I have only recently come to understand some of the ways in which Satan attacks us. In my case it has been via mainly internal things; lack of trust, not being good enough, the fear of being betrayed, having suspicion, fear, and the like which can lead to bitter resentments. Sometimes these can be very severe and they are many times against my family and friends which makes a lot of sense since he hates our families and relationships so badly especially those which try to glorify God. I am wondering what are the ways we can be attacked because of a dream I had last night. Is it possible that we can suffer attack in our sleep and that it would affect our dreams? I read a book written by Father Amoris shortly before his death and also have watched some talks given by Exorcists who speak about these things. One of them mentioned that demons have power over vision which can enable us to see things which can not be easily explained. For instance a young boy, demonically afflicted who appears to climb up a wall and is witnessed by several people present. I give this as an example but I would think that these things could be much less startling as well and could be used as deceptions. I recently saw something and another person saw this as well who was over 50 miles away from me. We both experienced the same things; A striking visual anomaly with the full moon that lasted for 30 minutes as well as extreme cold to the point of seeing my breath while the thermometer read at 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Quite warm. I do not think that this was of God. There was no sense of deep peace that has accompanied other things which I have experienced and I was left to wonder about its meaning. If anyone has experience, insight, or study into such things I would greatly appreciate it. Or, if you could point me in a direction to study these things I would be very grateful.
Yes the devil can very,very easily attack at night time through hi jacking our imagination. . In much the same way as he misuse our imagination for say, impure thoughts or whatever. He enjoys making us suffer if nothing else. I sometimes think if all he could do to harm us our entire lives is to give us a pimple on our nose then that's what he would give us. He is utterly implacable. Attacks like this are quite common, I believe. Certainly I get them constantly.
Thank you padraig, that is what I suspected and in fact when I woke from this dream suddenly it was my first inclination. I prayed for protection and slept soundly the rest of the night but it amazed me that this dream would come out of nowhere and hit me so hard. It was very diabolical in nature. I am hoping that I am developing the conscious that God so wants us all to have to perceive these things correctly. I am convinced that only now at 48 years old am I beginning to undergo to a proper training of the mind and thought regarding not just things of this nature but all things. This forum has been indispensable in this formation. I have such gratitude to all here for it.
You don't need to dwell on these things too much. At the same time Sacramental Protection is in order. Especially at night I recommend (because it has helped me and others) : An open and Enthroned Bible in the bedroom (this was the practice of the Fathers of the Desert) Holy water and if possible blessed salt kept near and used frequently, it is not a decoration but a weapon. Holy medals , especially the St Benadict Cross/ medal, the Miraculous Medal , the Cross..all blessed of course. Devotion to the Holy angels I recommend putting St Michael, St Gabriel and Raphael at each corner. A very special Devotion to your Guardian Angel. A Devotion to the Blessed Virgin , St Joseph and all the saints but especially the saints who fought toe to toe while on earth with the devil A blessed relic is wonderful. Holy blessed objects of all kinds. Prayer, especially the rosary.. Especially a holy resignation to the will of God . The devil is like a dog on the chain and is only permitted just so much. Form the bible the most powerful prayer of all is this: Psalm 68a]">[a] For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song. 1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. 2 May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. 3 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Also this exorcism prayer to Our Lady is very powerful https://lionessblog.com/2013/03/30/august-queen-of-heavenpowerful-exorcism-prayer/ as is of course the prayer to St Michael the Arcangel
Fr Ripperger the exorcist recommends consecrating your dreams to The Sacred Heart before you go to sleep at night.
The closer one becomes with God the more susceptible your are to evil. Dreams are actually the closest you are to your true self. Yes, you can be visited by demons in dreams. My advice is never look for it. Ask God for protection. It is easy to enjoy the experience but it will lead to a very scary place. Not sure anyone wants that. Be careful...to tread in that world is dangerous. It's easy to get caught up in the feel good Saint books. But the reality is ...those battles are dark and scary. May God Bless You Brother al
There is a dimension of reality called the intermediate world or "middle plateau". Is a subtle dimension, something between the material and the spiritual, a kind of interface. This dimension in man is associated with the root of the faculty of the imagination or fantasy, and which in Western occultism is known as the 'astral plane'. This intermediate world is inhabited by fallen spirits, of which we have no perception because of the fall, which has changed our psychosomatic structure and restricted our preternatural powers. Although we do not have a perception of them, we continue to interact with the said ones through the faculty of fantasy and our mind. During sleep, the soul plunges, through the faculty of fantasy, into the intermediate world, which is inhabited by entities that can take advantage of their passionate desires. So we have to pray before bed and ask for protection from the angels etc
There is an interesting story in , 'Spirit Daily', of Satanists at Woodstock who may have identified Blessed Objects: http://spiritdaily.org/blog/spiritual-warfare/mailbag-july-2017 “It cuts both ways,” noted a couple named the Manleys, in response to a link we had last week on how certain holy people have been able to identify items that are blessed; the Manleys are from Kingston, New York, and speak about an incident at nearby Woodstock. “When our two oldest kids (boys, Patrick and Anthony) were college age, they went to a very large, hundred-kids party in a field not very far from our home. “No one knew who actually was hosting the party, but it was not an ordinary barbecue… “There was a grill just cooking steaks, one for seafood, one for burgers, full bar and bartender, table full of cocaine, marijuana. “As they were very upset by the vibe, they looked for the boy they came with. While walking around, a fellow older than they, by about ten years, came up to them and said, you have to leave, we are doing palm reading here and you are interfering. Then when they didn’t move immediately, he said, go, you are wearing blessed medals. They were — under their shirts. “As they ran toward the road they went past a group deeper in the woods, wearing long black hooded robes walking around a bonfire. Funny thing is, afterwards, in speaking to some guys they knew who were there, they were never able to find out who hosted, organized the party, but it was lavish.” “Very shaken by the experience; so were we, their parents. “Found out later, it was a satanic holiday.”
A lot of years ago I was taxi driving and picked up four young people from whom I at once got very bad vibes. At the time I was wearing a very heavy woollen Jumper called an Aran, originally used by fishermen. There is no way they could have known I was wearing medals and a cross under it. But at once they identified this and began to call it names , something like, 'Stupid cowbell ' and so on. I couldn't wait to get them out of the car. But the house were I left them off ,were they lived eventually had a name for being haunted and no one would live there, I always got an errie feeling passing it. On the other hand someone who visited a very saintly Cistercian monk told me that although he had a heavy cardigan on the Cistercian at once identified that the guy was wearing a Cursillo Cross, though there is no normal way he could have known this. http://www.ourlady.ca/info/de la Riva/delaRiva15.htm Father Jose Ramon Garcia de la Riva Memoirs of a Spanish Country Pastor - 15 Hierognosis Translated from the French and Spanish, Reprinted by kind permission from St. Joseph Publications. A keen observer of 200 ecstasies gives his personal account of what he witnessed at Garabandal. Several episodes of hierognosis (unexplainable recognition of religious relics or persons) happened in front of me at Garabandal. Without question, the visionaries recognized persons consecrated to God. They also knew the number of priests present in the village. In her diary, Conchita points out a Dominican who was there incognito. During her ecstasy, she spoke of him and they heard her call him “dominicou.” Later she warned him on behalf of the Virgin that he should wear his habit…“So beautiful!” *** Also, the girls recognized whether an object had or had not been kissed by the Virgin. While in ecstasy, always. A hundred proofs of this could be given. I can personally verify that, even in the normal state, Conchita knew this. An example: - “Conchita, during the next apparition, would you offer this rosary for the Virgin’s kiss?” - “But it’s already been done.” Since I was sure that she had never seen it, I insisted. - “Be nice, do me a favor. Offer it during the apparition.” - “But why do you want her to redo it, since it has already been done?” she answered smiling. In my opinion, the kissed objects emanated perfume that could be perceived at times. *** Later, many other people were equally favored by perfume from the kissed objects. In 1961, before it was talked about, I noticed a strong, unrecognized fragrance when entering my room at Barro. At the same time, without knowing why, thinking about Garabandal, I looked around my room, sniffing here and there to discover the source of this perfume, so unexpected in my house. For years, I was never able to perceive it again. But I found it a second time in Garabandal, at Loli’s house. With this difference: at the village I noticed it for a long minute; while at my house it only lasted a second. It was June 18, 1965, the day of the Angel’s message to Conchita. I was speaking to Loli at the door of her kitchen. An old man came up to us. Having poor vision, looking against the sunlight, I took him for a beggar and I was getting ready to give him an alms. He started to speak softly in French and I understood he was looking for Father Laffineur, who had just passed by. While speaking, he took from a plastic case holy cards, which must have been those that Conchita had dedicated for him. He took them out slowly and as he did, I smelled my perfume from 1961, which I have never again perceived since the 18th of June, 1965. When the good Frenchman left, I questioned Loli: - “Did you smell something, too?” - “No, Father, nothing.” - “Look, don’t deny it, since that fragrance was very characteristic.” - “Loli repeated with a smile that she had not sensed anything.”
Well I am always careful of writing such things that are not covered by Scripture and the Teachings of the Church. That does not , on the other hand mean they are not sometimes true , as St John writes if we were to write all Jesus did and said all the books in all the libraries of the world would not be sufficient. Also sometimes in Scripture , in the Lives of the Saints we catch glimpses of things that are simply breath taking. On the other hand I think the reasons why the Church does not high light these occult realities is that she wishes us to travel by the main road ,so to speak rather than wander down little windy tracks. This is not that the little windy tracks do not exist , it is just little sheep may get a little lost down them. However one immediate example of an occult reality in Scripture I can think of is the Golden Thread or cord, also mentioned by the Ancient Egyptians. This is the link so to speak between us and our body when we wander about in our sleep different places.. or so people say. Ecclesiastes 12:6 Remember Your Creator in Your Youth …5Furthermore, men are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective. For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street. 6Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; 7then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.… Also of course from Scripture, the Witch of Endor:
I think a good rule of thumb that we should never ever seek out the strange and wonderful for their own sake, certainly never ever to practice for instance any form of magic. But sometimes the strange and wonderful will come looking for us. I was just looking there, for instance, of accounts of Sr Lucia just after she had seen Our Lady for the first time. She was very , very concerned that what seemed to have been Our may actually have been the devil and an out and out demonic attack on her by the devil at the night time appeared to confirm this. Well just think if someone could be confused having actually seen the Queen of Heaven if she worried it might have been the devil, how confused the rest of us may sometime be.
In the Council of Trent it is written , opposing the false Doctrines on Predestination that no one can know their Eternal Destination ...' ....unless it has been revealed to them by God' . The implication clearly is that God does indeed reveal to people sometimes where they are going to when they die. I believe this codicil was written into the Council because of the writings of some of the saints who revealed they had been promised they would get to heaven. But on the other hand I believe some people sometimes know that are most certainly going to hell. Hardened Satanists, 'Black Saints'..the perfectly possessed and the like. Mark 3:28-30: "Truly I tell you, all sins and blasphemes will be forgiven for the sons of men. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin. He said this because they [the Pharisees] were saying, 'He has an evil spirit'.
It's funny I was talking to a very holy Parish Priest about Malachi Martin just the other week and he laughed and said, 'He was probably nuts'. I was very surprised at this and told him he was most certainly not nuts and gave an account of an exprcism my Spiritual Director carried out 40 years ago. He nearly fell of the chair. I think Malachi Martin was very,very much on the ball indeed.
I think he was a prophet whether he meant to be or not and having assisted at several exorcisms in his life he had learned a great deal about how the enemy operates and how our only protection is Jesus Christ. Just as it is true one must not going looking for these things one must also be under no delusion of our ignorance and weakness. Sister Josefa in her diary records that Jesus told her whenever he or any other saint or angel appeared she was to ask them to repeat with her The Divine Praises because no demon could do it and that was a way of protecting herself against deception. The other rule was to always remain obedient to her superiors even if it contradicted what He Himself told her in His visitations. This was her sure protection.
I agree with sticking to the well worn path padraig lest we become lost, this is my intent when I asked about instruction or study. I should have been paying more attention when I wrote that as I went back and re read it and I can see now it was poorly expressed. I don't enjoy or seek out these things (although I must admit the peace that has come with prayer and meditation has been one I have certainly not known) for my pleasure or entertainment so rest assured in that. What I find interesting in all this however is that the more I devote myself through prayer, devotion and attendance at Mass, devotion to praying the rosary with others, study of the church and it's Saints, the more these things happen. Now it seems since I have devoted myself to Mary I have experienced much more of these things than ever before. Whether it is via dreams, prayer and meditation, or even seeing things such as the moon a few nights ago, which are certainly not of this world and I believe was a visual deception I keep having these experiences. So, I am taking your advice padraig and am consecrating myself and my dreams to the sacred heart each night as well as several of the other things you told me of. I am sleeping in my rosary and praying to be kept in the mantle of Blessed Mother. Padraig, do you know of a prayer I can pray which would renounce all evil and diabolical influence that could affect one unknowingly? I am concerned that something diabolical has been influencing my family for generations. I have spoken about this in the past somewhat. Oh, is it bad form to take some Holy water from the large cistern at our church? It is huge and I would like to have it on hand but I am a little concerned about it being allowed.
If you live near a Benedictine monastery you can bring a big jug and ask them to fill it up with blessed salt water. At the one near me the monk explained that their holy water has an exorcism blessing attached to it. Twice a year my husband walks the perimeter of our property and sprays the holy water around it. I also keep some on my nightstand and make the Sign of the Cross with it every night before I go to sleep.
Hi Don. I have had some occult involvement way back and some troubling family connections. Not my mother and father who were very devout Catholics but a great aunt and a great grandmother as well as my father's father being a mason so I did find a renunciation prayer once I experienced conversion. Fr John hampsch has a website that provides such prayers. All the other stuff you have mentioned is spot on!!! I can't go into detail right now but will write later tonight. God bless.
I wonder if I took a small vial I could bring it home and add it to a jug of our well water. Then I would have plenty. Is this OK to do this though?
