Halloween is right around the corner! I wonder if it's not a sign of the times that this fantasy evening of ghosts and goblins is becoming even more popular than Christmas in the amount of attention paid and money spent in its celebration. What is clear is that the religious significance of the moment (the eve before All Saints day) has been completely supplanted by images of the occult and paranormal.
In any case, I thought I would take the opportunity at this time to share a bit of the Church's teaching and practice regarding the ritual of exorcism and the circumstances under which these ancient rites may be legitimately performed and by whom.
A prestigious Vatican-recognized university, the Pontifical Academy "Regina Apostolorum", has established a program to assist both priests and seminarians in their understanding of exorcism.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that exorcism is the collection of rituals whereby the Church "asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ" that a particular person, place or object be protected against the power of Satan or be withdrawn from his influence.
Exorcisms can be of three types.
The first type is the "Baptismal Exorcism" of infants and catechumens in preparation for the Sacrament itself.
The second is the "Exorcism of Persons, Places and Things" which may be subject to diabolical infestation. This ritual consists of a prayer and the Profession of Faith, the exorcist entreating the Lord to restrain the powers of evil on behalf of His People.
The third type is the "Excorcism of the Possessed", the ritual by which a demon is authoritatively abjured in the name of Christ Crucified. Often accompanying this type of exorcism are certain symbolic actions. These include breathing upon the person possessed (a sign of imparting the Holy Spirit upon them), the laying on of hands (again imparting the Grace of the Holy Spirit), blessings with Holy Water and the Sign of the Cross.
Official Church exorcisms of the possessed are quite rare. Those which are performed, however, are usually administered by Priests who are special delegates of their local Bishops, and always after a very rigorous and diligent physical and psychological examination to eliminate any natural explanation for the symptoms being manifested.
In January of 1999, the Holy Father formally promulgated a new and precise liturgical form for the ritual of exorcism. This replaces the previous rite established in 1614. The Council Fathers of Vatican II had called for the revision which took over 30 years to accomplish. The Rite of Exorcism was the last of the Vatican II rituals to be introduced.
Cardinal Jorge Estevez, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship in 1999, stated that the rite was not changed greatly from the earlier form. He added that, while there are "very few cases" in which the ritual is used, it always requires the approval and guidance of the local Bishop and the consent of the person suffering the diabolical possession. Exorcism is necessary because the Devil is a reality and not a belief that a faithful Catholic may simply accept or reject. The reality of the Devil and evil itself is an element of Catholic Faith and doctrine.
The 1983 Code of Canon Law prescribes that no one can legitimately perform an exorcism over the possessed without special and express permission of the local Bishop or his delegate(s) and that such permission is to be granted only to a Priest endowed with piety, knowledge, prudence and integrity of life. (Canon 1172)
The rituals of exorcism confirm the victory of Jesus Christ over Satan and his minions. These rites are part of the Tradition of Holy Mother Church which has consistently prayed that mankind will, through the Grace of the Lord Jesus, be freed from the wickedness and snares of the Devil. By prayer and faith in Christ, may we always avoid any form of evil and endeavor to join more fully with God each moment of our lives.
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