Exorcism
God's
creature, oil, I cast out the demon from you by God the Father +
almighty, who made heaven and earth and sea, and all that they contain.
Let the adversary's power, the devil's legions, and all Satan's attacks
and machinations be dispelled and driven afar from this creature, oil.
Let it bring health in body and mind to all who use it, in the name of
God + the Father almighty, and of our Lord Jesus + Christ, His Son, and
of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, as well as in the love of the same
Jesus Christ our Lord, who is coming to judge both the living and the
dead and the world by fire.
All: Amen.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.
Let us pray.
Lord
God almighty, before whom the hosts of angels stand in awe, and whose
heavenly service we acknowledge; may it please you to regard favorably
and to bless + and hallow + this creature, oil, which by your power has
been pressed from the juice of olives. You have ordained it for
anointing the sick, so that, when they are made well, they may give
thanks to you, the living and true God. Grant, we pray, that those who
will use this oil, which we are blessing + in your name, may be
delivered from all suffering, all infirmity, and all wiles of the
enemy. Let it be a means of averting any kind of adversity from man,
made in your image and redeemed by the precious blood of your Son, so
that he may never again suffer the sting of the ancient serpent;
through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
It is sprinkled with holy water.
EXORCISM
INTRODUCTION
That
there is a world of demons is a teaching of revealed religion which is
perfectly clear to all who know Sacred Scripture and respect and accept
its word as inspired of God. It is part of the whole Christian-Judaeo
heritage. There are some who hold that even if revelation were not so
absolute, an inference of the existence of evil spirits can be drawn
from the magnitude of evil in the world. They say that human malice and
depravity even at its worst is not sufficient to account for it, and it
must be concluded that the devil is a real person and that his sway is
tremendous. As Francois Mauriac writes in his life of St. Margaret of
Cortona: "Evil is Someone, Someone who is multiple and whose name is
legion.... It is one thing to be in the realm of the demons, as we all
are when we have lost the state of grace, and quite another to be held
and surrounded, literally possessed by him."
One
gets the impression that the teaching about the devil's existence is
not a particularly popular one in our time. C. S. Lewis in his
"Screwtape Letters" says something to the effect that if the little
inexperienced novice devils, about to start out on their work of
seducing men, can convince men that the devil does not exist, then half
the battle is already won.
The
first book of the Holy Bible recounts the seduction of Adam and Eve by
the Prince of Darkness; but it is to the last book that we must go for
his origin. "Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels had
to fight the dragon; the dragon fought, and so did his angels. But they
were defeated, and a place was no longer found for them in heaven. That
huge dragon, the ancient serpent, was hurled down, he who is called the
devil and Satan, he who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled
down to death, and his angels were hurled down with him."[1]
Christ
our Lord overcame Satan on the cross, and ever since the latter's
empire is shaken. Man is delivered from the power of darkness and
transferred to the kingdom of the Son. Yet the devil is not completely
vanquished or trodden underfoot once for all, and the warfare against
him is carried out by Christ and His Church until the end of time.
Therefore, St. Paul
is prompted to admonish us: "Put on all the armor that God has forged,
that you may be able to make a stand against the devil's cunning
tricks. Our wrestling is not against weak human nature, but against the
Principalities
and the Powers, against those that rule the world of darkness, the
wicked spirits that belong to an order higher than ours.... With all
this take up the shield of faith, with which you will be enabled to put
out all the flaming arrows of the wicked enemy."[2]
Against
these unclean spirits the Church uses as her weapons prayers,
blessings, holy water, and other sacramentals to combat the ordinary
power that the former wield over men. But apart from this ordinary and
general power that Providence
allows Satan there is also a special and terrible satanic influence
called possession--the domination by the demon over man's bodily organs
and his lower spiritual faculties. In later Christian times the term
obsession is used instead of possession, the former connoting a lesser
kind of demonic disturbance. That Christ reckoned with this satanic
power in the same way that the Church has throughout her centuries is
evident from the New Testament; see for example Mt 9.32-34, Lk 8.2, Mk
9.13 ff.
To
be possessed can mean that Satan has gained mastery over the will so
devastatingly that sinfulness passes beyond ordinary depravity in the
world, and its cause must be sought in a power above the order of
nature. To be possessed can mean that Satan has beclouded the
intellect, so that the light of faith cannot illuminate it. To be
possessed can mean that Satan has befuddled a person's reason; in fact,
simple and superstitious folk have wrongly made lunacy synonymous with
diabolical infestation. In some instances of possession recounted in
the New Testament, molestation by the devil is manifested in various
disturbances of the human body itself, where he has gained control over
a man's sight, hearing, speech, or the physical organism in general.[3]
Christ
handed down to the Church the power He once exercised over demons. The
early Christians were deeply influenced by what they had learned of
their Master's dealing with evil spirits, and there was on their part
frequent use of the charismatic gifts of healing the sick and driving
out devils. But the prayers and forms used for exorcism in the first
centuries have not come down to us, outside the ones used in baptism.
Exorcism became part of the baptismal rite somewhere around 200 A.D.
Thus the ancient liturgical records which date from the third century
those dealing with baptism, give us the early Christians' belief about
Satan and his intervention in the affairs of man. In the devil's hatred
for God he turned on man, who is made in God's image. In consequence of
original sin men are no longer temples of the Holy Spirit but rather
the habitations of the demon. Not too much distinction is made between
the possessed and the unbaptized. Isidore of Seville puts both on the
same level, and says that exorcism is the ceremony of banishing the
most wicked influence of the devil from catechumens and possessed
alike.[4]
It
is difficult to fix precisely the time of origin of a special rite for
exorcism. The evidence would indicate that in the early Church acts of
exorcism consisted mainly in the sign of the cross, invoking the name
of Jesus, and renunciations of Satan and adjurations and threats
uttered against him. But later on, especially in the Latin Church, the
rites of exorcism become more and more numerous, until in the highly
imaginative Middle Ages there is actually a profusion of them. To this
period we must attribute beliefs and practices which are superstitious
to an extreme. Devils are believed to exist in the guise of certain
material bodies. Demonic possession is confounded with epilepsy and
other mental or psychic disorders. Rituals of this time prescribe that
the subject remain in the presence of the exorcist throughout the
period of exorcism, that he observe a strict fast and limit his diet to
blessed water, salt, and vegetables, that he wear new clothes, that he
abstain from the marital act. No less complicated are the injunctions
for the exorcist. And by the time we come to the fourteenth century
magical practices have been introduced into the ceremonies.
No
doubt the present rite for exorcism will undergo improvement and
revision along with the general revision of the liturgical books
recommended by Vatican Council II. But compared to former times the
rite as given in the Roman Ritual today is characterized by great
sobriety. Some minds might still discern traces of a certain naivete,
yet at any rate it has been purged of the unfortunate accretions of a
period ruled much more by human credulity than by the unadulterated
doctrine of the Church. No longer, for example, does the official text
afford any grounds for the erroneous notion that diabolical possession
is necessarily a divine retribution visited upon a grievous sinner. God
allows this terrible evil in His wisdom without the afflicted person
being necessarily at fault. It is one thing to have fallen into the
slavery of sin or to be afflicted with a bodily or mental infirmity,
and quite another to have the devil enter into a man and take
possession of him.
The
general rules for exorcism that follow are a clear indication that we
have come a long way from the superstitious notions that prevailed in
the era of the Middle Ages. Noteworthy among these rules are the ones
that direct that the parties concerned should have recourse to the holy
sacraments, and that the sacred words of Holy Writ should be employed
rather than any forms devised by the exorcist or someone else. The
instructions given below indicate that the Church has carefully guarded
the extraordinary power over Satan committed to her by Christ, and that
Catholic exorcism is poles removed from any form of dabbling in the
spirit world which springs from human chicanery or malice.
CHAPTER I: GENERAL RULES CONCERNING EXORCISM
1.
A priest--one who is expressly and particularly authorized by the
Ordinary--when he intends to perform an exorcism over persons tormented
by the devil, must be properly distinguished for his piety, prudence,
and integrity of life. He should fulfill this devout undertaking in all
constancy and humility, being utterly immune to any striving for human
aggrandizement, and relying, not on his own, but on the divine power.
Moreover, he ought to be of mature years, and revered not alone for his
office but for his moral qualities.
2.
In order to exercise his ministry rightly, he should resort to a great
deal more study of the matter (which has to be passed over here for the
sake of brevity), by examining approved authors and cases from
experience; on the other hand, let him carefully observe the few more
important points enumerated here.
3.
Especially, he should not believe too readily that a person is
possessed by an evil spirit; but he ought to ascertain the signs by
which a person possessed can be distinguished from one who is suffering
from some illness, especially one of a psychological nature.[1] Signs
of possession may be the following: ability to speak with some facility
in a strange tongue or to understand it when spoken by another; the
faculty of divulging future and hidden events; display of powers which
are beyond the subject's age and natural condition; and various other
indications which, when taken together as a whole, build up the
evidence.
4.
In order to understand these matters better, let him inquire of the
person possessed, following one or the other act of exorcism, what the
latter experienced in his body or soul while the exorcism was being
performed, and to learn also what particular words in the form had a
more intimidating effect upon the devil, so that hereafter these words
may be employed with greater stress and frequency.
5.
He will be on his guard against the arts and subterfuges which the evil
spirits are wont to use in deceiving the exorcist. For oft times they
give deceptive answers and make it difficult to understand them, so
that the exorcist might tire and give up, or so it might appear that
the afflicted one is in no wise possessed by the devil.
6.
Once in a while, after they are already recognized, they conceal
themselves and leave the body practically free from every molestation,
so that the victim believes himself completely delivered. Yet the
exorcist may not desist until he sees the signs of deliverance.
7.
At times, moreover, the evil spirits place whatever obstacles they can
in the way, so that the patient may not submit to exorcism, or they try
to convince him that his affliction is a natural one. Meanwhile, during
the exorcism, they cause him to fall asleep, and dangle some illusion
before him, while they seclude themselves, so that the afflicted one
appears to be freed.
8.
Some reveal a crime which has been committed and the perpetrators
thereof, as well as the means of putting an end to it. Yet the
afflicted person must beware of having recourse on this account to
sorcerers or necromancers or to any parties except the ministers of the
Church, or of making use of any superstitious or forbidden practice.
9.
Sometimes the devil will leave the possessed person in peace and even
allow him to receive the holy Eucharist, to make it appear that he has
departed. In fact, the arts and frauds of the evil one for deceiving a
man are innumerable. For this reason the exorcist must be on his guard
not to fall into this trap.
10.
Therefore, he will be mindful of the words of our Lord (Mt 17.20), to
the effect that there is a certain type of evil spirit who cannot be
driven out except by prayer and fasting. Therefore let him avail
himself of these two means above all for imploring the divine
assistance in expelling demons, after the example of the holy fathers;
and not only himself, but let him induce others, as far as possible, to
do the same.
11.
If it can be done conveniently the possessed person should be led to
church or to some other sacred and worthy place, where the exorcism
will be held, away from the crowd. But if the person is ill, or for any
valid reason, the exorcism may take place in a private home.
12.
The subject, if in good mental and physical health, should be exhorted
to implore God's help, to fast, and to fortify himself by frequent
reception of penance and holy communion, at the discretion of the
priest. And in the course of the exorcism he should be fully
recollected, with his intention fixed on God, whom he should entreat
with firm faith and in all humility. And if he is all the more
grievously tormented, he ought to bear this patiently, never doubting
the divine assistance.
13.
He ought to have a crucifix at hand or somewhere in sight. If relics of
the saints are available, they are to be applied in a reverent way to
the breast or the head of the person possessed (the relics must be
properly and securely encased and covered). One will see to it that
these sacred objects are not treated improperly or that no injury is
done them by the evil spirit. However, one should not hold the holy
Eucharist over the head of the person or in any way apply it to his
body, owing to the danger of desecration.
14.
The exorcist must not digress into senseless prattle nor ask
superfluous questions or such as are prompted by curiosity,
particularly if they pertain to future and hidden matters, all of which
have nothing to do with his office. Instead, he will bid the unclean
spirit keep silence and answer only when asked. Neither ought he to
give any credence to the devil if the latter maintains that he is the
spirit of some saint or of a deceased party, or even claims to be a
good angel.
15.
But necessary questions are, for example: the number and name of the
spirits inhabiting the patient, the time when they entered into him,
the cause thereof, and the like. As for all jesting, laughing, and
nonsense on the part of the evil spirit--the exorcist should prevent it
or contemn it, and he will exhort the bystanders (whose number must be
very limited) to pay no attention to such goings on; neither are they
to put any question to the subject. Rather they should intercede for
him to God in all humility and urgency.
16.
Let the priest pronounce the exorcism in a commanding and authoritative
voice, and at the same time with great confidence, humility, and
fervor; and when he sees that the spirit is sorely vexed, then he
oppresses and threatens all the more. If he notices that the person
afflicted is experiencing a disturbance in some part of his body or an
acute pain or a swelling appears in some part, he traces the sign of
the cross over that place and sprinkles it with holy water, which he
must have at hand for this purpose.
17.
He will pay attention as to what words in particular cause the evil
spirits to tremble, repeating them the more frequently. And when he
comes to a threatening expression, he recurs to it again and again,
always increasing the punishment. If he perceives that he is making
progress, let him persist for two, three, four hours, and longer if he
can, until victory is attained.
18.
The exorcist should guard against giving or recommending any medicine
to the patient, but should leave this care to physicians.
19.
While performing the exorcism over a woman, he ought always to have
assisting him several women of good repute, who will hold on to the
person when she is harassed by the evil spirit. These assistants ought
if possible to be close relatives of the subject and for the sake of
decency the exorcist will avoid saying or doing anything which might
prove an occasion of evil thoughts to himself or to the others.
20.
During the exorcism he shall preferably employ words from Holy Writ,
rather than forms of his own or of someone else. He shall, moreover,
command the devil to tell whether he is detained in that body by
necromancy, by evil signs or amulets; and if the one possessed has
taken the latter by mouth, he should be made to vomit them; if he has
them concealed on his person, he should expose them; and when
discovered they must be burned. Moreover, the person should be exhorted
to reveal all his temptations to the exorcist.
21.
Finally, after the possessed one has been freed, let him be admonished
to guard himself carefully against falling into sin, so as to afford no
opportunity to the evil spirit of returning, lest the last state of
that man become worse than the former.
CHAPTER II: RITE FOR EXORCISM
1.
The priest delegated by the Ordinary to perform this office should
first go to confession or at least elicit an act of contrition, and, if
convenient, offer the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and implore God's
help in other fervent prayers. He vests in surplice and purple stole.
Having before him the person possessed (who should be bound if there is
any danger), he traces the sign of the cross over him, over himself,
and the bystanders, and then sprinkles all of them with holy water.
After this he kneels and says the Litany of the Saints, exclusive of
the prayers which follow it. All present are to make the responses. At
the end of the litany he adds the following:
Antiphon:
Do not keep in mind, O Lord, our offenses or those of our parents, nor
take vengeance on our sins. Our Father (the rest inaudibly until:)
P: And lead us not into temptation.
All: But deliver us from evil.
Psalm 53
After the psalm the priest continues:
P: Save your servant.
All: Who trusts in you, my God.
P: Let him (her) find in you, Lord, a fortified tower.
All: In the face of the enemy.
P: Let the enemy have no power over him (her).
All: And the son of iniquity be powerless to harm him (her).Lord, send him (her) aid from your holy place.
All: And watch over him (her) from Sion.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.
Let us pray.
God,
whose nature is ever merciful and forgiving, accept our prayer that
this servant of yours, bound by the fetters of sin, may be pardoned by
your loving kindness.
Holy
Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who once and for all consigned that fallen and apostate tyrant
to the flames of hell, who sent your only-begotten Son into the world
to crush that roaring lion; hasten to our call for help and snatch from
ruination and from the clutches of the noonday devil this human being
made in your image and likeness. Strike terror, Lord, into the beast
now laying waste your vineyard. Fill your servants with courage to
fight manfully against that reprobate dragon, lest he despise those who
put their trust in you, and say with Pharaoh of old: "I know not God,
nor will I set Israel
free." Let your mighty hand cast him out of your servant, N., + so he
may no longer hold captive this person whom it pleased you to make in
your image, and to redeem through your Son; who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
All: Amen.
2. Then he commands the demon as follows:
I
command you, unclean spirit, whoever you are, along with all your
minions now attacking this servant of God, by the mysteries of the
incarnation, passion, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by the descent of the Holy Spirit, by the coming of our Lord
for judgment, that you tell me by some sign your name, and the day and
hour of your departure. I command you, moveover, to obey me to the
letter, I who am a minister of God despite my unworthiness; nor shall
you be emboldened to harm in any way this creature of God, or the
bystanders, or any of their possessions.
3. Next he reads over the possessed person these selections from the Gospel, or at least one of them.
A Lesson from the holy Gospel according to St. John
John 1.1-14
As he says these opening words he signs himself and the possessed on the brow, lips, and breast.
A Lesson from the holy Gospel according to St. Mark
Mark 16.15-18
At
that time Jesus said to His disciples: "Go into the whole world and
preach the Gospel to all creation. He that believes and is baptized
will be saved; he that does not believe will be condemned. And in the
way of proofs of their claims, the following will accompany those who
believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new
tongues; they will take up serpents in their hands, and if they drink
something deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on
the sick, and these will recover."
A Lesson from the holy Gospel according to St. Luke
Luke 10.17-20
At
that time the seventy-two returned in high spirits. "Master," they
said, "even the demons are subject to us because we use your name!"
"Yes," He said to them, "I was watching Satan fall like lightning that
flashes from heaven. But mind: it is I that have given you the power to
tread upon serpents and scorpions, and break the dominion of the enemy
everywhere; nothing at all can injure you. Just the same, do not
rejoice in the fact that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice in
the fact that your names are engraved in heaven."
A Lesson from the holy Gospel according to St. Luke
Luke 11.14-22
At
that time Jesus was driving out a demon, and this particular demon was
dumb. The demon was driven out, the dumb man spoke, and the crowds were
enraptured. But some among the people remarked: "He is a tool of
Beelzebul, and that is how he drives out demons!" Another group,
intending to test Him, demanded of Him a proof of His claims, to be
shown in the sky. He knew their inmost thoughts. "Any kingdom torn by
civil strife," He said to them, "is laid in ruins; and house tumbles
upon house. So, too, if Satan is in revolt against himself, how can his
kingdom last, since you say that I drive out demons as a tool of
Beelzebul. And furthermore: if I drive out demons as a tool of
Beelzebul, whose tools are your pupils when they do the driving out?
Therefore, judged by them, you must stand condemned. But, if, on the
contrary, I drive out demons by the finger of God, then, evidently the kingdom of God
has by this time made its way to you. As long as a mighty lord in full
armor guards his premises, he is in peaceful possession of his
property; but should one mightier than he attack and overcome him, he
will strip him of his armor, on which he had relied, and distribute the
spoils taken from him."
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty
Lord, Word of God the Father, Jesus Christ, God and Lord of all
creation; who gave to your holy apostles the power to tramp underfoot
serpents and scorpions; who along with the other mandates to work
miracles was pleased to grant them the authority to say: "Depart, you
devils!" and by whose might Satan was made to fall from heaven like
lightning; I humbly call on your holy name in fear and trembling,
asking that you grant me, your unworthy servant, pardon for all my
sins, steadfast faith, and the power--supported by your mighty arm--to
confront with confidence and resolution this cruel demon. I ask this
through you, Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, who are coming to judge
both the living and the dead and the world by fire.
All: Amen.
4.
Next he makes the sign of the cross over himself and the one possessed,
places the end of the stole on the latter's neck, and, putting his
right hand on the latter's head, he says the following in accents
filled with confidence and faith:
P: See the cross of the Lord; begone, you hostile powers!
All: The stem of David, the lion of Juda's tribe has conquered.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.
Let us pray.
God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I appeal to your holy name, humbly
begging your kindness, that you graciously grant me help against this
and every unclean spirit now tormenting this creature of yours; through
Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Exorcism
I
cast you out, unclean spirit, along with every satanic power of the
enemy, every spectre from hell, and all your fell companions; in the
name of our Lord Jesus + Christ Begone and stay far from this creature
of God. + For it is He who commands you, He who flung you headlong from
the heights of heaven into the depths of hell. It is He who commands
you, He who once stilled the sea and the wind and the storm. Hearken,
therefore, and tremble in fear, Satan, you enemy of the faith, you foe
of the human race, you begetter of death, you robber of life, you
corrupter of justice, you root of all evil and vice? seducer of men,
betrayer of the nations, instigator of envy, font of avarice, fomentor
of discord, author of pain and sorrow. Why, then, do you stand and
resist, knowing as you must that Christ the Lord brings your plans to
nothing? Fear Him, who in Isaac was offered in sacrifice, in Joseph
sold into bondage, slain as the paschal lamb, crucified as man, yet
triumphed over the powers of hell. (The three signs of the cross which
follow are traced on the brow of the possessed person). Begone, then,
in the name of the Father, + and of the Son, + and of theHoly + Spirit.
Give place to the Holy Spirit by this sign of the holy + cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy
Spirit, God, forever and ever.
All: Amen.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.
Let us pray.
God,
Creator and defender of the human race, who made man in your own image,
look down in pity on this your servant, N., now in the toils of the
unclean spirit, now caught up in the fearsome threats of man's ancient
enemy, sworn foe of our race, who befuddles and stupefies the human
mind, throws it into terror, overwhelms it with fear and panic. Repel,
O Lord, the devil's power, break asunder his snares and traps, put the
unholy tempter to flight. By the sign + (on the brow) of your name, let
your servant be protected in mind and body. (The three crosses which
follow are traced on the breast of the possessed person). Keep watch
over the inmost recesses of his (her) + heart; rule over his (her) +
emotions; strengthen his (her) + will. Let vanish from his (her) soul
the temptings of the mighty adversary. Graciously grant, O Lord, as we
call on your holy name, that the evil spirit, who hitherto terrorized
over us, may himself retreat in terror and defeat, so that this servant
of yours may sincerely and steadfastly render you the service which is
your due; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Exorcism
I
adjure you, ancient serpent, by the judge of the living and the dead,
by your Creator, by the Creator of the whole universe, by Him who has
the power to consign you to hell, to depart forthwith in fear, along
with your savage minions, from this servant of God, N., who seeks
refuge in the fold of the Church. I adjure you again, + (on the brow)
not by my weakness but by the might of the Holy Spirit, to depart from
this servant of God, N., whom almighty God has made in His image.
Yield, therefore, yield not to my own person but to the minister of
Christ. For it is the power of Christ that compels you, who brought you
low by His cross. Tremble before that mighty arm that broke asunder the
dark prison walls and led souls forth to light. May the trembling that
afflicts this human frame, + (on the breast) the fear that afflicts
this image (on the brow) of God, descend on you. Make no resistance nor
delay in departing from this man, for it has pleased Christ to dwell in
man. Do not think of despising my command because you know me to be a
great sinner. It is God + Himself who commands you; the majestic Christ
+ who commands you. God the Father + commands you; God the Son +
commands you; God the Holy + Spirit commands you. The mystery of the
cross commands + you. The faith of the holy apostles Peter and Paul and
of all the saints commands + you. The blood of the martyrs commands +
you. The continence of the confessors commands + you. The devout
prayers of all holy men and women command + you. The saving mysteries
of our Christian faith command + you.
Depart,
then, transgressor. Depart, seducer, full of lies and cunning, foe of
virtue, persecutor of the innocent. Give place, abominable creature,
give way, you monster, give way to Christ, in whom you found none of
your works. For He has already stripped you of your powers and laid
waste your kingdom, bound you prisoner and plundered your weapons. He
has cast you forth into the outer darkness, where everlasting ruin
awaits you and your abettors. To what purpose do you insolently resist?
To what purpose do you brazenly refuse? For you are guilty before
almighty God, whose laws you have transgressed. You are guilty before
His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, whom you presumed to tempt, whom you
dared to nail to the cross. You are guilty before the who]e human race,
to whom you proferred by your enticements the poisoned cup of death.
Therefore,
I adjure you, profligate dragon, in the name of the spotless + Lamb,
who has trodden down the asp and the basilisk, and overcome the lion
and the dragon, to depart from this man (woman) + (on the brow), to
depart from the Church of God
+ (signing the bystanders). Tremble and flee, as we call on the name of
the Lord, before whom the denizens of hell cower, to whom the heavenly
Virtues and Powers and Dominations are subject, whom the Cherubim and
Seraphim praise with unending cries as they sing: Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God of Sabaoth. The Word made flesh + commands you; the Virgin's
Son + commands you; Jesus + of Nazareth commands you, who once, when
you despised His disciples, forced you to flee in shameful defeat from
a man; and when He had cast you out you did not even dare, except by
His leave, to enter into a herd of swine. And now as I adjure you in
His + name, begone from this man (woman) who is His creature. It is
futile to resist His + will. It is hard for you to kick against the +
goad. The longer you delay, the heavier your punishment shall be; for
it is not men you are contemning, but rather Him who rules the living
and the dead, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and
the world by fire.
All: Amen.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.
Let us pray.
God
of heaven and earth, God of the angels and archangels, God of the
prophets and apostles, God of the martyrs and virgins, God who have
power to bestow life after death and rest after toil; for there is no
other God than you, nor can there be another true God beside you, the
Creator of heaven and earth, who are truly a King, whose kingdom is
without end; I humbly entreat your glorious majesty to deliver this
servant of yours from the unclean spirits; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Exorcism
Therefore,
I adjure you every unclean spirit, every spectre from hell, every
satanic power, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who was led
into the desert after His baptism by John to vanquish you in your
citadel, to cease your assaults against the creature whom He has formed
from the slime of the earth for His own honor and glory; to quail
before wretched man, seeing in him the image of almighty God, rather
than his state of human frailty. Yield then to God, + who by His
servant, Moses, cast you and your malice, in the person of Pharaoh and
his army, into the depths of the sea. Yield to God, + who, by the
singing of holy canticles on the part of David, His faithful servant,
banished you from the heart of King Saul. Yield to God, + who condemned
you in the person of Judas Iscariot, the traitor. For He now flails you
with His divine scourges, + He in whose sight you and your legions once
cried out: "What have we to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High
God? Have you come to torture us before the time?" Now He is driving
you back into the everlasting fire, He who at the end of time will say
to the wicked: "Depart from me, you accursed, into the everlasting fire
which has been prepared for the devil and his angels." For you, O evil
one, and for your followers there will be worms that never die. An
unquenchable fire stands ready for you and for your minions, you prince
of accursed murderers, father of lechery, instigator of sacrileges,
model of vileness, promoter of heresies, inventor of every obscenity. Depart,
then, + impious one, depart, + accursed one, depart with all your
deceits, for God has willed that man should be His temple. Why do you
still linger here? Give honor to God the Father + almighty, before whom
every knee must bow. Give place to the Lord Jesus + Christ, who shed
His most precious blood for man. Give place to the Holy + Spirit, who
by His blessed apostle Peter openly struck you down in the person of
Simon Magus; who cursed your lies in Annas and Saphira; who smote you
in King Herod because he had not given honor to God; who by His apostle
Paul afflicted you with the night of blindness in the magician Elyma,
and by the mouth of the same apostle bade you to go out of Pythonissa,
the soothsayer. Begone, + now! Begone, + seducer! Your place is in
solitude; your abode is in the nest of serpents; get down and crawl
with them. This matter brooks no delay; for see, the Lord, the ruler
comes quickly, kindling fire before Him, and it will run on ahead of
Him and encompass His enemies in flames. You might delude man, but God
you cannot mock. It is He who casts you out, from whose sight nothing
is hidden. It is He who repels you, to whose might all things are
subject. It is He who expels you, He who has prepared everlasting
hellfire for you and your angels, from whose mouth shall come a sharp
sword, who is coming to judge both the living and the dead and the
world by fire.
All: Amen.
5. All the above may be repeated as long as necessary, until the one possessed has been fully freed.
6.
It will also help to say devoutly and often over the afflicted person
the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Creed, as well as any of the prayers
given below.
7. The Canticle of our Lady, with the doxology; the Canticle of Zachary, with the doxology.
Athanasian Creed
P: Whoever wills to be saved * must before all else hold fast to the Catholic faith.
All: Unless one keeps this faith whole and untarnished, * without doubt he will perish forever.
P: Now this is the Catholic faith: * that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in unity;
All: Neither confusing the Persons one with the other, * nor making a distinction in their nature.
P: For the Father is a distinct Person; and so is the Son, * and so is the Holy Spirit.
All: Yet the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit possess one Godhead, * co-equal glory, co-eternal majesty.
P: As the Father is, so is the Son, * so also is the Holy Spirit.
All: The Father is uncreated, the Son is uncreated, * the Holy Spirit is uncreated.
P: The Father is infinite, the Son is infinite, * the Holy Spirit is infinite.
All: The Father is eternal, the Son is eternal, * the Holy Spirit is eternal.
P: Yet they are not three eternals, * but one eternal God.
All: Even as they are not three uncreated, or three infinites, * but one uncreated and one infinite God.
P: So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son is almighty, * the Holy Spirit is almighty.
All: Yet they are not three almighties, * but they are the one Almighty.
P: Thus the Father is God, the Son is God, * the Holy Spirit is God.
All: Yet they are not three gods, * but one God.
P: Thus the Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, * the Holy Spirit is Lord.
All: Yet there are not three lords, * but one Lord.
P:
For just as Christian truth compels us to profess that each Person is
individually God and Lord, * so does the Catholic religion forbid us to
hold that there are three gods or lords.
All: The Father was not made by any power; * He was neither created nor begotten.
P: The Son is from the Father alone, * neither created nor made, but begotten.
All: The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son, * neither made nor created nor begotten, but He proceeds.
P: So there is one Father, not three; one Son, not three; * one Holy Spirit, not three.
All:
And in this Trinity one Person is not earlier or later, nor is one
greater or less; * but all three Persons are co-eternal and co-equal.
P: In every way, then, as already affirmed, * unity in Trinity and Trinity in unity is to be worshipped.
All: Whoever, then, wills to be saved * must assent to this doctrine of the Blessed Trinity.
P: But it is necessary for everlasting salvation * that one also firmly believe in the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All: True faith, then, requires us to believe and profess * that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is both God and man.
P: He is God, begotten of the substance of the Father from eternity; * He is man, born in time of the substance of His Mother.
All: He is perfect God, and perfect man * subsisting in a rational soul and a human body.
P: He is equal to the Father in His divine nature, * but less than the Father in His human nature as such.
All: And though He is God and man, * yet He is the one Christ, not two;
P:
One, however, not by any change of divinity into flesh, * but by the
act of God assuming a human nature. All: He is one only, not by a
mixture of substance, * but by the oneness of His Person.
P: For, somewhat as the rational soul and the body compose one man, * so Christ is one Person who is both God and man;
All: Who suffered for our salvation, who descended into hell, * who rose again the third day from the dead;
P:
Who ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father
almighty, * from there He shall come to judge both the living and the
dead.
All: At His coming all men shall rise again in their bodies, * and shall give an account of their works.
P: And those who have done good shall enter into everlasting life, * but those who have done evil into ever lasting fire.
All: All this is Catholic faith, * and unless one believes it truly and firmly one cannot be saved.
P: Glory be to the Father
All: As it was in the beginning.
{Here
follow a large number of psalms which may be used at the exorcist's
discretion but are not a necessary part of the rite. Some of them occur
in other parts of the Ritual and are so indicated; the others may be
taken from the Psalter. Psalm 90; psalm 67; psalm 69; psalm 53; psalm
117; psalm 34; psalm 30; psalm 21, psalm 3; psalm 10; psalm 12.
Prayer Following Deliverance
Almighty
God, we beg you to keep the evil spirit from further molesting this
servant of yours, and to keep him far away, never to return. At your
command, O Lord, may the goodness and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
our Redeemer, take possession of this man(woman). May we no longer fear
any evil since the Lord is with us; who lives and reigns with you, in
the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.
All: Amen.
CHAPTER III: EXORCISM OF SATAN AND THE FALLEN ANGELS
{Whereas
the preceding rite of exorcism is designated for a particular person,
the present one is for general use--to combat the power of the evil
spirits over a community or locality.}
The following exorcism can be used by bishops, as well as by priests who have this authorization from their Ordinary.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel,
illustrious leader of the heavenly army, defend us in the battle
against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of
darkness and the spirit of wickedness in high places. Come to the
rescue of mankind, whom God has made in His own image and likeness, and
purchased from Satan's tyranny at so great a price. Holy Church
venerates you as her patron and guardian. The Lord has entrusted to you
the task of leading the souls of the redeemed to heavenly blessedness.
Entreat the Lord of peace to cast Satan down under our feet, so as to
keep him from further holding man captive and doing harm to the Church.
Carry our prayers up to God's throne, that the mercy of the Lord may
quickly come and lay hold of the beast, the serpent of old, Satan and
his demons, casting him in chains into the abyss, so that he can no
longer seduce the nations.
Exorcism
In
the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and God, by the intercession of
Mary, spotless Virgin and Mother of God, of St. Michael the Archangel,
of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, and by
the authority residing in our holy ministry, we steadfastly proceed to
combat the onslaught of the wily enemy.
Psalm 67
P: God arises; His enemies are scattered, * and those who hate Him flee before Him.
All: As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; * as wax melts before the fire, so the wicked perish before God.
P: See the cross of the Lord; begone, you hostile powers!
All: The stem of David, the lion of Juda's tribe has conquered.
P: May your mercy, Lord, remain with us always.
All: For we put our whole trust in you.
We
cast you out, every unclean spirit, every satanic power, every
onslaught of the infernal adversary, every legion, every diabolical
group and sect, in the name and by the power of our Lord Jesus +
Christ. We command you, begone and fly far from the Church of God,
from the souls made by God in His image and redeemed by the precious
blood of the divine Lamb. + No longer dare, cunning serpent, to deceive
the human race, to persecute God's Church, to strike God's elect and to
sift them as wheat. + For the Most High God commands you, + He to whom
you once proudly presumed yourself equal; He who wills all men to be
saved and come to the knowledge of truth. God the Father + commands
you. God the Son + commands you. God the Holy + Spirit commands you.
Christ, the eternal Word of God made flesh, commands you, who humbled
Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, to save our race from the
perdition wrought by your envy; who founded His Church upon a firm
rock, declaring that the gates of hell should never prevail against
her, and that He would remain with her all days, even to the end of the
world. The sacred mystery of the cross + commands you, along with the
power of all mysteries of Christian faith. + The exalted Virgin Mary,
Mother of God, + commands you, who in her lowliness crushed your proud
head from the first moment of her Immaculate Conception. The faith of
the holy apostles Peter and Paul and the other apostles + commands you.
The blood of martyrs and the devout prayers of all holy men and women
command + you.
Therefore,
accursed dragon and every diabolical legion, we adjure you by the
living + God, by the true + God, by the holy + God, by God, who so
loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him might not perish but have everlasting life; to cease
deluding human creatures and filling them with the poison of
everlasting damnation; to desist from harming the Church and hampering
her freedom. Begone, Satan, father and master of lies, enemy of man's
welfare. Give place to
Christ,
in whom you found none of your works. Give way to the one, holy,
catholic, and apostolic Church, which Christ Himself purchased with His
blood. Bow down before God's mighty hand, tremble and flee as we call
on the holy and awesome name of Jesus, before whom the denizens of hell
cower, to whom the heavenly Virtues and Powers and Dominations are
subject, whom the Cherubim and Seraphim praise with unending cries as
they sing: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth.
P: Lord, heed my prayer.
All: And let my cry be heard by you.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.
Let us pray.
God
of heaven and earth, God of the angels and archangels, God of the
patriarchs and prophets, God of the apostles and martyrs, God of the
confessors and virgin God who have power to bestow life after death and
rest after toil; for there is no other God than you, nor can there be
another true God beside you, the Creator of all things visible and
invisible, whose kingdom is without end; we humbly entreat your
glorious majesty to deliver us by your might from every influence of
the accursed spirits, from their every evil snare and deception, and to
keep us from all harm; through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
P: From the snares of the devil.
All: Lord, deliver us.
P: That you help your Church to serve you in security and freedom.
All: We beg you to hear us.
P: That you humble the enemies of holy Church.
All: We beg you to hear us.
The surroundings are sprinkled with holy water.
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