Exorcism
In
this shocking book, the famed exorcist of Rome, Father Gabriele Amorth,
tells of his many experiences in his ministry as an exorcist doing
battle with Satan to relieve the great suffering of people in the grip
of evil. An Exorcist Tells His Story has been a European best-seller
that has gone through numerous printings and editions. No other book
today so thoroughly and concisely discusses the topic of exorcism.
The road to hell is wide and unobstructed. The path to heaven is narrow and fraught with obstacles, but well lit in the light of God's love. Our Lady said to Bernadette “I do not promise you happiness in this life, but in the next” (Connell, 1996). Even though God has power over the devil, He still allows us to choose good or evil, right over wrong. God will not force salvation on us; we have to come to Him on our own.
“When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power and office of exorcizing. In a simple form, exorcism is performed at the celebration of Baptism. The solemn exorcism, called 'a major exorcism,' can be performed only by a priest and with the permission of the bishop. The priest must proceed with prudence, strictly observing the rules established by the Church. Exorcism is directed at the expulsion of demons or to the liberation from demonic possession through the spiritual authority which Jesus entrusted to his Church. Illness, especially psychological illness, is a very different matter; treating this is the concern of medical science. Therefore, before an exorcism is performed, it is important to ascertain that one is dealing with the presence of the Evil One, and not an illness.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1673)
“The whole of human history has been the story of dour combat with the powers of evil stretching as our Lord tells us, from the very dawn of history until the last day.” (Gaudium et Spes No. 37, Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World. Second Vatican Council, 1965)
“The lurking shadow of this wicked presence is pointed up in many, many passages of the New Testament. St. Paul calls him the 'god of this world,' and warns us of the struggle we Christians must carry on in the dark, not only against one Devil, but against a frightening multiplicity of them. 'I put on the armor of God,' the Apostle tells us, "that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the Principalities and the Powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness on high.
The problem of evil remains one of the greatest and most lasting problems for the human mind, even after the victorious response given to it by Jesus Christ. 'We know,' writes St. John the Evangelist, 'that we are of God, and the whole world is in the power of the evil one.” (Address of Pope Paul VI to a General Audience November 15, 1972)
“Adolf Hitler and Russian leader Stalin were possessed by the Devil” (Father Gabriele Amorth, 2006, Vatican Radio)
Our Defenses Against the Devil: Recognize that the devil exists, Conversion, Baptism, choose kindness over evil, frequent confession, prayer, reclaim your inner child, forgive others when possible, shun forms of media with violent messages, avoid sin, and stay away from all forms of magic and the occult including séances, ouija boards etc.
Our Lord to Sister Maria Faustina: “When a soul praises My goodness, Satan trembles before it and flees to the very bottom of hell.” (Diary, 378)
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle;
be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
References:
vatican.va : Catechism of the Catholic Church
osjspm.org : Catholic Social Teaching
dailymail.co.uk
papalencyclicals.net
Meetings With Mary, Janice T. Connell, 1996, Random House Publishing Group
Excerpts taken from The Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul © 1987 Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception © 1993 Marian Helpers Stockbridge MA 01263 1-800-462-7426. Used with Permission