AboutFr. Timothy Johnson Expertise A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001, and so am entering into my 7th year of Sacred Ministry.
Organizations Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
Question I'm not sure what to make of thses strange dreams I've had for a couple nights recently that were religious in nature...
maybe it's my new diet..the hot weather...stress
The night of one dream, there was a repeatative movie trailer running on TV for the latest scary movie about a curse/demons- before ignoring the movie advertisment I remember thinking "what a stupid plot line for a movie, why doesn't the person who is "cursed" pray and be done with it"
So that night, the first dream was that I walked into a darkly lit home and I was going to stay there (my place but not how it looks in real life, mixed with fictional rooms etc) I got the feeling that the rooms were haunted by evil spirits, feeling pressure in the room and seeing shadows... so I started to pray a Hail Mary..maybe an our father to bannish any evil presence and be at peace in "that home that I had to stay in" and I thought in my dream "as unpleasant as this is, it's nothing to be afraid of.." although it was hard the prayers did work in the dream and I was protected.
The cause of the second dream might be: I used to be terrified of the topic of "the evil one, evil spirits etc" so much that I used to obsess about it. At mass the night before teh second dream- I remembered when I used to be like this, until I actually read about Jesus' miricles..God's actual power..protection of saints and angels etc..all over the last few years.
Later that night my subconcious dreamed of something that I don't remember only that it was the same nature of being "scared of/disliking the topic of evil spirits-but (sort of remember) thinking I should stay closer to God/remmeber his power-and actually say my bedtime prayers"
Given the above situations before sleeping.... and that I'm naturally anxious and just need reassurance that it's a dream about how I feel about something...
-just like if for example, I "didnt like spiders", and before sleeping I was reminded of them, then dreamed about them! in that case my dislike of "evil things" cause me to dream of that situation??
I didn't want to ask anyone who would over-interpret the dream, just give me reassurance in a rational answer
Thanks!
Answer Hi, J...
Thanks for the question.
Yeah. It sounds to me like this is "something that has been on your mind," and it made its way into your dreams. It is great that you had the presence of mind and reflection to think to pray in the dream. I have had similar experiences on rare occasion.
Certainly pray, as well, before lying down to sleep for the night.
