Feedback Requested re: Peculiar interaction (probably not demonic?)

[SunshineBre88]

Hello,

I'd like some feedback on an odd situation I faced this morning, if possible.

I've recently returned to the Catholic Church, but was baptised and received first communion as a child, so I'm not 100% sure on how everything works. I've decided to make a habit of praying the rosary daily, and was reciting the prayers in my head while on the bus. A girl who was visibly under the influence sat beside me, and I decided to pray for her, given that it seemed she was suffering. She was mumbling incoherently a fair bit.
Soon after I started to pray Hail Mary in my head (again, silently, without my rosary out), she started saying "Bloody Mary" a few times, and got to be fairly loud. Meanwhile, I had my earbuds in, and was listening to the Lord of the Rings sounds track (one of the songs that sounds like a hymn) on low to try to block out her mumbling with occasional loud laughter & shouting. I was finding it extremely difficult to focus on those prayers. She suddenly ripped my earbuds out of my ears and seemed to revel in holding them. I reacted more violently than I had expected and seemed to be on instinct. I smacked her arm, grabbed my earbuds back, and said "Don't steal my (censored), (censored)". For the record, I dislike swearing, and try not to. She quieted down after this.

I realize that it might seem like I'm blowing this out of proportion, but this interaction really did rattle me, and I'm having difficulty making sense of it. I also realize that whatever she was struggling with may not have been literal demons but a combination of whatever substance she had taken and her own trauma, but I find somethings peculiar (namely, starting to mumble about "bloody Mary" as soon as I pray "Hail Mary").

Thoughts?

[VeryTas]

Off the top of my head, any chance she might have needed to stick the buds in her own ears and hear what you were hearing?

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

Always suspect natural causes (including mental illness and just plain jerki-ness) before going for the demonic.

[Kage_ar]

Always suspect natural causes (including mental illness and just plain jerki-ness) before going for the demonic.

THIS ^^^^^

[BobCatholic]

" I started to pray Hail Mary in my head (again, silently, without my rosary out), she started saying "Bloody Mary" a few times"

That is weird.

Demons cannot read your mind but they can see if you're trying to pray and will seek to interrupt you.

I suspect that this woman was under severe demonic obsession - basically demons were putting thoughts in her head, and she just reacted to those thoughts in her natural way.

Fr. Ripperger has some great deliverance prayers and you should pray a perimeter prayer to keep demons away from you.

[Kage_ar]

We are always to assume the boring, natural answer unless someone can prove otherwise. This lady likely has some mental illness or substance issue. Whisper a prayer for her and move in.

We ought not assume every interruption during prayer is a demon. It is most likely just a natural thing.

[gherkin]

Always a good idea to wear a properly blessed St. Benedict medal. They are very powerful. Apart from that, I agree with Kage and Fr. Kenobi, and suggest that it's usually a bad idea to even think about demons.

Your guardian angel, yes, but other spirits, not so much.

[SunshineBre88]

Thank you for your feedback!