Fr. Serpa's Answer in Quick Questions: Can Devil Mindread?

jenkiedad · #1 May 6, '12, 5:34 am

In the May-June 2012 (Pg 48) "Quick Questions" section a question is asked: "Can the devil read your mind and does he know the future"?

Fr. Vincent Serpa's answer: "No, Satan cannot read your minds and he does not know the future. He is also no match for sanctifying grace. The sacraments are a strong guard against him."

This answer caused me to wonder about silent prayer or prayer that is only in your mind. Since Satan is a fallen angel, then that would lead me to think that none of the angels can know your thoughts, even if those thoughts are prayers.

What if you are reciting the "Chaplet to St. Michael the Archangel", but doing it silently, in your thoughts. Does that mean that St. Michael would not know that you are directing a prayer to him and that the only way St. Michael would know you are reciting his "Chaplet" would be if you verbalized or wrote down the prayer?

We know that God (and the persons in the Holy Trinity) know your thoughts, but what about the Saints in Heaven? Do the Saints know our thoughts? Are they like the angels in not being able to know our thoughts? Is there a difference between a thought and a thought that is a prayer?

We know from Revelations that the Saints hear our prayers, but it doesn't say what kind of prayers.

Do the Saints in Heaven, including the Blessed Virgin Mary, hear "silent prayers"? If I recite the "Chaplet of Divine Mercy" out loud, but then include silent prayers in my thoughts as I am doing the recitation, who really knows exactly what I'm praying, except for God?

Or are the Saints in Heaven, so close to God, and created in His Image, that they do indeed hear "silent prayers"?

mab23 · #2 May 6, '12, 5:54 am

interesting question - makes me think!

Dorothy · #3 May 6, '12, 6:36 am

I'm sure there are answers to those questions.

My thought (I think I read it somewhere but don't remember where), is that God himself gives the information to the good angels and the saints when they need to have it. And that can be done in a nano second. (for want of a better way to describe that.) We don't even need to wonder about such things, just trust the Lord.

And, when the bad angels see us they can, at times, read our body language just as we can read the body language, at times, of others. We need to remember that they are of a higher intelligence than we are, and so can read body language faster and better.

But, we have nothing at all to fear if we use all the treasures that Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us, and to remember that "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

When Christ is with us, who can be against us?

Darran · #4 May 6, '12, 6:50 am

It isn't really something that we can answer. The angels and saints in heaven can certainly hear our prayer, I really wouldn't think that it would matter what way we pray. Prayer is one of those things that by itself can't be done incorrectly. It could be that it is God who directly allows saints to hear prayers, it could be simply a capability of a spirit that isn't weighed down by flesh.

As for reading thoughts/hearts, it is the same, we can't say. On one hand, reading hearts is a charism of some very holy people (which could either be a gift, or the result of a very strong spirit). We can't say whether or not the devil can read us. It would certainly seem so, but given that angels are by far more intelligent than man it wouldn't be unreasonable to assume that they would be able to work us out very accurately, even if they can't directly read us.

The more important thing I would imagine is not to get it into our minds that there is a limitation of the devil that we could take any sort of possible advantage of, we will come out the lesser of that every time.

Seeing as it isn't an important question, it is a better idea to assume that he can. In any case, even if we overestimate him, it is a safer approach.

Mark1124 · #5 May 6, '12, 7:03 am

http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=85194

Elizium23 · #6 May 6, '12, 7:06 am

I would like to add to that AAA answer that the mechanism for this is called the Communion of Saints. If you believe all that the Catholic faith teaches, and certainly the Nicene Creed, then you will be familiar with the Communion of Saints, and this is how prayers are passed among the living and the dead. The saints, being in heaven, are members of the Communion of Saints, while fallen angels not in heaven have no access to our perpetual exchange of intercessions.

Maryann C · #7 May 6, '12, 7:51 am

This is a great question and one I have been struggling to help my 18 y.o daughter understand while not fully understanding myself. Her question ( because she thinks she may have heard a word from God during adoration about marriage to a very specific person that seems very unlikely to her - she goes daily) is can/would the devil try to deceive you by putting thoughts into your head while you are at adoration in the adoration chapel. My first thought was surely he would/could not dare enter and I put this to a good friend of min who reminded me that satan temped Jesus in the desert where Jesus while Jesus was in prayer and fasting AND again in the garden of Gesthemanie. That does not answer however if satan can hear your thoughts and prayers but I am sure he can put suggestive thoughts into your head which is why we need a well formed conscience to discern them ADN which is why it IS an important thing to know or at least consider.

As for the Saints and angels hearing our silent prayers well I have certainly had silent prayers answered that were directed through St Michael and various saints HOW they heard so they could intercede I don't know.

Nimzovik · #8 May 6, '12, 8:41 am

Adoration is our Lord's presence -yes? Hmmmm - did not evil enter into (speak to?)Judas while our Lord was present?

What is temptation? Is the Devil whispering in one's 'ear of the mind?'

englishredrose · #9 May 6, '12, 8:43 am

Silent Prayer for me is simply being with God. No words, no nothing. Just being with God and feeling his glory, his love. That simple

So in a way, the angels etc wouldn't know what you are requesting but in a way they would know because they can see that you are not requesting anything beyond simply being with God.

Its that simple and that perfect. Nothing else matters. Just being with God. My priest taught me this in March and its the best lesson I've learned. Its just so me. I don't need words and I can feel God when I am happy and when I am sad. I can just be with God

anjoh66 · #10 May 6, '12, 10:31 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizium23

I would like to add to that AAA answer that the mechanism for this is called the Communion of Saints. If you believe all that the Catholic faith teaches, and certainly the Nicene Creed, then you will be familiar with the Communion of Saints, and this is how prayers are passed among the living and the dead. The saints, being in heaven, are members of the Communion of Saints, while fallen angels not in heaven have no access to our perpetual exchange of intercessions.

Very good answer and it is most likely correct, seems reasonable that fallen angels have no part in the communion of the saints!

Joab Anias · #11 May 6, '12, 12:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenkiedad

Do the Saints in Heaven, including the Blessed Virgin Mary, hear "silent prayers"?

Quote:

How Do Saints Hear Us?

It is frequently asked, and reasonably so, how can the Saints know and hear so many countless intercessory prayers from so many Christians worldwide petitioning them. The question is really one of knowing, not hearing. It is important for us to remember the fullness of revelation regarding our state of being after our human life is completed. Principle among scriptures revealing our future life is the revelation of the essential nature of God Himself. Jesus often spoke of His Father (Abba) and of His Holy Spirit.

Matt 28:19
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit.

John 10:38
...but if I (Jesus) perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize (and understand) that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.
The New Testament speaks often of the unity of the Godhead.

John 14:10-11
Do you not believe that I (Jesus) am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing His works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves.

John also speaks of our union with the Father and Jesus as a fellowship a word from the Greek koinonia which is translated "community" meaning "in-union-with."

John 1:3
What we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus is most specific about our final relationship with Him. He calls it a one-ness.

John 17:11
And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are.

John 17:21-22
... so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one.
The Trinity is a foreshadowing of our eternal life--a oneness with the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We will share the life of the Godhead; as He knows so shall we know. The Saints already in union, at-one-ness with God share his life and his knowledge.

Paul put it succinctly.

1 Cor 13:12
At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.
John also had an insight that reflected our destiny.

1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

http://www.catholicapologetics.org/a...0.htm#ap070301

Here is another good answer:
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/praying-to-the-saints

Millie123 · #12 May 6, '12, 3:47 pm

This question reminded me of the life of Saint Gemma Galgani...most people don't know who she is. She was a very pious girl who received frequent intimate visits from Jesus and the Blessed Mother, she also received the stigmata, and she had a very close relationship with her guardian angel.

Anyways, there is a story in her biography where her spiritual director commanded her to go to sleep. She was exceptionally obedient and so immediately she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Her spiritual director, then made a mental prayer to heaven commanding her to wake up and immediately her guardian angel told her to rise. This part of her story always made a strong impression on me on how our prayers ascend to heaven.

Here's the quote from her story of which I'm talking about:
"(Her spiritual director) being in the house when Gemma was ill, standing by her bedside with other persons, I said to her, 'Take my blessing , sleep, and we will go away.'
Gemma turned on the other side and fell fast asleep.
Then I knelt down much moved, and lifting my eyes to Heaven, I gave her a mental precept to awake.
And behold, as if aroused by a voice she awoke, and as usual smiled!
I reproached her, 'Is it thus you obey? I told you to sleep.'
And she in all humility said, 'Don't be vexed, Father. I felt someone touch my shoulder, and a loud voice called out, 'Rise, the Father is calling you.'
It was her Guardian Angel who was watching by her side."
The Life of St Gemma Galgani. Page 132.

Anyways, I don't know if my long drawn out ramble adds anything to your question. Your question just reminded me of her. She is one of my favorite saints.

Dorothy · #13 May 6, '12, 3:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millie123

This question reminded me of the life of Saint Gemma Galgani...most people don't know who she is. She was a very pious girl who received frequent intimate visits from Jesus and the Blessed Mother, she also received the stigmata, and she had a very close relationship with her guardian angel.

Anyways, there is a story in her biography where her spiritual director commanded her to go to sleep. She was exceptionally obedient and so immediately she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Her spiritual director, then made a mental prayer to heaven commanding her to wake up and immediately her guardian angel told her to rise. This part of her story always made a strong impression on me on how our prayers ascend to heaven.

Here's the quote from her story of which I'm talking about:
"(Her spiritual director) being in the house when Gemma was ill, standing by her bedside with other persons, I said to her, 'Take my blessing , sleep, and we will go away.'
Gemma turned on the other side and fell fast asleep.
Then I knelt down much moved, and lifting my eyes to Heaven, I gave her a mental precept to awake.
And behold, as if aroused by a voice she awoke, and as usual smiled!
I reproached her, 'Is it thus you obey? I told you to sleep.'
And she in all humility said, 'Don't be vexed, Father. I felt someone touch my shoulder, and a loud voice called out, 'Rise, the Father is calling you.'
It was her Guardian Angel who was watching by her side."
The Life of St Gemma Galgani. Page 132.

Anyways, I don't know if my long drawn out ramble adds anything to your question. Your question just reminded me of her. She is one of my favorite saints.

She is one of my favorite saints also. She inspires me, when I ask her to pray for me, to focus on the Lord at all times. I am still practicing that, of course!

runningdude · #14 May 6, '12, 4:09 pm

This was answered in another "ask an apologist" column. The answer was basically that God allows the Saints to hear the prayers directed to them.

Since the brain is a complex electrochemical mechanism, Satan might be possible to infer general thought patterns from its electric field (similar to how a polygraph or MRI can detect brain activity), but not the contents of the mind itself.

Good angels may also be able to use these mechanisms as well, but they would only use these observations to guide their own prayers!

Rhuarc · #15 May 6, '12, 5:34 pm

Personally before I ask any saints intercession I make sure to let them know that they have FULL reign over all of my thoughts and the things that I keep inside my head (as far as knowing). I think that allows them to access them, I mean they are saints it is not like they could do anything nefarious with them. Just guide, like I mainly do with Mary I let her know that I am indeed her child and that I allow her to know everything about me. It is hard for someone to guide you when they don't know everything about you.