A Handbook for Victims of a Curse

One of the most disconcerting types of suffering is that which results from being targeted by another person with an evil curse, (similar to a hex, which is a witchcraft-induced evil spell). A curse or hex may take any of countless manifestations, physical or emotional suffering, financial stress, employment problems, etc. Often the victim may be unable to identify the culprit imprecating the curse.

A curse is a most depraved form of sorcery; since it involves a kind of partnering with demonic forces, the evil imprecator risks unthinkable eternal hellfire. Anyone who invokes a curse is certainly (knowingly or otherwise) under demonic influence. By invoking a curse, such a person commits the most heinous sin against the virtue of charity that is possible; it delights Satan, but calls down the wrath of God upon the one responsible.

A curse may be cultural (Gypsy, Indian, Italian, etc.); it may be of occultic or Satanic origin, or simply an act of perverse retaliation as a kind of vendetta—simply an enmity-engendered hatred from another person. Invoking curses is a frequent practice among those involved in superstition or any of the many evil forms of occultism, such as Santeria, Voodoo, Obeah, etc. The most serious type of curse is one that turns a good Christian into an irreligious or anti-religious person. The most difficult type of curse to break is one imprecated by a relative, such as a family member, an in-law, or a living or deceased ancestor.

If you are unfortunate enough to be targeted by a curse or hex, the following norms may be helpful in coping with this horrendous contamination:

1) Your success in drawing down God’s power against a curse will be in proportion to the level of your faith. In the words of Jesus, “According to your faith it will be done” (Matt. 9:29). It helps to elicit a faith-filled prayer of deliverance by a priest, a mature Christian or a prayer group. Like attempts at healing or any prayer-activated miracle, curse-lifting often fails. Why? Because most people, in pridefully overestimating their faith, think it is deep just because it induces them to pray frantically for relief; but it is often not deep enough to attain that relief. Jesus taught this to his apostles in their failed attempt at exorcism, and also he taught it to the pleading father of the demonized child (Mark 9:19-23). Praying to break a curse is usually futile without praying for enough faith to break the curse.

2) Catholics will find strength in making frequent and fervent use of the Sacraments—especially by very humble and contrite confessions, and by receiving Holy Communion with exquisite devotion and love. The Enemy’s power, even when operating through malicious human agents, is vastly reduced when these Sacraments are received, not routinely, but humbly and devoutly.

3) Never reverse a curse by calling down harm on the person or persons responsible for the curse. (Prov. 20:22; Rom. 12:17-21; 1Thes.5:15). Peter urges, “Do not pay others back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, keep blessing them, because you were called to inherit a blessing” (1 Pet. 3:9).

4) Stand meditatively and expectantly beneath the cross of Jesus to be covered symbolically by his Precious Blood as a shield to deflect the onslaughts of evil in the afflicting curse. By that “atoning blood” (Rom. 3:24) shed on the cross, the forces of evil are disarmed and conquered, as Paul says (Col. 2:15).

5) Do the four things that Jesus asks us to do in relating to our enemies, especially those who invoke curses on us; these are outlined in Luke 6:27-28. The four things are: Love your enemy, do good to your enemy, pray for your enemy and call down God's special blessings on your enemy (see also 1 Pet. 3:9). Love of enemies is a challenge, but loving in this context does not mean liking. It means benevolential love, or "agape" love, as St. Thomas Aquinas says. This love consists in desiring good for one’s enemies. Yearn for their salvation, not their damnation; desire that they repent and become holy. St. Augustine’s maxim is pertinent: Hate the sin but love the sinner, as God does.

Every Christian must sincerely desire that bad persons become good, like the great terrorist, Saul, who, when converted became St. Paul, a champion of Christianity; or, like the thief, Dismas, when dying next to Jesus, was canonized by him: "This day you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:43). In the words of Jude 22, “Snatch others from the fire and save them…show mercy.” James 5:20 recounts the amazing effects of converting a sinner from his life of sin. If you, by your faith-charged prayer, bring to grace the one cursing you, that “enemy” will befriend you and love you in heaven, rather than curse you from hell.

6) Until the time arrives for you to be released from the curse, strive to conform to every subtle nudge of Providence, with faith-reliance on Jesus as healer and demon-evictor (Mark 16:17). Offer up your sufferings that result from the curse or curses. Like all suffering, disappointment, adversity, etc., this unique type of suffering should be united—even joyfully—with Jesus’ Passion, his redemptive suffering (1 Pet. 4:13). Don't waste suffering, even that caused by malicious humans. Like all hardship, it can be used for your sanctification and consequent reward. Carrying this cross courageously infuriates the devil and his demons lurking behind this evil. Sustaining the affliction will grace-fill your soul, help other souls, and reward you for all eternity (see Heb. 6: 10-11).

7) For curse-breaking, invoke the angels and saints, your guardian angel and patron saint, Archangel Michael, and the especially the sinless Virgin Mary who is prophesied to crush the head of the sinful serpent (Gen. 3:15).

Of course, you should seek any available natural relief—medical, financial, pharmaceutical, etc.)—from the effects of a curse, as you would for sickness or any hurtful situation. But meanwhile, as you await your release, use your curse-caused suffering; though it is admittedly hurtful, it may well be the very sacrifice that the Lord may use to obtain salvation for your persecutors, as well as your own sanctification and unimaginable heavenly reward.

The bottom line is this: after our lifelong struggle against evil, the last chapter of the Bible tells how it will all end. With Christ, we are the winners!