In a time of increasing spiritual confusion and moral upheaval, the Catholic faithful are reminded that “our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers… with the evil spirits in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12). For those seeking practical, Church-rooted tools in the spiritual battle, Father Cristian Meriggi, a seasoned exorcist of the Archdiocese of Florence, offers a powerful set of five spiritual weapons.
Father Meriggi has served as an exorcist for nearly two decades and has been a priest for 27 years. Writing for the International Association of Exorcists (IAE), of which he has been a member since 2006, he credits his formation to mentors like Father Mario Boretti and the late Father Gabriele Amorth, co-founder of the IAE and one of the most renowned exorcists of modern times. “I remember the advice Don Gabriele gave me before we said goodbye: ‘Remember, Don Cristian, that we are good for nothing!’” Meriggi recounted, underscoring the humility necessary in confronting evil (according to the IAE website).
The battle against the devil, Meriggi affirms, must be fought through the sacraments, prayer, and a life of charity. He outlines five key spiritual practices that offer protection and healing:
First is Adoration and Communion, which he calls “crucial.” He recalls the wisdom of his mentor, Father Boretti: “Without Communion, one cannot be healed.” He emphasizes that “an intense sacramental life, a love for the Eucharistic Christ is crucial because the Eucharist is the true path to healing and liberation. Adoration and Communion!”
Second, Confession is indispensable. “Through it, we find God’s mercy, which not only confirms the forgiveness of our sins but also, with his grace, penetrates deeply into the darkest areas of the soul where our sins have their roots,” he explains. Regular confession is not only about forgiveness—it is also a source of interior cleansing and strength.
Third is an intense life of charity. Echoing St. Paul, Meriggi calls the faithful to “live, as far as it depends on us, at peace with all.” This includes thinking of others, praying for them, forgiving generously, and accepting even difficult moments as gifts. “Live everything, every moment of our life, as a gift,” he exhorts, “aware that everything works for the good of those who love God.”
Fourth is devotion to the Virgin Mary and the rosary. Meriggi encourages the faithful to “nurture a faithful and loving devotion to the Virgin Mary” and to embrace not only the Mass and Liturgy of the Hours but also “the holy rosary.” He also highlights devotion to the saints and prayer for the souls in purgatory as powerful spiritual reinforcements.
Finally, he emphasizes the use of sacramentals. These include holy water, crucifixes, medals, and blessed salt—sacred signs that help bring grace into every part of life. “They are like medicines that, together with the sacraments, help us bring God’s grace into every area of our lives,” Meriggi explains. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sacramentals “signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church” (CCC 1667).
In sum, Father Meriggi reminds the faithful that “the entire life of the Church is medicinal; it is a path of liberation, healing, and consolation, leading to resurrection in Christ, to living our days in love and peace, to ward off or expel from our lives the enemy and his influence.”
His message is not one of fear but of hope: that through the ordinary means of grace given by the Church, every soul has the tools to resist evil and grow in holiness.
