In our little chapel, we have several dozen relics of the saints. Depending on the situation, we will bring a few out to use during each exorcism. So, that day I had in hand a small 1.5″ diameter theca with the relic of St. Peter. I laid it on the temple of afflicted person and the body visibly jerked. I commanded him to tell us which saint it was (keeping the theca’s identity hidden) and he said, “Peter.” Clearly, it was causing the demons considerable distress.
In a previous case, we knew that the afflicted person had a special devotion to St. Joseph, as do we. So, we invoked him repeatedly: “St. Joseph, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us. St. Joseph, pray for us.” The demons responded, “STOP! Stop saying his name….Get him off us!” We continued to invoke St. Joseph and we knew that he was close and helping. “St. Joseph, pray for us. St. Joseph, cast out the demons.” It was a very fruitful session that day.
One of the great graces we receive in the course of our ministry is a personal experience of the truths of the Catholic faith. In those sessions, we experienced first-hand the powerful Communion of the Saints. These holy men and women are with us, helping us in our lives and ministries, including helping us cast out demons.
On the beautiful feast of All Saints, let us echo the words of the abbot St. Bernard, “When I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning… We long to share in the citizenship of heaven, to dwell with the spirits of the blessed.” May we, too, long to be counted among the saints and one day join their company.
