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.
How subtle is the devil?
I am currently working through deliverance sessions (only had one so far), and while my priest and his team affirmed the oppression and Freemasonry curse in my life, I can't help feeling confused still. I know the devil and demons work subtly, but how do I know that it is the work of a demon and I'm not exaggerating/overthinking? I felt something happened last time during the session, but I still don't know what to make of it all.
Foster and adopted children
**I posted this on another thread for June's ama? But not sure which one is the right one so posting here as well. Someone else replied in that original post showing interest on this and adding a bit more.**** Hey Padre - Can you please shine some light as to the spiritual baggage foster children and adopted children carry and how we as foster/adoptive parents can help break, pray or assist in any of these? I know parents have a certain spiritual authority over their children and can even do some deliverance prayers over them, but would like to understand how that works with foster kids especially, when they are under your care just temporarily (even if it's a long period of time) thanks!
Psychics invoking protection
I noticed that many psychic mediums such as Teresa Caputo (the “Long Island Medium”) say a prayer to Saint Michael requesting protection before they do a reading, and ask that nothing evil be allowed to come through their readings. Is invoking a saint’s protection enough to stop Demons from using these readings to influence people?
4th class relics?
Hi father, I have read elsewhere on the internet (on a Catholic web site scripturecatholic.com) that there is a difference between a 3rd class & 4th class relic. It said that a 3rd class relic can only be created from touching it to a 1st class relic. if a relic is created by touching it to a 2nd class relic, then it is a 4th class relic which, to some, is not considered a relic at all. I wear a miraculous medal that I touched to a 2nd class relic of a piece of clothing of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since there are no 1st class relics of the BVM, is my miraculous medal a real relic? It is very special to me. I know that relics are not magic, but i am seeking to understand it better. Thank you for your ministry.
Eucarist in other non-catholic Christian churches possible?
Hi!! I was walking around in DC and saw a sign outside an Episcopal Anglican church that said their service times AND their Eucarist times. That left my husband and I wondering if other non-catholic Christian churches can have valid consecration or if those are fake, “wanna be the real thing”? We thought the Eucharist is only made possible by the ordained priest of the Catholic Church.
Angela Ford, Army Psychic
Father, Have you ever heard of Angela Ford. She was an army psychic who worked as a "Remote Viewer" for the army. She was interviewed the Shawn Ryan Show on Youtube (Episode 145). In the middle of the interview, Shawn asked if she had ever looked in the past using her so-called abilities. He asked if she had ever looked at the crucifxion using these abilities. When asked this question, she froze. (It is at about 1hr:31min:00 mark of the video) She couldn't open her mouth and had a disturbed expression on her face. She could barely nod her head. It really seemed like something was preventing her from speaking. It looked really spooky. Have you seen this? I would say that she is demonically oppressed. Do you have any thoughts if you have seen this? This woman has some very disturbing beliefs. Why would the army use preternatural visionaries?
Thoughts on Father Nathan Castle and his work with spirits in the afterlife?
Hi Father Martins! What are your thoughts regarding Father Nathan Castle’s work with spirits in the afterlife? I began reading his book “Afterlife Interrupted” and a lot of red flags started going up based on what we’ve talked about on Exorcist Files. What he does sounds dangerously close to necromancy and his “prayer partners” sound a lot like mediums.. I am very new to the Faith as I was just confirmed at the Easter Vigil this year and I’ve been reading a lot of Catholic literature trying to help deepen my understanding when I stumbled upon Father Castle’s book. The more I read, the more questions I had. Are you familiar with him or the work he does? I obviously do not have anywhere near the amount of experience or understanding that an ordained priest does so I am in no way attempting to undermine him or his works, I just need help understanding how all that he does is compatible with the Church. I trust your stance wholeheartedly based on what you’ve experienced so I’d like to know if this is something to be wary of or not. Thank you!
Games that use "magic"
I like playing games for fun and leisure. But something has bothered me for years: Games with "magic" in them. Zelda, Link, Diablo, Final Fantasy 7, Skyrim, World of Warcraft to name a few. Is it alright to play these games that incorporate "magic" mechanics into the game play or not, or it it a grey area? I think catholics would generally tell me it's all make believe and fantasy so no harm done don't be scrupulous it's not real, unlike actual witchcraft and Magik. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter. Thanks.