A REVIEW OF GABRIELE AMORTH 'AN EXORCIST MORE STORIES' 'Can an ordinary lay person cast out devils?'
According to Fr. Gabriele Amorth an exorcist of the Roman Catholic Church. He says, "Therefore, the simple prayer of a lay person, even though it is private, could be more efficacious than the prayer of anyone else. Just as it is possible that the private prayer of a priest who is not an exorcist, if offered with great faith, can be more effective than the prayer of the exorcist authorized by the bishop, but who acts with lesser faith. For instance, Blessed Raymond of Capua, confessor and biographer of Saint Catherine of Siena, tells us that when an exorcist could not liberate a demoniac, he would send him to Saint Catherine. Then the Saint would pray and obtain liberation. "
Now here comes the interesting part, "Her prayers (St. Catherine of Siena) was not an exorcism; she was neither an exorcist nor a priest. But she was a saint! Let us also keep a degree of faith of the person who recites the prayer of liberation, but also of the faith of the victim, his relatives, and the friends of those who were praying for him." ref no. 1
Lay people are prohibited from using the Leo XIII exorcism prayer. Canon Law states that lay people are not to use nor are they to perform Leo XIII exorcism prayer on anybody. However, they may use their own prayers, such as praying the rosary, the chaplet, or private prayer, but not exorcism. And this kind of prayer, if used with faith, can be more powerful than Leo XIII exorcism prayer. What matters is virtue than words. That is why St. Catherine of Siena had with ease cast out devils than an exorcist. All that is needed is faith...
Here's an example of one of the many testimonies especially in the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska. The reason I decided to demonstrate St. Sr. Faustina's example, because this will lead to something every person can do, that is if we believe and don't doubt? Nevertheless, we don't have to experience bilocation, but at the same time we will experience something from the heart. Moreover, we have to understand that every individual experiences something different within prayer. And likewise there will be times were we won't sense any consolations. But it matters little since God hears every prayer whether we sense a consolation or don't, it matters little...
St. Sister Faustina would even bilocate (being in two places at once in any part of the world) to those who were at the hour of death. And what did St. Maria Faustina Kowalska do? She prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for the dying, since the devil as we know works persistently at the hour of death trying to win souls.
Here is a testimony of how powerful the Chaplet of Divi
ne Mercy is?
What did this Saint experience in her life of prayer? She wrote an example, a short testimonial example, but which gives us something to think about, and how we can do exactly what she did. The graces given to Saint Sister Faustina Kowalska, portrays her using prayer to deliver souls from the devil. Here is what Saint Sister Faustina wrote.
ne Mercy is? What did this Saint experience in her life of prayer? She wrote an example, a short testimonial example, but which gives us something to think about, and how we can do exactly what she did. The graces given to Saint Sister Faustina Kowalska, portrays her using prayer to deliver souls from the devil. Here is what Saint Sister Faustina wrote.
Today, the Lord came to me and said, "My daughter, help Me to save souls. You will go to a dying sinner, and you will continue to recite the chaplet, and in this way you will obtain for him trust in My mercy, for he is already in despair."
The Saint continues saying: Suddenly, I found myself in a strange cottage where an elderly man was dying amidst great torments. All about the bed was a multitude of demons and the family, who were crying. When I began to pray, the spirits of darkness fled, with hissing and with threats directed at me. The soul became calm and, filled with trust, rested in the Lord. At the same moment, I found myself again in my own room. How this happens... I do not know. (1797 -1798) ref 2
'EVEN THE SAINTS WERE AT TIMES POSSESSED' 
Some of the more interesting things Fr. Gabriele Amorth points out is that St. John Bosco, and Blessed Giovanni Calabria, had struggles with demonic possession, but were self liberated. The exorcist says, "From the Life of Saint John Bosco, we know that he was subjected to extraordinary demonic activity for two years. We do not know exactly how he liberated himself; on this point, Don Bosco was particularly reticent. However, reading between the lines, I sense that his humility prevented him from revealing to us the extraordinary penances that he practiced to overcome his trial. One thing is certain: he did everything himself. That is, he did not need someone else's deliverance prayers, much less exorcisms." ref no 4
Some of the more interesting things Fr. Gabriele Amorth points out is that St. John Bosco, and Blessed Giovanni Calabria, had struggles with demonic possession, but were self liberated. The exorcist says, "From the Life of Saint John Bosco, we know that he was subjected to extraordinary demonic activity for two years. We do not know exactly how he liberated himself; on this point, Don Bosco was particularly reticent. However, reading between the lines, I sense that his humility prevented him from revealing to us the extraordinary penances that he practiced to overcome his trial. One thing is certain: he did everything himself. That is, he did not need someone else's deliverance prayers, much less exorcisms." ref no 4
It is interesting to know and to hear the examples of self liberation from the life of St. John Bosco. It opens up new ideas to what seemed could not be achievable, although, is now achievable. And that he needed no priest, much less an exorcist for demonic liberation. So, this means that people can end up saving a lot of their time and the time of an exorcist by praying frequently. One of the many reasons why people in this day and age - live oppressed by the devil, is, because it is their own fault. They don't know how to pray, or it never falls on their minds to think about the power of prayer. Likewise they don't live sacramentally, they don't attend Masses. Also they don't make a familial prayer at home, also people's thoughts have become ill and in some cases mentally ill because of the rubbish they watch. Either they watch violent horror movies, or movies with a lot of drug use, bad language, violence, sex, and murder. Or people generally socialize with the wrong crowd.
Even children are unconsciously and secretly performing malediction on others. The Harry Potter movie is no more than how to do it yourself malediction video. And so these images trigger the way we act and think. And it is interesting to see how parents are carelessly permitting their children to watch inhumane movies. Movies which seem to be brought from hell itself.
Another well known Saint who was demonically possessed was Bl. Giovanni Calabria? About Bl. Giovanni Calabria, Fr. Amorth says, "The other example is that of Blessed Giovanni Calabria who founded a religious order and who was beatified
by Pope John Paul II on April 17, 1988, when he visited Verona. During the last years of Father Calabria's life, the Lord allowed him to go through periods during which he was subjected to true demonic possession. It is obvious that the object of this trial was purification and expiation. The official documents of the canonical beatification process clearly demonstrate that this Holy Priest accomplished his own liberation through his faith, his humility, and his prayers. He needed no prayers of deliverance or exorcisms. I believe that these encouraging examples are valid for everyone, even if not everyone would be able to achieve as much." ref no. 5
by Pope John Paul II on April 17, 1988, when he visited Verona. During the last years of Father Calabria's life, the Lord allowed him to go through periods during which he was subjected to true demonic possession. It is obvious that the object of this trial was purification and expiation. The official documents of the canonical beatification process clearly demonstrate that this Holy Priest accomplished his own liberation through his faith, his humility, and his prayers. He needed no prayers of deliverance or exorcisms. I believe that these encouraging examples are valid for everyone, even if not everyone would be able to achieve as much." ref no. 5Conclusion to why would God even permit the Saints to suffer demonic possession?
To the man who had been possessed by Legions of devils, Jesus said to him, "Go into your house to your friends, and tell them how great things the Lord has done for you, and has had mercy on you?" The obvious reason remains, so that the former possessed man can testify the power of God is active and is attainable. The question is: Can God's grace be attained? Yes, it can be attained if one desires so and believes. And God's objective and mission will always be to seek out our conversion.
Likewise the life of the biblical Job who was oppressed by Satan, who lost his children to misfortune and all his wealth, the reason testifies itself why God permits the devil to oppress and harass us. But in the end, God restored Job's fortune twice as much than previously. You see Job neither had a rosary, nor a chaplet, nor did he use prayers from the Bible. His heart was his only prayer, he had a heart that was persevering, a heart that was patient, kind, gentle, compassionate, merciful, and understanding about who God was. Job's weapon was his perception and love for God. He hoped and believed that trials would pass and they did pass.
According to Fr. Gabriele Amorth, he says that an exorcist only does ten percent of the work, while the rest of the ninety percent is all up to the individual themselves, to live sacramentally, to use the sacrament of penance frequently, and to persevere in prayer. Let us pray with the heart and purify our hearts from the very things which manipulate us to hatred and evil.
God Bless and keep praying,
For More About Fr. Gabriele Amorth and Exorcism Visit:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/famous_exorcist_the_devil_loves_to_take_over_those_who_hold_political_office/
References:
ref no. 1) AN EXORCIST MORE STORIES: 2002 Ignatius Press San Francisco All rights reserved. Can be located on pages 92 if book has been published by IGNATIUS PRESS.
ref no. 2) 1797 - 1798 Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy Publications Pty Ltd,.
ref no 3) Page 93... The life and revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich, - by the Very Reverend Carl E. Schmoger, C.SS.R. --- TAN BOOKS AND PUBLISHERS ---
ref no. 4 and 5) AN EXORCIST MORE STORIES: 2002 Ignatius Press San Francisco All rights reserved. Can be located on pages 100 to 101 if book has been published by IGNATIUS PRESS.
