Exorcist Diary #379: Is Demonic Lethargy Real?

[see "Last Supper," San Marco fresco, Italy; Ghirlandaio]

After only a few days, our recently published video: “Pray With Me: Demons of Lethargy” topped 125k views.  The rapid and overwhelming response suggests that it hit a long-hidden nerve.  A lot of people are suffering from lethargy and have not found any effective medical/psychological treatment.

It should be quickly noted that whenever serious symptoms of lethargy surface, professional medical and/or psychological assistance should first be sought out.  The Catholic Church’s protocol for exorcists is to first rule out psychological and medical causes before investigating the preternatural. 

But the avalanche of responses to the video and these deliverance prayers, and their related experiences are important.  Here are a few responses as a sample:

Literally every time I try to do a rosary (a spirit of lethargy overcomes me); I used to

       do them daily.

I recently dropped out of ministry because of lethargy.

Every time I sit down to prepare bible study courses I feel an inexplicable lethargy.

Thank you Father.  The prayer worked!

My husband and I are in OCIA (becoming Catholic).  We are experiencing this and

more…

I’m in OCIA and experiencing the same.  I’ve been so lethargic.

This happens to me often when I plan to go daily mass or the days I have to teach

      Catechism.

I’m fine until I get my rosary out and the yawning starts.  Other people tell me the

      same.

I needed this (the Pray With Me video).

I have been so tired that I have been too tired to pray.  I just needed this video.

I have frequently been overcome with lethargy at prayer, at Mass and at Adoration.

The prayers worked. Thank you Father!

I’m glad you addressed this.  I’m energetic all day but when I sit down to study the

      Bible, I’m overcome with so much fatigue I can’t even keep my eyes open.  Thank

      you for the prayers.

Thank you for this. One of my family members just recently mentioned that they feel

     tired and sleepy during Church Mass. Before and after Mass they say they are fine

    and feel totally awake & have energy, but when they step into church the

feeling of tiredness would hit them.

This is such a revelation. In my office as a professional counselor I have experienced

much lethargy in trying to help people suffering from mental illnesses. Thanks so

much Father for helping us.

That prayer worked! Thank you.

I was praying today to find out what was happening to me & why I was so drained for

      the past two weeks as I've been trying to get back into my Catholic Faith! Thank

you so much.

Thank you father!! Yes this happens to me often, it’s an unexplainable lethargy, even

      after three cups of coffee, but this prayer has helped me tremendously.

This worked for me. I didn't realize I was being attacked. I had so much energy after

      hearing this the first time.

I felt the immediate effect. Thank you Jesus, in Your By Name I am grateful to now go

      beyond this powerful fatigue.

This is my first time to attend a live Deliverance Prayer…I was yawning a lot at the

start & felt tired but at the end of the session felt like I had a surge of energy.

People in healthcare feel this a lot.

I used to work overnight cleaning a visitor center. About 2:30am-3:00am I would be

overcome by a powerful lethargy. It was sudden and overwhelming. Caffeine

had no effect whatsoever and my entire body was drained. Eventually the

telltale signs of preternatural infestation appeared: noises, growls, being

touched or being followed. Two priests performed a minor exorcism of the

building. Since then, it has been quiet. No signs of demonic harassment.

I know that just like the paralyzed man in today’s reading, I need the spiritual healing

     along with the physical.

Of course, one needs to be attentive to possible placebo effects, especially with a subjective experience like lethargy.  But the evidence for the existence of a demonic lethargy is strong.  Its typical symptoms are:

*There is a sudden onset of an overwhelming, inexplicable lethargy;

*It often strikes when the person engages in a holy task such as going to

church, reading the Bible, attending OCIA (becoming Catholic),

helping others, or other charitable work;

*It does not respond to traditional medical or psychological treatments;

*It may lift quickly in response to deliverance prayers.

Our SMC exorcists became aware of a demonic lethargy during exorcisms. More than a few times, we began an exorcism session and within a half hour or so, the Exorcist would be overwhelmed by lethargy, so much so that it was difficult to continue.  Similarly, the afflicted person, who was the subject of the prayers, likewise independently complained of an intense lethargy.  When it was recognized as having a demonic origin, the Exorcist commanded the demons of lethargy to leave, often with immediate success.

This experience is especially informative because Exorcists are uniquely protected from demonic attacks.  Nevertheless, at times, powerful demons of lethargy can “breakthrough” such strong defenses.  Thus, the effects of demons of lethargy on people who are less protected might be even more debilitating and even more difficult to cast out.

To be protected from Demons of Lethargy, what should one do?

1.  Be protected as much as possible from demonic attacks of any kind, using all the normal defenses.  This includes regular use of sacraments, sacramentals, prayer and holy living;

2.  When experiencing intense fatigue, medical and/or psychological causes and treatments should be thoroughly investigated;

3.  When preternatural causes are suspected, deliverance prayers and sacramentals ought to be used including explicitly using the three R’s:  “I renounce, I reject, I rebuke the evil spirits of lethargy”; 

4.  Regardless of the origin and level of success of ridding one’s self from lethargy, one’s sufferings ought to be offered as a participation in the Cross of Jesus, and thus become a source of spiritual growth and grace.

Most people suffering from lethargy will find a real medical and/or psychological cause.  It is important not to see demons “under every rock.”  But there will be a few cases that suggest more spiritual roots.  In our hyper-scientific era, an appreciation of the reality of supernatural and preternatural realities is often overlooked.    

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+To assist in casting out demons of lethargy, see: "Pray With Me: Casting Out Demons of Lethargy." Or: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6THG8dSvr7s

++The next Online deliverance session is Monday Feb 9th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time with rosary at 6:30pm. Register here or go to our website www.catholicexorcism.org. (If you already registered and received a link, you do not need to register again.) If you can't attend live, register ahead of time and then use the same link to view it later. A summary of the feedback from the January online deliverance session is below.

++SMC's new initiative: the St. Gemma Project provides online sessions for young adults (18-30) to dialogue with Msgr. Rossetti about spiritual warfare, angels, demons and faith in the world today. The latest young adult session was last Monday Jan 5th. The discussion centered around how to discern one's vocation in life. See the session here.  To receive notices about this project, sign up here or on our website: www.catholicexorcism.org. To view all the videos for young adults, go to our YOUTUBE channel or here.

+++Have you seen Msgr. Rossetti's powerful and revealing new book? "My Confrontation with Hell: Real Demonic Encounters of an Exorcist". Order here or with SpiritDaily.com and get free shipping.

++++Find us on YouTube: @stmichaelcenter. Did you know that SMC now has 123K followers on YOUTUBE! Click here.

+++++Beware of scammers!  There are a number of scammers on social media and YouTube posing as Msgr. Rossetti and pirating our posts. There are false Tik Tok and Instagram accounts. The gmail address: msgrstephenrosetti is a scammer. They are contacting people asking for money for an orphanage in Africa or for a fund for sick children. Or they are claiming "get rich quick" schemes in our YOUTUBE chat in order to scam people. If you want to contribute to our ministry, go directly to our website and donate safely.  

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A Sample of Feedback from the January 2026 Monthly Deliverance Session

I still often feel a lot of guilt and shame about past sins even though they have been forgiven in confession. Your videos and the prayer session are helping me find some peace

Lovely experience!

I shed a lot of tears, especially for the first portion. And also a lot of smiles. My soul feels at peace. Thank you and Hallelujah.

Very helpful for me! I am committed to staying in a rocky marriage. Husband has severe PTSD at times…I am a recovering alcoholic & addict…Both Grandparents Freemasonry…abortions, etc.

I came away with a greater understanding of forgiveness and little closer to trusting.

This was my first session, and I was a few minutes late, but I loved it! There were times that I felt dizzy and scared, but I continued praying and felt a lot better. I LOVED the Q&A right after. I can't wait for the next session. For anyone reading this, do not hesitate, join the next one!

I thought the prayers tonight were very thorough and I sensed a presence leave me! I feel so light and peaceful, a taste of the joy I’ve been starving for for years.

I felt so peaceful and full of gratitude for God and for you and your team Monsignor. Joy-filled.

This is my first time to attend a live Deliverance Prayer…I was yawning a lot at the start & felt tired but at the end of the session felt like I had a surge of energy.

I recently disconnected from a friend who started telling me she had a divination degree. She started getting angry with me and I decided to disengage with her. I felt a clearing from this session.

Sessions so helpful, felt deep peace.

I felt a great relief in the prayer of binding evil spirits and something leaving me after 2nd round of prayer of the generational spirit. This is the first time I could feel the noticeable changes in me from a prayer session.

I've been participating in the Deliverance sessions for over a year. Today I felt a deep peace that I haven't felt before…looking forward to the next session!

These monthly sessions, the retreats as well as the Pray with Me videos (daily) have changed my life. They have given me hope when I was close to despair.

I have been struggling with forgiveness for a while and this experience was simply amazing. During this experience a headache came on and it was suddenly gone by the end of it and I just felt astonished about how peaceful I felt by the end of this prayer session and I am looking forward to the next one.

My husband and I loved it! We always feel peace.

These sessions have been profoundly healing for me….i have struggled with addictions and family childhood trauma……uncovered in a session a trauma I had buried: I was 8. In an unholy rage I cursed myself wishing I had never been born….it ruptured my heart. I had buried that “hole” the prayer sessions have helped tremendously….Thank you Jesus!

Felt lighter personally as if something was lifted out from me.

A great peace filled my entire heart and soul.

I prayed tonight especially for healing of a sense of abandonment that has been with me for a long time. The Lord brought to mind the day my youngest brother was stillborn, many years ago. I wept most of the session - I did not know his passing had hurt me so much. The Lord healed me of a grief that I have carried so many years without knowing.

Like a ton of weight was lifted from my soul.

I’m not possessed but experience a great deal of demonic torment due to past trauma…these sessions do make me feel better for a little while and gives me the right tool set to fight and know that I am victorious in Christ. God has a plan for me and my suffering has not been wasted.

I feel a little less anxious and more at peace with myself.I am learning to be

More forgiving with myself. It's the best evening of my month.

Deeply powerful right now.

Finally realizing that my many childhood "sins" were not mine but were my parents abuse of me as a little innocent girl.

A very peaceful experience.

My husband and I did it together. That in itself is a miracle. We have had alot of oppression. During the prayers to remove curses, I felt a pulling in my lower back, like my skin was being pulled up. During certain prayers, my husband's vision got blurry several times, and at some points he said he got " tunnel vision." He felt sick with lifting the generational curses. After the session we feel united and fortified and more peaceful.

It was awesome

I joined the deliverance session and after the prayers Monsignor said for us I felt much better, I woke up earlier than usual today and felt more energetic than I had in a long time.

I felt a little dizzy a little nauseous at first [a] little tired, but once it was over and [F]ather gave the final blessing i felt lighter, more energy and more hopeful, thank you all.

It was cleansing. I feel more calm and peace inside.

Truly felt the peace that surpasses understanding tonight. When Father was praying my heart was burning. I have been attending for nearly two years and these sessions saved my marriage and family. We had a curse placed on us that was so destructive for many years. I did not know where to turn. Over time, hearts were softened, addictions eradicated and love renewed. Eternally grateful

A friend told me about this and all I can say is I am blown out of my socks! …I can’t even describe the feeling. It’s amazing.

Loved it, very healing!!

Wow!!!!! What a powerful deliverance session today!

Wow. I love these sessions. I think the world needs them. As usual I feel a total sense of peace and surrender to God.

Absolutely wonderful. I feel lighter.

Fantastic!

Loved it. I have been struggling with mental anxiety, stress and depression. I know anxiety is not from the Lord. I am praying Jesus I trust in you take care of everything in complete surrender. The struggle is real.

I felt peace and my anxiety faded away.

Today was stressful and things were very scattered when I was trying to get into the session but by the end of the session I felt so much happier and so much more relaxed there was a lot of yawning during the Freemasonry bit.

I always receive the gift of peace after these prayer sessions.

Lots of tears this evening. but also waves of peace and calm. thank you for these sessions Monsignor Rossetti, much needed in these difficult times.

The session was so powerful.

Like peeling layers off an onion, each session seems to remove more oppressive stuff.

I felt such incredible peace afterwards and truly held by God.

I have been struggling with a severe porn addiction made worse by AI allowing the porn to be tailored to my sinful desires & look like women from my past & present. W/God's help, I cleared the material from my phone before the session. During the session, I felt the oppression I've been feeling for months lift & the ache in my heart that pushed me towards this addiction start to heal, especially when praying against the spirits of unforgiveness & lust.

These sessions remind me to keep giving Him gratitude and to remain in the certitude that He [God] is at work somehow.

Wonderful. I feel loved and blessed

Great session..I feel peaceful and like I’m going to get a good night’s sleep :)).

Hope filled, renewed and grateful, thank you!

It was extremely powerful. The new prayers seemed to have a lifting effect as if something were detached and lifted off. In addition, the prayers to lift curses & seals was very powerful. I cannot thank you enough.

I feel safe, protected and loved.

Another amazing, healing, liberating and grace-filled experience. It is hard to believe that these online deliverance prayers actually work, but they do! When Msgr. Rossetti prayed to cast out the demon of lethargy, I immediately felt lighter. When he prayed for family unity which I have grieved about for the past few years, I cried. I feel physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually cleaner, lighter, freer and more peaceful after these sessions.

My husband and I prayed together, and we both felt a great sense of peace and joy.

Little by little - I see a difference in my life. My home is more peaceful and that is the most important thing to me.

Outstanding.

There was a brief sensation of throat tightness and goosebumps during the prayer session, followed by a light and relaxed feeling afterward.THANK YOU!

THANK YOU! I needed it so badly. Everything lately seems to go wrong way…eating disorder…finances…husband talking about suicide…and the air in my house seemed almost heavy. When I prayed two of my younger kids had irrational tantrum anger outburst till the end of the prayers.

After this session, my mind was clear and I felt as if a weight had been lifted with a general sense of calm and peace.

Wow. The deliverance portion is very powerful! Almost as soon as it started, when we are rebuking and renouncing, I started coughing and my body would shake and make movements all of a sudden, especially when Monsignor prayed with the cross in his hand. Then halfway through the deliverance section, I started hiccuping (I almost never hiccup) and I couldn't stop until the livestream stopped. Literally as soon as it stopped the hiccuping stopped!

Over the course of a year, these sessions have truly helped me in healing from both childhood & emotional wounds. I'm realizing how loved I am by our Lord & am rejecting the lies told me. I'm learning how to surrender more to His Love & let Him fight my battles for me.

Just a feeling of well-being and peace!

Wonderful, peace. It came off in layers. I especially felt it during the forgiveness prayers, lifting of curses, 2nd generational curse prayer, and final prayers. I had lots of burping during this session, which I do not usually experience. But I am grateful for all that you do and for the peace, mercy, and healing the Lord provides. THANK YOU.

I experienced liberation with the prayers for Freemasons. I had an ancestor that I know was Freemason. I screamed involuntarily during the prayers as if something had broken. I have had spiritual problems for more than 5 years. I hope I got rid of those demons and be the end of this sad experience

A profound peace fell on me.

…as Msgr was praying tonight, my neck and face swelling that is caused by allergy…started going down. I could hear popping in my ears and face and felt like I could breathe better too.

I was feeling a heavy oppression most of the day, partially due to a difficult situation with our adult son who is living with us. I felt it greatly lifted through the deliverance session. I am so, so grateful.

I was feeling very anxious and stressed from work and family, especially feeling this pressure in my shoulders/back. I tried many things (sleeping more, massages, exercise, etc). Joining this tonight did for me what nothing had been able to do. I feel so much lighter in my body and mentally.

A must for my spiritual life.

I had been suffering with a constant headache since my last fall on Christmas day. During the session of today i felt like a heat from my head through my shoulder, and immediately the pain is gone thank you Lord for my healing.

It was so great. I burped a lot and for some reason my right hand started to hurt when you were lifting curses. It stopped when it was done and I started to cry with the demon talk because I always feel like I am a failure and not good enough

I been attending them over a year. I feel Our Lord Jesus is starting to heal all my Family & my boyfriend & I. We are all very broken from years of sin & hurts from past traumas.

My family of…adult kids, repeat verbal abuses towards me. It’s been painful, and since joining your prayer sessions I’m slowly getting graces to have more boundaries…I wept when you came to the prayers for healing. I decided I gave them life, raised them with all the sacraments, rosaries, scapulars, etc. They need gratitude in Jesus’ graces, so I pray! Thank you all!!

I have been plagued by a heaviness for so long and an awareness that something negative was sitting on me. After praying with the deliverance session, I am so much lighter! It was beautiful and full of wonderful information that helped me to know of God's love and mercy! It helped me forgive myself and forgive others. I highly, highly recommend all Catholics to attend a session at least once. It was just beautiful and so beneficial!