Deliverance & Spiritual Safeguards with Msgr. Stephen Rossetti

In this episode of Roadmap to Heaven, host Adam Wright invites Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, an exorcist and author of Diary of an American Exorcist, to discuss the topic of deliverance and the spiritual safeguards against evil.

Msgr. Rossetti begins by explaining that while not everyone is fully possessed by demons, we are all tempted by Satan in different ways. He emphasizes that some individuals have a stronger presence of Satan in their lives, which may not necessarily mean possession but can greatly influence their thoughts and actions.

Deliverance, as discussed by Msgr. Rossetti is the process of casting out evil spirits from individuals and freeing them from their influence. He shares that he relies on the power of Jesus Christ, using holy water and the cross as spiritual tools to combat these malevolent forces.

Throughout the conversation, Msgr. Rossetti stresses the importance of following the teachings of the Church and the Catechism. He asserts that the death and resurrection of Jesus have already defeated Satan’s kingdom, and as believers, we can find protection and liberation through our faith.

Drawing parallels between spiritual and physical protection, Adam recounts a personal experience where leaving his vehicle unlocked resulted in it being ransacked. He relates this to the need for spiritual protection and emphasizes the importance of using the tools provided by the Lord to shut and lock the doors against Satan’s attacks.

While acknowledging the fear that surrounds the topic of demonic oppression, Msgr. Rossetti encourages a healthy appreciation for understanding the reality of evil. His insights shed light on the spiritual dangers of practicing magic and engaging in the occult, warning that all forms of witchcraft invite Satan into one’s life. He encourages listeners to focus on the sacraments, prayer, and the rosary as ways to protect oneself from Satan’s extraordinary actions.

Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into deliverance, spiritual safeguards, and the need to be aware of and protect ourselves from the influence of evil forces.

Adam Wright:

Monsignor Stephen Rosetti was recently in St. Louis to be with us at the St. Louis Marian conference. He is the author of Diary of an American Exorcist, available through Sophia Institute Press. Monsignor, thank you for being with us on Roadmap to Heaven this morning.

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti:

My pleasure, Adam.

Adam Wright:

Now, Monsignor, one of the things that you did at the conference, you gave some wonderful talks, but you also had a healing and deliverance service. I think for most of us, especially in this day and age, we recognize what healing is and even that we are in need of healing. But for many of us, deliverance might still be an unfamiliar term. It might just be the title of a movie from way back when, or the latest app on your phone to order takeout without leaving your couch. But in terms of our Catholic faith, deliverance is a very powerful spiritual reality and it implies that there is something we need to be delivered from. So I was wondering if we could just start by asking that question. What is deliverance? Who’s being delivered, and from what?

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti:

Well, as an exorcist, we cast out demons from people who are fully possessed. But most people, thank God, are not. But all of us are tempted by Satan. And some people, more than a few actually, have some stronger presence of Satan. They’re not possessed, but they have some evil spirits that are influencing their lives. And so this deliverance casts them out. So it can be very freeing for a lot of people.

Adam Wright:

So when we talk about sometimes, say you struggle with the vice of unchastity, that you struggle with lust. And it just feels like everywhere you go or at some point every day, as if somebody’s tapping you on the shoulder saying, “Hey, take a look at that young woman over there, mister man here.” That’s part of what you’re talking about then.

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti:

Well, there’s a difference between ordinary temptations, which everyone has – Satan tempts everyone – versus a little stronger presence where Satan’s into what we call his extraordinary action, and he might be oppressing or obsessing someone. For example, all of us have sexual temptations because part of being a fallen humanity. But when Satan gets involved more intensely, then they can be very powerful. Or he can influence your mind and really put some really wrong, negative thoughts in your mind. We call those demonic obsessions. So sometimes this extraordinary activity of Satan can be a pretty strong influence for evil in our lives. But the power of Christ casts them out.

Adam Wright:

I would imagine that more than a few of us then wonder at times if this is the reality. Number one: how does it happen to people? And number two, and probably most importantly: how do we avoid it? I don’t think that I want to go through my day saying, “Gee, I hope I get to be the special target of Satan today.”

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti:

Well, sometimes priests will say, well, “I don’t want to say these deliverance prayers. I don’t want to rile Satan.” Oh, you got to be kidding. I mean, if you’ve never upset Satan in your life, are you really a Christian? If we live a holy life, then Satan will attack us. It happens to all the great saints. When you look at, like, Padre Pio and Catherine Siena and all the great saints, they were so holy that they were a target from Satan. Then Satan would actually beat them up. Now thank God that doesn’t happen to most of us. But Satan will attack you if you’re living a holy life. Now, how do we protect ourselves? Very simply. Remember to trust in Jesus. Jesus is lord. Live a holy life. Go to confession. Go to Mass. Don’t commit any serious sins, and God forbid, don’t do anything of the occult – magic and Ouija boards, all that kind of stuff. Don’t invite Satan into your life. But if you don’t do that stuff and you live a holy life, you’re pretty protected.

Adam Wright:

We had an example the hard way the other night. We live in an urban area, and unfortunately, if you forget to lock your doors on your vehicle, odds are good that at some point your vehicle will be ransacked. They go through looking for money and whatnot. And the other morning, I found out the hard way I left the doors unlocked. And so what happened? The vehicle was ransacked. I wasn’t shocked. I wasn’t surprised. So it makes a lot of sense that in the spiritual realm, don’t open the door for Satan. Don’t leave the door unlocked for Satan. Use the tools our Lord has given us to shut the door and lock the door.

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti:

That’s what people don’t realize today. I mean, they’re doing all sorts of magic. Some people say, “Well, I’m a white witch, I’m a good witch.” No, when you do magic and occult stuff, you’re explicitly inviting Satan into your life, whether you know it or not. So stop all that magic, witchcraft, all that kind of stuff. And then of course, go to the sacraments and pray. Pray the Rosary. What a wonderful powerful prayer of the Rosary, indeed.

Adam Wright:

Now, Monsignor, before we wrap up here, I think one of the things that I often encounter in talking with people about demonic oppression and all of these matters is a fear that we don’t want to know too much about it because we don’t want to endlessly be afraid, or wonder, or entertain these things. But we should have a healthy appreciation, if I understand correctly, for everything you’re talking about. So if we want to know more or we think we need to know more, what are some resources that we can use to learn about deliverance and oppression and everything you’ve been sharing with us about today?

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti:

Well, as you say, Adam, we don’t want to walk around in fear. People talk to me, “Well as an exorcist, you must be frightened.” No, I’m not. Jesus is Lord. We see the power of Christ. We just throw a little holy water on the evil spiritual and they go screaming. Or lift up a cross and behold the cross of Jesus. They can’t stand it. So we’re confident in the power of Christ. Now, there are resources. I wrote a book, Diary of an American Exorcist. We have a website, Catholicexorcism.org. And of course the Church and the catechism. The catechism teaches about these realities, a little bit anyway. So follow what the church teaches. The church teaches truly, but always remember that the death and resurrection of Jesus has smashed Satan’s kingdom, and Jesus is Lord.

Adam Wright:

And I would imagine if someone has a serious concern that there’s a very serious matter, that’s something that they can go to their parish priest or their diocese for further assistance and further help.

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti:

Right, they should go to their parish priest for help. Also, we have a monthly online deliverance session. We have 15,000 people sign up every month from all over the world. So, people have said that’s been very helpful for them. But of course, more serious infestations, then you should have a priest help you.

Adam Wright:

Well, Monsignor, this has been very insightful and a great reminder for us on so many of these things, especially locking the doors in your spiritual life, and be on the right side of the door. As I told my daughter when she asked me about witchcraft the other day and whether or not there were good witches, I said, “There are two sides, Satan’s side and God’s side. We know who wins. Which team do you want to be on?” And she said, “The winning team.” Could I ask you to close our time together with a prayer, Monsignor?

Msgr. Stephen Rossetti:

I ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to spread her mantle over each and every one of you, all of your loved ones, all your possessions. May the blood of Jesus wash you clean. May the holy angels surround you. In the name of Jesus may you be healed and liberated and delivered. In the name of Jesus may you all be at peace. May Almighty God bless you all. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Amen.

Adam Wright:

Amen. Monsignor Stephen Rosetti, thank you so much for being with us on Roadmap to Heaven this morning. Friends, we’re going to take a break, but don’t go anywhere.

In this episode of Roadmap to Heaven, host Adam Wright invites Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, an exorcist and author of Diary of an American Exorcist, to discuss the topic of deliverance and the spiritual safeguards against evil.

Msgr. Rossetti begins by explaining that while not everyone is fully possessed by demons, we are all tempted by Satan in different ways. He emphasizes that some individuals have a stronger presence of Satan in their lives, which may not necessarily mean possession but can greatly influence their thoughts and actions.

Deliverance, as discussed by Msgr. Rossetti is the process of casting out evil spirits from individuals and freeing them from their influence. He shares that he relies on the power of Jesus Christ, using holy water and the cross as spiritual tools to combat these malevolent forces.

Throughout the conversation, Msgr. Rossetti stresses the importance of following the teachings of the Church and the Catechism. He asserts that the death and resurrection of Jesus have already defeated Satan’s kingdom, and as believers, we can find protection and liberation through our faith.

Drawing parallels between spiritual and physical protection, Adam recounts a personal experience where leaving his vehicle unlocked resulted in it being ransacked. He relates this to the need for spiritual protection and emphasizes the importance of using the tools provided by the Lord to shut and lock the doors against Satan’s attacks.

While acknowledging the fear that surrounds the topic of demonic oppression, Msgr. Rossetti encourages a healthy appreciation for understanding the reality of evil. His insights shed light on the spiritual dangers of practicing magic and engaging in the occult, warning that all forms of witchcraft invite Satan into one’s life. He encourages listeners to focus on the sacraments, prayer, and the rosary as ways to protect oneself from Satan’s extraordinary actions.

Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into deliverance, spiritual safeguards, and the need to be aware of and protect ourselves from the influence of evil forces.