Enter your search term in the Search window below (e.g. St. Michael)
206 items found for ""
- Exorcist Diary #243: Demons Divide Families
[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.
- Exorcist Diary #242: Coughing Up Demons
["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.
- Exorcist Diary #241: Wasted Suffering
["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.
- Exorcist Diary #239: Demons Hate Mirrors
["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.
- Exorcist Diary #240: Demons of Lethargy
["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.
- Exorcist Diary #238: Demons of Darkness
["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
- Exorcist Diary #237: Angelic Powers in an Exorcism
["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.
- Exorcist Diary #236: Demons Are Sore Losers
["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.
- Exorcist Diary #235: Did demons kill Jesus?
["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
- Exorcist Diary #234: Was Judas possessed?
["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."
- Exorcist Diary #233: Generational Curses?
["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
- Exorcist Diary #232: Demons Are Without Remorse*
["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
- Exorcist Diary #231: Demons of Shame*
[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
- Exorcist Diary #230: Demons of Obesity
["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
- Exorcist Diary #229: Angels in an Exorcism
["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
- Exorcist Diary #228: The Demonic Hour
["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
- Exorcist Diary #227: Satan- Bringer of Death
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.
- Exorcist Diary #226: Financially Cursed
[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.
- Exorcist Diary #225: The Heart of a Spiritual Warrior
[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.
- Exorcist Diary #224: Demonic Dreams
[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.