What are Possession and Obsession by the Devil? [Catholic Caucus]

The Real Presence Association ^ | Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

[Judith Anne]

As a nurse, I was with a number of people when they died. I never saw a deathbed conversion, but once I was with a man who hated “all religion” and as he died, his son and I stood praying for him. I think of him often, and pray for the repose of his sould in the Loving Arms of Almighty God through the Grace of Christ our Savior.

I was also with a very beautiful woman who died quite young of cancer, and she saw Christ amid flowers, holding out His arms to her. “Smell the flowers!” she exclaimed, very clearly, “Oh, they are so beautiful! Oh, it’s Jesus! He came for me! He Loves me!”

Both of those, still give me a breath of heaven...

[mlizzy]

Wow, terrific stories. Your prayers along with the son of the man who hated all religion could very well have saved him. I totally believe that's true. I couldn't sleep a night if I thought my mother didn't at least make in into purgatory.

I LOVE your story ... "Smell the flowers!" That's *most* encouraging. Just beautiful, actually.

[Judith Anne]

You know, since you have been in the room of your mother as she died, there are no flowery smells in a hospital, no matter how clean it is...Now, not that night, but a couple of times over the decades as I have prayed, I too have smelled flowers, not any flower scent I know, but just inexpressible sweetness, just a hint...and one time, I dreamed I was Home, it was indescribable, but it was Home. Makes my screen blurry to remember.

[GOPJ]

Interesting - thanks for sharing.

1) The person has superhuman strength
2) The person has a strong adverse reaction to religious symbols.
3) The person speaks in languages not previously known to him
4) The person expresses a strong knowledge of complex subjects not previously known to him.

[Salvation]

I didn’t smell any flowers as my husband died, but I definitely felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. I asked everyone to leave the room so I could be with him alone. I felt the Holy Spirit come and take him away.

[Judith Anne]

Same when my husband died here at home. Everyone said goodbye and kissed him, then I asked for time alone just to hold his hand, until I knew he was no longer there.

[Salvation]

Our priest has tremendous stories of death bed conversions. He always takes along a crucifix and lays it on the person’s abdomen as they lay in the bed. He then tells them basically that they are Christ on the Cross dying.

One experience he talked about was someone being
baptized,
confessing
First Eucharist,
Confirmation,
and he and his wife were married in the Church,

How about that — FIVE — count ‘em — FIVE Sacraments!

[Salvation]

Actually I think the confessing came first in that instance. He had also given the person the Anointing of the Sick earlier in the week.

[Judith Anne]

My husband received Last rights that morning, Msr came and prayed with all of us. It was May 1. ;-D

[Judith Anne]

God bless the good priests, who are with us in our extremity!

[Ramius]

I don’t know if I can define it, but I know it when I see it. :-)

[mlizzy]

You know, since you have been in the room of your mother as she died, there are no flowery smells in a hospital, no matter how clean it is...Now, not that night, but a couple of times over the decades as I have prayed, I too have smelled flowers, not any flower scent I know, but just inexpressible sweetness, just a hint...and one time, I dreamed I was Home, it was indescribable, but it was Home. Makes my screen blurry to remember.

Oh, that's beautiful. There have been times I've smelled a sweetness, but it's not usually when I'm praying, so I figure it's coming from somewhere other than heaven ... but one time, on the way to Mass (just steps away from the door), I felt the most incredible burst of joy. This was during a period in my life that was wracked with severe illness, so there was no earthly reason for me to feel joy, but boy, did I.

[Judith Anne]

That was God, telling you how very much He loves you. ;-D

[mlizzy]

That was God, telling you how very much He loves you. ;-D

Thanks Judith Anne! I thought to myself, if this is heaven, where's the door? Then I proceeded walking to the Church, opened the door, and it all made sense.:):)

[Coleus]

ok.

[fso301]

Evidently, I forgot what I was going to comment about.