Tattoo Issue

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gatewood1988

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I posted this question on Johnette Benkovic’s blog, “I have a question about my tattoos. When I was heavily involved with the occult I got a heart shaped peace sign, an ankh with angel wings, and a phoenix tattoo. They all meant something when I got them, but when I came back to the Church I have been trying to find a way to link them with things I believe in and the church believes. Unfortunately lazer removal and coverup jobs are way out of my budget to do. I am wondering what I should do. What would you suggest?”

She forwarded my question to Fr. Silva and this was the response she gave me:

**Because of the seriousness of occult activity and particularly the use of occult symbols for these tattoos, I referred this question to our spiritual advisor, Father Edmund Sylvia C.S.C.

The optimal solution to this problem would be complete removal of the tattoos. But if that can’t be done, you must do your best to cover them as much as possible because these symbols could be a source of scandal to others.

Assuming that you have performed the necessary confession and formal renunciation of your involvements in the occult, Father recommends that you also seek deliverance prayers and the formal renunciation and breaking of all covenants. This is very important “to prevent harassment and serious spiritual attack,” he says. “As part of deliverance prayers, there should also be a ‘sealing’ of these tattoos, much like the formal closing of ‘portals’” (which are doorways to the occult/spirits).

Priests affiliated with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal are usually trained in these areas. Check to see if a Charismatic prayer group meets at a parish near you and contact a member of the group. They will be happy to help you find a priest.**

Now I am uncomfortable about the Catholic Charismatic Renewal personally, so I feel stuck. Does anyone have any traditional ideas?
 
Denouncing the Occult
Heavenly Father, in the name of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, I denounce Satan and all his works, all forms of witchcraft, the use of divination, the practice of sorcery, dealing with mediums, channeling with spirit guides, the Ouija board, astrology, Reiki, hypnosis, automatic writing, horoscopes, numerology, all types of fortune telling, palm readings, levitation, and anything else associated with the occult or Satan. I denounce all of them in the name of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh, and by the power of his cross, his blood and his resurrection, I break their hold over my life.

I confess all these sins before you and ask you to cleanse and forgive me. I ask you Lord Jesus to enter my heart and create in me the kind of person you have intended me to be. I ask you to send forth the gifts of your Holy Spirit to baptize me, just as you baptized your disciples on the day of Pentecost.

I thank you heavenly Father for strengthening my inner spirit with the power of your Holy Spirit, so that Christ may dwell in my heart. Through faith, rooted and grounded in love, may I be able to comprehend with all the saints, the breadth, length, height and depth of Christ’s love which surpasses all knowledge. Amen.

catholicwarriors.com/pages/warfare_prayers.htm
 
DERMABLEND

If you can’t get rid of them, cover them. This product is quite amazing. I used to sell cosmetics at a major department store many years ago, and there was an entire counter for this product. It really is very impressive, and is not simply “make up”.

~Liza
 
lizaanne said:
DERMABLEND

If you can’t get rid of them, cover them. This product is quite amazing. I used to sell cosmetics at a major department store many years ago, and there was an entire counter for this product. It really is very impressive, and is not simply “make up”.

~Liza
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I tried to cover them, but the problem is that my phoenix tattoo is on my back where I can’t reach 😛
 
I would point out that the phoenix is a symbol of resurrection and has even been used as such in Christianity. The Legion of Mary incorporates it into its insignia.
 
gatewood1988 said:
I tried to cover them, but the problem is that my phoenix tattoo is on my back where I can’t reach 😛
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The phoenix is a Christian symbol of the Resurrection. It is mentioned by St Clement in his The Epistle to the Corinthians. I hope that’s some comfort.

I also agree that Dermablend really works.
 
One of the church fathers used the phoenix story as an illustration of the Resurrection.

Scripture does speak of both angels and peace.

Likely Jesus is the Angel of the Lord in the OT. So, Theolophianes like Exodus 3:14 referred to in John 8:58
 
Ok I do feel a little better about the phoenix. Maybe I could get the ankh with angel wings covered with an angel or with St. Michael and get the heart turned into a Sacred Heart or something.
 
gatewood1988 said:
Ok I do feel a little better about the phoenix. Maybe I could get the ankh with angel wings covered with an angel or with St. Michael and get the heart turned into a Sacred Heart or something.
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The ankh has been used by some Christian communities as a symbol of the cross.

If you are uncomfortable with the Charismatic movement, I would suggest talking to your local priest about suggestions.
 
You were deeply involved in the occult, but all you have to show for it is a heart, a phoenix and an ankh? And you’re worried about that?

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I thought you were going to say you had a sigil of Beelzebub tattoo’d on your right arm, but instead we see a heart, a phoenix and an ankh, sounds like what the average teenage girl has.
 
Suspicious_Mind said:
You were deeply involved in the occult, but all you have to show for it is a heart, a phoenix and an ankh? And you’re worried about that?

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I thought you were going to say you had a sigil of Beelzebub tattoo’d on your right arm, but instead we see a heart, a phoenix and an ankh, sounds like what the average teenage girl has.
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LOL yeah true. Well see I was a high priestess of the egyptian goddess Isis when I was in the occult so that explains the ankh. But I see where you are coming from
 
gatewood1988 said:
LOL yeah true. Well see I was a high priestess of the egyptian goddess Isis when I was in the occult so that explains the ankh. But I see where you are coming from
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I figured there’d be some connection, but I think it’s unhealthy to keep it in mind especially when you’ve changed your life. I personally wouldn’t remove it, I think they are lovely. And as someone has already mentioned Christian related meanings to it, it’s not so bad then.

I’ve also seen the Ankh being used in Christian meanings before. What’s more interesting is someone changing from being a high priestess in the occult to Catholicism, that’s definitely not something you hear everyday, how did that happen?
 
Goodness me, don’t worry about it…what done is done.

Here in NZ there are folk with tattooed faces for crying out loud…not necessarily as a Maori cultural thing either.

The consequences of tatooing is that it is so permanent. As a nurse I have seen some really really awful sights on very elderly men and a very few women. There is nothing attractive about tattoos on wrinkly skin.
 
You know, there was probably tattooing going on before Jesus started showing up and converting people. And all throughout the world. I doubt people burned their skin off as penance. They dont mean anything to you now and that’s what should be important. They should be nothing more than reminds of how far you were deceived and a reminder to not let it happen again.
 
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