Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti

In the midst of a recent exorcism, we included in the session praying the Litany of Loreto. It is a beautiful litany in praise of Our Lady with her many titles. I chanted my favorite part: “Mystical Rose, Tower of David, Tower of Ivory, House of Gold, Ark of the Covenant, Gate of Heaven” and then I said; “Morning Star.” The demons jerked and reacted strongly to it. Hmmm…. My ears perked up.

Then I recalled that earlier the demon had identified itself as Lucifer. His name means “Light Bearer.” He was supposed to be the Light Bearer, but he rejected God and thus he rejected his heavenly role. The light was taken from him.

Now, Mary is referred to as the “Morning Star,” whose coming precedes Jesus who is the light of the world. She, as the new Ark of the Covenant, bore the light in her womb and thus she is the new light bearer.When I saw the reaction of the demons, I stayed with it. I exclaimed over and over: “She is the new light bearer”; “Mary is the new morning star.” A huge demonic reaction! Lucifer was enraged; he had been cast out and replaced by this humble radiant woman. I spent some time with the Team chanting these Marian titles over and over: “Ark of the Covenant”, “Morning Star.” Then I read from Isaiah 14:12-15 which explicitly reminds Lucifer of his fall:

“How you have fallen from the heavens, O Morning Star, son of the dawn! How you have been cut down to the earth…In your heart you said: …I will be like the Most high!…No! Down to Sheol you will be brought to the depths of the pit!”

Clearly I had hit a demonic “nerve” and a particular vulnerability of this demon. An exorcism, very simply, reminds the demons of the Truth. It is precisely the Truth, which ultimately is Jesus, which they cannot stand. They live in the darkness; they are steeped in lies; and they cannot face the Truth.

But for us, it was a grace to proclaim these beautiful titles of Mary. Just the thought of this radiant woman and her Son brings light and joy to the heart.

Previously published by CatholicExorcism.org