Exorcist Diary #389: Demons Choke on the Name of Mary

[Mary Crushing The Serpent" from "Immaculate Conception," detail, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1767-1768]

Typically the first words out of demons' mouths are: "She/he belongs to me!" An exorcism is essentially a battle for ownership. Demons claim the person. The new Rite of Exorcism, which is very effective, is based upon the Sacrament of Baptism. The person is "reclaimed" for Christ. In baptism, the Priest says: "I claim you for Christ our Savior."

In an exorcism, the afflicted person recites the Creed (if possible i.e. not fully manifesting) thus affirming the Faith. Then, he/she explicitly rejects Satan and all his works. Often I will follow this by asking the afflicted person to repeat three times after me: "I belong to Jesus." And then, "I reject, I renounce, I rebuke Satan and all the demons."

Often I will add: "And Mary is my spiritual mother." In a recent case, the person had no problem with affirming the Creed, claiming to belong to Jesus, and rejecting Satan. But when we got to: "Mary is my spiritual mother," the demons refused. They were choking on her name.

I commanded them again and again to say it: "And Mary is my spiritual mother!" After a bit of a battle, the afflicted person finally managed to say it and then vomited. It was an important "win" in the spiritual battle.

We priest-exorcists know that Jesus is Lord. It is he and he alone who has conquered Satan. It is in his name that the demons are cast out. And time and again I have seen the power of that holy name: Jesus!

But there is something about Mary that really gets to demons. Exorcisms often affirm that Satan is particularly humiliated by Mary and her power over him. Satan believes all humans are vastly inferior to him. He recoils at being wholly overcome so completely by this little woman.

We see this played out in an exorcism. We believe it is part of Satan's just punishment- to be cast out by Mary, and not Jesus directly. In fact, I have never witnessed Jesus personally showing up in an exorcism. Certainly he is always spiritually present and it is his person that empowers what we do. But God does not give Satan the "satisfaction" of going toe-to-toe with the Divine, to which he likes to style himself as equal. When the time comes for Satan to be ejected, Jesus sends his beautiful, humble Mother.

It is a sign of God's loving care for us, to send us such a wonderful mother. And should anyone doubt the true holiness and power of a holy motherhood, Mary is the model. And, in her presence, the King of Hell is no match.

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+The next Online deliverance session is Monday April 20th 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 Lenten retreat is below.

++SMC's initiative: the St. Gemma Project provides online sessions for young adults (18-30) to dialogue with Msgr. Rossetti. 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.

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Survey Comments from our 2026 Lenten Retreat

Review rating: 4.87 out of 5.0 stars (454 responses)

This one was a life saver. Thanks be to God.

Great, feeling renew and lighter

Wonderful retreat! Thank you very much. I discovered the wall around my heart is not forgiving others. It is for protection from hurt from family (siblings) who are unpredictable…I have forgiven them…You and your team are helping people.

Great prayers, covered everything and more!

I felt my heart open up during the prayer, and I cried and cried! I can't believe the immense grace and love of God. It is astounding!

Peace and joy

Our family is currently praying for the repose of soul, and eternal peace for my (by suicide). Your prayers of Deliverance continues to heal my weary soul, esp. in this sorrow.

I had a very positive experience and at times felt very close to God.

Wonderful experience as I prepare for my Baptism this Easter.

Very enlightening and uplifting.

I suddenly started crying during the Cyprian prayer. I also felt very sleepy from the moment Monsignor first appeared on the screen. After the retreat, I felt happier and lighter, and the pain in my right ankle diminished after the prayers.

I felt the walls around my heart crumble down & my heart be lighter.

Peaceful and nurturing.

I felt a deep sense of peace and gratitude during the session

There’s a lot of things in my heart that I need to let go of. And the Lenten Retreat made me realize that I have to be “Christ-like” and made me “whole” again spiritually.

I experienced peace and freedom during the prayers.

Wonderful, excellent, extremely educational and, of course, powerful content.

I feel renewed. Such a good feeling.

I felt a sense of peace. Something I haven't experienced for a very long time.

This Lenten Deliverance Retreat offered me a great talk and powerful prayer without having to leave home.

Felt a deep refreshment!; a sense of being renewed with clarity!

I felt something lift off me numerous different times throughout the deliverance prayers

I didn’t feel safe growing up and this gives me the confidence that God truly is there and watching over me and wants the best for me.

I cried and I'm not a crier! Healing tears and release of so much heartache and pain from multiple family betrayals…Abundant thanks to you and your amazing, selfless Team

The topic was very timely for me and the deliverance prayers are something I need to heal from the grief I am suffering from the death of my husband.

Very grateful!!!

Knee pain gone. Mental peace and a quiet joy. Calmed me.

I feel much lighter after the retreat. I was getting constant spasms in my right side of my back during the initial deliverance prayers…I also felt things being pulled or lifted from me during the freemasonry prayers.

Excellent.

I felt many burdens lifted from my soul…

Beautiful. Hope-filled.

I’m always so encouraged by these sessions!

Excellent. Very powerful prayers.

I am a recent convert (approaching 2 years). Before, I was trapped in the New Age and in a psychedelic cult, which really messed me up for some years. I have been attending these online sessions for about a year. I am profoundly grateful for the healing I have received.

The retreat gave me calmness and encouragement.

I love the deliverance sessions. I have been attending those for over a year. It provides me a sense of peace that I am unable to describe. I was emotionally devastated by the estrangement of my only son.

I always feel so peaceful and safe during these sessions.

I felt Holy Spirit moving through my body in the form of “intense warmth” especially around the heart area; while praying St.Patrick prayer of protection!

Love the prayers and the blessings. Very comforting.

Blessed and humbled to have participated to today’s Retreat. Great selection of prayers.

It was uplifting but convicting at the same time. I’m on the right track but still have many mountains to climb to try and become holy and to be worthy of being in the presence of My Lord and Savior. But, I am hopeful and joyful. Thank you Monsignor!

My experience was awesome

It was wonderful being immersed in such beautiful prayers and intentions.

I felt refreshed and empowered after the retreat.

I was feeling very heavily oppressed before the session , but midway through i felt a great relief. I feel exhausted now but in a good way, like I am no longer having to resist and can finally rest.

It was very helpful, inspiring and hopeful.

Leading up to the retreat I was feeling very heavy and unwell (cold and flue like symptoms, strong headaches) after the retreat was done I didn’t have any of those symptoms…many obstacles to attend this retreat but at the end God won!

I found the whole event absolutely stunning, and spiritually very cleansing.

Wonderful experience highly recommended. I felt more clear-headed and at peace after Lenten session.

Again I had uncontrollable coughing!…Several people and situations came to mind and I knew I had to pray for them. Many tears also. Thank you and your team for this incredible Ministry.

Fantastic!

I've had so much coming at me lately. So, when Msgr came to the segment of casting out evil spirits, I felt an incredible and great release and freedom.

I'm so blessed to have been able to receive these deliverance prayers virtually. I grew up in the occult and my Catholic faith has saved and delivered me.

I felt a release of tears when reciting the prayer to love and forgive myself.

Thank you so much Father and team. You are light in a dark world.

You will never know how much I needed this retreat. I had been going through a lot of conflicting thoughts and questions. When this retreat ended the peace I felt was overwhelming.