Father Thomas too has a full plate of exorcisms even though he is a full-time pastor.
“I could conduct one or two exorcisms a week for demonic attachment (as opposed to full possession). People could be quite functional but once they get into a sacred arena, such as a church, or participate in some element of parish life, they’ll begin to manifest or they’ll begin to get sick or they’ll begin to show other kinds of signs that something is amiss. And it’s my role and my team’s to discern what it is. Is it something psychological?”
The process to discern whether or not a demon is afflicting a person is often a long road, sometimes taking months of personal meetings. A priest is never alone in this discernment and typically seeks the assistance of a licensed professional who can rule out various mental illnesses. What becomes tricky is that the devil can also influence a person’s health, making them ill especially when they are seeking the help of a priest. Whatever the case may be the solution is hardly ever reached instantaneously. As Father Thomas says, “I don’t do exorcisms on demand.”
After much prayer and discernment, an exorcist will determine what course of action should be taken and will advise the person being afflicted to remain steadfast in prayer and have recourse to the sacraments of the Church.
Father Thomas and Father Lampert both admitted that they are never afraid when conducting exorcisms as God called them to that ministry and firmly believe in God’s grace. The devil, while he may appear to be strong, cannot force himself into a person’s life. They must freely choose to open a doorway and so exorcists are confident that the devil has no power over them. Before performing the rite, priests must go to confession and have a clean soul to combat the wiles of the devil. Although the power of exorcism is part of priestly ordination, most dioceses require that a priest be authorized by the bishop to undertake this ministry.
Recent popes have supported this ministry of the Church and Pope Francis has not been afraid to say, “But look out because the devil is present! The devil is here…even in the 21st century! And we mustn’t be naive, right? We must learn from the Gospel how to fight against Satan.”
I did an exorcism this past Saturday that kicked my butt.
It was the spirit of a guy who died of a very painful cancer earlier in the week. I never knew him while he was alive. He was very angry, nasty and in a lot of pain when he died. I felt all of the extreme physical and emotional pain as soon as he was in my presence.
While I was able to get rid of him, it took a lot of focus and prayer. People have no idea how many of these spirits are around us, especially in hospital environments.
Anyone who thinks a Ouija board is magical and channels spirits is a gullible moron. And Parker Brothers snickers at you.
But tell ya what. If spirits take over your house after a board game, gimme a call. I’ll remove them for the small fee of $499.99.
It really isn’t so much when you consider the good nights sleep you’ll finally get.
Link?
Ouija boards- “Oui” in French, and “Ja” in German. The movie “The Exorcist” was based on an exorcism performed on a boy who with a family member had played with the Ouija board. The first power of Satan is the general disbelief in his existence and in hell.
bfl
Catholic ping!