The gospels recount that Jesus battled the devil and demons. At the start of His ministry, Jesus was tempted three times by the devil (Mt. 4:1-11). On other occasions, He exorcised the demons that possessed people (MK 1:34; LK 4:35). By His death and resurrection, Jesus has won victory over sin and death. The devil and his minions are but mere creatures who do not stand a chance against the power of God and His angels. All who commit themselves to Christ will find salvation. However, as pilgrim people in this passing world, we are presently in a spiritual battle. The devil and demons still try to entice and possess people for themselves. Throughout the centuries, the Church has battled evil through exorcisms. This small submission will try to offer a brief explanation of the rite of exorcism, its purpose, and key legal elements essential to its celebration.
What are exorcisms?
An exorcism is first of all a sacramental. It is a ritual whose celebration involves a minister, a subject, prayers, intercessions, and sacred signs to produce a spiritual effect (c.1166). Ronny E. Jenkins explains that broadly speaking, an exorcism seeks “to expel the demonic presence in or over a person, place or thing or to protect against the same evil influence” (Jenkins in Jurist 90, 107). The Catechism of the Catholic Church adds “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authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called an exorcism. Jesus performed exorcisms and from him the Church has received the power of and office of exorcizing” (CCC 1673). In short, an exorcism is a ritual by which the Church protects her members from evil or drives out the demonic influence from them.
Minor and major exorcisms
The first thought that comes to mind when people think about exorcisms are the scenes from movies like The Exorcist or The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Exorcisms, however, are divided into two distinct categories: minor and major exorcisms. Minor exorcisms, also called simple exorcisms, are an ancient form of exorcism by which the minister prays over unbaptized persons who wish to enter the Church. They date back to the 3rd century. Like any sacramental, the minor exorcism prepares an individual to receive the grace of the sacrament (https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/sacramentals-blessings/exorcism). Jenkins adds that minor exorcisms “are part of Christian initiation of the unbaptized. They take place either at the baptism of an infant, or as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Minor exorcisms do not have as their primary purpose the expulsion of the demonic presence from a person possessed by it” (Jenkins, 109). Today, most minor exorcisms occur during infant baptisms. The Rite of Baptism For Children includes this prayer of exorcism: “Almighty and every-living God, you sent your only begotten Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, and bring him into the splendor of your kingdom of light. We pray for this child: set him/her free from original sin, make him/her a temple of your glory, and send you Holy Spirit to dwell with him/her” (Order of Baptism Of Children no.86).
With this prayer of minor exorcism, the Church does not imply that the babies or unbaptized catechumens are somehow possessed by the devil. Rather, it is a means by which the Church prays for them as they prepare for baptism. It is a prayer to protect them from every evil and from the devil. Jenkins notes, “they were intended principally to enlighten the minds of the catechumens for the mysteries they were to undergo, and to strengthen them for the reception of baptism and the ensuing battle with evil that all Christians must undertake” (Jenkins, 99).
The second type of exorcism is a major or solemn exorcism. Jenkins explains “The purpose of major exorcisms is to free a person who is possessed by a demonic spirit. They are always public acts of the Church performed by a minister authorized to do so using the approved ritual; that is, the Rite of Major Exorcism.” (Jenkins, 109). The celebration of a major exorcism is always treated with great caution. Although people may feel they are experiencing a demonic influence or possession, the Church demands that certain protocols be observed before the exorcist performs the ritual. For example, there needs to be full and complete medical and psychological testing conducted on the person seeking the exorcism before the ritual is done. This helps determine if the grave discomfort the person experiences is only physical in nature. In addition, the exorcist must verify that there a real signs of a demonic possession. The tradition holds that there are usually 4 indications that accompany a possessed person; they are:
- the person speaks a foreign language he or she was completely ignorant of;
- the person surprisingly knows hidden or secret information;
- the person possesses extreme physical strength
- the person is greatly averted to the sacred and religion
The exorcist must be morally certain that there is no reasonable doubt that individual seeking the exorcism is truly possessed by a demon. Here are some other canonical matters that pertain to major exorcisms:
Minister: The proper minister of a major exorcism is called an exorcist who must be a validly ordained priest. An exorcist can be the bishop or he can select a priest to whom the duty of exorcist is entrusted. The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops explains,“A priest may be appointed to the office of exorcist either on a stable basis or for a particular occasion (ad actum) by the diocesan bishop. In either case, the exorcist should work closely with, and under the direction of, the bishop” (https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/sacramentals-blessings/exorcism).
Subject: Jenkins writes, “the subject of an exorcism is the evil spirit itself. The exorcism is performed on the spirit in order to expel it from the person whom it possesses” (Jenkins 115). As far as the categories of persons whom the spirit possesses, the exorcism can be performed on “1) Catholics; 2) Catechumens; 3) Non-Catholic Christians who request it; and 4) Non-Christian believers provided they have the proper disposition—meaning, they are sincere in their desire to be free of demonic influence. In cases involving a non-Catholic, the matter should be brought to the attention of the Diocesan Bishop (cf. ERS, no. 18)” (https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/sacraments-and-sacramentals/sacramentals-blessings/exorcism).
Where & When: The Rite of Exorcism recommends an oratory as the place in which a major exorcism should be celebrated (Rite of Exorcism 33). However, if there are grave or necessary reasons, the exorcism can take place at another suitable place. As Jenkins explains, “the exorcist enjoys rather broad discretion here. This is because every case will have particular circumstances that may limit the options open to the exorcist. For instance, if the afflicted person cannot easily move about or be moved, it may prove necessary to perform the exorcism in a private residence. Or the oratory may simply not be available” (Jenkins 121). The Rite adds that there must be a Crucifix and an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the place. (Rite of Exorcism 33). The Ritual does not list specific times during which a major exorcism must be performed; the presumption is that it can take place during the day or night.
How: Given the limited space for this article, the author cannot go into detail about how an exorcism is celebrated. Instead, here are 3 highlights surrounding the Rite of Exorcism:
- Spiritual Preparation: Before the celebration of the Rite, the exorcist, the possessed person, and his/her family members prepare should be spiritually prepared. They are to do prayer, penance, and fasting. The Rite also suggests going to Confession and receiving Holy Communion as ways to spiritually prepare for the exorcism. They need God’s help to battle the demon.
- The Sign of the Cross: During the exorcism, the exorcist will take a cross and bless the possessed with it, saying, “Behold the cross of the Lord, All enemies flee” (Rite of Exorcism no.58). This moment shows the importance of the cross in salvation history; it was the instrument through which the Savior conquered the enemy and destroyed death.
- Formula of Exorcism: The high point of the Rite is when the exorcist prays the formula of exorcism by which he attempts to cast the demon out. There are two forms in the rite, the supplicatory and the imperative formulas. Jenkins explains: “It [supplicatory formula] consists of an extended prayer addressed to God. In it, God is called upon to cast out the evil presence from the afflicted person. The second form is an imperative formula. It is the more familiar, traditional formula of exorcism that is addressed to Satan. In it, the demon is commanded to depart in the name of God” (Jenkins 128).
St Paul wrote, “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground” (Ephesians 6:12-13). Our Christian faith recognizes that the enemy lurks to tempt us away from God’s will. Minor exorcisms are the most common exorcisms performed to pray for those entering the communion of Christ’s body, the Church. In extreme cases, an exorcist is commissioned to perform major exorcisms on persons harmed by demonic possessions. We know that through, with, and in Christ, we will be saved from the devil’s deadly powers. The devil will lose. Recall the Letter to the Hebrews which encourages us, “He [Christ] is always able to save those who approach God through him” (Hebrews 7:25).
