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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
couple of things	luis	Monday, August 23, 2004
Question: Hi Bro. Ignatius, In Fr. Gabriel Amorths book "An Exorcist tells his Story" He recommends using the sacramentals exorcised salt, water and oil. My questions are : 1. What are the differences between these and blessed oil salt and water? If the power of these sacramentals is in the faith of the believer and not the sacramental itself (not turning it into a talisman) should there be a difference? 2. Who can exorcize these items and is a Bishops approval required, as in the Rite? 3. Is the use of these sacramentals fairly common? I wouldn't want the priest to think I'm a nutcase seeing demons behind every corner. (OK, so MAYBE a semi-nutcase!) My second question is this. Upon asking a friend of mine (a long staying priest from Indonesia), he agreed to introduce me to another priest who performs exorcisms. I volunteered to assist if he needed it, as most people prefer to stay away. What dangers are involved and do you have any advice to give? I'm a 40 year old business executive, I like to think I'm fairly stable and would like to help the good guys out a bit. Thank you and God Bless.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+ Dear Luis: On Question #1: There is no difference. The effect of creating a sacramental, regardless of whether specific exorcism language is used, still exorcises the item begin created a sacramental. On Question #2: The Rite of Exorcism has nothing to do with creating Sacramentals. The Rite of Exorcism is a sacramental designed to effect freedom from demonic forces those who are possessed. A bishop or an appointed priest are the only ones who can do a solemn exorcism. As for Sacramentals such as salt, oil, water, medals, scapulars, etc. only a priest and create sacramentals from these items. On Question #3: The Sacraments of Holy Water, Holy Salt, medals, etc. should be a common practice. The Church gives us these Sacraments and recommends them for our use. There are some liberal-type priests who think the use of sacramentals is useless, but they are not in communion with the Church on this issue. Any priest should bless water, salt, medals, etc. for you. If one doesn't then find another priest. As for Holy Oil, that is a sacramental that we can use too, but we must be very careful with its use so as not to blur the roles of laity and a priest in the Sacrament of Anointing. The Holy Oil especially blessed for the Sacrament of Anointing and for Confirmation and such cannot be used by the laity, by the way. To your Question about participating in exorcisms: Why? Why do you wish to do this? This is NOT something for anyone to do unless they have been specifically and certainly called by God to do. One should not get involved because they have a mere interest in the ministry, or out of curiosity, or out of ambition. This work is to be done ONLY by those who are specifically called to it. How does one know if they are called to this kind of work? Well, one of the first clues that one is called is that the person does NOT want to do it, does not want to touch this subject with a 10 foot pole, yet feels with great strength that God is calling them anyway. In our apostolate, if anyone comes to us wanting to be trained as a Deliverance Counsellor and they express an ambition or curiosity, rather than a undeniable calling to do something they really would prefer not doing, then we do not accept them into training. This kind of ministry is not a game, it is not something that one just volunteers for, it is serious business only for those called to do it. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

couple of things

luis

Monday, August 23, 2004

Question:

Hi Bro. Ignatius,

In Fr. Gabriel Amorths book "An Exorcist tells his Story" He recommends using the sacramentals exorcised salt, water and oil. My questions are :

1. What are the differences between these and blessed oil salt and water? If the power of these sacramentals is in the faith of the believer and not the sacramental itself (not turning it into a talisman) should there be a difference?

2. Who can exorcize these items and is a Bishops approval required, as in the Rite?

3. Is the use of these sacramentals fairly common? I wouldn't want the priest to think I'm a nutcase seeing demons behind every corner. (OK, so MAYBE a semi-nutcase!)

My second question is this. Upon asking a friend of mine (a long staying priest from Indonesia), he agreed to introduce me to another priest who performs exorcisms. I volunteered to assist if he needed it, as most people prefer to stay away. What dangers are involved and do you have any advice to give? I'm a 40 year old business executive, I like to think I'm fairly stable and would like to help the good guys out a bit. Thank you and God Bless.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+

Dear Luis:

On Question #1: There is no difference. The effect of creating a sacramental, regardless of whether specific exorcism language is used, still exorcises the item begin created a sacramental.

On Question #2: The Rite of Exorcism has nothing to do with creating Sacramentals. The Rite of Exorcism is a sacramental designed to effect freedom from demonic forces those who are possessed. A bishop or an appointed priest are the only ones who can do a solemn exorcism.

As for Sacramentals such as salt, oil, water, medals, scapulars, etc. only a priest and create sacramentals from these items.

On Question #3: The Sacraments of Holy Water, Holy Salt, medals, etc. should be a common practice. The Church gives us these Sacraments and recommends them for our use. There are some liberal-type priests who think the use of sacramentals is useless, but they are not in communion with the Church on this issue.

Any priest should bless water, salt, medals, etc. for you. If one doesn't then find another priest.

As for Holy Oil, that is a sacramental that we can use too, but we must be very careful with its use so as not to blur the roles of laity and a priest in the Sacrament of Anointing. The Holy Oil especially blessed for the Sacrament of Anointing and for Confirmation and such cannot be used by the laity, by the way.

To your Question about participating in exorcisms: Why? Why do you wish to do this? This is NOT something for anyone to do unless they have been specifically and certainly called by God to do. One should not get involved because they have a mere interest in the ministry, or out of curiosity, or out of ambition. This work is to be done ONLY by those who are specifically called to it.

How does one know if they are called to this kind of work? Well, one of the first clues that one is called is that the person does NOT want to do it, does not want to touch this subject with a 10 foot pole, yet feels with great strength that God is calling them anyway.

In our apostolate, if anyone comes to us wanting to be trained as a Deliverance Counsellor and they express an ambition or curiosity, rather than a undeniable calling to do something they really would prefer not doing, then we do not accept them into training.

This kind of ministry is not a game, it is not something that one just volunteers for, it is serious business only for those called to do it.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.