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Diary of an American Exorcist
Exorcist Msgr. Stephen Rossetti has a very active caseload of demonic possessions, and in each case two vivid lessons consistently demons possess or harass people in a myriad of ways (even when they do not enter a body), and they are defeated decisively by the power of Christ and His Church—and especially by invocations to the Blessed Mother. In these pages, Msgr. Rossetti gives us an inside look at the intense experiences of an exorcist. He shares, without hype or varnish, what it is like, on a daily basis, to face demons who revile, threaten, and sometimes spiritually “wound” him. He describes the healing power of Christ for the possessed and for the exorcist, and reveals amazing moments when Christ and His Church visibly triumph over Satan. The reader is afforded a unique glimpse into the world of angels and demons, and the struggles of the possessed and those who minister to them. In this stunning, edifying, true diary of an American exorcist, you’ll What demonic possession is, and is not Common tactics of Satan and his typical lies How God protects exorcists The difference between strong and weak possessions The hierarchy of demons (not all are equal) What it’s like for an exorcist to face Lucifer himself Why demons choke people How demons fear and hate one another too
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
June 3, 2025
Rev. Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti is the President and Founder of the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal. I discovered him through his helpful numbered Exorcist Diaries, i.e., what he has learned about evil and good as an exorcist which can be of benefit to us in our spiritual lives. I started reading them years ago on a popular website and eventually found my way to his monthly online Deliverance Prayer Sessions, which I found to be the next best thing to going to Mass or Confession. They are free, geared to a general audience, comforting and enriching, especially if you or someone you love has any spiritual concerns, and really, who doesn’t? Msgr. Rossetti covers just about every fear, weakness and/or area of demonic attack you can imagine with prayer. The Center offers many other types of support for both clergy and laity. That’s the long way round to an introduction to the author.
This book is a collection of Fr. Rossetti’s earliest numbered, Exorcist Diary entries. Here is an example which, while not in this book, may be viewed on-line: Exorcist Diary, No Mercy from Demons. As Christians we don’t want to dwell on our enemy or evil, but we need to know enough to fulfill Christ’s command to, “be wise as serpents and gentle as doves...” Matt 10:16.
In addition to the Diaries, this book also includes explanations—not included in his usual blog posts—called Theological Reflections. These further develop the whys and wherefores of God’s love for us or conversely, Satan’s hatred, to increase our understanding and love in so far as is possible this side of Eternity.
The things I liked best about the book were: 1) the author’s humility in admitting when he made a mistake in an exorcism, what he had learned from it and how he recovered; 2) the power Mary has over Satan and how much he and all the demons hate and fear her; 3) the importance of the sacraments and simply living a holy life, 4) his team and the way he approaches each exorcism with a team of trained professionals including laity and, 5) last but really FIRST, how MUCH God loves and wants each and every one of us to be saved. It is we foolish human beings who do not want Him. God never rejects us!
Reading Fr. Rosetti’s writings has increased my love for God, determination not to be half-hearted when it comes to avoiding and rejecting evil, but to acknowledge it for what it is and humbly call on my LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ to protect me and all my loved ones from it. We are no match for the devil, but neither should we ever fear Satan, because Jesus has defeated him and Jesus will always protect us when we call on Him in Love and Faith.
Most Highly Recommended! For people of all faith backgrounds.
This book is a collection of Fr. Rossetti’s earliest numbered, Exorcist Diary entries. Here is an example which, while not in this book, may be viewed on-line: Exorcist Diary, No Mercy from Demons. As Christians we don’t want to dwell on our enemy or evil, but we need to know enough to fulfill Christ’s command to, “be wise as serpents and gentle as doves...” Matt 10:16.
In addition to the Diaries, this book also includes explanations—not included in his usual blog posts—called Theological Reflections. These further develop the whys and wherefores of God’s love for us or conversely, Satan’s hatred, to increase our understanding and love in so far as is possible this side of Eternity.
The things I liked best about the book were: 1) the author’s humility in admitting when he made a mistake in an exorcism, what he had learned from it and how he recovered; 2) the power Mary has over Satan and how much he and all the demons hate and fear her; 3) the importance of the sacraments and simply living a holy life, 4) his team and the way he approaches each exorcism with a team of trained professionals including laity and, 5) last but really FIRST, how MUCH God loves and wants each and every one of us to be saved. It is we foolish human beings who do not want Him. God never rejects us!
Reading Fr. Rosetti’s writings has increased my love for God, determination not to be half-hearted when it comes to avoiding and rejecting evil, but to acknowledge it for what it is and humbly call on my LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ to protect me and all my loved ones from it. We are no match for the devil, but neither should we ever fear Satan, because Jesus has defeated him and Jesus will always protect us when we call on Him in Love and Faith.
Most Highly Recommended! For people of all faith backgrounds.
October 18, 2021
It is good to be reminded of the power of prayer. And it is good to be reminded that the battles we fight in our nation today are spiritual battles... we're not just dealing with people who are intellectually confused and need a better education, we are sometimes dealing with demonic forces. Perhaps quite often dealing with demonic forces.
That said, I'm not sure how much one can trust this book. "Yeah David, that's because it's a book about demons and exorcism." That's not the problem actually. I bought the book because I heard the author interviewed by First Things (I think it was) and that was a good interview and he sounded credible. The book... I think it might be the tone as much as anything that had me wondering. Although the topic it deals with is very serious, at times I almost felt I was reading a children's book, complete with "ughs" and "yikes!". And there were some strange stories I would have loved some elaboration upon, but that elaboration never came. So you were texting back and forth with demons... how does that work? Did they have a number? (I think the author was even asked this during an interview and declined to elaborate then as well.) You saw a supernatural apparition and actually took a photo of it... can we see the photo? I have no problem in believing in the demonic but even so, the way some of these stories were told stretched credulity for me. Maybe they are all true and the author just isn't a very good writer, or maybe the problem is with me, it could be.
Book is strongly Roman Catholic in theology. It does read somewhat as a scientific study of demons... I think even the author might acknowledge that many of the details (about why demons act the way they do, and what they do, and their personalities, and what exorcism techniques work) are not found in scripture, they were basically learned by centuries of experimentation, by exorcists through their interactions with the demonic. For what it's worth.
That said, I'm not sure how much one can trust this book. "Yeah David, that's because it's a book about demons and exorcism." That's not the problem actually. I bought the book because I heard the author interviewed by First Things (I think it was) and that was a good interview and he sounded credible. The book... I think it might be the tone as much as anything that had me wondering. Although the topic it deals with is very serious, at times I almost felt I was reading a children's book, complete with "ughs" and "yikes!". And there were some strange stories I would have loved some elaboration upon, but that elaboration never came. So you were texting back and forth with demons... how does that work? Did they have a number? (I think the author was even asked this during an interview and declined to elaborate then as well.) You saw a supernatural apparition and actually took a photo of it... can we see the photo? I have no problem in believing in the demonic but even so, the way some of these stories were told stretched credulity for me. Maybe they are all true and the author just isn't a very good writer, or maybe the problem is with me, it could be.
Book is strongly Roman Catholic in theology. It does read somewhat as a scientific study of demons... I think even the author might acknowledge that many of the details (about why demons act the way they do, and what they do, and their personalities, and what exorcism techniques work) are not found in scripture, they were basically learned by centuries of experimentation, by exorcists through their interactions with the demonic. For what it's worth.
July 17, 2024
In DIARY OF AN AMERICAN EXORCIST, Msgr. Stephen Rossetti offers insight into the rite of the exorcist. His diary entries depict the struggle between holiness and evil. The ultimate fact is that there is no contest between the minions of hell and the power and love of God. He also shows us that the forces of evil are nothing to fear. With the intercession of the angels and saints, the ancient prayers, and the sprinkling of holy water, the limited power and the grip of demons wither in the light of our loving Savior.
December 4, 2021
“Rather, my response is always the same: ‘It is true. I am a sinner. But I am not your problem. Jesus is your problem. And it is in His holy name that I cast you out.’ When we honestly confess our sins, Satan’s power is broken.”
April 30, 2023
Normally I stay away from books relating to the demonic and exorcisms because they tend to sensationalize evil and undermine the subtle work of the devil in our lives. But Msgr. Rossetti has written extremely well and in such a way that increases my faith and trust in Jesus. As he says throughout the book, we have nothing to fear: Jesus is Lord!
April 23, 2024
I am not Catholic. I was raised in the Protestant- Lutheran denominations & currently attend a non-denominational church setting.
I’ve always had a curiosity about good & evil but little is really “preached” on in the churches I’ve grown up attending. The basics, yes… but certainly zero info on exorcizing demons or demon possession or their influences on our psyche!
I know delving into trying to learn more specifics on witches-dark magic-devil worshipers & psychics, etc… is considered recklessly dangerous & to just “not go there”, so I have avoided learning more about it like the plague in fear of inadvertently unleashing something unholy on myself!
After reading this book, I feel a bit more relieved about the possibility of getting possessed if I’m not careful!! I pray that I will be protected from such occurrances, but I do believe & understand evil is here & we need to proceed with caution & steel up our prayer life & keep our minds clean & clear! It MATTERS what we watch & listen to! We should not look for answers through any other means than a prayer life with God through Jesus Christ!
I do now include prayers for our exorcists & will continue doing so, knowing now more about them & what they are ordained to do! I feel thankful & blessed having learned just a touch more about the devil & his minions & their filthy lies. I feel stronger & protected. I feel empowered.
I recommend this book to anyone who has a thirst for truth & knowledge regarding exorcists and the love God has for us!
I’ve always had a curiosity about good & evil but little is really “preached” on in the churches I’ve grown up attending. The basics, yes… but certainly zero info on exorcizing demons or demon possession or their influences on our psyche!
I know delving into trying to learn more specifics on witches-dark magic-devil worshipers & psychics, etc… is considered recklessly dangerous & to just “not go there”, so I have avoided learning more about it like the plague in fear of inadvertently unleashing something unholy on myself!
After reading this book, I feel a bit more relieved about the possibility of getting possessed if I’m not careful!! I pray that I will be protected from such occurrances, but I do believe & understand evil is here & we need to proceed with caution & steel up our prayer life & keep our minds clean & clear! It MATTERS what we watch & listen to! We should not look for answers through any other means than a prayer life with God through Jesus Christ!
I do now include prayers for our exorcists & will continue doing so, knowing now more about them & what they are ordained to do! I feel thankful & blessed having learned just a touch more about the devil & his minions & their filthy lies. I feel stronger & protected. I feel empowered.
I recommend this book to anyone who has a thirst for truth & knowledge regarding exorcists and the love God has for us!
August 20, 2021
This was a very interesting book to read. I appreciated the Monsignor’s straightforward writing style.
September 3, 2022
My pastor, who died a few years ago, was our diocesan exorcist. Being an author, I thought it would be interesting to share his story. When I asked if I could interview him, he surprised me by refusing. He said we don't want to let the evil one's know what we're doing or where we are working.
I highly recommend this book, perhaps especially to those who reject the reality of Satan or simply don't like talking about him. Monsignor Rosetti, a New York native, priest, research associate professor and psychologist, points out in his closing pages that rejecting Satan is relegating Sacred Scripture to a "theologically inaccurate anachronism. If one begins to face the existence of evil head-on, then one has to face the stark and uncomfortable truths of the full teachings of Christ. " p.280
This book teaches about the powers of angels, how Satan is on a leash with God, how we can unintentionally give the devil foothold, how to tell if someone is mentally disturbed or possessed, how to command evil spirits to depart from your body, why you never want to talk directly to Satan, and the physical wounds one can see in some battles with evil.
In easy-to-read short, one-to-two page stories of his experiences with his team during his hundreds of exorcisms, readers receive glimpses of the reality of evil and how much the devil hates God. I appreciate the brevity of the stories and the occasional Theological Reflections, also limited to two-to-three pages.
If you'd like to understand the difference between ghosts and demons, learn which two Saints in heaven the demons most fear, and how demons love to mess with technology, you'll enjoy this book.
This exorcist says that he feels a greater sense of calm as the years pass. "No matter what happens, Jesus wins. No matter what the demons do, they lose. It is inevitable."
I like how he reassures us with a game analogy, although his stories make it clear this battle for salvation is not a game, and playing with magic, the occult, or curses is asking Satan to take over your life.
"It's like watching a baseball game and knowing ahead of time that your team will win--big! In that case, you can sit back and enjoy the game. Jesus wins, and we win with Him. Why should you be anxious at all?"
Jesus is Lord. Practice the faith. Receive the Eucharist. Go to Confession. These keep us protected with holy grace.
By the way, the real exorcist upon whom the movie "The Exorcist" was based, lived a long and happy life, says Rosetti.
I highly recommend this book, perhaps especially to those who reject the reality of Satan or simply don't like talking about him. Monsignor Rosetti, a New York native, priest, research associate professor and psychologist, points out in his closing pages that rejecting Satan is relegating Sacred Scripture to a "theologically inaccurate anachronism. If one begins to face the existence of evil head-on, then one has to face the stark and uncomfortable truths of the full teachings of Christ. " p.280
This book teaches about the powers of angels, how Satan is on a leash with God, how we can unintentionally give the devil foothold, how to tell if someone is mentally disturbed or possessed, how to command evil spirits to depart from your body, why you never want to talk directly to Satan, and the physical wounds one can see in some battles with evil.
In easy-to-read short, one-to-two page stories of his experiences with his team during his hundreds of exorcisms, readers receive glimpses of the reality of evil and how much the devil hates God. I appreciate the brevity of the stories and the occasional Theological Reflections, also limited to two-to-three pages.
If you'd like to understand the difference between ghosts and demons, learn which two Saints in heaven the demons most fear, and how demons love to mess with technology, you'll enjoy this book.
This exorcist says that he feels a greater sense of calm as the years pass. "No matter what happens, Jesus wins. No matter what the demons do, they lose. It is inevitable."
I like how he reassures us with a game analogy, although his stories make it clear this battle for salvation is not a game, and playing with magic, the occult, or curses is asking Satan to take over your life.
"It's like watching a baseball game and knowing ahead of time that your team will win--big! In that case, you can sit back and enjoy the game. Jesus wins, and we win with Him. Why should you be anxious at all?"
Jesus is Lord. Practice the faith. Receive the Eucharist. Go to Confession. These keep us protected with holy grace.
By the way, the real exorcist upon whom the movie "The Exorcist" was based, lived a long and happy life, says Rosetti.
May 2, 2022
Msgr. Stephen Rossetti is a psychologist, a Catholic priest, and an exorcist. He now serves the Archdiocese of Washington and has a very busy caseload within his deliverance ministry.
This book, truly set up as a diary of reflections on particular cases and experiences, gives insight into deliverance ministry and to the theology around exorcisms.
I learned a lot from this book: what an exorcism team looks like, common tactics of demons, the power of saints and angels, and common ways people find themselves under demonic influence.
This was an absolutely fascinating, yet truly scary, read and I would recommend to any Catholic, or anyone, who is curious about deliverance ministry.
This book, truly set up as a diary of reflections on particular cases and experiences, gives insight into deliverance ministry and to the theology around exorcisms.
I learned a lot from this book: what an exorcism team looks like, common tactics of demons, the power of saints and angels, and common ways people find themselves under demonic influence.
This was an absolutely fascinating, yet truly scary, read and I would recommend to any Catholic, or anyone, who is curious about deliverance ministry.
March 20, 2023
This book is a collection of Msgr Rossetti's blog posts and includes short sections of valuable theological insights after each entry. I was worried it might be too creepy for me to read, but I was greatly encouraged by the author/exorcist's careful and frequent reiterations of the absolute victory Christ has over Satan and his minions. It was particularly interesting reading about Rossetti's struggles and successes in his ministry. He points to many of the saints who have helped as well. I learned a lot!
July 2, 2025
This was a highly fascinating book! I feel like I always say that after reading a book! After having read this book, I have learned so much about demons. Yes, they do strike me as scary, but I really do think just like St. Teresa of Avila when a demon was literally hovering over her and she happened to see it and said "Oh, it's just you'' we should have that same attitude and pay no heed to them. Demons don't bother people unless they're invited in or have permission from God to make people holy.
November 9, 2024
As a general rule, I avoid movies and literature about exorcists or possessions. There's too much focus on the demonic and no one needs that. On the other hand, I have found so much hope and encouragement in the accounts of real exorcists, including Fr. Rossetti's diary, that I tend to binge it. This was such a quick read for me. It was informative, gripping, and, like I said, filled with an unflappable faith and hope in Christ.
October 8, 2025
I wasn’t very impressed with this book. As a Catholic, I’m already pretty familiar with spiritual warfare and the importance of recognizing it in our lives. I was expecting there to be more details regarding the exorcisms themselves, but this was more of an overview. Overall, it was pretty repetitive and just fell flat for me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
November 26, 2024
Wow, such an interesting book! I loved the short diary entries and the theological reflections after a lot of them. It really opened my eyes to demons and all of their tricks and evil ways. God is good, Jesus is King!
November 26, 2022
An interesting read.
March 15, 2024
Easy to read, brings you into a deep spiritual reality. Informative. Not for faint of heart.
April 25, 2024
Excellent, easy to read and can be picked up and put down because of the entries. I would highly recommend!!
April 13, 2025
What an insightful book indeed!
It should be noted that as a devout child of God, I have been able to encounter and confront myriads of so-called Demons.
I know it must sound insane.
Here is my testimony
However, despite my skepticism then, I vividly recall back in 2019 when I was a teenager at the age of 17, I was attacked by a hostile demon in our previous house. The confrontation was truly evil and horrifying to its core. As a result, I ended up being traumatized ever since.
It happened when I was asleep at 3:35 a.m. All of a sudden, I was yanked off from my sleep and sensed a presence at the foot of my bed; at first, I considered, what if it was my mother? Because she always used to wake up early at 5 a.m. I looked at the clock, and what I had seen sent chills down my spine and made my blood run cold. It wasn't 5, but 3 a.m! I heard a scratching noise as if something was making it with claws! I could not simply ignore the presence, so I decided to face it. That being said, the second that I wanted to face it, I was paralyzed by fear. The demon put its hand on my head and started stroking and playing with my hair. My first reaction was to scream. And that is basically what I did. Unfortunately, our previous house was infested with demons, and every single now and then, me and my family, including my dog and my parents, would sense an odd and ominous presence inside the house. For instance, lights would turn on and off as Priest Rossetti mentioned:
Nevertheless, you're not going to believe this, but four months ago, I saw a demon standing again at the foot of my bed; however, this time, this incident took place in our new house where we presently reside. He looked like a skeleton covered with black skin; I vividly remember the red eyes with a tint of white color. The very sight was indeed disturbing. The demon was tormenting and harassing me as well as threatening me constantly; he told me about my shameless sins, and he named all of them. He promised me that I couldn't escape from them. Again, I was paralyzed with fear, and I couldn't move an inch, but I started calling him. "You are the father of lies, don't you know that? The Lord is my shepherd be gone in the name of Jesus"
The moment I recited the prayer, he was howling in pain and distraught. I provoked him and directly Satan, but things got ugly from there
The author presents the idea that:
It's worth noting that all of these incidents have occurred over several years. The most blood-curdling encounter that I have experienced almost occurred when I was a mere 9-year-old child. The very memory is, thankfully, neither murky nor hazy. It is VIVID. One night, I was sleeping peacefully. However, it eventually took an evil turn and turned for the worst!
I was yanked out of my sleep, and the clock was 3:00 a.m. I instantly realized there was something off. Because the atmosphere of my room was remarkably heavy. I was actually sleeping on my right side and facing the door of my room; suddenly, I heard a whisper coming from the corner of my room on the exact opposite side. Someone or something was calling my first name, "Matin." At first, I shrugged it off because I told myself maybe it was just a hallucination, as I was trying to rationalize what I had heard, The entity called my name once again and I realized it was not a mere coincidence, so now I was in the State of shock and fully conscious, ignored the whisper, he called my name "Matin" for the third time, now I turn to my left side and saw a black shadowy figure at the size of a child standing at the corner of my room looking me dead in the eye. I charged toward my parents' door and knocked a few times, but they ignored me and told me to knock it off.
Overall, 14 years have passed
Ever since I can never take it off my mind, the memory still haunts me today.
A few nights ago, I asked God to give me insight; in my dream, he showed me a vision. I saw our world, but at every corner and everywhere, I saw numerous demons surrounding us.
According to the Bible in the book of Job 1:7 NIV:
"
I saw them roaming the same as the notorious Dementors of The Harry Potter franchise.
Keep this in mind as The Exorcist emphasizes:
Payervan. Matin
April 13th, 2025 Tehran, Iran
It should be noted that as a devout child of God, I have been able to encounter and confront myriads of so-called Demons.
I know it must sound insane.
Here is my testimony
However, despite my skepticism then, I vividly recall back in 2019 when I was a teenager at the age of 17, I was attacked by a hostile demon in our previous house. The confrontation was truly evil and horrifying to its core. As a result, I ended up being traumatized ever since.
It happened when I was asleep at 3:35 a.m. All of a sudden, I was yanked off from my sleep and sensed a presence at the foot of my bed; at first, I considered, what if it was my mother? Because she always used to wake up early at 5 a.m. I looked at the clock, and what I had seen sent chills down my spine and made my blood run cold. It wasn't 5, but 3 a.m! I heard a scratching noise as if something was making it with claws! I could not simply ignore the presence, so I decided to face it. That being said, the second that I wanted to face it, I was paralyzed by fear. The demon put its hand on my head and started stroking and playing with my hair. My first reaction was to scream. And that is basically what I did. Unfortunately, our previous house was infested with demons, and every single now and then, me and my family, including my dog and my parents, would sense an odd and ominous presence inside the house. For instance, lights would turn on and off as Priest Rossetti mentioned:
"Demons will sometimes manifest their presence by moving objects, turning electronic devices on and off, creating the sound of pounding footsteps, manifesting orbs of light or flashes of light, or slamming windows and doors. They manipulate physical objects in an attempt to intimidate and coerce."(Msgr. Rossetti)
Nevertheless, you're not going to believe this, but four months ago, I saw a demon standing again at the foot of my bed; however, this time, this incident took place in our new house where we presently reside. He looked like a skeleton covered with black skin; I vividly remember the red eyes with a tint of white color. The very sight was indeed disturbing. The demon was tormenting and harassing me as well as threatening me constantly; he told me about my shameless sins, and he named all of them. He promised me that I couldn't escape from them. Again, I was paralyzed with fear, and I couldn't move an inch, but I started calling him. "You are the father of lies, don't you know that? The Lord is my shepherd be gone in the name of Jesus"
The moment I recited the prayer, he was howling in pain and distraught. I provoked him and directly Satan, but things got ugly from there
The author presents the idea that:
" As Pope Francis has said time and again, “Don’t argue or fight directly with Satan.” Whenever accosted by evil, we turn to Jesus to fight for us." (Msgr. Rossetti)
It's worth noting that all of these incidents have occurred over several years. The most blood-curdling encounter that I have experienced almost occurred when I was a mere 9-year-old child. The very memory is, thankfully, neither murky nor hazy. It is VIVID. One night, I was sleeping peacefully. However, it eventually took an evil turn and turned for the worst!
I was yanked out of my sleep, and the clock was 3:00 a.m. I instantly realized there was something off. Because the atmosphere of my room was remarkably heavy. I was actually sleeping on my right side and facing the door of my room; suddenly, I heard a whisper coming from the corner of my room on the exact opposite side. Someone or something was calling my first name, "Matin." At first, I shrugged it off because I told myself maybe it was just a hallucination, as I was trying to rationalize what I had heard, The entity called my name once again and I realized it was not a mere coincidence, so now I was in the State of shock and fully conscious, ignored the whisper, he called my name "Matin" for the third time, now I turn to my left side and saw a black shadowy figure at the size of a child standing at the corner of my room looking me dead in the eye. I charged toward my parents' door and knocked a few times, but they ignored me and told me to knock it off.
Overall, 14 years have passed
Ever since I can never take it off my mind, the memory still haunts me today.
A few nights ago, I asked God to give me insight; in my dream, he showed me a vision. I saw our world, but at every corner and everywhere, I saw numerous demons surrounding us.
According to the Bible in the book of Job 1:7 NIV:
"
The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
I saw them roaming the same as the notorious Dementors of The Harry Potter franchise.
Keep this in mind as The Exorcist emphasizes:
"When houses are infested with demons, it is typically the result of sinful behaviors done in the building."
Payervan. Matin
April 13th, 2025 Tehran, Iran
December 22, 2024
This was either completely bullshit, or someone's fun savior fantasy.
June 23, 2021
In this book, Msgr. Rossetti provides the reader with real life snapshots into his own day-to-day experience as exorcist as he tries to help individuals to find healing and deliverance from evil spirits. The book is written as diary entries in a way that is both engaging and easy to read. I found the diary entries to be rather edifying, sometimes like spiritual reading. I saw myself inspired to turn to God with greater gratitude and confidence while reading and reflecting upon some of the diary entries and theological reflections in this book. I also really appreciated how Msgr. Rossetti was able to weave in the Catholic Church's teaching on this subject within the diary entries and the theological reflections with both clarity and simplicity. This is not a book written for the curious. Nonetheless, I would even go as far as to say that those who might pick up this book out of curiosity may greatly benefit from its contents. In this book, they will find many real-life examples showing that the devil does exist and how many people are suffering from demonic affliction because of sin, curses, or spiritual practices that are not compatible with God's plan for our lives. Most importantly, however, they will also find out that there is a God who truly loves us, and that with Him our victory is always assured. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the ministry of deliverance and exorcism and for those interested of learning more about the reality of spiritual warfare within the Catholic Tradition. In a special way, I cannot recommend this book enough to priests, religious, and seminarians. Some knowledge on this subject can prove to be very helpful when meeting people who are experiencing these afflictions in a pastoral setting.
December 16, 2023
An easy read and informative but there are better books out there. This is a quick start but if you are interested in this topic, an excellent book which I highly suggest is The Rite by Matt Baglio (not the movie!). The book is so interesting and theologically sound I could not put it down. It is not scary in the conventional sense and I know it is true because the exorcist and I have a close friend in common.
January 18, 2023
It took a while to finish this book. It’s not something I wanted to sit down and read in one sitting. Although the chapters were fairly short, each chapter was a different experience with the person who had an exorcism performed. I once was an inadvertent witness to an exorcism at a holy place in Medjugorje, and the sounds coming out of the possessed person were not human. It was very scary. So to read matter-of-fact scenes from the priest’s point of view was interesting. He’s not a professional writer but I was appreciative of that. It made his point of view more authentic.
March 24, 2025
a bit slow but interesting
January 2, 2023
Whatever one's individual beliefs--whether one may be a devout Catholic, a completely skeptical agnostic, or something else entirely--it behooves all of us to give due thought to the theology that shapes Catholic doctrine and actions of the Church, particularly in cases where that doctrine intersects both with mental health and popular culture. Exorcism is such a case, yet it represents a poorly understood practice, even among Catholics (including some clergy).
Diary of an American Exorcist presents a fascinating peek behind the curtain at the theological beliefs and practices relevant to the rite of exorcism and in that regard it's quite an interesting book. Many readers will appreciate that its relatively light and conversational writing style makes it a substantially quicker and easier read than detailed scholarly works on the theology, psychology, or history of exorcism.
However, the book's strength also serves as a bit of a weakness in that even though the author is both a priest and a credentialed psychologist, the text is light on the kinds of academic details many readers might be looking for. Fascinating ideas are raised within the text--claims of preternatural manifestations and even text message conversations with demons come readily to mind--yet the author takes little time to elaborate on these ideas or provide the answers to the kinds of questions that come readily to mind. Skeptical readers will be quite frustrated by the lack of detail in the book's accounts. Even the most devoutly faithful readers surely must have some questions when they read these kinds of stories, but the depth of scholarship just isn't here.
Indeed, even the conversational tone and writing style that serves the book so well in terms of accessibility raises some questions of its own. Quotations from dialogues with demons during rites of exorcism seem to lack the gravitas of the situation under discussion, and the author's use of almost childish colloquialisms (both in his own writing and in his quotations of demonic entities) can occasionally serve as a distraction. Perhaps the author wanted to keep the book "clean," but I don't imagine demons' rants or insults would be so mild. To be frank, I've heard harsher schoolyard talk than the quotes allegedly from demons, and that raises some questions of the book's accuracy even if one accepts the bulk of its content as a matter of faith.
Importantly, I'm doing my best to review the book objectively, without regard to the reader's belief in or skepticism of exorcism in particular or the Catholic faith in general. I think the book's advantages and disadvantages are identical regardless of one's own theological perspective. At the end of the day, I would recommend the book as an entry point into a study of the practice of exorcism, but certainly not an endpoint.
Diary of an American Exorcist presents a fascinating peek behind the curtain at the theological beliefs and practices relevant to the rite of exorcism and in that regard it's quite an interesting book. Many readers will appreciate that its relatively light and conversational writing style makes it a substantially quicker and easier read than detailed scholarly works on the theology, psychology, or history of exorcism.
However, the book's strength also serves as a bit of a weakness in that even though the author is both a priest and a credentialed psychologist, the text is light on the kinds of academic details many readers might be looking for. Fascinating ideas are raised within the text--claims of preternatural manifestations and even text message conversations with demons come readily to mind--yet the author takes little time to elaborate on these ideas or provide the answers to the kinds of questions that come readily to mind. Skeptical readers will be quite frustrated by the lack of detail in the book's accounts. Even the most devoutly faithful readers surely must have some questions when they read these kinds of stories, but the depth of scholarship just isn't here.
Indeed, even the conversational tone and writing style that serves the book so well in terms of accessibility raises some questions of its own. Quotations from dialogues with demons during rites of exorcism seem to lack the gravitas of the situation under discussion, and the author's use of almost childish colloquialisms (both in his own writing and in his quotations of demonic entities) can occasionally serve as a distraction. Perhaps the author wanted to keep the book "clean," but I don't imagine demons' rants or insults would be so mild. To be frank, I've heard harsher schoolyard talk than the quotes allegedly from demons, and that raises some questions of the book's accuracy even if one accepts the bulk of its content as a matter of faith.
Importantly, I'm doing my best to review the book objectively, without regard to the reader's belief in or skepticism of exorcism in particular or the Catholic faith in general. I think the book's advantages and disadvantages are identical regardless of one's own theological perspective. At the end of the day, I would recommend the book as an entry point into a study of the practice of exorcism, but certainly not an endpoint.
November 5, 2021
"Hell is not a democracy. It is a place of slavish torture and violence. It is all that the demons know; it is who they are."
"Many request an exorcism because they want symptom relief, but fewer are willing to walk the more difficult path of healing and holiness."
Having been (non-morbidly!) curious about paranormal activity and exorcism since I was a child, this title caught my attention 👀Written in brief, and somewhat random diary entries, it's a quick read that might be best for those less familiar and/or who want a non-detailed glimpse into the subject.
As a non-Catholic interested in different Christian experiences, some questionable aspects unsurprisingly surfaced. Namely: calling on Mary, angels, and saints for 'intercession', praying the rosary, and asking the possessed to consecrate themselves to her. By now I’ve learned the need to focus strictly on Jesus (Rev 22:9), and the Lord's Prayer. In Diary 37, Mary is also referred to as 'our Morning Star,' instantly cueing my frown when Jesus calls himself so in Revelation.
Naturally, what matters is successful exorcism, and while I'm not dismissing that other Jesus-serving entities show up, I'm just adamant about giving Him the credit when He's THE source of that power. On that note, the role of Mary in exorcism isn't one I'd thought about, and now I'm wondering how it compares to other Christian exorcist rites. Overall, I think the benefits outweigh the occasional awkwardness. It speaks to the (unsurprising) increase of this phenomena and the eternal power of Jesus and the joy of serving Him. Bonus for also citing 19th century Palestinian nun Mariam Baouardy, who was temporarily possessed as part of her trials.
It’s telling that each time people in the Bible encounter an angel, they're told not to be afraid—and that's as much from the emanation of pure love as from their powerful ability to crack His holy whip. As the author perfectly puts it: "As the years pass, I feel a greater sense of calm through it all. No matter what happens, Jesus wins. No matter what the demons do, they lose. It is inevitable."
"Many request an exorcism because they want symptom relief, but fewer are willing to walk the more difficult path of healing and holiness."
Having been (non-morbidly!) curious about paranormal activity and exorcism since I was a child, this title caught my attention 👀Written in brief, and somewhat random diary entries, it's a quick read that might be best for those less familiar and/or who want a non-detailed glimpse into the subject.
As a non-Catholic interested in different Christian experiences, some questionable aspects unsurprisingly surfaced. Namely: calling on Mary, angels, and saints for 'intercession', praying the rosary, and asking the possessed to consecrate themselves to her. By now I’ve learned the need to focus strictly on Jesus (Rev 22:9), and the Lord's Prayer. In Diary 37, Mary is also referred to as 'our Morning Star,' instantly cueing my frown when Jesus calls himself so in Revelation.
Naturally, what matters is successful exorcism, and while I'm not dismissing that other Jesus-serving entities show up, I'm just adamant about giving Him the credit when He's THE source of that power. On that note, the role of Mary in exorcism isn't one I'd thought about, and now I'm wondering how it compares to other Christian exorcist rites. Overall, I think the benefits outweigh the occasional awkwardness. It speaks to the (unsurprising) increase of this phenomena and the eternal power of Jesus and the joy of serving Him. Bonus for also citing 19th century Palestinian nun Mariam Baouardy, who was temporarily possessed as part of her trials.
It’s telling that each time people in the Bible encounter an angel, they're told not to be afraid—and that's as much from the emanation of pure love as from their powerful ability to crack His holy whip. As the author perfectly puts it: "As the years pass, I feel a greater sense of calm through it all. No matter what happens, Jesus wins. No matter what the demons do, they lose. It is inevitable."
November 8, 2024
This is an excellent spiritual read! Msgr. Rossetti, an exorcist, and his prayer team regularly perform exorcisms to drive out demons from people and places. Nothing is done by his own power but only through Jesus, the sacraments, and the intercession of the saints. An exorcist has a special authority given to him to command demons to leave. It is essential that the exorcist is obedient and faithful.
I had wanted to read this book since hearing Msgr. Rossetti speak at a Marian conference. As with spiritual warfare-type books, temptations can always arise. As a precaution, I always pray before reading from the book.
The book is organized with diary entries, each of which is essentially a short story spanning 1 or 2 pages. In many of these diary entries, Msgr. Rossetti gives a theological reflection that helps keep us grounded in truth as we read his possession cases. The format worked well, making the book easy to read.
This book has helped me grow in my spiritual life. It has particularly given me a greater awareness of demons and evil spirits that try to afflict us. For example, Msgr. Rossetti once got upset during an exorcism. After this moment, the prayers were no longer effective, as demons feed on anger. Once he went to confession, he was able to continue the exorcism. This is also true in our own spiritual lives.
I’ll end this review with a quote from the book:
“The more Satan is in our lives, the more we become angry, isolated, self-centered, and disobedient, and the more we feel victimized and blame God and everyone else for our misery… The more God and Jesus are in our lives, the more we begin to realize His promise of joy and peace. Gratitude slowly fills the hearts of the faithful.”
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and learned a lot! We do not typically hear of the modern-day battles against evil that an exorcist experiences regularly. I recommend this book to those seeking spiritual growth who are already somewhat grounded in their faith. This is not a book for the spiritually unprepared. As St. Paul advises, we should start with ‘milk before meat’ in our faith.
I had wanted to read this book since hearing Msgr. Rossetti speak at a Marian conference. As with spiritual warfare-type books, temptations can always arise. As a precaution, I always pray before reading from the book.
The book is organized with diary entries, each of which is essentially a short story spanning 1 or 2 pages. In many of these diary entries, Msgr. Rossetti gives a theological reflection that helps keep us grounded in truth as we read his possession cases. The format worked well, making the book easy to read.
This book has helped me grow in my spiritual life. It has particularly given me a greater awareness of demons and evil spirits that try to afflict us. For example, Msgr. Rossetti once got upset during an exorcism. After this moment, the prayers were no longer effective, as demons feed on anger. Once he went to confession, he was able to continue the exorcism. This is also true in our own spiritual lives.
I’ll end this review with a quote from the book:
“The more Satan is in our lives, the more we become angry, isolated, self-centered, and disobedient, and the more we feel victimized and blame God and everyone else for our misery… The more God and Jesus are in our lives, the more we begin to realize His promise of joy and peace. Gratitude slowly fills the hearts of the faithful.”
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and learned a lot! We do not typically hear of the modern-day battles against evil that an exorcist experiences regularly. I recommend this book to those seeking spiritual growth who are already somewhat grounded in their faith. This is not a book for the spiritually unprepared. As St. Paul advises, we should start with ‘milk before meat’ in our faith.
June 23, 2021
In this book, Msgr. Rossetti provides the reader with real life snapshots into his own day-to-day experience as exorcist as he tries to help individuals to find healing and deliverance from evil spirits. The book is written as diary entries in a way that is both engaging and easy to read. I found the diary entries to be rather edifying, sometimes like spiritual reading. I saw myself inspired to turn to God with greater gratitude and confidence while reading and reflecting upon some of the diary entries and theological reflections in this book. I also really appreciated how Msgr. Rossetti was able to weave in the Catholic Church's teaching on this subject within the diary entries and the theological reflections with both clarity and simplicity. This is not a book written for the curious. Nonetheless, I would even go as far as to say that those who might pick up this book out of curiosity may greatly benefit from its contents. In this book, they will find many real-life examples showing that the devil does exist and how many people are suffering from demonic affliction because of sin, curses, or spiritual practices that are not compatible with God's plan for our lives. Most importantly, however, they will also find out that there is a God who truly loves us, and that with Him our victory is always assured. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the ministry of deliverance and exorcism and for those interested of learning more about the reality of spiritual warfare within the Catholic Tradition. In a special way, I cannot recommend this book enough to priests, religious, and seminarians. Some knowledge on this subject can prove to be very helpful when meeting people who are experiencing these afflictions in a pastoral setting. --Fr. D. Augustine
September 11, 2021
While there are a few important truths in this book, such as the importance of a true spiritual change in a person who wants to be rid of a demon and the necessity of a pure lifestyle and constant communication with God for exorcists, this book was very repetitive and oddly written. Rossetti mixes slang (the demons diss him, ugh! Ha!, etc.) with Latin and quotes from Catholics throughout history. The most disturbing thing for me is his use of relics and specific phrases in Latin and his dependence on the Virgin Mary for help in getting rid of demons. Biblically, non of these are used to cast out demons either by Christ himself or by his disciples. Rossetti's accounts seem almost like a crap shoot: we tried calling on the name of this saint and that didn't work, so we tried using a medal of another saint and that worked. The power of Christ alone should be enough, and I am sure the use of Latin is not going to impress a demon.
May 22, 2022
This was such a fascinating thing to read. This is a collection of short snippets, thoughts or diary entries, that a priest wrote about demons. Its written in a very matter-of-fact manner which is interesting for the topic of demons which are usually discussed or displayed in a dramatic horror movie or other entertainment purpose. The book itself has less of an entertainment feel and more informational, meant more as a theology book where the reader is in ministry or the like. Still, it was interesting to read from a rigid Catholic perspective about their rules and facts about demons, like the names and commonality of specific demons they often approach in exorcisms, or how often they see demon possessed people who have dabbled in Ouija boards, ancestor worship, or even things that seem less harmful to people who are members of less rigid Christian denominations, like Reiki energy therapy. Really interesting perspective.
March 22, 2022
I’m Catholic but also skeptical. A lot of our traditions are from ancient, pre-scientific times. Nevertheless, Msgr. Rossetti’s testimony is quite convincing. Another favorite priest-author says that doubt is part of faith, meaning I suppose that we easily believe what we understand (or think we understand), but we don’t understand everything. Still, we must make decisions. So we make them with imperfect understanding, or faith. I like this quote from the Introduction.
Despite all the demonic antics and the havoc that Satan can cause, it is my hope that the underlying message will come through: there is only one God and one Savior, Jesus Christ. When faced with the infinite power of God, Satan is a "dust bunny." His actions are limited, and his time is very short. Soon, he will be cast into the pit forever.
In the meantime, we trust in God, hold fast to the salvation of Jesus, and invoke the protection of the Blessed Virgin, the saints, and the angels. We have no reason to fear. I sleep very well at night (despite the occasional demonic attacks!).
Be at peace. Jesus has already won the battle.
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