December 22, 2024

2024

The Three R’s for Casting Out Demons?

Mother & Refuge04 mins

“He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’” Mt 16:23 After a recent online deliverance session with us, a woman shared her experience: I’ve been able to attend most of the sessions and have found that with each successive one, I have been increasingly able to attain spiritual healing. For many years, I have been afflicted with an evil spirit that causes me to hate God and to curse Jesus. I have sought deliverance for a long time. I am learning with each session how to better deal with evil attacks from the devil. I have learned, in particular, that I must do the 3 Rs…I am now able to relate with the Lord Jesus in a loving way, without any sense of the previous hostility,   resentment or anger.     These three R’s of casting out demons are: reject, renounce, and rebuke. In our online sessions, as well as our face-to-face solemn exorcisms, we ask afflicted people to identify the evil spirits present and then say the three R’s. So, for example, if an individual identifies the presence of an evil spirit of lust, the person would then say: “In the holy name of Jesus, I reject, I renounce, and I rebuke the spirit of lust. In Jesus’ holy name, I cast it out!”   To “reject” is to make an act of the will which says in effect: “I do not want this evil spirit.” To “renounce” is to give back any benefits desired or received in the demonic relationship. To “rebuke” is sharply denouncing the evil spirit. In deliverance work, an important step in the process of liberation is cutting the relationship between the individual and the evil spirit. While a simple rejection would likely suffice, we have found these three R’s to be a bit more thorough and decisive.   After the afflicted person has formally rejected the evil spirit, the Exorcist can then invoke the authority of the Church and more easily cast it out. While the entire process of casting out demons can take some time, this formal process of rejecting the evil spirits, using the three R’s, is an important step along the way.   I have also found these three R’s helpful in overcoming the normal temptations of life, which are often fueled by evil spirits. Whenever we are tempted, we can say: “In the holy name of Jesus, I reject the evil spirits of [name the temptation]. I reject them; I renounce them; I rebuke them. In Jesus’ holy name, I cast them out!” I have personally found it helpful. I suspect others would as well. Read more…

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BEWARE! Symptoms of an evil spirits action within YOU!

Mother & Refuge04 mins

Symptoms of demonic interference may appear on various surfaces and be characterized by various scales of intensity, apply to people, animals, places and objects. An exorcist priest’s task is to recognise  the scope of the evil spirit’s action in a given case. His evaluation is usually conducted after medical examinations in order to exclude, e.g. mental disorders or a natural genesis of the phenomena. Demonic action upon man can manifest itself on the spiritual or physical plane. We will enumerate manifestations starting with relatively mild ones, to phenomena in extreme forms. 1. On the spiritual plane Temptations – particularly strong, urging to evil. Thoughts – lewd, obscene, contrary to the supernatural. Difficulties in praying, reading the Holy Scripture, aversion to conversion. Nightmares, sometimes together with visions and a strong sense of an evil spirits presence (strangling, touch, temporary paralysis). Aversion towards the sacred Aversion towards God, the faithful, the clergy (priests, nuns). Aggressive behaviours with a religious and social background, nervous reactions to somebody’s piety, spiritual practices and prayer (especially for a tormented person). Aversion towards and inability to receive sacraments, participate in Mass and other services. Strange behaviours during eating blessed meals (e.g. difficulty in swallowing food with blessed water), aversion towards wearing blessed clothes or ones with a blessed medal sewn in. Repulsionto sacramentals (blessings, blessed water, blessed medals and other items, as well as images of saints); nervous reactions or stiffening upon being touched with a saint’s relic, a blessed medal, a scapular; a repulsion to the cross, desecration of blessed items, churches.   2. On a mental plane, applying to health Sudden behaviour changes, lasting neglecting of duties, personality change. Depression, a lasting bad disposition, suicidal attempts, self-mutilation. Sexual deviations and perversions. Paranormal abilities, clairvoyance, knowledge of hidden matters, speaking in unknown tongues (ones which the enslaved person has never studied). Health disorders, especially headaches, stomach and back pains, pressure on the throat, which cannot be diagnosed or cured. Extraordinary strength, satanic, occult symbols on the body appearing during prayer, spitting with objects e.g. connected with magic (materialisation).  3. Phenomena in the surroundings Oppressions – unexplained phenomena, moving, appearing and disappearing objects, doors and windows opening by themselves, poltergeist-type phenomena. Behaviour of pets, like they were sensing somebody’s presence (e.g. staring into one place, flying in terror). Finding objects – in pillows, mattresses of possessed persons strange objects are sometimes found, e.g. dolls, figurines of animals or people, clots of blood, wisps of hair, splinters of wood or metal that might be evidence of various forms of magic. Source Here, Read More!

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St. Hyacinth’s Divine Rescue: The Eucharist and Mary’s Miraculous Salvage

Mother & Refuge05 mins

St. Hyacinth of Poland, a revered Dominican friar and missionary, is celebrated not only for his dedication to spreading Christianity but also for a series of miraculous events that underscore his deep faith and the protective grace of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Among these remarkable stories, one stands out: the miraculous rescue of the Eucharist and a statue of Mary during a time of great peril. The Context of Crisis In the early 13th century, St. Hyacinth was traveling through the city of Kiev, which was under siege by invading forces. The city was engulfed in flames, and the situation was dire. St. Hyacinth, committed to his mission and carrying the Blessed Sacrament with him, faced a daunting challenge. The city’s destruction and the advancing enemy forces made it nearly impossible for him to escape, and he knew the sacred relics he carried were at risk. The Miraculous Intervention As the flames surrounded him and the enemy closed in, St. Hyacinth found himself cornered. His situation seemed hopeless, but his faith never wavered. With profound trust in the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he prayed fervently for her protection and guidance. In that critical moment, a miraculous event occurred. According to tradition, a powerful gust of wind—believed to be a sign of Mary’s intervention—suddenly swept through the area. This divine wind cleared the path, blowing away debris and obstacles that were blocking St. Hyacinth’s escape route. The way was miraculously opened, allowing him to flee the encroaching enemy and the destructive flames. The Rescue of the Eucharist and Statue of Mary During his escape, St. Hyacinth was carrying not only the Eucharist but also a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, both of which were of immense spiritual significance. The miraculous intervention ensured that both the Eucharist and the statue were preserved. St. Hyacinth’s safe retreat was seen as a direct result of Mary’s protection and his unwavering faith. The story of St. Hyacinth’s escape and the miraculous preservation of these sacred items became a symbol of divine intervention and protection. It reinforced the belief in the power of prayer and the protective grace of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The event was celebrated by his followers as a testament to his holiness and the miraculous support he received from heaven. Legacy of Faith St. Hyacinth’s miraculous rescue of the Eucharist and the statue of Mary remains a powerful reminder of his deep devotion and the divine assistance that often accompanies steadfast faith. His life and the miracles attributed to him continue to inspire believers, highlighting the profound impact of prayer, trust, and divine intervention in the face of adversity. The story of St. Hyacinth’s divine rescue underscores the belief that faith, combined with the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, can lead to miraculous outcomes. It is a testament to the enduring power of divine protection and the sacred nature of the Eucharist and Marian devotion in the Christian faith.

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Ever Heard about Our Lady of the Rockies? This is the Story!

Mother & Refuge05 mins

Just ten miles away from Butte, Montana, and more than 3,500 feet above the surrounding valley, stands the image of Our Lady of the Rockies: a snowy-white statue that stands almost 90-ft (30 meters) tall. The image, which at first was supposed to be only five feet tall, ended up becoming the icon of an entire town. The fourth largest statue in the United States, its story revolves around the hard work of the locals and a series of unexpected circumstances which allowed the project to fall into place seamlessly.   The story begins with Bob O’Bill, who envisioned the project after his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Matthew Sewell of Churchpop reports that the retired electrician prayed for his wife to be healed, promising to erect a nearly life-sized statue of the Blessed Mother in return, right in his backyard. When his wife made a sudden, miraculous recovery, O’Bill was so thrilled that his plans expanded from a five-foot statue to a towering 90-foot monument to the Virgin Mary. According to the website, “Our Lady of the Rockies” took six years to complete, requiring 400 lbs. of concrete and a “sky crane” donated by the National Guard. The work was all sourced by residents of Butte, with some donating their summer evenings to clear and pave the mountain road leading to it, while  others worked tirelessly to raise the needed funds.  If the city lacked resources, it overflowed in solidarity. Although the town was in the grips of a crippling economic recession, the people of Butte banded togethe. Even those who had lost their jobs donated their time and experience to work on the road leading up to the site of the statue, and while money was tight, they received just about everything they needed (from the land to equipment) from generous donations and small fundraisers.   Sewell goes on to note a few of the unexpected occurrences that aided them in their mission. In once instance, funds were running low and the crew worried they would run out of fuel, when they found all the gas tanks had been filled. In another, the helicopter used to lift the pieces of the statue into place suddenly lost control and seemed about to falter, a moment recorded in a timeline of the construction, provided by MT Standard: Dec. 19, 1985 — Wind, or lack thereof, proved to be a problem for the National Guard crew as Our Lady’s hands, with a weight of 19,000 pounds, caused the helicopter to spin uncontrollably as it tried to set it down atop the other four sections already in place. The sky crane turned back and laid the section down near the Mormon Church at 3000 Four Mile Road. Although one of the statue’s fingers was slightly damaged, the crew was successful in its second attempt at 4 p.m. In a 1985 video of the moment “Our Lady of the Rockies” was completed, featured below, Leroy Lee, who made a series of perfect welds to connect the statues pieces, commented amidst a crowd gazing at their own handiwork through teary, awe-filled eyes: Read more…

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6 Uplifting Bible Verses for When You Want to Cry!

Mother & Refuge05 mins

Life can leave us an emotional wreck at times. Sometimes we might cry at the smallest of things, or sometimes we might be in deep grief and it’s hard to keep those tears at bay. Thankfully Scripture is full of comforting words to lean on during these moments, and here are just a few examples of how even in the most difficult of times, there is comfort to be had from our Heavenly Father. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed.” Psalm 34:18 This verse reminds us that God is always near, especially in moments of sadness and despair. Knowing that God is with us can bring comfort and solace during times of tears, reassuring us that we are not alone in our struggles. Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 God’s promise of strength and support can be a source of courage and resilience when we’re feeling overwhelmed by tears. Trusting in God’s presence and assistance can empower us to face our challenges with hope and confidence.   Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes assure us that our tears are not in vain and that God offers comfort to those who grieve. This verse reminds us that mourning is a natural part of life, but it also promises the comforting embrace of God’s love and compassion. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 This passage acknowledges God’s role as the source of comfort and encouragement in times of trouble. It reminds us that our tears can be transformed into opportunities to comfort and support others who are also experiencing sorrow, fostering a sense of solidarity and empathy. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 Jesus’ promise of peace reassures us that we can find tranquility and calmness in the midst of tears and turmoil. This verse encourages us to trust in God’s peace, which surpasses worldly understanding, and to find solace in the presence of the Prince of Peace.   We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 Read more…

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St. Maximilian Kolbe’s weapon for evangelization: the Miraculous Medal

Mother & Refuge04 mins

As World War II raged around him in Poland, St. Maximilian Kolbe fought for souls using a printing press and another “weapon” — the Miraculous Medal. “Even though a person be the worst sort, if only he agrees to wear the medal, give it to him … and then pray for him, and at the proper moment strive to bring him closer to his Immaculate Mother, so that he have recourse to her in all difficulties and temptations,” Kolbe said of the Miraculous Medal. “This is truly our heavenly weapon,” the saint said, describing the medal as “a bullet with which a faithful soldier hits the enemy, i.e. evil, and thus rescues souls.” The Miraculous Medal is a sacramental inspired by the Marian apparition to St. Catherine Labouré in Paris in 1830. The Virgin Mary appeared to Labouré as the Immaculate Conception standing on a globe with light streaming from her hands and crushing a serpent under her foot. “A voice said to me, ‘Have a medal struck after this model. All who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck,’” Labouré said. As a Franciscan seminarian studying in Rome in 1917, Kolbe was moved by the story of the role the Miraculous Medal played in the conversion of Alphonse Ratisbonne. Ratisbonne was a French Freemason and an atheist of Jewish descent who received the grace of conversion while wearing a Miraculous Medal given to him by one of his Catholic friends in Rome. The Virgin Mary appeared to Ratisbonne on Jan. 20, 1842, in a side chapel in the Church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte in Rome. St. Maximilian Kolbe chose to celebrate his first Mass on April 29, 1918, in the side chapel in Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, where the Virgin Mary appeared to Ratisbonne. Ratisbonne went on to be ordained a Jesuit priest and eventually left the order to move to Jerusalem in 1855 to found a convent for sisters in the Congregation of Our Lady of Sion, a congregation founded to “to witness in the Church and in the world that God continues to be faithful in his love for the Jewish people.” Read more…

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Miracles in Malta: Grace Through Mary’s Intercession!

Mother & Refuge021 mins

he Maltese Archipelago is renowned for its picturesque coastline, exceptional diving spots, and vibrant festas. It also holds a deep and ancient devotion to the Virgin Mary, manifested in several Marian shrines popularly and officially recognized as being miraculous. The rich history and significance of these shrines, and the numerous Marian miraculous events and icons found in this small island nation ceaselessly draw pilgrims and devotees from around the world.   The role of Mary in Christianity Myriam of Nazareth holds a central place in Christian theology as the Theotokos – literally, the God-bearer. Since the very early days of Christianity, Mary has been venerated for her virtue, obedience, and intercessory power. Indeed, the first Marian apparition (a bilocation, in fact) is traditionally believed to have occurred to the Apostle James in Spain around the year 40, while Mary was still alive. Tradition claims that when the apostle St. James the Greater was facing immense challenges while preaching in the Iberian Peninsula, he went to look for some solace in prayer by the banks of the Ebro river. During his supplications, the Virgin Mary appeared to him, standing on a jasper pillar carried by angels. This extraordinary event marked the first recorded apparition of the Blessed Mother – an event commemorated as Our Lady of the Pillar. Tradition claims that St. James the Greater prayed by the banks of the Ebro river. During his supplications, the Virgin Mary appeared to him, standing on a jasper pillar carried by angels.-archizaragoza Since then, different traditions understand Mary’s intercessory role as a fundamental principle of Christian life. Numerous apparitions and miraculous events reported worldwide, including those of Fatima, Lourdes, and Guadalupe (just to name three of the most famous ones) have reinforced, spread, and confirmed this belief. Malta, with its deep Marian devotion, has its own share of miraculous sites that underscore the island’s rich Christian heritage. Malta’s Marian devotion Malta’s Christian community dates back to the apostolic age, with the providential arrival of St. Paul in AD 60. This early establishment has resulted in an enduring and fervent Marian devotion among the Maltese people. Malta boasts a remarkable number of churches and chapels, many of which are dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Among these, several stand out for the miraculous graces attributed to them. One of these significant Marian sites is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa. Local tradition holds that St. Luke the Evangelist himself, Paul’s companion during his trips, painted an image of the Virgin Mary during their stay on the island. However, further research has shown that the image dates back to the 13th century, possibly the 12th century. The original church of the Malta National Marian Shrine of the Hodegetria is a cave church. This site has been a focal point for Marian devotion for centuries, with numerous pilgrims visiting to seek graces and offer thanks for miracles received.Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Malta. Photo by Ian Noel Pace © The icon, reflecting Byzantine traditions, depicts Mary in all her majesty, holding the Child Jesus and symbolizing her role as the Theotokos. Restoration work has revealed fascinating details about the icon, including inscriptions and symbols emphasizing Mary’s eternal virginity and royal status. This site has thus been a focal point for Marian devotion for centuries, with numerous pilgrims visiting to seek graces and offer thanks for miracles received. The sanctuary’s walls are covered with ex-votos, which range from handwritten notes to baby clothes (and even a motorcycle helmet!), all testifying to the Virgin’s intercessory power. The underground grotto at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa is associated with multiple miraculous occurrences. The chapel in the grotto was hewn out of the hard limestone, thanks to a Sicilian devotee of Our Lady who was a regular visitor to the Sanctuary. He is also responsible for commissioning a white statue of Our Lady holding the Holy Infant on her left arm, at the far end of the chapel. Over the years, thousands of pilgrims have visited the underground chapel, and prayed before the Madonna, attributing to her many miraculous interventions and healings, both spiritual and temporal. The Archbishop of Malta H.E. Mgr. Charles J. Scicluna celebrating Holy Mass at the Mellieha National Shrine of the Hodegetria | Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Malta. Photo by Ian Noel Pace © Events recorded in 1887, 1888, and 1948 are particularly famous. Various groups of people on different dates and time were gathered to pray and beheld the white statue of Our Lady repeatedly moving her right hand, making the Sign of the Cross. In the Sanctuary Archives there are 13 separate documents that record these happenings. All give a very detailed description of each event, and are signed under oath by all those present. The last time such a happening took place was reported after World War II, in 1948. A group of 10 people declared under oath that they witnessed the White Lady of the Chapel moving her right hand. Various groups of people on different dates and time were gathered to pray and beheld the white statue of Our Lady repeatedly moving her right hand, making the Sign of the Cross.Marinella Bandini | ALETEIA The icon of Our Lady of Mellieħa, and the white statue of Our Lady in the underground grotto are not alone. The Maltese archipelago is home to several miraculous images of the Virgin Mary. These images, revered by thousands of believers, are central to the island’s religious and cultural life.   Take, for example, the miraculous image kept at the Ta’ Pinu Basilica on the island of Gozo. The beginnings of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Ta’ Pinu are rather ancient. It is known that the original local church was a small chapel, known as Ta’ Ġentile, dedicated to the Assumption. The name Ta’ Ġentile was eventually dropped and the church became known as Ta’ Pinu (“Of Pinu,” Philip), named after Pinu Gauci, who had become the procurator of the church in 1598. Eventually, the modest unknown chapel in the countryside became a revered Marian shrine, visited by droves of Gozitans, Maltese and people beyond the sea. But why? In 1883, Karmni Grima, from Għarb,…

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This was Mother Teresa’s final letter before she died!

Mother & Refuge04 mins

Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997, and was highly regarded for her generosity and love of the “poorest of the poor.”   Her ministry was very difficult and it was only through her deep love of Jesus that she was able to stay close to him for many decades. When the Catholic Church canonized her in 2016, the Office of Readings for her feast had to be selected and the Church chose her final letter before her death. Final letter Her final letter was written only a few hours before she died on September 5 and is a beautiful summary of her spirituality.   First she exhorts her sisters to stay united to Jesus through Mary: This brings you Mother’s love, prayer and blessing that each one of you may be only all for Jesus through Mary. I know that Mother says often – “Be only all for Jesus through Mary” – but that is because that is all Mother wants for you, all Mother wants from you. If in your heart you are only all for Jesus through Mary, and if you do everything only all for Jesus through Mary, you will be a true Missionary of Charity. Thank you for all the loving wishes you sent for the Society Feast. We have much to thank God for, especially that He has given us Our Lady’s spirit to be the spirit of our Society. Loving Trust and Total Surrender made Our Lady say “Yes” to the message of the angel, and Cheerfulness made her to run in haste to serve her cousin Elizabeth. That is so much our life — saying “Yes” to Jesus and running in haste to serve Him in the poorest of the poor.   Mother Teresa also focuses on the words of Jesus, “I thirst,” which became a focal point of her religious order: Let us keep close to Our Lady and she will make that same spirit grow in each one of us. September 10 is coming very close. That is another beautiful chance for us to stand near Our Lady, to listen to the Thirst of Jesus and to answer with our whole heart. It is only with Our Lady that we can hear Jesus cry, “I Thirst,” and it is only with Our Lady that we can thank God properly for giving this great gift to our Society.   Read more…

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