Exorcist Diary #51: Extraordinary Graces in Extraordinary Times
These are extraordinary times. In such times, God gives extraordinary graces.
We hear of several mystics who, being deprived of holy communion, were personally given the Body of Christ by the hands of angel or even Jesus himself. This happened several times in the life of St Gemma Galgani, whose feast we recently celebrated. Jesus himself brought her communion when she was too ill to make it to church.
What the mystics experience by sight, we receive the same in faith.
Jesus wants us to receive his body and blood infinitely more than we even desire it. In these extraordinary days, attend to the Mass online and/or pray quietly asking the Lord to communicate with you in your heart. He surely will do so.
"Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed." And he will come.
In extraordinary days, God gives extraordinary graces.
Exorcist Diary #52: Heavy Demons
Gemma Galgani (d. 1903), great mystic, stigmatist, and saint, wasted away and died presumably from tuberculosis. She certainly weighed less than 100 lbs at the end. Yet four days before she died, several strong workman could not move her. Gemma's response was, "It is not I, you know, that weigh so." She was mercilessly assaulted by demons and their oppressive presence held her down. Once she died, she was easily lifted.
We have had possessed individuals who, in the midst of their manifesting a demonic presence, were unexplainably heavy and well nigh impossible to move. One of the classic signs of possession includes preternatural strength. This is usually interpreted to mean the person exhibits a strength beyond their natural abilities, which often makes them hard to restrain in an exorcism.
However, this sign of superhuman strength is actually much broader. It refers to physical effects in the individual that cannot be humanly accounted for but which can be explained by a demonic presence. For example, levitation is just such a sign. A human being cannot naturally levitate, but demons can use their own natural abilities to lift someone off the ground, and occasionally they do.
We are careful in diagnosing possession. But sometimes there is no other reasonable explanation. I fairly often read that someone does not believe in angels or demons, Satan or hell. Sometimes even priests say such things. I often think that a day or two with Gemma Galgani or in the chapel of an exorcist would likely change their minds.
Exorcist Diary #53: Stuck in Unforgiveness
During the process of an exorcism, sometimes people get stuck. We pray and pray and pray and they don't get any better. Why are they not being liberated?
What sometimes emerges is a long-standing unforgiveness. Many of those who come to us with demonic spirits have been traumatized in their youth by someone. They are understandably angry and harbor an inner desire for their tormentor to suffer. But as long as they hang onto that anger and unforgiveness, it is they who are now being poisoned.
Demons latch onto this and will not leave. Demons are masters at this-- they are spending an eternity in hell blaming God (unjustly) and holding onto their anger and resentment.
One of the problems in our culture is that people misunderstand what it means to forgive. It does not mean we condone evil behavior by others. It does not mean that abusers should not answer for their crimes and go to prison. It does not mean we should have a warm feeling and/or actually be reconciled with our abuser.
Rather, forgiveness in the Christian sense is that we let go of the resentment and the anger. Then we ask God to bless this person. It is a decision. Jesus loved and forgave the Scribes and the Pharisees but he called them "whitened sepulchres" and was angry at them. Forgiveness is not an emotion; it is an act of the will.
Jesus tells us to bless and never to curse. When we curse others, it is first of all we ourselves who suffer. On the other hand, when we bless our enemies and those who persecute us, it is we who are liberated and at peace.
Thus, as a regular part of our exorcism process, we ask the person if there are people that he/she needs to forgive. We then have the person say something to the effect, "I willingly forgive X and I ask God to bless X." Oftentimes the person will then cry good tears. So, we know that God is healing the person's soul, and the demons will take flight.
Exorcist Diary #54: The New Light-Bearer
Lucifer, often translated to mean Light-bearer or Morning Star (Is 14:12), lost his elevated position in the angelic hierarchy. Some theologians speculate that he was first among the angels. He was certainly the leader of the angelic rebellion that Michael and his angels cast out of heaven.
Mary is the new Light-bearer. Jesus is the Light. Only she who is immaculate and perfectly humble could contain such divine holiness. Anything stained would find such infinite light unbearable.
Thus, it is she, the new Light-bearer, who now casts out Lucifer. In one case we had where Lucifer himself was personally present, she appeared at the end and cast him out. Whenever she appears, bearing the light of Christ, demons flee.
There is no true exorcist or exorcism team that does not rely heavily on Mary. She figures prominently in the Rite of Exorcism, new and old. She is our Light-bearer; she is our Morning Star.
Exorcist Diary #55: Two Become One
Some time ago, we had one spouse who was manifesting demonic symptoms. Upon deeper investigation, it became clear that the "open door" to the demonic actually came through the other spouse. The latter spouse had the moral problem, not the former. Yet, the spouse without the problem was manifesting demonic symptoms.
Thus, it was important to have both spouses present when we performed the deliverance prayers. The one spouse with the symptoms would have a hard time being freed without the other spouses' cooperation and conversion. As a matter of course, we like to have both spouses present for any prayer sessions.
The sacrament of marriage speaks of the two becoming one. Our experience suggests this is a reality. Spouses become one flesh and share the ups and downs, graces and failures. They should pray together, worship together, and support each other on the path to holiness. And before one spouse engages in any untoward behavior, he/she might consider the harm it can cause not only to self, but to their "other flesh."
Exorcist Diary #56: Don't Dialogue with the Devil
Pope Francis has repeatedly warned people against talking to Satan. He said, "If you start talking to Satan you are lost, he is more intelligent than us." Indeed, Satan is the Father of Lies and a master manipulator of the human psyche. Thus, the Pope admonishes us not to address Satan directly, except to tell him to leave.
Perhaps the only exception is during an exorcism. In such cases, the exorcist may command the demons to say their names, how they entered, when they will leave and any other information directly related to the mission of casting the demons out. But, no more.
One day I made a mistake. The demon said he was "Lucifer." Later the name "Satan" surfaced. I commanded him, "Are they the same entity?" The response was, "They are the same." I was then reminded of something I had just read; Fr. Gabriel Amorth, the famous exorcist of Rome, had said he thought they were two different entities. So, I said as much: "Fr Amorth said they are two different beings."
A mistake. I had veered into an area of curiosity which, in this case, is a low level sin of pride. This gave the demons an opening and they jumped at it! For the next 24 hours, I was pummeled with demonic obsessions in my head-- all sorts of wild temptations and attacks. Fortunately, with repentance and prayer, it finally stopped.
Pope Francis' admonition against talking to Satan is important, not only because Satan will outwit us, but also it will give him an opening into our heads. Being pummeled by demonic obsessions is no fun, at best. At worst, it can lead to dire consequences. I assure you; I am now much more careful not to cross the line.
Exorcist Diary #57: Healing vs. Symptom Relief
When people come to an exorcist, they typically are suffering from a variety of symptoms. These can be unexplained physical maladies, intense negative mental obsessions, and/or strong adverse reactions to sacred things. Understandably, they come to the exorcist hoping that he will say a prayer and rid them of these tortuous afflictions.
Exorcisms can indeed alleviate demonic symptoms. But these afflictions usually indicate the need for a deeper healing of the person's psyche and spirit. In addition to the powerful prayers of the Church, the exorcist will typically prescribe a healing regimen tailored to the specific needs of the individual.
He may also ask the person to see a professional counselor and address any underlying issues of trauma or abuse. He may suggest a series of Unbound sessions to bring healing to specific spiritual wounds. He will always insist on living an intense life of prayer and virtue, including regular reception of the Sacrament of Penance and Eucharist.
Without this deeper regimen of inner healing, exorcism prayers will likely have limited to no efficacy. Everyone who presents for an exorcism wants symptom relief, but those who are willing to walk a more difficult path of healing and holiness are fewer. However, for the latter, they will often find that their demonic afflictions were actually a source of grace as it led them into a dynamic relationship of gratitude and peace with the one Source of all healing.
Exorcist Diary #58: No Deals with Demons
Updated: Jun 24
In the midst of an exorcism, the "out front" demon said, "I will make a deal with you." I responded, "You want to make a deal? I'll make a deal with you. Here's the deal: you leave." No response. In about an hour or so later, that demon with his underlings left. He knew he was on the ropes and was trying to cut a deal.
There is only one group worse to make a deal with than terrorists and that's demons. They manipulate and they lie. Even if Satan promises you something, he may not deliver and will claim your soul in the process.
Over the years, we have exorcized a number of people who have made deals with Satan in one form or another. Some have made explicit pacts in Satanic rituals. Others have done so unwittingly through occult practices. Asking a witch or shaman to grant you a favor such as healing or wealth or having another fall in love with you is tantamount to making a deal with Satan. Such a deal will never end well.
However, there is a cure. The cross of Jesus Christ can cancel out any pact with Satan, regardless of what Satan or anyone tells you. The person must be truly repentant and ask God for forgiveness and help. Once the sin is confessed and absolved, the pact is annulled and the person is returned to God's grace.
However, this does not mean any oppressing or possessing demons will leave easily. It may involve a rather long battle. The person is already "saved," but casting out any attaching demons will typically not be quick. The takeaway: making deals with demons is really, really bad idea.
Exorcist Diary #59: No Good Witches
A young man in his 30’s came in for help. He said he had been practicing witchcraft for seven years and had actually started his own coven. He added, “There are a lot of covens in this area.” He held onto his practice of witchcraft because he said he gave him power. But he was afraid he was becoming possessed.
There was indeed a darkness around him. He was sullen and withdrawn. I pointed out that this was slowly dragging him into the darkness. He came for a few sessions and then stopped; he didn’t want to give it up. We pray for him.
It has become popular in some modern circles to practice witchcraft and to use spells and curses. There are many such websites, movies and more available today, even for children. Even Disney has a children’s cartoon with a teenager who battles evil through the power of her witchcraft.
A witch’s or warlock’s power comes from Satan. While they might claim to be channeling some sort of good “energy” and think of themselves as “good witches,” any power they have comes from the Evil One, regardless of their intention. The power to cast spells and curses does not come from God.
As Deuteronomy says, “Let there not be found among you anyone who…practices divination, or is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer, or who casts spells, consults ghosts and spirits, or seeks oracles from the dead. Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord” (Dt 18: 10-12).
Jesus said to love your enemies. He said, “Bless those who curse you” (Lk 6:28). True Christians never curse anyone nor do they try to obtain any good except from the hands of God.
Witchcraft is a violation of the first commandment and is very spiritually dangerous. The fact that it is being widely promoted even among children is frightening. There are many reasons for the current spike in requests for exorcisms today. This is one of them.
Exorcist Diary #60: Are terrorists possessed?
There has sprung up in these days the "lone wolf terrorist" who commits heinous acts of violence against the innocent, including children, and then kills himself. Who would do such a senseless, evil thing? Some surmise that they must be possessed.
Others suggest that these shooters are mentally ill. But recent studies suggest many of them do not have a diagnosable mental illness. Nor are they psychotic.
One study found that the majority had experienced "early childhood traumas and exposure to violence." This has led to some of them to suffer from anxiety, depression and/or suicidal thinking. However, I have treated hundreds of people who suffer from such things and none of them went on to murder innocent school children. Why did the lone wolf terrorists end up in such evil?
The previous study also said the shooters had become "angry and despondent" because of some perceived "grievance." Other studies highlight their narcissism and desire for public notoriety. Shooters also tend to be lonely and isolated. They are often full of an internal anger and desire for revenge.
It should be noted that the emotional stance of Satan is very similar. He is in a rage and believes he has been victimized by God. He is narcissistic, arrogant and violent. He is emotionally isolated and has no connections with other beings. He seeks revenge.
The 2014 Ft. Hood shooter posted the following a few weeks before killing three people, wounding sixteen others and then shooting himself, "I have just lost my inner peace, full of hatred, I think this time the devil will take me." Perhaps he meant this only symbolically but his emotional stance and actions are certainly in sync with what we know of the demonic. In fact, a common message that the possessed hear in their brains is a prompting to do violence to others and to kill themselves.
I do not think we can say all these lone wolf terrorists are possessed. But certainly many of them have devolved into a demonic mental state and then carry out evil actions that are very much in line with Satan's plan. We certainly should support early psychological interventions for potential shooters to deal with their underlying trauma, isolation, and rage. And some of them would likely benefit from deliverance prayers as well.
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