Prayer
A prayer for those possessed by Satan
“Out of the Black Hole”
Comes only what the Lord allows, what we plead
to be bled from this imprisoning, torturing torment.
Oh Lord, how wondrous are your colors, blending,
suffusing sunsets and sunrises of scattering, sculptural
clouds, rising and running, majestically towering,
and swiftly changing, snowy mountains of mist.
Beautiful, blushing pink blossoms, delicately
flecked by a darker pink, light and dark
dancing, inviting us like bees to taste and
see, how good are the gifts that attract us,
bunched like grapes, waving in the wind,
suggesting a presence, not ominous, but
wavy, leading to a pondering, wondering,
almost greeting-like wave as we walk, of a
glimpsed welcome, as if nature is, briefly,
transparent to the passing Giver of gifts.
Raising the question of the Gardener of these
astonishingly shapely shapes, so integrally
detailed and outwardly golden-bold to behold.
Oh Mary, how you mother the places of quiet, and
peace, of a convent, a monastery or a team of players,
whether musicians, sports men and women, or simply
of friendship and family, fostering communion.
And yet, dear Lord, there are varieties of ever
green, as if impervious to the sun-lit lighting,
shiny, dark green, prickly, spiky and tough,
telling of the closed choice: the darkened place
taking but not retelling the strikingly liked light.
What of a poisonous venom, the long inroads of resentment,
setting injustice as a throne and embellishing it with petty complaints, making it ready for the seat of rebellion, of a radical rejection of
Love’s loving kindness, waiting, more than waiting, to forgive.
Dear Lord, how many ways we can be a part of a closed, ingrowing,
enclosing enclave, all of which has the tendency, as of all the fallen,
to look, and dwell, remaining within, risking the non-think, “in-think”,
not allowing the critical mass of change to stimulate the
challenge that helps us all to grow tall, catch the light,
like trees rising up and stretching out towards the skyward air,
touching the sky, the sun, bathing in the warmth and relishing all that is reaching up
to the brightly beautiful starlight from the smallest, slowest seed.
And, as we rise at your command, oh Lord, we are stripped of all, of all that traps and ensnares and bedevils
the innocents who fell, deeply, deeper and deeper, into the darkness
that bites and grits and grips and from which no human hand can release, unbind, or deliver.
Speak your word, Lord, like you did to the thief, that today we will
be with you in Paradise knowing, as you do, what a terrible longing
is unloosed as our freedom reigns and races to the end of happiness:
to the possibility of a tearless place, healing, forgiving,
freeing, and leaving behind all that possessed us and singing, as only the song of love can sing, from a heart refreshed and fresh
from the Love that does not die but which, out of love for us, died and rose again
so that we, too, might mingle with the Lord and His family in heaven.
by Francis Etheredge, a Catholic married layman, father of 11, 3 of whom are in heaven,
and an author. Some of these verses are adapted from the author’s book,
Interviews
Archbishop Ronald Feyl Enright by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Father Jeffrey Grob by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Exorcism Articles and Commentaries
Cardinal, exorcists have differing takes on ‘cleansing’ ritual performed on Mexican president by Walter Sánchez Silva The Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
The Atheist, the Exorcist and the Adoration Chapel by Patrick O’Hearn National Catholic Register
Researchers Study Ministry and Life of Catholic Exorcists. Dominican priest and exorcistFr. Francois Dermine underlined the isolation and lack of support an exorcist priest can feel within his diocese. by Hannah Brockhaus Catholic News Agency /National Catholic Register
Question: Are demonic possessions just mental illness? by Jenna Marie Cooper The Pilot
From exorcist to monster: How Hollywood has recast Catholicism by Tyler Huckabee Religion News Service
Poor Church communication helps trivialise exorcism by CathNews New Zealand
Christchuurch exorcisms – Paddy Gower has issues by CathNews New Zeeland
Thank the Lord: Here’s how exorcists freed me by Tom Hoopes Our Sunday Visitor
Board Game Marketed as ‘Christian’ is Actually Demonic, Exorcist Warns by Peter Pinedo Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Register
An exorcist’s warning to families about the devil’s influence by Roberta Sciamplicotti Aleteia
Therapist, Exorcists Comment on Satanic Catholic Priest by Patti Armstrong National Catholic Register
Is Latin more effective in driving out demons? An exorcist responds by David Ramos Catholic News Agency/The Catholic World Report
The Catholic Church’s views on exorcism have changed – a religious studies scholar explains why by Joseph P. Laycock The Conversation
How does demonic possession happen? by Tony - W.A.M. LinkedIn
US priest: Exorcisms on the rise as demons now haunt victims by text by John Aidan Byrne New York Post
New graphic novels star Catholic exorcists battling demons for souls by Katie Yoder Catholic News Agency
Boy whose case inspired The Exorcist is named by US magazine by Maya Yang The Guardian
Catholic priests told not to perform exorcisms on Covid patients by CathNews New Zealand
US priest: Exorcisms on the rise as demons now haunt victims by text by Sean Gallagher Catholic News Service
Exorcists to Jesuit head: Satan is real by Catholic News Agency Link to The Jesuits
How to Protect Yourself against Demonic Possession. Father Vincent LampbertExorcist of Indianapolis Archdiocese by Francis Mary Catholics Online
This priest is known as one of the most powerful exorcists in Church history by Bret Thoman, OFS Aleteia
Researchers Study Ministry and Life of Catholic Exorcists Dominican priest and exorcistFr. Francois Dermine underlined the isolation and lack of support an exorcist priest can feel within his diocese. by Hannah Brockhaus Catholic News Agency/National Catholic Register
Exorcism: Increasingly frequent, including after US protests by David Crary Associated Press/Crux
Explainer: What is an exorcism, exactly? by Sean Salai, S.J. America
New Guide For Exorcists: Exorcism is a Ministry of Joy, Light, and Peace by Hannah Brockhaus CNA/National Catholic Register
Demonic Possession or Epilepsy? by Dave Armstrong Patheos
Wife and Mother of Four Describes Experience of Possession, Exorcism by Terese Piccola National Catholic Register
An Exorcist Explains Why the Devil Hates Bells So Much by Patti Armstrong National Catholic Register
Solemn Requiem Mass offered in Diocese of Madison for Bishops Morlino and Sirba.“A few days after Bishop Morlino died,” aid Rev. John Zuhlsdorfd uring his homily, “I was told by an exorcist that he used Morlino’s name against a demon during an exorcism…” by Joseph M. Hanneman The Catholic World Report
‘I Was Possessed’: How One Man Was Freed From Satanic Possession by Solène Tadié National Catholic Register
Exorcists see ecumenical agenda in fighting ‘voluntary possession’ by Elise Harris Crux
What Happened When Atheists Attended a Talk on Exorcism by Tom Nash National Catholic Register
On exorcisms and excommunications in New York City by Aleteia
Exorcism and deliverance by The Catholic News Archdiocese of Singapore
Demand for exorcists increasing in Europe by Xavier Renard, Orléans La Croix International
An Exorcist’s Perspective on the Sex Abuse Scandal by Patti Armstrong National Catholic Register
Exorcism in Italy a job 'too scary' for young priests by James Reynolds BBC News Rome
Catholic Church Needs More Exorcists Due to Urgent Increase in Demonic Activity, Priest Warns by Cristina Maza Newsweek
3 Prayers of an exorcist that can drive out evil by Philip Kosloski Aleteia
Exorcism: prayers against ‘powers of darkness’ published by US bishops by Patsy McGarry The Irish Times
US Exorcists: Demonic Activity on the Rise by Patti Armstrong National Catholic Register
9 Disturbing and Deadly Cases of Real-Life Exorcisms and Possessions by The Lineup Staff
When exorcists need help, they call him by John Blake, CNN
Rise of the exorcists in Catholic Church by Nick Squires The Telegraph
Mountie had priest perform exorcis on 'possessed' son by Gary Dimmock Ottawa Citizen
Irish priest asks for back-up as demand for exorcisms rises 'exponentially' by Catholic News Agency
Cork nuns broke Ireland's travel restrictions to attend exorcism of the Dáil by Shane O'Brien IrishCentral
An Italian Exorcist Kept a Record of His Work for a Decade. Here’s What’s inside. by John Last Slate/Microsoft News
Book Reviews and Commentaries
Exorcism: The Battle Against Satan and His Demons by Fr. Vincent Lampert Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Don Amorth — La biografia ufficiale (Fr. Amorth — The Official Biography) Reviewed by Domenico Agasso Reviewed by Gelsomino Del Guercio Aleteia
Exorcism: The Battle Against Satan and His Demons by Fr. Vincent Lampert Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
Diary of an Exorcist: Demons, Possessions, and the Modern-Day Battle Against Ancient Evil by Monsignor Stephen Rosetti Commentary by Patti Maguire Armstrong National Catholic Register
The Devil Is Not an Invention by Fabio Marchese Ragona Reviewed by Edward Pentin National Catholic Register
Film Reviews and Commentaries
The Exorcist: Believer Reviewed by Brad Miner The Catholic Thing
The Pope’s Exorcist by Filip Mazurczak The Catholic World Report
Rosemary's Baby Commentary by Ryan Menezes Cracked
The Exorcist Reviewed by David Patten Patheos
Incarnate Reviewed by Joe Leydon Variety
The Nun Reviewed by Eve Tushnet America
The Exorcism of Emily Rose Reviewed by Roger Ebert.com
Deliver Us Reviewed by Wendy Ide The Guardian
Videos
This Man is Fearless 🫨 | An Exorcist Shares His Scariest Moment | Interview with Fr. Chad Ripperger
This exorcist has spoken to Satan himself