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Dorothy
Guest
I can’t help but point out that when we receive the Holy Eucharist with a well-prepared heart, that is very powerful spiritually!
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Tis_Bearself
Patron
Actually, there is a school of thought that focusing on the demonic makes you MORE prone to attacks. If you don’t want to be so spiritually attacked, the best thing you could do for yourself would be trust in God, put the demons out of your mind, and if one did crop up just call on Jesus (and if you like, Mary, Joseph, St. Benedict, St. Michael) to help you. Then be on your way.
Furthermore, if you’re having spiritual attacks that frequently, then you should be asking your priest about this, not just finding a self-help prayer book.
Furthermore, if you’re having spiritual attacks that frequently, then you should be asking your priest about this, not just finding a self-help prayer book.
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jofa
Guest
Definitely. But still, day-to-day, the bad guy can take swipes at even daily communicants. So it’s a great tool to have.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
I always liked St. Teresa of Avila being so down to earth about seeing a demon, something like, “I saw a demon in the corner. I flicked some holy water at it and it went away.”
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catholiclala
Guest
I often find that people who are spiritual warfare enthusiasts are those looking to be warriors, if that makes sense. There is something exotic about this esoteric, yet accessible to the layman knowledge and going into battle. I agree, if someone is really always in a rumble with the demonic, a priest should be involved, and/or questioning if their troubles are truly of a spiritual nature.
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jofa
Guest
Again, I’m not arguing that the Mass, Rosary, Sacraments, invoking the Saints, isn’t primary. I’m simply pointing out that a very useful tool given us by God is greatly unknown in many (not all) Catholic circles. And, unfortunately, looked down on with more than a bit of condescension. Because I for one have found it extremely helpful. You can’t always stop to pray a rosary, and I’m sorry - but if invoking a Saint’s intercession has always worked for situations like I described above - it hasn’t for me.Tis_Bearself:
I concur I was going to read books about Hell during Lent especially the infamously terrifying The Dogma of Hell but I haven’t had it in me to do so rather I am just focusing on being closer to God and St Joseph which is really the best way to overcome sin and temptation.
It is a tool that has a specific and powerful use.
And it has nothing to do with focusing on demons! I mean, really? Acknowledging their existence, yes. Acknowledging the triumph of Christ, yes.
That’s what is being neglected. And it’s a shame for many for whom it would be helpful.
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Tis_Bearself
Patron
I like the idea of being a “Prayer Warrior” and engaging in “Spiritual Warfare” also, but I mostly follow Fr. Heilman’s group (US Grace Force) where he presents a lot of practical prayer activities for his group. The Rosary and the St. Michael Prayer are regularly used, sometimes other prayers. He also organized us to pray Auxilium Christianorum and sometimes features stuff from Fr. Ripperger, but it’s not like we go around praying against demons all day. I think Fr. Heilman has a good, balanced approach. He has a great devotion to Mother Mary, which I like. Satan hates and fears Mary so she is a good ally to have. I also don’t expect every Catholic or even most Catholics to embrace the “Prayer Warrior” or “Spiritual Warfare” concept. Some people find it jingoistic.
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catholiclala
Guest
You speak of a healthy balanced approach to using prayer as a weapon. What I often find on the fringe are people who’s involvement with spiritual warfare seems like they are immersed in a role playing game or something, like it’s an action adventure and the devil is constantly putting them in peril. I think it’s a slippery slope when you feel overly familiar with the spiritual realm.
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jofa
Guest
There are
As have I. There are always those on the fringe.
No, I’m just talking about this handy tool. Taken out only as needed. Nothing obsessive or on the fringe. Just like the story I shared above.
As have I. There are always those on the fringe.
No, I’m just talking about this handy tool. Taken out only as needed. Nothing obsessive or on the fringe. Just like the story I shared above.
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OurLadyofSorrows
Guest
Not everything is about the diabilical. Teenagers do become irrational to us, To them it is a normal part of life, rebelling. It is a stage they must go through developmentally
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stpurl
Guest
I’ve read the posts and, if you’ll pardon my observation, from the get-go it was you who had a ‘negative’ outlook. The topic started with your saying, “why do Catholics NEGLECT spiritual warfare’. . .that’s pretty negative itself. Why didn’t you say, “Why does it seem many Catholics are not aware of certain benefits of spiritual warfare such as” and then go on to describe your experiences. I think you would have had a lot more ‘positive’ reaction from that. Instead, it seems that first you’re accusing ‘most’ Catholics of not being as smart as you, and thereby endangering themselves and their families, and when you hear about other practices you seem to just fixate on your own without any kind of give-and take or discussion or inquiry about those other practices, and then you accuse people of condescension.
Look, I know when I find something in my spiritual life that is new, and wonderful, and helpful, I want to share with as many people as possible. But I think that in your zeal, and hampered by lack of ability to read body language, gauge tone of voice, etc., so far you may have come across as more abrasive than helpful. Again, I’m being careful to use words like ‘seems’ and you can take this with a grain of salt because, of course, I’m equally hampered; you can’t see MY heart, or gauge MY tone of voice. But before this thread gets pulled for flags or turns into a ‘did not—did TOO’ debacle, it’s not too late to make a change for the positive.
Look, I know when I find something in my spiritual life that is new, and wonderful, and helpful, I want to share with as many people as possible. But I think that in your zeal, and hampered by lack of ability to read body language, gauge tone of voice, etc., so far you may have come across as more abrasive than helpful. Again, I’m being careful to use words like ‘seems’ and you can take this with a grain of salt because, of course, I’m equally hampered; you can’t see MY heart, or gauge MY tone of voice. But before this thread gets pulled for flags or turns into a ‘did not—did TOO’ debacle, it’s not too late to make a change for the positive.
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catholiclala
Guest
Yes, this can often have a component that is not helpful if there are mental health issues. It can create them or trigger pre-existing ones.
Tis_Bearself
Patron
Yes, there are Evangelicals who, every time their teen disobeys or is caught listening to some record that the parents don’t think is okay, all of a sudden the church sends over a bunch of people to pray over this supposedly demon-possessed teen. That just drives young people away from Christianity because it’s ridiculously extreme.
Or every time somebody is having a little struggle in life they think it’s demons and need to have a bunch of people pray over them. Pretty soon it just seems like a big bid for attention.
I’m very happy Catholics don’t act like Evangelicals in that regard.
Or every time somebody is having a little struggle in life they think it’s demons and need to have a bunch of people pray over them. Pretty soon it just seems like a big bid for attention.
I’m very happy Catholics don’t act like Evangelicals in that regard.
Emeraldlady
New member
Where in Catholic Tradition can we find the practice of this sort of thing? I’ve never been prayed over to have a ‘spirit driven out’. It’s not part of any Catholic Tradition I know of. We are taught about the presence of the Holy Spirit among us to defeat evil. We are taught that prayer and fasting and regular Confession are our most powerful tools and to nurture the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.
If you found that your sons response to you rose to the level of an evil spirit, I would follow the above prescription as we’ve always been taught.
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GladTidings
Guest
This is the danger. Unless someone has a legitimate charism for this kind of thing, and has the blessing of a Bishop, and works with an exorcist, they should probably not attempt to tell demons to take a hike. Perhaps the OP does, who knows. But what if he doesn’t?
Acts 19, 13-20 says it all; 15 “the evil spirit said to them in reply, ‘Jesus I recognize, Paul I know, but who are you?’” Then they were attacked.
As a former non-Catholic who grew up watching adults trying to tell demons to flee, in the name of Jesus, I can tell you, it can end badly. My sister still does this, and her life is not the best. At least one suicide attempt, that we know of.
Not to mention, If someone is not in a state of grace, are they in even more danger while trying to command demons? Would most parish priests advise this practice?
The bottom line is, (in my opinion) it is a good thing that some Catholics are smart enough to avoid certain spiritual warfare, and just leave it to the pros. After all, when “it” hits the proverbial fan, where do people go for help? Not the Baptist church, not the Lutheran church, not the church located downtown where the insurance company used to be.
Acts 19, 13-20 says it all; 15 “the evil spirit said to them in reply, ‘Jesus I recognize, Paul I know, but who are you?’” Then they were attacked.
As a former non-Catholic who grew up watching adults trying to tell demons to flee, in the name of Jesus, I can tell you, it can end badly. My sister still does this, and her life is not the best. At least one suicide attempt, that we know of.
Not to mention, If someone is not in a state of grace, are they in even more danger while trying to command demons? Would most parish priests advise this practice?
The bottom line is, (in my opinion) it is a good thing that some Catholics are smart enough to avoid certain spiritual warfare, and just leave it to the pros. After all, when “it” hits the proverbial fan, where do people go for help? Not the Baptist church, not the Lutheran church, not the church located downtown where the insurance company used to be.
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catholiclala
Guest
That’s why Catholic priests are the default for fighting demons, ghosts, vampires, etc. in horror movies. They are never gonna call a Protestant to fight the supernatural, haha!
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tomarin
Guest
I think if a Catholic wanted to protect him or herself from demons, he or she would probably turn to sacramentals or ask a priest for an exorcism (in serious cases).
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jofa
Guest
I don’t have such disorders (though sporadic depression).
I described an example of when it has been very useful in my comment above (please find).
Hope that explains it
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jofa
Guest
That would be exorcism. I’m not referring to that, which only a priest has the power and authority to do. But evil spirits don’t just possess - they also harass. It is a response to this harassment, when discerned or suspected.
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Athanasiy
Guest
I plan to go to the second hand book store, (after Corona epidemy is over) where there is department of religious literature and I would like to find some books on Catholic Christology.
There are Evangelical and Pentecostal writers.
Some very popular and well known who can gather the stadiums and preach great things but I prefer Christ-follow experience from the books about Mediaval or 16-19th century monks.
Catholic heritage is very rich treasury and big science for modern followers of Christ.
There are Evangelical and Pentecostal writers.
Some very popular and well known who can gather the stadiums and preach great things but I prefer Christ-follow experience from the books about Mediaval or 16-19th century monks.
Catholic heritage is very rich treasury and big science for modern followers of Christ.
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