I once worshipped worldly goods

By Aaron S. Robertson

For years, I did all in my power to prevent classic Lincoln cars I owned from rusting. Little did I know at the time that while I was fixated on preserving - and essentially what amounted to worshiping - worldly goods in a passing world, I was allowing my most valuable possession to rot out - my eternal soul. And no amount of Bondo could ever fill in those rust holes. No amount of carnauba wax could ever shine and protect my soul.

I am a free man brought back to life

By Aaron S. Robertson

Tired of always being on the lam - running and hiding and being afraid for over 20 years - I turned myself in at the nearest confessional in December 2021. I fully surrendered. I fully cooperated, telling all. And instead of being jailed for everything I did; instead of being condemned to death for everything I owned up to - I was set free. Because, you see, I was already in jail and didn't realize it. Indeed, I was already long dead and didn't know it. But because I surrendered on that day back in December 2021, I walked out a free man brought back to life. And I've been fully alive since then. I laid my burden down, and I have nothing to run from anymore.

Catholic Speaker in Sioux Falls

Catholic Speakers Sioux Falls: Aaron S. Robertson

Are you seeking an inspirational Catholic speaker in Sioux Falls who can bring authenticity, hope, and profound insights to your next event? Meet Aaron S. Robertson, a devoted husband, passionate Catholic school teacher, and dedicated tutor in Sioux Falls, whose compelling journey back to faith is inspiring individuals and communities throughout the Sioux Falls area.

From Darkness to Divine Light

After wandering in what he describes as a "dark wilderness" for nearly two decades, Aaron experienced a life-changing reconversion to his Catholic faith in December 2021. His story is one of redemption, renewal, and a profound testament to the transformative power of God's grace and mercy.

In fact, as Aaron notes, had he not rediscovered his faith, he never would have turned to CatholicMatch.com, where he would meet his future wife, Katie, in May 2023. And if they never would have met, Aaron, originally from the greater Milwaukee area in Wisconsin, would not be here in Sioux Falls. Aaron and Katie married at St. Michael Parish in December 2024, where Aaron is active in both the men's group and the Knights of Columbus.

Inspiring Testimony and Powerful Teaching

Aaron’s personal testimony emphasizes the extraordinary power of the sacraments, particularly the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). His honest reflections on how Confession has brought profound healing, renewed joy, and lasting inner peace resonate deeply with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

As an experienced Catholic educator and tutor, Aaron skillfully combines heartfelt testimony with practical teaching, making him an ideal speaker for:

• Catholic retreats
• Catholic marriage preparation classes and marriage retreats
• Workshops and catechism classes
• Men's groups
• Women's groups
• Youth and student groups

Available for Sioux Falls Catholic Events

Aaron is available to speak at Catholic parishes, schools, community gatherings, and special events across the greater Sioux Falls area. His engaging style and genuine witness provide attendees with tangible spiritual insights and a renewed sense of faith, hope, and purpose.

Aaron offers his speaking engagements on a free will offering basis, reflecting his sincere dedication to ministry and service within the Sioux Falls Catholic community.

Why Choose Aaron S. Robertson?

• Authentic, compelling testimony of personal conversion and spiritual healing
• Relatable message emphasizing the grace and power of Catholic sacraments
• Versatile speaker able to connect meaningfully with diverse groups and settings
• Commitment to enhancing the spiritual growth of your community

Invite Aaron to bring his powerful message of hope, reconciliation, and renewed faith to your next event. Rediscover the depth and beauty of the Catholic faith through his inspiring journey.

Contact Aaron today and schedule a transformative speaking experience for your Sioux Falls Catholic community!

The joy of confession

Discover the joy, peace, beauty, forgiveness, and healing that comes with the Catholic sacrament of Reconciliation, also known simply as confession.

By Aaron S. Robertson

A talk I gave during a retreat for high school catechism students at my parish on April 14, 2024.

Sin is the obstacle blocking the joy that God intends for humanity, for each and every one of us. It’s a separation from God and a deviation from His divine will and purpose for creation, and it comes in many forms. Sin is any thought, word, or deed that violates God’s moral law, disrupts the harmony of the created order, and damages the relationship between humanity and God. Now, when we say thought, we really mean dwelling on bad or impure thoughts, whether they’re about ourselves, others, or God. We all have thoughts constantly running through our minds. This is a natural condition of our fallen human psyche. The real question is whether we let them stew to the point that we willingly allow them to turn into something more serious, like lust, jealousy, rage, unjust anger, the desire to harm someone or ourselves, and so on. Sin also comes in the form of not doing what we should have done - we call this omission. Did we purposely fail to stand up for someone or something in a situation in a way that would have been fair, just, holy, right? Did we intentionally withhold information or the entire truth in a situation that could have caused some sort of harm or distress to others? These are just a couple examples of sinning by omission.

Sin creates a barrier between individuals and God, hindering our ability to fully experience the joy, peace, and fulfillment that come from being in communion with Him. The effects of sin also create that same barrier between all of us. Sin leads to misunderstandings, misperceptions, mistrust, a distorted lens. It not only eats away at our individual relationships with God, but with one another.

The solution? The sacrament of Reconciliation, commonly called confession. And that solution is available here today. And so I respectfully challenge you to take advantage of it today.



I challenge you to go in there, into that confessional, and give it your best. That’s an absolute requirement if you want God’s forgiveness, healing, and the graces necessary to combat sin and temptation going forward. You must give it your best, and that also means genuinely being sorry. Try with everything you’ve got. Recount all your major, serious, intentional sins since your last confession. If you genuinely forget something, that’s totally okay. We all have flawed memories, and for many people, they’re trying to recount years and even decades of sins. But if you’re aware of something you’ve done or may have done – if it enters your mind at any time from now as you’re listening to me through your time in there – you can’t hide it. You need to disclose it. Is it tough to do this at times? Does it make us feel ashamed, embarrassed, pretty lowly? Dirty? Heck yes, it does. But I’ll tell you what. I promise you, with everything I’ve got, that if you go in there, and you genuinely try your best to recount your sins, to be totally honest with God and with yourself, to not beat around the bush and try to hide the seriousness of your sins in vague language, and just let it all come out; if you’re genuinely sorry, I promise you, with everything I’ve got, that things are gonna start happening in ways that cannot be explained by anything in this world.

If you feel separated, alienated from God and from others right now, if you’re tired of searching for answers and relief and distractions in other things, only to come up empty-handed, if you feel lost, if you’re tired of running and hiding, then today is your day. Go in there and give it your best, and walk out of there tall, forgiven, healed, joyful, and prepared to see the entire world and your life in a new lens. I sure did after 20-plus years. Have nothing to hide or fear. Priests have heard it all. God knows it all. Your secrets are safe with them. There is no sin He can’t or won’t forgive you for, there is no wound He can’t or won’t heal. God bless you. Thank you!

Divine Mercy Sunday

Understanding Divine Mercy Sunday: A celebration of grace and redemption

Divine Mercy Sunday holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics worldwide as a profound celebration of God's boundless love, forgiveness, and mercy. Rooted in the teachings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who experienced profound visions of Jesus Christ, Divine Mercy Sunday carries a rich history and spiritual significance that resonates deeply with believers. In this post, we will delve into the story behind Divine Mercy Sunday, its significance, and what Catholics must do to receive the promised graces on this sacred day.



The origins of Divine Mercy Sunday trace back to the revelations received by St. Faustina Kowalska in the early 20th century. In her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, St. Faustina documented her encounters with Jesus, who appeared to her as the "Divine Mercy" and conveyed His desire for humanity to turn to Him with trust and repentance. Jesus instructed St. Faustina to spread devotion to His Divine Mercy and emphasized the importance of seeking His mercy, especially through the sacraments of confession and the Eucharist.

One of the central messages of Divine Mercy Sunday is the offer of abundant graces and forgiveness to all who approach God with sincere contrition and trust in His mercy. According to St. Faustina's revelations, Jesus promised extraordinary graces to those who participate in Divine Mercy Sunday, particularly those who receive the sacraments of Reconciliation (confession) before that day, and Holy Communion (the Eucharist) on that day.

Divine Mercy Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday after Easter Sunday, following the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. This timing is significant, as it reflects the connection between Christ's resurrection and the outpouring of His mercy upon humanity. By commemorating Divine Mercy Sunday in the wake of Easter, Catholics are reminded of the profound link between Christ's victory over sin and death and the abundant mercy He offers to all.



To receive all the promised graces from Divine Mercy Sunday, Catholics are encouraged to observe certain practices and spiritual disciplines. First and foremost, believers are urged to approach the sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as confession, with genuine contrition for their sins. Confession allows Catholics to reconcile with God, receive His forgiveness, and experience the transformative power of His mercy.

Additionally, Catholics are called to participate in Holy Mass on Divine Mercy Sunday and receive the Eucharist with reverence and devotion. The reception of the body and blood of Christ strengthens believers spiritually and deepens their communion with God and the Church.

Moreover, on Divine Mercy Sunday, Catholics are invited to engage in acts of mercy and charity, reflecting God's mercy in their interactions with others. Whether through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and/or compassion, believers are called to embody the mercy of God and extend it to those in need.

In conclusion, Divine Mercy Sunday stands as a poignant reminder of God's unfathomable love and mercy toward humanity. Rooted in the revelations received by Saint Faustina Kowalska, this sacred day offers Catholics an opportunity to encounter the transformative power of God's mercy through the sacraments, prayer, and acts of charity. By embracing Divine Mercy Sunday, believers are invited to deepen their relationship with God, experience spiritual renewal, and become vessels of mercy in the world.

Admissions essay for Sacred Heart

Aaron S. Robertson

Author's note: What follows is my admissions essay for entry into the Master's in Theology program at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, written and submitted in June, 2023.

In this essay, I will begin by briefly introducing myself with several personal, professional, and academic details. Next, I will discuss my return to the Church at the end of 2021 after approximately two decades and how this has inspired me to apply for the Master of Arts program. I will then close with a short conversation centered around what I would specifically like to explore in the program as it pertains to my role in healing a fractured world.

Currently, I work as a full-time substitute teacher and special education paraprofessional. The upcoming 2023-24 school year marks my sixth in the profession, after holding various roles in business to 2018. I hold a BA (2007) and MS (2013) from Cardinal Stritch University and was enrolled in its doctoral program when the university closed in 2023.

In December 2021, I experienced a radical conversion that inspired me to return to Holy Mother Church after wandering in the proverbial wilderness for nearly 20 years, lost in the spirit of the world. Since then, I became active in my parish’s men’s group; became a catechist for children; have occasionally led small group sessions for adults; and have passionately returned to the Sacraments. I attend confession weekly and have found it to be a wonderful source of healing, joy, peace, and beauty.

At 40 years old, this MA will open a plethora of new work and service opportunities for me, albeit it later in life and career. I am not sure of the full extent of the breadth and depth of these at the immediate moment, as I cannot see the big picture fully laid out. They may range anywhere from parish-level catechism and faith formation roles educating children and/or adults; to working in campus ministry and/or as an occasional adjunct instructor at the collegiate level; to serving the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in some capacity; and/or to collaborating with a Catholic business or organization that produces faith-based content. These opportunities may involve travel and service trips. I am receptive to all these wonderful possibilities, wherever the Holy Spirit wishes to lead me. All I know for certain is that I am an educator at heart, having worked with K-12 students for five years now. Additionally, I held stints training and educating working adults in various subjects during my time in business and industry. In short, I absolutely love teaching and learning, and I am excited by all the potential that the attainment of this degree can bring in enhancing these God-given talents and gifts I have.

In reflecting on my role in healing a fractured world, I have always been fascinated by macro-level economic, political, and social systems, and their abilities – or lack thereof – to provide for the holistic needs of people, families, and workers adequately and meaningfully. After searching for more than 20 years, I have concluded with absolute conviction, in front of my very eyes the entire time but overlooked and even blatantly ignored by me due to the blindness of sin in combination with arrogance and pride, that only the Holy Roman Church and Her teachings hold the full and complete truth regarding these complex economic and material concerns. It is through traveling down this avenue that I arrive in the splendor of the Church’s vast, rich, lifegiving, and life affirming deposit of social teaching.

Briefly, I boldly hold that it is through the Sacraments that we as individuals are given the graces to align ourselves to God’s will while simultaneously becoming truly reliant on Him, all so that, in turn, we not only have eternal life, but we create, while still in this world, a just society where an abundance of charity and goodwill overflow, allowing all to truly flourish. There is no other way. All other proposed solutions, systems, and ideologies are manmade, leave God out of the picture or relegate Him to mere pleasantries while replacing Him with material wealth and goods to be greedily desired, and are doomed to failure. This is why they have not succeeded in adequately providing for the holistic needs of people, families, and workers. Under both liberal democracies and totalitarian regimes of every stripe; and in free market and command economies alike; people live in poverty, go hungry, are actors or victims of heinous crimes, and suffer at the hands of greed they have little to no control over. True resolution lies in the teachings of the Church, which in turn come from Christ and the regular reception of His Sacraments.

Why I am Catholic

By Aaron S. Robertson

Several weeks back, in an adult formation program I'm currently participating in at my parish (my church), we were asked to write down three sentences explaining why we're Catholic. I joked that, being the good student I am, and wanting to go for an A+, I came up with four sentences.

But in all seriousness, it's been an amazing, uplifting, joyful journey that I've been blessed to be on over the last year or so, since December 2021. I tell God all the time that human language can never fully encapsulate what I'm feeling and experiencing. Here's what I said as to why I am Catholic:

I am Catholic because my faith has caused me to have experiences that cannot be explained by anything in the natural, physical world. I am Catholic because I have experienced no greater joy, love, beauty, and truth outside of my faith. I am Catholic because I know we each have our own special role to play in God's plan. I am Catholic because I was personally called by God to be.

If you enjoyed this, you may find these other posts to be helpful and meaningful to you:

Catholic prayers for spiritual warfare (my testimony to the power of the confessional and battling demonic harassment)

Prayers that I've composed

Catholic prayers for spiritual warfare

Roman Catholic prayers for spiritual warfare. Personal testimony to the power of confession and of certain prayers and saints. A true story of battling the devil and demonic harassment.

By Aaron S. Robertson

Introduction

In this post, I describe a specific incident, or, perhaps more accurately, a specific way (because there was more than one episode spread out over time), in which I had found myself battling demonic harassment. Following my testimony, which, among other subjects, speaks to the power of the confessional and to certain prayers and saints, I offer three videos here from YouTube, each being a prayer in Latin, either spoken or chanted. These prayers have helped me immensely, and I include them in a regular prayer routine.

Setting some context in regard to my faith journey

I rediscovered my Roman Catholic faith back in December 2021 after nearly 20 years of wandering in the dark wilderness. An epic blog post about my conversion on a Sunday morning back in December immediately upon awakening from bed and the journey since then is pending. Since March 2022, after visiting the confessional one evening, I have been frequently experiencing very powerful and noticeable involuntary movements in my face and neck while praying. Sometimes, I experience an electrifying feeling going up and down my right leg while praying, as well. And still sometimes, I experience a feeling on the the right side in my head, near my ear on that side, as if a nerve is being pulled back. I cannot mimic any of these movements if I wanted to.

The leg incidents seem to happen most often while praying to/reflecting on God the Father, in particular, but the more frequent face and neck movements can occur while reciting a variety of prayers - whether invoking the Holy Spirit and engaging in conversation with Him, or while calling upon our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or while asking Blessed Mary and/or any of the angels and saints for their intercession. The nerve-pulling sensation in my head can occur in different settings, such as during Mass or even in the confessional during the priest's absolution. I have been keeping a regular log of nearly every one of these powerful encounters with prayer and reflection.

My testimony regarding this one specific way in which I had found myself battling demonic harassment; speaking to the power of the confessional and to certain prayers and saints

St. Philomena, 291-304.

 

On Wednesday, August 24, 2022, I went to confession at another parish, since I was not quite sure if I would make it to confession at my home parish the following evening due to a possible work obligation. During my confession, I explained to Father that, for quite some time now, I firmly believe I have been experiencing harassment and taunts in my mind coming from the devil. Lately, however, the harassment seems to have increased, and that's what brought me to confession on this night, to primarily talk about this and seek counsel on the matter.

The taunts, I explained, usually take on the form of vile, hate-filled, abusive language directed toward our Lord, the very same profanity I had admittedly used toward, or about, so many individuals in the days prior to my conversion in December 2021. I explained to Father that I believe it’s coming from the devil for three reasons. The first reason is that these thoughts appear to be repelled and unable to enter my mind while listening to prayers of deliverance/minor exorcism, usually recited in Latin, and either spoken or chanted (see YouTube videos of these prayers below). Additionally, these thoughts are simply illogical. They make absolutely no sense; in that I have no hatred or anger for God. There appears to be an artificial disconnect created here between my mind and my heart, I explained, and God knows where my heart is at. I wouldn’t be attending Mass, confession, and praying regularly if I wasn’t a believer and if I didn’t have love for God. Finally, I return to the point that, by my own admission, these degrading and vile cuss words were used by me against others in my prior life. By the grace of Almighty God through previous confessions, I no longer use these words, and while I truly believe and understand that these past offenses were forgiven and forgotten by Almighty God, we know that the devil and his demon friends don’t forget - and they certainly don’t forgive. They will attempt to taunt us with our own pasts any way they can.

St. Philomena, virgin and martyr.

After hearing all this, Father told me that, yes, he believes this is the work of the devil, as well, and he reminded me of something I’ve heard from other priests and fellow lay believers alike - that I should consider it a compliment of sorts that I’m being harassed by the devil. It lets me know that I must be doing something right. As we try to get closer to God, the devil certainly does not want this, and so he will throw anything he can at us to scare us, confuse us, and get us to back off. He also reminded me that our Lord and Savior Himself was tempted and harassed by the devil, and that I should take comfort in knowing this. As penance, he assigned me to recite the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, a prayer that I had already certainly become well-familiar with. I recited it in the church immediately after my confession, but I also had with me the Litany of St. Philomena prayer, and I was wearing my blessed wrist cord devoted to her. I recited this prayer, as well, immediately following my confession.

St. Michael the Archangel.

Later on this same evening, well past my confession and prayers, something started to become very noticeable to me. I was watching television when the taunts, via this same horrible language, began again. This time, however, without listening to the same helpful Latin prayers/chants I just mentioned, the thoughts were instantly repelled. As quickly and as frequently as they tried to enter my mind, they were whisked away. I couldn’t even try to say the words in my mind by my own accord - I couldn’t complete them. I asked the Holy Spirit if this was due to the intercession of Ss. Michael and Philomena, and I received three involuntary neck movements that I took to be a powerful, "Yes."

The next day, on the morning of August 25, shortly after I had awakened, I prayed the St. Patrick’s Breastplate prayer. After reciting each one of these three lines in the prayer that follow one another consecutively, “In the faith of confessors, In the innocence of holy virgins, In the deeds of righteous men,” I received one intense involuntary movement of my neck, for a total of three. When it came to experiencing these movements at the reciting of these lines, I understood “In the faith of confessors” to mean the priest who had just heard my confession the prior evening; “In the innocence of holy virgins” to mean St. Philomena; and “In the deeds of righteous men” to mean God’s holy priests in general.

In the middle of the night between August 25 and August 26, at approximately 2:30am, I awakened to use the bathroom. I was experiencing attempted harassment and taunting by the devil again in my mind, the same hateful, abusive language I had previously described. The language was being repelled before it could fully enter my mind, but serious attempts to break in were being made. I briefly prayed before a picture of Christ, and asked for help from St. Philomena. At that moment, I received three involuntary movements of the neck. Of course, I took this to be a confirmation that both our Lord and the good saint were present and had heard me.

Flash forward to me publishing this here in October. I still occasionally experience this form of harassment, but it is far less frequent, and the words are still repelled before they can fully enter my mind. I can’t even complete them in my mind if I wanted to. They’re incinerated on arrival before they can take root. My own parish priest says that I can credit the role of my guardian angel in all of this, as well, which I certainly do.

Presenting these three Latin prayers via YouTube, and a sincere warning about not reciting these prayers yourself if you are not an ordained priest

What follows are three YouTube videos. Each one is a prayer in Latin. The first one is in spoken form. It is an exorcism prayer written by Pope Leo XIII, and it is recited here by Fr. Dom Lorenzo, SSCV. It can be read in English here. The next two videos feature prayers sung in chant form. The first one is St. Anthony's Cross Exorcism, while the second one is St. Benedict's Cross Exorcism.

All three of these prayers are beautiful and effective. I frequently play them in the background quietly while reciting my own prayers.

A sincere warning here that you should never recite prayers of exorcism yourself if you are not an ordained priest. Of the prayers presented here below, this is especially true regarding the first one written by Leo XIII and recited by Fr. Dom Lorenzo. Doing so can be very dangerous for us laypeople, since prayers of this type address and command Satan directly.