Joshua Bennett
Exorcism is a religious or spiritual practice of evicting demons, jinns, or other malevolent spiritual entities from a person or place believed to be possessed. In Christianity, exorcism is the practice of casting out or getting rid of demons. In Catholic practice, the person performing the exorcism, or exorcist, must be an ordained priest with special permission from the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has been actively increasing the number of trained exorcists, as Satan's influence on the world has increased in recent decades, with more people engaging in satanism, the occult, and spirit world fascinations. The Rite of Exorcism is a sacramental of the Catholic Church, whereby the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of evil and withdrawn from its dominion. The name of Jesus is considered an effective way to cope with the presence of demons, and the best way to cope with demonic attacks is to grow in holiness.
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What You'll Learn
- Exorcism is authorised by the Catholic Church to expel demons or evil spirits from people, places or things
- Exorcists must be ordained Catholic priests with special permission from the Church
- The person requesting an exorcism must first be evaluated by doctors to rule out mental or physical illness
- The exorcism ritual includes the imposition of hands, breathing on the person's face, and the use of holy water and a cross
- The prayers recited during the exorcism include the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Athanasian Creed
Exorcism is authorised by the Catholic Church to expel demons or evil spirits from people, places or things
Exorcism is a religious or spiritual practice that has been performed for centuries. It involves evicting demons, jinns, or other malevolent spiritual entities from a person or place believed to be possessed. In Christianity, exorcism is specifically the practice of casting out or getting rid of demons.
The Catholic Church authorises the use of exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. Exorcisms performed by the Catholic Church are perhaps the best-known type of exorcism. Exorcism is a sacramental in Catholicism, but not a sacrament like baptism or confession. Its efficacy depends on two elements: authorisation from valid and licit Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist.
In Catholic practice, the person performing the exorcism, or exorcist, must be an ordained priest. The exorcist recites prayers according to the rubrics of the rite and uses religious materials such as icons, sacramentals (e.g. holy water), and holy relics. The exorcist invokes God, specifically the name of Jesus Christ, as well as the Virgin Mary, saints, and the Archangel Michael to intervene. According to Catholic understanding, several weekly exorcisms over many years may be required to expel a deeply entrenched demon.
The Vatican's guidelines state that a person claiming to be possessed must first be evaluated by doctors to rule out mental or physical illness. Twentieth-century Catholic officials regarded genuine demonic possession as extremely rare and easily confused with mental illness. The Church believes that some people need only spiritual or medical help, especially if addiction is present, and not exorcism.
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Exorcists must be ordained Catholic priests with special permission from the Church
Exorcism is the religious or spiritual practice of evicting demons, jinns, or other malevolent spiritual entities from a person or place believed to be possessed. In Christianity, this practice is known as casting out or getting rid of demons. In Christian practice, the person performing the exorcism, known as an exorcist, is a member of a Christian Church or an individual thought to be graced with special powers or skills. In Catholic practice, the person performing the exorcism, or exorcist, must be an ordained priest with special permission from the Church.
The Catholic Church authorizes the use of exorcism for Christians who are believed to be the victims of demonic possession. Exorcism is considered a sacramental but not a sacrament, unlike baptism or confession. Its efficacy depends on two elements: authorization from valid and licit Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "when the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism."
The first official rite of exorcism was sanctioned by the Catholic Church in 1614, with the institution of the Rituale Romanum. The Rituale Romanum includes De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam, or Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications, which provides guidelines for conducting an exorcism and determining when a formal exorcism is required. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops states that "the actual determination of whether a member of the faithful is genuinely possessed by the devil is made by the Church."
Exorcists typically undergo specialized training through an apprenticeship model, working under the direction of an experienced exorcist. In recent years, several programs have been established to foster the training of exorcists, emphasizing a solid theological and spiritual foundation. The Rite of Major Exorcism, a formal exorcism ritual outlined in the Rituale Romanum, is to be administered only by an authorized priest or bishop.
To request an exorcism in the Catholic Church, individuals can contact their local parish priest or the local Catholic diocesan chancery for assistance. The priest will evaluate the situation and determine if an exorcism is necessary, taking into account medical and psychological factors. During the exorcism ritual, the exorcist may use prayers, religious symbols, and sacramentals such as holy water, following the procedures outlined in the Roman Ritual of exorcism.
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The person requesting an exorcism must first be evaluated by doctors to rule out mental or physical illness
In the Catholic Church, exorcism is a spiritual practice that involves evicting demons, jinns, or other malevolent spirits from a person or place believed to be possessed. It is considered a sacramental, requiring authorisation from valid Church authorities and the faith of the exorcist.
The challenge lies in determining whether a person's problem stems from spiritual or mental causes. There is no clear assessment criterion, and the distinction may depend on one's cultural or religious perspective. For example, turning away from the church and towards New Age therapies or the occult may be deemed grounds for exorcism by some. However, this reasoning has been criticised as circular.
The Catholic Church authorises exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. The priest performing the exorcism must receive special permission and follow guidelines from the Rituale Romanum. The exorcist may use prayers, rituals, and religious symbols to expel demons, always acting in the name of Jesus Christ.
In summary, ruling out mental or physical illness through medical evaluation is a crucial prerequisite to exorcism. While exorcism addresses spiritual afflictions, distinguishing between spiritual and mental problems can be difficult, and caution is necessary to ensure appropriate treatment.
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The exorcism ritual includes the imposition of hands, breathing on the person's face, and the use of holy water and a cross
Exorcism is an ancient practice that involves evicting demons, jinns, or other malevolent spiritual entities from a person or place believed to be possessed. In Christianity, exorcism is performed by members of a Christian Church or individuals believed to be graced with special powers or skills.
The Catholic Church authorizes the use of exorcism for Christians believed to be victims of demonic possession. The Church's guidelines for exorcism, issued in 1999, state that:
> The person who claims to be possessed must be evaluated by doctors to rule out a mental or physical illness.
The Catholic rite for a formal exorcism is called a "Major Exorcism" and is conducted by priests given special permission from the Church. The exorcist recites prayers, makes use of religious materials, invokes God, and performs rituals.
The exorcism ritual includes the imposition of hands, breathing on the person's face (exsufflation), and the use of holy water and a cross. The imposition of hands and breathing on the person's face reaffirms the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the person being exorcised as a result of their Baptism, confirming them as a temple of God. The Lord's Cross is then shown to the person, and the Sign of the Cross is made over them, demonstrating the power of Christ over the devil.
The exorcist may also use psalms, Gospel pericopes, and other prayers, such as the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Athanasian Creed. The exorcist should not work in isolation, and the afflicted person should not be alone with the exorcist. The exorcism should be celebrated in an oratory or other appropriate place, preferably a place dedicated to God's honour and not the home of the afflicted person.
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The prayers recited during the exorcism include the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Athanasian Creed
The Catholic rite for a formal exorcism, or "Major Exorcism", is performed by a priest given special permission from the Catholic Church. The priest, or exorcist, must carefully determine that the condition is not a psychological or physical illness, but rather a case of demonic possession.
The prayers recited during the exorcism include the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Creed. The Lord's Prayer, or "Our Father", is said as follows:
> Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Hail Mary is another prayer used during exorcisms:
> Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Creed, or the Apostle's Creed, is also recited:
> I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Other prayers and invocations are also used during exorcisms, such as calling upon the name of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The prayers are meant to invoke God's power and protection, and to expel demons or evil spirits from the possessed person.
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Frequently asked questions
If you believe you are being harassed by demons or evil spirits, you should first consult a priest or a bishop. They will be able to determine if you are genuinely possessed and require an exorcism.
During an exorcism, the priest or bishop will use prayers, holy water, and other religious material to evict the demon or spirit. The priest or bishop may also impose their hands on the afflicted person and breathe on their face, reaffirming the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you are a Catholic residing in the Archdiocese of Washington, you can request an appointment with your local parish priest or contact the St. Michael Center for Spiritual Renewal. Outside of Washington, you should contact your local Catholic priest or diocesan chancery for assistance.
The name of Jesus Christ is an effective way to cope with the presence of demons. Attending mass regularly, going to confession, and maintaining a consistent prayer life can also provide protection against demonic attacks. Additionally, it is important to avoid activities such as Ouija boards, tarot cards, fortune-telling, and involvement with the occult, as these can invite evil spirits.
