J.M.J.
(See Above: Picture of Father Gruner’s Private Chapel)
Often at the end of a workday, a few of Our Lady’s apostolate employees and volunteers would gather in Father Gruner’s private chapel to pray the Rosary and assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Subsequently, a few of those who attended Mass – most often it was myself, Andrew Cesanek, Marie Corpe, Ann Cesanek (Andrew’s mother), and sometimes Joseph Cain and Bernadine Dumelie (R.I.P.) – would stay and have an impromptu meal with Father.
After Mass we would either cook something in Father’s kitchen or, living only a two-minute walk away from Father’s house, would quickly return to our own residences to pick up varying items to contribute to the meal.
During the meal we would discuss varying issues having to do with the Faith, the Fatima Message, and some of the projects that the apostolate was working on. Having these private meals with Father was a great source of education for those of us fortunate enough to be present. I thank Almighty God and Our Lady for such a gift over so many years.
Often the discussions would involve what was happening in the Church and the world. It was understood by all present that the crisis in the Church and moral decline in the world were taking place because the requests of Our Lady of Fatima have not yet been heeded.
On one particular evening back in 2005 (or thereabouts), the discussion centered around a very unsettling topic being reported in newspapers in Italy and North America, regarding the growing practice of Satanism in Italy and the vile crimes, such as human sacrifice, committed in connection with this practice.
Father Gruner’s Kitchen Table
Unlike many priests, Father Gruner had training as an exorcist. (Educating priests in performing exorcisms is typically not part of a priest’s seminary education and formation. It is something that is learned after a man is ordained to the priesthood, and only if he pursues such training.)
On different occasions Father spoke about the increasing incidence of demonic possession due to things that people are exposed to, or things that people say and do to one another not realizing that such words and actions expose a person to, or open the door to, the demonic.
He gave examples of these things and spoke of what must be done in order to undo the harm being caused. He gave the example of parents unknowingly causing great harm to their children – possibly even causing them to lose their souls – by cursing them, specifically by using the word “damn” with the child’s name or the word “you”. He explained that in order to remove the curse and undo the harm, the parent must bless the child.
Another example he gave pertained to one adult being cursed by another, which harms that person by exposing him to the demonic, and which may lead to something evil or injurious happening to him. If an adult is cursed by someone, Father advised that the person seek a priest’s blessing to undo the harm.
Father explained that certain “incantations” in children’s books, often cause problems. A child repeating these incantations is opening the door directly to demonic possession.
Father was not surprised by the reports of the growing incidence of occult practices including Satanism in Italy.
The discussion that particular evening about how demonic possession was increasing was frightening. Father was asked the question: “What can we do to protect ourselves from demonic possession – from the words or actions of others that could result in this?”
Father’s answer was a simple one, and one that alleviated any anxiety: “You have your Brown Scapular, you must wear the Brown Scapular. It is Our Lady’s protection.”
As Our Lady of Mount Carmel Herself promised to Saint Simon Stock when She gave him the Brown Scapular: “It shall be a sign of salvation, a protection in danger, and a pledge of peace.”
Wearing the Brown Scapular is one of the five things Our Lady of Fatima asked us to do.