Page Map - Our Holy Founder Saint Alfonso Maria de Liguori - Redemptorist Priests are not exorcists

Our Holy Founder Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Learn about the life and legacy of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists. Discover his profound impact on the Catholic Church and his enduring message of love and redemption. Join us as we explore the life of a saint who dedicated himself to serving the most abandoned souls.

"O Saviour of the world, O Love of souls, O Lord most lovely of all beings!

Thou by Thy Passion didst come to win to Thyself our hearts, by showing

us the immense love that Thou didst bear to us in accomplishing a

redemption which has brought to us a sea of benedictions, and which cost

Thee a sea of pains and ignominies. It was principally for this end that Thou

didst institute the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in order that we might

have a perpetual memorial of Thy Passion: "That we might have forever a

perpetual memorial of so great a benefit," says St. Thomas, "He gives his

body to be the food of the faithful," which St. Paul had already said. As

often as you shall eat this bread, you shall show the death of the Lord.

Oh, how many holy souls hast Thou persuaded by these prodigies of love,

consumed by the flames of Thy love, to renounce all earthly goods, in order

to dedicate themselves entirely to loving Thee alone, O most amiable

Saviour! O my Jesus! "

"My most loving Redeemer and Lord Jesus Christ, I thy poor servant,

knowing how pleasing to thee are those who seek to glorify thy most holy

mother, whom thou lovest so much, and dost so much desire to see loved

and honored by all men, I propose to publish this book of mine which treats

of her glories. I know not to whom I could commend it but to thee, who

hast so much at heart the glory of this mother. To thee, then, I present and

dedicate it. Receive this little offering of my love for thee and thy beloved

mother. Take it under thy protection, and pour into the hearts of those who

read it the light of confidence in this immaculate Virgin, and the warmth of

a burning love for her, in whom thou hast placed the hope and refuge of all

the redeemed. And for the reward of this, my poor effort, give me, I pray

thee, that love for Mary with which I have desired to inflame, by this my

little work, the hearts of all those who read it."

Saint Alfonso Maria de Liguori

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."

The above quote is not from St Alfonso!

For those who are passionate about The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer

& ARE READY TO DIE FOR IT

For those who are passionate about

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer

& ARE READY TO DIE TO PERSEVERE IN IT

For those who, across the centuries, have been or will be spiritual children of Saint Alfonso

& ARE READY TO DIE AS CHRISTIANS

For the love of Jesus and Mary and of souls, of the Catholic Church, and of Christendom

FOR THE WORK OF THE REDEMPTION

Words once addressed by Alexander to a cowardly soldier who was also named Alexander: "Either change thy name or change thy conduct."

https://www.catholictradition.org/Mary/faith-mary.htm

The Work of God & of St Alfonso Maria de Liguori

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer

Maybe marriage is best for her -her Dad is on the right- but perhaps the religious life is best for you. 

Think twice about what your eternity depends on.

St Alphonsus cherished the Pope, the cardinals, and the bishops, not as a critic but with devout veneration and obedient humility, an obedience made especially compulsory by the Rule. Even when the Pope Pius VI condemned him. 

Pray for our Pope Leo XIV!

Lord give us priests! Lord give us holy priests! Lord give us holy Redemptorists! Lord give us holy families!

Redemptorist Priests are not exorcists

The Hidden War: Why Real Exorcists Shun the Spotlight

In the digital age, a new phenomenon has emerged on social media platforms: the "YouTube Exorcist." These channels feature dramatic footage of deliverances, intense confrontations with the demonic, and priests—or laypeople—performing rites before a global audience of millions. However, if we examine the deep-rooted traditions of Catholic demonology and the lives of the great saints, a troubling paradox emerges. The very act of filming an exorcism for public consumption suggests a spiritual disposition that may render the minister ineffective.

True exorcism is not a performance; it is an act of profound, hidden humility.

The Theology of Humility vs. The Sin of Pride

The spiritual battle between a priest and a demon is not a clash of personal "power." The priest has no inherent power over spirits; he acts only as an instrument of Christ. For this instrument to be effective, it must be hollowed out by humility.

• The Devil's Domain: Pride is the foundational sin of Satan. He is the "King over all the sons of pride." When a minister seeks the spotlight, he enters the devil's own territory.

• The Power of the Void: A humble priest is a vacuum into which God's grace flows. A proud priest, preoccupied with views, likes, or his own reputation as a "powerful healer," is full of himself. There is no room for God's authority where human ego resides.

As many masters of the interior life have noted, the devil does not fear a man who shouts; he fears a man who is truly humble. A priest who displays his "success" against demons is, in effect, feeding the very spirit he claims to be casting out.

The "Secret" Ministry: Why Real Exorcists Stay Hidden

Traditionally, the Church has treated exorcism with extreme discretion. There are three primary reasons why a legitimate exorcist avoids the public eye:

1. Protection of the Afflicted: A person suffering from extraordinary demonic influence is in a state of extreme vulnerability. To film their agony and broadcast it to the world is often seen as a violation of their dignity and a lack of pastoral charity.

2. Avoidance of Vain-Glory: St. Alphonsus de Liguori and other moral theologians warned that spiritual gifts are easily corrupted by vainglory. By showing the world that they are exorcists, these "influencers" risk transforming a sacred rite into a personal brand.

3. The Strategy of the Enemy: The devil loves a stage. When an exorcism is filmed, the demon often plays to the camera, using the opportunity to spread confusion, lies, or fear. A real exorcist knows that the most effective work is done in the silence of a closed chapel, where the only witness is God.

The Shield of Authority: The Role of the Bishop

A primary indicator of a "real" exorcist is his obedience. In the Catholic tradition, a priest does not appoint himself an exorcist. He acts strictly under the mandate of his Bishop.

This "canonical mission" is the priest's primary protection. When an exorcist stays hidden and obedient to his Bishop, he is protected by the authority of the Church. A YouTube exorcist who acts independently or seeks personal fame steps outside this protective circle of obedience. By making himself the "star" of the video, he replaces the Bishop's authority with his own ego—a move the devil recognizes and exploits.

The Rule of Prudence: Natural Before Supernatural

A legitimate exorcist is often the most skeptical person in the room. Long before considering a "demonic" explanation, a real exorcist is required by Church law to exhaust all natural explanations.

• Medical and Psychological Screening: Authentic exorcists work alongside doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists. They look for mental health issues, neurological disorders, or emotional trauma first.

• The Deception of Fame: YouTube exorcists often skip this rigorous "discernment of spirits." To maintain a channel's engagement, they often misidentify mental illness as demonic possession. A real exorcist would rather find a medical explanation and help the person get therapy than prematurely jump to a rite that could further traumatize a mentally ill person.

The Powerless Priest

The article of faith remains clear: The devil hates humility. He cannot understand it, and he cannot defeat it. Conversely, he mocks pride. If a priest is motivated—even subconsciously—by the desire to be seen as a "heroic" or "famous" exorcist, he loses his spiritual "teeth."

When a priest stands before a demon, the demon does not see the stole or the holy water; he sees the soul. If he sees the stain of pride and the thirst for public recognition, he knows he has found a kindred spirit rather than a divine adversary.

"The more we think of ourselves, the less God can work through us. The demon is cast out not by the strength of our voice, but by the depth of our disappearance into Christ."

Conclusion: Discerning the Real from the Visual

While the dramatic videos on YouTube may garner millions of clicks, they often lack the hallmarks of authentic spiritual warfare. A real exorcist strives for the "Hidden Life." They do not want you to know their name, their face, or their "track record."

If a minister is busy managing a YouTube channel and showcasing his "authority" over the darkness, it is a sign to tread carefully. True spiritual authority is silent, hidden, and entirely focused on the glory of God—never the "content" of the creator.