
30/07/2025
The Practice of Padugo
• In Filipino folk belief, “padugo” means offering the blood of animals (commonly chickens or pigs) at the start of building houses, businesses, or farms, with the belief it will bring good fortune, protection, or safety.
• It comes from animistic and pagan practices before Christianity, often associated with appeasing spirits or warding off misfortune.
Catholic Teaching on Padugo
1. Violation of the First Commandment
• The First Commandment forbids worshiping false gods and placing trust in superstitions.
• Padugo is a form of superstitious sacrifice, placing faith in spirits rather than God.
• The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2111–2117) condemns divination, sorcery, and superstitions that try to manipulate spiritual powers.
2. Invitation to Demonic Influence
• Blood sacrifice in superstitious rites can open spiritual doors to demons, because demons take advantage of false worship.
• Instead of blessings, families may suffer spiritual oppression, disturbances, or curses.
• In exorcism ministry, priests often encounter homes or people plagued by infestations because of padugo rituals.
3. Counterfeit Protection
• While families believe padugo ensures protection and safety, it actually enslaves them spiritually.
• The devil deceives people into thinking he is protecting them, but in reality, he is keeping them bound in fear and superstition.
Spiritual Warfare Perspective
• Blood belongs to God alone. In Scripture, blood is sacred because it is the sign of life given by God (Leviticus 17:11).
• Christ’s Precious Blood is the only true sacrifice for our protection and salvation.
• Padugo mocks the Sacrifice of Christ, replacing the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with a pagan imitation.
• Instead of liberation, families can experience bo***ge, disturbances, and even curses passed down generations.
Catholic Response and Liberation
1. Renunciation of Padugo
• Families must confess the sin of superstition and renounce any ties to rituals of blood offering.
• A prayer of renouncement can be led by a priest or spiritual leader in a deliverance ministry.
2. Blessing of the Home or Building
• Instead of padugo, the Church provides House Blessings, Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, and sprinkling with Holy Water.
• Sacramentals such as Blessed Salt, Holy Water, and the St. Benedict Medal are powerful in consecrating the place to God.
3. Use of Scripture and Prayer
• Claim Hebrews 9:12–14 and 1 John 1:7: only the Blood of Christ purifies and protects.
• Family prayer, daily Rosary, and frequent reception of the Sacraments close the door against demonic influence.
Padugo is spiritually dangerous because it breaks the First Commandment, dishonors God’s sovereignty, and invites demonic deception. True protection comes only from Christ’s Precious Blood and the Sacraments of the Church, not from animal sacrifices or superstitious rituals.
CTTO:
the exorcism cross