Supposedly haunted and cursed by Illuminati.
An Exorcist's Claim.
MANILA – An exorcist warned the public about the circulation of Satanic rosaries and religious items in the country, during the most recent airing of the once-a-month spiritual warfare episode of the Diocese of Novaliches’ Radio Veritas segment “Hello Father 911”, on Aug. 7.
“Kapanalig listeners, be careful as the rosaries you might be using could actually be infested or cursed,” warned Libera Nox chief exorcist Fr. Ambrosio Nonato Legaspi in Filipino. - Story here.I've written about this stuff many times before. (I've searched my archives but wasn't able to find the exact post where I discuss the so-called Masonic/satanic symbols.) The crucifix Fr. Legaspi is warning about is similar in kind to other plastic rosaries distributed free at shrines around the world. The iconography/symbology is misrepresented as New Age, Satanic, or Masonic. If that is what you want to believe, then don't use it. If you don't believe the Roman Ritual for blessing of sacramentals is not enough, then don't use this type of rosary. The cited article says the 'haunting' is harder to get rid of if the ritual was 30 minutes or longer. “These were made not only to be simply given away but to deceive Catholics…so that evil spirits will haunt them.” - Fr. Legaspi. I can't imagine that to be true, much less imagine that it would work.
I'm not familiar with Filipino culture, but in general I consider this idea superstitious and sensationalized. The images on the rosary crucifix are not demonic or Masonic in and of itself. They may appear to be, but they are simply impressed designs, not highly defined, yet the design has Biblical and Christological roots. Today, so many symbols have been used for a variety of reasons or causes, adding to the confusion. Likewise, today there is a blending of cultures and cult, which can seem foreign to many, and the original meaning of archetypal images has been convoluted if not completely lost.
If you believe the Church, the Mass, and the episcopacy has been infiltrated by satanists and Masons, you will soon imagine you see evidence for it. The idea of a cursed or enchanted rosary - especially once that has been blessed, is absurd. It reminds me of the Monastery Icon rumours warning that the makers performed satanic ritual blessings over them prior to sale. It also reminds me of people who believe the Divine Mercy image is satanic, due to a fold in a sleeve which resembles a demon, meant to corrupt the devotion.
Ordained priests believe this crap.
Fr. Amorth wanted more priests trained as exorcists, but I think even a well trained exorcist can be susceptible to delusion or a form of obsession - I may be wrong. I base that conclusion on exorcist priests who have been eager to support spurious mystics and locutionists and apparition sites even when the locution or site may have been put on notice by the CDF, or simply proven false when prophecies don't come true.
I've discussed this stuff on my blog many times - it's the other side of the coin of following private revelations and messages from heaven, or traveling to the ends of the earth to see an image of the Virgin on the underside of a turtle. As St. Teresa of Avila once noted, one sees devils around every corner. Certainly amulets can be enchanted or cursed, as demonstrated by the priest St. Teresa convinced to get rid of the charm given to him by his mistress. Yet that was a pagan charm. [Although Santeria openly uses Catholic images and sacramentals, I'm not sure this is the same thing as what Fr. Legaspi* warns about regarding the 'satanic rosaries'.]
That said, one can get to the point one can't tell the difference between a devotional image from a natural eidolon - the phenomenon may be called pareidolia "the human tendency to read significance into random or vague stimuli (both visual and auditory)." Likewise, one may mistake more archaic Christian symbols for occult symbols. One clear example is the serpent mounted on a pole - which appears on the rosary crucifix as well.
While it is true Masonry may use
the same symbol, it's origins
are Biblical.
Moses simply “mounted” a serpent upon a pole.
Orthodox prelates use a crosier or paterissa surmounted by a cross flanked by two serpents. It is a reference which goes back to the Book of Numbers 21 and corresponds to Christ's statement in the Gospel of John 3:14; "Just as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the desert, etc." It also represents the staff of Moses, which transformed into a snake in the presence of Pharaoh. Moses used the same staff to part the Red Sea, to pierce the rock from which water flowed and so on. The same image has been used in various forms in the West, and one finds the serpent mounted on a pole or a Tau cross in churches, on medallions, in illuminated manuscripts, and in liturgical design. The snake on the rosary crucifix story has been around for awhile and keeps getting recycled - even priests fall for it, in much the same way Protestant deliverance ministry believe Catholics are idolaters and images should be destroyed.
And the LORD said unto Moses,
Make thee a fiery serpent,
and set it upon a pole:
and it shall come to pass,
that every one that is bitten,
when he looketh upon it, shall live.
"Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God."
It strikes me as rather ironic that a diocesan official would make such a big deal about this. It seems to me it feeds morbid curiosity by suggesting that a Christian object, decorated with obscure imagery has such power over an individual who might unwittingly use it to pray Our Lady's rosary. The priest's radio program is about Spiritual Combat, which I suppose helps explain why he discusses it - but I'm not sure how effective his catechesis is, since it seems to me to be steeped in ignorance and superstition and does little to dispel the problem. This is a problem of catechesis and correct understanding of the use of sacramentals in popular piety.
Today the real and present danger of diabolic delusion and influence is omnipresent in popular culture. Take into consideration problems of catechesis, ecclesiology, not to mention gender politics, marriage and family issues, and even Islam. In the United States, and perhaps in the Philippines, New Age ideology/spirituality has often infected diocesan programs and parishes, retreat centers and convents.
Orthodox prelates use a crosier or paterissa
surmounted by a cross flanked by two serpents.
Yet people blame the Illuminati.
"And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”
* Disclaimer: Sure enough, there does seem to be a cultural anomaly. There is a serious problem with poorly catechized Filipinos buying these rosaries which have been adopted by 'folk-religionists'? As a friend kindly explained to me on my Facebook page:
David Quiambao It is not superstition. I am sorry Terry, I always agree on your posts and have always thought of you as a good and holy person, but with this particular issue you are making a big mistake thinking this is an over-exaggeration by exorcists. I do hope you did your research first about the reality of Folk-Catholicism here in the Philippines and how it has become a genuine problem especially in the rise of demonic cases. Please do not belittle (I know it's not your intention) the works and service of those who are discerning and praying in this ministry of deliverance. Prudence dictates that we should take into consideration many things before taking actual actions and conclusions. I personally attest that these objects can and have become problems.
Our Faith also warns us that even objects can be infested by the evil one. To clarify, i am not saying the devil is more powerful by God. Actually the person who took this picture told us that the objects by themselves are harmless, and the "curses" placed upon them will be broken by the simple blessing of sacramentals by a priest. Please do realize that a lot of Filipinos buy these rosaries from faith healers, sidewalk vendors without bringing them to priests to be blessed. That's the spirit behind why the CBCP came out with a news bulletin. To warn those Filipino brethren of ours who are susceptible to these kinds of harmful objects. - David QuiambaoBonus Link: One more link disputing the claims about the satanic rosary and the Illuminati symbolism here. H/T Juan Taylor
I am reminded of the Cuban Santa Maria cult, Haitian voodoo rites, and Italian evil eye beliefs. Although I believe evil can be summoned, and evil can attach to places and objects most of the rites and power of these groups is what the individual gives it. Off topic but at the other extreme. I read a fascinating article about Prosperity Gospel Evangelicals who preach that God wants us all to be materially wealthy. Just donate to them and practice their theology and say their special prayers and great riches will come you way. Kind of the opposite of the evil doers.
ReplyDeleteIt is reminiscent of those cults, as well as St. Death in Mexico.
DeleteYeah - the prosperity gospel thing. That's sad.
That should be Cuban santeria cult, not Our Blessed Mother Santa Maria. :-)
DeleteThanks - and I had mentioned it. ;)
DeleteHere is another excellent comment on the subject:
ReplyDeleteDavid Quiambao There is such a thing as "Infestation" wherein objects can be infested by Diabolical essence. These are not necessarily "curses" as used in colloquial means. These objects do not affect the faithful who are in the state of grace, that is clear, but for those who are vulnerable, for those who are not in the state of grace and for those living in sin, this may affect their spiritual health one way or another. Of course these could be broken by a simple visit to the Holy Mass, the adoration chapel, holy water or blessings of the priests. However we need to realize that NOT EVERYONE understands it this way. It is a different situation here in the Philippines wherein Folk-Catholicism is very much alive. Offering food to statues of Sto. Ninos, priestly blessing of a house side by side with an offering of chicken blood right after, and the likes.
In regards to the teachings of our faith. We could see in the Biblical verses Mark 5:1-13 that demons can indeed possess non - human hosts. However possession deals with a different case altogether. That's why I believe the official language of the Church, especially among the association of exorcists, is "Infestation" The CCC likewise tells us "When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or OBJECT (emphasis mine) against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion; it is called exorcism" (CCC 1673)
As we can see the CCC allows the possibility that an OBJECT can be dominated by the "evil one" though this does not necessarily mean we would ahve situations like ones shown in horror movies. Objects such as these are harmful for they have the tendency to lead people to sin for that is the purpose for which they were created. That's why in the book of acts the believers were directed to burn the "Magician's books" not necessarily because the books were psosessed but because it is used by the evil one to influence people to sin. Objects are susceptible to influence.
Of course I also agree that extreme care, caution and discernment must be practiced in these cases. The Devil can likewise push people to be "Superstitious" and believe that "magical rituals and incantations" may save them rather than Jesus. At the end of the day, the devil has no power over us when we do not give him that power. At the end of the day Christ is King and victorious, but at the same time we are in the current battle so VIGILANCE and ALERTNESS is a must, though prudence is a virtue t be practiced to avoid unnecessary fear or panic. However let us not commit the mistake of dismissing Church authority that has LEGITIMATELY studied, encountered and discerned on this phenomena. The CBCP is a legitimate Bishop's Conference, composed of Holy and good priests, though not perfect and infallible, I know that they are just trying their best to guide and protect their flock.