An Exorcist Tells His Story

by Gabriele Amorth

Book Overview

In this powerful book, Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the renowned chief exorcist of Rome, tells of his many experiences in his ministry as an exorcist doing battle with Satan to relieve the great suffering of many people in the grip of evil. The importance of the ministry to "expel demons" is clearly seen in the Gospels, from the actions of the Apostles, and from Church history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0898707102
• ISBN13: 9780898707106
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Ignatius Press
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.2" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Fr Amorth is great

Fr Amorth brought the deliverance ministry back into the light. Great read on the realities of evil.

Amazing stories.

Rev. Gabriel Amorth is the chief exorcist of the six exorcists that are currently assigned by the Pope to work in Rome, Italy. And he has written stories about his more than twenty years experience as an exorcist. The central question of "An Exorcists Tells His Story" is whether some people need an exorcist? This is a very good question since some people experience pain and confusion that might not have a medical explanation. Fr. Amorth teaches us that there are three signs of demonic manifestations: "talking in unknown languages, exhibiting superhuman strength, and knowing what is hidden" (p. 46). His advice for a person with one or more of the three symptoms is to visit a priest who appreciates his "power of exorcism". Of course, finding a such a priest is difficult since many "are afraid of reprisal" and retaliation by the devil (p. 67). Amorth's twenty years of work with over 50 thousand troubled individuals have given him unique insights into spiritual topics, such as, what is hell like? "And this was the answer... Down there everyone lives folded within himself and torn apart by his regrets. There is not relationship with anyone" (p.76). Self absorbed, lacking relationships and filled with regrets? That's the best desricption of hell that I've heard and certainly worth the price of the book. Amorth's preparation as an exorcist began in June 1986 when Cardinal Poletti, the Vicar of Rome, asked him to work with the one exorcist of Rome, Fr. Candido Amantini, who was retiring. Fr. Candido writes an excellent Foreward to Amorth's book and says, "Often the victims of an evil spirit believe that they are persecuted by bad luck. They see their life as a series of misfortunes" (p. 11). We all tend to thing we have a series of bad days and the value of Amorth's book is to help us determine whether we should see a doctor or an appreciative priest. Amorth tells us what to say if we suspect an evil spirit: "I say, 'My guardian angel watches over me so that I won't be touched" (p. 96). I highly recommend Amorth's "An Exorcist Tells His Story" for any person who wonders whether an evil spirit is affecting his or her life negatively. Amorth lists the five areas where demonic activity takes place: "health, business, affections, enjoyment of life, and desire for death" (p. 80). Amorth repeats throughout the book the genuine solution to the spiritual problem with these five areas. He writes, "In all cases the cure is the same: prayer, fasting, the sacraments, charity and exorcisms" (p. 80).

An eye opener......

I borrowed this book off my brother and read it in two days. It is very good and well written. Fr Amorth could easily have taken the more sensationalistic route. Instead he also explores and challenges some conventional religious theories and explains these very well. His role is first and foremost a ministry, and an important one. The case studies that he refers to are all very interesting. But more interesting than this is the importance of leading a spiritual life. Some of the sacraments actually are akin to exorcism, going to confession, taking communion and baptism for example. He cites scripture to challenge and clarify some common perceptions. Topics include: why the world and humankind was created, predestiny and freedom of choice, why bad things happen to good people, if God has ultimate control then doesn't everything happen with his permission. I had always struggled with the issue of predestiny until I read this book. It is finally explained to my satisfaction. He has divided devilish interference into several categories. The most interesting to me were oppression which I did not even realise on a conscious level, and extraordinary activity. For example, if you are subject to oppressive or negative thoughts or obsess about a person or situation, these may be signs of oppression. There are several great prayers in this book to help you deal with these issues. I was expecting to read about a subject which I was curious about, but it relates to everybody's experience with the ordinary and extraordinary challenges we face as we try to lead exemplary lives. This is a very important book which I would recommend to anyone interested in spiritual themes and not just people interested only in this subject matter. If you find this review helpful, please click yes.

The Truth without Over-Dramatization - Extremely Informative

I highly recommend this book by Father Gabriele Amorth; an expert in the field of Exorcisism, who works closely with The Roman Pontiff, Pope John Paul, II.In a mature and informative manner, he explains the different ways demonic forces have and can attack unsuspecting individuals; from curses to full blown demonic possession, without being overly dramatic. Fr. Amorth simply presents the truth as facts.He also explains how some people with mental problems can "appear" to be under some sort of evil influence and stresses that anyone believing themselves to be under such influence, is to first undergo an extensive psychiatric evaluation in order to rule out mental illness.He goes on to explain the various ways people can be either under demonic possession or demonic "oppression".I found this book to be very well written and extremely informative.DMShae

The Author's Credentials Are Everything

As a priest and hospital chaplain, I have found Fr. Amorth's book very valuable as a resource and guide, most especially because of its trustworthiness. Amorth himself is the appointed exorcist for the Diocese of Rome, and what is published seems to have the approbation of the Vatican; Cardinal Amantini contributes to the the book. It's an eye-opener, no doubt of that, and seemingly absurd in places, if taken out of context. But this is written by the Church's vintage expert in the field, educated and practiced in this ministry for fifty years. It deserves serious attention as a needed resource, especially among the clergy.

Why did it take so long for a book like this to be publishd?

Since the II Vatican Council, the Holy Catholic Church has avoided to talk about the Devil. The Church seeks us to believe for the best reasons: love and not fear. Nevertheless, the Devil and its legions exist, and work. As St. Ignatius put it: Two armies coexist in this world: One that fights to broaden the kingdom of God, and one that fights for the kingdom of evil. Whether we like it or not, whether we are conscious of it or not, we are part of that metaphysical war. One battle after another takes place, in which our deeds and our words act as bombs, tanks and bullets would in a conventional material war. When we don't tell people about the other army, about the dangers they are going through, and also about the importance (to all of us) of every single deed of our lives, then we are misleading them, and we are rendering them powerless to participate in this epic battles. As C.S. Lewis said: The Devil's greatest achievement, is that of convincing us of his/her/its inexistence. The book I am reviewing contains the minimum information any good Catholic and Christian should know about "the other army". It is full of anecdotes, and an easy --if deep, read. Despite its soundness, the subject may lead to undesired side-effects. If the reader grows fearful, then he/she should leave the book for a while, and pray until he/she recuperates peace in his/her soul --but do then read on until the end: it is important. The other undesired side-effect, again, has more to do with the subject than with the author: Just like some persons tend to believe they are sick when they read medicine books, it is very easy to feel "sick" of "negative metaphysical influences" (or negativities) when one reads this book. It should not be recommended to people undergoing psychiatric treatment for paranoia and several other ailments --for example. But the truth is that many of us are suffering of diferent degrees of "negativities". I could only help three of my friends undergoing such ailments, once I read this book. This book becomes a must, therefore, in today's world, where God is seldom remembered, and the individual claims his/her rights to do what he/she pleases, disregarding the terrible consequences (to him/her and to others) that any bad deed brings naturally. A.M.D.G.