<br><br><center>*Demon powers work hard to fly under your radar
so they can do damage before you discern them.
― Jennifer LeClaire*
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<br><br> I had been driven from my condo in the middle of the night after being attacked by demons.
As absurd as it sounded, the experience was nonetheless real and terrifying. I wan't sure I could ever go back and sleep in my bed again.
But thankfully, Nate Granger, my shrink, referred me to a priest at the University of Toronto who besides lecturing in theology and comparative religions was also an authority on demonic oppression and exorcist for the Roman Catholic archdiocese.
<br><br> I can't believe I actually overcame my fear to get in touch with the priest and to set up an appointment to meet with him.
It was all the more unbelievable because in sheer terror I texted him in the middle of the night and even more astounding that he agreed to meet me at 6 am in his campus office.
I had no idea what to expect, but it was obvious that the good father considered this a serious matter and I wondered if he planned to carry out the ritual of exorcism right on campus.
I don't know what frightened me more― being haunted by the experience of a demonic attack or the prospect of a priest casting demons out of me.
<br><br> The light was just breaking in the east when I knocked on the door of the Victorian house where the priest's office was located.
I was apprehensive to be sure but my fears were somewhat allayed when an elderly white-haired priest answered the door, gave me a toothy grin and welcomed me in.
There were no candles or incense burning and he wasn't dressed in vestments. I was standing in the middle of an academic office with book-lined shelves and the atmosphere of the room was warm and reassuring.
<br><br> The priest noticed my surprise and chuckled. "Sorry to disappoint you, Gray, if you wanted dramatics, but that's not how I work."
I smiled back, "Tell the truth, I'm relieved―maybe I've seen too many Hollywood horror films."
"You're not possessed, Gray, but you've experienced a demonic attack and 'll have to counsel you on how to deal with the situation and avoid future occurrences.
He motioned me to a sofa chair and sat opposite me rather than behind his desk.
I liked him. I felt completely at ease.
<br><br> This didn’t appear to be the gut-wenching ordeal I anticipated complete with holy smoke and coughing up demons.
Again, the old priest seemed to read my thoughts and just patted me on the arm.
“I don’t like theatrics—I prefer proceding calmly on a kind of kitchen-table basis. Dealing with spiritual matters requires peace, is that agreeable to you?”
I was a bit surprised and a little taken aback, but couldn’t have been more relieved.
It made sense what he was saying to me. Demons were real whether or not we accepted or denied the fact, and he way he operated reflected that…
His manner seemed natural…natural but supernatural, It reassured me.
<br><br> <center>To be continued…</center>
<br><center>© 2025, John J Geddes. All rights reserved</center>
<br><center>[Photo](https://images.app.goo.gl/vtxVnvPY9mkqWADj6)</center>
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