Saturday, April 30, 2022

IN PRAISE OF SAINT JOSEPH

 



“ HE IS HOLY JOSEPH, because according to the opinion of a great number of doctors, he, as well as St. John the Baptist, was sanctified even before he was born. He is Holy Joseph, because his office, of being Spouse and Protector of Mary, specially demanded sanctity. He is Holy Joseph, because no other Saint but he lived in such and so long intimacy and familiarity with the source of all holiness, JESUS CHRIST, God incarnate, and VIRGIN MARY, the holiest of creatures. ” 

—St. John Henry Newman


IN PRAISE OF SAINT JOSEPH 


“ JOSEPH, patron Saint of workers, blending skill with charity, silent carpenter, we praise you! Joining work with honesty, you taught Christ with joy to labor, sharing His nobility.


JOSEPH, close to JESUS and MARY, lived with Them in poverty, shared with Them their home and labor, worked with noble dignity. May we seek God’s will as you did, leader of His family!


JOSEPH, inspiration for workers, man of faith and charity, make us honest, humble, faithful, strong with Christ’s true liberty, Make our labor and our leisure fruitful to eternity!


O BLESSED SAINT JOSEPH, ever watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ, keep us free from the blight of error and corruption, and be our ally in the conflict with the powers of darkness. As of old you rescued the Holy Child Jesus from the plots of Herod, so now defend us and the whole world from all evils and harm. Keep us one and all under your continual protection, so that by your help and example, we may lead a holy life, die a happy death, and come to possess eternal life in heaven. AMEN. “


Credits : https://www.facebook.com/156281763705/posts/10160413428413706/

Friday, April 29, 2022

PRAYER OF PROTECTION: BREASTPLATE OF SAINT PATRICK

 



Have you ever read the Breastplate of St. Patrick (also known as St. Patrick's Hymn)? Such a beautiful prayer and especially fitting during these times! 

Here are some things you might not know about this famous prayer, often known as The Breastplate of St Patrick

☘️It is a prayer of protection, which is why it’s called the “breastplate”— a protective piece of armor for battle. 

☘️Madeleine L’Engle used it as the basis for her book, A Swiftly Tilting Planet (my favorite of the time quartet— any other fans of Madeleine L’Engle 

☘️The prayer is said to have been written in approximately 433AD by St Patrick himself! 


ST. PATRICK OF IRELAND (MARCH 17TH) 

On the 17th of March, we celebrate the life, miracles, and continued intercessions of St. Patrick, Apostle to Ireland, Enlightener of the Celtic People, and Patron Saint of the Irish! 


Though enslaved by the pagan Irish as a child in the 5th Century AD, St. Patrick escaped and later became a bishop and missionary to the Irish, and established a great Church in Ireland that stands into the present day. His life was characterized by forgiveness, bravery, faithfulness to the Gospel, and great miracles done through him by God’s grace. May we learn to be like St. Patrick in our continued calling to share an Orthodox Christian Gospel all around the world! 




First Version Of the Prayer


ST. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through a belief in the Threeness,

Through confession of the Oneness

Of the Creator of creation.




I arise today

Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,

Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,

Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,

Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.




I arise today

Through the strength of the love of cherubim,

In obedience of angels,

In service of archangels,

In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

In the prayers of patriarchs,

In preachings of the apostles,

In faiths of confessors,

In innocence of virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.



I arise today

Through the strength of heaven;

Light of the sun,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of the wind,

Depth of the sea,

Stability of the earth,

Firmness of the rock.



I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me;

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's hosts to save me

From snares of the devil,

From temptations of vices,

From every one who desires me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone or in a mulitude.



I summon today all these powers between me and evil,

Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of pagandom,

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,

Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.



Christ shield me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

So that reward may come to me in abundance.



Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.



I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through a belief in the Threeness,

Through a confession of the Oneness

Of the Creator of creation



Almighty God, in Thy providence Thou chosest Thy servant, St. Patrick, to be the Apostle to the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of Thy Holy Gospel, and to enter into Thy Holy Orthodox Church: Grant us so to walk in the way, so as to imitate Thy blessed servant; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who livest and reignest with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.


St. Patrick, pray for us!




Second Version of the Prayer

The Breastplate of St. Patrick


I bind unto myself today

The strong Name of the Trinity,

By invocation of the same,

The Three in One and One in Three.




I bind this day to me for ever.

By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;

His baptism in the Jordan river;

His death on Cross for my salvation;

His bursting from the spicèd tomb;

His riding up the heavenly way;

His coming at the day of doom;*

I bind unto myself today.




I bind unto myself the power

Of the great love of the cherubim;

The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,

The service of the seraphim,

Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,

The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,

All good deeds done unto the Lord,

And purity of virgin souls.




I bind unto myself today

The virtues of the starlit heaven,

The glorious sun's life-giving ray,

The whiteness of the moon at even,

The flashing of the lightning free,

The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,

The stable earth, the deep salt sea,

Around the old eternal rocks.




I bind unto myself today

The power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to watch, His might to stay,

His ear to hearken to my need.

The wisdom of my God to teach,

His hand to guide, His shield to ward,

The word of God to give me speech,

His heavenly host to be my guard.




Against the demon snares of sin,

The vice that gives temptation force,

The natural lusts that war within,

The hostile men that mar my course;

Or few or many, far or nigh,

In every place and in all hours,

Against their fierce hostility,

I bind to me these holy powers.




Against all Satan's spells and wiles,

Against false words of heresy,

Against the knowledge that defiles,

Against the heart's idolatry,

Against the wizard's evil craft,

Against the death wound and the burning,

The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,

Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.




Christ be with me, Christ within me,

Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me,

Christ to comfort and restore me.

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,

Christ in hearts of all that love me,

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.




I bind unto myself the Name,

The strong Name of the Trinity;

By invocation of the same.

The Three in One, and One in Three,

Of Whom all nature hath creation,

Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:

Praise to the Lord of my salvation,

Salvation is of Christ the Lord.




St. Patrick, pray for us!




Third Version of the prayer :

Breastplate of St. Patrick

I bind N. today to a strong virtue, an invocation of the Trinity.

I believe in a Threeness, with confession of a Oneness in the Creator of the Universe.




I bind N. today to the virtue of Christ’s birth with His baptism,

to the virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,

to the virtue of His resurrection with His ascension,

to the virtue of His coming to the Judgment of Doom.




I bind N. today to the virtue of ranks of Cherubim, in obedience of Angels,

[in service of Archangels],

in hope of resurrection for reward,

in prayers of Patriarchs, in preaching of Apostles,

in faiths of Confessors,

in innocence of Holy Virgins,

in deeds of righteous men.




I bind N. today to the virtue of Heaven,

in light of Sun,

in brightness of Snow,

in splendor of Fire,

in speed of Lightning,

in swiftness of Wind,

in depth of Sea,

in stability of Earth,

in compactness of Rock.




I bind N. today to God’s Virtue to pilot him/her,

God’s might to uphold him/her,

God’s wisdom to guide him/her,

God’s eye to look before him/her,

God’s ear to hear him/her,

God’s Word to speak to him/her,

God’s hand to guard him/her,

God’s way to lie before him/her,

God’s shield to protect him/her,

God’s host to secure him/her,

Against snares of demons,

Against seductions of vices,

Against lusts of nature,

Against everyone who wishes ill to him/her,

Afar and anear, Alone and in a multitude.

So have I invoked all these virtues between N.

Against every cruel, merciless power which may come

Against his/her body and his/her soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of heathenry,

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of women and smiths and druids,

Against every knowledge that defiles men’s souls.




Christ to protect N. today,

Against poison,

Against burning,

Against drowning,

Against death-wound, until a multitude of rewards come to N.!

Christ with him/her,

Christ before him/her,

Christ behind him/her,

Christ in him/her!

Christ below him/her,

Christ above him/her.

Christ at his/her right,

Christ at his/her left!

Christ in breadth,

Christ in length,

Christ in height!

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of him/her,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to him/her,

Christ in every eye that sees him/her,

Christ in every ear that hears him/her!




I bind N. today to a strong virtue, an invocation of the Trinity. I

believe in a Threeness with confession of a Oneness, in the Creator of

[the universe.]

Salvation is the Lord’s, salvation is the Lord’s, salvation is Christ’s.

May Thy salvation, O Lord, be always with us.



#stpatricksday #stpatrick #saintpatricksday #saintpatrick #stpattysday #prayer #orthodoxprayer #ancientfaith #irishsaint 

Sunday, April 24, 2022

NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT






Novena to the Holy Spirit

Following the Ascension of Our Lord, tradition says that the disciples gathered in the upper room together with Our Blessed Mother for the novena, nine days of prayer in anticipation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was given to the disciples to empower them to “be my witnesses … even to the ends of the earth.” (Acts1:8)

Today, as disciples of Jesus, we too join together in prayer for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our parish, our faith communities, our families, and in ourselves. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses of love of God for our world.

This novena to the Holy Spirit has been designed for either individual or communal prayer. The spiritual impact of serious prayer and reflection is immeasurable.




Invocation To The Holy Spirit 

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them (in us) the fire of Your love. O

Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, and console me. Tell me what to do, direct my

every choice. I promise to submit myself to all You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know

Your will. Grant this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Day One
Needing the Spirit “Drawing Near” Ezekiel 36:26-28: I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you, taking from
your bodies your stony hearts and giving you natural hearts. I will put my Spirit within you and make you live by my statutes, careful
to observe my decrees. You shall live in the land I gave your fathers, you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

Meditation: Our need is God’s opportunity. But we must acknowledge our need. Often this means helplessness before some weakness or
sickness and an admission of our need for help. Next comes faith in the power of God’s Spirit, available to us to meet that need. Our faith
must find some expression before any need will be met. That expression of faith is all God is looking for, and He will manifest His power in
our lives. Faith is the key that allows us to receive the storehouse of God’s resources.

Prayer for the Day: Lord, I know I can come before You with confidence that by Your grace you accept me. I ask You Lord to make
my life what You desire of it. Cleanse me, heal me, restore me and through Your divine power draw me near to You in everything.

Thank You for supplying me with all I need through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day Two
Needing the Spirit “Beloved of God” Romans: 8:2, 5, 14- 16: For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed you from the
law of sin and death. Those who live according to the flesh are concerned with things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit
the things of the spirit. For those who are lead by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall
back into fear. But you received a spirit of adoption by which we cry, “Abba, Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we
are children of God.

Meditation: And greater works than these shall you do. Each individual has the ability to do good works through the power of God’s Spirit.

This is one of the wonders of the world, the miracle of the earth, that God’s power goes out to bless the human race through the agency of
so many people who are actuated by His grace. We need not be held back by doubt, despondency and fear. A wonderful future lies before
any person who depends on God’s power; a future of tremendous power to do good work.

Prayer for the Day: Lord, You said in Your Word that those who are led by the Spirit of God are Your own children. Lord, I turn
from setting my mind on the things of the flesh and I ask to be focused on things of the Spirit that I might please You. Holy
Spirit, come to the aid of my weakness and intercede for me in accordance with the mind of God. Oh, how I long to call You
“Abba!” Help me be open to the Spirit that I can truly testify that I am Your beloved child. Amen.

Day Three 
Needing the Spirit “Peace” Galatians 5:22-25: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with
its passions & desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Meditation: This is the time for my spirit to touch the Spirit of God. I know that the feeling of the Spirit-touch is more important than all the
sensations of material things. I must seek a silence in which my spirit can receive and become aware of the touch of the Spirit of God. Just a
moment’s contact and all the fever of life leaves me. Then I am well, whole, calm, and able to rise and minister to others. God’s touch is
a potent healer. I must feel that touch and sense God’s presence.

Prayer of the Day: Blessed Jesus, please give to me stillness of soul and let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me Lord of gentleness, Lord of peace. Give me great power of self-control over my words, thoughts and actions. From all irritability, want of
meekness, want of kindness; deliver me, dear Lord. Amen.

Day Four
Desiring the Spirit “Belief” Luke 11:9- 13: And I tell you, ask and you will receive: seek and you will find; knock and the door will
be opened to you. For anyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then
who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
him.

Meditation: God is all around us. His Spirit pervades the universe, and yet we do not let His Spirit in. We try to get along without His help
and we make a mess of our lives. We can do nothing of any value without God’s help. Our human relationships depend on God. When we
let God’s Spirit rule our lives, we learn how to get along with others and how to help them. Prayer for the Day: Lord, I believe that Jesus
Christ is Your Son, and that we are saved through His grace. Grant that the Holy Spirit may strengthen my belief that I may glorify Him
in all my works. Amen.


Day Five
Desiring the Spirit “Thirst” John 7: 37- 39: On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone
who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as scripture says: Rivers of living water will flow from within him.” He said this
in reference to the Spirit that those who came to believe in him were to receive. There was of course no Spirit yet, because Jesus had not
yet been glorified.

Meditation: You need to be constantly recharged by the power of the Spirit of God. Commune with God in quiet times until the life from God,
the Divine life, by that very contact flows into your being and revives your fainting spirit. When weary, take time out and rest. Rest and gain
power and strength from God and then you will be ready to meet whatever opportunities come your way. Rest, allowing every care and
worry and fear to be enveloped by grace. Then the tide of peace and serenity, love and joy will flow into your consciousness even in the
midst of suffering. (2 Cor. 1:3-7) 

Prayer of the Day: Lord, allow my thirst to be satisfied. May your Spirit direct my heart to be awakened.
Allow me to seek You in all things and bring forth Your kingdom on earth. I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day Six 
Desiring the Spirit “Trust” Luke 1: 35-38:
The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence the Holy Offspring to be born will be called
Son of God. Know that Elizabeth your kinswoman has conceived a son in her old age, she who was thought to be sterile is now in her sixth
month for nothing is impossible with God. Mary said, “I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me as you say.”

Meditation : Once I am “born of the Spirit.” the Spirit is my life’s breath. Within me is the Life of life. It is the same Life that throughout the
ages has helped God’s children through peril, adversity, and sorrow. I must try never to doubt or worry but follow where the Life of the Spirit
leads. How often am I unaware of how God goes before me to prepare the way, to soften the heart, or to overrule resentment? As the
life of the Spirit grows, natural desires are placed within a new horizon – to be governed by the will of God. 

Prayer for the Day: Lord, let
me open my heart to fully trust in You and Your will. With You all things are possible. Grant that I may serve you and witness to Your word
with a willing spirit and a humble heart. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day Seven
Receiving the Spirit “Repentance” Acts 2:38: Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for
the forgiveness of your sins: and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Meditation: Seek conscious contact with God more and more each day. Become aware of God’s abiding Presence during the day. Be
conscious of His Spirit helping you. All that is done without God’s Spirit is passing. All that is done with God’s Spirit is life eternal. It is the
flow of life eternal through the mind, body and spirit that cleanses hearts, restores and renews. Come to know God’s eternal life in you
and renewing you. 

Prayer of the Day: Lord, you said in Your word that I am to repent; turn from sin and turn to You. Then I will receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit. Lord, cleanse me from all ungodliness and unrighteousness so that I may walk in the newness of life according to the
Spirit of holiness. T hank You for your forgiveness and for hearing this p rayer, for I pray in the Holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Day Eight
Receiving the Spirit “Submission” Hebrews 12:9: If we respected our earthly fathers who corrected us, should we not all the
more submit to the Father of spirits and live? Romans 5:3- 5: More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces
endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has
been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Meditation: I believe that complete surrender of my life to God is the foundation to serenity. God has prepared for us many mansions. I do
not look upon that promise as referring only to the after-life. I do not look upon this life as something to be struggled through in order to get
the rewards of the next life. I believe that the kingdom of God has begun within us and we can enjoy eternal life here and now. 

Prayer for
the Day
 I come before You on my knees Lord, for I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth
that Jesus is Lord of my life. Lord, you promised that as many as receive Y ou, you give them the power to become children of God, who are
born of God. In submission to You, I receive You as Lord, and I pray to be filled continually with Your Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ
the Lord. Amen.

Day Nine
Receiving the Spirit “Liberating the Spirit” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: There are different gifts but the same Spirit; there are
different ministries but the same Lord; there are different works but the same God who accomplishes all of them in everyone. To each
person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one the Spirit gives wisdom in discourse, to another the power to express knowledge. Through the Spirit one receives faith; by the same Spirit another is given the gift of healing, and still another
miraculous powers; prophesy is given to one; to another the power to distinguish one spirit from another; another receives the gift of
tongues; another the interpreting of tongues. But it is one in the same Spirit who produces these gifts, distributing them to each as he wills.

Meditation: Gently breathe in God’s Spirit, that Spirit which if not barred out by selfishness will enable you to do good works. This means
rather, that God will be able to do good works through you. You can become a channel for God’s Spirit to flow through you and into the
lives of others. The works that you do will only be limited by your spiritual development. 
Let your spirit be in harmony with God’s Spirit and
there is no limit to what you can do in the realm of human relationships.

 Prayer for the Day: Accomplish Your work in me O God, that
the many gifts You have given me through the Holy Spirit may lift up the people around me and bring glory to you. Let Your Spirit be free
in me to fully serve You with all my heart and unite me to work with others in unselfish love. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Cardinal Mercier O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I
should do; give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me.
Let me only know Your Will.


St. Augustine’s Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.

Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me

O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me then O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

Come, Holy Ghost (Veni Creator Spiritus)

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, and in our hearts take up Thy rest;

come with Thy grace and heav'nly aid, to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O Comforter, to Thee we cry, Thou heav'nly gift of God most high,

Thou Fount of life, and Fire of love, and sweet anointing from above.

O Finger of the hand divine, the sevenfold gifts of grace are thine;

True promise of the Father thou, who dost the tongue with power endow.

Thy light to every sense impart, and shed thy love in every heart;

Thine own unfailing might supply to strengthen our infirmity.

Drive far away our ghostly foe, and thine abiding peace bestow;

If thou be our preventing Guide, no evil can our steps betide.

Praise we the Father and the Son and Holy Spirit with them One; and may the Son on us bestow the gifts that from the Spirit flow.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.


Christ Jesus, before ascending into heaven, You promised to send the Holy Spirit to Your apostles and disciples. Grant that the same Spirit
may perfect in our lives the work of Your grace and love. Grant us the Spirit of fear of the Lord that we may be filled with loving
reverence toward You; the Spirit of piety that we might find peace and fulfillment in the service of God while serving others; the Spirit of
fortitude that we may bear our cross with You and, with courage overcome the obstacles that interfere with our salvation; the Spirit of
knowledge that we may know You and know ourselves and grow in holiness; the Spirit of understanding to enlighten our minds with the
light of Your truth; the Spirit of counsel that we may choose the surest way of doing Y our will, seeking first the kingdom. Grant us the Spirit
of wisdom that we may aspire to the things that last forever. Teach us to be Your faithful disciples and animate us in every way with Your

Spirit. Amen.



Novena to the Holy Spirit








Novena to the Holy Spirit Prayers

This novena commemorates the nine days between the Ascension of Our Lord and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost Sunday. During this time Our Lady and the twelve Apostles prayed in the upper room for the coming of the Paraclete.



O Holy Spirit, O my God, I adore Thee, and acknowledge, here in Thy divine presence, that I am nothing and can do nothing without Thee. Come, great Paraclete, Thou father of the poor, Thou comforter the best, fulfil the promise of our blessed Savior, Who would not leave us orphans, and come into the mind and the heart of Thy poor, unworthy creature, as Thou didst descend on the sacred day of Pentecost on the holy Mother of Jesus and on His first disciples. Grant that I may participate in those gifts which Thou didst communicate to them so wonderfully, and with so much mercy and generosity. Take from my heart whatever is not pleasing to Thee, and make of it a worthy dwelling-place for Thyself. Illumine my mind, that I may see and understand the things that are for my eternal good. Inflame my heart with pure love of Thee, that I may be cleansed from the dross of all inordinate attachments, and that my whole life may be hidden with Jesus in God. Strengthen my will, that I may be made conformable to Thy divine will, and be guided by Thy holy inspirations. Aid me by Thy grace to practice the divine lessons of humility, poverty, obedience, and contempt of the world, which Jesus taught us in His mortal life.


Oh, rend the heavens, and come down, consoling Spirit! that inspired and encouraged by Thee, I may faithfully comply with the duties of my state, carry my daily cross most patiently, and endeavor to accomplish the divine will with the utmost perfection. Spirit of love! Spirit of purity! Spirit of peace! Sanctify my soul more and more, and give me that heavenly peace which the world cannot give. Bless our Holy Father the Pope, bless the Church, bless our bishops, our priests, all Religious Orders, and all the faithful, that they may be filled with the spirit of Christ and labor earnestly for the spread of His kingdom.


O Holy Spirit, Thou Giver of every good and perfect gift, grant me, I beseech Thee, the intentions of this novena. May Thy will be done in me and through me. Mayest Thou be praised and glorified forevermore!


Amen.




Sunday, April 17, 2022

EASTER MONDAY PRAYER






Easter Monday Prayer



Lord, I do believe. I believe You rose victorious over sin and death. Allow me, especially during this Octave of Easter, to enter into the great mystery of Your Resurrection. Help me to understand and experience this overwhelming glory in my life. I adore You with a profound love, dear Lord. Help me to worship You with all my might. Jesus, I trust in You.

-John Paul Thomas

🙏 EASTER PRAYER 🙏

 





EASTER PRAYER




+ In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.




Lord Jesus Christ,

You have defeated death and

You gave us victory over our weaknesses

Lord, thank You for saving my soul

in the manner that I cannot do.

You faced pain and death for me,

You brought my shame, and broke

my chains on Calvary.

And You rise again, so that I may

rise again, too, on the Last Day.




Lead me, O Lord into a new life, a new direction.

Help me correct my mistakes, Lord.

Help me change myself to become new.

Help me to become a better person for You and for others. May I live for You, just as You live for me and for us all.

May I always believe that

my heart is Meant for noble things,

that it should love you above all,

Grant me O Lord, meaningful days ahead

And at the end of my life, to praise Your Holy Name.

AMEN.

Saturday, April 16, 2022

THE SHOULDER WOUND OF JESUS



THE SHOULDER WOUND OF JESUS


St. Bernard asked our Lord which was His greatest unrecorded suffering and Our Lord answered:

"I had on My Shoulder, while I bore My Cross on the Way of Sorrows, a grievous Wound, which was more painful than the others and which is not recorded by men. Honor this Wound with thy devotion and I will grant thee whatsoever thou dost ask through Its virtue and merit. And in regard to all those who shall venerate this Wound, I will remit to them all their venial sins and will no longer remember their mortal sins."


Recent scientific examiners of the Shroud of Turin reported that there are marks and blood spots which show that the person in the shroud carried the Patibulum, the crossbar of the cross on his shoulders. The Patibulum was thought to weigh about 75 pounds and that weight on the shoulders alone was capable of inflicting shoulder wounds in a fall as described by Saint Bernard.


Pope Eugenius III, at the earnest request of St. Bernard, has granted three thousand years Indulgence to all who with a contrite heart, recite the Lord's Prayer and Hail Mary 3 times, in honor of the Wound on the Shoulder of Our Blessed Redeemer.


"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

By his wounds you have been healed."

(1Peter 2:24)


The Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Christ:

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 1090-1153


"Most loving Jesus, meek Lamb of God, I, a miserable sinner, salute and worship

the most Sacred Wound of Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy Cross

which so tore Thy flesh and laid bare Thy Bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish

greater than any other wound of Thy Most Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus

most sorrowful; I praise and glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks for this most

sacred and painful Wound, beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and by the

crushing burden of Thy heavy Cross to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive

me all my mortal and venial sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven along the

Way of Thy Cross. Amen."

Friday, April 15, 2022

PRAYER FOR GOOD FRIDAY

 



PRAYER FOR GOOD FRIDAY. 


Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, Savior of the World, God Most High Who Seek the Lost Children of Adam and Eve, You saw and found us up on that Cross, and we look up and saw You. Thank You for Your Sacrifice, You saved us from the power of death and sin.


Now Lord, cure our pains and achings, bring us into full healing. We wish to remain under Your Cross and shower in Your Most Precious Blood, so that we will become Yours. Keep us safe and worthy until the time that we will approach Your glorious throne as King, and invite us into Your Kingdom, together with Your family. AMEN.

Thursday, April 14, 2022

PRAYERS FOR HEALING OF FAMILY FROM EVIL CURSES AND EFFECTS OF SIN




PRAYERS FOR HEALING OF FAMILY FROM EVIL CURSES AND EFFECTS OF SIN




Prayer to Release from Ancestral Curses



Eternal Father, You are the only Immortal God, God Who is love, merciful and kind. Look at Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and have mercy. I offer You the pains of His scourging at the pillar, His wounds and blood, for all Your people who are under the weight of the curse due to the sins of their ancestors and their disobedience for breaking the covenant they made with You. May You set us free through the scourging of Your Son, heal us through His wounds and save us through His Precious Blood. Amen. Precious Blood of Jesus Christ - release us from curses. Holy wounds of Jesus Christ - heal our wounds. By Your scourging - seal us. Amen.




PRAYER FOR HEALING OF FAMILY TREE


"Heavenly Father, I come before You as Your child, in great need of Your help; I have physical health needs, emotional needs, spiritual needs, and interpersonal needs. Many of my problems have been caused by my own failures, neglect and sinfulness, for which I humbly beg Your forgiveness, Lord. But I also ask You to forgive the sins of my ancestors whose failures have left their effects on me in the form of unwanted tedencies, behavior patterns and defects in body, mind and spirit. Heal me, Lord, of all these disorders.


With Your help I sincerely forgive everyone, especially living or dead members of my family tree, who have directly offended me or my loved ones in any way, or those whose sins have resulted in our present sufferings and disorders. In the name of Your divine Son, Jesus, and in the power of his Holy Spirit, I ask You, Father, to deliver me and my entire family tree from the influence of the evil one. Free all living and dead members of my family tree, including those in adoptive relationships, and those in extended family relationships, from every contaminating form of bondage. By Your loving concern for us, heavenly Father, and by the shed blood of Your precious Son, Jesus, I beg You to extend Your blessing to me and to all my living and deceased relatives. Heal every negative effect transmitted through all past generations, and prevent such negative effects in future generations of my family tree.


I symbolically place the cross of Jesus over the head of each person in my family tree, and between each generation; I ask You to let the cleansing blood of Jesus purify the bloodlines in my family lineage. Set Your protective angels to encamp around us, and permit Archangel Raphael, the patron of healing, to administer Your divine healing power to all of us, even in areas of genetic disability. Give special power to our family members' guardian angels to heal, protect, guide and encourage each of us in all our needs. Let Your healing power be released at this very moment, and let it continue as long as Your sovereignty permits.

In our family tree, Lord, replace all bondage with a holy bonding in family love. And let there be an ever-deeper bonding with You, Lord, by the Holy Spirit, to Your Son, Jesus. Let the family of the Holy Trinity pervade our family with its tender, warm, loving presence, so that our family may recognize and manifest that love in all our relationships. All of our unknown needs we include with this petition that we pray in Jesus' precious Name. Amen."


St. Joseph, Patron of family life, pray for us.

PERSONAL SPIRITUAL WARFARE: (For the Deliverance of Yourself or Place from Evil Spirits)

 


⚡🔥⚡SPIRITUAL BATTLE⚡💥⚡

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PERSONAL SPIRITUAL WARFARE:

(For the Deliverance of Yourself or Place from Evil Spirits)


* Consult with your parish priest first


Reminders:


1) Use the following prayers when you believe an evil spirit is...

- harassing you,

- tempting you gravely,

- making you feel fear by letting itself be felt,

- giving you pain or sickness,

- causing bad thoughts in your mind,

- attacking you in your sleep, etc.


2) They can also be used for places when you sense their presence.


3) Be prepared. As much as possible..

- be in the state of grace, like always going to confession, 

- have holy water,

- wear a scapular,

- wear a St. Benedict's medal

These items must be used with faith ("God and Mother Mary are watching over me; I am theirs") and not with superstition.


4) Pray all prayers with the heart.


5) Do not be afraid; know who you belong to. The evil spirits are afraid of Catholics who know their identity as children of God.


6) Before praying the prayers, place yourself in God's presence and sense his nearness.


STEP 1: PRAYER FOR PROTECTION

Jesus Crucified, cover me, my family, my relatives, and friends, and all our possessions with your Precious Blood. (Recite three times.)


STEP 2: PRAYER FOR ARMOR

I put on God's armor to resist the devil's tactics. I stand my ground with truth buckled around my waist and integrity for a breastplate. I carry the shield of faith to put out the burning arrows of the evil one. I accept salvation of God to be my helmet and receive the Word of God from the Spirit to use as a sword.


STEP 3: PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE:

(Pray this prayer with a commanding voice. If you have holy water, sprinkle while praying this prayer).


In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, through His tremendous power as God and through His most powerful and salvific name. I rebuke, repudiate, bind, and cast out all spirits not of the Holy Spirit. I command you in the name of Jesus, to depart now from (state name of person or place) and go immediately and directly to the foot of the Cross and never to return.)


(Then pray this prayer to the Holy Spirit, asking for assistance and His infilling)

O Most Holy Spirit, enter into the empty spaces left by these spirits and fill (state name of person or place) with your presence, love, and protection. Please do not allow these spirits to return.


STEP 4: PRAYER TO THE ANGELS

(Make a personal prayer to the angels to stand guard and remain around the person or place just delivered to seal them from future demonic influences.)


STEP 5: PRAYER FOR CLEANSING 

Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray that the cleansing power of the Precious Blood of your Son come upon us right now. Purify us and wash us clean with the Blood of Jesus from the top of our head down to the very soles of our feet. Let this Blood penetrate the very marrow of our bones to cleanse us from the entanglement from whatever spirit we have come in contact with during the course of our intercession. Anoint us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and refresh our body, soul, and spirit.

And may the sign of your Holy Cross drive away all evil spirits from us. (Make the sign of the Cross) In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.


STEP 6: PRAYER OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

(Make a personal prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God.)


Supplements:


1) If right afterwards there seems to be some form of retaliation from the evil spirits like sickness, pains, and depression, use the Prayer of Deliverance, but instead of saying "all spirits not of the Holy Spirit," say "spirit of retaliation and all accompanying spirits," then finish with the cleansing prayer.


2) Before going to bed, make the sign of the cross on your forehead using holy water.


3) Use Holy Water frequently in your room and, if possible, sprinkle exorcised salt (rock salt blessed by a priest) around the corners and entrances of your room.


4) Have a devotion to Mother Mary, 

- speak to Her from the heart, 

- pray the Rosary,

- learn more about Her and

- practice Her virtues,

- make novenas to Her.

She is the mortal enemy of the demons and the devil, and they fear her.


5) Speak frequently to your guardian angel and always ask him to guard and guide you. He will speak usually through your thoughts and your heart.


- From the book: EXORCISM: Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult. (2006) Revised edition


By: Fr. Jose Francisco C. Syquia

Director, Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism

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DIVINE MERCY: MOST TERRIFYING TO LUCIFER


St. Joseph has been invoked as "terror of demons" and it is true. I have prayed his litany many times during exorcisms and the devil, particularly Lucifer would react to it in horror and pain. But recently I discovered the most terrifying of all to the chief of hell - THE DIVINE MERCY prayers. It happened that during an exorcism against Lucifer (whom we have been casting for many weeks) the day before the feast of the Divine Mercy, while holding the Blessed Sacrament in front of the energumen, I said a prayer from the chaplet of the Divine Mercy:"For the sake of his sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and of the whole world". No sooner than I finished the prayer the chief of hell started to scream in pain to the toppest of his voice. It was so loud that my voice was swallowed by his. To hear the prayer (the truth) was an unbearable torture to him. It was too much to know that mercy is only given to man and not to him and his apostate angels. And for the first time in many weeks, I saw him suffered very greatly.


During the encounter, the energumen changed colors. She turned to gray from reddish. In some sessions, she turned pale green.


At the end of the prayers, the energumen complained of an indescribable pain at the center of the palm of her hands. I asked one member of our team to rub it with exorcised water. Then using an exorcised oil, I traced a cross on her palms and asked her to hold my Benedict medal.


Soon after, she complained of another pain. This time at the center of her feet. And it immediately dawned on me that the sorrowful passion of Jesus and the nails that pierced his hands and feet indeed cause great suffering to the chief of the fallen angels. (During exorcisms, the pains of the devil are manifested through their victims.)


I took my stole and wrapped one tip of it on her hands and the other tip on her feet. The pain subsided and we prayed the Cleansing Prayer.


The Passion of Christ is the final humiliation and defeat of Lucifer and his minions. According to the Fathers of the Church, after the creation of the angels, they were put to a test. It was revealed to them that God would become flesh in Jesus (Incarnation) through the Blessed Virgin Mary (Theotokos). This God becoming flesh would then be crucified and that they - the angels - would worship him hanging on the cross. Together with the Divine Motherhood of Mary, to worship a God hanging on the cross was too much for him to accept (pride). Thus, Lucifer and a third of the angels ("third of the stars") stage a rebellion against God and they were hurled down to the earth (Rev. 12:4).


"For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and of the whole world." Amen.

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A PASTORAL APPROACH TO INFESTED HOUSES:

(For Exorcising Locations from Demonic Infestations)


▪Background


Ancient Christian tradition held that places, objects and animals were exorcised and blessed. 


Exorcism would be done to drive away any evil entity that was attached to the place and then the blessing follows. The victory that was gain by Christ over evil was made effective and applied to a particular locale.


Today, the tendency is to focus solely on the blessing aspect. Although this is usually effective to drive away any evil influence, for example, in the blessing of a new home, when one is dealing with more powerful and tenacious fallen angels that have attached to the place, blessings do not suffice to drive them away.


We therefore see that some "haunted" houses remain infested after repeated blessings. Especially difficult are houses that were used for occult and satanic activities or places where alot of violence or sin occurred.


What must be remembered when dealing with "haunted" houses is this:


The early Christians used exorcism in order to bring true peace in their homes. They never exhibited any signs of adoration nor appeasement to inhabiting spirits like food offering and the like.


They knew very well who these spirits were that were causing trouble. Consequently, they also never reserved any place in their homes where spirits could dwell in. There was no such thing as "mutual coexistence," a term many may here alot when dealing with infestations. 


Hence, the reason Christians throughout the centuries have always prayed exorcism prayers over their homes is the very obvious fact that they have known how evil spirits operate, deceive and do everything possible to gain entry into the home.


Today, more then ever, with all the sin and violence around us, we need to realize the importance of living lives pleasing to the Lord, where family prayer and holiness are a priority and the use of sacramentals within the home is an ordinary custom.


To conclude, here is an account from the life of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, the greatest mystical visionary of the Church regarding "haunted" locales. Here she speaks about a house being "haunted" due to its being built over pagan graves emit an evil influence within the vicinity.


She relates that one time when she came close to such a burial place, she "saw a black, ugly-looking vapor, like the smoke of smoldering rags, creeping over the ground." She continued, "A strange obscurity hung over the spot, and somber figures, enveloped in darkness, moved here and there, and, at last, disappeared underground. 


She tells us "when houses are built over such places, a curse issues from the pagan bones resting beneath them, if their occupants do not lead lives sanctified by the benediction of the Church and so counteract its baneful effects."


Another important point that she made is "if (the occupants of the home) should happen to use superstitious means condemned by the Church to rid themselves of the curse, they enter, though without knowing it, perhaps, into communication with the powers of darkness, which then acquire fresh strength."


▪Practical Considerations


1) When moving into a new house that had already been resided in, it may be wise to check who the previous occupants were.


2) If there is some reservation regarding the atmosphere of the new house, ask the priest to use the prayers of deliverance first before the actual blessing. 


It is not standard procedure for the Catholic priest to pray deliverance  prayers in a house blessing hence you would need to request it from him. 


3) The new house must be blessed as soon as possible, followed by the consecration of the entire family to the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary.


4) It is recommended the priest bless extra holy water and exorcised salt for the family use. Sprinkle holy water regularly around the house (Once a Week) and make use of it before retiring for the night. Make the sign of the cross on the forehead with it.


5) Make sure the home has a number of blessed objects like cucifixes on the door of every room and the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus/Immaculate Heart of Mary at the front part of the house. This manifests that the house belongs to God.


6) Daily family prayers are essential to bring about an atmosphere of peace and blessing in the home. The Family Rosary is strongly recommended.


7) In an old house, where there are positive signs of malevolent and harmful paranormal occurence, a house exorcism or deliverance is sought. But if the paranormal manifestations are not harmful, proper procedures for identifying the entities involved should be done, since one may be dealing with souls.


8) It would be appropriate for the priest not only to exorcise the house but pray over the persons residing there in order to remove any preternatural attachments that may be the cause of the infestations or may have ensued because of it.


9) If the resident spirits are particurly obstinate, repeated house deliverances in the home may be needed to dislodge these spirits. But one must remember that when delivering places which are not immediately set free, one can be sure that because of the prayers, the area of demonic influence has gotten smaller.


10) If one would be staying in a strange new place, for example, one would have an overnight stay in a beach resort, a small vial of holy water is good to take around, especially if one is a psychic and, therefore more open to manifestations that can sometimes be evil. Francis Mcnutt said, "People afflicted by evil spirits seem to leave something behind in places they have visited."


▪Detecting Infesting Spirits


1) When dealing with obstinate infesting spirits, it would help to establish where their precise location within the house (like a particular room, corner, furniture, etc.) 


This is so that prayers of deliverance may be directed to the exact spot of their infestation. This would aid in the placing of the appropriate sacramentals within the vicinity.


2) To assist the priest in locating particular areas of infestations in the home, the fanily should prepare beforehand a list of precise spot(s) where the paranormal manifestation(s) occurred.


3) In the more difficult home infestations, it would help to bring along a person who is "sensitive" through the charismatic gifts.


4) One must remember that the interaction of a spiritual entity in the visible world, may produce some form of electromagnetic disturbance which affects the nearby vicinity. 


The spirit in a sense uses the surrounding environment to manifest itself. There may, therefore, be denser air pressure in the location where the spirit is, as well as a drop in tempetature. These phenomena may be detected by other means such as animals and other gadgets used by parapsychologists.


With regard to the use of animals, Fr. Amorth said, "Animals are sensitive. They usually fix their eyes on one point; they stay there and they run off. They are afraid of whatever they are looking at or feeling. Animals are very interesting regarding their behavior. I get alot from them."


5) On the other hand, with regard to the parapsychological equipment that can detect significant changes in the atmosphere, the two more common ones used are the 

• Electromagnetic Field Meter and

• Thermal Scanner


6) Know the preferences of the evil entities within the home. It is recommended that exorcised salt is sprinkled around the corners of these places; exorcised salt lasts longer in the area than holy water. 


a. They prefer areas that are smelly or dirty like toilets, garbage area, and the like.


b. They prefer darkly lit rooms and corners.


c. They have preferrence for damp and unoccupied areas of the house such as bodegas, unoccupied rooms, and basements.


d. They prefer rooms that have no blessed objects around.


e. They prefer rooms where there are innocent children. They also choose rooms where the adults have some form of spiritual "opening."


7) Infesting spirits have a certain expertise in things that are electrical. According to Fr. Heron, OSB, "quite often there will be inexplicable interference with electrical equipment." Examples are: they may cause computers to malfunction or cause lightings in the house to act up. 


They also have a penchant for causing drainage systems in the house to become blocked. When these occur, use deliverance prayers on the said objects.


▪Banishing Infesting Spirits


1) It is important that all the probable causes that may have contributed to the infestation are properly dealt with. For example, all occult paraphernalia like Ouija boards must be disposed of; all habitual grave sin stopped; if there are signs of curses against the home, they must be cut, etc.


2) Begin the rite with prayers to the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength.


3) Call upon the assistance of Mama Mary, the saints and angels.


4) Say the Prayer for Protection with conviction.


5) Prayers of deliverance and exorcism are prayed in each rooms of the house.


6) While prayers are being said, sprinkle the surroundings with holy water.


7) The rite for each room concludes by calling upon thr Holy Spirit and the warrior angels to reside and protect the newly delivered location.


8) Before leaving, place exorcised salt on all corners, windowsills and doorway of the rooms.


9) The use of blessed incense is optional. It is used after the exorcised salt has been sprinkled.


10) After the rooms have been cleansed, the blessing of the house follows.


11) End the blessing with a thankgiving prayer to God.


12) Consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary then concludes the rite.


13) For houses with major infestation, a Mass may be celebrated in the location after the Consecration to Jesus and Mary. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a very effective means to drive away evil entities within a location.


14) For houses with major infestation, it is also recommended that the family place a mixture of holy water, exorcised salt, and oil every evening on the windowsill and door thresholds while praying the Our Father.


▪Infested Objects


1) One must never accept objects from any occult practitioners. According to Fr. Adolf Rodewyk SJ, "magical devices do not have integral power; they are effective only because they have, in a manner of speaking, been dedicated to the devil, giving him the opportunity to link his own powers with this condition.


2) Dealing with infested objects: 


• They must be sprinkled with holy water and then 

•Burned while the Our Father is being prayed. 


Aftetwards, the ashes are thrown in outdoor running water like in a sewage system.

(Never dispose of the ashes in your home, they tend to clog drainage.)


3) If the curse is mild, one may simply sprinkle the object with holy water to remove the curse.


4) Do not forget to wash one's hands with holy water after handling such objects.


By: Fr. Jose Francisco C. Syquia

Director, Archdiocese of Manila,

Office of Exorcism


From the Book: EXORCISM: Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult. Revised Ed. (2013)

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WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CATHOLIC DELIVERANCE & EXORCISM:


By Rev. Fr. Adam Blai, Exorcist 


Deliverance and exorcism are two different forms of spiritual intervention. Deliverance is a broad term that can mean being freed from any problem of a spiritual nature or cause. Here it will be defined as deprecatory prayer (a request) offered with the hope that God will free a person from a spiritual affliction.


Over the last fifty years or so, most deliverance work was done by Protestant denominations, and the books on deliverance over that time were from those perspectives. One erroneous idea that comes out of this tradition is that anything commanded to a demon by a baptized Christian in the name of Jesus will be obeyed immediately. This is a magical-thinking approach as it doesn’t take into account the free will of the person in relationship with that demon. 


We cannot foist our choices onto other adults; they have their own free will. In some Protestant books on deliverance, one is encouraged to speak directly to, and command, the demons. This is imprecatory prayer, a direct command. It is critical to understand that imprecatory prayer directly commands a demon, which is a tacit acceptance to a personal battle with that demon, while deprecatory prayer asks God to act against the demon. 


The Catholic Church has understood that the full authority to command demons was given to the Twelve Apostles, therefore a priest needs Apostolic authority given to him by a bishop before he engages in a battle with a demon. Of course a bishop, cardinal, or pope can do an exorcism at any time.


It is easy to become distracted by the drama of deliverance and exorcism and lose sight of the fact that the source of demonic problems is a relationship with sin, and usually involves the First Commandment. It is often the case that, over time, emotional wounds lead to sin, which becomes habitual. The person grows in the wrong direction, like a tree that is bound and canted to the side as a sapling. 


The deception of the demon is to hide in these wounded feelings and distorted sense of self, seeming integral and necessary while fomenting more harm. People affected by demons must begin their healing by letting go of their own sins through repentance and of the sins of others through forgiveness.


The cycle of repentance and forgiveness is bolstered by reaffirming one’s loyalty to God, such as with the recitation of the Apostles’ Creed, the renewal of baptismal promises, and participation in the sacraments. God works with the person where they are and they are usually given as much insight into their own wounds and sinfulness as they can handle at the time. It is like training that tree to now grow in a new way: change too fast and the tree breaks.


A common challenge in deliverance and exorcism ministry is discerning whether a case is possession or severe oppression. Just below full possession, a person may manifest to some degree contorting, growling, reacting somewhat negatively to sacramentals, and hints of other indications of possession. However, in cases of full possession we see the demon taking over the body completely: supernatural strength, occult knowledge, knowledge of all languages, and detecting the holy.


It is important to understand the difference between an exorcism and a solemn exorcism. An exorcism is an imprecatory prayer (a command), such as the exorcism in the Sacrament of Baptism. A solemn exorcism is a liturgical imprecatory ritual provided by the Church for treating demonically possessed people. 


Trouble arises when well-intentioned people presume to be able to perform something resembling a solemn exorcism to aid in cases of demonic oppression or possession. Liturgical prayer is reserved to clergy, and the Church limits imprecatory prayers against demons to priests with authority from their bishops.


In 1890 Pope Leo XIII added the “Exorcism Against Satan and the Fallen Angels” as an appendix to the solemn exorcism. The Leonine (or “minor”) exorcism is effective in resolving demonic infestation cases. It has also been used, with permission from the ordinary, as a diagnostic test of possession in cases that are not yet clear. Not just any manifestation in response to the Leonine exorcism is sufficient evidence of possession; one or more of the traditional signs must still be documented. 


At no time should the public use this prayer as a way to test for possession; it must only be used by a priest with permission from his bishop. There have been cases of lay people becoming possessed as a result of using the minor exorcism over a possessed person.


The Church provides deliverance from oppression cases, even just under full possession, primarily through reception of the sacraments and spiritual direction. The affected person contributes greatly to their liberation through fully embracing spiritual guidance, confession, forgiveness, prayer, penance, and the Mass. 


When a person starts to exhibit demonic manifestations, the case should be referred to the bishop’s office. Even though the case may not rise to the level of full possession, the bishop’s office or appointed personnel can oversee the spiritual direction and monitoring of the case.


In the instructions to the priest in the Roman Ritual, the priest is warned to not too readily believe that a person is possessed and to consider whether they are suffering from mental illness. The Church requires that an investigation be made to ensure that the symptoms cannot be explained by mental or medical illness and that at least some of the four signs of possession are also present.


Adam Blai is an expert on religious demonology and exorcism for the Pittsburgh Diocese. He has been an auxiliary member of the International Association of Exorcists in Rome for a number of years. Blai is the author of Hauntings, Possessions, and Exorcisms, a field guide to defense against the demonic.

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LAY PRAYER AGAINST SPIRITS OF RETALIATION 🙏🏼

Lord Jesus Christ,  in  your  love  and  mercy,  pour  Thy  Precious  Blood over (I)your  servant N.so  that  no  demon,disembodied  spirit,  or  evil power may retaliate  against me(him/her).  O  Blessed  Mother  of  God, Most Immaculate Virgin Mary, our mother and queen, surround me(him/her)with thy mantle, blocking any retaliating spirits from having any authority over me(him/her). St. Joseph, protector of the Holy Family and God’s Holy Church, Terror  of  Demons, protectusfrom  the  attacking  enemy.  St.  Michael,  our defender,  surround us with thy  shield,  and  with  your  flaming  sword punish severely the wicked spirits, so that no spirit may take revenge on us. My Holy Guardian  Angel (Holy  Guardian Angel  of N.)defend this  your  ward.  Queen  of Heaven, St. Joseph,and St. Michael, send down the legions of angels under your command to fight off any degenerate spirits that would seek to harm us. All you saints of heaven, impede any retaliating spirit from influencing us. Lord, Thou art the Just Judge, the avenger of the wicked, the Advocate of the Just, we beg in Thy  mercy,  that  all  we  ask  of the  Blessed  Virgin Mary,  St.  Joseph, St.  Michael, and all the holy angels and the saints of heaven in our behalf (and in behalf of your  servant N.), be  also  granted to  all our  loved  ones,  those  who  pray  for us and  their  loved  ones,  that  for  Thy  Glory's  sake,  we  may  enjoy  Thy  perfect protection. Amen.Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism (AMOE)Philippine Association of Catholic Exorcists 


http://www.amoe.ph/

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