Talk on Angels and Demons

 I am glad I was able to attend via Zoom meeting the short talk of Fr. Joseph Mendoza, Chief Exorcist, Lipa, Batangas, entitled “Talk on Angels & Demons.” His book, Iadya Mo Kami, is available at St. Pauls and on Lazada. I thank God for this opportunity.

Somehow, I feel that I am finally beginning to move on from last week’s Spiritual Warfare Conference with the special guest exorcist, Fr. Carlos Martins which I was unable to attend.

Studying spiritual warfare is not something we should be afraid of or simply avoid. In fact, many lay Catholics are not aware of this aspect of our faith, and some priests may also be less familiar or less comfortable discussing it. (pls read: Ephesians 6:12)

For me, the topic was somewhat of a refresher because I had already been reading books about angels and angelology since I was young.

Among the things we learned were the hierarchy of angels and the nine choirs of angels, as well as the traditional understanding that one-third of the angels rebelled against God and fell. This is commonly associated with Revelation 12:4, which speaks of the dragon sweeping away a third of the stars of heaven, although the passage itself does not explicitly say “one-third of the angels.”

Some pointers from the talk:

1.  Angels are messengers of God.
Each of us has a guardian angel assigned to us.

2. Scripture explicitly names three archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. 

There are traditional lists of other angelic names, such as Uriel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Sealtiel, but these names do not have the same biblical authority as Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. It is therefore important to exercise caution in invoking or attempting to communicate with angels whose names are not revealed in Scripture or officially recognized by the Church. We should never knowingly invoke an unknown spiritual entity.

3. Angels are spirits and are not male or female. They are often depicted with wings because wings symbolize their spiritual nature and their mission as messengers of God.

4. Angels can communicate with one another without the limitations of human physical communication. In theological discussions, this is sometimes described in terms of interior or intellectual communication rather than human speech.

5. The higher the choir or rank of an angel, the greater its intellectual and spiritual capacity.
We do not have the authority to arbitrarily give names to angels or command them. God is their Creator and Lord.

6. Angels do not die. They are spiritual beings and are not subject to physical death.

7. The angels who rebelled against God cannot repent and become good again. Their choice against God was irrevocable.

8. The popular belief that “babies who die become angels” is not correct according to Catholic theology. Human beings and angels are different kinds of creatures. We remain human beings even after death; we do not become angels.

9. Angels cannot fall in love with human beings in the way humans do because they are pure spirits, not human beings. Their nature is fundamentally different from ours.

10. The traditional Catholic understanding is that God assigns guardian angels to His children, and the Church's understanding of angels is grounded in Sacred Scripture and developed through the teachings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, including St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas.

11. St. Michael is traditionally regarded as the Prince or leader of the heavenly armies. Revelation 12:7 specifically describes Michael and his angels battling the dragon.

IMPORTANT:

The Church does not teach that deceased loved ones freely wander around the world or come back to give messages ("nagpaparamdam"). The clearest biblical passage about this is Luke 16:19–31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. After death, there is a “great chasm” between the two states that cannot be crossed.

In cases where people believe they are seeing or communicating with a deceased loved one, a demon may potentially imitate that person's appearance or presence in order to deceive or confuse them. This is why the Church warns us against occult practices and attempts to communicate with spirits.

Sacramentals and Devotion in Spiritual Warfare

 I’ve been reading and studying spiritual warfare on my own for several years now. I deeply admire Filipino exorcists such as Fr. Jose Syquia and the Dominican exorcist Fr. Winston Cabading. My library also includes books by well-known American exorcists such as Fr. Chad Ripperger, Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, and Fr. Carlos Martins, as well as the works of the late Vatican exorcist Fr. Gabriele Amorth.

Spiritual warfare is very real. Today, we can clearly see the many ways evil is at work in our world. As Roman Catholics, we have been blessed with the sacraments and sacramentals that the Church provides to strengthen us in our spiritual battle.

As shown in the photo, these sacramentals have long been treasured by the Church and are powerful aids in our spiritual life when used with faith and devotion. Above all, they remind us to remain close to Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and a life of holiness, with special devotion to our Blessed Mother Mary, the Queen of Angels, and to St. Michael the Archangel.

The Rosary – Often called the "prayer of roses," the Holy Rosary is one of the most powerful prayers in the Church. It has long been regarded as a mighty weapon against evil and a source of grace through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother.

The Brown Scapular – I received my Brown Scapular from a Carmelite brother. It is made of cloth, as the traditional Brown Scapular should be. It is a beautiful sign of consecration to Our Lady and a reminder to live a faithful Christian life.

The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary – This beautiful devotion honors the Seven Sorrows of Our Blessed Mother. It is one of my favorite devotions and is also recommended by Fr. Chad Ripperger, especially for those engaged in spiritual warfare and for praying for exorcist priests.

The St. Benedict Medal – The St. Benedict Medal has been used by the Church for centuries and is well known for its prayers of protection against evil. As a Benedictine Oblate, I wear it every day together with my Miraculous Medal.

The Miraculous Medal – As a little girl, I asked Our Blessed Mother to adopt me as her daughter. Having studied in a school run by the Vincentian Fathers and the Daughters of Charity, the Miraculous Medal has always held a very special place in my heart.

The St. Michael Stone from Mt. Gargano, Italy – This stone comes from the Sanctuary of St. Michael on Mt. Gargano, where, according to Catholic tradition, St. Michael the Archangel appeared. It is sometimes associated with exorcism because of the shrine's long spiritual history. This stone is very precious to me because it is not easy to obtain. St. Michael, the leader of the heavenly armies, is the archangel who defeated Satan and continues to protect the faithful through his powerful intercession.

 Prayers for the Laity – Every Catholic should have a collection of sound and Church-approved deliverance prayers. These prayers help us seek God's protection and resist the influence of evil while remaining within the proper role of the laity. I highly recommend Deliverance Prayers for the Laity by Fr. Chad Ripperger. I also keep and regularly use Fr. Jose Syquia's Deliverance Prayer Book, which contains beautiful Catholic prayers for protection, healing, and spiritual warfare. Both are valuable resources for strengthening one's spiritual life and trust in God's power.

My Journey From Darkness to the Light of Christ

Today was a very fruitful day. I was able to fix my cabinet. My cabinet, which is full of my religious books, was in a bit of disarray because I had simply shoved all the books inside. Now, I have somehow arranged the books neatly. They are not really categorized, but at least they are sitting neatly inside my cabinet now.

As I have mentioned, I have studied spiritual warfare for quite a while now, particularly in my later adult years. My spiritual life has had its ups and downs. Some of you might think that I have a very strong religious foundation, but that is not the case. There are even priests and religious who have left the Roman Catholic Church and never returned.

I thank God for opening my eyes and allowing me to experience what it was like outside of the Catholic Church. I have seen different beliefs and practices and have come to understand that many things have their roots in the Roman Catholic Church, including the Eastern Catholic Churches.

As I have mentioned before, I was once swayed and went toward the dark and occult side. I watched those teenage American witchcraft series that carried messages about believing in yourself, having powers within you, and being one with nature. Back then, as a teenager, I had many insecurities, along with the pressure to excel in my studies—particularly in Math, which was my weakness and remains my least favorite subject until now. I am still not very fond of it.

I was influenced by a schoolmate of mine. She was younger than me, and mind you, I was studying in a Catholic school. At that time, the high school was an exclusive school for girls. I was educated in one of the institutions run by the Daughters of Charity and Vincentian priests.

That is why the Miraculous Medal is also very close to my heart. My family and I are enrolled as members for life.

My teenage life was quite rough. That was when my favorite shirt was black, and I listened to rock music—sometimes even heavy metal. Then I became involved in the occult, chanting from The Book of the Dead, reading, and becoming hooked on vampire stories. The occult was difficult to remove from my system. I confessed about it many times, but it kept coming back—even in my late 30s.

I also watched the popular Harry Potter movies. I truly believe that this is not a good thing, even though many parents believe it is harmless. To me, it is witchcraft disguised and presented in a harmless way.

In the Holy Bible, our Lord God strongly condemns fortune-telling, sorcery, and witchcraft, calling them an abomination. These practices lead a person to place their trust in another power rather than trusting God alone.

To cut the story short, I flunked my Math subject instead of passing it. Yet God has always been very good to me. Before, I was heartbroken because I had failed. But now, looking back, I realize that if I had passed, I might still have been lost and living a wayward life. The schoolmate who influenced me eventually dropped out of school.

I came to know the St. Benedict Medal when I was a child. I thank my late aunt, whom I called Mama Nitz. I became familiar with the medal because of her, as well as with the Holy Name of Jesus stampita.

Now, I wear the St. Benedict Medal not only as a faithful Catholic, but also because I am an Oblate novice of the Order of St. Benedict. I thank God for the grace of placing me where I am today.

It is not advisable to become overly focused on exorcists or exorcism. Too much or excessive focus on anything is not good. But as Catholics, we should be knowledgeable and vigilant.

Shown here are my collection of books by foreign and local exorcists, whom I admire for their faith, calling, and bravery in fighting evil in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Filipino readers and those who are just starting to learn about spiritual warfare, I recommend Fr. Jose Syquia's three-part series, as well as the local book The Exorcist Files, which contains compiled stories of exorcist priests in the Philippines. This is different from Fr. Carlos Martins' book, which was released in 2023.

I also suggest having a Catholic handbook of deliverance prayers by Fr. Jose Syquia, as well as the one by Fr. Chad Ripperger. For a more in-depth and educational formal work—one that is quite heavy because it also involves psychology—I recommend Fr. Chad Ripperger's Dominion.

You should also have in your collection the books of the late Fr. Gabriele Amorth. You may also try reading the popular podcaster Fr. Carlos Martins' book, The Exorcist Files, as well as Msgr. Stephen Rossetti's Diary of an American Exorcist.

Our world is in chaos now, and all the more we should pray for our priests who are engaged in spiritual warfare. As the Bible says in Ephesians 6:12, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers and rulers of the darkness of this world.

As we live our lives here on earth, knowing that our time here is short and that we are merely pilgrims passing through, we must choose which side we are on: good or evil, light or darkness.

As for me, I choose the light of Christ.

Movie Review: Nefarious

           

I've read many books on exorcism and spiritual warfare over the years. To many people, it's a frightening and unusual topic to explore. I think that's largely because mainstream media and Hollywood often portray exorcism as something far more terrifying and sensational than what experienced exorcists actually describe.

I own the complete set of books by Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia, Director of the Office of Exorcism of the Archdiocese of Manila. I also have several books on spiritual warfare written by respected foreign exorcists such as Fr. Gabriele Amorth, Msgr. Stephen Rossetti, and Fr. Chad Ripperger. Reading their works has given me a deeper appreciation of the Church's teaching on spiritual warfare and the importance of relying on God's grace rather than living in fear.

The Philippines is also blessed to have Asia's first dedicated exorcism center—the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Liberation and Exorcism.

If you truly want a more realistic and faith-centered portrayal of exorcism, I highly recommend watching this film. It has also been recommended by well-known exorcists such as Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P., and Fr. Carlos Martins, C.C.

The story begins with the mysterious death of a psychiatrist. It follows Dr. James Martin, an atheist psychiatrist, who is tasked with evaluating Edward Wayne Brady, a convicted serial killer. His findings will determine whether Brady is legally insane—and whether he will be spared or sentenced to the electric chair. As the story unfolds, the film explores profound themes of demonic influence, faith, skepticism, and the enduring battle between good and evil. One scene from the movie that struck me and is one of the scene that you should be watch out for is when Dr. Martin asked how Brady got possessed by Nefarious, the devil answered it is a process involving bad choices, immoral acts and temptations. 

Whether one agrees with every aspect of the film or not, it reminds us that our greatest battle is not merely physical but also spiritual. In a world filled with confusion, violence, temptation, and moral darkness, we are called to remain vigilant, deepen our relationship with God, and, as St. Paul reminds us, "put on the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11).

If you haven't watched this movie yet, I encourage you to give it a chance. In my opinion, it is one of the more thoughtful and grounded films on the subject, especially when compared with many Hollywood possession movies that focus primarily on horror and sensationalism. 

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✠ May our Lord Jesus Christ cover us with His Precious Blood, and may our Blessed Mother Mary protect us beneath her holy mantle.

St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!

The Benedictine Way

 It has been a few days since I submitted my application to join the Oblates of St. Benedict. Earlier, I was accepted as a postulant among the Lay Cistercians as a lay contemplative. However, even after being accepted, I continued communicating with the vocation director of the Oblates, a Benedictine monk and priest.

He explained to me that the Cistercians are primarily contemplative, while the Benedictines also have an active apostolate, such as teaching and running schools and universities. This reminded me of San Beda University in Manila, which is run by the Benedictines, and within the university is the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat. That is where I had my medals blessed by a Benedictine priest. It is important to me that a Benedictine priest bless them, as they have a special blessing that includes the exorcism of the medals, which is unique to the Benedictine tradition.

I feel that I truly belong here because my acceptance will eventually be completed in my own parish. The investiture kit will be sent from the United States, and I will be formally affiliated with a Benedictine monastery there.

I am now waiting for the right time to inform the vocation director of the Lay Cistercians that I will be withdrawing my application with them, as I cannot serve two masters. I am drawn to the Benedictine way of life because it offers a balance between work and prayer. I feel joyful knowing that a priest will personally guide me and check on me along the way

Who is St. Benedict? 

St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480–547) is known as the Father of Western Monasticism. He was born in Nursia (now Norcia, Italy) during the decline of the Roman Empire. As a young man, he was sent to Rome to study, but he became deeply disturbed by the moral corruption he witnessed there. Seeking God above all else (quaerere Deum), he left Rome to live a life of prayer and solitude.

Benedict spent several years as a hermit in a cave at Subiaco, where he devoted himself to prayer, fasting, and spiritual discipline. Over time, others were drawn to his holiness and wisdom, and he began to guide disciples. Though he faced opposition and even attempts on his life, Benedict remained steadfast, emphasizing humility, obedience, and discernment.

Eventually, he founded Monte Cassino, the monastery that became the model for Benedictine life. There, he wrote the Rule of St. Benedict, a balanced guide for monastic living centered on prayer (ora), work (labora), community life, and moderation. The Rule’s wisdom and humanity allowed it to endure for centuries and shape Christian life across Europe.

St. Benedict died peacefully at Monte Cassino, standing in prayer, supported by his monks. He was proclaimed Patron Saint of Europe and is remembered for teaching a way of life rooted in stability, humility, and the loving search for God—principles that continue to inspire monks, nuns, and oblates around the world.

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Spiritual Warfare and Our Lady of Sorrows Chaplet

           I recently wrote something about exorcism and spiritual warfare. This topic isn’t new to me since I’ve already read and collected many books about it—mostly by Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia, the Director of the Archdiocese of Manila Office on Exorcism; the late Fr. Gabriele Amorth, former exorcist of the Diocese of Rome; and Fr. Carlos Martins, an American exorcist.

Now, I’d like to talk about the works of Fr. Chad Ripperger, a traditionalist American Catholic priest and exorcist. By “traditionalist,” I mean he is a conservative Roman Catholic who was once ordained under the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. He later founded the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother, also known as the Doloran Fathers. Through them, I was encouraged and inspired to have a devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows.

I also shared with them my desire to join their auxiliary group—prayer warriors who offer prayers for priests and all those involved in spiritual warfare, under the special protection of our Blessed Mother. This ministry truly touched my heart because, during my younger and more chaotic years, I was once involved in witchcraft and the occult. But in His mercy, God did not allow me to remain in darkness—He pulled me out of the pit. I am forever grateful to Him and to our Blessed Mother. I have also informed my spiritual director, Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, O.P., about my intention to join the auxiliary.

 

Aside from being a member of the Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, I will do my best to also pray the Chaplet of Our Lady of Sorrows. This chaplet has its own special rosary, much like the Chaplet of St. Michael.

As shown in the photo, these are the chaplet and rosary of Our Lady of Sorrows, along with books by Fr. Chad Ripperger. His book Dominion discusses everything about spiritual warfare, but before reading it, it’s best to start with Introduction to the Science of Mental Health, also written by him and based on the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas.

I pray that, in my own small way, through prayer, I can help support the ministry of priests and all those engaged in spiritual warfare.

May our Blessed Mother cover me with her mantle, and may our Lord Jesus protect me with His Precious Blood. Amen.