By Peyton Voorheis
Staff Writer
The Rev. Daniel Maria Klimek, TOR, spoke on spiritual warfare to Franciscan students in the International Lounge on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.
Klimek began by elaborating on the various forms of spiritual attacks, both the ordinary—which all people experience in their day-to-day lives—and the extraordinary.
Klimek stated that ordinary spiritual attacks include temptation from the world, the flesh, or the devil. He added that these attacks can only be fought through the power of prayer.
“When you overcome temptation, you actually grow in faith,” said Klimek. “Allow the struggle to make you a saint, allow the struggle to sanctify you, allow it to cultivate a life in which you do not simply pray, but you are prayer.”
Klimek stated that extraordinary forms of attack include infestation, an attack on a tangible place or object, oppressions and obsessions–physical and mental attacks, respectively–and possession, when demons take temporary control of a person’s body without their knowledge.
“Be at peace, Jesus is in charge,” said Klimek, in anticipation of the listeners’ unease. “It is Our Lord, it is Our Lady, it is the heavenly armies and angels who are in charge.”
He continued by telling stories from his own experiences with spiritual attacks, ultimately stating that “life would be so boring without the demons.”
The talk finished around 7:40 p.m., and the event transitioned into a question and answer session. Students raised a variety of questions for Klimek on topics such as dealing with scrupulosity, spiritual sensitivity, exorcism processes, and even the portrayal of the supernatural in modern media.
A time for praise and worship in front of a crucifix was held following the Q & A session.
RENEW Ministries is a group seeking to form students through weekly events as they live a life in the Holy Spirit.