Demonic Attacks Are Real: The Truth Catholics and the World Can’t Afford to Ignore

It’s shocking how so many Catholics believe only the parts of our faith that feel comfortable or convenient. They dismiss the reality of the demonic as old-fashioned nonsense, even while indulging in things like horror movies or Halloween obsessions. It’s as if they can flirt with darkness but refuse to admit it’s real. Here’s the thing: ignoring the demonic doesn’t make it go away. The devil doesn’t care whether you believe in him or not—he’s still working against you, your family, and your faith.

The demonic isn’t some leftover superstition from the Middle Ages. It’s a very real and present danger. Scripture and the Church have been clear about this for centuries. St. Paul warned us, “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, RSV). Jesus spent much of His ministry casting out demons and teaching His apostles to do the same. These were not metaphors for inner struggles. They were real beings with real power to harm. Yet today, many Catholics—including clergy—dismiss these warnings, leaving people unarmed in a battle they don’t even realize they’re fighting.

It’s not just dramatic possessions that signal demonic activity. The enemy works subtly too, often in ways that are easy to explain away. Temptation is the most common form of attack—those little nudges to sin, the whispers that tell you it’s not a big deal or that you deserve the thing you know you shouldn’t have. Oppression is another level, where it feels like life is piling on—relational breakdowns, financial struggles, or even unexplained feelings of despair that won’t lift. Obsession goes deeper still, targeting the mind with intrusive, irrational thoughts or fears. And while rare, possession can occur, where a demon takes control of a person’s body, though never their soul.

Some will argue that these experiences are just mental illness—and yes, there are cases where that’s true. Mental illness is real, and it’s critical to rule out natural causes before assuming there’s a spiritual issue. But here’s the problem: too often, people stop there. If mental illness is ruled out, the assumption becomes that nothing is wrong, and the person is left to suffer. This dismissive approach ignores the possibility of a spiritual root, leaving people vulnerable to ongoing attacks and without the help they need.

It’s not always about personal sin either. Sometimes, demonic attacks have nothing to do with what you’ve done. Generational sin—patterns of sin or spiritual wounds passed down through families—can leave a door open to the enemy. Trauma, especially abuse or neglect, can also create spiritual vulnerabilities. And even the actions of others, like someone dabbling in witchcraft or curses, can bring attacks into your life through no fault of your own.

This is why understanding the reality of the demonic is so important. Ignoring it doesn’t protect you—it just makes you an easier target. Worse, it leaves those who are afflicted without the help they desperately need.

And that’s where the Church should step in. God has given us everything we need to fight spiritual battles—prayer, the sacraments, fasting, and sacramentals—but we still need priests. Confession is a powerful tool, but when the attack isn’t caused by personal sin or when Confession alone doesn’t resolve the issue, we need priests who understand the spiritual realities we face.

Too often, people who are afflicted are left abandoned because they can’t find a priest willing to help. Many clergy today either don’t believe in the demonic or are too uncomfortable to address it. People are dismissed, told they’re imagining things, or sent to therapists who can’t address spiritual problems. This lack of support is devastating. Priests are Christ’s representatives on earth, entrusted with the authority to cast out demons, and when they fail to act, the faithful are left to fend for themselves.

This doesn’t mean we’re defenseless. Prayer is our first line of defense, especially the Rosary and the St. Michael Prayer. The sacraments are essential—frequent Confession, receiving the Eucharist, and using sacramentals like holy water and blessed medals strengthen our spiritual armor. Fasting adds another layer of protection. Jesus Himself said that some demons can only be driven out through prayer and fasting.

The most important thing is to live in a state of grace. Mortal sin opens the door to the enemy, but frequent Confession slams it shut. Avoiding the occult, practicing forgiveness, and staying rooted in God’s commandments are all ways to keep your defenses strong.

But when the enemy comes at us in ways we can’t handle alone—when the door wasn’t opened by our own fault or the usual remedies aren’t enough—priests are essential. The Church has been given authority by Christ to fight these battles, and we need clergy who are willing to step into the role of spiritual warriors.

The devil’s greatest trick is convincing people he doesn’t exist. But ignoring him doesn’t make him go away—it just makes his job easier. Whether it’s through temptation, oppression, or something more extreme, the enemy is always working to pull souls away from God.

It’s time for Catholics to wake up. We need to stop dismissing spiritual warfare as superstition and start recognizing the very real dangers around us. Mental illness and spiritual affliction aren’t mutually exclusive—both are real, and both require appropriate responses. When natural causes are ruled out, it’s time to address the root problem and fight back with the tools God has given us, supported by the Church and its priests.

Don’t wait for the wolves to come knocking. Equip yourself now. Pray, fast, and stay close to the sacraments. Protect your family and stand firm in Christ. The battle is real, but so is the victory. It’s already won—we just have to stay on the right side of it.