Exorcism: The Book I Never Thought I Would Have

Last Saturday, my parents ordered me to pay our internet bill. They were assuming that it was open on Saturdays. I told them to call the payment center if they were really open on that day, but, there was no telephone number on their billing form. So, I just went instead, whether it's open or not.

When I arrived in the payment center, it was closed. Oh, okay, I thought to myself. It was a sunny afternoon. I thought why wouldn't I just go to the nearest mall and see what I can get there for my puppy (since I was thinking for days to buy him a toy) and my sister had asked me to buy her a pasalubong (a present or a treat).

When I was in the mall, I passed by in the national bookstore. They were on sale! So, I grabbed the chance and went inside to look for a good book. I picked up a book worth P99.00 (from around P300.00) and was ready to pay for it. But, instead of going to the cashier, my feet guided me to the religious section of the bookstore. My eyes were searching for something I did not know. I saw books by Max Lucado, Rick Warren, and other Christian authors, until I spotted something that has made me interested and terrified at the same time.

Exorcism. A word that had made me terrified since I was a kid. Even the movies that tackle about exorcism, or horror movies in general, had made me afraid that I didn't have the courage to watch it. But, still, I picked up the book and read some of the first part. It seemed interesting. This book was written by Fr. Jose Francisco C. Syquia, a director of the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism. I turned the book and read the summary. Even the non-priests read it and made a good impression of it.

One of the book critics, Brother Bo Sanchez, a well-known Catholic Lay Preacher and Bestselling Author, and one of my personal favorite authors, has made this review:

"Warning: You won't be able to put down this book. Because Fr. Jocis Syquia -- an official exorcist of the Catholic Church -- will take you into the hidden, dark world of demons and how they intersect our daily world. Speaking from personal experience of haunted houses, demon possession, ghosts, and true-to-life, scientifically unexplainable paranormal activity, Fr. Jocis will also show you the incomparable power of God over spirits. In the end, his mind-blowing stories will not make you fear the devil as much as they will make you love God more."

Amb. Henrietta "Tita" de Villa, former Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican, added,

"...a book for our times which must be shared; even the Holy Father has a copy of Fr. Jocis' book. I gave him one when I saw him last November."

While holding the book, I was thinking if I need to buy it. It costs P300.00. It was expensive, and I only had P300 as my personal money in my wallet (aside from the payment for the internet bill and my fare back and forth). But I read somewhere that books are good investment. So, I prayed to God if I really need to buy and read this book.

When I arrived home, I immediately opened the book and started to read it.