Evidence of Satan in the Modern World [Paperback]

Leon Cristiani (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1977

Evidence of Satan in the Modern World Fr. Leon Cristiani Convincing proof the devil does exist and still manifests his presence. Covers diabolical infestation, obsession and possession. Many famous cases of possession and exorcism, plus a general discussion of the devil. Gives the famous case of Antoine Gay in France, a daily communicant possessed all his life. This is one of the best books on the subject of possession ever written. Discusses also Satan at Lourdes - to distract from the apparitions of 1858 - and the devices of Satan to deceive us.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Tan Books & Pub (June 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895550326
• ISBN-13: 978-0895550323
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb referenece on demonic possession and exorcism, March 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Evidence of Satan in the Modern World (Paperback)

The book though published in the early part of our century looks and well documented cases of demonic possession and infestation particularly describing those who were considered to be holy individuals made to suffer the terrible ordeal of demonic attacks in order to attain sanctification. It is considerably unbiased and also discusses the many instances of the demonic to discredit the apparitions at Lourdes, France. One of the best books depicting actual exorcisms ever written as it compliles something like twenty cases. Also discusses clergy's spiritual responsibility to aid someone afflicted with infestation or possession. States that it is considered a great sanctification and pre-eminent grace by providing exorcism. Describes Canon Law of the R.C. Church as regards the rite of exorcism. However the ruling has recently changed and this information is now not quite accurate.

Yolande Suzin, Forest Hills, NY

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from the Publisher, March 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Evidence of Satan in the Modern World (Paperback)

"The Devil's deepest while is to persuade us that he does not exist " Using Baudelaire's well known phrase as a starting point, Msgr. Cristiani has amassed convincing proof that the Devil does indeed exist and that he continues to manifest his presence in the modern world, no less than in earlier times. Because he documents with scrupulous care the still present phenomena of diabolical infestation, possession and temptation, his book has become one of the best ever written on the subject. Covers Satan's activity during the apparitions at Lourdes and his involvement in tormenting St. John Marie Vianney. No one studying possession, the power of the devil, and exorcism should miss this book. Powerful!

26 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Signs of Satan in the Modern World., December 29, 2005

By 

New Age of Barbarism "zosimos" (EVROPA.) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Evidence of Satan in the Modern World (Paperback)

The Devil's deepest wile is to persuade us that he does not exist. - Baudelaire.

_Evidence of Satan in the Modern World_ by the Roman Catholic priest Msgr. Leon Cristiani, written in 1959 and republished by TAN Books, is a profound look at the wiles of the Devil in the modern age from a Roman Catholic perspective. Satan, the fallen angel who rebelled against God out of pride and was cast out of heaven and the source of all evil, is very much a potent force in the world today along with various malignant demons (the fallen angels). This book reveals his presence and the reality of demons through various cases of diabolical temptation, infestation, and outright possession. This book also discusses Satan in the modern world and his role in politics and national antagonisms, materialism, atheism, and scientism, as well as the reality of Satanism and the return of various Gnostic heresies.

As evidence for Satan's existence, the author begins by turning to Christ, who most certainly believed in the existence and reality of the Devil as revealed in the Gospels. Indeed, Jesus Christ Our Lord was tempted by Satan, whom he referred to as the "prince of this world" and offered the entire world as his kingdom were he to bow down and worship him. We know of these temptations through the writers of the Gospels because they had been personally informed by Jesus himself of what had occurred. In addition, much of Christ's earthly ministry involved the performance of various healings and exorcisms. Most memorable perhaps is the case of his exorcism of the demon known as Legion, who entered a herd of swine. Msgr. Cristiani suggests that demonic possession may have occurred frequently around the person of Jesus because Christ as the Incarnation of God in the flesh caused Satan to rebel with a satanic anti-incarnation in the form of possession. Following this discussion of Christ, the author turns his attention to the reality of Satan. He notes that it is important not to fall into either of two traps: the first, of making too much of Satan and finding his presence everywhere, and the second, of making too little of Satan and believing that he does not exist. As instances of the first trap, the author brings up examples from history of the witch hunts and the extreme role Satan came to occupy in the popular imagination, especially in Protestant countries. The author notes that Luther came to be obsessed with Satan, seeing his presence everywhere, particularly as he drifted further and further from Catholic orthodoxy. The second chapter of this book is devoted to the case of satanic infestation surrounding the Cure of Ars. The Cure of Ars, a humble servant of God, was plagued by demonic infestation which he came to refer to as the "Grappin" (referring to a pitch-fork). Following this, the author turns his attention to various demonic infestations which took place at Lourdes, where the Blessed Virgin had appeared. Many of the subsequent apparitions and events at Lourdes were not genuine and represented a demonic presence, according to the author (although of course the apparition to Bernadette Soubirous was genuine). The author next turns his attention to cases of genuine possession. Here the author notes the causes of possession, often originating in a single fault of the possessed person or through the casting of a spell (or malefice) on the possessed by a wizard. The author notes that the appropriate means for treating possession involves the use of exorcism, emphasizing the Roman Ritual of exorcism and the role of the Virgin Mary (the Devil's greatest foe) and Saint Michael the Archangel in compelling the demon to leave. The author turns his attention to various particular cases of possession, including the case of Antoine Gay, various possessions at Illfurth in the 19th and 20th centuries, a case of possession involving sorcery and the use of sortilege at Piacenza, and a case of possession of a woman through the use of magic in which she sought the help of a "healer" who unleashed a devil upon her. Following these discussions of actual cases of possession, the author turns his attention to Satan in the modern world, noting the Satanic reality of nihilism and atheism, as well as communism, particularly China (perhaps collectively possessed) and Russia (perhaps collectively infested). The author next turns his attention to Satanism and the devices of Satan, noting the use of Satanic magic and Satanic religion (including pagan worship of the Devil). Following this, the author examines Satanism, Satan, and his "allies". Here the author first considers the case of Boullan and the Mariavites (a schismatic sect that came to scandal, including practices involving polygamy and mixed marriages). Next the author considers the case of Leon Bloy, who came to embrace Satanism when he suggested that the Holy Spirit was actually Lucifer. Finally, the author considers the case of Papini, who came to embrace the heresy of the Theopaschites, arguing that God suffers and deserves pity, as well as arguing for the reality of the apocastasis, the salvation of all damned souls including Satan and the finality of Hell. The author notes that Satan is not to be pitied or eventually saved because he revolts out of pride and hatred. Finally, the author turns his attention to the mentality of Satan, noting his presence as the serpent in the Garden of Eden, as the Dragon in Revelation, his temptations of Christ, and his encounters with John Cassanius.

This book offers a disturbing account of the very real presence of the Devil in the modern world. Nevertheless, it also shows us that hope is to be found in maintaining the faith in Christ and within his Holy Catholic Church.