This is an oldie post, slightly edited. I am prompted to repost it because I recently had the pleasure of meeting a friend for lunch who had been in the Masons for sometime before his conversion.
From a reader…
QUAERITUR:
Dear Fr Z – First, let me again express gratitude for your priesthood and the work you do. Your constant, faithful representation of the Faith and calm, stalwart encouragement are invaluable boons.
Second, I read this post from Dreher and have read other similar things in other places. My wife has (according to her grandparents) some high-degree Masons in her ancestry. She doesn’t exhibit any of these signs, though her family on that side is very troubled in many ways. How concerned should she/we be about demonic influence due to Masonic heritage?
Who might we talk to, since so few priests (at least nearby) seem to take such things seriously?
Since I don’t know where you are, I am not sure whom you should talk to locally. However, I consulted a trusted exorcist about your question.
Our greatest concern should be ordinary, garden variety diabolical influence, namely, temptation.
Our own sins compromise our relationship with our Lord, not the sins of others. Nor do extraordinary diabolical interventions such as infestations, oppressions, obsessions, and possessions.
That said, Freemasons take oaths that can incur curses unto the fourth generation.
The Devil respects and takes advantage of the natural authority structures God has given us through the family. Just as there is the principle of redundancy in the order of grace (“grace flows downhill”), so does sin.
This works in natural authority structures such as the family. It also works – especially – within supernatural authority structures (Holy Church, the papacy, episcopate, presbyterate). Yes… really… within the CHURCH. So when Masons infiltrate the CHURCH, bad things can result.
The Devil is also a legalist. If someone swears an oath, the Devil can claim a right. That claim has to be broken.
Hence, when a Mason makes such oaths, his direct line can be compromised, susceptible, exposed.
What can one do?
After reaching age of reason and then our majority, each of us has increasing authority over ourselves. This is especially the case after reaching our majority. We can exercise that authority and renounce whatever Masonic baggage which was heaped on us by our forebears.
Here’s a formula in PDF format that can be used. It is long and comprehensive and leaves little doubt as to what is going on. HERE
There is a similar formula in Fr Ripperger’s book Prayers of Deliverance for use by Laity. US HERE – UK HERE
My recommendation before doing anything along these lines, is to GO TO CONFESSION, make a good Communion, fast, pray to Mary and your Angel for protection. We don’t fool around when dealing with the Enemy.
And leave anything having to do with Masonry alone.
