I found this to be an excellent book. It is not a book of drama and hype or sensationalism. It is instead a calm, prayerful and sincere warning against the devil and his evil influence in this world, and how it has grown in modern society. It is especially interesting that the forward to the American edition/translation is by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel. For those unfamiliar with him, Fr. Groeschel is a Capuchin Friar, and is a celebrity in the world of Catholicism, known for his insights, intelligence and holiness. Fr. Groeschel is also a psychologist. His forward to the American Edition is not a wholehearted endorsement of the book, but instead begs the reader to exercise discernment whenever attempting to determine if a problem being faced is medical or diabolical.

Father Amorth stressed many times that bishops need to take this problem seriously and appoint and train more priests as exorcists. I could not agree with him more. I happen to know a young woman who has twice now dabbled in the occult, at 15 and 17 years of age. The first time, we thought she had left it behind, but it seems not. She comes from a good Catholic family too. If it can happen in a family like that, it can happen anywhere. As it was an audio book, I am not sure I completely understood everything. I either need to listen to it again, read-read it or read another/more by Fr. Amorth. It gave me many insights into the devil—satan—and his minions and the various ways they work to ensnare human beings, hang on to them once they have been trapped, continue to haunt them even after they have been exorcised and all the damage they can do if an exorcism is not done properly. an honest (neither exaggerating nor underestimating) description about the nature of demons and demonic activities; Yes I believe in demonic possession, and the power of Mary to intercede. I believe in Jesus as a significant teacher and role model and who rose from the dead, because I believe in miracles. I am open and receptive to the concept of the Trinity (which appears in many religions) as it pertains to Catholicism, as well as the concept of a spiritual teacher sacrificing his life to teach us about sacrificial love, redemption, and our soul. I believe in Saints and angels and their power to guide us.The exorcist might also use “the imposition of hands, as well as the breathing on the person’s face (exsufflation)”. Amorth claimed that Emanuela Orlandi, a Vatican City schoolgirl who went missing in Rome in 1983, was kidnapped for a sex party by a gang involving Vatican police and foreign diplomats. He said that she was later murdered and her body disposed of. Amorth claimed that girls were recruited at the Vatican for parties, adding that her death "was a crime with a sexual motive." [29] As of 2023, Orlandi's disappearance remains unsolved. What works for one exorcist won't necessarily work for another but this doesn't matter because "facts do not change and the efficacy of a method cannot be discounted because the facts differ from someone else's experience." World's top exorcist saw the Devil in Harry Potter, yoga, and thousands of middle-aged, middle-class women". National Post . Retrieved 2023-04-13.

In October 2000, it was reported he had performed over 50,000 exorcisms (which ranged from "a few minutes" to "several hours" in length). [10] In March 2010, he said the number had increased to 70,000. By May 2013, he said he had performed 160,000 exorcisms in the course of his ministry. [11] According to Amorth, each exorcism does not represent a victim of possession, but rather each exorcism is counted as a prayer or ritual alone; some possessed victims required hundreds of exorcisms. [12] [13] However, prior to the movie’s theatrical release in April, the organization condemned the special effects–laden trailer, saying in a March 7 statement it “distorts and falsifies what is truly lived and experienced during the exorcism of truly possessed people.” Amorth’s Exorcism Accounts Amorth demonstrated a rather cavalier attitude towards exorcism. In his biography he wrote “an unnecessary exorcism never harmed anyone”. As an exorcist, your initial step is to ask the demon's name. He might tell you. He might refuse. He might pretend not to be there. He might lie. He might obfuscate to throw you off the scent. However, none of this indicates that asking him is a useless exercise.

At a film festival in Umbria (where he was invited to introduce the 2011 film about Exorcism called The Rite), he is quoted as saying that yoga is satanic because it leads to the practice of Hinduism and "all eastern religions are based on a false belief in reincarnation" and "practicing yoga is satanic, it leads to evil just like reading Harry Potter." [27] [28] Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi [ edit ] To me the chapter from a viewpoint of a formerly possessed person was absolutely indistinguishable from a PoV of a mental health patient. To the credit of the author he does point out psychologists are needed and often work together with an exorcist. He simply states how a health problem caused by the supernatural cannot be healed by modern medicine. Newsflash - mental problems take years to heal and some never do despite having nothing supernatural about them. I find this book to be mostly fear mongering. It contains major contradictions and inconsistencies, so I'm baffled how it's popular even among believers. However, I was pleased to find out there are catholics who agree with me. Once you have identified your demon, then it's time to exorcise him. This might work immediately, or it might take years. It might only work a bit. It might not work at all. Sometimes it will work but you will still need a doctor to fix the damage the demon did in the meantime. Sometimes it will work but you won't be able to tell until later. Sometimes it will only work for a while. Whatever happens, exorcism will be assumed to have been an effective course of action.

Since that time, the battle with the devil has been fought on many levels. The devil has been granted enlarged power in the world by the manner in which he is ignored and God is denied. I have myself heard a priest preach a homily in which he reflected on the Gospel in which Jesus cast out the legion of demons by saying that "of course, demons don't really exist. We know today that this is just mental illness." a recollection of an exorcist's day-to-day life. It's not even a recollection of an exorcist's job!;Almost seven years later, the 400-member International Association of Exorcists is thriving amid growing demand around the world. A 2018 article from The Guardian said the number of Italians claiming to be possessed had tripled to 500,000 per year and that exorcism was a “booming industry” in the United Kingdom. I didn't really relate to the author in regards to the spiritual aspects of exorcism and the responsibilities of being an exorcist. For that, the responsibilities of an exorcist, is not clear, which subjectively... isn't the problem, but what is the problem is that - "The revolving understanding of what exorcism is, and the spiritual relationship of exorcism with that of a person's wellbeing, spiritual identity, spiritual life, and overall generalized existence... contradicts itself. Which makes me, feel very uncertain with the intentions of exorcism. Amorth, Gabriele (2006). Dietro un sorriso: Beata Alexandrina Maria Da Costa. Leumann [Rivoli!]: [Elledici]. ISBN 88-01-03477-6. OCLC 955992744. Friedkin, William (December 2016). "The Devil and Father Amorth: Witnessing "the Vatican Exorcist" at Work". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast . Retrieved 2 November 2016. He’s dealing with the afflicted all the time… I was just very attracted to that, you know,” Crowe said, “because like, it’s such a serious gig. But at the same time, he was so goofy. I really liked that combination.”