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Evidence of Satan in the Modern World

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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

"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!

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.

Leon Cristiani has written a revealing book on satans methods. He shows how the Cure of Ars was tempted by the devil; how he mimicked some of the visions of Lourdes. He also tells how Hitler was a medium of satan. This book is one of the most honest and insightful books on diabolism ever written. What I found particulary intresting is the section on lies and contradictions. Cristiani cites scripture where Jesus said: "Let your speech be yes for yes and no for no. Anything else comes from the evil one." With this we can see how the devil operates in the world. Starting with the first lie and contradiction in the garden of eden. Read Genesis 3:1. God told Adam and Eve that if they ate of the tree, they would die. Satan told Eve that they would not die. That is Satan is calling God a liar. We then know what happened to the human race. The lies and contradictions continue to this day. Take the following lies and contradictions: Abortion is positively murder and yet it has the blessing of the Supreme court and others call it a womans right. The Bible condemns theft, yet their are overcharges for most things you buy. This is called a healthy profit by corporations. Jesus said"Woe to you rich, because your consolation is now." Yet you have very rich people and ministers claiming they are going to heaven. The Catholic Church covered up pedophilia for decades and who knows how much longer, and denied it. The lies and contradictions go on and on. The smoke of satan has entered the church,said one Pope. He might have added, it is now pretty thick around the world. Anyone with a discerning eye, can see how the evil one spreads wickedness in the world. He doesnt come out with horror and terror, but as an angel of light bearing in his bloody hands, lies and contradictions.

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 Vatican ruling has recently changed in February of 1999 and this information is now not completely accurate.

Yolande Suzin, Forest Hills, NY

This is an interesting book. It shows how the evil one is so active in this world. It really makes you think!

In Evidence of Satan In The Modern World by Leon Cristiani we are taken throughout the ancient to the modern history of demonic possession. I REALLY enjoyed the introduction to this book, as it spooked me so bad I slept with the hall way light on that night :) . However the book is a hard read at times. One gets the ideal that Mr.Cristiani sees Satan as a bumbling idiot chewing on the poor Cures curtains and such. Somehow I believe he is a bit more complicated than that.

He also shows us how in humane the Catholic Church can be by siting the example of Atoine Gay, and the fact the church would never approve him for an exorcism. Recently we have all read the book or seen the movie "The Haunted." In that real life case those poor people moved but the infestation still followed them. It took the church a shameful eight years to approve them poor folks for an official exorcism. One can only imagine what it has done to that families mental state.

In the case of the G family once again the author would lead one to believe that Satan is an idiot. While I am no fan of his, the Bible plainly states he was one of Gods favorites so much so that God has allowed him to go back and forth between heaven and earth pleading his case. I believe that some of these possessions in these books were mentally ill folks, while others where possessed not by Satan but something of the demonic nature such as Mrs. G. The Bible tells us that Satan is at battle with Michael right now. Somehow I think he has better things to do than to chew on curtains or make housewives drool.

With that said it is an educational book and gives us a small peak into the psyche of a demonologist.