[fidelis]

It always gives me the creeps to read stories like this too, especially right before bedtime (like right now!).

It's serious business though. I've heard more than one priest affirm from the pulpit his experiences with supernatural evil, mostly in exorcising homes and other locations that had been experiencing some kind of evil oppression. I know a few lay people as well with stories to tell: good, sober, holy people who tell their stories plainly and hesitantly and without sensationalism.

After my reversion to the Catholic Faith, at a time when my faith was particularly strong about 15 years ago, I had my own experience. I won't go into details right now (it's very late and my eyes are starting to glass over) but suffice to say it was brief, terrifying and very real. What brought it to an immediate stop was my saying the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner"). I've had no such experience before or since and, please God, I won't again.