Demonic Obsession
Hi Father and Ryan, 2 questions. 1. On page 53 of your book you explain obsession. Specifically about excessive prayer or self mortification. Can you elaborate? What would that look like? The only thing that comes to mind is the bad guy in the Davinci code. 2. What’s your opinion of hands folded as apposed to outstretched during the our father. I heard some catholic apologetics saying that’s a big no no and very “Protty” ( no offense Ryan). I never really came across it till about 2003 when I went to St Matthews in Glendale Heights Illinois while going to school. Everyone held hands unless there was a break in the line. My church now here in Harrisburg PA is a mixed bag. Typically I’ll hold hands when with family and fold them if I’m alone. I know as catholics we don’t lay on hands unless we have specific rights, (confirmation for example) but are we being heretics? Christ is Lord, and God bless fellas.
Epiphany Water
Hr Fr Martins- I was able to attend the blessing of Epiphany Water this year which was done by our diocese exorcist- since this is a rare type of Holy water and my husband and i had a gallon blessed for our own use - in some googling i came across an AI generated response saying that you can add non blessed water to holy water as long as the unblessed isnt more than the blessed. i personally didnt think this could be done - just wondering if this is something that can be valid and if i could do that with epiphany water to make more. I am making little kits for friends and some simple prayers they can use with it but if i could add more normal water to make more that would mean i could make more kits. next year i know to bring more water but this was our first time attending this blessing. thanks!
Purgatory
Hi Fr Question on purgatory and other faiths- I am a catholic and believe that when we die we go to 3 different places, heaven, purgatory or hell. I was wondering about other faiths and since they dont believe in purgatory when they die what happens? im assuming they are judged and could end up in purgatory and since they dont have masses said for their soul- they rely on us to pray for the souls in purgatory does that extend their time before they go to heaven.? guess my question is wondering if other faiths since they dont believe in purgatory could possibly end up there even though they dont believe in it..
On Free Masons
Fr Martins, My friend is a 32nd degree (I think) free mason and is also a protestant pastor. He is one of the nicest people I have ever met and has helped me greatly in times of need. I have asked him about the free masons and given my concerns, but he has just politely listened and will leave it at that. His family is constantly going through difficult times and I really feel it is because he will not renounce the free masons and separate himself from the organization. What should be my next steps, how do I help him?
Can demons prevent confessions
Hi Father and Ryan. Father, have you ever experienced someone struggling to complete a confession? I ran into a brain freeze trying to say the Act of Contrition. I couldn’t remember a single word and resorted to the pray card on the kneeler. My priest joked that he thought I was a convert.(He apologized and said “I shouldn’t make fun.”) I responded, “rightfully so, I would have made the same assumption.” I was somewhat panicked at first. Once I left and was doing my penance I thought I must have hit a nerve with that confession. Happy Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and Merry Christmas!
Clergy having different opinions inside the Church
Hi! Recently a priest of my parish said that yoga isn’t opening a door to the demonic if you’re not doing it with those intentions. In other words, he said that if you’re doing it to exercise is fine, that even he does yoga. This left me confused as I listened to the yoga episode and Fr Martins was clear about the topic. So in this case, why would he say something like that? Is the Church not united in terms of a common opinion about yoga? Please let me know! Thank you and God bless.
Deliverance prayers on foster and adopted children
Ok trying this again as I think I previously posted this question as a reply to someone else's question .. I'm a foster and adoptive parent and I would really like to get a sense on the "jurisdiction" we have to pray for these kids, specifically around deliverance. Especially as a foster parent ... As an adoptive parent the line is not as blurry. Here's the thing - we were given the book deliverance prayers for the laity by fr. Ripperger and it specifies that you have certain authority over your family and are able to pray some of these deliverance prayers. But basically also warns you to 'stay in your own lane' and don't be messing with areas you have no jurisdiction in. Where is the line drawn for foster and adoptive parents? Thanks!
Deliverance prayers on foster and adopted children
Ok trying this again as I think I previously posted this question as a reply to someone else's question .. I'm a foster and adoptive parent and I would really like to get a sense on the "jurisdiction" we have to pray for these kids, specifically around deliverance. Especially as a foster parent ... As an adoptive parent the line is not as blurry. Here's the thing - we were given the book deliverance prayers for the laity by fr. Ripperger and it specifies that you have certain authority over your family and are able to pray some of these deliverance prayers. But basically also warns you to 'stay in your own lane' and don't be messing with areas you have no jurisdiction in. Where is the line drawn for foster and adoptive parents? Thanks!
Honest Criticism
The package I bought for The Vault was a Fr. Carlos Martins deal. I want to hear his wisdom and experience in spiritual matters. I honestly value his insight more than any of the guests and I feel that the quality of the show is suffering without him. If he's not a part of the show anymore, I'm not sure I want to continue being a Vault member. I'm sure he's extremely busy, but like I said, Fr. Martins was the central part of "The Exorcist Files" package that sold me on the show.
Can a generational sin from my non-biological grandfather affect me and my immediate family?
Hello Father and Ryan! I’ll try not to make this too long, but I’ve had this question for a while ever since your episode on Freemasons. My grandfather on my dad’s side (who passed away in spring of this year, please pray for his soul) was a mason in his younger years, though I’m not sure how involved he was. We found out a couple years ago that my dad isn’t his legitimate son and the only one of his siblings not related to him by blood, but I grew up always knowing him as my grandfather so for all intents and purposes he’s still my grandfather. So I was wondering, would his connection to freemasonry affect me and my family? I’ve always had a sense of something being off with his side of the family, a lot of brokenness and addiction, yet he came out of it normal, the only one having had a desire to go to church growing up even, but I could just be overthinking it as I usually tend to do so I’m not sure. Anyway, I hope this wasn’t too long, thanks for everything that you two are doing with this show and keep up the good work! God bless you!
Ouija Boards on Tv show
Hi Fr Martin, i know playing with Boards, tarrot cards etc. can open doors, but what happens when those types of scenes appear in tv series? can watching those open doors as well? there is a particular show i watch on hallmark and last season the characters were based in a 70s era where they used a ouija board to contact the spirits as well as playing with tarrot cards (since it was a big thing back in the 70s) i know certain sexual scenes can cause impure thoughts or lead to possibly mortal sins but was wondering the occult items in tv series / movies and the effects it could cause.
If a priest alters the words of consecration does it invalidate the Eucharistic sacrifice?
On a number of occasions I have attended Mass and noted the priest deviating from the prescribed words of the consecration (including the words of Christ). One priest even would distribute communion saying “you are (whisper)- the body of Christ (audible)”. Not desiring to confront him I would just abstain from communion. Today a visiting priest altered the words slightly (used cup instead of chalice-actually started to say chalice and backtracked to ‘correct’ himself - and said ‘do this in sacred memory of me’). I know it’s minor and the old translation used cup etc, but as I was rostered as Eucharistic minister it put me in a very difficult situation. Some have suggested I’m being overly scrupulous but it’s hard to take that on board when many of the same people express doubt about the real presence.
If a priest alters the words of consecration does it invalidate the Eucharistic sacrifice?
On a number of occasions I have attended Mass and noted the priest deviating from the prescribed words of the consecration (including the words of Christ). One priest even would distribute communion saying “you are (whisper)- the body of Christ (audible)”. Not desiring to confront him I would just abstain from communion. Today a visiting priest altered the words slightly (used cup instead of chalice-actually started to say chalice and backtracked to ‘correct’ himself - and said ‘do this in sacred memory of me’). I know it’s minor and the old translation used cup etc, but as I was rostered as Eucharistic minister it put me in a very difficult situation. Some have suggested I’m being overly scrupulous but it’s hard to take that on board when many of the same people express doubt about the real presence.
dowsing rods
Hello Fr I have listened to all episodes, & read your book and only heard dowsing rods mentioned briefly- i was reading a book on the Holy Spirit and they mentioned dowsing rods being part of the occult. My husband had a pair that his grandfather showed him how to use to check for water pipes. we have both tried to use them on our property to check for the pipes underground (this was a few years ago) - once i read about them being used in the occult we both went to confession,( we were both tokd we committed no sin since our intent was not to find energy) blessed our home with exorcised salt and cleansing prayers and he bent the rods since they were metal. do we need to do anything else? we are both very devot catholics and take our faith seriously. i dont want to do anything that can open any doors! thanks
Fraternity/Sorority Initiations
When college kids join a Greek Fraternity or Sorority, there is a certain initiation ceremony in which they must participate. Since some (possibly all) of these initiation ceremonies have connections with ancient Greek pagan rituals, should those who have gone through these initiations consider renouncing them?
Beings of light
Hi Ryan and Father Martins. Thanks for what you’re doing. This question comes with a bit of backstory. My mom (baptized catholic) would tell this story how Jesus came to her and comforted her when she was younger. Knowing what I know now, I look at it with some suspicion. Your last Q&A reminded me of it and I asked to Holy Spirit “what was that?” Sure enough 2 weeks later moms visiting talking to my wife and they were on the subject of the climate of fear going on due to the COVID years among other things. I was just listening and finally chimed in about a case of Father Rehils I believe. A woman was so fearful that it became sinful. She either became oppressed or possessed can’t remember which. Lo and behold mom starts telling her Jesus story in more depth. So she’s sitting at the end of her bed. She’s 18, terrified, it’s pitch black and she’s scared of the dark. Then boop he’s there sitting next to her bathed in light in a white garment. She said “he was so real, she could feel the texture of the garment.” She couldn’t see his face but the love she felt overwhelmed any fear she had. He said “it’s ok, I’m always with you,” and that was it. He never identified himself but years later she told a family friend who’s catholic and they told her it was Jesus. So that’s what she’s believed. Yes, it most certainly could have been a dream but being that she was older I feel like she’d have a more developed understanding of what’s real or not. The 2 things that stand out in the story is 1 she couldn’t see his face which sets off my alarm bells and 2 the love that she felt with his presence. Which leads to my question. We know Satan appears as an angel of light, but can the demonic mimic emotions/feelings that typically belong to God? (Love, Joy, Comfort, etc.)
Bob Larson - "The World's Top Exorcist"
Many people regard Bob Larson as the world's greatest exorcist. He claims to have performed over 50,000 exorcisms and to have been able to deliver demons from people who were failed by priests. Do you know anything about him and can you share your thoughts on him? Here's a YouTube video of an interview with him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQu6-Gi03uM
Yoga in a Catholic primary school
Hi Father, I have a question in regards to my 6 year old. He is in grade one in a Catholic school but the teacher does yoga with the kids on PE days and reads books about witches and horned creatures. I am very concerned and expressed that my son be excluded from Yoga as it contradicts with our faith as Catholics. Could my son be in any danger as he says that he loves yoga and also talks about a lot of demonic creatures and started drawing some demonic characters from a game called "Poppy Playtime" his friends play. He doesn't play any games but goes on and on about these demonic looking characters from the game. Thanks Jackson
If medicine can do it, should we do it?
HI Father, This question is about moral theology in the topic of emerging medical technology. There has been a recent article that scientists have successfully removed the extra chromosome in lab cells linked to Down Syndrome using CRISPR technology. This research hopes that science may be able to eliminate Down Syndrome in the future using these new techniques that are being developed. Something about this feels really wrong to me, but I don't know how to navigate through the morality. On the one hand Down Syndrome is a disorder, which means that it belongs to the fallen world. If medicine can help address the great and many challenges that people with Down Syndrome face, that sounds like a good thing. But on the other hand, it seems like we are tinkering with God's creation when we start to manipulate chromosomes. If we can do this, then what is to stop science technology from using it for other things, like make "super-humans" and such. Father, it is a shame that so many babies diagnosed with Down Syndrome are aborted. I have a cousin with Down Syndrome & I love her dearly. Her innocence has a beauty that is Christ-like. "Playing God" with technology that can so dramatically alter people seems wrong. But yet I struggle to understand this as a Catholic who wants to follow what the Church teaches. Can you comment? God bless your ministry. Thank you.