BEGONE SATAN

A Sensational Expulsion of the Devil which occurred in Iowa in 1928

(a great many of witnesses were present)
Evidence for diabolical possession was so overwhelming and there were so man! witnesses that this is one of few written reports of exorcism that the "atholic "hurch ever put their #Imprimatur# $stamp of approval% on NIHIL OBSTAT: Rev. Alexius Hoffmann, O.S.B. IMPRIMATUR: ose!" #. Bus$", Bis"o! of S%. &lou', Minneso%a ul( )*, +,*- O.i/inall( !u0lis"e' in En/lis" 0( Rev. &eles%ine 1a!sne., O.S.B.

Foreword
In regard to Begone Satan, some persons have asked the question: "Why publish a story of this kind in our age and civilization " !ne could ans"er this by replying that our age and civilization needs to learn ane" a lesson that "as vainly laughed to scorn in past generations# $uring %is so&ourn here on earth 'hrist cast out devils at various times# (he po"ers of 'hrist "ere transmitted to the )postles and their successors* and the 'hurch+s ordinary rite of ordination to the ,riesthood includes the order of e-orcist, in "hich 'hrist+s po"er to cast out devils is transmitted# (he 'hurch, moreover, has a special rite for such e-orcisms, and throughout the ages she has "itnessed the effective use of it# %er long e-perience also e-plains her e-treme caution, her e-tensive investigation of a case, before permitting any e-orcism# .or a time it "as fashionable to scoff at demoniacal possession as part and parcel of an outmoded superstition of bygone ages of ignorance/like the attitude of a lifetime ago in regard to the miracles of 0ourdes# But facts are stubborn, also against the scoffing of so/called enlightened criticism# Stubborn facts cannot be denied even "hen they baffle all natural e-planation# (he absurd thing about such a position is that the critics "&ust kno"" that supernatural or preternatural phenomena simply "cannot be#" We have become much more sober in our day# )nd it is a healthy sign that the man of education no longer scoffs so readily at that "hich he cannot e-plain# So much has been gained for perennial common sense# (o a great e-tent the essential matters of 'hristian faith are beyond the field of natural kno"ledge# %o"ever, any vie"point that is flatly contradicted by true natural kno"ledge cannot be a matter of 'hristian faith# In regard to sin and the 1ingdom of Satan, 'hristian faith teaches 'hrist+s conquest of Satan and Satan+s dominion by %is death and resurrection# 2o" this conquest is shared by individual souls in the sacrament of

Baptism, the rite of "hich contains several solemn e-orcisms as "ell as renunciation of Satan and his pomps# In the light of this 'hristian faith, it is not at all surprising that Satan should be regaining something of his hold on men in our day# .or "e have in several past centuries "itnessed the increased abandonment by men of the 'hurch of 'hrist, and among non/'atholic denominations the increased abandonment of the sacrament of Baptism# What is this but a great surrender to the po"ers of evil .or a succinct statement of the 'atholic position on possession by the devil, the reader is referred to the 'atholic 3ncyclopedia article ",ossession, $emoniacal#" 4irgil 5ichel, !#S#B#, ,h#$# Letter from a doctor $r# 6ohn $undon, ,hysician and Surgeon 7889 3# Brady St# 5il"aukee, Wis# :ev# 'elestine 1apsner, !#S#B# St# 6ohn+s )bbey 'ollegeville, 5inn# $ear .ather 1apsner: We "ish to endorse your pamphlet "4ade Satana" as a potent aid to faith in the value of sacramentals, relics of the saints, and prayer# 2o more vivid picture has been presented to us of the losing battle against the "camp of 'hrist#" 2othing has made our insistent floundering from the "camp of 'hrist" to the "camp of the devil" appear so absurd# (he memory it has instilled of the hatred of Satan and the eternal misery of his permanent army, evokes a continuous inventory of one+s life, savoring of the minuteness of the final &udgment# (hat it "ill save many souls "e have no doubt# (hat some "ill borro" fruitless fright is also possible, but for them one must say that if the picture is terrible the real thing must be "orse# )gony is the lot of all at least once# Satan has seemed too unreal# It "ould be a pity if this pamphlet "ere to be suppressed because some "eak souls have been made to sense him more vividly than the author intends# We "ere granted an intervie" "ith the e-orcist, .ather (heophilus, after reading your account of the diabolical possession# We treasure the e-perience as an intimate glimpse into the life of a pious priest very gifted in a specialty "hich should command the patronage of the medical profession, rather than to be allotted to the realm of superstition or necromancy# We an-iously a"ait his complete report of the 3arling ;ours very truly, 6# $# $undon, 5#$#

A Sensational Expulsion of the Devil which occurred in Iowa in 1928

("o (housand years ago, 'hrist, the Son of <od, came upon this earth# %e gained the victory over Satan, the ,rince of this World, and founded %is o"n 1ingdom, the 'hurch# %e vested %is 'hurch "ith the same po"ers that %e had received from the .ather# ")s

the .ather sent 5e, so I send you#" When preparing her candidates for the ministry, %oly 5other 'hurch hands these po"ers over to them that they may continue the mission of 'hrist+s 1ingdom on earth# ,reparatory to %oly ,riesthood the candidate receives the so/called minor and ma&or orders# )mong the minor orders is one called the !rder of 3-orcist# When the Bishop confers this order he pronounces the follo"ing significant "ords: ;ou receive the po"er to place your hand upon those possessed and through the imposition of your hands, the grace of the %oly <host and the "ords of e-orcism you shall drive evil spirits out of the bodies of those so possessed# (he Solemn and po"erful meaning attached to this ceremony, not conferred in any of the other orders, can be gleaned from the "ords: :eceive and impress upon your mind that you receive the right to place your hand upon those possessed# 0ater on the Bishop invites the faithful to &oin him in asking that he "ho is to receive this order may be an effective agent in e-pelling the evil spirit from those possessed# %e continues to pray that the candidate may become an approved physician of the 'hurch through the gift of healing conferred upon her by the )lmighty %imself# (he 'hurch bases her action on the e-ample of 'hrist %imself, Who frequently drove out evil spirits and endo"ed %is disciples "ith full authority to do like"ise# (he superficial faith of our age regards such an order as superfluous# (he reality of hell, devils, and cases of possession have been denied as myths of the dark ages# 3ven if 'hrist and the )postles repeatedly emphasized the po"ers of the evil spirit, these are looked upon as purely superstitious# (hat Satan has succeeded in making man so indifferent regarding his actions of misleading men is one of his greatest and most advantageous accomplishments# ,eople rarely listen to anything of a supernatural nature# )ctual happenings of the I supernatural order in our times are all the more striking therefore and cannot so readily be dismissed by a mere shrug of the shoulders // facts such as the numerous and indisputable miracles at 0ourdes, the e-traordinary visions, stigmata, abstention from food, and gift of languages of (heresa 2eumann, the life of the 'ure of )rs "ho "as recently proclaimed a saint of the church, to "hom for => years the sight of hell "as constantly and really an ordinary e-perience# 2o less "orthy of note are the facts in the cases of possession occurring in our times: the case of a possessed boy in Wemding, Suabia, Bavaria, 79?7* the case in St# 5ichael+s 5ission in )frica in 7?@A of t"o girls possessed* the noted case of the 'hinese "oman 0autien in %onan, 'hina, in 7?8A and 7?8?, "hich "as under the direction of .ather ,eter %eier, S#4#$#, of %ague, 2# $#, no" a 5issioner in 'hina, and several cases in :ockford, Ill since 7?B@# (he priest has frequent opportunities for using his po"er of e-orcism# (he blessings of holy "ater, its various uses in the blessing of houses and in the many other blessings and benedictions of the church in her sacramentals, are dependent upon this po"er# ,ope 0eo CIII in our o"n time composed a po"erful and solemn prayer of e-orcism for priests against the fallen angels and evil spirits# It is said that this ,ope, after <od permitted him to see in a vision the great devastation Satan is carrying on in our times, composed the prayer of e-orcism in honor of St# 5ichael that is no" recited in the vernacular as one of the prayers after 5ass#

his true stor! "e#ins

$ecent case of possession and expulsion in Earlin#% Iowa
(he follo"ing soul/stirring case of actual possession and successful e-pulsion, through the po"ers given to the 'hurch over the evil one, is all the more striking in vie" of the above e-planations# (he facts herein narrated "ere testified to by the late :ev# 6oseph Steiger, "ho "as a personal "itness of the scenes herein narrated# While conducting a mission in the parish of 3arling in 7?89, .ather (heophilus :iesinger, !#5#'ap#, asked the :ev# ,astor for permission to have a certain person, "hom he believed possessed by the devil, brought into his parish, and to use the solemn formula of e-orcism over her "hile she "ould be detained in the convent of the .ranciscan Sisters "ho "ere active in the parish# .ather Steiger happened to be a personal friend of .ather (heophilus for many years past# "What, another case of possession " replied the pastor# ")re these cases still on the increase ;ou have already dispossessed the devil in a number of such casesD" "(hat is indeed true# %o"ever, the Bishop has again entrusted this case into my hands# (he lady in question lives at some distance from 3arling# I should like to have her brought here, since it "ould create too much e-citement in her home and perhaps "ould be the cause of many disturbances to the person herself#" "But "hy &ust here in my o"n parish " "It is &ust here in an outlying country district that the case may be disposed of in a quiet manner# ("o places are available, either the Sisters+ convent or in the sacristy here# So it is quite possible to relieve the unfortunate person of her burden "ithout anybody out in the "orld becoming a"are of it#" "5y dear .ather, do you really think that the 5other Superior "ould permit anything like that to take place under her convent roof I don+t believe it# )nd it "ould be altogether out of the question to bring the person into my o"n house#" "5y dear friend," smilingly replied the .ather, "tell me this one thing# Will you give me your approval, should the 5other Superior be "illing " "Well, all right, but only under this condition# I do not believe that you "ill have any success at the convent#" "(hanks for your permission# (he case is therefore settled, as the 5other Superior did give her consent from the very beginning# I have already made all arrangements "ith her for this case, provided you give your full approval#" (hus it "as agreed to have the e-orcism performed at the convent# (he place "as situated in the country, and as it "as summer time, the people "ere actively occupied "ith their "ork in the open fields# 2o one "ould be any the "iser# 5uch less "ould anyone bother himself about "hat "as going on# )s a matter of precaution the case "as again submitted to the Bishop, "ho called the pastor to himself to acquaint him "ith "hat he might e-pect to happen# "So, my .ather, you have given your consent to allo" this to take place in your parish#

%ave you thought the matter over sufficiently " ";our 0ordship, to be honest, I must confess that I "as not very an-ious to have it# I have a rather strong aversion for such unusual affairs# But .ather (heophilus e-plained that my country parish together "ith the easy access to the convent "ould be &ust suitable for such an undertaking, and so I disliked to refuse#" ")s Bishop I "ill caution you most emphatically that there may be some very serious consequences resulting to you in person# Should the :everend .ather not have enlightened you regarding the matter, then I "ish to give you information based upon sound facts and similar e-periences# (he devil "ill certainly try his utmost to seek revenge on you, should you be "illing that this unfortunate "oman be relieved of this terrible oppression#" "Well, I hardly think that it "ill be as bad as all that# <od+s protecting hand "ill not fail me# (he devil has no more influence than <od permits# )nd if <od "ill not permit it, the devil "ill not be able to harm me in the least# So I have no misgivings# I shall keep my "ord# I have given my consent, and for that very reason I "ould not care to "ithdra" it again# )nd should it entail some sacrifices, I shall be only too glad to bear them, if only an immortal soul shall benefit by it and be freed from the terrible stranglehold of that infernal being#"

he lad! in &uestion
(he unfortunate "oman "as unkno"n to the pastor# She lived far from 3arling, and up to then he had heard nothing about her# (he 'apuchin .ather had e-plained to him "hat her actual condition "as, that she "as a very pious and respectable person# (hroughout her youth she led a religious, fervent and blameless life# In fact she approached the sacraments frequently# )fter her fourteenth year some unusual e-periences manifested themselves# She "anted to pray, "anted to go to church and as usual receive %oly 'ommunion# But some interior hidden po"er "as interfering "ith her plans# (he situation became "orse instead of improving# Words cannot e-press "hat she had to suffer# She "as actually barred from the consolations of the 'hurch, torn a"ay from them by force# She could not help herself in any "ay and seemed to be in the clutches of some mysterious po"er# She "as conscious of some sinister inner voices that kept on suggesting most disagreeable things to her# (hese voices tried their utmost to arouse thoughts of the most shameful type "ithin her, and tried to induce her to do things unmentionable and even to bring her to despair# (he poor creature "as helpless and secretly "as of the opinion that she "ould become insane# (here "ere times "hen she felt impelled to shatter her holy "ater font, "hen she could have attacked her spiritual adviser and could have suffocated him# ;es, there "ere suggestions urging her to tear do"n the very house of <od# "%allucination, a pure hysterical case, nervous spells#" Such easy e-planation one "ill hear to account for the e-periences# (rue, similar happenings do occur in nervous and hysterical cases# %o"ever, many doctors had this case in charge for years, and the "oman "as finally e-amined by the best specialists in the profession# But their thorough e-aminations resulted in the unanimous conclusion that the "oman in question did not betray the least sign of nervousness, that she "as normal in the fullest sense# (here "as not the slightest indication suggesting physical illness# %er undeniable and unusual

e-periences could not be accounted for# )s the doctors could not help her, it "as thought to see results in another field# 5any years passed# .inally, recourse "as had to the 'hurch and the supernatural po"ers of the priesthood# But a reserved and skeptical attitude "as maintained for some years to"ards proceeding "ith e-orcism# 3-aminations and observations "ere constantly made# It gradually became evident that strange preternatural po"ers "ere at play# (he "oman understood languages "hich she had never heard nor read# When the priest spoke the language of the 'hurch and blessed her in the 0atin tongue, she sensed and understood it at once, and at the same time foamed at the mouth and became enraged about it# When he continued in classical 0atin, she regained her former ease# She "as conscious at once "hen some one gave her articles sprinkled "ith holy "ater or presented her "ith things secretly blessed, "hereas ordinary secular ob&ects "ould leave her perfectly indifferent# In short, "hen after years of trial and observation she had reached her fortieth year, the ecclesiastical authorities "ere finally convinced that here "as a clear case of demoniacal possession# (he 'hurch must step in and deliver the poor creature from the po"ers of the evil one# (he cause of the possession could not be ascertained# (he "oman herself could not give any information about this matter# !nly later during the process of solemn e-orcism "as the cause made kno"n# .ather (heophilus had spent many years giving missions in the Enited States and "as familiar "ith cases of possession# Since he had already dispossessed the evil one in many instances, the Bishop entrusted this case to him# %is stainless career, as "ell as his successful encounter in numerous possessions, singled him out as the one best suited to take hold of this case# %e had little suspicion that he "ould meet "ith the severest e-perience as yet encountered by him and that matters of such a nature "ould confront him as "ould ta- to the limit his physical endurance# (hough this 'apuchin .ather is the very picture of health in his si-tieth year, yet he needed all available resources in order to carry the affair to a successful finish# (he day agreed upon and approved by the Bishop for the e-orcism at 3arling, Io"a, "as at hand# Besides the pastor and his sister, "ho "as his housekeeper, and the 4enerable Sisters, not a soul "as a"are of "hat "as being undertaken# (his secrecy had been strictly agreed upon beforehand# (he main purpose of such procedure "as chiefly to protect the name of the "oman, lest anything of the affair might get out among the people and they might point to her and say: "(his is the one "ho "as once possessed by the devil#" )s she "as to travel by train, it "as found necessary to inform the personnel of the train# .or should anything happen on the "ay, their help "ould have to be available in case the demoniacal influence should create any disturbance# (his caution "as not in vain, for the men had their hands full# (hey, ho"ever, did not kno" "hat the nature of the disturbance really "as# (he poor creature herself "as only too "illing to submit to the ecclesiastical procedure, so that she might be delivered from these terrible molestations# ;et she did not al"ays have the necessary control over herself# She made this kno"n after her delivery# (hus, the very night on "hich she arrived at the 3arling station, she "as so enraged over those "ho "ere there to meet her that she felt like taking hold of them and choking them# ,revious arrangements had been made for .ather (heophilus to arrive that same night but

by another route# (he pastor took his o"n auto and "ent to meet him at the depot# (hough the ne" car "as al"ays running in tip/top order it lacked the usual speed on this trip# 3verything possible "as tried, yet the car "ould not make any head"ay to"ards the station though no fla" could be found "ith it# (he distance "as not even "orth mentioning, yet it took t"o hours for the pastor to arrive at the depot# %e e-cused himself to his guest for causing such a delay and disappointment# (o "hich the latter replied very calmly: "5y dear friend, I "as not "rought up about it at all# I "ould have been much more surprised if everything had gone smoothly# $ifficulties "ill arise* they must be e-pected to arise# (he devil "ill try his utmost to foil our plans# While "aiting I prayed constantly that the evil spirit "ould not be able to harm you, as I suspected that he "ould try to interfere "ith your coming, yea, that he "ould try to in&ure you personally#" 2o" the pastor understood "hy his auto had balked# (his "as to be the first of many other unpleasant happenings# )fter such forebodings the reader can imagine that the missionary entered the car "ith some misgivings# But he took his precautions# %e first blessed the auto "ith the sign of the 'ross and then seated himself in the rear of the car# $uring the short ride to the rectory he quietly recited the rosary by himself lest something happen on the "ay to foil the attempt at e-orcism# (he t"o priests arrived "ithout the slightest trouble (hank <od, the "oman also had arrived safely at the Sisters+ convent# With this reassurance the difficult task could begin quietly on the morro"# %o"ever, that very night the enemy displayed his true colors# 2e"s "as soon dispatched from the convent to the rectory ne-t door that the "oman caused difficulties from the very start# (he "ell/meaning Sister in the kitchen had sprinkled holy "ater over the food on the tray before she carried the supper to the "oman# (he devil, ho"ever, "ould not be tricked# (he possessed "oman "as a"are at once of the presence of the blessed food and became terribly enraged about it# She purred like a cat, and it "as absolutely impossible to make her eat# (he blessed food "as taken back to the kitchen to be e-changed for unblessed food* other"ise the soup bo"ls and the plates might have been crashed through the "indo"# It "as not possible to trick her "ith any blessed or consecrated article* the very presence of it "ould bring about such intense sufferings in her as though her very body "ere encased in glo"ing coal#

he decisive moment had arrived

)ll "as quiet# Both the pastor and missionary, having offered up %oly 5ass in the parish church that morning, "ent over to the convent "here everything in a large room "as in readiness for the e-orcism# .ortified "ith the 'hurch+s spiritual "eapons, they "ould dislodge Satan from his stronghold in the person of the possessed "oman# %o" long "ould this process last It "as not to be e-pected that the devil "ould leave his victim "ithout a fight# 'ertainly a fe" days "ould pass by before the po"ers of darkness "ould give in to the po"ers of 0ight, before the devils "ould let loose the soul redeemed by 'hrist, and return back to hell# It "as "ell that neither the pastor nor the missionary kne" "ith "hat kind of horde of evil spirits they "ould have to do battle# (he "oman "as placed firmly upon the mattress of an iron bed# Epon the advice of .ather (heophilus, her arm/sleeves and her dress "ere tightly bound so as to prevent any devilish tricks# (he strongest nuns "ere selected to assist her in case anything might happen# (here "as a suspicion that the devil might attempt attacking the e-orcist during

the ceremony# Should anything unusual happen, the nuns "ere to hold the "oman quiet upon her bed# Soon after the prescribed prayers of the 'hurch "ere begun, the "oman sank into unconsciousness and remained in that state throughout the period of e-orcism# %er eyes "ere closed up so tightly that no force could open them# .ather (heophilus had hardly begun the formula of e-orcism in the name of the Blessed (rinity, in the name of the .ather, the Son, and the %oly <host, in the name of the 'rucified Savior, "hen a hair/raising scene occurred# With lightning speed the possessed dislodged herself from her bed and from the hands of her guards* and her body, carried through the air, landed high above the door of the room and clung to the "all "ith a tenacious grip# )ll present "ere struck "ith a trembling fear# .ather (heophilus alone kept his peace# ",ull her do"n# She must be brought back to her place upon the bedD" :eal force had to be applied to her feet to bring her do"n from her high position on the "all# (he mystery "as that she could cling to the "all at allD It "as through the po"ers of the evil spirit, "ho had taken possession of her body# )gain she "as resting upon the mattress# (o avoid another such feat, precautions "ere taken and she "as held do"n tightly by stronger hands# (he e-orcism "as resumed# (he prayers of the 'hurch "ere continued# Suddenly a loud shrill voice rent the air# (he noise in the room sounded as though it "ere far off, some"here in a desert# Satan ho"led as though he had been struck over the head "ith a club# 0ike a pack of "ild beasts suddenly let loose, the terrifying noises sounded aloud as they came out of the mouth of the possessed "oman# (hose present "ere struck "ith a terrible fear that penetrated the very marro" of their bones#

"Silence, Satan. Keep quiet, you infamous reprobate! "

But he continued to yell and ho"l as one clubbed and tortured, so that despite the closed "indo"s the noises reverberated throughout the neighborhood# )"e/struck people came running from here and there: "What is the matter What is up Is there someone in the convent being murdered " 2ot even a pig stabbed "ith a butcher knife yells "ith such shrieking ho"ls as these# (he ne"s travelled through the entire parish like a prairie fire: ")t the convent they are trying to drive out the devil from one possessed#" 0arger and smaller groups "ere filled "ith terror as they approached the scene of action and heard "ith their o"n ears the unearthly noises and ho"lings of the evil spirits# (he "eaker members of the cro"d "ere unable to endure the continued rage coming from the under"orld# It "as even more tense for those actually present at the scene, "ho "ith their o"n eyes and ears "ere "itnesses to "hat "as going on before them# (he physical condition of the possessed presented such a gruesome sight, because of the distorted members of her body, that it "as unbearable# (he Sisters, even the pastor, could not endure it long# !ccasionally they had to leave the room to recuperate in the fresh air, to gain ne" strength for further attendance at the horrible ordeal# (he most valiant and self/composed "as .ather (heophilus# %e had been accustomed to Satan+s ho"ling displays and blusterings from e-periences "ith him in previous e-orcisms# <od seems to have favored him "ith special gifts and qualities for facing such ordeals# !n such occasions, "ith the permission of the Bishop,

he carried a consecrated host in a py- upon his breast in order to safeguard himself against in&uries and direct attacks by the evil one# Several times it happened that he "as t"isted about, trembling like a fluttering leaf in a "hirl/"ind# !ne may ask: $oes Satan dare at all to remain in the presence of the )ll %oly %o" can he endure it $oes he not run off like a "hipped cur )ll "e need to remember is that Satan dared to approach our 0ord fasting in the desert# %e even dared to take the Saviour upon a high pinnacle at 6erusalem* and again he carried %im up on a high mountain/top# If he sho"ed himself so po"erful then, he has not changed since# !n the contrary, the devils living in the possessed displayed various abilities and reactions# (hose that hailed from the realm of the fallen angels gave evidence of a greater reserve# (hey t"isted about and ho"led mournfully in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, acting like "hipped curs "ho gro"l and snarl under the pain of the biting lash# (hose "ho "ere once the active souls of men upon earth and "ere condemned to hell because of their sinful lives acted differently# (hey sho"ed themselves bold and fearless, as if they "anted every moment to assail the consecrated Species only to discover that they "ere po"erless# .rothing and spitting and vomiting forth unmentionable e-crements from the mouth of the poor creature, they "ould try to "ard off the influence of the e-orcist# )pparently they "ere trying to befoul the consecrated %ost in the py-, but failed in their purpose# It "as evidently not granted them to spit upon the )ll %oly directly# )t times they "ould spout forth torrents of spittal and filth out of the entrails of the helpless "oman in order to give vent to their bitter spleen and hatred to"ard the )ll %oly !ne# ;ou say torrents )ctually those present had to live through some terrible e-periences# It "as heartrending to see all that came forth from the pitiable creature and often the ordeal "as almost unbearable# !utpourings that "ould fill a pitcher, yes, even a pail, full of the most obno-ious stench "ere most unnatural# (hese came in quantities that "ere, humanly speaking, impossible to lodge in a normal being# )t that the poor creature had eaten scarcely anything for "eeks, so that there had been reason to fear she "ould not survive# )t one time the emission "as a bo"l full of matter resembling vomited macaroni# )t another time an even greater measure, having the appearance of sliced and che"ed tobacco leaves, "as emitted# .rom ten to t"enty times a day this "retched creature "as forced to vomit though she had taken at the most only a teaspoonful of "ater or milk by "ay of food#

'ne or more devils

$uring this e-orcism it "as necessary to find out definitely "hether the e-orcist had to deal "ith one or more devils# It "as also important for the e-orcist to insist upon getting control over the person and of dispossessing the devil# !n various occasions there "ere different voices coming out of the "oman "hich indicated that un/numbered spirits "ere here involved# (here "ere voices that sounded bestial and most unnatural, uttering an ine-pressible grief and hatred that no human could reproduce# )gain voices "ere heard that "ere quite human, breathing an atmosphere of keen suffering and indicating bitter feeling of disappointment# )s is common in such e-periences, Satan can, through the solemn e-orcism of the 'hurch, be forced to speak and to give ans"er# )nd, finally he can also be forced to speak the truth even though he is the father of lies from the very beginning# 2aturally, he "ill try to mislead and to sidetrack the e-orcist# It is also common e-perience that Satan at first does his utmost to side/step the questions "ith

clever, "itty evasions, direct lies, shre"d simulations# When Satan "as asked in the 2ame of 6esus, the crucified Savior, "hether there "ere more spirits involved in the possession of the "oman, he did not feign in the least, but boastfully admitted that there "ere a number of them present# )s soon as the name of 6esus "as mentioned, he began through the "oman to foam and ho"l like a "ild raving animal# (his ugly bello"ing and ho"ling took place every day and at times it lasted for hours# )t other times it sounded as though a horde of lions and hyenas "ere let loose, then again as the me"ing of cats, the bello"ing of cattle and the barking of dogs# ) complete uproar of different animal noises "ould also resound# (his "as at first so ta-ing on the nerves of those present that the t"elve nuns "ere forced to take turns at assisting in order to save themselves and to have the necessary strength to continue facing the siege# (he e-orcist: "In the name of 6esus and %is most Blessed 5other, 5ary the Immaculate, "ho crushed the head of the serpent, tell me the truth# Who is the leader or prince among you What is your name " $evil, barking like the hound of hell# "Beelzebub#" Exorcist: "You call yourself Beelzebub. Are you not ucifer, t!e prince of t!e "e#ils$" $evil: "2o, not the prince, the chieftain, but one of the leaders#" Exorcist( )*ou were therefore not a human "ein#% "ut !ou are one of the fallen an#els% who with selfish pride wanted to "e li+e unto ,od-) $evil "ith grinning teeth# ";es, that is so# %a, ho" "e hate %imD" Exorcist: "%!y "o you call yourself Beelzebub if you are not t!e prince of t!e "e#ils$" $evil: "3nough, my name is Beelzebub#" Exorcist: "&rom t!e point of influence an" "i'nity you must ran( near ucifer, or "o you !ail from t!e lo)er c!oir of an'els$" $evil: "I once belonged to the seraphic choir#" Exorcist: "%!at )oul" you "o, if *o" ma"e it possible for you to atone for your in+ustice to ,im$" $emoniacal sneering: ")re you a competent theologian " Exorcist: ",o) lon' !a#e you been torturin' t!is poor )oman$" $evil: "Since her fourteenth year#" Exorcist: ",o) "are" you enter into t!at innocent 'irl an" torture !er li(e t!at$" Sneeringly: "%a, did not her o"n father curse us into her " Exorcist: "But )!y "i" you, Beelzebub, alone ta(e possession of !er$ %!o 'a#e you t!at permission$" $evil: "$on+t talk so foolishly# $on+t I have to render obedience to Satan " Exorcist: "-!en you are !ere at t!e "irection an" comman" of ucifer$" $evil: "Well, ho" could it be other"ise "

0et it be noted, too, that .ather (heophilus addressed the devil in 3nglish, <erman, and again in 0atin# )nd the devil, Beelzebub, and all the other devils, replied correctly in the very same tongues in "hich they "ere addressed# )pparently they "ould have understood any language spoken today and "ould have ans"ered in it# Sometimes it happened that .ather (heophilus, "hile in an e-hausted state of mind, "ould make slight mispronunciations in his 0atin prayers and "ords of e-orcism# )t once Beelzebub "ould intrude and shriek out# "So and so is rightD $umbbell, you don+t kno" anythingD" !nce it happened that .ather (heophilus did not catch the "ords the devil spoke in an articulate mumbling voice# So he asked the pastor: "What did he say " 2either had the pastor understood the devil# (hen the nuns "ere interrogated: "What did he say " !ne ans"ered: "So and so, I think#" (hen the devil bello"ed and yelped at them: ";ou, I did not say that# Stick to the truthD" .ather (heophilus indeed "as an-ious to kno" "hy the father had cursed his o"n daughter# But he only received a curt uncivil reply: ";ou can ask him# 0eave me in peace for once#" Exorcist: ".s t!en t!e fat!er of t!e )oman also present as one of t!e "e#ils$ Since )!en$" $evil: "What a foolish question# %e has been "ith us ever since he "as damned#" ) terrible, sneering laughter follo"ed, full of malicious &oy# Exorcist: "-!en . solemnly comman" in t!e name of t!e /rucifie" Sa#ior of 0azaret! t!at you present t!e fat!er of t!is )oman an" t!at !e 'i#e me ans)er!" ) deep rough voice announced itself, "hich had already been noticed alongside the voice of Beelzebub# Exorcist: "Are you t!e unfortunate fat!er )!o !as curse" !is o)n c!il"$" With a defiant roar: "2o#" "%!o are you t!en$" "I am 6udas#" "%!at, 1u"as! Are you 1u"as .scariot, t!e former Apostle$" (hereupon follo"ed a horrible, "oefully prolonged: ";/e/s, I am the one#" (his "as ho"led in the deepest bass voice# It set the "hole room a/quivering so that out of pure fright and horror the pastor and some of the nuns ran out# (hen follo"ed a disgusting e-hibition of spitting and vomiting as if 6udas "ere intending to spit at his 0ord and 5aster "ith all his might, or as if he had in mind to unloose his inner "aste and filth upon %im# .inally 6udas "as asked: "%!at business !a#e you !ere$" "(o bring her to despair, so that she "ill commit suicide and hang herselfD She must get the rope, she must go to hellD" ".s it t!en a fact t!at e#eryone t!at commits suici"e 'oes to !ell$" ":ather not#" "%!y not$" "%a, "e devils are the ones that urge them to commit suicide, to hang themselves, &ust as

I did myself#" "2o you not re'ret t!at you !a#e committe" suc! a "espicable "ee"$" ) terrible curse follo"ed: "0et me alone# $on+t bother me "ith your fake god# It "as my o"n fault#" (hen he kept on raving in a terrible manner# he demon .aco" When the prayer of e-orcism "as rene"ed, the demon 6acob made his appearance "ith a healthy manly voice# )s in the case of 6udas, one could detect at once that he had been a human being# "%!ic! 1acob are you$" asked the e-orcist# "(he father of the possessed girl#" 0ater developments disclosed the fact that he had led a frightfully coarse and brutal life, a passionately unchaste and debased life# %e no" admitted that he had repeatedly tried to force his o"n daughter to commit incest "ith him# But she had firmly resisted him# (herefore he had cursed her and "ished inhumanly that the devils "ould enter into her and entice her to commit every possible sin against chastity, thereby ruining her, body and soul# %e also admitted that he did not die suddenly but that he "as permitted to receive the sacrament of 3-treme Enction# But this "as of no avail because he scoffed at and ridiculed the priest ministering the sacrament to him# 0ater in the e-orcism he made the follo"ing e-planation: Whatever sins he had committed in this life might still have been forgiven him before death, so that he could have been saved* but the crime of giving his o"n child to the devils "as the thing that finally determined his eternal damnation# 3ven in hell he "as still scheming ho" to torture and molest his child# 0ucifer gladly permitted him to do this# )nd since he "as in his o"n daughter, he "as not, despite all the solemn prayers of the 'hurch, in the least disposed to give her up or leave her# "But you )ill obey! -!e po)er of /!rist an" t!e Blesse" -rinity )ill force you bac( into t!e pit of !ell )!ere you belon'!" (hen follo"ed a load roar and protest: "2o, no, only spare me thatD" )s the prayers of e-orcism "ere continued, 6acob+s mistress, "ho "as in hell "ith him, also had to face the ordeal and give ans"er# %er high pitched voice, almost a falsetto, had already been noticed among the many other voices# She no" confessed that she "as 5ina# 5ina admitted that the cause of her damnation "as her prolonged immoral life "ith 6acob "hile his "ife "as still living# But a more specific cause for her eternal "oes in hell "as her unrepented acts of child murder# Exorcist: "You committe" mur"er )!ile you )ere still ali#e$ %!om "i" you (ill$" 5ina, bitterly: "0ittle ones#" 3vidently she meant her o"n children# Exorcist: ",o) many "i" you actually (ill$" 5ina, most un"illingly, curtly: "(hree//no, actually fourD" 5ina sho"ed herself especially hateful# %er replies "ere filled "ith such bitter hatred and spite that they far surpassed all that had happened so far# %er demeanor to"ards the Blessed Sacrament is beyond description# She "ould spit and vomit in a most hideous

manner so that both .ather (heophilus and the pastor had to use handkerchiefs constantly to "ipe off the spittle from habit and cassock# Because of her un"orthy communions, it "as clear that the Blessed Sacrament, the Bread of 3ternal 0ife, "hich should have been the source of her eternal salvation, turned out to be unto her eternal damnation# .or she tried to get at the Blessed Sacrament "ith a burning vengeance and hatred# !ut of this group of devils, 5ina and 6udas "ere the "orst offenders against the Blessed Sacrament# (he reader "ould undoubtedly be misled if he "ere of the opinion that these questions and ans"ers follo"ed in regular order# It must be remembered that these battles and encounters "ith the devils e-tended over a number of days# )t times the ans"ers "ere interrupted by hours and hours of ho"ling and yelling "hich could be brought into submission only by prolonged prayer and persistent e-orcism# !ften no further ans"ers could be forced from the devils in any other "ay# 'ountless brats of devils also interrupted the process of e-orcism by their disagreeable and almost unbearable interferences# )s a result of these disturbances, the "oman+s face became so distorted that no one could recognize her features# (hen, too, her "hole body became so horribly disfigured that the regular contour of her body vanished# %er pale, deathlike and emaciated head, often assuming the size of an inverted "ater pitcher, became as red as glo"ing embers# %er eyes protruded out of their sockets, her lips s"elled up to proportions equalling the size of hands, and her thin emaciated body "as bloated to such enormous size that the pastor and some of the Sisters dre" back out of fright, thinking that the "oman "ould be torn to pieces and burst asunder# )t times her abdominal region and e-tremities became as hard as iron and stone# In such instances the "eight of her body pressed into the iron bedstead so that the iron rods of the bed bent to the floor# )ccording to the prescribed formula of the 'hurch, the solemn e-orcism began "ith the recitation of the 0itany of )ll Saints# )ll those present knelt and ans"ered the prayers# )t first the evil spirits remained peaceful, but "hen the petition, "*o" t!e &at!er of !ea#en," "*o" t!e Son 3e"eemer of t!e %orl"," "*o" t!e ,oly *!ost," ",oly -rinity one *o"," "ere said, the regular turmoil and gnashing of teeth began# )t the petition, ",oly 4ary," "St. 4ic!ael," the devils subsided as if struck by a bolt of lightning# ) murmuring and muffled groaning arose at the mention of the choir of )ngels and the %oly )postles# )t the "ords: "&rom t!e persecution of t!e "e#il," the evil spirit &umped up as if a scourge had hit him# "&rom t!e spirit of uncleanness," ho" he moaned and yelped like a beaten curD Acute cause of the devil/s pain )s the e-orcism progressed, one could see that the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament pained the devil most acutely# (hat "as al"ays something unbearable for him# %o" he spat and vomitedD %e t"isted and raved at the blessing "ith the relic of the 'ross# Whenever the priest approached him "ith the cross and the prescribed "ords, " oo( at t!e )oo" of t!e cross ! Be'one ye po)ers of !ell! -!e lion of t!e tribe of 1u"a s!all conquer," he acted terribly# "Stop it, stop it, I cannot bear it, I cannot listen to itD" he seemed to say# )nd "hen the e-orcist approached him "ith the relic of the 'ross hidden under his cassock, Satan became a raving maniac# "Begone, begone," he ho"led, "I cannot bear it# !h, this is tortureD It is unbearableD"

(he intercession, "4ary, t!e .mmaculate /onception," caused him fearful agony# When he "as addressed, ". comman" you in t!e name of t!e .mmaculate /onception, in t!e name of !er )!o crus!e" t!e !ea" of t!e serpent," he "ilted and languished# (hen he bloated up the "oman+s body, and suddenly rela-ed as one stunned# 0ol! 1ater %oly Water "as also something hateful to Satan# Whenever he "as approached "ith holy "ater he screamed: ")"ay, a"ay "ith it, a"ay "ith that abominable dirtD !h, that burns, that scorchesD" !n one occasion a piece of paper bearing the inscription of a fake 0atin prayer "as placed on the "oman+s head# 3ven the good nuns believed that the prayer "as genuine# In reality, the prayer consisted of "ords taken out of a pagan classic# (he nuns "ere very much surprised that Satan remained so quiet under the e-periment# (he e-orcist, ho"ever, kne" the cause of the devil+s tranquility# Immediately after"ards, a second prepared paper "as placed on the head of the "oman, "hich had been blessed beforehand "ith the sign of the 'ross and holy "ater "ithout anybody noticing it# In an instant the piece of paper "as torn into a thousand shreds# Little Flower of the 2hild .esus (he pastor had kept a small relic of the 0ittle .lo"er of the 'hild 6esus in his sacristy in a small py- "ithout the kno"ledge of .ather (heophilus# .or protection+s sake, he placed this in a side/pocket of his cassock one day and entered the convent "here the e-orcism "as taking place# 6ust as the pastor entered the room, the devil began to rave: ")"ay, a"ay "ith thatD )"ay "ith the relic of the 0ittle .lo"er, a"ay "ith that "eathercockD" "%e !a#e no relic of t!e ittle &lo)er," the e-orcist e-claimed# "'ertainly, he "ho &ust entered has one," said the devil, indicating the pastor# )t the same time the pastor approached "ith the relic# %o" the devil began to spit and to resistD )t other times the 0ittle .lo"er played a more important part# !ne could also notice "hat a terrific battle Satan had "ith St# 5ichael# St3 4ichael )t the very mention of St# 5ichael Satan began to recoil# %e "as tortured by that part of the prayer "hich refers to the solemn petition addressed to St# 5ichael# %e absolutely refused to listen to the statement that St# 5ichael, as leader of the faithful angels, cast 0ucifer together "ith his legions into the very abyss of hell# It "as astounding ho" much he dreaded the prayer in honor of St# 5ichael commonly recited at the end of the 5ass# (he prayer is as follo"s: "St. 4ic!ael t!e Arc!an'el, "efen" us in battle. Be our safe'uar" a'ainst t!e )ic(e"ness an" snares of t!e "e#il. 3estrain !im, 5 *o", )e !umbly beseec! -!ee, an" "o -!ou, 5 6rince of t!e !ea#enly !ost, by t!e po)er of *o" cast !im into !ell )it! t!e ot!er e#il spirits, )!o pro)l about t!e )orl" see(in' t!e ruin of souls. Amen." Would that "e as 'hristians recited this prayer in honor of St# 5ichael "ith greater fervor and devotion# ) rather peculiar circumstance induced ,ope 0eo CIII to compose this po"erful prayer# )fter celebrating 5ass one day he "as in conference "ith the 'ardinals# Suddenly he sank to the floor# ) doctor "as summoned and several came at once# (here "as no sign of

any pulse/beating, the very life seemed to have ebbed a"ay from the already "eakened and aged body# Suddenly he recovered and said: "What a horrible picture I "as permitted to seeD" %e sa" "hat "as going to happen in the future, the misleading po"ers and the ravings of the devils against the 'hurch in all countries# But St# 5ichael had appeared in the nick of time and cast Satan and his cohorts back into the abyss of hell# Such "as the occasion that caused ,ope 0eo CIII to have this prayer recited over the entire "orld at the end of the 5ass# 2rucifix and relic of the 2ross )s indicated before, Satan dreaded the sign of the 'ross, a crucifi-, or a relic of the true 'ross# !n one occasion a crucifi- not made of "ood "as handed to .ather (heophilus# (his time Satan broke out in a sneering and ridiculing laughter: "%a, so you arrived "ith a pasteboard crossD Since "hen did +%e+ die on a paper cross If my kno"ledge doesn+t fail me, %e "as nailed to a "ooden cross#" (he crucifi- "as e-amined more closely and "as indeed found to be made not of "ood but of papier mache# !n another occasion Satan made fun of the manner in "hich 'hrist "as nailed to the cross# "Were not the feet of 6esus nailed one on top of the other, and not aside of each other " 'atherine 3mmerich gives the same information# She says that the left foot "as nailed first "ith a shorter nail# (hen a longer and stronger nail, at the sight of "hich our Saviour is said to have shuddered, "as driven first through the right foot and then through the left# (hose standing nearby at the crucifi-ion sa" very plainly ho" the nail penetrated both feet# (his does not mean that "e are no" sure ho" the feet of our Saviour "ere placed upon the cross, even if Beelzebub+s statement tends to confirm the description given by 'atherine 3mmerich# We do not give the father of lies credit for being a reliable "itness in such matters as the crucifi-ion, even if there is no doubt that many devils "ere personal "itnesses to the crucifi-ion of 'hrist# In like manner I "ould have no one believe that "e kno" for certain that 6udas is in hell, &ust because he claimed that he "as one of the damned in the case of possession at 3arling# %oly 5other 'hurch has never yet given a decision regarding this matter even though the "ords of our Saviour about 6udas are thought/ provoking: "It "ould have been better if that man had never been born#" )s the days passed by, a rather odd change manifested itself in the disposition of the pastor "ho began to e-perience a rather strong antipathy against the "hole procedure of driving out of the devil# Antipath! a#ainst the whole procedure (he pastor could no longer bear the presence of .ather (heophilus "ho had been a dear friend of his all along, and "hom he had kno"n intimately for years# If he "ould only be out of the "ay, out of sightD %e no" "ished that he had refused to allo" this e-orcism to be performed in his parish, and that he had sent him directly out of his house# %e became so "orked up about it that he finally informed the e-orcist of his ill feeling to"ard him and the "hole affair# .ather (h# did not sho" the least surprise# (he case "as still in the developing stages and it "as only natural to suppose that the devil "ould have recourse to some source of temptation and annoyance in order to foil all attempts at dislodging him from the one possessed#

.urthermore, the devil used every occasion to display hatred for the pastor# ";ou are the cause of the "hole affair, you are the one "ho tortures us so painfully," he burst out# (he e-orcist commanded Satan on one occasion as follo"s: "Be quiet, you !ellis! serpent. et t!e pastor in peace once for all. ,e is not !armin' you in t!e least. . am "oin' t!is )it! t!e po)ers of exorcism." (his riled the devil all the more# %e said "It is the pastorD %e is at fault# %ad he not given you permission to use his church and convent, you "ouldn+t be able to do a thing# )nd even today you "ould be helpless against us, if he "ould retract his assent#" (his is an interesting proof of ho" the devil feels about and recognizes authority# %e made this evident to every superior, "hile he acted rather civilly to"ards the subordinates# .or that reason he never attacked the nuns nor the pastor+s cook# )ll that the pastor or the mother superior had to do "as to appear on the scene and the disturbance and raving "as on# (he mother superior once received such a blo" across the face that she "as thrust into the corner of the room# Satan repeatedly threatened .ather Steiger, the pastor: ";ou "ill have to suffer for this#" "You can7t !arm me any)ay. . am stan"in' un"er t!e protection of Almi'!ty *o", an" a'ainst ,is po)er you are absolutely !elpless, you "etestable !ell!oun"." "6ust "aitD I+ll make you repent that# I+ll incite the "hole parish against you and I "ill calumniate you in such a "ay that you "ill no longer be able to defend yourself# (hen you "ill have to pack up and leave in shame and regret#" ".f t!at be t!e )ill of *o", t!en *o" be praise"! But you are po)erless a'ainst ,im, you #ile serpent, you man8(iller!" "6ust "aitD I "ill fi- both you and your 0ord and 5aster#" ",a, !o) "are you spea( t!at a)ay a'ainst t!e Almi'!ty, you "espicable )orm cra)lin' in t!e #ery "ust of t!e eart!!" "2o, I cannot harm <od directly# But I can touch you and %is 'hurch#" )nd he continued "ith scorn and sarcasm: "Is it not true $o you not kno" the history of 5e-ico We have prepared a nice mess for %im there#" "%!o$ You "e#ils$" "Who else did it (he "hole credit is ours for bringing that situation about# %e "ill learn to kno" us better# 0ucifer is on %is tracks and "ill make the kettle hot and heavy for %im# %a, ha, haD" ) "eek later the devil advanced a little closer "ith his plans of revenge upon the pastor# "6ust "ait," he threatened, "until the end of the "eekD When .riday comes, then # # #" (he pastor did not take this threat to heart# %e "as getting sick of listening to the ho"lings and yelpings of the devil day after day# ;et the pastor did indeed have a narro" escape on a certain .riday# he experience of his life .riday morning after 5ass the telephone rang in the parish house# It "as a call from a farmer, "hose mother "as critically ill# Would the pastor kindly come and administer the

last sacraments to the dying %e "anted to call for the pastor "ith his o"n car, but someho" it "as out of order and he couldn+t locate the trouble# %e had been trying to start it for over an hour, but in vain# It simply "ould not start# So he asked the pastor to come "ith his o"n auto, or to hire a ta-i at the farmer+s e-pense# Within a quarter of an hour the pastor "as on his "ay to help the sick "oman, carrying the Blessed Sacrament "ith him# )fter dispensing the last sacraments, .ather Steiger "as again on the road to"ards 3arllng# (he road "as familiar to him, for he had gone that "ay hundreds of times, by night and by day, and he kne" every bump and stone along the "ay# %e drove very carefully not only because the auto "as ne", but also because he "as mindful of the devil+s threats to trick him "henever the opportunity "as ripe# %e prayed to his <uardian )ngel and to St# 6oseph, his ,atron Saint, for a safe &ourney home# Suddenly as he "as driving along, a dark black cloud appeared before him# It came &ust as he "as about to pass a bridge over a deep ravine# <reat <od, it seemed as if his eyes "ere blindfoldedD (he ne-t moment there "as a crash, a smash/up "hich dumbfounded him# %e found himself in a mess of ruins# (he auto had crashed into the railing of the bridge "ith an indescribable force although he had &erked the car into lo" gear# (he auto, no" a complete "reck, "as hanging on the iron trellis threatening every moment to drop into the deep abyss belo"# (he noise of the crash "as so loud that a farmer ploughing a field some distance a"ay heard the noise and became greatly alarmed# .ull of an-iety he hastened to the scene of the accident, "<ood <od, it+s the pastor+s carD .ather, .ather, "hat has happened )re you hurt " (he pastor, scared to death, slo"ly cra"led out from underneath the debris# 3ven the steering "heel "as crushed to pieces# %is legs "ould hardly hold him up# (he "onder of it "as that the rod of the steering "heel had not pierced his breast as frequently happens in such accidents# (he farmer hastened home at once and soon reappeared "ith his o"n car# 0eaving the "recked car behind, he took the pastor, still shaking and in a deathlike pallor, into his o"n car and hurried directly to the nearest doctor to ascertain if there "ere any internal in&uries# 2o, he "as not seriously in&ured# (he doctor discovered some e-ternal scars and a state of nervous e-citement, but there "as no sign of any internal in&ury# (hank <od for thatD 0eaving the doctor+s office, they drove straight to the parish house at 3arling# (here "as no one at home, for they had all gone over to the covent to "itness the e-orcism# So the pastor also "ent there# %e had hardly entered the room "hen he "as greeted "ith a roaring laughter full of vengeance and bitter spleen: "hahaha/hahahaD" as if the devil "ere about to burst into a fit of malicious &oy at besting him# "(oday he pulled in his proud neck and "as outpointedD I certainly sho"ed him up today# What about your ne" auto, that dandy car "hich "as smashed to smithereens It served you rightD" (he others looked "onderingly at the pastor# %e "as still pale but nothing ailed him other"ise# "Reverend Pastor, is the devil speaking the truth?" they asked# ";es, "hat he says is true# 5y auto is a complete "reck# But he "as not able to harm me personally#" ) quick reply came from the devil: "!ur aim "as to get you, but someho" our plans "ere th"arted# It "as your po"erful ,atron Saint "ho prevented us from harming you#"

2e"s of this accident soon spread abroad and the people in deep sympathy "ith their beloved pastor, collected enough money to buy him a ne" car, so that the devil "ould receive no satisfaction from his pranks# )gain and again the devil gleefully reminded the pastor of this incident and "arned him to "be ready for a "hole lot more of fun#" (he devil also betrayed himself by saying that he is often the cause of similar accidents in order to bring people to quicker ruin# In this "ay he can get his revenge and give vent to his anger because la"suits frequently result as a consequence, "hich, in turn, are responsible for much hatred and misunderstanding among people# (he reader may make his o"n conclusions and resolutions regarding this# It cannot be so readily denied that the enemy of mankind actually plays a great part in such accidents# Is he not a "man/killer from the very beginning " %ence a timely "arning to those "ho use the auto for evil purposes, "ho decorate it "ith all sorts of nonsense and "ho even display figures alluringly immoral# (he 'hurch has provided a special blessing under the protection of St# 'hristopher against evil and disastrous influences# (herefore, it is customary to put one of these blessed medals or medallions in cars for safety+s sake# St# ,aul calls attention to the fact that the very air is filled "ith evil spirits# Satan/s speeches It should be noted that Satan did not use the tongue of the poor possessed "oman to make himself understood# (he helpless creature had been unconscious during the greater part of the trial# %er mouth "as closed tight# 3ven "hen it "as open there "as not the slightest movement of the lips, nor "ere there any changes in the position of the mouth# (he evil spirits simply spoke in an audible manner from some"here "ithin her# ,ossibly they used some inner organ of the body# We kno" from the early 'hristian "riters of the :oman period that the heathens frequently heard voices coming out of the idols# 'atherine 3mmerich also states that the evil spirits took up their abode in these idols and could clearly be heard to speak from "ithin them in order to confirm the heathens in their delusion of idolatry# So it is conceivable ho" even some of the highly educated heathens "orshipped these statues made by the hands of man, and "hy they offered sacrifices to them as if they "ere gods# (hey rendered to these idols the honor that belongs to <od alone# Satan/s +nowled#e can "e em"arrassin# (he kno"ledge Satan had about the sins and the condition of the souls of those present "as rather embarrassing to them# But in this case there "ere no disturbing revelations made along that line as there "ere only nuns and priests present# But even here he made insinuating remarks: "Is it not true that you did so and so in your past life, in your childhood days " %e made reference here to acts "hich "ere hardly remembered# (he evil spirit, ho"ever, "ould not be quiet and tried to make a scene of things# So the ans"er "as given# ".f before *o" . am not 'uilty of 'reater faults in my later years t!an t!e sins of my c!il"!oo" "ays, t!en . am not afrai"." (hereupon follo"ed a most astonishing confession from the devil: "What you have already confessed, I do not kno"#" What follo"s from this )pparently Satan kno"s only the sins that have not been confessed or repented# What has been submitted to the keys of the confessional seems to

be out of his reach# It "ould seem that the sacrament of penance blots out or obliterates sins from the soul so as not to leave the slightest possibility for Satan to discover them# (hrough the sacrament of penance everything is, so to say, dro"ned in the abyss of <od+s mercy# (he rubrics in the :oman :itual for e-orcism, so "isely and so "ell established, demand that not only the e-orcist, but also all "itnesses and all those called upon to aid in subduing the possessed person, should make a thorough general confession, or at least a sincere act of perfect contrition before the process of e-orcism begins# !nce cleansed from sin they are more at ease in facing Satan and "ill not be sub&ect to annoying remarks on the part of Satan for the sins committed in the past# It happened about forty years ago, in a case of possession at Wemding, <ermany, that during the process of e-orcism the mistake "as made of calling in the strongest men of the parish, men of good repute, to subdue a raving young boy# (hese good men did not realize "ith "hom they had to deal# (he horrible beastlike ho"ling and yelping "as far less disconcerting than the hair/raising reproofs of the devil for the secret sins and other mistakes of one or the other of these men# %e described them in minutest detail# Ender such circumstances it is not surprising that fe" people care to be present at such e-orcism, even if they could make themselves useful in many "ays# .urthermore, it must be remembered that Satan, the father of lies, often t"ists small acts into unusually and seemingly grievous ones, making mountains out of molehills, so to speak, and at times purposely distorting them, mi-ing up truth "ith falsehood "ith the intention of creating the greatest disorder and most lasting enmity# In order to avoid such inconvenient consequences, .ather (heophilus, richer by mature e-periences, undertakes his e-orcism in consecrated or religious houses "ith only the assistance of priests and nuns# 3ven then things have happened# Satan shre"dly and sagaciously disclosed hidden things "hich made certain persons blush for shame* yes, he made them quiver "ith fear by threatening to e-pose them still more# )ll the more fortunate, then, that such e-perience that "ill henceforth take place under the seal of secrecy "ill not be broadcast to the "hole "orld# (hank <od for thatD (he meanness of the devil and the many odd happenings at 3arling became common kno"ledge among the people in the bordering communities# (he pastor of 3arling, .ather Steiger, had asked his people to unite in prayer and penance, and to make visits to the Blessed Sacrament so that the evil spirit might soon be mastered# $espite common kno"ledge of the unusual proceedings going on at the convent, not a single person asked out of curiosity to be permitted to "itness the scene# 3ven if any one had asked, permission "ould not have been granted, e-cept to priests from the neighborhood# It has been intimated above that out of the voices coming from the possessed "oman, four different ones could be very clearly distinguished# (hey announced themselves as Beelzebub, 6udas Iscariot, 6acob, the father of the possessed "oman, and 5ina, 6acob+s concubine# (he possessed "oman had a clear memory of "hen her godless father cursed her and handed her over to the devil# She did not mention any further details about her unfortunate father, but it "as learned from other sources that he "as one of the "orst persecutors of priests and of the 'hurch# In sensual lust and e-cesses he "as a monster of

the "orst type# %e kept his distance from the 'hurch and her sacramental ministration, and used every opportunity to ridicule spiritual things# !ccasionally, he attended divine services on solemn feast days, but only to acquire ne" material from the sermons of the solemn functions to feed his ridicule and so bolster up his criticisms among friends and companions# %ence "e can understand ho" he persisted in ridiculing the priest and his actionsD "hen, even in his last moments, a merciful <od granted him the grace of receiving the last sacrament of 3-treme Enction# )s you live, so you die# )nd his concubine, 5ina, "as fully his equal in this respect# Birds of a feather flock together# What "as most surprising I "as that such a "icked I and blasphemous father "as blessed "ith such a virtuous child# %er sincere piety, her pure and innocent disposition, her diligent application, all "ere very apparent# 3ven during the period of possession the devil could not disturb her inner basic disposition because the devil has no po"er over the free "ill of a human being# It "as evident that, in addition to the above mentioned devils, there "ere also a great number of other unclean spirits in her# )mong these the so/called dumb devils and avenging spirits made themselves especially prominent#

Dum" devils and aven#in# spirits

(he number of silent devils "as countless# )pparently they "ere from the lo"er classes, for they displayed no marks of strength or po"er# (heir voices "ere rather a confusion of sounds from "hich no definite ans"ers could be distinguished# (here "as no articulate speech, rather a pitiful moaning and subdued ho"ling# (hey could put up little resistance against the po"erful effects of e-orcism# It seemed as though they came and left in hordes, one cro"d being relieved by others of the same type# (hey reminded one of a traveller "ho is suddenly overtaken by a s"arm of mosquitoes# ) fe" puffs of tobacco drive them a"ay, but in short order they return and pester him again# Aven#in# spirits (he avenging spirits "ere "ild and violent, of rough and ill/ mannered character# (hey "ere filled "ith hatred and anger against all human beings# (heir very presence suggested an ugly and disgusting attitude //a mi-ture of hatred and envy, meanness and revenge, deception and trickery# (hese "ere precisely the ones that threatened to make the pastor rue his consent to this e-orcism# (hey had in mind to stir up the "hole parish against him by their misrepresentations, so that he "ould have to pack up and leave in disgust# !ne might presume from this that the devils are much to blame for bringing about misunderstandings bet"een the pastor and the people# 2ot infrequently pastors tell of ho" they sacrificed themselves, even ruined their health, for the good of the people, but despite all their untiring efforts, some of the most inconceivable misinterpretations and misrepresentations had taken place in their parishes# Some people seem to find it their business to make the life of their shepherd so miserable that he is brought almost to the point of despair# )ll his good intentions bring him nothing but persecution of the "orst sort# %ence it "ould not be amiss for pastors to use the small formula of e-orcism periodically in order to protect their flocks from such meddlings of the devil, or to use the prayers composed by ,ope 0eo CIII for &ust such an emergency# (he scheming and plotting of these avenging spirits almost succeeded in inciting the pastor of 3arling to "hite heat against .ather (h#, his friend of long standing, doubtless

"ith the intention of preventing the success of the e-orcism# %e "as so "rought up over the procedure at times that he thought of bringing the "hole affair to an abrupt close by driving .ather (heophilus from his church and convent "ith the sharpest "ords of reproof# 5i#ht prowlers $uring the process of e-orcism, the evil spirits repeatedly made statements to the effect that they "ould tire and e-haust the pastor# !ne time in the middle of the night he "as suddenly a"akened by a disturbance in the room# Were rats gna"ing some"here It seemed to be bet"een the "alls near his bed# Was there so much room there that the rats could run about so freely $uring his fourteen years in this same house he had never e-perienced anything of the kind# Was he to be bothered "ith such miserable pests at last %e pounded the "all "ith his fist to scare a"ay the rodents# But to no avail# %e first used his cane, then his shoe, to pound on the "all# Instead of letting up, the noise became "orse# ,erhaps the night pro"lers "ould disappear of their o"n accord# %e "aited and "aited# (hey continued up and do"n bet"een the "alls, and even threatened to ruin them# .ather Steiger "as in need of a good night+s rest after all the disturbances during the day# )n idea came that seemed altogether too foolish# 'ould there be some relation bet"een these night pro"lers and the evil spirits of the e-orcism %ad not the devils threatened to tire him out ,erhaps this is "hat they meant after all# If so, then there is only one thing to do, and that is to use spiritual "eapons against these intruders# .ortifying himself "ith his stole, the pastor again tried to sleep# )t last the noise let up, but not altogether# "Wait, you cursed hellrats, I+ll get rid of you yetD" <etting up again, he lit t"o candles before a crucifi- and recited the small formula of e-orcism against evil spirits# )haD (hat "as the language these hellrats understand# (hey took to flight and all "as quiet# (hey seemed to have been spirited, blo"n off no", although all previous thumping and pounding on the "alls had brought no results# ) fe" nights thereafter the pastor again spent a restless night# )re the doors rattling Is the house quaking !h, it+s only a heavy e-press train going through the village, and these noises are only the after rumblings of the &arred earth# (he railroad track "as only a short distance a"ay# %e "aited for the train to start from the depot, but he heard no move# ,erhaps it+s the rattling of machinery in the near/by electric shopD .inally, the noise ceased# But suddenly it "as heard again, this time right above the door# 5aybe the door is a&ar so that draft is s"aying it back and forth# (here "as no door/stop to catch it, and so he had to get up again# But lo, the door "as closed firmly# %e took hold of the knob "ith a firm grip and pulled hard* it did not yield# What, is the devil again at his pranks to tire him out, to rob him of his night+s rest (he pastor took the holy "ater, sprinkled, the door, "indo"s, and room, and recited the short formula of e-orcism# )gain all "as quiet# (here "as not a stir after that# "! you miserable Satan, no" I kno" your stealthy cunning# 6ust "ait, I+ll soon teach you good manners#" It "as learned later that other priests, "ho had attended the process of e-pelling the devil, e-perienced similar inconveniences and annoyances# 3ven "orse things had happened to them# (hey "ould not retire after that "ithout having holy "ater and the stole "ith them# (he noises "ere often so persistent that one or the other of the priests "as obligated to

get up at night and seek the place and cause of the disturbances, and only after praying "as he able to find peace again# 2ight pro"lers of this kind have been met "ith in other cases of e-orcism even long after the evil spirits had been driven out of the possessed person# 0ow the possessed woman fared 3very day the "oman lost consciousness and became utterly helpless shortly after the formula of e-orcism had begun# When the e-ercises ceased, she "oke up and "as herself again# She declared that she "as una"are of "hat transpired during the e-ercises# Fuite e-hausted, she had to be carried to and from the place "here the e-orcism "as performed# $uring all this time she could not eat solid foods, but nourishment in liquid form "as in&ected into her# It "as surprising to note ho" such a "eak creature could vomit forth such quantities of material as indicated above# It "as not unusual for her to vomit t"enty to thirty times a day# (he fact that, in her "eakened condition, she could bear up under the daily strain of e-orcism for three "eeks seems incredible, especially "hen the terrible abuses upon her body inflicted by the devil, are taken into consideration# She suffered so intensely on one occasion that she assumed a death/like color, and seemed ready to pass a"ay at any moment# "<reat <od, she is dying# I "ill hasten to get the holy oilsD" broke out the pastor, "ho realized the terrible consequences for all concerned if she died under these conditions# (he charge that the priest had caused her death through the strain of e-orcism "ould certainly have been launched against them# .ather (heophilus calmly replied on the basis of his long e-perience: "6ust remain here, my friend* the "oman "ill not die# )bsolutely not# (his manifestation is only one of Satan+s cunning tricks# %e cannot and "ill not be permitted to kill her# )bsolutely not#" Exorcism lasted twent!6three da!s (he period of e-orcism e-tended over an unusually long period of time# 2ever before did it take so long, as far as "e kno"# It lasted &ust t"enty/three days, ho"ever, in three different stages# )nd remember, the e-orcism "ent on from early morning until late night# (he devil tried his utmost to "eaken the priests and nuns and to induce them to let up in their untiring efforts# (he pastor could not al"ays be present# %is care of souls in the parish kept him a"ay at times# 2either "as he physically able to sacrifice so many hours of the night for this purpose# (hus it happened that many interesting and also terrible things took place in his absence to "hich, ho"ever, the others "ere trust"orthy "itnesses# (he solemn formula of e-orcism "as in progress for more than t"o "eeks before there "ere any indications that the devil could be forced to depart from the poor helpless possessed "oman# 3ven though .ather (heophilus had succeeded in delivering her from a large number of devils through the great po"ers of the prayers and e-orcisms, the four meanest and most persistent ones could not be dislodged for a long time# Satan seemed to have gathered up all the forces of hell to gain a final victory in this case# 0i#h commander It "as very evident that the forces of hell "ere under the direction of a high commander "ho, like a general and field marshal, sent forth ne" recruits for battle "henever the veterans, in their e-hausted condition, "ere forced to retire# What pitiful sighs and

pleadings they sent forth# !ne could hear voices to this effect: "!h, "hat "e have to put up "ith here* it is &ust terrible, all that "e have suffered#" (here "ere other voices that kept on urging their fello"/devils not to let up: ")nd ho" "e "ill again have to suffer and cringe under him, ho" he "ill torture us again if "e return "ithout having accomplished our task#" (hey clearly referred to 0ucifer as the torturer# In order not to give Satan and his hordes any peace "hatever, .ather (heophilus finally decided to continue the e-orcisms himself throughout the night, e-pecting thereby to achieve his victory# %e "as blessed "ith a muscular body and "ith nerves of steel# %e had tested these out by a rigorous and abstemious life of self/denial, "hich had given him great po"ers of endurance# )nd indeed it "as something almost superhuman that "as demanded of him# .or three days and three nights he kept on "ithout any intermission# 3ven the Sisters "ho alternated "ere on the verge of a breakdo"n# ;et the desired effect did not come It "as only "ith the summoning of his last strength that the e-orcist dared to continue# )nd at the close of the t"enty/third day he "as completely spent# %e had the appearance of a "alking corpse, a figure "hich at any moment might collapse# %is o"n countenance seemed to have aged t"enty years during those three "eeks# Antichrist (he reader may at this time be inclined to ask if the devil disclosed things that "ould be of general interest# .or instance, the question of the )ntichrist# What did Satan have to say about him It must be clearly borne in mind that the questions directed to the devil and the ans"ers given by him "ere by no means an entertaining dialogue bet"een the evil spirits and the e-orcist# !n occasions a long time intervened before an ans"er could be forced out of Satan# .or the greater part, only a ghastly bello"ing, groaning and ho"ling "as the result, "henever he "as urged to ans"er under the po"ers of e-orcism# It "as often such a terrible drudgery, so e-haustingly tiresome and irritating, that on some days the e-orcist "as completely covered "ith perspiration# %e had to make a complete change of attire as often as three to four times a day# (o"ards the end of those terrible days he became so "eak, that he felt he could continue only "ith the special help of <od# ;es, he even pleaded for the grace to be spared his o"n life# 'urious questions not related to the present e-orcism "ere never purposely asked# )t times, ho"ever, it happened that some of the ans"ers given by the devil himself suggested other questions not strictly pertinent to the case# !n such occasions, .ather (heophilus "as snubbed by the devil "ith coarse and harsh replies: "Shut up, that is none of your businessD" Satan often used the crisp 0atin e-pression: "2on ad remD" Which means, "not to the point," "that has nothing to do "ith this affair#" )t one time Satan became rather talkative about the )ntichrist# :emember the time he had so triumphantly referred to the 5e-ican situation, "hen he said that he "ould stir up a fine mess for %im G6esusH and %is 'hurch, far more detrimental than hitherto# When asked "hether he meant that the furious rage of the )ntichrist "ould be directed against the 'hurch of <od, he asserted that that "as self/evident and insolently continued: ";es, Satan is already abroad, and the )ntichrist is already born in ,alestine# G!n another occasion he also mentioned )merica#H But he is still young# %e must first gro" up incognito before his po"er can become kno"n#"

It is strange that 'atherine 3mmerich mentioned a similar period, "hen she gave a description of 'hrist+s descent into hell after %is death upon the cross# She related that ""hen the portals of hell "ere opened by the angels, there "as a terrible uproar, cursing, scolding, ho"ling and moaning# Individual angels "ere hurling hordes of evil spirits aside# )ll "ere commanded to adore 6esus# (his caused them the greatest pain# In the center of it all there "as a bottomless abyss as black as night# 0ucifer "as bound in chains and cast into this depth of darkness# )ll this happened in accordance "ith set la"s# I heard that 0ucifer, if I am not mistaken, "ould again be freed for a time about fifty or si-ty years before the year 8@@@ )# $# ) number of other devils "ould be released some"hat earlier as a punishment and source of temptation to sinful human beings#" !n one occasion, "hen .ather (h# insisted that the devil should depart and return to hell, the devil replied in a gro"ling tone: "%o" can you banish me to hell I must be free to prepare the "ay for the )ntichrist#" )nd again he spoke out of the possessed "oman: "We kno" a lot# We read the signs of the times# (his is the last century# When people "ill "rite the year 8@@@ the end "ill be at hand#" Whether the "father of lies," as our 0ord %imself styles Satan, spoke the truth, it is impossible to &udge# )t all events, "e shall do "ell if according to our 0ord+s suggestion, "e try to understand the signs of the times# (hat the po"ers of hell are putting up a desperate attempt to ruin the 'hurch of 'hrist in our o"n times cannot be denied# )t one time the evil spirits ho"led and yelped fearfully "hen the prayers of e-orcism "ere solemnly pronounced and "hen the blessings "ith the relic of the cross and the consecrated %ost "ere given: "!h, "e cannot bear it any longer# We suffer intensely# $o stop it, do stop itD (his is many times "orse than hellD" (hese groans, indicating the attendant pain and suffering, cut to the quick# "-!erefore, "epart at once, ye curse"! .t is entirely )it!in your po)er to free yourself from t!ese sufferin's. et t!is poor )oman in peace! . con+ure you in t!e name of t!e Almi'!ty *o", in t!e name of t!e /rucifie" 1esus of 0azaret!, in t!e name of ,is purest 4ot!er, t!e 9ir'in 4ary, in t!e name of t!e Arc!an'el 4ic!ael!" "!h, yes," they groaned, ""e are "illing# But 0ucifer does not let us#" "-ell t!e trut!. .s ucifer alone t!e cause of it$" "2o, he alone could not be# <od+s &ustice does not permit it as yet, because sufficient atonement has not yet been made for her#" (his admission "as valuable# It offered a greater inducement to arouse the members of the parish to increase their acts of e-piation for the "oman# 4ore atonement In accordance "ith the request of their pastor, the parishioners gladly "ent to church to keep regular hours of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament# (hey prayed fervently for the destruction of the po"ers of Satan, and for the victory of the 'hurch in delivering the victim from the tenacious grip of the devil# .ollo"ing the directions of the ritual, the pastor kept on encouraging his people to private fasting and penance in order that their petitions "ould be more effective in strengthening the prayers of the e-orcism# !ur 0ord

%imself, "hen putting the devil to flight, and after beseeching all to pray, had told the )postles that this kind of devils can only be driven a"ay by prayers and fasting# (he devil+s o"n statement, that sufficient penance had not been done, helped to bring about more fervent prayers and more rigorous penances# (he faithful flocked to church in large numbers from early morn until late in the evening in order that, by their prayers, they might add their mite to the "ork of the 'hurch in this her mission# (he e-orcism could not continue much longer as the reserve strength of those actually assisting "as being vitally sapped# 7attle "etween #ood and evil spirits It "as during this time that the poor "oman admitted during her periods of rest that she had visions of horrible battles bet"een the good and evil spirits# 'ountless numbers of evil spirits continually arrived# Satan tried his utmost not to be outdone this time# (he good angels came to assist at the e-orcism# 5any approached seated on "hite horses G)pocalypse 7?, 7>H and under the leadership of St# 5ichael, completely routed the infernal serpents and drove the demons back to the abyss of hell# he Little Flower of the 2hild .esus (he 0ittle .lo"er of 6esus also appeared to the "oman during these crucial days and spoke these consoling "ords to her: "$o not lose courageD (he pastor especially should not give up hope# (he end is soon at hand#" (his occurred on a certain evening "hen, to their surprise, the nuns and the pastor+s sister suddenly noticed a cluster of "hite roses on the ceiling# )fter a "hile the vision gradually disappeared# (he pastor noticed the an-ious gaze of these ladies directed to"ards the ceiling, but he himself did not see the flo"ers# (he "ords of encouragement from the 0ittle .lo"er gave a ne" impetus to the priests# 2o" they kne" that victory "as not far off# $uring the latter days the devils betrayed great fear lest they be forced to return to hell# .ather (h# insisted upon their departure again and again# (hey pleaded pitifully: ")nything but that, anything but that#" (o be banished to another place, or into another creature "ould have been more bearable# (hey did not "ant to be driven back to hell# "But you are alrea"y in !ell." "(rue, true," they groaned, ""e drag hell along "ith us# ;et it is a relief to be permitted to roam about the earth until Gat the last &udgmentH "e shall be cast off and damned to hell for eternity#" he devils depart <radually the resistance of the devils began to "ane# (hey seemed to become more docile# (heir bold, bitter demeanor gave "ay to more moaning and despairing tones# (hey could not bear the tortures of e-orcism any longer# With great uneasiness they e-plained that they "ould finally return to hell# But ho" often they are deceptive and unreliableD 3-perience teaches us that at times they pretend to leave the possessed entirely at ease for a "hile, in order to sidetrack the un"ary observer and thus out"it him# .or this reason .ather (h#, almost completely e-hausted, demanded in the name of the 5ost Blessed (rinity that at their departure the devils should give a sign by giving their respective names#

";es," they promised emphatically# It "as on the t"enty/third day of $ecember, 7?89, in the evening about nine o+clock that, "ith a sudden &erk of lightning speed the possessed "oman broke from the grip of her protectors and stood erect before them# !nly her heels "ere touching the bed# )t first sight it appeared as if she "ere to be hurled up to the ceiling# ",ull her do"n D ,ull her do"n" called the pastor "hile .ather (h# blessed her "ith the relic of the 'ross, saying: "2epart, ye fien"s of !ell! Be'one, Satan, t!e ion of 1u"a rei'ns!" )t that very moment the stiffness of the "oman+s body gave "ay and she fell upon the bed# (hen a piercing sound filled the room causing all to tremble vehemently# 4oices saying, "Beelzebub, 6udas, 6acob, 5ina," could be heard# )nd this "as repeated over and over until they faded far a"ay into the distance# "Beelzebub, /6udas, /6acob, /5ina#" (o these "ords "ere added: "%ell/hell/hellD" 3veryone present "as terrified by this gruesome scene# It "as the long a"aited sign indicating that Satan "as forced to leave his victim at last and to return to hell "ith his associates# What a happy sight it "as that follo"edD (he "oman opened her eyes and mouth for the first time, something that had never taken place "hile the e-orcism itself "as going on# She displayed a kindly smile as if she "anted to say: ".rom "hat a terrible burden have I been freed at lastD" .or the first time in t"elve years she uttered the most holy name of 6esus "ith child/like piety: "5y 6esus, 5ercyD ,raised be 6esus 'hristD" (ears of &oy filled her eyes and those of all in attendance# )mid the first re&oicings, the "itnesses "ere not a"are of the terrible odor that filled the room# )ll the "indo"s had to be opened# (he stench "as unearthly, simply unbearable# It "as the last souvenir of the infernal devils "ho had to abandon their earthly victim# What a day of &oy it "as for the "hole parishD (e $eum laudamusD %oly <od, "e praise (hy nameD 2ot unto us, not unto us, ! 0ord, but to (hy name be glory and praiseD .rom that time on the "oman, al"ays sincerely good, pious and religious, frequently visited the Blessed Sacrament and assisted at %oly 5ass# She received 'ommunion in a most edifying manner# (hat "hich "as so terrible for her "hile she "as under the torturing po"ers of Satan is no" the peaceful &oy, of her heart and soul# heresa 5eumann (heresa 2eumann of 1onnersreuth "as also concerned in this affair# ) Bishop of S"itzerland, "ho had been "ell informed about the above case, paid a visit to (heresa 2eumann# )nd since it "as .riday, he asked her "hile she "as in one of her ecstatic visions "hether she "as a"are of the terrible case of demoniacal possession in )merica# She immediately ans"ered: "Is it not so ;ou mean the case in 3arling, Io"a, at "hich some priests scoffed, and about "hich others "ere indifferent " (hen follo"ed an astounding announcement: "(he good "oman "ill later be possessed# (his "ill be for her o"n personal benefit, for her o"n purification and complete

atonement#" .urthermore, the stigmatic "oman of 1onnersreuth had a terrible vision on the .east of St# 5ichael, pertaining to the e-orcism that had taken place in 3arling# She "itnessed the frightful battle bet"een the angels of heaven under the leadership of St# 5ichael and the infernal demons under the command of 0ucifer# She "as so shocked and confused by it that she said: "If it be not against the "ill of <od, I "ill ask %im never again to permit me to "itness anything so terrible#" It "as by far the "orst vision she had ever e-perienced# .ather (heophilus, basing his opinion on his numerous e-periences "ith cases of possession, believes that the hour of the )ntichrist is not far distant# 0ucifer himself "as present for about fourteen days in the 3arling case# With all the forces of hell at his disposal he tried his utmost to make this a test case# !nce .ather (h# sa" 0ucifer standing visibly before him for half an hour//a fiery being in his characteristically demoniac reality# %e had a cro"n on his head and carried a fiery s"ord in his hand# Beelzebub stood alongside of him# $uring this time the "hole room "as filled "ith flames# 0ucifer "as cursing and blaspheming in a terrible rage: "If I could, I "ould have choked you long ago# If I only had my former po"ers, you "ould soon e-perience "hat I could do to you#" (hrough the po"ers of 'hrist he had been deprived of his original might as even no" through e-orcism his influence "as further diminished# .ather (h# asked him one time: "%!at can you accomplis!, you !elpless ucifer$" (o "hich he replied: "What could you do, if you "ere bound as I am " .ather (h#, "ho has had nineteen cases of possession under his care "ithin recent years, seems convinced that present indications point to the beginning of a great battle bet"een 'hrist and )ntichrist# %e also seems to have learned that 6udas "ill appear as )ntichrist in this manner, that a human person, soon after birth, "ill be controlled and completely ruled by him# Besides the )ntichrist, there "ill be the false prophet, in reality 0ucifer, "ho "ill perform "onderful deeds and false miracles# %e "ill not be born of a "oman, but "ill construct a body for himself out of earthly matter in order to plot as a man among men# But the faithful need not fear, for all the po"ers of heaven "ith its countless angels "ill be fighting on their side# Supplement (he above account gives only the e-orcisms that took place at 3arling, Io"a# She "as possessed the first time in 7?@9 through her aunt, 5ina, kno"n among the people as a "itch# (he latter had placed a spell on some herbs "hich she placed among the "oman+s food# .ather (heophilus freed her from this possession 6une 79, 7?78# She became possessed again due to the curses hurled against her by her "icked father# (he 3arling e-orcism "as in three stages: )ug# 79/8A, 7?89* Sept# 7=/8@, 7?89* $ec# 7>/88, 7?89# (here "ere still later possessions but of a milder nature# (his "oman "as born in 7998, is of small stature and had but an elementary education# She preserved her virginity though she had been e-posed to severe trials# She "as still

among the living "hen this pamphlet "as published# (he purpose of this "as not to frighten timid souls but rather to encourage those of strong faith to continue to give battle to the evil one# It is also a timely "arning to sinners to amend their lives from sin to virtue# It is precisely through the cooperation of sinners that the devil has such po"er on earth# It also gives all of us the assurance that the prayers of the 'hurch and the penance of the faithful in cooperation "ith her today have still the same effect over our enemies as did 'hrist+s personal dealings "ith the evil spirits during %is early so&ourn# (estimony of (heresa Wegerer, .ather Steiger+s housekeeper "I "as a "itness to almost the "hole period of the e-orcism of the 3arling possession case and I can truthfully say, that the facts mentioned in Begone Satan are correct# Some of the scenes "ere even more frightful than described in the booklet# (here is not the slightest doubt in my mind, that the devils "ere present and I "ill never forget the horrible scenes, vile, filthy, and dirty, as long as I live# )ll the nuns asked for a change and "ere transferred the ne-t year# "(he "oman came back to 3arling over a distance of a thousand miles four months after the e-orcism to make a novena of (hanksgiving# (his "as at the bidding of 'hrist %imself# $uring her stay she boarded "ith the Schimoro"sky family# She told me ho" our Blessed 0ord appears to her frequently and encourages her to be faithful#"