The Spiritual Toll of Pervasive Occultism

Spesunica ^ | April, 2010 | Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer

[Judith Anne]

I had no idea Bobby Jindal had an experience like that. The book sounds very interesting.

[mlizzy]

The most wonderful line, to me, in the Our Father, is “Thy Will Be Done.” As far as I’ve learned over the decades, sin is about “my will” — in opposition to God’s Will. Instant gratification, feelgood temptations, the lure of power, just about any sin I can think of involves setting up our own desires, wishes, wants, impulses, whims, greed, yearnings, against what we know is right, prudent, honest, healthy, honorable, kind. A life free of demonic infestation cannot be guaranteed. Prayers, fasting, sacrifice, with prudent care of the body, the prayers of friends, frequent reception of the sacraments, making use of the appropriate sacramentals — these help us all to focus our attention on “Thy Will Be Done.” There is no peace like prayers softly prayed in love with the beautiful Savior.

Beautiful comment, Judith Anne ...

[mlizzy]

Yes, parents have to keep a VERY, very good watch on their kids. When I was in my early teens (1963-64), we played this “game” where a person lies on the floor on their back and six people surround them (3 to a side). They take just two fingers (the two index ones) with their hands folded otherwise in prayer, and place them under the person lying down. They then “concentrate” very hard (and we, of course, are in a “dark” room with candles), and then we all try to lift the person steadily and high up. A few times, we were able to do it with ease. None of us knew this had anything to do with “spirits.” We all just thought it was “fun.” Well, soon enough, we were inviting boys to these gatherings and the games took a raunchy-ish turn, etc. and so on.

[johngrace]

To be fair I do not think thats an absolute rule. Maybe more effective for that moment. The Vatican exorcist has acknowledge that Some independent church people have helped the possessed. Smith Wigglesworth ,Walter Martin and others have exorcised victims from the enemy too. I have read many accounts of Protestant or Catholic exorcisms. Even Martin Luther. The common theme that all have are in the 1 JOHN 4 requirement- Christ came as a human{ In The Flesh}. A pure spirit can not say he was in the flesh as Divinity ,our Lord will not allow it. Because Of this verse“ and of judgment, Because the PRINCE of this WORLD has already been Judged” (Jn 16: 7-11). You and I are not judged this side of eternity until we die. We can maybe waver because we are not pure spirit yet and may God guide us to the Hour of our death. I have encountered a friend in the occult who thought she was a christian but could not declare 1 John 4. Very troubling. I truly believe this is how the Vatican declares a vision is real. Especially When Our Lady Says the Apostles Creed or Gloria in full or like because a pure spirit with God can only say it. There are some so called Mary visions that do not declare it. I believe the Vatican keeps this a secret in their process when questioning the witnesses, I am not sure of course but its in scripture never the less. But for the reason that we have not been judged the witness to the vision can lie about what he witnessed. If he does not mention about that requirement it should be highly suspect in my opinion. But I hope this gives you insight.

[mlizzy]

Well, I tell ya, John, the woman that Bobby Jindal and her friends were praying for (sans priest) evidently had her demons expelled, and she was completely cured from cancer too (a miracle, happenstance, or good "doctoring"?)

Interesting about the Apostles Creed or Gloria ...

[mlizzy]

I wear a scapulur and St Benedict Medal myself.

You don't see many wearing the scapular these days at all. But yesterday I went swimming, and I went to grab the final things in my locker, and I was about to reach for my brown scapular, but lo and behold, saw that it was another woman's instead. It made me smile, and she smiled back when she saw the rosary in my hand. Anyway, here's a post by DH that you might like:

The Miraculous Medal: My Favorite Sacramental

[mlizzy]

I had no idea Bobby Jindal had an experience like that.

We went to purchase an older book of Jindal's at Barnes and Noble last week, but they didn't have *anything* by Jindal. But I see that in July he has a new release:

Real Hope, Real Change: New Conservative Solutions to Rescue America

Within the Product Description, it states:

Blending his personal story, including his conversion to Christianity and his unprecedented political career, with an account of his local and national governmental successes, Jindal offers a bold vision for renewing the GOP and our nation.

[GOPJ]

bump to the top

[johngrace]

My mother always wore that medal. The priest gave me a scapular after confession last november.

[johngrace]

THIS IS FROM AN OLD BOOK I FOUND ON GOOGLE BOOKS TRULY A RARITY -THE SPIRITUAL FAVOURS OBTAINED BY THE USE OF THE MEDAL.
The greater number of favours obtained during our own times, by means of St. Benedict’s medal, have reference to the instantaneous conversion of sinners, who had been callous to all that had previously been tried, in order to bring them to God. We will mention a few of these instances.
In a provincial town of France, there was living a gentleman in very comfortable circumstances, who had once held a Government appointment. His sister, an exceedingly pious widowed lady, nursed him with the most affectionate care during his frequent attacks of illness, but was, above all, most anxious to induce her dear brother to think upon doing something for his salvation. Hitherto, all her efforts had been fruitless. No matter how gentle or indirect her attempts, they were all met with this cold answer, “Do not talk to me about seeing a priest: I cannot bear to hear the subject mentioned.” The sister went, at last, to a friend, and told him in confidence of her trouble, and he said to her, “ Pay no attention to your brother’s
answer; persevere in your entreaties. If by your silence you suffer him to fall into hell, he would surely not excuse you.” In this wav several years elapsed.
In the December of 1846, after a short illness, there were evidences of gangrene; the doctors not only pronounced such to be the case, but moreover, that an operation would be useless, and finally, that the sick man could not live two days longer. The friend who had advised the sister not to be deterred by the words of her brother, one day came to see her. She was overwhelmed with grief, but declared, that not even now, had she the courage to put the question to him. “ Well, then,” says the friend, “ take these two medals of St. Benedict: keep one for yourself that the devil may not hinder you from doing your duty, and put the other under your brother’s pillow.” She took his advice, and five minutes had scarcely passed, when the following conversation took place between the brother and sister:—” Dear sister!” said the sick man. “ Well, brother, what is it?” “My dear sister, do you not think it would be right to send for the priest?” The priest was accordingly sent for, and soon arrived: the sick man received him with joy, and all the rites of the Church were administered. Two days after he died in the most edifying dispositions.
In 1854, in an hospital of incurables, there was a woman advanced in years, who was almost entirely paralysed, and quite bedridden. With no more religion about her than that of an impious lunatic, she would utter at times such disgusting language and such horrid blasphemies, that many persons looked upon her as one possessed by the devil. There were reasons for suspecting that she kept near her certain articles, which prompted her to all this wickedness. It happened that on a day, when the ward had to undergo a thorough cleaning, she was obliged to be taken from her bed, and put for the time in a room near at hand. She screamed, or rather howled, with rage, but she was obliged to yield. The nuns of the hospital found under the mattress a bag filled with objects of a most suspicious character. They took it away, and put in its place a medal of St. Benedict. In an hour or so the poor woman was carried back to her bed, without of course being told of what had been done. Scarcely, however, did she come near the bed than she began to abuse the sisters for having taken away her treasure, of which no doubt the devil took care to tell her. In spite of all this, she was laid on the bed, when suddenly her screaming ceased, and she became as quiet as a lamb. The hideous look she ordinarily put on was changed into one of joy. The poor creature then asked for a priest. A few days after the infirmary was arranged as a chapel, prettily lit up, and flowers placed here and there, to receive our Lord, who was coming to. comfort and cure this soul, now set free, like a captive bird, from the snares of hell.
In 1859, a poor woman was telling her troubles to a person, who knew something of the efficacy, with which our Lord has enriched the medal of St. Benedict. Her husband, though a clever workman, was a great drunkard. All they earned was regularly spent at the end of the week, and, of course, there was nothing in the house but wretchedness. The person to whom she spoke gave her one of the medals, advising her to touch with it the bottle of wine, which she put before her husband at meals, though she herself was obliged to be satisfied with water. When he had tasted the wine, he exclaimed, “What wretched stuff! give me some water, for it is better than such wine as this. I will make up for it after.” When he had finished his dinner, he made his wife give him some money, and went to his old place, the neighbouring publichouse, from which he was always accustomed to come back home, late at night, intoxicated. In about a quarter of an hour he came home, telling his wife that he was sure this was a plot against him, for the wine at the tavern was worse than their own. It was a happy night for both. Next day, and the next few days, water was the only beverage the poor man could bear to touch. When this much was gained, his wife, who was an excellent Christian, had not much difficulty in persuading him to fulfil henceforward his religious duties.
In the same year, 1859, at T , there was a
woman, eighty years old, who had declared that she was determined to die without going to confession; it was upwards of sixty years since she had been to the Sacraments. The priest, who was asked by a friend to visit her, was prepared for a refusal. A medal was put into the priest’s hand, and the person who gave it to him said, “ Go, and fear not.” On his entering her room, the old lady turned her face towards the wall, saying aloud that she intended going to sleep. “ Do so,” replied the priest, “ but take this medal, I beg of you, and meanwhile I will say a little prayer.” He knelt down by the bedside, and before he had time to finish the Memorare, the old lady turned towards him, told her relatives to leaye the room, and began her confession.
Ort the 14th of March, 1859, a pious layman happened to meet in the street a priest, who was much distressed about a young man of seventeen who had come home from Paris so ill, that the doctor was of opinion that he could not live many days. The priest had been three times to the house, but the family would not receive him. The layman on hearing this, spoke to him about the wonderful efficacy of St. Benedict’s medal, gave him one, and encouraged him to make another trial. The priest went, and at first met with the same reception. He then brought forth the medal, which he said he wished to give to the young man. “ Oh, if that is all,” said the person, who was speaking to him, “ you may come in.” Finally, he got into the room of the young man, who no sooner saw him than he hid his face in the bedclothes. “ My dear friend,” said the priest, “ accept this little present from me.” Immediately he uncovered his face, and began his confession with the most admirable sentiments of contrition.
The medal or cross of St. Benedict: its origin, meaning, and privileges By Prosper Guéranger

[mlizzy]

My mother always wore that medal. The priest gave me a scapular after confession last november.

I don't even know your mother (other than what you've told me about her), but I like her quite a bit! :):) Do you know of this story in regard to St. John Vianney and the Miraculous Medal?

I will mention just one extraordinary fact that reveals his gift of reading souls – the discernment of spirits – that he had. This fact was reported by one of his penitents, a young lady who was a Daughter of Mary. She went to confession to the Curé of Ars. After she knelt, he began to tell her events from her past life.

- Do you remember that you went to a ball on such-and-such occasion?

- Yes, I remember.

- Do you remember that at a certain moment a handsome young man entered the ballroom. He was quite elegant, appeared very upright and danced with several young ladies?

- Yes, I do.

- Do you recall that you had a great desire to dance with him?

- I recall that.

- Do you recollect that you became sad because he didn’t ask you to dance?

- Yes, I do.

- Do you remember that by chance you looked down at his feet and saw a strange blue light coming from them?

- Yes. I remember.

Until now, everything he described to the young lady came from his gift of discernment, because naturally he knew nothing of her past. Then, he made the astonishing revelation:

- That young man was none other than the devil who had taken that shape to tempt several of the young women there. He was unable to approach you because you are a Daughter of Mary protected by her, and you were wearing the Miraculous Medal.

[johngrace]

HERE”S MORE ON AN CHAPTER VI.
THE MIRACULOUS EFFECTS OF THE MEDAL OF ST. BENEDICT IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
Though the medal of St. Benedict has been given to the faithful as a protection in the various necessities in which they may be at any time placed, yet as its use is only private, and almost always secret, we cannot be surprised that there has never been published an official account of the salutary effects it has produced. We are going, however, to mention some few facts which attested its powerful efficacy during the seventeenth century, the period of its first introduction into France. We take them from the pious and learned Bucelin, in his “ Benedictus Redivivus “ (Veldkirk, 1679, PP- 267-269).
The medal, which had become well known throughout Germany after the event at Nattremberg, passed into France through the province of Franche-Comtd.
In 1665, at Luxeuil in France, a young man possessed by the wicked spirit was most cruelly tormented. His parents had employed every means to free him from this state, but all had failed. In this extremity it came into their minds to have recourse to the medal of St. Benedict. They made their son drink some water into which they had dipped the medal. Scarcely had the boy raised the cup to his lips, than the devil began to torment his victim with such unusual violence, that the bystanders were struck with terror. The parents, however, were consoled by hearing the devil declare, by the mouth of their son, that he felt himself controlled by a superior power, and that he would go out of the boy at the third hour of the night. So in effect it happened : the infernal spirit went out at the time mentioned, and the boy was restored to peace of mind and health of body.
The following fact took place at Luxeuil about the same time. A young girl was irresistibly compelled by the wicked spirit to utter, at every turn, the most obscene words. One would have thought that the devil had taken up his abode on the lips of his victim. In order to free her from this violence of the enemy of every virtue, her friends gave her also, some water to , drink which had been sanctified by contact with the medal of St. Benedict. Immediately she felt herself freed from this wretched compulsion, nor did she ever after transgress in her words the rules of Christian modesty.
The same year, 1665, there was a man who had a sore on his arm, but so large and so inflamed, that no remedy seemed to have any effect on it. It was suggested that the next time the sore was dressed, there should be also tied on his arm a medal of St. Benedict. This was done, and the next day, on taking off the bandages, the sore was found to be in a healthy state, and after a few days was perfectly healed.

About the same time, another sick man was reduced to such a state that nothing seemed to give him relief, and he was despaired of. In this sad condition, he asked to be given to drink some water in which the medal of St. Benedict had been dipped, and very soon afterwards he was restored to perfect health.
In the year 1666, the castle of Maillot, not many miles from Besanc_on, was infested by devils. Its inmates were being continually alarmed by hearing strange noises, and numbers of their cattle were dying from unknown distempers. At length, such was the terror, that the building was abandoned. Some pious persons recommended the medal of St. Benedict being hung up here and there on the walls of the castle, and the event justified their conf1dence. Instantly all cause of fear disappeared, the house was perfectly quiet, and the inmates lived in it henceforth without being molested.
In 1665, a village of Lorraine was being laid waste by frequent fires. Every day some house was burnt down, and no one could discover any cause for these destructive fires. After twelve houses had been thus destroyed, the inhabitants went in despair to a neighbouring monastery, and asked what they had better do under this calamity. The monks gave them several medals of St. Benedict, advising them to hang them on the walls of the houses which were still spared. The villagers followed this advice, and from that time they had no more cause to fear further ravages from fire.
In a certain part of Burgundy a distemper broke out amongst the cattle, and so virulent was it, that the cows gave blood instead of milk. They were perfectly cured on being made to drink water into which the medal of St. Benedict had been put. This fact happened in the same year, 1665.
The owner of a brick-kiln complained of not being able to bake the clay, no matter how intensely the kiln was heated. A medal of St. Benedict was fastened to the wall; the fire immediately regained its power, nor did the unnatural phenomenon again appear. This event happened about the same year as the The medal or cross of St. Benedict: its origin, meaning, and privileges By Prosper Guéranger

[mlizzy]

Wow, thanks! Great stories, and this, for whatever reason, made me laugh:

With no more religion about her than that of an impious lunatic, she would utter at times such disgusting language and such horrid blasphemies ...

Seems I should of had the St. Benedict medal in regards to my mother (she died in August of 08), but the Miraculous Medal worked a bit of a miracle as well. "Murph," an LLL (life-long Lutheran) had a certain hatred for the Catholic Church as long as I can remember, but when I converted, it was indeed more pronounced. Anyway, I had miraculous medals and the brown scapular on her bed and side table (my siblings weren't real thrilled with this), and days before her death she allowed a Catholic priest my husband and I hailed (a Catholic Church was *coincidentally* no more than a few yards away from the tiny hospital she was in) to bless her with oils. I'm not sure what impact that had, but a day or so later (hours before she died), she agonizingly rolled over in her bed, looked at me and smiled, while she "mouthed" (she was on a ventilator) the words "I love you, too" to me ... (for the very first time ever).

[johngrace]

WHY DID YOU POST THAT? YOU KNOW WHY I HAD AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPEN YEARS AGO ,IT WAS TERRIBLE BUT THE TELLTALE SIGN WAS THE STRANGE BLUE LIGHT LIKE THAT STORY. WHICH I PRAYED TO GOD FOR AN ANSWER. HE BROUGHT ME TO THAT SAME STORY! AMAZING! I READ A BOOK ONLINE AND ARTICLES ABOUT ST JOHN VIANNEY

[mlizzy]

IT WAS TERRIBLE BUT THE TELLTALE SIGN WAS THE STRANGE BLUE LIGHT ...

Interesting ... we are on the SAME wavelength ... I'd love to hear your story (maybe?!!) on the blue light ...

[johngrace]

WOW THATS AMAZING! THE OIL PUT ON ON AN ACT OF FAITH THEN SHE IS FORGIVEN TOTALLY!“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15, NKJV).

[mlizzy]

WOW THATS AMAZING! THE OIL PUT ON ON AN ACT OF FAITH THEN SHE IS FORGIVEN TOTALLY!

Thanks! My agnostic brother said, "Oh, everyone says stuff like that when they are dying." I'd like to think there was more to it than that.:)

[Outership]

Demons can use anything to oppress and possess. As you can see by responses to this thread, idolatry and blasphemy can be found even among those that profess a knowledge of spiritual things. Both are a great way for demons to do their work. The company Apple and its products also promote idolatry.

Music can sometimes put the mind into an emotional experience. How and where that experience goes really depends on the person listening to it. And of course, a person won’t listen to music that gives them a bad emotional experience (like immoral music). Making your own music is the best way to go.

I don’t think I have heard more than two or three songs by Led Zeppelin, but I hear that their artistry with instrument playing is top notch. If you are a musician, you like that sort of thing. I have heard their song “Fool in the Rain” and I kind of like it. They don’t play my kind of music though, so I don’t feel much for them.

I see video games are getting kicked again. It is only two or three of those that I see as bringing out the evil in folk. You cannot seriously look at Mario, Zelda, et al and see demons. Almost all video games are of the ‘defeat the monsters and save the world’ idea. If you ask me, video games are the last refuge for people looking for moral entertainment these days (as a caveat here, board/card/tabletop role-playing games are still superior, but few people know enough people to play those, whereby video games can be played alone). They are apolitical (yes, you heard it right, there is actually still an activity that is not leftist propaganda), devoid of sex, devoid of foul language, devoid of images of amoral behavior. Unless you consider punching blocks and stomping on turtles as evil. I can’t understand you if you do though. The people that say “video games are evil” have never even seen one. Each video game is as unique as a novel.

Television shows and movies that are out now are SEEPED in sexual immorality, scatological humor, dishonoring of parents, and every kind of foul behavior. This is because 100% of them now are leftist. You have to go back at least to the 80s to find a decent movie or show. The further back, the better. Pop stars’ lives are seeped in evil, their songs seeped in sex. “Urban” music is seeped in evil, the people who make it live in evil. Not having a TV get’s rid of this problem. (Novels are all unique and can go either way at any time.) This behavior exists because people today have no self control or self respect. Both those things only come from being Christian. The enemy has raised up non-Christians to be “stars”. There are no more Christians in entertainment.

It is better to not school your child at all than to send them to Public School. Wish more people would take child rearing seriously. Keep them out of strangers’ hands like you would keep them away from pedophile priests.

Reading about wizards may lead to an interest in the occult and it may not. Is alchemy even sorcery? Or is it just pseudo/quack chemistry? You have to seriously delude yourself to believe Wicca or Voodoo actually gives you supernatural powers. Sure if you are performing rituals/praying to demons or dead people for powers or favors then that is bad. In almost all cases, if this is even present at all, it is the wizard’s enemy that is doing this, i.e. the bad guy. In storytelling, wizards are just another form of superhero. Some people love the idea of being a vampire or werewolf or other superhero archetype due to fantasies of being free from human fallenness. I don’t know if this is sinful. Who hasn’t wished they could fly? I like stories about wizards. It’s just pretend. For a little while you can pretend that you can do anything. Doesn’t mean I would ever perform a magical ceremony or take part in one. The enemy doesn’t really need wizard books to get people to do that though.

The real problem with demons is that they effect your life in the way a “ghost” would. Breaking things. Moving things. Making sounds. Being ‘seen’. Influencing those who have power over you to show you no mercy. They make evil people more evil. If they are in you, they cause serious limitations to your ability to function. Take a look at the man in the Bible who had “Legion” in him. He was so unable to live that he had to spend his life ranting and raving, cutting himself, and living in a graveyard. Everyone wanted to chain him up and do who knows what. He was a ‘monster’. Demons make you not in your right mind. People call this “emo” or mental illness now, but they have no idea what it is really about. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes it *is* due to physical injury or malformation. Those that have a life filled with demons do their best to gravitate to things that relieve their suffering. They may find it in music or stories that deal with freedom from human fallenness. But one does not create the other, and vice versa. You don’t need to read Twilight to have demon troubles, and reading Twilight doesn’t cause you to have them. May cause other suffering though, I hear mixed reviews.

[Outership]

You have it exactly right.

[J Edgar]

Yes, I believe you are Correcto Mundo. This is also why I believe WWIII and God's World Chastisement is close at hand.
If US Government turns on Israel, God will punish us severely. Europe is going to pay for abandoning the Faith. IMHO