It’s officially spooky season, which means scary movies, trick-or-treating, and teens channeling their angst in the form of throwing eggs at strangers. But if you’re the spiritual type, you may also be worried that this is the time of year when Satan comes out to wreak havoc and possess unsuspecting souls.


The good news is, according to most modern theologians and Christian leaders, Halloween being associated with an uptick in demonic possession and visits from Lucifer has no basis in reality. But if you feel like taking an extra step to avoid that pitchfork-wielding prince of darkness, Monsignor Stephen Rossetti is here to help.


Rosetti is a Catholic Priest who specializes in exorcisms, which has helped garner him a hefty following on Instagram. And in a recent video, he offered his followers a prayer that will help unmask Satan’s presence and drive him out altogether.



Per Rosetti (and Keyser Söze), Satan’s “best trick is to hide and not let you know he’s present or even exists.” And while Satan does “a pretty good job of hiding,” Rosetti insists there are seven “subtle signs” that can help you recognize Beelzebub (or one of his pesky followers) lurking around.


1) Lethargy and Fatigue: Rosetti says that when demons are present, “they suck the energy out of you,” and so oftentimes, this will be the first indication of Satan.


2) Nausea and Headaches: “If you go to a place that’s deeply infested with demons, those are more sensitive (and you’re) more likely to feel nauseous and terrible headaches.”


3) General Sick Feeling: Satan can make your whole body feel sick, especially if you’re in a demon-filled location. Rosetti says when you leave, “your whole body snaps out of it.”


4) Exaggerated Anger and Bursts of Rage: We all get angry sometimes, but Rosetti insists that “demonic rage is different. It’s almost inexplicable.”


5) Division, Distrust, and Conflict: All of a sudden, Rosetti explains that this can happen when he’s performing an exorcism with a group. “When the team is in conflict, we talk it out and pray it out.”


6) Negative Mental Self-Image and Self-Talk: This is something we all struggle with, but it can be exacerbated by Satan. According to Rosetti, you may start to think that “I’m a terrible person and an ugly person and God doesn’t love me.” He refers to this as “demon brain.”


7) Exaggerated Sexual Temptation and Blasphemous Thoughts: Even Jesus was tempted by the lust of the flesh, but this is a different kind. “When it’s the extraordinary presence of Satan it comes on suddenly.”


Rosetti notes that first, you should see if these symptoms are of “natural origin,” but if they’re “from the evil one,” the trick is to use the “3 Rs”: “We renounce it, we reject it, we rebuke it. He then reveals his patented Satan-repellent prayer:


In the holy name of Jesus

I renounce the hidden presence of Satan

I rebuke the presence of Satan

I reject the presence of Satan

In Jesus’ name I cast him out

In His holy name, I cast him out


Mary, we ask you to come and spread your mantle over us

Cast out the darkness, cast out the evil one

May you crush Satan’s head again, as scripture tells us

Fill our minds with the love of Christ as your mind is filled

Make us obedient, humble and pure, as you are obedient, humble and pure

Pray for us

May Jesus come to us and give us his peace

May almighty God bless you and heal



And just like that, you have won the game of hide and seek versus Satan and don’t have to worry about possession ruining your Halloween plans.