, but we now know that the inexpensive votive candles bought at the supermarket, lit by well-meaning church members and placed in the votive stands to either side of the sanctuary were giving off soot and odorless fumes that made quite a few people sick, my son included.

Once our pastor clamped down on store-bought candles and upgraded the quality of the tapers used at the altar, the symptoms subsided.

Where more candles are lit (like during Holy Week), suspect more Spirit-slain cases.

My two cents.

Joe

 

[Siskinator]

Wow! I would have never thought candles could make one sick! It’s great to know and I will definitely pass that on and keep an eye out for that! :bible1:

 

[DebChris]

I read some of these posts with interest. Some posters describe the symptoms occurring at Palm Sunday, for example. Here, at St. Martin’s my son started feeling dizzy and nauseous while serving as altar boy at more than one Mass. Other parishioners, especially those sitting near the front describe similar symptoms.

How we found the cause, I don’t know exactly, but we now know that the inexpensive votive candles bought at the supermarket, lit by well-meaning church members and placed in the votive stands to either side of the sanctuary were giving off soot and odorless fumes that made quite a few people sick, my son included.

Once our pastor clamped down on store-bought candles and upgraded the quality of the tapers used at the altar, the symptoms subsided.

Where more candles are lit (like during Holy Week), suspect more Spirit-slain cases.

My two cents.

Joe

Were the candles made from beeswax? I know that it is a requirement for candles adorning the altar to be made from beeswax. I would make sense that votive candles also be made from beeswax. I would want the candles I light to last as long as possible. Cheap candles burn down quickly. Higher quality candles would be more economical in the long run. There is no reason not to buy unscented candles, especially when you take into account all the other scents, such as incense, that accompany worship.

This is a good time to come back to the point that being Slain in the Spirit, in which a person rests in God, differs substantially from fainting following dizziness, or any other physical cause for passing out.
Cecilia–you reminded me of a 1960’s comedian who had a complete routine around the “Sunday calisthenics” of the Mass.
As Banished (#30) reminds us, many who attend healing Masses are hurting badly physically and/or emotionally. The gospel is full of stories in which Jesus healed those who asked. He was always coming from healing somebody, in the process of healing somebody, or on the way to heal somebody. When He ascended into heaven, Jesus promised that we would not be alone, The Holy Spirit is always with us.

 

[Pani_Rose]

Seven Scriptures that relate:

2 Chronicles
Chapter 5
13 When the trumpeters and singers were heard as a single voice praising and giving thanks to the LORD, and when they raised the sound of the trumpets, cymbals and other musical instruments to “give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever,” the building of the LORD’S temple was filled with a cloud. 14 **** The priests could not continue to minister because of the cloud, since the LORD’S glory filled the house of God.
**Ezekiel
Chapter 1
28 Like the bow which appears in the clouds on a rainy day was the splendor that surrounded him. Such was the vision of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I had seen it, I fell upon my face and heard a voice that said to me:
**Daniel
*Chapter 10
***8 So I was left alone, seeing this great vision. No strength remained in me; I turned the color of death and was powerless. 9 When I heard the sound of his voice, I fell face forward in a faint. 10 But then a hand touched me, raising me to my hands and knees.
Matthew
Chapter 17
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 ** When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. 7 ** But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” 8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.
**John
*Chapter 18
***4 Jesus, knowing everything that was going to happen to him, went out and said to them, “Whom are you looking for?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus the Nazorean.” He said to them, “I AM.” Judas his betrayer was also with them. 6 **** When he said to them, “I AM,” they turned away and fell to the ground. 7 So he again asked them, “Whom are you looking for?” They said, “Jesus the Nazorean.” 8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I AM.
**Acts
*Chapter 9
***1 Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. 4 **** He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.”

Again in
**Acts
*Chapter 26
***13 At midday, along the way, O king, I saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my traveling companions. 14 **** We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And the Lord replied, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 Get up now, and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness of what you have seen (of me) and what you will be shown.