Posted on 07/25/2012 8:07:40 AM PDT by marshmallow
Rome, Italy, Jul 25, 2012 / 04:03 am (CNA).- “I never thought I’d end up doing this, no,” admits the young priest whose unexpected path to becoming an exorcist began while saying one of his first Masses after he was ordained 15 years ago.
“At the moment of consecration of the precious blood I asked the Lord to shower his blood upon the youth and to help any young men who may have a vocation to the priesthood.”
The instant reaction of one 13-year old boy shocked the young priest, “he fell backwards and started growling. And I thought, ‘I wasn’t expecting this!’”
Several years later, and he is one of a new generation of exorcists-in-training following a decision by the U.S. bishops in November 2010 to vastly increase the number of exorcists. While canon law stipulates every diocese should have an exorcist, it is estimated that they might number as low as 50 in America.
The priest, who is from the U.S. Midwest, spoke to CNA on the basis of anonymity so that he will not be deluged with inquiries. As he explained, “we have set structures to make sure those who most need help get it.”
He now finds himself in Rome, sent by his bishop to shadow the work of the six official exorcists of the Rome diocese. In practical terms that means he is “involved in about three exorcisms a day.”
And the learning curve has been steep. “No two cases are alike. That’s been a real education for me. The rite of exorcism is not a magic formula,” he said.
“It is not the devil or the exorcist who is at the center of this but a person is suffering a lot and who is in need of certain liberation through Christ.”
As for correct........
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicnewsagency.com ...
Everyone needs to read this article.
I had my own experiences and dealing with evil in Iraq - old Babylon to be specific!
A good article. I’m reminded of a Charles Coulombe talk, mentioning an exorcist he knew. The gentleman had recounted being asked by someone whether or not they could be present at an exorcism. The exorcist answered that they could be, but advised them to go to the Sacrament of Confession first, as the demons seemed to enjoy announcing the mortal sins of any who were present.
Are you the 'real' Lancaster Merrin?
I would love to hear about it if you would not mind. You can send me a private message if you like.
Shadowing an Exorcist
American Exorcist Plies His Lonely Trade
Exorcist says Satan exists but without 'horns, wings or a tail'
. Exorcist priest confronts Beelzebub, Judas
Vatican: Church 'exorcist' urges action to fight devil
Spanish Exorcist Addresses Claims of Satanic Influence in Vatican
Exorcist: the devil is afraid of you
Exorcist shares past experiences with demonic possession
Book Review: The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist
The Exorcist: Priesthood at the Door of Darkness [Ecumenical]
Good words to heed as we see the days before us.
A few years ago, everytime a friend of mine was around, weird stuff would happen. Then I found out she was into cutting and had been diagnosed as schizophrenic. So one night we were hanging out and I was a little tipsy. We were on the couch and her face was about 6 inches from mine. She smiled and for a split second I swear on my life her face was not human. I couldn’t be near her after that.
We should all wear a blessed St Benedict medal especially during these times. I wear one. I give them out when I can.
“The greatest trick The Devil ever pulled off was convincing people he didn’t exist.”
-Kevin Spacey in “The Usual Suspects”
That explains the multi-dimensional and and constant attack on the family. (Real family).
So many educators know the difference that a healthy normal family makes in learning and classroom behavior for students, and then vote for laws and officials who will work to destroy or weaken the family. I don’t believe they are stupid, I believe they are under the influence.
I’m not a priest smarta$$ - I was a soldier - I served 4 tours in Iraq - against a very determined enemy - that was bent on using blood and death to deal out their goals!
I’m not alone - however, most soldiers and Marines won’t speak about it — they tend to ignore that it happened...
I suggest you read these two books. They will explain what you saw and what was happening to your friend...
Martin, Malachi, Hostage to the Devil: The Possession and Exorcism of Five Living Americans. New York: HarperSan Francisco, 1992
Amorth, Father Gabriele, An Exorcist Tells His Story. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1999
Exorcism ping.
As for correct terminology, is it a demon or a devil? “Demon comes from Greek, devil comes from Latin, either is okay,” he explained. What you are dealing with “are fallen angels who were created good.”
The early Church Fathers, including St. Jerome and St. Augustine, speculated that these angels rebelled “because of the revelation to them of God’s plan of incarnation” and their “repulsion at the notion that God, who is pure spirit and infinite, should become a man.”
For this reason, the priest observed, they have a “fascination with physicality” and “making people suffer.”
“So once the rite begins, normally he starts to manifest himself in the suffering person different ways - violence, changing of the face, changing of the voice is different,” he said, recalling recent exorcisms.
“He just wants to intimidate, but you basically have to ignore him and say ‘Hey, I am the one giving orders around here, buddy,’” he laughed.
The demon’s angelic knowledge, he said, also means they are aware that God only permits their diabolical activities to bring about the salvation of people through “expiating suffering.”
“These suffering people are becoming saints (by) the offering of their sacrifices” which God then receives and “blesses large parts of the Church around the world.”
“When you remind the Devil of that it makes him furious,” because he knows he is losing and hence “he wants to get what he can, while he can. If he can’t win these peoples’ souls, he wants to at least make their lives miserable.”
So an exorcist dialogues with the devil?
“Yes, I ask them a series of questions: ‘What’s your name?’ since when you use his name in a command it weakens him.” Once a demon gives his name, the exorcist then tells him to “get out” and also might ask “how he got in and when he’s going to leave.”
“The last one, it’s like they’ve all been coached with the same line, ‘I’m never leaving,’ but they will someday!”
The key is to limit dialogue, said the trainee exorcist. “You don’t want to ask them questions just out of curiosity, that’s not healthy.”
It is also possible to “throw in things just to humiliate the demon,” such as invoking the presence of saints, guardian angels and – most feared of all – Our Lady. It is then that “you can really see that there is a change in the behavior of the demon.”
The end-game often comes when the devil start revealing himself in angry and violent outbursts, when “it is common that there is foaming at the mouth.”
In the case of a curse being broken, the person will “start vomiting objects that were used in the curse or, you know, the vomit or saliva changes from clear to colored.”
It is then the exorcist knows “I’m hitting home, that this is really being effective and so those are good signs. It’s not pleasant to see, but you know that ‘I’m being effective here.’”
The American exorcist-in-training explained that the causes of demonic influence vary from case to case and the impact of participating in evil practices also changes with each case.
But one factor that seems to be a common foundation for people coming under the sway of the Devil is “deep wounds in their lives and, above all, in their family,” particularly where “parents have made really bad choices” and in doing so “have invited evil influence into their home.”
He lists such things as “marital infidelity, abortion, doing things that break the family apart.”
“What is the family?” he asked rhetorically, “A family is an icon; it’s an image of the blessed Trinity, and so the devil hates the family.”
I would forgive a vanity essay on that experience if you would be so kind to help those who do not beleive there is evil. Those experiences should be shared if you can do it without harm to yourself.
Ping me if you do it so I don’t miss it.
Thanks
The instant reaction of one 13-year old boy shocked the young priest, “he fell backwards and started growling. And I thought, ‘I wasn’t expecting this!’”
Look How Powerful the Blood of Christ is when Used! I have spoken the Bood of Christ over many Different occasions. Amazing! The anointing that God gives us as believers. Praise Jesus! Amen
What’s the point in explaining a force that was dark - chilling cold in a location that was full daylight and around 115 degrees F...if don’t believe in evil - then it’s not my job to explain evil. This is not the forum or place. It takes much more than words to discuss such a topic.
Understand - I came face-to-face with evil - I wasn’t possessed - but it was there. Babylon is a very rich place for such entities. There were other soldiers there as well. During 2003-2004 - old Babylon or the ruins were occupied by US troops - it was a patrol base until other bases were built.
What’s this - “harm to yourself” comment suppose to mean?
The ‘harm to yourself’ aspect of the comment is meant for your protection. Sometimes I don’t want to conjure memories of dark times in my life and I would understand if you would not want to do that yourself. My older brother served in Viet Nam and did not talk about it to me in an intimate way although he shared everything else with me about himself. He explained to me that he did not want to conjure the images and experiences. So I never again asked him to tell me about his time at war after that. It might not serve you to share that experience of war like it was with my brother. I was letting you know that would be understandable.
This is a Christian website and you are free to discuss your experience in those terms if that is true to you. There are atheists and others here, too. And many who do not believe evil exists. I know it exists. You know it exists.
What good would it do? I think God uses everything to His advantage and if you know evil exists because you met it, sharing your experience will help others to have your testimony that it is real. But as I said, it might not be to your well being to even enter into that memory. I would understand.
Lighten up, Francis. I’m on your side. :) Thanks for serving. God bless you and protect you for all the days of your life.
Thank you for the ping. Perhaps this is worth a Tuesday night discussion, particularly the reference to ‘attack on family.’
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