www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Books An Exorcist Tells His Story

I just finished reading the book, 'An Exorcist Tells His Story', by (Father) Gabriele Amorth. He is an exorcist who was appointed by the Pope's Vicar for the Diocese of Rome, Cardinal Ugo Poletti. He is one of a much needed, but dying breed of priests who perform this particular ministry in Europe.

I thought this book was fascinating. What is most interesting is that those conditions which can be discerned as demonic in origin, usually have some occultic practice attached to them...such as witchcraft, curses, the evil eye...wished upon the sufferer.

I remembered the demon which was exorcised by St. Nektarios' relics one hundred years ago in Greece. He claimed to be one of three of the most powerful, for no priest could exorcise him. The poor girl who was possessed by him, had been cursed (as in 'a curse', not a 'curse word' as we sometimes understand it in our culture) by her father, and that is why it happened.

These practices, as old as history, are not as unfamiliar to those who live in other countries as they are to us. That is why the ancient Eastern church had written a 'Prayer for Deliverance from Evil', originally written in Greek, and still recited by priests over those suffering afflictions not due to any natural causes. Father Amorth includes this prayer with other prayers in the back of the book.

He shares his knowledge and experience of the years. He also shares his disappointment with modernist Bishops, priests, and theologians, who discount the works of the evil one, and sometimes, even his existence in our world.

Has anyone else read this book? Apparently it has been a best seller in Europe and has gone through numerous printings and editions.

In Christ,
Alice

P.S. BTW, he said that those demons from witchcraft, etc., which are the hardest, and sometimes impossible to exorcise are those from Brazil and Africa, so beware if you are traveling to these countries! I seem to recall hearing that Haiti is also a frightening place as far as the occultic practices. I believe that there is alot of that going on in our own backyard in New Orleans, as well. Kyrie Eleison!

I have it. Very good. But even better is Fr. Malachi Martin's Hostage to the Devil. Fr. Amorth also has a second book: An Exorcist: More Stories available from Ignatius Press.

Dear Alice,

Please post the 'Prayer for Deliverance from Evil.'

Prayer Against Malefice
Greek Ritual
(Vaskania)

Kyrie Eleison

God, our Lord, King of ages, All-powerful and All-mighty, you who made everything and who transforms everything wimply by your will. You who in Babylon changed into dew the flames of the "seven-times hotter" furnace and protected and saved the three holy children. You are the doctor and the physician of our soul. You are the salvation of those who turn to you. We beseech you to make powerless, banish, and drive out every diabolic power, presence, and machination; every evil influence, malefice, or evil eye and all evil actions aimed against your servant ....

Where there is envy and malice, give us an abundance of goodness, endurance, victory, and charity. O Lord, you who love man, we beg you to reach out your powerful hands and your most high and mighty arms and come to our aid. Help us, who are made in our image; send the angel of peace over us, to protect us body and osul. May he keep at bay and vanquish every evil power, every poison or malice invoked against us by corrupt and envious people. Then, under the protection of your authority may we sing, in gratitude: "The Lord is my salvation; whom should I fear? I will not fear evil becuase you are with me, my God, my strength, my powerful Lord, Lord of peace, Father of all ages."

Yes, Lord our God, be merciful to us, your image, and save your servant.....from every threat or harm from the evil one, and protect him by raising him above all evil. We ask you this through the intercessions of our Most Blessed, Glorious Lady, Mary Ever-Virgin, Mother of God, of the most splendid archangels and all your saints. Amen!

Thanks. That's a powerful prayer!

Thank You. I printed it.

http://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/182/

Dear Alice,

Here's a link to Tan Books' promo of another good book on the topic- it's entitled Begone Satan. It's the history of a long, drawn-out exorcism which ocurred in Earling, Iowa in the 1920's amongst German-speaking Roman Catholics. The victim was a young girl cursed by her father, in the same sense noted by you, above. The ultimately successful exorcist was a highly ascetical Benedectine priest-monk, Theophilus (Riesinger). Interestingly, the author of the book was a priest from Germany who was later executed by the Gestapo. I remember one interesting detail from the book. The exorcism ritual took place in a convent. The good nuns would try to sneak blessed food and religious articles into the room of the possessed girl. Whenever they tried this, the demons would go ballistic. When unblessed food was sent in, no reaction. Also, early in the process, a group of laymen were enlisted to carry the possessed girl into her room. One of the men was in the state of mortal sin. The demons began to shout out the sins that the man was guilty of. From that point on, Fr. Theophilus required that anyone approaching anywhere near the victim had to go to confession first! A good read.

P.S.
For years, I've had an intention of getting Fr. Gabriel's books. I'll consider your post to be a reminder.

Dn. Robert

"One of the men was in the state of mortal sin. The demons began to shout out the sins that the man was guilty of. From that point on, Fr. Theophilus required that anyone approaching anywhere near the victim had to go to confession first!"

This contradicts what Fr. Amorth has to say. He claims demons are incapable of doing this unless allowed by God in order to bring an unbeliever to belief. He stated the only time he saw this occur was with a priest, who did not believe in the devil, attended one of his exorcisms.

Fr. Deacon Lance

I'm only recalling what I read some years ago. It could be that one of the above conditions also applied to the Iowa case.

Dn. Robert

It seems that every exorcism is different.

In the case of the Greek girl possessed by one of the three strongest demons of the era (according to the demon himself--he claimed the other two were in Russia and China--early 20th century), the demon did shout out the sins of the priests sent there to exorcise him. Curiously, no priest could exorcise this one, and after the death of St. Nektarios, during yet another attempted exorcism, the demon shouted out the riddle "only the one with the nails can exorcise me!" It was later figured out that he meant the recently exhumed body of St. Nektarios--intact, fragrant, and the nails on the body were still growing.

As for Fr. Amorth, I am sure that Fr. Amorth participated in regular confession, as prescribed by the Church, and was not in grave sin, so that may be why he had not experienced it. It seems the sin which is revealed (including the one experience in Fr. Amorth's book of the above mentioned priest who accompanied him) is usually of grave, sexual nature.

In Christ our Lord,
Alice

Slava Isusu Christu!

I have read both volumes and felt afterward a need to examine my own spirituality. Evil, whether embodied or not, is something we need to be aware of. I rejoice that the Eastern tradition focuses on the Resurrection--it is a comfort to have a positive vision of the Christian faith. Vatican II helped Latin Christianity in this regard.

In Christ,

Robert

Dear Father Deacon Lance,

Thank you for the recommendation. I looked the book up on Amazon and it says that this book is frightening....ditto for the book 'Begone Satan' recommended by Jessup B.C. Deacon.

So, since I am an extremely sensitive woman, I think that, personally, I will skip on them--if you both don't mind! ;

(The worst nightmares I ever had were after watching 'The Exorcist' when I was 14).

However, having read Fr. Gabriel Amorth's first book which we are discussing, and knowing that it was benign enough not to frighten me, I will venture forth to read his second book.

With love in Christ our Lord,
Alice