Rome's Exorcist Finding Blessed John Paul II Effective Against Satan
The world must know that Satan exists
I have asked the demon more than once, 'Why are you so scared of John Paul II and I have had two different responses, both interesting. One, 'because he disrupted my plans.' And, I think that he is referring to the fall of communism in Russia and Eastern Europe. The collapse of communism."Another response that he gave me, 'because he pulled so many young people from my hands.
Father Gabriele Amorth has carried out most of his 70,000 exorcisms over the past 26 years.
PrintROME, Italy (CNA/EWTN News) - The chief exorcist of Rome is seeing a rising number of young people coming under the influence of evil, but he has found in recent years that Blessed John Paul II is a powerful intercessor in the battle for souls.
A small, unassuming office in south-west Rome seems a rather ordinary setting in which to play out a grand battle between good and evil. It is here, though, that Father Gabriele Amorth has carried out most of his 70,000 exorcisms over the past 26 years.
"The world must know that Satan exists," he told CNA recently. "The devil and demons are many and they have two powers, the ordinary and the extraordinary."
The 86-year-old Italian priest of the Society of St. Paul and official exorcist for the Diocese of Rome explained the difference.
"The so-called ordinary power is that of tempting man to distance himself from God and take him to Hell. This action is exercised against all men and women of all places and religions."
As for the extraordinary powers used by Satan, Fr. Amorth explained it as how the Devil acts when he focuses his attention more specifically on a person. He categorized the expression of that attention into four types: diabolical possession; diabolical vexation like in the case of Padre Pio, who was beaten by the Devil; obsessions which are able to lead a person to desperation and infestation, and when the Devil occupies a space, an animal or even an object."
Fr. Amorth says such extraordinary occurrences are rare but on the rise. He's particularly worried by the number of young people being affected by Satan through sects, séances and drugs. He never despairs though.
"With Jesus Christ and Mary, God has promised us that he will never allow temptations greater than our strengths."
Hence he gives a very matter-of-fact guide that everybody can use in the fight against Satan.
"The temptations of the Devil are defeated first of all by avoiding occasions (of temptation), because the Devil always seeks out our weakest points. And, then, with prayer. We Christians have an advantage because we have the Word of Jesus, we have the sacraments, prayer to God."
Not surprisingly, 'Jesus Christ' is the name Fr. Amorth most often calls upon to expel demons. But he also turns to saintly men and women for their heavenly assistance. Interestingly, he said that in recent years one man - Blessed Pope John Paul II - has proved to be a particularly powerful intercessor.
"I have asked the demon more than once, 'Why are you so scared of John Paul II and I have had two different responses, both interesting. One, 'because he disrupted my plans.' And, I think that he is referring to the fall of communism in Russia and Eastern Europe. The collapse of communism."
"Another response that he gave me, 'because he pulled so many young people from my hands.' There are so many young people who, thanks to John Paul II, were converted. Perhaps some were already Christian but not practicing, but then with John Paul II they came back to the practice. 'He pulled so many young people out of my hands.'"
And the most powerful intercessor of all?
"Of course, the Madonna is even more effective. Ah, when you invoke Mary!"
"And, once I also asked Satan, 'but why are you more scared when I invoke Our Lady than when I invoke Jesus Christ?' He answered me, 'Because I am more humiliated to be defeated by a human creature than being defeated by him."
The intercession of the living is also important, though, says Fr. Amorth. He reminds people that exorcism is a prayer and, as such, Christians can pray to liberate a soul or place from the Devil. However, three things are needed.
"The Lord gave them (the Apostles) an answer that also for us exorcists is very important. He said that overcoming this type of demon, you need much faith, much prayer and much fasting. Faith, prayer and fasting."
"Especially faith, you need so much faith. Many times also in the healings, Jesus does not say in the Gospel it is me who has healed you. He says, you are healed thanks to your faith. He wants faith in the people, a strong and absolute faith. Without faith you can do nothing."
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Keywords: Exorcism, demonic, Blessed john Paul II, satan, deliverance, exorcism
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Please, please, please! Read Fr. Amorth's books to understand his meaning of 'exorcism'. Only then will '70,000 exorcisms in 26 years' make sense. God bless the exorcists of the Catholic church. Fr. Amorth is a treasure and at 86 years old how much longer will we have him with us? The true final words of the Lord's Prayer,"... and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. (Mt. 6:9-13)" Not generalized evil, but 'The Evil One'. He (Satan) has lost the war, but he still strives to win the battles. Don't be one of his victories. May God bless you all.
Fasting , faith,prayers together with charity are effective weapon but Christians must remain faithful to these weapons at all time to be on top of any storm in life.
Very informative! Keep up the good work. Blessed Paul II is one of my heroes!
That is more than seven a day every day for 26 years???
Satan gives us the clue. Every Hail Mary prayed gives a sledge hammer blow to his head. he is furious of Bl.Mom. I have read the exorcisms of NICOLA AUBREY and WARNINGS FROM BEYOND which helps us to keep away from cursing and fulfill vows we make and be conscious of our commitments. Bl.John Paul II stressed the need to read the H/scripture and pray the H/ Rosary in families and small Christian communities in preparation for the jubilee (2000) should continued. If all Catholics pray Our Lady will protect the humanity from destruction. If not I believe the 5th prophesy of LOURDES, "a bomb of great power will fall in Persia - Iran will happen in the near future.
This is a must-read article. People should know how to do battle against Satan and his minions. It is a must read article indeed. Please share!
This article was and is superb! Mikem or any others in like situation: Do Not be afraid to seek help. Listen to all three of our sisters who posted after you. They All offer Good advice. If one does not work, then try another. And remember Our Lord answers in His own time Not ours. Perhaps this is a test for more than one person? In the meantime, we All can pray and fast at least one day, if not two a week, like Andy Holland suggested; and pray the Rosary daily like Our Lady suggested: "For the Conversion of Sinners and the Good of Our Own Soul." "O My Jesus, Forgive Us Our Sins, Save Us From The Powers Of Hell, Lead All Souls To Heaven, Especially Those Most In Need Of Thy Mercy." Amen.
Lou there is no spirit progression. You were created by the Creator with one spirit or soul. With baptism, you are filled with the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son. A person can become possessed whereby unholy creatures, called demons, attach themselves to and enter the person. Jesus Christ drove out unclean spirits! They tremble at the hand of God because they know their fate; as do all person's who embrace evil. Satan desires to destroy your soul and believing in spirit progression is just one deceipt to get you to open the door to demons. Stay clear. If they were good, Jesus would not have cast them out. If they were going to become good, he would have let us known that too!
Suffering is a ladder rung to Spirit progression -
It helps nothing; prayer, fasting, nothing, unless you know truly what you are praying for! Spirits are wicked, however imperfect, that need help as much as you and I do. You and I in past lives were just as imperfect and got tired of that style of life and were given a chance as per Christ’s purpose of the Cross. Now we are in the path to righteousness, (thanks You Jesus) regardless of the tests still imposed on us to prove our own righteousness and continued Spirit progression. Remember, every test of suffering is a ladder rung to Spirit progression!
Empty space in the soul is unsatisfied and a place where our boredom exists. To overcome boredom let the empty space in the soul be filled with the love of God and with Prayer. The demon acts in this same space to encourage evil within if the human soul. The idle and bored human person is the one who let's in this evil especially if they are full of evil and bitter thinking or worse yet one plans to inflict some sort of evil on others.