The house next door

[CB_Catholic]

I live next door to a house that I am beginning to think is cursed in some way. And one of my neighbors mentioned the same thing to me. Is this possible? Here is the story:

We moved here in 1987. The house was owned by a wealthy individual, but he treated his wife very shabbily. She never had decent clothes, drove an old beat up car, he wouldn’t give her money, it was pitiful. To make a long story short, they ended up divorced and she ended up in a psychiatric hospital, poor thing.

He moved out and so did she and the house went into a state of disrepair, lawn not mowed, roof rotting, etc., until my husband called the authorities and forced the owner to at least have the grass mowed and the clutter cleared. He then sold the house land contract to a couple, who had the house painted and cleaned up up inside. But the paint was bad, apparently did not have the proper drying agents, and the woman and her son ended up with severe respiratory problems with permanent lung damage. The house was s declared a hazard and was locked up for one year, no one was allowed entry. It again fell into a state of disrepair, same old thing. The house reverted back to the original owner as the couple abandoned it and filed a huge lawsuit against the paint manufacturer, which they won.

After the house was declared able to be lived in again, a realtor bought it, remodeled it inside, painted it, fixed the lawn, and sold it to a nice couple who transferred here from another state. The wife came down with an unusual cancer in her chest, (not lung cancer) had surgery and chemo and recovered. They were transferred out of the country and sold the house, again by land contract, to a woman and her pregnant daughter. Everything was ok for a while, then the woman developed breast cancer, went into renal failure from the chemo, and died during dialysis! Horrible thing to happen! The daughter, who is not married and did not have a job abandoned the house because she couldn’t afford the payments. I don’t know how she is supporting her baby. Now the house is left unkempt again with a bunch of trash in the garage, the backyard fence is falling over, but the owner did have someone come and finally mow the lawn–the grass was about 3 feet high in the back.

Is this a curse or just incredibly bad luck? Terrible illnesses have struck in every family that has ever lived in that house, I fear for the next owners. And I am tired of living next to a place that is always falling into a state of disrepair. This is a well kept neighborhood, and the place once again is an eyesore. My neighbor and I are really not much into the idea of curses and such, but we are now beginning to wonder. I am considering asking our priest or one of the deacons to come and bless the house, but I think they might refuse because it’s not my house, plus they might think I’m a little off in the head or overly superstitious, which I am not. What does anyone think might be done about this?

I apologize in advance if this is the wrong forum, but I wasn’t quite sure where to put this, and I wanted the opinion of my felllow Catholics. The mods can feel free to move it if they wish.

 

[baltobetsy]

I wouldn’t say it is cursed. It sounds more like there are lingering problems from that first toxic paint job.

Betsy

 

[Rence]

I’m not overly superstitious myself Carolyn, but that does sound kind of creepy to me. I’d be inclined to agree with Betsy except that the problems started before the paint job.

I don’t know what to say to advise you because I’d keep out of that house. Maybe you could ask a priest to bless the house and not tell him about your suspicions. Maybe say something like, the house has been somewhat of a revolving door and you’re praying that a nice family might move in? I dunno My mom would probably have gone in and done it herself, but honestly, I’d say stay out of there.

 

[runningdude]

I agree with Betsy here. The cancers started with the paint job, so you should probably call health department to tell them your concerns and see if they can test it thoroughly tested for toxins. Its a tough call though, because cancers generally need years of exposure if the quantities are small.

Definitely pray for those who’ve fallen ill though

 

[FidesSpesCarita]

Call your priest and talk to him about it. Tell him what you just posted here. Ask him whether it would be “kosher” to have him bless it.

Then start cutting the lawn. If it bothers you and the neighborhood, set up a rotating schedule to cut the lawn. I wouldnt waste money fertilizing and the like, but for an hour or two a week you can keep YOUR property values up.

Just my $.02

FSC

 

[stephe1987]

I think you should get it blessed. And also have professionals look at it and test for toxins or anything that may have caused the illnesses.

 

[AngelRose81]

Is it cursed? Probably not

Could there be demonic activity stemmed from the first couple who originally owned the house since the husband was apparently a bad person? Maybe, but unlikely since I don’t think that is how demons would choose to manifest themselves

Bad Paint job? Most likely for at least the couple that had the respiratory problems, but if they closed up the house the effects may or may not have lingered

Should it be blessed? Well, I think all houses should be blessed and if you can get permission from the owners to have it blessed, I say go ahead.

 

[crystal_waters]

ask a priest to bless the house and also pray to god that if something bad is in that house whether it be paint or evil that god will make it ok and safe again…if anybody moves in pray a hedge around them and their home that nothing evil will come near them and their home and that nohing bad will happen to them…id say keep praying

 

[CB_Catholic]

I’m not overly superstitious myself Carolyn, but that does sound kind of creepy to me. I’d be inclined to agree with Betsy except that the problems started before the paint job.

I don’t know what to say to advise you because I’d keep out of that house. Maybe you could ask a priest to bless the house and not tell him about your suspicions. Maybe say something like, the house has been somewhat of a revolving door and you’re praying that a nice family might move in? I dunno My mom would probably have gone in and done it herself, but honestly, I’d say stay out of there.

Oh we wouldn’t go in, I don’t have access to the inside. I doubt, though the priest would consent to just doing the outside. But it’s worth a try, I guess.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I agree with Betsy here. The cancers started with the paint job, so you should probably call health department to tell them your concerns and see if they can test it thoroughly tested for toxins. Its a tough call though, because cancers generally need years of exposure if the quantities are small.

Definitely pray for those who’ve fallen ill though

The house was tested thoroughly for toxins before it was allowed to be put on the market and found to be clear, after being locked up for a year. That’s why I don’t think the cancers were caused by the paint. But it sure is creepy.

 

[Rence]

Carolyn, I had a thought about the eye-soreness of the house. I agree with FSC, just mow the lawn yourselves and take turns with others in the neighborhood. It takes me 2 hours to mow my “lawn” on a riding mower so I have no sympathy for the neighbors who would say it would be a pain to do it And forget the weed eating, that’s a chore I haven’t caught up with yet.

I have lots of outside chores, and I seem to never be ahead of the game…how did this happen? I swear I didn’t bring it on myself :angel1:

Anyhoo, when we lived in the city, we had landscapers come and mow the lawn, trim the hedges, and all that. I honestly don’t remember how often they came, but we never did any landscaping in the city. But then our “yards” were postage-stamped sized then, and it wasn’t that big of a deal. And I remember that because it was such a big neighborhood, the pricing was very affordable and everyone used the same lucky landscaper.

If I were in your situtation (with regards to the eyesore), I’d round up all the neighbors come to an agreement as to what to do about it together. It’s not going to change until you guys do something about it. Make a collection pot for landscaping services for the house next door until someone else moves in and then they can take over.

And I agree with the others: notify the environmental protection services and have them come in and test the house. I feel strongly that that’s the most Christian thing to do given the fact that the next potential owner will have no clue about the safety of the house. It must kill your heart to see such pain and suffering from illness going on over there. Definitely have the house checked for safety. You don’t have to own the house to have it inspected for safety. Let us know how it turns out

 

[Rence]

The house was tested thoroughly for toxins before it was allowed to be put on the market and found to be clear, after being locked up for a year. That’s why I don’t think the cancers were caused by the paint. But it sure is creepy.

Ooops, didn’t read this before the last post. Are you sure it was tested for everything? Perhaps they only tested for lead? Who had it tested? If it was the realtors, I’d still report the house and have it investigated again…

Yeah, it is creepy…

 

[crystal_waters]

here are 2 prayers from a spiritual warfare catholic site that you might like to say

Breaking Household Curses and Spells
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, strengthened by the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, and powerful in the holy authority of His Precious and Wondrous Name, We ask, O Lord God, that you break and dissolve any and all curses, hexes, spells, seals, satanic vows and pacts, spiritual bondings and soul ties with satanic forces, evil wishes, evil desires, hereditary seals, snares, traps, lies, obstacles, deceptions, diversions, spiritual influences, and every dysfunction and disease from any source whatsoever, that have been placed upon our family and household; [and particularly upon [person’s name] , whom we love very much.]
Father in Heaven, please rebuke these evil spirits and their effects and cast them away from this family [and particularly upon [person’s name] ] so that we may continue to do Your Will and fulfill the mission you have for them to Your Greater Glory.
Thank you, Father, for hearing our prayer. We praise Your Holy Name and worship You and Love You. Thank You for the wisdom and light of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for enabling us through Your Holy Spirit to be aggressive against the works of the enemy. Thank You for Your Hope, that takes away discouragement; thank You for ongoing victory. “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 837).
Father, We now place our enemies into your hands. Look with mercy upon them, and do not hold their sins against them. Anyone who has cursed our family and household, we now bless. Anyone who has hurt us, we now forgive. For those who have persecuted us, we now pray
Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…
O My Sweet Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us from the fires of Hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, and help especially those who are most in need of Thy Mercy.
Holy Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen and Amen.

Rebuking Particular Spirits Affecting the Household
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, strengthened by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints and Angels of Heaven, and powerful in the holy authority of His name, and by my authority as head of this household, I(we) ask of the heavenly Father to rebuke this spirit of ___________ and to command it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to depart from (me, family member) and from this household, now, quietly, without harm to anyone.
I(we) bring the power and the protection of the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ over this household, ( and over particular family member ). Satan has no part in this household or with any member of my(our) family. This family and household is sealed with the saving blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, forgive me(us) and my(our) family for not being all we should be in Your eyes. Let the cleansing, healing waters of our baptism wash over this me(us) and this household and cleanse me(us) and it from all unrighteousness.
Lord Jesus Christ, fill me(us) (and a particular family member) with Your (attribute opposite to that of the spirit being rebuked) to replace the (attribute of the spirit being rebuked) . e.g. the spirit of peace to replace the spirit of anxiety; spirit of purity to replace the spirit of lust; etc.
Lord Jesus, bring to bear all the guardian angels of this family, and all the angels of heaven, against the forces of evil that seek to cause trouble for me(us) and my(our) household…
Saint Michael, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, and our Mother, pray for us that we may not fall into the devil’s temptations.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for setting us free. We praise You, We bless You, We worship You. Thank You for the wisdom and light of the Holy Spirit.
Thank You for enabling me(us) (and/or “me” as head of the household) to be aggressive against the works of the enemy. Thank You for Your hope, that takes away discouragement; thank You for ongoing victory. “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Amen.

hope this helps

 

[CB_Catholic]

Ooops, didn’t read this before the last post. Are you sure it was tested for everything? Perhaps they only tested for lead? Who had it tested? If it was the realtors, I’d still report the house and have it investigated again…

The house was tested, I believe, by the EPA, one year after they closed it up for toxins from the faulty paint and it was supposed to be safe. The paint apparently did not have the proper drying agents in it and was emitting toxic fumes. This was what the woman who was buying the house at the time ( the one who got sick from the fumes and the one whose little boy got sick) told us. It was the EPA that closed the house for the year.

Tomorrow we are going to call the board of health because my husband had to go into the house today because some men came to move out a refrigerator and they cut the line to the ice maker and water was coming out of the cut line and they did not know how to shut off the water. So he went and shut it off, and discovered that there was rotten food left laying around, trash and garbage all over the place, a foul odor, and a disgusting fly infestation. It was filthy. He sprayed for the flies and left, and now we have to report this. Plus, the water needs turned off at the street by the water department because it is still leaking. So now we have a potential disease carrying situation. What a nightmare. The people that have the land contract live in Nebraska now, I don’t think they are fully aware of the situation yet. They did hire someone to cut the grass, finally, and they seemed to have cleaned up the mountains of dog doo in the backyard, but the company picked up trash and left it on the front porch! If the house wasn’t toxic before, it sure is now. I told my husband he was not to enter the house again, no matter what. The authorities are now going to have to take care of the situation. If this isn’t a curse, it sure feels like it.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Crystal Waters, thank you for posting the prayers. I will print them out and say them.

 

[beckycmarie]

Sounds more like a health hazard than a curse to me. I’d stay away from the place, and I wouldn’t want to invite a priest and expose him to whatever is in that house that makes people ill. Let the owners and the health dept. deal with it.