“Confession is more effective than an exorcism!” – writes father Gabriele Amorth, exorcist of the diocese of Rome – “Satan is much more enraged when we take souls away from him through confession than when we take away bodies through exorcism.”
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The kinds and levels of diabolic tormenting
Several kinds and intermediate levels of demonic interference can be distinguished, ranging from temptation to possession.
Reasons for tormenting, enslavement, visitation and possession
The list of spiritual threats possibly resulting in demonic tormenting presented below is not exhaustive and contains the most common of contemporary practices. It was constructed based on the knowledge of the Church (the Roman Ritual), exorcist priests books and testimonies of people freed from the evil spirits actions.
A psychiatric classification of possessions
The difference between a mental disorder and a possession is not always obvious, especially in cases, where medicine claims the right to spiritual matters. Every case takes intuition and a separation of a psychiatrist’s and an exorcist’s competence.
Blessings in the life of the Church
Blessings established by the Church are visible signs through which the sanctification of people through Christ as well as adoration of God – both being the purpose of all other works of the Chruch – “is expressed and realized in a way typical for individual signs”.
Sacramentals – exorcised water, oil, salt and incense
The use of sacramentals is a part of every priest’s competence. Their power depends on the priest’s personal belief and the cooperation of the person accepting the sacramental through acts of faith, love and repentance. The power of sacramentals lies in the intercessory prayer of the Church, in the name of which the priest blesses or exorcises people and objects.
Catechism: sacramentals
Holy Mother Church has, moreover, instituted sacramentals. These are sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church. By them men are disposed to receive the chief effect of the sacraments, and various occasions in life are rendered holy.
Saint Benedict Medal
The power of Saint Benedict Medal is a historical truth and a christian article of faith. However, not many of decide to use that Holy Medal.
Rosary and promises of the Holy Virgin
We have to remember that the Rosary is a way of “shooting at Satan”, as father Maksymilian Maria Kolbe said. There are also the promises that Virgin Mary gave to blessed Alan de la Roche. The promises speak about spiritual effects for those, who reflect on the mysteries of the Holy Scripture that are described in the Rosary.