Strange happenings with the BVM's Rosary

[LoAmmi]

Lord Jesus I never want this pain/experience.

:o

The Romans were very good at dishing out pain. Also flayed people who upset them.

 

[LoAmmi]

I find these kinds of testimonies fascinating because I have never experienced anything I would classify as mysticism. So I always enjoy a window into an experience I never have had (and likely never will).

 

[Sword of the Lord]

I find these kinds of testimonies fascinating because I have never experienced anything I would classify as mysticism. So I always enjoy a window into an experience I never have had (and likely never will).

Imagine my surprise at being a God hating atheist having a dream and being so shaken by it and filled with knowledge that I immediately, upon waking, gave my life to God and left atheism behind. Never say never.

 

[LoAmmi]

Imagine my surprise at being a God hating atheist having a dream and being so shaken by it and filled with knowledge that I immediately, upon waking, gave my life to God and left atheism behind. Never say never.

You know your thread about all the issues and quirks? One of mine is a lack of the spiritual feelings people get doing religious thinks. Other Jews tell me they feel HaShem's presence when the Ark is opened. I don't. In searching other faiths I never have. I also don't understand what people say when they speak of love. I have no concept of what they mean. The fact that I follow anything at all is something of an oddity. I understand atheism pretty well.

 

[Eretria90]

You know your thread about all the issues and quirks? One of mine is a lack of the spiritual feelings people get doing religious thinks. Other Jews tell me they feel HaShem's presence when the Ark is opened. I don't. In searching other faiths I never have. I also don't understand what people say when they speak of love. I have no concept of what they mean. The fact that I follow anything at all is something of an oddity. I understand atheism pretty well.

Hi LoAmmi,

What tradition of Judaism do you follow: Conservative, Reform, Orthodox, etc. or would you consider yourself an atheistic/agnostic Jew? Do you frequently attend synagogue other than for holy days? What is your relationship like with your rabbi?

I too also suffer with "the failure to love." Or rather, how to love. Love is spoken of much in the New Testament but it's very hard for me to show genuine love.

Also we have to be careful when defining love. Agape is essentially Godly-love. Is this the love you're referring to? Eros refers generally to a false "love" of the flesh. There is also the Greek verb "Phil-o" but I would have to dig deeper to see how it differs from agape.

I suggest reading "God is Love" by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. I remember him discussing the differences between eros and agape. I read it a while ago; honestly I should probably give it a re-read some time.

Also, I recommend reading "Salvation is from the Jews" by Roy Schoeman, a Hebrew Catholic "convert" (I use this term loosely, because Mr. Schoeman considers Judaism fulfilled in the Catholic Church; in other words he considers himself more a Jew than ever before).

Also, most people do not anticipate what one would consider "mystical experiences." I never anticipated my "religious experience." My spiritual life is 99% uneventful (probably not the proper term to use); I am not hoping for every day to be mystical, for example. I suppose it's startling because when one undergoes an experience like this, we expect that it will happen over and over again. I suppose it's a very short taste of what Heaven will be like assuming I or others make it there; Heaven will be a completely different experience than what we experience here on Earth with our material bodies.

Hope that helps.

 

[paul becke]

I had chest pains tonight. Although I do not think it spiritual but an intense panic attack. I won't go into detail but it involved more family issues. I'm at the end of my rope. I prayed & it subsided but I seriously thought a trip to the ER was in my future. I prayed & called my husband & I feel a bit better but still on the paranoia side of things. I'm beside myself & would appreciate some of your prayers Mike. You know what I think.

Don't forget what I said about them sounding like a pair of very comical headbangers, Michie! You need to keep a sane perspective on them, and not them dictate to you the meaning of a sane perspective. I imagine it's at least a spin-off from their antics, though I could be wrong, of course.

 

[Lady Bug]

Can you try another prayer in the meantime, if you are feeling disturbed by the aftermath of your Rosary prayers? There are tons and tons of great official Catholic prayers you could probably find online.

I've never had this problem when praying the Rosary, but whatever is going on is very bizarre.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

I could use other prayers, and do, but I refuse to let the devil win and keep me from the graces I experience from praying the Rosary. I welcome the crucifixion pains, and the love of the Saviour and our Mother encompassing me. If the devil is lashing out and trying to frighten me, and succeeding, only to be pushed back into his corner again and again, I'm doing something right.

 

[LoAmmi]

Hi LoAmmi,

What tradition of Judaism do you follow: Conservative, Reform, Orthodox, etc. or would you consider yourself an atheistic/agnostic Jew? Do you frequently attend synagogue other than for holy days? What is your relationship like with your rabbi?

I am Conservative. I have a fine relationship with my rabbi.

I too also suffer with "the failure to love." Or rather, how to love. Love is spoken of much in the New Testament but it's very hard for me to show genuine love.

Also we have to be careful when defining love. Agape is essentially Godly-love. Is this the love you're referring to? Eros refers generally to a false "love" of the flesh. There is also the Greek verb "Phil-o" but I would have to dig deeper to see how it differs from agape.

Please understand that I have very little interest in Greek. If you'd like to discuss the Hebrew love that'd be different.

I suggest reading "God is Love" by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. I remember him discussing the differences between eros and agape. I read it a while ago; honestly I should probably give it a re-read some time.

Also, I recommend reading "Salvation is from the Jews" by Roy Schoeman, a Hebrew Catholic "convert" (I use this term loosely, because Mr. Schoeman considers Judaism fulfilled in the Catholic Church; in other words he considers himself more a Jew than ever before).

I have a backlog of Jewish books I'd want to read. I'd especially not read a book by someone who believes Judaism was fulfilled.

Also, most people do not anticipate what one would consider "mystical experiences." I never anticipated my "religious experience." My spiritual life is 99% uneventful (probably not the proper term to use); I am not hoping for every day to be mystical, for example. I suppose it's startling because when one undergoes an experience like this, we expect that it will happen over and over again. I suppose it's a very short taste of what Heaven will be like assuming I or others make it there; Heaven will be a completely different experience than what we experience here on Earth with our material bodies.

Hope that helps.

Were I to experience anything, my first action would be to find a logical reason for it to have happened. I'd have to get past the idea that it could be all in my head after any physical ailments would be taken care of. It's far more likely I experienced a mental issue than a spiritual one. So, it'd probably be years before I was tried to conclude that it was real.

 

[Galilee63]

Hi Mikhael,

I just wish to query - is this The Holy Rosary given by Jesus Christ our Saviour and The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God to Saint Dominic and The Blessed Alan De La Roche - the only true "Holy Rosary" that Jesus requested be spread around His world during 1214 and 1260?

If you are praying any other derivations excluding The Hail Mary's and substituting any of The Prayers that are included in the only true original Holy Rosary that Jesus/God requested mankind to pray - then perhaps this may be the reason you are experiencing agonizing pain while praying your own version the Holy Rosary and/or it could be Jesus wanting you to feel His sufferings more profoundly, as He is awakening your Heart, wanting you to focus more greatly on Him, His bitter Passion, His Sorrowful Stations of His Cross more deeply, feeling His sufferings Michael, in order to receive Jesus speaking to your heart. This did occur with Padre Pio and other Saints. However, I would most definitely be praying The Holy Rosary as Jesus and The Blessed Virgin Mary delivered to His priests during 1214 and 1260 - not man-made versions.

If you pray The Blessed Virgin Marys Holy Rosary while offering up your sufferings to Jesus and The Blessed Virgin Mary for all of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for the sick and dying around the world, for the conversion of sinners and for our Blessed Virgin Mary's Holy intentions and ask Jesus/God and The Blessed Virgin for His Plenary Indulgences while repenting sins and receiving Jesus/God/The Holy Spirit's Holy Eucharist, your pain may well disappear each time.

The links below are some of the history of The Blessed Virgin Mary's Holy Rosary - as posted on other threads you have posted Mickhael.

The Secret of the Rosary - Part 1

catholictradition.org/Classics/secret-rosary34.htm

and there are of course many other links.

Love and kindest wishes your Sister in Jesus Christ our Saviour

Not too long ago I received another Rosary as a gift. I have began to pray the BVM's Rosary again, and again I'm experiencing some things.

 

[pdudgeon]

Note, first, that I'm very hesitant to share this; but nevertheless, here goes:

Maybe some of you recall me speaking of my dreams from 18-36 months ago. I first became a Christian in January of 2012 because of a dream I had. In this dream I was walking in utter darkness. There was nothing. It was so lonely and empty. A soft but strong voice called to me, saying that forgiveness was mine; all I had to do was ask for it. I immediately woke up weeping. I was a hardcore atheist, but even then I knew it was Christ/God. That night I repented and gave my life to Christ. Not long after that, I had a dream that I was crucified. I take that to mean that by accepting Christ's call and gift of salvation I was crucified with him; joined him in his sacrifice. And then about 18 months ago I began to pray the Rosary and was attacked in a dream. I dreamt that the devil had taken over my body and I was punching holes in my house walls, destroying my property, ripping pages from Scripture, and destroying my Rosary. I woke up and my Rosary was actually destroyed, but nothing else was. I believe that the Rosary caused this, that it made the devil so mad that he had to lash out in my life. I prayed and prayed and never had an experience like that again. Until now...

Not too long ago I received another Rosary as a gift. I have began to pray the BVM's Rosary again, and again I'm experiencing some things. When I pray the normal, standard, Rosary of the BVM I feel stabbing, aching pains in my hands, feet, and side. My hands and feet first, and then my side, and they stay all at once. It's quite obvious to me that these are crucifixion pains. It is so interesting to me, and awesome, and strange. From dreams of being crucified, to actually feeling it to some degree, and again, more spiritual activity in my life brought on by the Rosary. While I'm praying and I have these feelings, the energy in the room ranges from peaceful and loving, to something else entirely that frightens me, but it is always suppressed and the feeling of crucifixion wounds and peace and love come back.

two thoughts here....have you had the rosary anointed with holy oil and blessed by a priest? you might want to do that as a precaution against any evil spirits.

secondly (and perhaps someone can help me out here by finding the verses) but i seem to recall in one of Paul's writings where he expressed a wish to know the Lord more fully, including His pains when being crucified.

If Paul could pray that, then it's not beyond the scope of possibility that such experiences are indeed possible in this life, and that they are given to us so that we can identify more closely with the sufferings of Jesus.

because you have feelings of peace and love at such times, and because the demonic activity around you is then surpressed, I would take courage in the knowledge that even as God protected His Son, and that Jesus did triumph over both sin and death and the grave, that He will indeed protect you in the same way as you call upon Him.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

Galilee: both Lutherans and Orthodox have versions of the Rosary. I'll continue to pray many versions along with the BVM's. I feel the crucifixion pains and in my hands, feet, and side, and feel roller coaster of emotions when I pray the BVM's version.

 

[Chrystal-J]

Hi Mike,

Thank you for sharing. Interesting things can happen - even negative ones - when spending time in prayer. Another poster here, Chrystal, sometimes experiences negative things when she spends time in prayer. It is no secret that the adversary will do whatever he can to discourage Christians from praying.

I myself have had a few strange, negative dreams. The worst ones were when I was spending time in a convent with an order of nuns. I have also had 2 positive dreams that were really interesting - one in which St John the Apostle told me the story of Pentecost when I was a child, and one in which St John Chrysostom gave me advice on seeking truth. I enjoyed the sense of peace that followed.

Anyway. As with all things, the way to judge the benefit of things like this is to judge them by their fruits. If something yields greater peace and joy and results in a deeper, more robust faith, then you have your answer.

True. Sometimes when I pray, I'll be tormented later with nightmares or other demonic oppression. I'll be standing in front of a table I use for prayers, and I can feel a hand or finger pushing against my back. I'm guessing it's to try to distract me from my prayers.
But, I've had some beautiful visitations from Christ too. So, I get up-lifted by the Holy Spirit to counteract any demonic torments I must endure.

Mike, it sounds like your prayers are very sincere and heart-felt. Satan hates when we grow close to the Lord. He will throw out torments to try to discourage us from growing in our relationship with God. But, Satan is smoke and mirrors. His torments can't last in the face of the Word. Stay strong in prayer and you'll have any protection you need. I also accept any sufferings as atonement for my sins and as a way to grow closer to Jesus by enduring suffering, just as He did. And I have learned to "offer up my sufferings" for others in prayer.

Glad to hear you're praying the rosary. I haven't gotten into the habit with that prayer as I should, but I did pray it the other night and found it to be a very peaceful experience.

 

[Galilee63]

That is WONDERFUL Mikhael - my heart is warmed greatly for you Mikhael - that is fantastic! Keep on praying and receiving our Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour - i love the fact that you are praying the correct Holy Rosary given to mankind by Jesus/God/The Holy Spirit and our Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your most beautiful post PD; my love, wishes and prayers to your heart PD.

Love and kindest wishes your sister in Jesus Christ our Saviour

 

[Tigg]

I am Conservative. I have a fine relationship with my rabbi.

Please understand that I have very little interest in Greek. If you'd like to discuss the Hebrew love that'd be different.

I have a backlog of Jewish books I'd want to read. I'd especially not read a book by someone who believes Judaism was fulfilled.


Were I to experience anything, my first action would be to find a logical reason for it to have happened. I'd have to get past the idea that it could be all in my head after any physical ailments would be taken care of. It's far more likely I experienced a mental issue than a spiritual one. So, it'd probably be years before I was tried to conclude that it was real.

I am like you as you state in your last paragraph. "Were I to experience anything, my first action would be to find a logical reason for it to have happened. I'd have to get past the idea that it could be all in my head after any physical ailments would be taken care of. It's far more likely I experienced a mental issue than a spiritual one. So, it'd probably be years before I was tried to conclude that it was real." Logic first and foremost. Physical (could it be something I ate or something worse) Then mental. And that is why I like Thomas in the NT. He had to place his fingers in Christ's wounds to believe. Something definite.

That being said, I stand in awe for those who truly do get an authentic visit should I say, from God. But then I question a lot but figure that as long as good comes from it, all is well.

I enjoy your posts much. A definite must read for me. God bless.