The past week in Rome, the Vatican offered a course for priests appointed by their dioceses to serve as exorcists. These priests are specifically chosen by their bishops and religious superiors to engage in this intense training which was held at the Pontifical University “Regina Apostolorum” from April 16 to 21.

Covering topics like prayer and sanctity of life for these priests who will serve in the role of exorcist, other more contemporary topics are also discussed like the rise of cults, the growing interest in magic, and Satanism, as well as the role that pornography holds in the culture of death today. Exorcists in training learn to discern the difference between demonic possession and psychological obsession.

All of this may sound like something out of a Hollywood film, but make no mistake, it is very, very real. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, speaks often in his Wednesday audiences, his Sunday Angelus, and his homilies at the Domus Santa Marta of the reality of the Evil One. In his new exhortation, “Gaudete et Exsultate,” the Holy Father reminds us that “it is precisely the conviction that this malign power is present in our midst that enables us to understand how evil can at times have so much destructive force.”

Yes, Satan is very real, and we need only to read the newspapers to see his work of destruction in the world today. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, that clear and definitive guide concerning the Church’s official teachings speaks clearly about the Evil One’s presence (numbers 391-395). This fallen angel is active through sin in our fallen world. Yet we need not despair: the Catechism (No. 395) assures us: “The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. He cannot prevent the building up of God’s reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries – of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature – to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history.”

Ultimately, Satan has lost; Christ has won! However, we need to know that he is out there and to avoid him at all costs by doing good and avoiding evil in our own lives.