Natalia Dedinsky
How do you know if you are staring evil in the face? How can you tell if someone is controlled or possessed by a demon?
The rite of a solemn exorcism is highly regulated in the Church and cannot be legitimately performed without the express permission of the bishop. The priest celebrating the rite must be properly trained to recognize demonic activity.
If there is any place where demons may be present, it's in prison. God provided prison chaplain Fr. John Farao, OFM CONV, with an opportunity to study healing and deliverance.
Fr. John Farao, OFM CONV
Prison Chaplain
I got a free flight, I got a place to live, and the state of California is paying me, like I was working in California, to be in Rome, to study exorcism. Oh, well, that's a serious act of God because the state of California doesn't do stuff like that.
After completing the course, and becoming the exorcist for the diocese, Fr. Farao returned to his prison work, where he was able to perform minor exorcisms and incorporate deliverance into his ministry.
Fr. Farao recalled many occasions when men reacted strongly to his prayers or even showed fear towards the Franciscan.
Fr. John Farao, OFM CONV
Prison Chaplain
I could just look at their face and I'd say, 'you're scared of me.' And these are big men who've been in huge gang fights, who are not intimidated by anything. And they'd say, 'yeah. Some reason I'm afraid of you.' I'd go, 'I don't think you're afraid of me because I ain't that big and I ain't that strong. So, I don't think you're afraid of me.' They just look at me. I'd go, 'something in you doesn't like me because I'm a priest.'
Sometimes, after praying over an inmate, they wouldn't return, Fr. Farao said. Others were never fully delivered. Many who did experience healing found that the evil they struggled with was rooted in family cult involvement.
Inmates were often surprised by how deeply evil had influenced their decisions and actions. Some experienced inner freedom after being delivered.
Fr. John Farao, OFM CONV
Prison Chaplain
I can't do anything about the fence and the bars. But, there's a prison in your heart where you hate yourself and you can't live with yourself well. So, that place, that place I can help you with.
After experiencing healing, the prisoners wanted to talk with Fr. Farao because they began to like themselves for the first time.
Their self-hatred lessened because what the Franciscan offered them was God's love and mercy. For Fr. Farao, learning to forgive oneself and accept God's forgiveness is at the heart of prison ministry.
