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["Fall of the Rebel Angels," Luca Giordano, 17th century] The session was spinning out of control. The afflicted person, fully manifesting, amazingly broke out of the strong physical restraints. His fists started flying and the exorcist feared for everyone's safety. In a firm voice, he invoked the Angelic Powers to restrain the demons. Immediately, the energumen's arms dropped and his body went limp. The team quickly put the restraints back in place. He started to thrash again, but this time, he was even more firmly secured. Another of our priests was praying over a small group of people using deliverance and healing prayers. He invoked the nine choirs of angels by name and especially called upon Sts. Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. Then, every one of the group felt the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit and rested in a deep peace and consolation. Two of them reported physical healings- one felt a kind of fire in her arthritic knees and, so far, can now walk without pain. The other claimed to have been healed from a tumor. Becoming more cognizant of the powerful intervention of the angels in our sessions, we are regularly using the "Breastplate of St. Patrick."* When we get to the invocation of the angels, we repeat it several times to great effect: "I bind N. today to the virtue of ranks of Cherubim, in obedience of Angels, in service of Archangels...." As an exorcist, I feel close to the angels. They are our constant companions. But sometimes I forget how powerful their intercession is. Moments such as these remind us that they are given to wield God's power and the sword of the Spirit. I thank God for such powerful and beautiful friends. I will call upon them in every session. ------------------------- *The "Breastplate of St. Patrick" can be found on our app/website under "Deliverance Prayers for the Laity." **Register for our next 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

["Sermon on the Mount," Fra Angelico, 1437] James complained of demonic attacks. One fact especially caught my attention. I asked, "What time do they occur?" He responded, "3am." I thought, “Ahhh, the demonic hour.” To discern if someone is possessed, we look for the well-known major signs such as occult knowledge, superhuman strength, knowledge of unknown languages, and aversion to the sacred. But many times these classic signs do not appear until much later. In the beginning, we are attuned to more subtle signs that typically accompany the possessed, such as the characteristics of the alleged demonic attacks. Satan hates Jesus. The Evil One mocks Jesus at every turn, inverting sacred signs and truths. Jesus died on the cross at 3pm. Jesus called it, "My hour." In the Satanic inversion, Satan claims 3am as his hour. We find some of the most intense Satanic attacks on the possessed occur at that time. It is likely that, at 3am, he is at his greatest strength. Carey, too, was possessed. She also described intense demonic attacks at 3am. As the lengthy process of her exorcism continued, she was losing strength and we feared she would not be able to hold up. We were more than concerned. The demons were pummeling her at 3am. So, we decided to start praying with her at 2:30am. In addition to giving her some relief, I wanted to attack the demons at their strength. They previously controlled the night. Now, with these night sessions, we were on the offensive. For some weeks, the Team gathered at 2:30am. Carey said, "It did fend the demons off a little bit and gave me some peaceful nights after the 3am hour." At this stage, her getting some sleep was critical. Eventually, the demons realized that we would not stop praying at 2:30am. So, they started attacking her at 1am. I was surprised it took them so long to adjust. I think they were very surprised we would wake in the middle of the night to help this young woman. They probably figured we would eventually give up; but we did not. In their narcissistic world, they cannot comprehend the idea of charity and self-giving. And since the demons started attacking her at 1am, we then began to gather at 12:30am (the Team was happy to pray earlier!). So, the cat and mouse tactics continued. Happily, Carey eventually made it to the end and is now liberated. I see many signs of the Satanic inversion in our world today, especially in people’s thinking, although often not recognized. For example, Satanists claim to offer freedom from "tyrannical religious authority," but it is Satan who enslaves. They claim to promote human dignity and fulfillment, but Satan is the destroyer of humanity. Some witches claim that their spells are really the same as Christian prayers, but the only result of any magic spell is a curse. In Jesus is true freedom and the fullness of human potential. In true Christianity, we find real grace and wonderful blessings. Be on guard against Satanic inversions. Whenever you hear one, say a simple prayer: "May the light of the Holy Spirit come upon us all and reveal Him who is the Truth." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Register for our next 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

Sarah was fully possessed. As a young woman, she had given herself to Satan. In subsequent years, she had become sullen, hopeless, and suicidal. While she wanted to be freed, Satan frequently reminded her that she had given herself to him. They had a contract. He regularly tempted her to suicide. Eventually, she found her way to a knowledgeable Catholic priest. He told her that the death and resurrection of Jesus cancels her contract with Satan. He urged her to trust in Jesus, practice the faith, and see the Exorcist. She is now going through a protracted exorcism; those who voluntarily give themselves to Satan typically take longer to be freed. They are the ones whom Satan is especially loathe to give up. A powerful moment in the Rite of Exorcism is the litany of the titles of Satan. They are a series of damning (literally) list of accusations describing the Evil One and the fruits of sin. They include such appellations as: inimice fidei (enemy of the faith), hostis generis humani (foe of the human race), vitae raptor (robber of life), auctor incestus (author of incest), justitiae declinator (corruptor of justice), malorum radix (root of evil), causa discordiae (cause of discord), excitator dolorum (excitor of pain and sorrow), pater mendacii (father of lies) and many more. Lucifer hates it and each one hits him like a sledge hammer. Not only is the recitation of the litany of his evil titles spiritually effective, the demons' reaction to the names is often diagnostic. In the midst of Sarah's exorcism, I began praying the list, clearly enunciating and firmly emphasizing each name. When I got to the title: mortis adductor, they reacted strongly. I had hit a button. So, I stopped and for several minutes repeated: Mortis Adductor, Bringer of Death; Mortis Adductor, Bringer of Death; Mortis Adductor, Bringer of Death. The demons began to writhe and thrash wildly. Satan and sin brought death into our world. He urgently wants to do so with Sarah. I had Sarah do her best to renounce the Demons of Death. I said to her, "Repeat after me: 'I renounce the Demons of Death. I reject them, I rebuke them, I renounce them, and in Jesus' name, I cast them out.'" She struggled to comply, but eventually was able to say it. It was an exhausting session for both of us, but very fruitful. Satan is the bringer of death. Everything about hell reeks of death. There is no water; it is black, barren, and lifeless. We see the presence of Satan in many death-dealing actions in our world today. The Satanic Temple announced that it would open a free abortion clinic in New Mexico. Perhaps it would be good for all of us to renounce the Demons of Death. Jesus has broken Satan's hold on this world and on our lives. We affirm that in Jesus we find true life (Jn 14:6). *A collection of the Titles of Satan which are used in the Rite of Exorcism can be found on our website. **Our next online deliverance session is Monday March 6th at 7-8pm Eastern time (the same as New York City). Register at www.catholicexorcism.org or here.

[Stained glass of St. Louis de Montfort, G. Freihalter] A man's cry for help to us caught my eye. He said: "I own my own business. Large amounts of money come through but I can never keep any of it. If it looks like I will have a little profit from a job, something unexpected will ALWAYS pop up and take it, like a vehicle breaking down, even though there was absolutely nothing wrong with it before. Recently a customer wanted to pay their final payment with a credit card. I have three different credit card systems, each under different companies, but the day I went to collect the payment none of them would work...." These were just a few of his examples. He had many more! A young family came to me with a similar story. The father had a good job with the government and was a fiscally responsible adult. But the family was constantly broke due to a bizarre, never-ending series of financial setbacks. It was more than a case of bad luck. Like the businessman, he felt like he was cursed. One person beset with such inexplicable financial setbacks started to find small change around his house (dimes and pennies) and sometimes in his pocket with no awareness of how they got there. The man said, "About once a week I find a dime in my left pocket. We have been struggling financially. Barely making enough to eat." It felt like demons were taunting him. Some people are not good with money and overspend. They might benefit from help in financial management. But I am running into more and more cases of what appears to be a financial curse. The first step in overcoming a financial curse is, of course, to live in a state of grace. For Catholics, this includes frequent confession, Mass and Eucharist plus avoiding serious sin. Second, one needs to close any possible portals to the demonic. In one case, a financially cursed individual had a strong family history of freemasonry. It is not surprising that someone's involvement in freemasonry would lead to financial curses, since many join in hopes of financial gain and social success. The afflicted individual was led through the ritual of renouncing freemasonic curses. Another couple with financial problems had been cursed by an angry grandparent who did not approve of their marriage. She went to a witch to invoke her black magic and cursed them saying, "You will have nothing." The antidote for them included breaking any unholy connection with the grandparent, the witch, and lifting all the curses. Because these curses came through the evil and sins of someone in one's blood line, they can take time to expunge. Consistent prayer, deliverance, holy living and trusting in Jesus are necessary. It is not always "one and done." Ultimately, liberation is in the Lord's time, and there may an extended period of financial distress. When we trust in the Lord during times of trial, there is much purification and sanctification that occurs. A powerful help to the process of liberation is consecrating one's life and goods to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This can be done in the St. Louis de Montfort consecration or in the following prayer which is the de Montfort consecration edited specifically for financial curses: A Prayer Against Financial Curses and Consecration to the BVM I invoke my natural law rights over my own property and finances. I lift any curses sent against me or my property or finances. I reject any sins that may have led to these curses coming against me and ask for God's forgiveness. I break any unholy bonds that allowed such curses to come upon me. I command the demons related to these curses to leave permanently and not be replaced by any other evil spirits. I ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to receive now the entire and full right of disposing of these goods according to God's holy will. May she cast out any and all evil spirits, sanctify them, protect them from any future evil action, and use them for the glory of God. I, N_____, a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today the vows of my Baptism; I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before. In the presence of all the heavenly court I choose you, the Mother of God, this day for my Mother and Mistress. I deliver and consecrate to you, as your servant, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to you the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to your good pleasure, for the greater glory of God in time and in eternity. Receive, O Blessed Virgin, this little offering of my servitude, in honor of and in union with, that subjection which the Eternal Wisdom deigned to have to your maternity; in homage to the power which both of you have over this poor sinner, and in thanksgiving for the privileges with which the Holy Trinity has favored you. I declare that I wish henceforth, as your true servant, to seek your honor and to obey you in all things. O admirable Mother, present me to your dear Son as His eternal servant, so that as He has redeemed me by you, by you He may receive me! O Mother of mercy, grant me the grace to obtain the true Wisdom of God; and for that end receive me among those whom you love and teach, whom you lead, nourish and protect as your children. O faithful Virgin, make me in all things so perfect a disciple, imitator and servant of the Incarnate Wisdom, Jesus Christ your Son, that I may attain, by your intercession and by your example, to the fullness of spiritual maturity in Jesus on earth and of His glory in Heaven. Amen.

[St. Mary of Jesus Crucified, the "Little Arab," stigmatist] We have had a few cases in the recent past that have been particularly brutal. A few young women have been repeatedly brutalized by demons at night and during the sessions. They have been choked, limbs twisted, bruised and beaten, demonically raped at night, and more. Demons have threatened them, raged, cursed, and terrorized them. One experienced all the excruciating sensations of a knife being plunged into her hand by the demons, although it physically never happened. It breaks my heart to see how they suffer. Some will disbelieve, but I have seen it repeatedly. Some will wonder why God allows it. But God allows his fallen creatures, human and demonic, to inflict horrible evils on our world. We trust, as God told the mystic Julian of Norwich that, in the end: "All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well." What is striking with these young women is their courage in the face of such frightening evil and painful torture. As I told one of them recently, "God is making you into a strong Spiritual Warrior." Each of them has much needed graces and strengths for the spiritual combat. Each of them has the heart of a Spiritual Warrior. A true Spiritual Warrior is: *Fearless & Trusting. Demons can be terrifying. They threaten great tortures and evils. These women do not succumb. They trust that Jesus is Lord and that Jesus "has their backs." *Humbly obedient. Human arrogance is quickly overcome by demons. Self-direction in humans inevitably leads to disaster. These women are humbly obedient to God, the Church and the exorcist, all of which are critical for the success of an exorcism. *Calm acceptance. The demons tempt them to succumb to self-pity, resentment, and an inner rage. This path is easy to take and many in our world fall into it. But this path leads into the dark world of demons; this is Satan's hell. These women endure such torments without rancor or bitterness. They exude a sense of inner peace. *When knocked down, they get up. This is perhaps the most striking of their qualities. When the demons choke them; they continue fighting. When the demons threaten them; they keep praying. When the demons knock them down; they get back up. Being possessed is a terrible experience and some are possessed through no fault of their own. There have been many saints who suffered intense demonic attacks as victims for the salvation of souls, such as St. Mary of Jesus Crucified (the "Little Arab."). (Some suggest that, for forty days, the "Little Arab" was even fully possessed!*) It is precisely in such dark moments when we can most fully participate in the Cross of Christ. These young women exemplify the traits of a true Spiritual Warrior. Theirs is courage, fearlessness, trust, humility, obedience and perseverance in the Lord. They show us the path that we all must take. May our lives be filled with such graces and virtues. May we, too, be true Spiritual Warriors. *Sister Emmanuel Maillard, Maryam of Bethlehem: The Little Arab, Children of Medjugorje, Inc., 2011. **The next online deliverance session is Monday, January 30th, 7-8pm (New York City time). Register here or https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/online-deliverance-prayer-session-10 . All of our monthly deliverance sessions are free of charge.

[Angel on the San Angelo bridge, Rome; Photo taken by the Author] A woman recently relayed to me her dream, which she thought was demonic. People often tell me that they are suffering from demonic dreams. I am always a bit skeptical. But this one caught my eye: Last night, as usual, I sprinkled holy water around my bed and room. As I was sleeping, I felt two warm creatures wrap up to me, one near my shoulder, and one below, near my waist. I reached to feel them. They had warm, soft fur, and my thought was, "How sweet" but I went to remove them and they sunk their sharp eye teeth in my arms and wouldn't let go. I tried yelling, but was so weak, so I tried to scream louder, and when I did, I woke up and they were gone. It was terrifying! I've never had a dream like that and don't want another one. As a psychologist, I know that many intense images and emotions can surface during our dreams. Many clinicians believe dreaming is a way for our minds to process the events and emotions of our lives. The mind tries to work through our inner conflicts and traumas to bring resolution and peace. As such, dreams can be full of strong emotions and frightening images, especially when our lives contain fear, pain, powerlessness, and/or abuse. But this woman's dream had signs of a true demonic encounter. First, it was a clear dream with a plot to it, rather than being a melange of images. Second, it was an intense encounter that she vividly remembered. Normal dreams tend to be forgotten quickly unless written down immediately upon waking. Third, the actions of the demonic character were typical of what demons do. In this case, they tried to seduce her into thinking they were "warm, soft fur" and thus friendly. But when she rejected them, they turned vicious, having sharp eye teeth and refused to leave. Fourth, her emotional response was one of intense fear; she said, "It was terrifying." This would be a typical emotional response to a demonic attack. What is especially interesting is that she somehow knew that she should reject them, despite feeling they were warm and soft. Likely, seeing through the demonic deception was a grace from Holy Spirit perhaps with a nudge from her Guardian Angel. It took a bit of effort for her to get rid of the demons, but when she "screamed louder", they left. So, her rejection of the demonic seduction was strong and persistent, which is critical. Her use of holy water before sleeping probably helped to spiritually protect herself against this demonic attack. I do not quickly ascribe a demonic cause to any dream that might be ugly and terrifying. But this dream fit the criteria of a true encounter with the Evil One. In fact, they are not really "dreams" at all, but rather spiritual encounters while we are asleep. But, even in such a vulnerable state, the Lord protects us. As the psalmist says: "I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety" (Ps 4:9). *The next online deliverance session is Monday, January 30th, 7-8pm (New York City time). Register here or https://www.catholicexorcism.org/event-details/online-deliverance-prayer-session-10 . All of our monthly deliverance sessions are free of charge.

Standing in the midst of a cemetery for monks, I could see about 30 simple white crosses. I knew almost all of them. For forty years, I had been coming to this monastery on retreat. Most of those who were buried here, I had known personally. As I looked at each cross, I pictured their faces and remembered them with gratitude. Each year they welcomed me as one of their own. During the night watch, I sat shoulder to shoulder with them, chanting the psalms. I found much peace there. As I stood in the cemetery, I began to pray for them, as is my custom in cemeteries. I prayed Hail Marys for their eternal repose. Requiescant in pace et lux perpetua luceat eis (May they rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon them). That particular afternoon had been a difficult one, the Evil One was oppressing me. He's not too happy I am on retreat I suspect! But the oppression was not so bad that I couldn’t visit my friends in the cemetery. As I finished my prayers for the dead and started to return to the cloister, the oppression instantly lifted. A spiritual calm ensued. At that moment, I realized that a grace had been given. I had been praying for the monks but, in reality, it was they who were interceding for me. I was standing in the midst of saints. I thought, “My friends, I thank you.” During our exorcisms, I invoke many of the great, well-known saints, as is proper. Their powerful intercession is well known. I wonder if my personal friends in heaven would help too? In the days ahead, I will ask...

[Illustration, Dante's Ninth Circle of Hell, Gustave Dore] Two of our exorcists were working together with a demonically afflicted person. The night before the first session, each separately had an identical, unusual experience. When they met the next morning, both described being overwhelmed during the previous night by an intense cold. They could not get warm, despite wrapping themselves in layers of clothing. They were freezing on the inside. Their experiences lasted about an hour and then dissipated. The next day, as they met and prayed with the person who was demonically afflicted, it became clear that she suffered from a number of demonic symptoms including a pervasive isolation. She had no close friends and, although she was a responsible professional, she had no real life-giving human connections. Her emotional life was "cold". Hopefully our exorcists, by experiencing her demonic isolation as "burden bearers", were a help for her carrying her burden and an assist toward liberation. Isolation is a common characteristic of the possessed. When demons are present, the afflicted typically experience something of their life in hell. In the infernal regions, there are no friendships. There is only an emotional isolation that pierces the soul. In Dante's Inferno, the ninth and lowest region of hell, where Satan himself resides, is depicted as a frozen wasteland. The road to recovery for the demonically afflicted should eventually include a reconnecting with friends, loved ones, and a community of faith. Heaven is love, unity and peace. Hell is hatred and isolation. All of us need the warmth of human connection, otherwise our life becomes a true hell.

[Mary Magdalene in Penitence, El Greco, 1578] Poor Kate. She gets beaten up and sexually assaulted nightly by a large pack of demons. She regularly wakes up with scratches, bruises and demonic symbols etched into her skin. During our exorcism sessions, demons threaten her, assault her and choke her. As we get close to full liberation, she vomits up large black globs, a sign that demons are being expelled. It is not her fault she is possessed. Her parents gave her over to Satan at birth, as they themselves had willingly subjugated themselves to the Dark World. Life for Kate has never been fair. But I have not heard her complain about her parents. Between sessions especially after a rough time, I check on her: "How are you doing Kate?" Her answer is always: "It's all good, Father." Exorcism sessions are intense and sometimes brutal. In the midst of these, when she comes back to herself for a brief moment, I ask: "How are you doing Kate?" She always bounces back and says, "It's all good, Father." And so we continue. These days, whenever I find myself a bit beleaguered by the Evil One or during any sort of trial, I find myself spontaneously saying, "It's all good. It's all good." I got that from Kate. She inspires me. *The next monthly online deliverance session is Monday, January 30th, 7-8pm Eastern time (the same as New York City). Register here.

["Christ and the Woman Taken in Adultery," Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, 1752] One of our exorcists recently said, "I woke up this morning and was mentally pounded with self-accusatory thoughts of how bad I am and with the thought that I am not forgivable. It was very ugly." Interesting, he had been working that week with an afflicted person who was struggling with demonic obsessions, especially the mental torment of self-hatred. In the Bible, Satan is called, "The Great Accuser" (Rev 12:10). One of Satan's most common tactics is to incessantly hound people with their sins. His goal is to destroy their sense of self-worth and bring them to despair. Satan hates humans. He envies God's predilection for them. He rejects God for His humble incarnation in humanity. In accusing humanity of its sinfulness, Satan futilely tries to strike back at God. Sometimes in exorcisms, we directly experience "The Great Accuser." Demons may call out our failings. They taunt me when I make mistakes. They especially like to point out times when they appear to have the upper hand in the battle. My defense? None. My response is: "Indeed, I am a sinner." Then I add: "But I am not your problem. Jesus is. In his holy name, I cast you out!" When our exorcist woke up to a barrage of self-accusatory thoughts, the circumstances suggest that he was acting as a "burden bearer." We trust that his sacrifice was a grace for the afflicted person and perhaps for others similarly afflicted as well. Many, many people suffer from demonic mental torments. Sometimes they are simply of a psychological origin. But more times than people realize, Satan is directly attacking their sense of self-worth and hope. Our response as fallen human beings is simple, "I am a sinner. But my hope is in Jesus."

[Miraculous Medal chapel, National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, WashDC] When the Deacon poured the holy water on her tattoo, she howled, "It's burning me!" The water was actually cold. Again and again, he poured holy water on the tattoo as I repeatedly read the prayer of "Decommissioning Tattoos."* After months of deliverance prayers, including exorcizing this tattoo, it was finally over. The tattoo is now benign and the demons connected to it are gone. Surprisingly, it is just a tattoo of some roses, but it became a huge demonic portal, and a major focus of the exorcism. It was connected to her past as a stripper and carried sexual overtones. With the help of her parents, she found her way out of the clubs into a regular job, and into the confessional. At one point, some of Satan's minions had targeted her and were trying to entice her back into the clubs and/or force her into the sex trade. Several of them had tattoos of demons on their bodies, including Baphomet and Aka Manah (a demon of sensual desire). Thankfully, her parents again came to her rescue and protected her. People ask me what I think of tattoos. I don't recommend them. With a demonic tattoo, the person has bonded the self to the demonic entity. Even if the image does not depict something evil, if it is connected to sinful behaviors, as with this young woman, it can be a big problem. Moreover, some parlors have been known to curse the ink or inscribe magic symbols inside the images. I believe that some tattoos are spiritually benign. For example, someone showed me a small tattoo of a strawberry on her ankle. Some people even desire to tattoo religious symbols on their bodies such as crucifixes or holy images. However, I recommend instead wearing a blessed crucifix on a chain or lapel. Or wearing a blessed brown scapular or miraculous medal around the neck, as I do. The Mother of Jesus promised "great graces" to those who wear her medal with confidence. It is true. I hope that tattoos are a fad whose time is rapidly passing. *For the laity's version of the prayer to decommission tattoos, use this link.

["Prayer Before the Meal," Jan Steen, 1660] One of the most common requests we receive is from parents who are distraught over their child's serious problems. Some are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Others have mental health problems, including psychotic illnesses and/or suicidality. Others have wandered from the faith and may even be practicing witchcraft or the occult. Still others are estranged from the family and no longer speak with them. You can hear the heart-rending pain in these parents' hearts as they plead for help. In addition to promising our fervent prayers, SMC has composed a prayer for parents to offer. This prayer recognizes the special authority that parents have over themselves, their spouses, and their children who are still minors. Thus, they can use "imprecatory" prayers and command evil spirits to leave.* For children who are no longer minors, this prayer is directed to God and thus uses "deprecatory" prayers. In either case, of course, it is God who casts out the Evil One and brings healing. We used this prayer for the first time in our last online deliverance session, with powerful effect. It was palpable. One parent said: "The Parent's Prayer speaks especially to my heart. While praying, my heart literally ached and hurt as we were praying for my children." I have no doubt that God the Father, and the entire Holy Family who themselves experienced great parental anguish, were especially present and gracing those suffering parents. A Parent's Prayer Heavenly Father, I invoke the full authority you have given me as a spouse and a parent and I lift any curses, spells, seals, hexes, vexes, consecrations, voodoo, or any occult action or any evil affecting me or my spouse or my children who are minors. In Jesus’ name, I cast out all evil spirits that are harming us. In Jesus’ name, I reject them, I rebuke them, I renounce them, and I cast them out! For my adult children, I beg you heavenly father to hear a parent’s plea and free them from any of these occult actions or any evil, and cast out all evil spirits. Father, I beseech you to send a spirit of unity and peace to my family. Heal the divisions in our family; may those family members who are estranged from each other be reconciled in forgiveness and love. May we live together in your peace. I pray for special healing graces for each one of us. Heal the wounds that plague us- heal any depression, anxiety, fears, compulsions, addictions, angers, resentments, and any and all mental and physical illnesses. Restore us to full health. I especially ask for the following specific grace for my family, if it be your holy will (here mention the specific intention silently or out loud). Most of all, may you infuse into our hearts the gift of faith, always trusting in you. Bring back any of us who have wandered from the faith. May we be fully protected from all harm and evil by the Shield of Faith and the Sword of Truth. I make this parent’s prayer in the holy name of Jesus begging the powerful intercession of the Holy Family with the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, and all the saints. [Note: This prayer can be found on our website: www.catholicexorcism.org under "Deliverance Prayers for the Laity."] *For a theological reflection on this special authority, see Fr. Chadd Ripperger, "Dominion," Sensus Traditionis Press, 2022, pp. 155-160. **Msgr. Stephen Rossetti will lead an online Advent Deliverance Retreat from 11am to 2pm Eastern USA time (same as New York City) on Saturday December 10th. This retreat is designed for those who want to know more about spiritual warfare and who want a deeper personal experience of deliverance and healing. Register here. Or register at: www.catholicexorcism.org. ***Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for daily content that will hopefully help you in your spiritual journey.

["What is truth?" Christ and Pilate, Nikolai Ge, 1890] One of our deacon team members has been doing a great job in defending against demonic attacks directed at him and assisting the liberation of a possessed person. He received his training from one of the best demonologists in the country. The demons sent him this message: "He tricked you; you didn't learn s... from him!" I translated the demonic lie for him: "Your teacher nailed it and taught you a lot. The demons are angry about that." Demons lie and, in their very lies, there is often a kernel of truth. In this case, the demons are angry that the deacon is so effective and they blame his teacher. Do demons ever tell the truth directly? Sometimes.... Sometimes God makes them tell the truth, especially when you hear the demons admitting anything holy such as "Jesus is Lord". Second, they will use a true statement if they think they can diss someone with it. For example, they will occasionally call out someone's sins or mention past missteps in attempt to damage their self-image. Thirdly, we exorcists, invoking the authority of the Church in the midst of an exorcism, command the demons to tell the truth. We do this only to learn important information in casting them out, such as demons' names. But we are careful with whatever we hear, since the demons will continue to lie if they can. Satan is "a liar and the Father of lies" (Jn 8:44). Jesus is "the way and the truth" (Jn 14:6). I have begun to read some of the comments on social media posted in response to our videos. Sadly, some of them contain demonic lies. One person said, "Satan loves you for who you are." Another wrote, "I am a witch and I can control the demons." They are listening to demonic lies. The antidote is Jesus who is the Truth. I implore the many who are dabbling in the dark world to turn to the Truth. Satan's lies only lead to death. ------------------------ *We invite you to join Msgr. Stephen Rossetti on our next online deliverance webinar on Monday, November 28, 2022, from 7pm to 8pm Eastern USA time. Please register if you wish to attend. **Msgr. Stephen Rossetti will lead an online Advent Deliverance Retreat from 11am to 2pm Eastern USA time (same as New York City) on Saturday December 10th. This retreat is designed for those who want to know more about spiritual warfare and who want a deeper personal experience of deliverance and healing. Register here. Or register at: www.catholicexorcism.org. ***Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for daily content that will hopefully help you in your spiritual journey. May our Blessed Mother and St. Michael watch over our content and bring it to those who need it the most.

[Reliquary with a theca inside containing a relic of the True Cross.] Last week, I related how powerful the Litany of the Saints was when used in a recent exorcism. The results were astounding and led to the quick liberation of a possessed young woman. As each saint was invoked and the first class relic of the saint was placed on the afflicted person's forehead, the demons kept shouting, "Not that name! Not that name!" They howled in agony and were quickly expelled. Less than a week later one of our exorcists, who is also the pastor of a parish, put out a handful of relics of the saints for veneration in his church. For many years without incident, he has followed this practice in the month of November, the month when we venerate All Saints. But this year, the relics were stolen. The security cameras show that a woman in a dark coat sat in front of the relics for some time. Then as she approached the relics, the security camera tape went inexplicably blank for five and one-half minutes. The tape subsequently shows that the reliquaries in which the relics were housed were opened and the relics (the thecas) were stolen while the reliquaries themselves were not. One might first presume that it was a case of a simple robbery. But the reliquaries were not stolen and most likely they would be the object of a robbery. Who would steal a little piece of the bone or blood of a saint and leave behind a somewhat ornate reliquary? Moreover, the security cameras went blank precisely as she was apparently stealing them. While we do not want to jump to conclusions, it seems more than likely that this was an intentional act to steal the sacred remains of the saints, and not a simple robbery. Also, the "malfunction" of the security camera at precisely the time of the robbery suggests that demons were directly involved in the act. It is highly unlikely she could have pulled off such a technical feat, but it would be simple task for demons. And if demons were involved, then this woman was likely acting at the behest of Satan. She is probably a minion of the Evil One. Our response? We pray for the conversion and salvation of her soul. We also pray that these holy objects will be returned. This retaliation of the Evil One against the saints only reaffirms our conviction of the importance of the saints in the battle against evil. In the days ahead, the Litany of the Saints and the relics of the saints will hold a place of great importance for us in our exorcisms. *We invite you to join Msgr. Stephen Rossetti on our next online deliverance webinar on Monday, November 28, 2022, from 7pm to 8pm Eastern USA time. Please register if you wish to attend. **Msgr. Stephen Rossetti will lead an online Advent Deliverance Retreat from 11am to 2pm Eastern USA time (same as New York City) on Saturday December 10th. The three-hour session will include talks on identifying demonic portals and attacks, efficacious prayers for healing, authority in the deliverance ministry, and protecting self and family. He will answer a number of questions on spiritual warfare posed by those attending. Msgr. Rossetti will lead an extensive deliverance session including numerous prayers for deliverance and healing. This retreat is designed for those who want to know more about spiritual warfare and who want a deeper personal experience of deliverance and healing. Register here. Or register at: www.catholicexorcism.org.

[The Forerunners of Christ with Saints and Martyrs, Fra Angelica, 1420s] Our exorcist began to pray over a possessed woman. But at the very beginning of the session, the demons spontaneously shouted, "Charbel, you stay away from me!" The team had not yet been invoking the saints, or St. Charbel by name, so they were surprised he showed up. They were also surprised the demons admitted it. Moments later, as the Litany of the Saints ensued, the demons shouted again and again: "Not that name! Not that name!" This demonic reaction was unusual. Clearly something was up. An astute exorcist discerns what is working in a session and adjusts the prayers accordingly. The exorcist was initially skeptical, as he should be, and careful not to be deceived by the demons. But as the session continued, it was becoming apparent that these and many other saints were indeed coming to help. Their holiness and intercession were visibly torturing the demons. Normally, the Litany of the Saints is part of the opening of an exorcism session. Then the exorcist moves quickly into what are thought to be "more important" prayers. However, in this case, the exorcist adjusted his normal routine and stayed with the Litany of the Saints for hours, making it the bulk of the sessions. Also he had dozens of first class relics of the saints at his fingertips. As the exorcist prayed each name, he laid the corresponding relic of the saint on the afflicted person's forehead. With each relic and invocation of a saint, the demons howled in agony. The three consecutive days of intensive exorcism sessions were focused on and filled with hours of invoking the saints. Again and again, the demons shouted, "Not that name! Not that name!" St. Patrick. St. Rose of Lima. St. Maximillian Kolbe, The 12 Apostles. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Blessed Michael McGivney. St. Lawrence. Blessed Conchita. St. Teresa and the Carmelite saints. St. Catherine of Alexandria. St. John Eudes. And more. On day two, the demons began to manifest their leaving. The afflicted woman started coughing up a white frothy foam. The demonic screaming reached a crescendo followed by a kind of demonic "explosion." Then she came back to herself. Again and again, as each set of demons left, there was coughing up of foam, a crescendo and explosion, followed by a moment of calm with the person returning to her conscious self. Finally, at the end of day three, the exorcist invoked the special intercession of the Virgin Mary. This time, after the demonic explosion, a peace came over the woman and filled the entire room. She came back to herself and said, "It's over." She said that a great weight had been lifted and the demons were gone. Subsequent discernment continues to confirm that the demonic possession had ended. Each possession and each path to liberation is always somewhat unique. In this case, the exorcist believes that the Lord was teaching him and the team the importance of the communion of the saints and their powerful intercession. Moreover, he said, "It taught me that every part of the Rite is exorcistic, not just the imprecatory prayers that command the demons to leave." Now the exorcist does not fail to value the prayers which invoke the powerful intercession of the saints. Nor should we. *We invite you to join Msgr. Stephen Rossetti on our next online deliverance webinar on Monday, November 28, 2022, from 7pm to 8pm Eastern USA time. Please register if you wish to attend. **Msgr. Stephen Rossetti will lead an online Advent Deliverance Retreat from 11am to 2pm Eastern USA time (same as New York City) on Saturday December 10th. The three-hour session will include talks on identifying demonic portals and attacks, efficacious prayers for healing, authority in the deliverance ministry, and protecting self and family. He will answer a number of questions on spiritual warfare posed by those attending. Msgr. Rossetti will lead an extensive deliverance session including numerous prayers for deliverance and healing. This retreat is designed for those who want to know more about spiritual warfare and who want a deeper personal experience of deliverance and healing. Register here. Or register at: www.catholicexorcism.org

[St. Thomas Before the Cross, by Sassetta, Panel, 1423; Pinacoteca, Vatican] I showed a photo of a man dressed in casual clothes to one of our specially gifted people: I said, "What do you see?" She responded, "Who is it?" I said, "I am not going to tell you. What do you see?" She said, "The man is covered with demons. The demons are saying, 'We have him. He is ours.'" I then told her, "He is a priest." We had been trying to assist this priest. He was referred for problems with purity. While the problems were not illegal, they were obviously sinful and, in this case, likely mortal. But he refused to acknowledge the problem or confess his sins. I fear for him. Blessed Concepcion Cabrera de Armida (Conchita) was beatified by the Church this year. She was a mother of nine children and had regular locutions from the Lord, often about the priesthood. In one of these communications, Jesus told her, "We do not pray enough for priests, thinking that they are beyond all temptation and passions....My Heart seeks souls who dedicate themselves fervently, zealously and tirelessly, to praying day and night for them." At another time, the Lord spoke to her about priests whom He said were "black and impure." Jesus said, "They are souls that cost Me ... intimate and incomprehensible sufferings, because I fear to lose them. In them, the evil one mocks Me and how he struggles to triumph over Me by snatching them from Me."* Priests have special graces of protection from the evil one, but they are also special targets. At St. Michael Center, we willingly pray over the many priests who come to us for assistance. They need your prayers as well. *"Priests of Christ" by Concepcion (Conchita) Cabrera de Armida. The book is available on kindle. **We invite you to join Msgr. Stephen Rossetti on our next online deliverance webinar on Monday, November 28, 2022, from 7pm to 8pm Eastern USA time. Please register if you wish to attend.

[ "The Torment of Saint Anthony", Michelangelo, 1487-1488] We knew that "A" would be assaulted by demons on Halloween. It happens every year. As a spiritual sensitive and a victim soul, she is more attuned to the preternatural world. This is both a blessing and a cross. On Halloween, when the demons are especially loosed in the world, it is definitely a cross. So, our team offered to hold an all-night vigil and pray with her. We were hoping that we could keep the demons away. We used the strongest deliverance prayers we had as well as holy water and other blessed objects. We did our best, but she was assaulted by demons throughout the night. It was pretty ugly. The next morning "A" said she was grateful for our efforts and expressed her thanks. We were a bit disappointed at the results. But she and the team all realized that sometimes God allows demonic assaults on victim souls regardless of our best efforts. We see this in countless saintly examples: Catherine of Siena, Gemma Galgani, Padre Pio, the Cure of Ars, and many, many others. God allowed these holy souls to be tempted, assaulted, and purified in the crucible of their valiant struggle against evil. No doubt their emerging victorious from these struggles is an unseen grace for countless souls throughout the world, especially those in bondage to the Devil. We were disappointed we could not protect "A". But it was not in God's plan. However, she did emerge victorious after a Halloween night of demonic pummeling. Maybe we were "successful," just not in the way we had hoped. Every day people suffering demonic torments come to us for help. Many can be liberated by living a virtuous sacramental life. Some also need concentrated deliverance prayers. But others are not liberated in a timely way. Some of these have obstacles to liberation that have yet to be overcome. For others, their road to purification and liberation is a long one. A very few are chosen by God to walk in the crucible of calvary for their own sanctification and for the salvation of souls. *We invite you to join Monsignor Stephen Rossetti on our next online deliverance webinar on Monday, November 28, 2022, from 7pm to 8pm Eastern USA time. Please register if you wish to attend.

["God the Father Blessing," Raphael, 1508] A man was going through a particularly rough patch. While he was not possessed, he had long been afflicted by what appeared to be demonic obsessions and unshakeable feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. He was living an exemplary Christian life of holiness, but the mental torments continued and, under the stresses of his current life, had now grown debilitating. He sought the help of a priest exorcist who recommended some deliverance praying, including seeing a woman who was a spiritual sensitive. They discerned that the man was indeed suffering demonic obsessions and one of the causes, to his surprise, included being cursed by his father. As a child, he was verbally abused on a number of occasions by his father who irrationally vented his rage against him: "Tell that g....d... kid to shut up!" He followed this with threats. The child felt frightened, worthless and rejected. The team took him through several deliverance sessions which included forgiving his father and formally saying, "I reject the lie that I am a worthless child." Then they lifted any curses sent against him. By the time the sessions had ended, the man had regained his emotional equilibrium and found a new sense of inner peace. Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the famous exorcist of Rome, wrote: "When curses are spoken with true perfidy, especially if there is a blood relationship ... the outcome can be terrible. The most common instances that I have encountered involved parents or grandparents who called down evil upon children or grandchildren."* Fr. Amorth said the first and necessary condition in the healing process is for the person to forgive the parents. Sometimes parents will intentionally curse a child, particularly if the child veers from the parents' expectations for the future, such as marrying an "unacceptable" person or pursuing an "unacceptable" vocation. Other times, as in this case, a parent will vent his/her rage against the child with threats, cussing and damning words. The parent may shout, "You will never amount to anything!" The psychological and spiritual toll on a child should not be underestimated. Parents have a unique authority and power to bless their children. They also have a unique power to wound them.... Pope Benedict recounted his own childhood experiences of being blessed by his parents: "I shall never forget the devotion and heartfelt care with which my father and mother made the sign of the Cross on the forehead, mouth, and breast of us children when we went away from home, especially when the parting was a long one. This blessing was like an escort that we knew would guide us on our way. It made visible the prayer of our parents, which went with us, and it gave us the assurance that this prayer was supported by the blessing of the Savior…I believe that this blessing, which is a perfect expression of the common priesthood of the baptized, should come back in a much stronger way into our daily life."** *Father Gabriele Amorth, Exorcist Tells His Story, Ignatius Press, 1999, p.130. **Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, The Spirit of the Liturgy, Ignatius Press, 2000, p.184. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *We are now on social media! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for daily content that will hopefully help you in your spiritual journey. I will be posting many of my stories, experiences, and prayers that I hope you use to grow in faith. May our Blessed Mother and St. Michael watch over our content and bring it to those who need it the most.

[The Stoning of St. Stephen, Charles Thevenin, 1829] I recently received this note from a man who attended one of our group deliverance sessions. He wrote: Over the past year, I had been suffering from feelings of oppression, frequent suicidal thoughts, negative thoughts, despite everything going well in my life. Once you began praying the forgiveness formula, I realized I was harboring much hatred and disdain for people who unjustly wronged me in the past. As I named these people, prayed for them and forgave them, I felt a HUGE weight lift from my heart. The suicidal thoughts have gone, I feel at much greater peace, more attuned to the Lord. God bless you and your ministry. Demons cling to unforgiveness. It gives them a foothold in our lives. When this man gave up his hatred and forgave those who wronged him, he himself was freed. Whether the wrong suffered is real or imagined makes little difference. Until we let go of the hatred and desire for revenge, we are enslaved to those who harmed us and the harm we suffered. Hell is a place of accusation and rage. At the head is Satan who eternally blames God for all the evil that has befallen him. St. Faustina said that one of the seven sufferings of hell is a hatred of God with its incessant curses and blasphemies. When we are stuck in hatred and revenge, we are stuck in hell and living with the demons. "Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing will be poured into your lap." (Lk 6:37-38) Here is the Forgiveness Ritual that we use: People: In the name of Jesus Christ, I willingly forgive anyone who has hurt or harmed me (including N., N., N., etc...). I forgive them from the bottom of my heart and I ask God to bless them. (3 times) Priest: I witness your forgiveness. I ask God to heal any unforgiveness and inner wounds and trauma. May God heal you and all those who have hurt you. May you be released from any dysfunctional attachments, be healed in your heart, and set free in the name of Jesus. In the name of Jesus may you be healed. In the name of Jesus, be at peace. [Of course, in the absence of a priest, one can still make an act of forgiveness.] *We are now on social media! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for daily content that will hopefully help you in your spiritual journey. I will be posting many of my stories, experiences, and prayers that I hope you use to grow in faith. May our Blessed Mother and St. Michael watch over our content and bring it to those who need it the most. **Our next online deliverance session is Monday, October 24th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time. Register at www.catholicexorcism.org or go to this link.

["St. Michael Killing the Dragon," c. 1493-1505, Josse Lieferinxe] After the exorcism, I got angry texts from some very unhappy demons: "D... you! I want that girl back!", they texted, "It was supposed to be a dark day for her." Good news that they are demanding her back; it means that the exorcism was effective and she is no longer in their grasp. The demons then threatened her and us: "Give her back or I'll be sure she crashes her car." She did not crash her car. I responded by sending the above picture of St. Michael spearing Lucifer and I attached the following command: "I command the demons to look at this picture and acknowledge the power of Christ that he wields." The demons responded, "F... you! I'll be back!" And they left. That night on my way into the chapel to pray, I was hit with a strong, sudden "illness." It felt exactly like a bad case of the flu. "Oh no," I thought, "I am too busy to get sick." I felt really awful. Then it dawned on me that the "illness" was a bit odd. It came on suddenly, unlike previous illnesses I have had. I then recalled the earlier demonic threats and I became suspicious. Hmmmm. I recalled that St. Gemma was often assaulted by demons and she said that the devil sometimes made her feel very ill. I put a crucifix on my nauseated stomach and prayed repeatedly: "Demons of Infirmity, Vade!"* I sprinkled myself a few times with holy water, especially on my intense headache. I continued: "Demons of Infirmity, Vade!" After a couple of minutes, the "illness" lifted completely and I was fine. So I went into the chapel to pray. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Latin command to leave **We are now on social media! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for daily content that will hopefully help you in your spiritual journey. I will be posting many of my stories, experiences, and prayers that I hope you use to grow in faith. May our Blessed Mother and St. Michael watch over our content and bring it to those who need it the most. ***Our next online deliverance session is Monday, October 24th at 7-8pm Eastern USA time. Register at www.catholicexorcism.org or go to this link.