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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Strange occurrences	Bill	Monday, September 28, 2009
Question: I was what could best be described as a lapsed Catholic, but I am returning strongly to faith. I have been routinely going to weekly mass, making a monthly confession, and daily praying the rosary. I started doing this within the last 2 months. Since I began doing these things, I've noticed some strange occurrences. While praying the rosary I began to feel weak and sickly. This happened only a couple of times after recently reinstituting this devotion. I have also been waking up at night routinely between 2:30 and 3:30 in the morning. This has been happening consistently since I began coming back to practicing my faith. (This very thing took place in the movie The exorcism of Emily Rose. I understand it's just a movie but I couldn't help but notice the similarity). The weirdest thing that took place was one night while praying my rosary. One of my cats jumped on the bed (I was kneeling beside my bed) and began playing with the slack part of the rosary beads. I thought nothing about it as he is a playful and friendly kitty. But next, after I put him down from the bed he began to meow and then jumped on my head. I pushed him away and told him no and he stayed away until I finished praying. Is there something going on here, or is it just my imagination playing tricks on me in the face of series of coincidnces? Thanks.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Bill: It is not unusual to be attacked by the enemy when, after a time away from God, we return to God. Your returning to God makes the devil angry and he will try to convince you to stop your return. The things you are describing are consistent with the sorts of harassments that are known to happen to people who move closer to God, especially after being away from God for while. The sickly feeling when praying the rosary is the devil's verison of "adversion therapy". If he can get you to associate the rosary with illness, then perhaps you will stop praying the rosary. The cat is a diversionary tactic to disrupt your praying. Waking up on or around 3am is also a common occurrence. 3am is the "devil's hour." It is the backside of 3pm, which is the hour of Christ's Passion. Many rituals of satanists an occultists take place from midnight to 3am (what could be called the "witching" hours). When you are awakened around 3am like that, say a prayer, such as a Hail Mary, and also say a quick prayer for all those people caught in evil, and for their victims. Perseverance is the key to the Christian life. Resist the devil and he shall flee, St. James tells us (James 4:7), So, persevere through these and any other harassments knowing that these are tactics of the enemy trying to get you to quit your devotion and friendship with God. He attempts will fail as you keep your eyes on Christ. 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

Strange occurrences

Bill

Monday, September 28, 2009

Question:

I was what could best be described as a lapsed Catholic, but I am returning strongly to faith. I have been routinely going to weekly mass, making a monthly confession, and daily praying the rosary. I started doing this within the last 2 months.

Since I began doing these things, I've noticed some strange occurrences. While praying the rosary I began to feel weak and sickly. This happened only a couple of times after recently reinstituting this devotion. I have also been waking up at night routinely between 2:30 and 3:30 in the morning. This has been happening consistently since I began coming back to practicing my faith. (This very thing took place in the movie The exorcism of Emily Rose. I understand it's just a movie but I couldn't help but notice the similarity).

The weirdest thing that took place was one night while praying my rosary. One of my cats jumped on the bed (I was kneeling beside my bed) and began playing with the slack part of the rosary beads. I thought nothing about it as he is a playful and friendly kitty. But next, after I put him down from the bed he began to meow and then jumped on my head. I pushed him away and told him no and he stayed away until I finished praying.

Is there something going on here, or is it just my imagination playing tricks on me in the face of series of coincidnces? Thanks.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Bill:

It is not unusual to be attacked by the enemy when, after a time away from God, we return to God. Your returning to God makes the devil angry and he will try to convince you to stop your return.

The things you are describing are consistent with the sorts of harassments that are known to happen to people who move closer to God, especially after being away from God for while.

The sickly feeling when praying the rosary is the devil's verison of "adversion therapy". If he can get you to associate the rosary with illness, then perhaps you will stop praying the rosary.

The cat is a diversionary tactic to disrupt your praying.

Waking up on or around 3am is also a common occurrence. 3am is the "devil's hour." It is the backside of 3pm, which is the hour of Christ's Passion. Many rituals of satanists an occultists take place from midnight to 3am (what could be called the "witching" hours).

When you are awakened around 3am like that, say a prayer, such as a Hail Mary, and also say a quick prayer for all those people caught in evil, and for their victims.

Perseverance is the key to the Christian life. Resist the devil and he shall flee, St. James tells us (James 4:7), So, persevere through these and any other harassments knowing that these are tactics of the enemy trying to get you to quit your devotion and friendship with God. He attempts will fail as you keep your eyes on Christ.

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.