Demons know the power of Mary
In the practice of exorcisms the devil testifies, in spite of himself, of the maternal concern of Our Lady for all her children. This is the central nucleus of "The Virgin Mary and the devil in exorcisms", the work of father Francesco Bamonte, religious and exorcist of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, available for a few weeks in the revised and enlarged version published by the Paulines. It is a collection of the author's personal experiences, all characterized by the effective and healing presence of the Madonna and, above all, by declarations and attestations of his extraordinary dignity by the devil.
On the occasion of the presentation, Father Bamonte explained how "during the exorcisms there is a singular alternation of contemptuous expressions and moments of involuntary catechesis and very sweet praises to the Mother of God that, even if unwillingly, demons are forced to pronounce". In this way, they forcefully make themselves messengers of the power of the Madonna.
This truth has great value because it is revealed by an enemy entity of the Virgin, a demonic entity that suffers in honoring her, but who can only recognize its superiority. Don Renzo Lavatori, professor of dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, as well as one of the leading expert in demonology and author of the introduction to Bamonte's work, focuses on this crucial aspect. "The knowledge of demons - he highlights - was not contradicted by Jesus Christ but rather recognized as valid. Yet their manifestation is denied because they lack the following, the acceptance of the Father's salvific work ». Satan and the demons, as originally angels, know the power of God but do not accept it; likewise they act towards Mary.
Bamonte and Lavatori therefore define themselves as "complementary to the study on the ancient struggle between Good and Evil". The exorcist, in particular, explains the link that exists between Mariology and demonology: "Mary is the woman who, from the Genesis to the Apocalypse, inseparably united with Jesus, plays an important role against the infernal enemy". This also reveals a clear Marian character of the salvific project: the Mother, although subordinated to the action of the Son, collaborates with him so that none of the human creatures is lost. "This comforting truth can only promote an ever more lively Marian devotion in believers," he adds.
Father Bamonte's belief is that "God has given us in the Immaculate Conception the effective enemy of the devil". This affirmation can be understood by quoting, from his work, the words of one of the people possessed by Satan: «If you only knew how much Our Lady loves you, you would live your life joyful and without fear. He is saying to me: "Rest assured, I am here with you, I always help you" and he has a look that I cannot support. "