In this short post, four things are necessary for a person to keep free of demonic influences, which happen to everyone, says Father Xavier.
The first is the breaking away of all mortal sin as mortal sin can open the door even to possession.
One mortal sin can allow a person to be vulnerable to oppression, obsession and possession.
Two, staying in sanctifying grace. The priest gave an example of a Catholic couple which was experiencing an infestation because of the neighbors being involved in witchcraft. When the exorcist came to the house, he asked the couple if they were married. They said no, that they were just living together, The exorcist told the couple that he could get rid of the infestation in their house, but the demons would come back in even more numbers, (today's EF reading by the way), as the couple were living in mortal sin.
The good priest told them that until the couple repented and got married, there was nothing he could do.
Sanctifying grace, the Indwelling of the Holy Trinity in the soul, is necessary to keep away from all demonic influences. One must also try to be free of venial sin, (coming post). The saints recommend, of course, regular prayer and meditation on the Scriptures and on the Life of Christ in order to be free from all sin.
Three, those who have experienced demonic influences and are freed, must pray daily and regularly. This is an absolute necessity for maintaining freedom. Father Xavier noted that we are all in the Church Militant, and that daily prayer must be said to stay free and clear of demonic involvement.
Four, frequent reception of Holy Communion, and regular Confession. Father suggested daily Mass as much as possible, and monthly Confession as the minimum. He said that weekly Confession is best.
More later...just a taste of the talks this weekend.
GOSPEL Luke 11:14-28
At that time, Jesus was casting out a devil: and the same was dumb. And when he had cast out the devil, the dumb spoke: and the multitudes, were in admiration at it. But some of them said: "He casteth out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils." And others tempting, asked of him a sign from heaven. But he seeing their thoughts, said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself shall be brought to desolation; and house upon house shall fall. And if Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? Because you say that through Beelzebub I cast out devils. Now if I cast out devils by Beelzebub, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out devils, doubtless the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his court, those things are in peace which he possesseth. But if a stronger than he come upon him and overcome him, he will take away all his armour wherein he trusted and will distribute his spoils. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through places without water, seeking rest: and not finding, he saith: I will return into my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then he goeth and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself: and entering in they dwell there. And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first."