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BettyBoopToo
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
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| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Nov 11th, 2006 11:05 pm |
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Hello All:
I have a question about the Devil and his intrusion on us when we begin to convert.
I had not practiced any type of christianity for many years, I had learned from many different denominations that christians no longer even believed or taught he existed. We just did not believe in him and he did not bother us, I guess because we were not much interested in God either.
After a long discovery period into the church, When I actually decided I was going ahead with the direction that the Lord was leading me in. I had a terrible time with spiritual attacks and what felt like physical attacks with what I was not sure of but described to my priest that it was an evil like force that did not want me to continue and not only attacked me but also I could see and tell he was after my son's and my husband too. When I went to Father and privatly spoke with him, He was completly unsurprised, He said, well of course there is. Satan will do anything he can to stop you and He does not want you to do anything Jesus is calling you to do.
I've done a little bit of reading about it, but not that much. I also have a Fr. Corapi video series where he talks about him attacking yourself & family too. I have always wondered why the church does not let catechumens (sp) and candidates know about this possibly happening to them?
I watched a program and not sure if it was EWTN or not, But they said the church had stopped having homilies or talks on subjects of evil or the devil somewhere between the 14th & 17th century? because the parishners were only their to listen for the same reason people go to horror movies like for entertainment or something like that and not to really learn.
I don't really understand why when Jesus speaks so often in the NT about the power's and temptation of satan and also sending the apostles out to cast out demon's in his name. We don't really hear anything about it. The catechism has some information on the subject. If these teaching's were so important when Our Lord walked the earth and by looking at today's society, I can't help but think the problem is still with us. Did I miss something? Does the church teach that it's not such a problem now or is it just an uncomfortable subject?
I have noticed on tv that some Evangelicals seem to be very active in this ministry. I'm not sure if it's just for show on tv or if they have this many members being oppressed by evil spirits?
Can anyone help me understand better what the church does or does not teach about this. or maybe a web-site I could read some article's on. I did not want to do a search on my own on this subject because it's hard telling where it might lead me.
Thank You
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
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| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Sun Nov 12th, 2006 12:12 am |
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BettyBoopToo wrote: Can anyone help me understand better what the church does or does not teach about this.
Betty, the Church has over a billion members. There are thousands of priests and thousands of churches were Catholics hear homilies every Sunday. Don't assume that because you haven't heard it, it is not taught or preached.
We do talk about the power of Satan in our RCIA program, and our pastor does preach on the influence of the devil and the reality of his presence in our lives. Prayer and the Eucharist are the most powerful weapons against Satan, so those who attend mass regularly are not Satan's most likely targets. Satan is a thief in the night; he would rather gather a hundred unguarded souls than one protected by faith.
At the same time, dwelling on the possibility of attacks by the Evil One can cast doubt, and that opens the person to even more attacks.
I can remember times when I was younger (MUCH younger) that I would go places and women would try to flirt with me and pick me up. The thing is that I never noticed, although sometimes I realized it after (and sometimes my wife let me know she had noticed). I wasn't looking, so I never saw. It can be the same with our relationship with the devil. Sometimes when we start looking, we find what we're looking for; otherwise, we might overlook it completely.
That's why he targets those who are in the process of joining the Church, and why exorcisms are part of the conversion process. Candidates and catechumens have not yet been strengthened by the Eucharist, the greatest weapon in our spiritual battle. Ask St. Michael for help, and read the book of Job for inspiration.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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David W. Emery
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| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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Posted: Sun Nov 12th, 2006 01:37 am |
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“Satan will do anything he can to stop you and He does not want you to do anything Jesus is calling you to do.”… I have always wondered why the church does not let catechumens and candidates know about this possibly happening to them?
As you had found among the other denominations, so also there are a considerable number of Catholics who ignore the diabolic influence in this world. This does not make it true that Satan is a figment of our imagination, nor does it mean that he has no power. It is merely a sign that human beings can be careless with regard to their spiritual health.
On the other hand, the Church does not seek to emphasize Satan’s presence or power simply because he is already vanquished if we but heed God’s commands. In other words, he does not have to be a formidable foe.
That said, if anybody is going to have to confront the evil one, it will be precisely the person who is trying to follow God’s will. This includes anyone converting to the one true Church out of conviction. Rick and I have both worked for years with inquirers, converts and souls under stress (youth, aged, ill, spiritual growth, etc.), and we have seen abundant evidence of diabolical interference. Many people here on the forum have asked about the frequent and severe trials and suffering they experience while in the process of converting or returning to the Church: is this the devil at work? The answer is an unequivocal Yes. The priest you consulted about your own experience was telling you the truth.
A few days ago, my pastor and I conversed about satanic influence disguised as “personal difficulties.” He pointed out that much of what we take for natural events is actually a planned attack. Also, these attacks multiply whenever a person tries to do good. I recall a story about St. John Vianney. He always rejoiced when Satan and his demons came to insult him and beat him up during the night because he knew that the next day a grievous sinner would come to him in the confessional.
I think one of the best books on the activity of Satan and the demons is the Life of St. Teresa of Avila (that is, her autobiography). Her no-nonsense approach will show the reader exactly what to expect from the devil and what to do when he suspects diabolical interference in his life. Her first rule: do not fear; God always remains in control. Satan cannot do anything that God doesn’t allow, and God doesn’t allow anyone to be lost who is trying to follow the divine will.
David
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BettyBoopToo
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
| Posts: | 538 |
| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Nov 12th, 2006 03:17 am |
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cajunrick wrote: BettyBoopToo wrote: Can anyone help me understand better what the church does or does not teach about this.
Betty, the Church has over a billion members. There are thousands of priests and thousands of churches were Catholics hear homilies every Sunday. Don't assume that because you haven't heard it, it is not taught or preached. Rick: You are so right, I should not assume. Thank You for taking the time to answer me. I had just not ever heard of any RCIA teaching on the subject. I understand that I should not dwell on the possibility and at times when I'm having trouble I normally recite the short Jesus prayer. If I'm in town I'll stop at the church and just sit or kneel awhile with the lord in the tabernacle (sp) until I'm feeling better.
We do talk about the power of Satan in our RCIA program, and our pastor does preach on the influence of the devil and the reality of his presence in our lives. Prayer and the Eucharist are the most powerful weapons against Satan, so those who attend mass regularly are not Satan's most likely targets. Satan is a thief in the night; he would rather gather a hundred unguarded souls than one protected by faith.
At the same time, dwelling on the possibility of attacks by the Evil One can cast doubt, and that opens the person to even more attacks.
That's why he targets those who are in the process of joining the Church, and why exorcisms are part of the conversion process. Candidates and catechumens have not yet been strengthened by the Eucharist, the greatest weapon in our spiritual battle. Ask St. Michael for help, and read the book of Job for inspiration.
Thank You for this also, I will read the book of Job. It is true about the eucharist, I'd never received until I was 40 yrs old. by the time Easter Vigil came 2003, I felt I nearly had spiritually starved to death.
That said, if anybody is going to have to confront the evil one, it will be precisely the person who is trying to follow God’s will. This includes anyone converting to the one true Church out of conviction. Rick and I have both worked for years with inquirers, converts and souls under stress (youth, aged, ill, spiritual growth, etc.), and we have seen abundant evidence of diabolical interference. Many people here on the forum have asked about the frequent and severe trials and suffering they experience while in the process of converting or returning to the Church: is this the devil at work? The answer is an unequivocal Yes. The priest you consulted about your own experience was telling you the truth.
A few days ago, my pastor and I conversed about satanic influence disguised as “personal difficulties.” He pointed out that much of what we take for natural events is actually a planned attack. Also, these attacks multiply whenever a person tries to do good. I recall a story about St. John Vianney. He always rejoiced when Satan and his demons came to insult him and beat him up during the night because he knew that the next day a grievous sinner would come to him in the confessional.
I think one of the best books on the activity of Satan and the demons is the Life of St. Teresa of Avila (that is, her autobiography). Her no-nonsense approach will show the reader exactly what to expect from the devil and what to do when he suspects diabolical interference in his life. Her first rule: do not fear; God always remains in control. Satan cannot do anything that God doesn’t allow, and God doesn’t allow anyone to be lost who is trying to follow the divine will.
David:
Thank you very much to. I've saved a little $$ and have been wanting to make a trip to the city to our Catholic Book store. I'll try and pick up a book on St Teresa of Avila or St John Vianney. My husband has not made a complete re-vert yet, Every time he starts to turn to the church some odd difficulty pops up (satanic influence disguised as “personal difficulties.”) just as you describe here. It seems to cause a step backwards or a we have to start all over again situation. I don't dwell on it, but it is very difficult to try and help him fight when he's not even certain he believes in Satan, and he tends to reject the idea. I think it may be that old saying "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink". That's why I asked you about the Spiritual Blindness thing last night. He has this mental block at things spiritual and I cannot figure out what to do about it. I pray, offer rosaries, I fast & pray some more. I try and explain to him that his cooperation is needed in order for the Lord to reveal his truths to him. I guess I'm going to have to pray for more patience and trust and quit trying to manipulate the situation. When you love someone more than yourself it is so hard not to worry. I get so excited about my spiritual life and the new things I learn about the church. When I try and share some things, I can see in his eye's that he just does not get it. Like I'm just telling him some kind of silly fantasy.
Thank You both again for taking the time to answer me, I feel so blessed to have access to both of your wonderful wisdom and knowledge.
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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BodRod
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
| Posts: | 827 |
| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Sun Nov 12th, 2006 07:38 am |
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Greetings,
I assumed the devil would be active against me when I started my Journey, so that was no problem. The warning I would have appreciated, although I probably would not have believed it would happen to me, is that things were going to happen to me to help me along my way and that I could not explain them. I have found out, along the way, that many things have happened to many people to help them along their journey.
A couple of examples from my Journey could include, when a lady from another church was in my RCIA group. At one point, I wished, but did not mention to anyone, that I new some prayers. I did not know how to get started in that direction. This lady showed up one evening with a book of prayers, with my name stamped in gold on the front of the book and gave it to me. I have not seen nor heard from or about her since. Another example is when I was having some severe problems at home and I emailed CHN, among others, for their prayers. I told them nothing except that I was having some problems and I would appreciete their prayers. The next thing I knew, I received an email from a support person who had come from the same religion I had come from, had gone to the same college I had gone to, had experienced some of the same problems at home that I had experienced along her journey, and was a college professor as I am. Once I started checking into it, I found that a LOT of people have had unexplained things happen to them along their journey. 
Last edited on Sun Nov 12th, 2006 02:10 pm by BodRod
____________________
Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Sun Nov 12th, 2006 12:07 pm |
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You bet, BodRod. God’s grace counteracts anything the devil may throw at you if you are open to it. If he sees you are in need of help, God will do wonderful things. And he doesn’t just work miracles. He does that, too, when necessary, but a lot of things are like the coincidence of you e-mailing CHN for prayers, unaware that CHN has an apostolate known as the Helper’s Network that does just what you describe: it matches inquirers with people who have “been there, done that,” to help them through the crisis of conversion. I volunteer with that division as well as with the forum, so I’m quite aware of how it works. The “grace” part of these various apostolates, of course, is that they come into people’s lives just as they are most in need of them. They are inspired by grace to appeal to CHN for help, and God then works in their lives through other human beings who themselves have been inspired to volunteer. As St. Therese says, “It’s all grace.”
David
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BettyBoopToo
Member
| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
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| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Nov 13th, 2006 02:02 am |
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Bod Rod:
That's so  . I had some really wonderful things happen when I was converting also and still do. I love Jesus so very much and am so grateful he let me come home to his "One Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church". What a treasure she is.
I've been trying to complete my testimony, Maybe some day someone will want to read it? I've been trying to get the courage up to ask David & Rick to Critique it for me,  I know they already are so busy they may not have time.
God Bless
Betty
____________________
Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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BodRod
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
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| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Mon Nov 13th, 2006 02:34 am |
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Hi Betty,
I started keeping a journal when I started RCIA. I still add to it from time to time. The journal is about 36 pages long now. So far, I have had 11 different things happen to me that I can not explain. Twice along my Journey, I have experienced a STRONG smell of roses. It was not like someone's perfume or they had a rose in their hair. It was so strong I could hardly get my breath. I thought maybe I was beconming a religious nut and was losing my mind. Then I checked on the Internet and found that a lot of people have had the same experience. so, I felt better about that. At first, such happenings really bothered me but now I just think to myself, "Well, there He is again trying to get me to understand something."
____________________
Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Mon Nov 13th, 2006 09:40 am |
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Betty: This forum is an apostolate, not a business, and Rick and I are not “busy” with anything but the people we serve. If someone needs a little private attention, time is always available.
BodRod: As you have undoubtedly discovered, the smell of roses is associated particularly with St. Mary, mother of our Lord, and St. Therese of Lisieux, the “Little Flower.” I mention it here for the benefit of those who have not heard of this.
Also, I need to say something about what is known as the “odor of sanctity,” which is a connected phenomenon. We occasionally hear or read that someone has “died in the odor of sanctity.” This is an actual scent, which may vary from person to person but is always beautiful, that people may detect when in the presence, physically or spiritually, of a holy person, living or dead. So it isn’t limited to the scent of roses.
David
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BodRod
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Posted: Mon Nov 13th, 2006 10:48 am |
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Hi David,
When I found out that roses were associates with Mary I was a bit overwhelmed. It is not like I am a "sombody". I am just a person among millions. I don't understand it all but I appreciate it.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 12:05 am |
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If you were “somebody,” BodRod, do you think God would have esteemed you enough to send you that grace? As Mary herself said, “He has regarded the humility of his handmaid.”
“Though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he knows from afar” (Psalm 138:6).
David
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CajunRick
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Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 12:15 am |
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BettyBoopToo wrote: I've been trying to complete my testimony, Maybe some day someone will want to read it? I've been trying to get the courage up to ask David & Rick to Critique it for me, I know they already are so busy they may not have time.
David and I are both volunteers here, so we have as much time as we need for our ministry. If we run out of time, God just adds a couple of extra hours to the day, as happens with all in ministry. It does happen that way for everyone, doesn't it?
Seriously, I'm sure we'd both be honored.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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BodRod
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Posted: Tue Nov 14th, 2006 12:22 am |
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| David, that is a good thought. I'll go with that. Thanks.
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Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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