The Catholic Message Board

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?

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?

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

Obi-Wan Kenobi wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2024 8:52 pm Always suspect natural causes (including mental illness and just plain jerki-ness) before going for the demonic.

THIS ^^^^^

" 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.

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.

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.

Thank you for your feedback!