ServusDei 🇻🇦 retweeted
Rural Pennsylvania nuns are building massive stone monastery by hand: 'We had a vision' trib.al/b9JhQG0
“Today Christ is asking each of you the same question: do you love Me? He is not asking you whether you know how to speak to crowds, whether you can direct an organization or manage an estate. He is asking you to love Him. All the rest will ensue.”
- St. John Paul II
ServusDei 🇻🇦 retweeted
Asking a priest to take a fast from going on podcasts and to focus more on his own ministry, society and exorcism isn't "canceling" him and anyone who can't see that really doesn't understand the purpose of the priesthood
ServusDei 🇻🇦 retweeted
I've had several exorcists and laity involved in exorcism ministry privately talk to me about this news. They respect Fr. Ripperger and appreciate his work, while acknowledging that Fr. Ripperger has engaged in concerning practices.
Among them is Fr. Ripperger's practice of interrogating demons. Demons lie, as every exorcist knows. Nothing they say can be trusted. There are a minimal set of questions permitted in the rite of exorcism, and they say Fr. Ripperger goes far beyond these - and then in public interviews he repeats the answers he receives.
Others have said the methods of his community (Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother) have harmed victims of demonic possession. I am aware of a lengthy demonic outbreak at a traditional religious community in 2023, where one of Fr. Ripperger's priests was sent to help. According to the community, as well as the victims of possession, that priest's methods caused greater harm than good, and did nothing to ease the affliction. It wasn't until another exorcist from a different community was sent to them that the demonic affliction ceased within days.
People have strong loyalties to Fr. Ripperger, and for good reason. I've learned a great deal from him, and have listened to many hours of his talks and interviews. But as I said in my prior post, there may be reasons why his bishop (a trained exorcist himself) is asking Fr. Ripperger to take a fast from public speaking and focus on his community.
I find it a good example that Father is submitting to his bishop in humble obedience, and I know that he has asked that Catholics not attack his bishop. Let's pray for all involved. 🙏
LSN broke the news that the Denver archbishop has asked exorcist Fr. Chad Ripperger to take a one-year break from public speaking. While LSN is taking a critical view of the bishop's actions, I suspect there is more to the story.
Bishop Golka is a trained exorcist who studied at the highly regarded Pope Leo XIII Institute. As an exorcist himself, he must've seen or heard something in Fr. Ripperger's public (or private) remarks that were sufficiently concerning to cause him to take such action.
I also understand that the USCCB may be publishing new guidelines restricting public appearances by all American exorcists, over concerns that the ministry has become too public.
I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, exorcism used to be a deeply private ministry, and for good reason. On the other hand, when you remove solid exorcists from the public sphere, all the quacks with crazy, harmful ideas rush in to fill the void, offering terrible advice and wrong catechesis on spiritual warfare. This is especially true in these times, when demonic activity is on the rise and so many souls are seeking guidance.
On a related note, I noticed last week that Fr. Ripperger's status in the Denver archdiocese had changed to "retired" earlier this year, and his community of Doloran Fathers is no longer listed on the website.
ServusDei 🇻🇦 retweeted
The person you pretend to be is the very person God is asking you to surrender.
If your prayer life is waning make a daily habit of several sporadic short prayers. As short as a few words, as little as several seconds - even just the sign of the cross. Frequent return is very efficacious.
ServusDei 🇻🇦 retweeted
"All are welcome in the Church; but on Christ's terms, not their own."
Cardinal Francis George
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In an age dominated by technology, in which efficiency and profit often take precedence, it is so important that we continue to cultivate a spirit of contemplation and allow time and space for beauty. Such an attitude will greatly help humanity, especially young people, to discover the ability of art to uplift and reveal the depths of the human spirit and our openness to the divine. Contemplation presents a marvelous opportunity to encounter the God who is Beauty.

























