Expert: Rick Jackson - 11/24/2008

Question
Hi there, I suffer from anxiety and still can't find any peace on this topic that has seriously been scaring me since that whole "Exorism of Emily Rose" hype came out around 2005.

I never saw these movies, never read these books.. but the advertisments and talk that circulated about this topic was inevitable that I would run into the topic. When I'd rather have avoided it!

What freaked me and my other Catholic friend out was that Cathilics that were even steeped in devotion can be affected by evil spirits.  

So now I am really unconfortable on a daily basis...

I know that according to the writings of a top exorcist, theses are the causes of possessions/obsessions/opressions:

1) God wills it.
-I'm fine with that (mostly..), since I trust God

2)Occult Activity.
-I reject all occult activity. Slight dabbling a long time ago, like many other youths with fortune telling games, but I confessed it and took sacrements and continue to reject any occultic things.

- OK so I feel better about that aspect, should I still be worried even if I confessed/took communion after confessing?

3)Curses put on a person even if innocent:
-I thought that since I am baptised and an active Catholic, saying prayers and taking sacrements I am protected!!??
now I'm starting the shake with doubt and fear here...

4)Hardening of Sin:
OK-so we are all sinners, including myself.. what is hardening? I know I'm not perfect. I do my best under circumstances, examine my concience and purge out my sins at confession, say daily prayers...
-still scared of being affected by possession/obession/opression

Help put my mind at ease.. is there something I'm "not getting" here??
Thanks  

Answer
Hi JT.

I see "red flags" in your comments.

1. One cannot think too hard based on a movie.  If so, then what are we to think about The Last Temptation of Christ, The Exorcist, The DaVinci Code, etc. ?

2. Who is the "top exorcist" that you cite?  

As to your Four items:

1. To "will" something means to dictate it.  To direct it...  Far more than "allowing".  NO, God does not "Will" any evil things.  He does not will illness or injury or sadness or possession by a demon or the devil himself...

2-4. Forget them.  Live in God's love daily and thank Him often for His Grace.  With Him as your Father, who or what can you fear?  Nothing!

Finally, seek personal time with a priest.  I'm not speaking of confession, but "chat time".  An hour to talk about these sorts of things will help greatly.  

I'm just text on the internet: Hearing these things from a priest will be even better :)

Peace and Blessings, JT.

Rick.