Q: My dad has an issue with gluttony. He’s retired now and overall had an active life. But lately he has no control over his eating habits and doesn’t seem to get enough. My mum tried talking to him about it, but he thinks everyone is out to get him. He attends Mass every day and devoutly prays the rosary with my mum. He enjoys good health overall, by the grace of God. But my mum worries about him. He is obviously gaining a lot of weight and has been complaining of weakened legs. But he refuses to change his eating habits. In India where he lives, we don’t have much support with issues such as this. Do you think there is a demonic element in this? Are there some kind of prayers we could focus on to help him? Kind regards, Genevive

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC:

If your dad is attending Mass daily and praying the rosary regularly, that doesn’t sound like demonic activity at work.

He might simply be eating too much.

It might be part of the way that he is reacting to retirement.

Some men find retirement difficult. They don’t know how to deal with all the “free time.”

It might help if your dad could be encouraged to do physical exercise on a regular basis, such as working out or even just taking brisk walks daily.

It would also be good to encourage him to get involved in volunteer work. This might give him a sense of renewed purpose … and help him burn off excess calories.

As for prayers, the rosary can be a powerful aid.

I hope that some of this helps. Count on my prayers.