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One of our afflicted persons was having problems communicating on her phone. So, we suggested she put a sticker with an image of the Medal of St. Benedict and attach it to her phone. She said she put the sticker on the phone and when she tried to pick up the phone, it burned. She could hardly hold it. Similarly, during one of our exorcism sessions a few weeks ago, a crucifix on the wall loudly snapped and the Benedictine medal on it flew off the wall and crashed on the ground. It is very clear that the demons hate this medal. Practitioners of magic invoke talismans and magic formulas. We do neither of these. The power of the medal does not come from an inherent power in the medal itself. Rather, it invokes the authority of the Church and the intercession of St. Benedict, who is the patron of exorcisms. It includes ancient exorcistic prayers of the Church. For many years, the meaning of the letters on the medal was lost. In 1647, a manuscript, dated 1415, was found in a monastery in Bavaria which explained the symbols. The letters around the outside of the medal are: V.R.S.N.S.M.V.—S.M.Q.L.I.V.B. Vade Retro Satana, Nunquam Suade Mihi Vana; Sunt Mala Quae Libas, Ipse Venena Bibas. Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself! The Benedictine medal is the only sacramental I am aware of that actually includes an exorcism on it. And very clearly, it has a powerful effect on the demonic. Many of us in this ministry puts stickers with the symbol of the Benedictine medal on our phones and computers. When using our electronic devices, we have had more than a little demonic harassment. Also, we often use a crucifix with a Benedictine medal on it during our exorcisms. We encourage our laity to use these medals as well. St. Benedict, patron of exorcisms, pray for us! ----------------------- *The next online deliverance prayer session is this Monday, July 17th, 7-8pm Eastern time. Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/july-17th-online-deliverance-prayer-session

[Basilica of San Frediano, Lucca Italy; Mary defending child from demon, photo by author]** I have never heard of Jesus personally showing up in an exorcism and casting out the demons. Perhaps it has happened but I have not yet heard of one. Of course, it is in Jesus' holy name that the demons are cast out. Recently, a possessed person told me that whenever I say the holy name of Jesus, it makes the demons "seriously angry" and he finds it "very painful." Jesus' death and resurrection is THE fundamental exorcism that smashed Satan's kingdom. The name and power of Christ casts out demons. So then why doesn't He personally show up at exorcisms? Understanding who Satan is and thus his punishment is important. Satan tried to make himself equal to God. As one of our exorcism prayers addresses Satan, "In your great pride you still presume to be held equal [to God]." One might speculate that if Jesus, the God-man, were to show up in person to cast out Satan, it would support his delusions that he can be on the same plane as God, to challenge Him, and to be equal to Him. But Satan is dust compared to Jesus; he is a lowly creature who has made himself even lower because of his evil. Moreover, it is often speculated by theologians that one of the reasons Satan originally rebelled against God was in response to the revelation of the Incarnation. For Satan, it was an insult that God would choose to exalt our lowly humanity instead of his superior angelic nature. Satan's pride blinded him and he became enraged against Jesus and all of humanity, perpetually dedicated to destroying it. In response, Jesus sends a "lowly" woman from Palestine to cast him out. Her only "weapons" are her love for Jesus, her total humility, and her obedience to God. It is precisely in these that we humans triumph over evil. According to Divine justice, Satan is enduring a reality he never learned: the essence of true power belonging to God. As St. Paul says: "I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me" (2 Cor 12:9). I personally believe that the entire ministry of exorcism has been delegated by God to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the Mother of Exorcists; I believe she is spiritually present at every exorcism; and she often makes her presence directly felt in casting out Satan. I do not know a seasoned exorcist who does not have a deep, heart-felt devotion to the Mother of God. In fact, I tell new exorcists in training that such a devotion is not simply a pious addition to one's ministry. It is essential. We begin every exorcism invoking the aid of the most powerful Mother of God. Mary, Mother of Exorcists, pray for us. -------------------------------------------- *The next online deliverance prayer session is Monday, July 17th, 7-8pm Eastern time. Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/july-17th-online-deliverance-prayer-session **Author's Note: While I like the depiction of Mary defending the child against the demons, the image of Mary violently swinging a bat might be misleading. When she casts out demons, she does so with the overpowering grace of love and humility from Jesus. It is not a violent act although the demons might perceive it as such.

["Holy Sacrifice of the Mass", etsy] I have been working with someone who is afflicted with a strong demonic presence. We not only encourage him to say deliverance prayers daily, but also to attend Sunday Mass. This is critical. There is consistently nothing more powerful and nothing more hated by the demons than attending Mass and receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus. The demons' abhorrence of the Eucharist is a witness to its spiritual efficacy, and ultimately to the teaching of the real presence of Christ. Whenever I even say the name "Jesus," the possessed man says the demons are "seriously angry" and "it is really very painful." But the Eucharist is something on a completely higher spiritual plane. The demons do everything they can to keep the possessed away. Week after week, I have encouraged him to attend Mass but he has not been able. I asked him why and he said, "My mind is ready and I want to go but I can't. It's like I have no control over my body and I can't walk out the door. It is as though something big were blocking me." It is not hard to guess what the "something big" was. So, I told him: "Next Sunday, as you get ready to go to Mass, I will call you and say a binding prayer. We will bind the demons that are blocking your Mass attendance." So, I bound the demons right before he left to go to Mass. After successfully attending, he texted: "It was amazing to see the chains and ropes around them [the demons]... I could see that they were bound and it was safe to go in." When someone is severely afflicted with demons, their blocking Mass attendance is obvious and expected. But I wonder how many people, who are not possessed or oppressed, are similarly hindered from attending Mass because of an unsuspected demonic interference. It may be more common than we realize. Might it behoove every Pastor to say a binding prayer every weekend to bind any demons that are hindering his parishioners' Mass attendance? Might it not behoove parents to say a binding prayer to assist their children to attend Mass? While we cannot blame demons for our bad choices, we should not quickly dismiss any suggestion that the presence of demons can be a real negative influence. I offer this prayer as one example: A Binding Prayer for Demons Impeding Mass Attendance In the Holy Name of Jesus, I ask Jesus, through the intercession of Mary his Mother and the Powers of Heaven, that any demons that are keeping [N.] from attending Mass this weekend be bound. I pray that God might render them impotent, paralyzed and ineffective. May they have no influence on [N.]; may they not prevent [N.] from attending Mass this Sunday or any day. May the Holy Spirit empower the angels to escort [N.] to the Church and to protect [N.] to the praise and glory of God the Father in his Son Jesus Christ. Amen. ---------------------------- *The next online deliverance prayer session is Monday, July 17th, 7-8pm Eastern time. Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/july-17th-online-deliverance-prayer-session

["Christ Blessing Little Children," Charles Lock Eastlake, 1839] Another text from demons last night. Typical demonic rant. The demons were tormenting an afflicted person and her father with a flood of ugly and mocking texts. At one point I texted back the well-known St. Michael prayer. Then, the demonic texts stopped, for a moment. They started up again and a second time I texted the St. Michael prayer and added, "May the Powers of Heaven surround them, protect them, and cast out the demons." This time, the demonic bravado and filth stopped. The demons signed off with a threat: "It's been a pleasure Stephen. Maybe tonight, you'll feel my presence surround you as you sleep in what you think is a serenity, safe guarded home." Apparently, the St. Michael prayer was effective against this pack of demons and I made a mental note to use it again. The demons did, in fact, "visit" me during the night, but a quick deliverance prayer cast them out. In another case, a family is likewise tormented by hundreds of texts, but this time they are coming from a witch. She is enraged at them and is trying to destroy their family. I noticed that there is the same tone in her texts as found in demonic texts. They are arrogant, taunting, threatening, lying, and vengeful. She curses them daily with spells to cause physical and mental suffering, including their children. The farther down the dark path someone goes, the more they think and act like demons. We call this: "demon brain." Perhaps this woman began as a "good" witch, or at least she thought so [there is no good magic]. Now, she is clearly into black magic and fully under the control of Satan, although she believes she is worshipping a pagan deity. She is thinking and acting like demons. All of this reminds me, once again, that I must not be like them. I must always be a follower of Jesus. I must love my enemies, forgive those who persecute us. I must be humble and bless all, never cursing. Sometime ago, I wrote "The Heart of an Exorcist." I am reading it again today and reminding me of who I should be: The Heart of an Exorcist I do not boast of casting out demons, boasting comes from the mouths of demons; I choose to serve the Lord in humility. I do not feel sorry for my little sufferings, it is Satan who plays the victim; I choose gratitude for everything that comes to me. I do not punish demons or chastise anyone for evil deeds, it is demons who accuse and cause suffering; I choose to forgive and to heal. I do not judge the hearts of others, demons constantly criticize and tear down; I choose to strengthen and build up. I do not speak ill of others or curse them, detraction and cursing is the work of witches and demons, I return a blessing. I do not hate … even Satan and his minions, hatred has its home in hell; I choose to love, my home is in heaven. ---------------------- *The next online deliverance prayer session is Monday, July 17th, 7-8pm Eastern time. Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/july-17th-online-deliverance-prayer-session

["St. Margaret of Antioch Attacks A Demon With A Hammer," detail from "The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine" by Barna da Siena c. 1340] In the midst of an exorcism last week, there was a loud BANG! A crucifix with a Benedictine medal was snapped and thrown to the floor. It didn't just fall; it was inexplicably broken and violently crashed to the floor.* Again, a few nights ago, around the demonic hour of 3 am, there was a loud crash in my closet. I opened the door and on the floor was a hanger with my clerical shirt. Like the crucifix, it didn't just drop to the floor; it hit the floor with a violent crash. No accident that the hanger chosen had my priest's shirt on it-- demons hate priests. These are typical demonic antics. They crash our computers, mess with our phones, and interrupt online prayer sessions. But with perseverance and prayer, we are able to accomplish our ministry. The evil one is allowed to tempt and harass but never to destroy. These latest demonic antics confirm it. If Satan could, he would annihilate every deliverance ministry, and maim and kill everyone involved. But he cannot. With these demonic antics, Satan's goal is to strike fear in people's hearts. Fear feeds the demons. If we act out of fear of Satan, it gives him some control. Initially, it can be frightening when objects invisibly fly across the room. But, eventually, these antics do just the opposite. We see that the evil one is chained by the One who is truly Lord. Despite Satan's antics, we do accomplish our ministry. It is not destroyed. Despite the evil one's efforts, we do get up each day and conduct yet another exorcism. Everything, even Satan's futile efforts, ultimately serve God's plan and leads to our sanctification and his glory. So many desperate people come to me questioning if God hears their pleas for help. Many are terrified of what the evil one is doing. In the midst of these demonic attacks, I encourage them to join us in prayer: "Jesus, I trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you." ------------------------------ *A converted sorcerer said that only higher ranking demons can handle religious objects. Interesting..... *Signup for our next online deliverance session: June 19th. Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/june-19th-online-deliverance-prayer-session.

["Joseph Forgives His Brothers," Bacchiaccia, 1515] I have been astounded at the tenacity and commitment to vengeance by a particular witch. She was in a relationship with a male who eventually broke it off. She was hurt by the rejection and she turned to revenge. Initially unknown to him, she is a proficient witch and she has taken to cursing him daily. The effects of her "magic" and curses are very real as it invokes the power of demons. She is daily tormenting him. What is astounding is her unwavering commitment to revenge. The breakup happened over three years ago and she is daily still hounding him with dozens of texts and multiple curses. The focus of her life is revenge and she is daily spending hours intent on destroying his life. She swears she will never stop. This is yet another sign that she is a minion of the Evil One. Satan's entire existence seeks revenge against God whom he believes victimized him. He is spending every ounce of his dark energy forever lashing out against all that is holy. But his undying revenge is only destroying himself, as is the undying revenge of this witch. It reminds me yet again of the importance of forgiveness and Jesus teaching us to forgive those who hurt us (Luke 6:27-29). We need to release others from any spiritual debts or wounds related to us. And we ourselves need to be freed as well. It does not mean that we have not been hurt or that those who have hurt us are in the right. Rather, it means that we will not be defined and enslaved by such actions and their wounds. We acknowledge the wound, and give it to Jesus the healer of souls. I feel bad for the man who is being tormented. I also feel bad for the witch who is consumed by revenge. The afflicted person and I pray for forgiveness, to lift the curses, and for healing. We also pray together for the woman (which surprises her!). May she, too, forgive and find peace. *Signup for our next online deliverance session: June 19th. Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/june-19th-online-deliverance-prayer-session.

[The Fool with Two Demons (detail), illuminations in Ingeborg Psalter, after 1205] "N" has a long history of doing hard drugs. No wonder: her mother, a witch, admitted to putting cocaine in her baby formula. Plus, N is tormented by demons. No wonder: her mother also consecrated her to Satan at birth. Her mother died young from a drug overdose. Her adoptive parents, fervent Catholics, have been courageous in helping N recover from both drugs and demons. She has been clean from drugs for over a year and they have accompanied her to many months of exorcism sessions. She has made great progress and the demons’ hold on her is almost gone. The demons are enraged. They especially hate her relationship with her adoptive parents. This relationship has been the key to her recovery and breaking her demonic connection. So, the demons are doing everything they can to destroy this family. One of their primary tactics has been to breakdown the trust between N and her new parents. While N denies using drugs anymore, the parents are daily receiving demonic texts (sometimes info’ing the daughter) saying that she is. Such as: “She was doing cocaine on that back table by the curtains.” “She’s mine now. If you had a dad who [cared] about you, you wouldn’t be drugging yourself the way you are now.” “Just find a needle and a spoon my dear and the pain will end.” “It’s amazing isn’t it? All that powder she put up her nose? And she ain’t dead yet.” The parents and the daughter daily receive such nasty emails and worse, insinuating she is using or about to use, and tempting N to relapse. In understanding how demons work, a basic principle is Demonic Inversion.* Demons invert the truth. They try to pass off their lies as truth and they try to make people believe the truth is really a lie. Similarly, they present evil as being good and try to make people believe what is good is really evil. We increasingly see this throughout our society. In N's case, the demons are desperate to separate the adoptive parents from N and they sow their demonic lies daily. In the beginning, the parents were duped by these lies and they believed N was really relapsing into drug use. This created discord and threatened the bond of trust between N and her parents. Now, they realize the truth and they are united with their daughter against these demonic tactics. And if she does relapse, they are quick to forgive and assist her in getting back on the road to recovery. I suspect we underestimate how often Satan sows similar lies among family members today, and in the Church as well, attempting to destroy its harmony and unity. The Holy Spirit is the bond of unity in the Church and in our families. May the Holy Spirit come and make us one in love. ------------------ *See Fr. Chad Ripperger, Dominion, pp. 110-111. **Signup for our next online deliverance session: June 19th. Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/june-19th-online-deliverance-prayer-session.

["Jesus performs an exorcism with a demon escaping a woman's mouth. A scene from the abstinence cloth in the Cathedral of Gurk, Carinthia, Austria (1458)"] "M" was repeatedly cursed by witches and is now demonically afflicted. A couple of nights ago, she received a threatening text from demons: "You'll have your migraine all night for throwing me up b[expletive]." A few hours prior to the text, M was being greatly oppressed by demons so we prayed over her. Then she vomited up an ugly, thick, black liquid. The demons departed and she returned to full self-consciousness. Preternatural coughing and vomiting during an exorcism are typically a positive development since they are a sign that demons are being cast out. In the text, the demons admitted that she vomited them up and they were threatening to give her a migraine in retaliation. We have long known that, in the final stages of liberation, the afflicted will often vomit up strange things. Exorcists have reported unusual objects being ejected such as nails, chains, demonic figurines, cursed objects, and even snakes. These items were not in the afflicted person's stomach but rather preternaturally materialized in the mouth. The object in the vomit will be related to the cause and/or substance of their possession. It is not random. In this case, K was cursed by a witch. What she coughed up was a kind of witches' bolus or substance of the curse. We have other folks who are also suffering from witches' curses or evil spirits of divination. Some of them have also excreted ugly substances from various bodily orifices. The good news is that, after the excretion, afflicted persons always say they feel lighter and freer. There is a related prayer for exorcists on our APP/website, "Prayer for Someone Who Has Ingested a Cursed Object," which concludes with: "I exorcise you so that all evil should be destroyed and annihilated in whatever manner it was done to the servant of God N. Pass from his (her) visceral organs and push the evil out, so that you will be spitted out naturally without damaging his (her) body or mind. Amen."* Witches' curses are very real.** They summon the dark power of demons. But they are nothing compared to the liberating power of Christ. Once I commanded the demons to tell me: "Who is Lord: Jesus or Satan? I command you to tell the truth!" The demons snarled and choked out the truth. They said, "Jesus." --------------------------------------------- *If the laity wish to recite such a prayer, we recommend they amend it to being a deprecatory prayer. Instead of directly commanding the demons to leave (an imprecatory prayer), the prayer would be addressed to God, Jesus, the Virgin Mary or some saints and angels. A deprecatory prayer asks them to cast out the demons. **See also: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/post/exorcist-diary-151-a-witch-s-power ***Signup for our next online deliverance session is: June 19th. Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/june-19th-online-deliverance-prayer-session.

["Flagellation of Christ," Peter Paul Rubens, 17th Century] Late at night, one of our exorcists was attacked with a physical torment of the body. It felt like a kind of anxiety in which his body was being squeezed. He suspected it might have a demonic origin, especially given some of our intense cases. So, he said aloud, "I offer up this suffering for 20 conversions to the faith, 20 people liberated from demons, 20 conversions of witches, and for 20 priests, if it be God's will." Immediately, the physical attacks ceased completely. He thought, "Too bad. I was hoping for these graces and conversions!" I guess the demons weren't willing to make the trade. Similarly, I remember not too long ago, we were in the midst of an intense session and the possessed person spit in my face (there was alot of saliva!). So I said, "I offer it for the liberation of this person." Again, he spit in my face. I said again, "I offer this for his liberation." A third time, he tried to spit but missed. I responded, "You missed. Try harder." It stopped. Soon after, he was liberated. One of our experienced exorcists came up with this approach-- saying aloud that we offer up our little demonic-induced sufferings for specific intentions, especially for the liberation of the afflicted person at hand. It's a good use of these little humiliations and demonstrates the truth that whatever evil is endured in faith, God transforms into a grace. This offering up of suffering is ultimately a reminder to the demons of their defeat on the Cross. We have many people who come to us each day in torment. We feel very bad for them and offer what advice and help we can. But suffering is a part of everyone's life. Archbishop Fulton Sheen once lamented that there is so much wasted suffering in our world. Why not, as many were taught so many years ago when faith was the norm, "Offer it up?" --------------------------- Our next online deliverance session is: June 19th. Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/june-19th-online-deliverance-prayer-session.

["Vocation of the Apostles," Domenicao Ghirlandaio, 1481] We just finished another monthly online deliverance session. We had 4,500 live and over 10,000 views. It was a wonderful and powerful experience with so many faithful from all over the world praying together. They came from Argentina, Spain, Finland, Philippines, Italy, Venezuela, Malaysia, Ireland, Uruguay, Croatia, Slovenia, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Canada and more.* After the last session, one participant wrote: "I became extremely sleepy and started falling asleep. I tried to fight it but it was so powerful and then I heard Monsignor Rossetti cast out Satan who is trying to put us to sleep and I instantly woke up wide eyed! I don't remember his exact words but everything had gone fuzzy as I fell asleep but, whatever he said, it immediately left me. Thank you Jesus." What I said that woke him up was: "In Jesus' name, I command the demons of lethargy to leave!" It is a common experience among participants that they become drowsy the minute the deliverance prayers start. They can hardly follow the prayers. Another participant wrote: "I fell asleep... I got to the point of the breaking of freemasonry, then boom, I passed out." Do these folks just need more sleep? This week, in a face-to-face session, an afflicted person complained of the same thing. "Every time we start to pray," she said, "A feeling of lethargy comes over me." So, I commanded the demons of lethargy to leave and her lethargy departed. This happens not only in deliverance sessions, but also in people's daily lives, especially in ministries that demons hate. One woman has an important Gospel ministry and the minute she begins to work on it, she can barely keep her eyes open. After several deliverance sessions, the problem was gone. This has happened way too many times to be a coincidence. Demons do everything they can from stopping people from being involved in deliverance prayers. They try to stop the communications and mess with the electronics. They will throw up barrier after barrier to stop people from attending. And if they do make it to a session, they will try to put them to sleep. So, we pray for the Holy Spirit to help these people attend; we use prayers of protection for our technology; and we pray to cast out demons of lethargy. These are all annoyances of Satan. But Jesus is Lord! We are harassed in many, different ways but never thwarted. The Good News will be preached and it will reach the ends of the earth. ------------------------- *The next online deliverance session is: June 19th. Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/june-19th-online-deliverance-prayer-session.

["Last Judgment," triptych, Hieronymus Bosch, 1482] In the midst of an exorcism, quite by chance, a mirror ended up in front of the possessed person. Immediately, the demons reacted violently and screamed to get rid of it. We were surprised by the reaction. A former practitioner of sorcery and the occult said that his "religion" often hosted underworld parties celebrating particular demons. These demons might take possession of those attending. He said it was common practice to cover the mirrors before the party because "the demon spirits could not look at themselves (or rather the reflection of the human they possessed that night) in the mirrors."** When possessing a human being, demons experience some of the physical attributes of the energumen. Even though they do not have a physical body, it seems that when they are possessing a human being and looking into a mirror, they see a glimpse of their horrible evil. As I sometimes say to the demons: "God made you beautiful and now look at what you have become!" Demons are ugly beyond description. No horror movie can capture the repulsive ugliness of sin and the demonic. Demons do not want to hear the truth and they do not want to see the truth. Their reflection in a mirror shows them their ugly truth. The ritual of an exorcism is about telling the truth to the demons. They have rejected God. They are immersed in evil. Christ has defeated them on the cross. They are damned for all eternity. They will be in an excruciating torment for all time. I do not know any exorcists who use mirrors. I wonder if it would be a good intervention. Our "weapon" during the spiritual battle of an exorcism is the Truth, who is Jesus. When we pray the Ritual, they hear the truth in words. Perhaps seeing the truth in a mirror might also be good... -------------------- *Register for our free online deliverance session tonight Monday May 8th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/may-8th-online-deliverance-prayer-session **"Out of the Devil's Cauldron," John Ramirez, p.92.

["Nativity at Night" Geertgen tot Sint Jans, 1490] One of our suffering souls, "James," contacted me. He was filled with despair. He said that an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness came over him and that he was convinced he would never be free from the demons. We immediately held a spontaneous session over the phone and I prayed deliverance prayers with him. At the end, the dark feelings completely lifted and his hope returned. I told him that these dark feelings were obviously demonic. They overwhelmed him rather suddenly and left immediately as a result of prayer. I explained that demons can only give what they have and theirs is a tormented world of fear, anger, hopelessness and despair. They can infect someone's mind and fill it with despair without the person ever being conscious of the demonic presence. Around the same time, one of our spiritual “burden bearers” told me that she had experienced a similar sudden, intense bout of hopelessness and despair. She suspected that it was the dark spirit of one of our suffering souls. I thought, "Perhaps her suffering was for James" ... We are grateful for such victim souls. By the grace of God and the intercession of our prayer warriors, James is slowly getting better. I don’t understand the modern embracing of magic, witchcraft, Satan and the occult. They are descending into a dark world. Some initially find such things fascinating and the manipulation of demonic power can be addicting (although it is they who are really being manipulated). But its path must end in a dark, tormented despair. Hell is rightly described as a dark place. Whereas in heaven, there is no need for artificial light or a sun, because the Lord God will be our light (Rev 22:5). God shines and illumines the heavens, spreading true light, joy and peace. "God is light, and in him there is no darkness" (1 Jn 1:5). ------------------------------------------------------- *Register for our free online deliverance session Monday May 8th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/may-8th-online-deliverance-prayer-session

["The Fall of the Rebel Angels," Luca Giordano, 1634-1705] One of our afflicted persons has been particularly violent in sessions and needs strong restraints. At one point, he managed to break free and started to swing his arms wildly. The exorcist was justly alarmed and prayed aloud: "I ask the holy angels to restraint this man until we can secure him!" Immediately, his arms dropped to his side and remained motionless until he was restrained again. After being restrained, he again began to thrash, but was safely secured. A particularly gifted individual told us that we have at least one angel from the angelic ranks of Powers at each of our exorcism sessions. Of the nine choirs of angels, the Powers are of the middle rank, higher than guardian angels, and they "order how what has been commanded [by God] ... be carried out by others" including protecting from evil spirits. She said we have had up to eight angelic Powers present in a single session, depending on the size of the demonic cohort. At one point, we addressed these angelic Powers as "warrior angels" and we were given to understand that they prefer to be addressed as "defenders." It is demons who are the aggressors; God's holy angels are defending against these evil attacks. These Powers are naturally "all strong-willed and very protective" in the best sense. When given a vision of these powerful angels, they appear muscular, strong, imposing, and somewhat taller than a guardian angel. Their role is to protect what belongs to God and to keep out other demons that try to enter. Thus, in our exorcism sessions we explicitly pray for them to surround us and protect us. They are also actively involved in casting out the demons. For their weapons, they typically appear with lances or swords that are "the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God" or Jesus Christ (Eph 6:17). Exorcists should invoke their assistance at every session. We have been doing this explicitly with great effect using the St. Michael prayer ("St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle...") as well as the Breastplate of St. Patrick. When it comes to the section in the Breastplate: "I bind N. today to the virtue of ranks of Cherubim, in obedience of Angels, [in service of Archangels]," the Exorcist repeats this phrase many times, imploring the help of God's heavenly army. Exorcists tend to focus on the presence of demons in an exorcism since their ministry is directly to cast them out. However, good angels are present in every exorcism and their unseen presence is vital, and a consolation.

["Last Judgment", Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel] Demons are sore losers and do not accept defeat. After the liberation of a severely possessed young woman, the Team received a number of texts from the expelled demons. It was partly written in Ukrainian, a language that young woman doesn't speak, and it said: "Я йду за цією дівчиною." Google Translate rendered it: "I'm after this girl." It was signed, "666." The texts keep taunting us and telling us to give up and let her go. They want her back ... desperately. Several times the demons said it explicitly: "I want her back." Another time they texted, "I want the girl. I need her. Give her back to me soon. You can't keep this up." The Good News is that she is indeed liberated and the demonic taunts help to confirm it-- they were cast out and they want her back. We continue to assist her in living a solid Christian life. She is now able to receive the sacraments and there is a peace about her that wasn't there before. She just had a wonderful Easter with family. Even though she is liberated, the demons can still attack from the outside. This is especially true for a high value target, which she certainly is. A few days ago, I prayed with her online during such an attack and the demons were quickly expelled-- another sign that she is no longer possessed. Later, after she had gone to bed and was asleep, my phone blew up with more demonic texts. The exchange lasted about 20 minutes. Here is an excerpt: Demons: GET THE xxx AWAY FROM MY LITTLE GIRL STEPHEN. YOU'LL HURT YOURSELF. Rossetti: "May the BVM cast out the demons." [I sent a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe several times. This picture was especially effective during an exorcism against the demons of impurity.] Demons: "Why don't you go to sleep? Go to hell you xxxxx." [They then made a comment about a specific item in my room just to let me know they were watching me.] Rossetti: "May the Blessed Virgin cast out the demons. May St. Joseph terror of demons cast them out." Demons: "Don't you know she's going to be dead soon Stephen? You're wasting your time." Rossetti: "May the BVM cast out the demons." Demons: "Let the little girl come to me." Rossetti: [I again texted a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe several times.] Demons: [The demons sent crass texts and pornographic images and taunts that are not repeatable.] Rossetti: "In Jesus' name, I command you to look at the icon of Mary for five minutes and then leave." Very shortly, the text messages stopped and the demons were gone. Apparently the command to look at the icon was effective. They can't stand looking at the holy Mother of Jesus, particularly these demons of impurity. And they left. I don't engage demons in a conversation, as Pope Francis repeatedly warns against. Rather, with each taunt, I send back a prayer either in words or in pictures such as a holy icon of the Virgin Mary. Once again, the Virgin stomped on Satan's head (Gen 3:15)! Their defeat in this young woman's liberation must remind the demons that their their ultimate defeat is close at hand. When I bring up the notion that "time is short" (1 Cor 7:29) and they will be judged for all the evil they are now doing, their reaction is strong and immediate.* It is clear they do not want to face the final judgment and their inescapable punishment. But for the followers of Christ: "They will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory...when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand” (Lk: 21:27-28). ------------- *A line in the Rite of Exorcism reminds the demons of their impending increased punishment for all the evil they are currently doing: "The longer you delay [leaving the possessed person], the heavier your punishment shall be." **Register for our free online deliverance session Monday May 8th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/may-8th-online-deliverance-prayer-session ***Msgr. Rossetti's book on prayer: When the Lion Roars is now available through Spirit Daily. Use this link to read a description and to order or: https://spiritdailyblog.com/mystics/announcing-a-new-book.

["Christ Crucified," Diego Velázquez, 1632] I was going on an overseas trip. During an exorcism session immediately before the flight, the demons threatened to kill me. They said, "We are going to crash your plane." Later, when the pilot announced that the plane had mechanical problems, it reminded me of the demons' threat. But we were never in any real danger. Our Team and the possessed are regularly threatened by demons. They will typically tell the possessed: "If you keep seeing that exorcist, we will kill you!" Then they promise,:"But if you stop praying, we will leave you alone." The former is an empty threat; the latter is a lie. A close reading of the New Testament might yield several times when the demons tried to have Jesus killed. For example, after Jesus said, "Before Abraham came to be, I AM," people picked up stones to throw at him but he slipped away (Jn 8:58-59). Or in Nazareth, Jesus criticized the townspeople for their lack of faith. "They were all filled with fury" and attempted to throw him over a hill. Again he walked away (Lk 4:28-30). Finally Jesus' hour had come and he was delivered into the hands of evil men (Lk 24:7; Mt 17:12; Mk 9:31). The Scriptures are clear that this was inspired by Satan: "The devil had already induced Judas ... to hand him over" (Jn 13:2). Some time ago, in the midst of an exorcism when I invoked the power of Jesus' resurrection, the demons jubilantly shouted, "We won! We won! He didn't rise!" The Team scoffed and I added, "This demon needs a history lesson."* Demons are not allowed to directly kill anyone, despite their blusterings and narcissistic posturing. However, they can and do inspire humans to do their bidding. This demon claimed victory when humans crucified Jesus by saying, "We won." But to the demons' eternal frustration, everything that evil does, by its very nature, is self-defeating. Their ultimate defeat is in the resurrection of Jesus which is the triumph of grace. Evil is blind to grace which they cannot see or fathom. We, too, ought to take consolation in that everything that comes our way, including the sometimes tormenting machinations of demons and their minions, will be a source of grace when delivered into the hands of God. Like Jesus we pray, "Father, thy will be done" (Lk 22:42) and "Into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Lk 23:46). ------------------------ *See Diary of an American Exorcist, p. 143. **Register for our free online deliverance session Monday May 8th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/may-8th-online-deliverance-prayer-session

["The Taking of Christ," Caravaggio, 1602] This week in the daily liturgy we read the Gospel accounts of Judas' betrayal. It is ugly stuff. The Scriptures say that Judas was a thief and took money from the common purse (Jn 12:6). Moreover, he conspired with the chief priests and Temple officers on handing Jesus over to them. A real opening to the demonic. But was he possessed? The Scriptures are clear and graphic: "Then Satan entered into Judas" (Lk 22:3). Moreover, John's gospel tells the exact moment in which Judas became possessed: "After he took the morsel, Satan entered him" (Jn 13:27). Some scholars believe that this refers to Judas having received the Eucharistic Body of Christ without faith and actually as a betrayer. He immediately left the Last Supper and the Gospel says, "It was night" (Jn 13:30). In a very difficult exorcism some time ago, we were faced with hundreds of demons. We went through layers and layers of demonic cohorts, each captained by a different leader. At each point, I demanded to know that cohort leader's name, which helped in casting them out. When each leader left, his entire cohort left with him. At one point, demanding the name, I was surprised to hear the response, "Judas!" I further inquired, "Are you a demon using his name or the real human who betrayed Jesus?" In a shout filled with shame, he answered that he was truly the man. Shortly thereafter, Judas was expelled. I asked how that happened, since I was not aware of him leaving. The demons said: "She cast him out." Of course, they were referring to Mary, the mother of Jesus.* While the Church has never named anyone as definitively being in hell, Jesus himself said of Judas, "It would be better for that man if he had never been born" (Mt 26:24). Apparently, Judas despaired of God's mercy and hung himself. If only he had turned to Jesus in true repentance, he would have been saved. If my experience is accurate, Judas has been lost. No one is beyond God's mercy, except those who reject it.*** Recently, a woman came to me who said that God was angry with her and would not forgive her, despite her repentance. But the voice in her head that said she could not be forgiven was really the voice Satan. During this most holy of weeks, when we gaze upon the Cross, it should convince us that God's love and mercy are without limit for the world and for each one of us. --------- *See Diary of an American Exorcist, pp. 67-68. **Register for our free online deliverance session Monday May 8th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/may-8th-online-deliverance-prayer-session ***Scrupulous people are many times irrationally tormented that they have committed the unpardonable sin and are damned. This is a demonic lie. They should do their best to reject these scrupulous thoughts and make an act of the will: "Jesus I trust in you."

["Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Paradise," stained glass, Church of Saint-Aignan, Chartres] James was a severe alcoholic. After a serious illness that almost took his life, James stopped drinking. He vowed to return to his faith after having lapsed for a decade. However, when he started going back to the Catholic Mass, he began to have strange reactions. He blacked out several times while engaged in religious practices. At night, he felt attacked by evil forces. He woke up with large bruises and scratches on his arms and legs. The scratches were in sets of threes (note: demonic scratches are often in threes as a mockery of the Trinity). Strangely, even though he had stopped drinking, bottles of alcohol would inexplicably materialize around him. His fiancée actually witnessed the bottles suddenly appear at his side as if dropping from his body. Evil forces appeared to be tempting him. His parish priest referred him to our exorcism ministry. In the initial sessions, he made great progress. In addition to attending weekly exorcism sessions, he and his fiancée said a daily rosary and frequented the sacraments, including regular confession. However, after a few weeks, he suddenly stopped going to the sessions. He stopped receiving the sacraments and said he no longer believed. It was a stunning halt with no obvious explanation. But a few short months later, he returned. He told the Exorcist that the spiritual attacks had gotten so bad that he couldn't stand it. The exorcism sessions began again and were again having noticeable benefit. The demonic attacks were getting less severe. However, it seemed to the Exorcist that there was something blocking full liberation. The sessions were not being fully effective. On an inspiration, the Exorcist asked James, "Is there any freemasonry or other cult involvement in your family background?" James responded, "My grandfather was a 33rd degree mason." So, the Exorcist took James through the prayers to lift any curses related to freemasonry plus any other generational curses. In the next session, James experienced great relief. He said it was almost like "a switch turned" and he was liberated. It has been several years now and the demons have not returned. He is happily married and practicing the faith. There is some discussion today about whether generational curses really exist. The Catholic Church has not spoken definitely about this and there is much room for disagreement and debate. However, the senior exorcists that I know all make lifting generational curses a regular part of their ministry. Some theologians disagree and suggest that the sacrament of baptism would complete eradicate any transmission of the effects of generational sins. It is true that baptism does cleanse the person from the stain of Original Sin. However, it does not wipe out all its effects. For example, suffering and death remain in our world because of Original Sin, despite the power of baptism. Others teach that we are not culpable for the sins of past generations. This is true. But the effects of their sins can and do affect us. For example, if my parents were both drug addicts, I am not responsible for their sins. But the negative effects of growing up in a drug addicted household would certainly affect me. But I have noticed that lifting generational curses seems relatively easy for most, as it was for James. Perhaps it is because the children are not culpable for the sins. On the other hand, I have found that casting out the effects of divination, such as the practice of witchcraft, if the individuals themselves had engaged in this serious sin, is not easy and takes considerable time and cleansing. We live in a broken world. The effects of sin are everywhere. We are all affected, in some way, by the temptations and actions of the Evil One. But we remain hope-filled and confident. "Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more ... through Jesus Christ Our Lord" (Rm 5:20-21). ----------------------- *Register for our Lenten deliverance retreat on Saturday April 1st at 11am-2pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7701698950683745116

["The Monks at Confession at Toledo," after Sir David Wilkie, 1846] One of our spiritual sensitives was present in an exorcism session. The demons were tormenting and choking a possessed person. She was stunned by the demons’ complete lack of remorse or even an ounce of pity. In fact, they actually delighted in making the person suffer. This is an important insight for an exorcism team. We naturally expect people to show some compassion and to treat others with at least a modicum of respect. Demons do not. They will inflict the maximum suffering allowed. Fortunately, God greatly limits them. Nevertheless, we all need to be careful when demons are manifesting and to expect the worst. At times, sadly, we humans also make others suffer. But we have a remedy. We can confess our sins. We can ask for forgiveness from God and from those we have harmed. We can do our best to provide restitution for any damage caused. This is especially appropriate during this Lenten season. Demons are beyond hope. In their absolute and irrevocable rejection of Jesus, they have rejected God’s mercy. However, we humans are never beyond hope in this life, even at our last breath. In the end, it is only by God's mercy that any of us are saved. People often plead with me to liberate them from demons. Some are thinking I have some special prayer that will cast out their evil spirits. I can think of no greater prescription for liberation than a heartfelt confession and cleansing power of God’s mercy. ------------------ *To see a short video on confessing sins and to pray with Msgr. Rossetti for forgiveness, see this video link or: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXu7YN_DIDQ If you are Catholic, you should follow it up with the great grace of a sacramental confession. **Register for our Lenten deliverance retreat on Saturday April 1st at 11am-2pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7701698950683745116 ***Register for our free online deliverance session Monday May 8th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/may-8th-online-deliverance-prayer-session

[Jesus The Good Shepherd, Alex Kovych] "Jane" was besieged with thoughts of shame. These thoughts portrayed her entire life as one of dismal failure. She felt like she was diseased and disgusting. She could not imagine God or anyone else loving her or even wanting to look at her. She said, "I feel like walking shame." Jane is afflicted with a severe demonic obsession. It is more than simply the negative self-talk that so many of us have. Hers is exceptionally strong and it daily torments her. It pounds away at her brain seemingly without cease. At times, the shame overwhelms her thinking and emotionally paralyzes her. True humility is rooted in the truth. Yes, we are all sinners. We are all guilty and have contributed to the crucifixion of Jesus. But this is not the same thing as shame. Shame attacks our sense of self and self-worth. We are made to think we are worthless. Some mystics say that the demons in hell torment the damned with such thoughts of shame. The demons pummel them with the charge that they are worthless and that God doesn't care. Despite our guilt and our sin, we are not worthless. Rather, we are made in God's image and are thus of inestimable value. We are infinitely loved and our sins are forgiven. We are saved by Him. Thoughts of shame and self-denigration do not come from God. With those pummeled by demonic obsessions of shame, I regularly go through repeated renunciations of the "demons of shame." I lead them in saying: "I renounce the demons of shame. I reject them; I rebuke them; I renounce them. In Jesus' name, I cast them out. In his holy name, I cast them out!" It is also good for them to add: "I am a child of God and I am made beautiful in God's image. I am infinitely loved by the Father." I will then say, "May our loving God wrap his arms around you. May you know that you are infinitely loved. Know that you are willed into being by love from the first moment of your conception. You are called and destined for the Kingdom." This is my prayer for you all: May you, too, know that you were lovingly willed into being from the first moment of your conception. May the Father wrap his loving arms around you. May you feel his warmth, his love, and his peace. In the name of Jesus be healed. In the name of Jesus, be at peace. ------------------------------------- *To see a video on the Demons of Shame and to pray with Msgr. Rossetti for liberation, see this video link or: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJCMj9dmgss **Register for our Lenten deliverance retreat on Saturday April 1st at 11am-2pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7701698950683745116 ***Register for our free online deliverance session Monday May 8th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/may-8th-online-deliverance-prayer-session

["The Seven Dead Sins and the Four Last Things," detail- Gluttony, Hieronymus Bosch, 16th Century, Museo del Prado] I was a bit surprised when “Sean” told me that he was starting to eat compulsively. He said, “I can’t stop eating. This has never happened before.” The family is locking up the refrigerator at night or else he will eat everything inside. Oddly, Sean has never had a compulsive eating problem in the past or any other compulsive behaviors. But he does have a demonic affliction and this compulsive behavior may be a symptom of the demons’ presence. I started to take even more notice of the possible reality of “demons of obesity” when another unrelated client told me of a similar problem. She, too, has compulsively started to eat, which has greatly surprised her. Like Sean, she said, “I can’t stop eating.” She, too, has a demonic affliction, in this case the result of a curse from a bitter relative. Then a third case of unexplained compulsive eating coupled with a demonic affliction recently surfaced. The details were similar: an unexplained compulsive eating problem which suddenly surfaced in the midst of a demonic affliction. Can demons induce someone, in a case of their extraordinary activity, to behave compulsively? Can they induce a compulsive eating disorder? As a licensed psychologist, I am loathe to blame demons for people’s addictive behaviors. I have spent 30 years therapeutically assisting such people in overcoming their addictions. But these three cases are different. The behavioral cases I treated in the past as a psychologist all had a normal etiology, symptomatology, and typically responded well to standard treatments. The three cases cited above were unusual and surfaced only in the light of the extraordinary presence of demons. In these unusual cases, we are “treating” them with assiduous deliverance prayers in addition to the normal therapeutic interventions as needed. There is much we do not know about the preternatural world. We are rediscovering the ministry of exorcism after many, many years of neglect. We ought to remain open to and learn from what we experience, especially when other exorcists report similar experiences. It is likewise important that we exorcists share our experiences with each other and thus advance our knowledge in the service of the afflicted. If you believe that you are suffering from the presence of "Demons of Obesity," I suggest the following prayer: In the Holy Name of +Jesus, I rebuke, I reject and I renounce the demons of obesity. In +Jesus' name, I cast them out. In his holy name, I cast them all out. (3 times)* ---------------------------------- *Note that this prayer of command should only be used over one's own body since an individual has the natural law right of authority over one's self. When praying for people over whom we do not have such authority, we use deprecatory prayers, asking God to intervene, rather than prayers of command. **Register for tonight's free online deliverance session Monday March 6th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/march-6th-online-deliverance-prayer-session ***Register for our Lenten deliverance retreat on Saturday April 1st at 11am-2pm Eastern USA time (the same as New York City). Register here or: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7701698950683745116