Exorcism

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nickybr38

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Hi. wave Just learning about the Catholic faith and I’m curious about exorcism.

Is becoming an exorcist a vocation? And how exactly does one go about realizing this IS their vocation? Has a woman ever been an exorcist? I suppose not…

And on a side but related topic; Does the Church teach that some are more aware of evil spirits then others? I’ve always found it curious how some experience so much with the dark side while others persist that such things don’t happen and/or are highly unlikely to happen.
 
nickybr38 said:
Hi. wave Just learning about the Catholic faith and I’m curious about exorcism.

Is becoming an exorcist a vocation? And how exactly does one go about realizing this IS their vocation? Has a woman ever been an exorcist? I suppose not…

And on a side but related topic; Does the Church teach that some are more aware of evil spirits then others? I’ve always found it curious how some experience so much with the dark side while others persist that such things don’t happen and/or are highly unlikely to happen.
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Hi.

The Church has been performing the rite of exorcisms since…well, since Acts 15:36 and 20:38 after Christ ascended (if not earlier).

Unlike the Hollywood depictions, the Church takes exorcisms **extremely **seriously. After working with medical and social professionals to verify that an affected person does not have some psychological or physiological order, a trained exorcist (with approval of the local bishop) may attempt such a procedure. In short, there’s a reason why you almost always see a Catholic priest depicted as performing an exorcism in such movies–the truth of the Church’s abilities is not exaggerated there.

Exorcisms are as equally dangerous for the clergy involved as well as for the affected person.

Father Thomas J. Euteneuer, in addition to his role as president of Human Life International, the world’s largest pro-life organization, is a trained exorcist. Visit his website for some information about exorcisms or his audio files. You may also find him in archived Catholic Answers Live shows on that subject.
 
Spencerian said:
Hi.

The Church has been performing the rite of exorcisms since…well, since Acts 15:36 and 20:38 after Christ ascended (if not earlier).

Unlike the Hollywood depictions, the Church takes exorcisms **extremely **seriously. After working with medical and social professionals to verify that an affected person does not have some psychological or physiological order, a trained exorcist (with approval of the local bishop) may attempt such a procedure. In short, there’s a reason why you almost always see a Catholic priest depicted as performing an exorcism in such movies–the truth of the Church’s abilities is not exaggerated there.

Exorcisms are as equally dangerous for the clergy involved as well as for the affected person.

Father Thomas J. Euteneuer, in addition to his role as president of Human Life International, the world’s largest pro-life organization, is a trained exorcist. Visit his website for some information about exorcisms or his audio files. You may also find him in archived Catholic Answers Live shows on that subject.
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Very interesting stuff, so does that mean it is a vocation then?
 
Well, its really just part of the Priesthood. Some priests are trained in the exorcism rite. As Spencerian said, all other alternatives to possession need to be examined before an exorcism can take place. So, I would say no, its not a vocation. The priesthood, however, is.
 
Domnall said:
Well, its really just part of the Priesthood. Some priests are trained in the exorcism rite. As Spencerian said, all other alternatives to possession need to be examined before an exorcism can take place. So, I would say no, its not a vocation. The priesthood, however, is.
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Ah! For some reason I always saw Exorcists as being different from Priests. Clearly I know very little about this. Haha.

But not all priests are trained in exorcism rights are they? Because in my experience it seems like many priests have no idea what to do in the face of demonic activity.
 
You are right, most priests are not trained in exorcisms. My parish priest, for example is not. It takes a VERY strong faith and a strong will to perform an exorcism.
 
Domnall said:
You are right, most priests are not trained in exorcisms. My parish priest, for example is not. It takes a VERY strong faith and a strong will to perform an exorcism.
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I concur. By all that I’ve heard, many priests are terrified at the possibility of facing a possible diobolical influence case. That’s why there are only a few highly trained priests with exorcism training with the will and the strength to do so–and even then, they often conduct such procedures in groups.
 
Before the Second Vatican Council, all priests of the Roman Catholic Church received the minor order of Exorcist. During the process of becoming a priest, they were gradually granted more authority and powers; the minor orders were granted before the individual became a fully ordained priest.

When a clergyman received the Minor Order of Exorcist, he was given the authority to cast out demons in the name of Christ. After Vatican II, the minor orders were suppressed and priests no longer received the minor order of Exorcist, although they still have the powers of the Exorcist. Many priests are still ordained in the traditional fashion and receive the Minor Orders however.

These days, many dioceses appoint priests as Exorcists for the diocese. These priests receive specialist training and usually work under an experienced exorcist.

Father Gabriele Amorth is currently Rome’s chief exorcist.

The Catholic Church still has many exorcists; in fact, the number of exorcists has been steadily increasing over the last decade or so.
 
Dempsey1919 said:
Before the Second Vatican Council, all priests of the Roman Catholic Church received the minor order of Exorcist. During the process of becoming a priest, they were gradually granted more authority and powers; the minor orders were granted before the individual became a fully ordained priest.

When a clergyman received the Minor Order of Exorcist, he was given the authority to cast out demons in the name of Christ. After Vatican II, the minor orders were suppressed and priests no longer received the minor order of Exorcist, although they still have the powers of the Exorcist. Many priests are still ordained in the traditional fashion and receive the Minor Orders however.

These days, many dioceses appoint priests as Exorcists for the diocese. These priests receive specialist training and usually work under an experienced exorcist.

Father Gabriele Amorth is currently Rome’s chief exorcist.

The Catholic Church still has many exorcists; in fact, the number of exorcists has been steadily increasing over the last decade or so.
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I’m not surprised.

I’m probably going to sound crazy here, but in my lifetime I have been in the presence of two entities that I believe were very powerful, very evil spirits… I now recognize they were demons. For whatever reason the Lord has always protected me from these creatures (probably because I would not cease calling His name when I encountered them) but it got me wondering about exorcism because in my experience the Protestant church doesn’t really pay much attention to such things.

Isn’t it true some people are more … sensitive to that side of things then others? That’s why I wondered if it’s a vocation. Some are just more able to handle and recognize demonic presences.
 
I’m not surprised.
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I’m probably going to sound crazy here, but in my lifetime I have been in the presence of two entities that I believe were very powerful, very evil spirits… I now recognize they were demons. For whatever reason the Lord has always protected me from these creatures (probably because I would not cease calling His name when I encountered them) but it got me wondering about exorcism because in my experience the Protestant church doesn’t really pay much attention to such things.
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Isn’t it true some people are more … sensitive to that side of things then others? That’s why I wondered if it’s a vocation. Some are just more able to handle and recognize demonic presences.
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You don’t sound crazy 🙂

Many people on this forum have had experience with the Enemy, myself included. Spiritual warfare is part of the life of all Christians.

Exorcism is part of the vocation to the priesthood; all priests can perform exorcisms, although the permission of the Bishop is required. The exorcist must be a very holy man who has received the proper instruction in the use of the rites of Exorcism. Only priests can perform exorcisms.
 
Dempsey1919 said:
You don’t sound crazy 🙂

Many people on this forum have had experience with the Enemy, myself included. Spiritual warfare is part of the life of all Christians.

Exorcism is part of the vocation to the priesthood; all priests can perform exorcisms, although the permission of the Bishop is required. The exorcist must be a very holy man who has received the proper instruction in the use of the rites of Exorcism. Only priests can perform exorcisms.
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For this I am relieved because it’s not something I’d ever want to touch with a ten foot pole. Haha. Just being around them is terrifying, I can’t imagine attempting to oust them from something they believe is theirs (mainly, a human).

Okay! I get it now. Part of being called to be a priest IS being called to do things like exorcism. But then why are priests no longer being taught the lower rites of exorcism? What prompted that change?
 
But then why are priests no longer being taught the lower rites of exorcism?
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Exorcism is not a lower rite. It was a Minor Order received by clergyman in on their way to becoming priests. All priests still have the powers of exorcism but they no longer receive the specific Minor Orders during the process of becoming a priest.

I wouldn’t worry too much about the Minor Orders; just remember that all priests have the power to exorcise demons. They still have the power; but the way this power is received has changed.
 
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