Exorcist Diary #337: The Fury of St. Michael

[Icon of St. Michael; private collection]

An anonymous mystic reported a personal encounter with St. Michael. She said he was "absolutely huge" and "he looked stern ... like he meant business; he looked like a warrior." She said St. Michael becomes incensed at the presence of demons, particularly when they are possessing God's people, and he is aggressive in casting them out.

Indeed, Michael's name is literally translated as: "Quis ut Deus"-- "Who is like God?" Michael was incensed that Lucifer was trying to place himself on a par with God. He rose up and led the angelic army that cast him and his minions out of heaven. One might conjecture that his battle cry was precisely that: "Quis ut Deus!" Who is like God? The answer: No one. St Michael was and is filled with a righteous fury in defending God's honor and his kingdom.

Some might argue that such intense, combative actions are not Christian. However, Jesus' response to the defaming of God's holy temple suggests otherwise. He "made a whip out of cords" (Jn 2:15) and "began to drive out those selling and buying there" (Mk 11:15) and "overturned the tables of the money changers" (Mt 21:12). Jesus is zealous for his Father's house!

I must admit that when I enter an exorcism session and encounter the demons face-to-face, my reaction is an echo of this. I find myself incensed at the presence of demons and their evil actions. I am a bit outraged that they are tormenting this suffering person. I move in closer and begin the solemn Rite of Exorcism, I emphasize the prayers of command, "adjuro te," I command you Satan to leave. Sometimes I simply say in a stern voice: "Get out!"

Indeed, the Church's instruction to exorcists in the beginning of the ancient Rite of Exorcism says: "Let the priest pronounce the exorcisms in a commanding and authoritative voice, and at the same time with great confidence, humility, and fervor..." (Praenotanda #16).

Christianity is a religion of love and forgiveness, but it is not a weak religion. Our love and forgiveness stem from the strong base of the infinite power of God and His complete divine authority. I daresay an exorcist who has not yet found this commanding voice and zeal for protecting God's people has not yet found his voice as an exorcist.

This might be said of all Christians. Like St. Michael, our lives ought to be marked with confidence and strength of faith in our all-powerful God. Like Jesus, we ought to have zeal for the honor of God's house.

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