473- Can a spirit temporarily take over the corporeal envelope of a living person? In other words, can it enter an animate body and replace the spirit incarnated in it?
“A spirit does not enter a body as you enter a house. Instead, it associates with an incarnate spirit who has its same defects and qualities so that they can both act conjointly. Nevertheless, it is always the incarnate spirit who acts upon the matter enveloping it and according to its own wishes. A spirit cannot replace the one who is incarnate because the spirit is connected to the body until the time set for the end of its material existence.”
474- If there is no such thing as possession per se, that is, the cohabitation of two spirits in the same body, may a spirit nonetheless find itself dependent on another spirit so that it sees itself “subjugated” or “obsessed” by it to such a degree that its own will is in some way paralyzed?
“Yes, and these are the truly possessed. You must understand, however, that this kind of domination never occurs without the participation of the one who suffers it, either through weakness or desire. Epileptics and insane individuals have often been taken as being possessed, but they are in need of a doctor rather than an exorcist.”
In its common acceptance, the word possession presumes the existence of demons – a category of beings of a depraved nature – and the cohabitation of one of these beings with the soul of an individual in his or her body. But since there are no demons in this sense and since two spirits cannot simultaneously inhabit the same body, there can be no one who is possessed according to the idea normally attached to the word. By the expression possessed, one should only understand it to mean the absolute dependence of a soul in relation to the imperfect spirit who has subjugated it.
475- Can these persons by themselves repel such evil spirits and free themselves from their domination?
“You can always rid yourself of any burden when you have a firm will.”
476- Couldn’t it be the case that the obsession by an evil spirit is such that the subjugated person does not even perceive it? Couldn’t a third person put an end to the subjection, and in such a case, what role should he or she play?
“If the individual is morally upright, his or her will power may help by appealing to the cooperation of good spirits, because the more moral a person is, the more power that person has regarding imperfect spirits in order to repel them, and regarding good ones in order to attract them. Nevertheless, this third person will be completely powerless if the one who is subjugated does not cooperate; after all, there are persons who take delight in a dependence that satisfies their tastes and desires. In all cases, however, those who do not have a pure heart cannot have any influence whatsoever – good spirits ignore them and evil ones do not fear them.”
477- Are exorcism formulas at all effective against evil spirits?
“No. When these spirits see anyone who takes such formulas seriously, they laugh and persevere.”
478- There are persons animated by good intentions, but who are obsessed nevertheless. What are the best means for them to free themselves from obsessing spirits?
“Tire their patience, pay no attention to their suggestions and show them that they are wasting their time; then, when they see they can do nothing, they will withdraw.”
479- Is prayer an effective means for curing obsession?
“Prayer is a powerful aid in everything, but you must realize that it is insufficient to simply mutter a few words to obtain what you desire. God helps those who act – not those who limit themselves merely to asking. Therefore, obsessed persons must do their part in order to destroy in themselves the cause that attracts evil spirits.”
480- What should be thought about the expulsion of demons, spoken of in the Gospel?
“That depends on the interpretation. If you mean by demon an evil spirit who subjugates an individual, when its influence is destroyed, it will truly be expelled. If you attribute an illness to a demon, when you have cured the sickness, you will also have expelled the demon. A thing may be true or false according to the meaning given to the words. The greatest truths may seem absurd when only the form is observed and when an allegory is taken for reality. Understand this well and try to remember it because it is of universal application.”
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