The Order of Exorcists

[KnightOfSPUD]

What was the function of Exorcists back when it was still a minor order? Did they have actual faculties to exorcise?

In my understanding,
Porter - Opens and closes the church doors
Lector - Reads the epistles
Acolyte - Acts as the main server

Can anybody clarify me on the Minor Orders?

 

[PassioAmator]

The Order of Exorcists has the exact same function as it does today: Spiritual Warfare and Help for Christians. The reason this order no longer exists is because the laity both apart and separate from the Order would require money for the help they are supposed to be given for free. This required the Church to forbid lay exorcists.

(By the way, only men were allowed to be apart of the Minor Orders)

Porter would open and close the doors, as (name removed by moderator) aforementioned, so that the celebrant wouldn’t be disturbed, but they would also make sure no one would steal the Blessed Sacrament.

Lector and Acolyte still exist.
Lector reads the Epistles as you said, and they sometimes read the Prayers of the Faithful.
Acolytes are usually adults and they wear a white alb instead of the usual altar serving vestments. Sadly, both of these Orders include women.

 

[twf]

The Order of Exorcists has the exact same function as it does today: Spiritual Warfare and Help for Christians. The reason this order no longer exists is because the laity both apart and separate from the Order would require money for the help they are supposed to be given for free. This required the Church to forbid lay exorcists.

(By the way, only men were allowed to be apart of the Minor Orders)

Porter would open and close the doors, as (name removed by moderator) aforementioned, so that the celebrant wouldn’t be disturbed, but they would also make sure no one would steal the Blessed Sacrament.

Lector and Acolyte still exist.
Lector reads the Epistles as you said, and they sometimes read the Prayers of the Faithful.
Acolytes are usually adults and they wear a white alb instead of the usual altar serving vestments. Sadly, both of these Orders include women.

The bold above is incorrect. The Latin Church (with the exception of certain groups that still follow the 1962 liturgical books such as the FSSP) no longer ordains men to the minor orders; however, men can still be solemnly instituted by a bishop to serve as lectors or acolytes. Women can proclaim the readings at holy mass and they can also, if the bishop and local pastor allows it, assist the priest at the altar…but women cannot be **instituted ** as lectors or acolytes.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

The minor order of Exorcist was instituted in the third century to assist the higher clergy with the initiation of converts from paganism, who were not infrequently under demonic influence. These men performed exorcisms before or during baptisms, and provided general care for persons afflicted with evil spirits. Other minor clerics assisted the clergy with other functions, and their office was generally a permanent vocation (rather than a stepping stone towards the priesthood).

As Christianity spread, paganism subsided (not completely but to a large extent in areas inhabited by Christians), and so demonic possession also became less common. The minor order of Exorcist no longer in high demand, it became, along with the other minor orders, a transitional state on the way to becoming a priest; and the authorization to perform a solemn exorcism was limited to the higher clergy. Although “minor exorcists” were still ordained, theirs was a bound power, as it remains today, which means they have the power in principle, but cannot use it until they reach priestly ordination, and then only with authorization from the bishop.

Part of the value of having minor orders, even with bound powers, is that it prepares the candidate for the priesthood by gradual steps. His responsibilities increase and bring him closer and closer to the altar and the Holy Eucharist. As noted above, the minor orders – and subdiaconate – are still in use, with approval from the Holy See, by societies of apostolic life that use the traditional Roman missal, such as the FSSP.

 

[PatrickKennedy]

The minor order of Exorcist was instituted in the third century to assist the higher clergy with the initiation of converts from paganism, who were not infrequently under demonic influence. These men performed exorcisms before or during baptisms, and provided general care for persons afflicted with evil spirits. Other minor clerics assisted the clergy with other functions, and their office was generally a permanent vocation (rather than a stepping stone towards the priesthood).

As Christianity spread, paganism subsided (not completely but to a large extent in areas inhabited by Christians), and so demonic possession also became less common. The minor order of Exorcist no longer in high demand, it became, along with the other minor orders, a transitional state on the way to becoming a priest; and the authorization to perform a solemn exorcism was limited to the higher clergy. Although “minor exorcists” were still ordained, theirs was a bound power, as it remains today, which means they have the power in principle, but cannot use it until they reach priestly ordination, and then only with authorization from the bishop.

Part of the value of having minor orders, even with bound powers, is that it prepares the candidate for the priesthood by gradual steps. His responsibilities increase and bring him closer and closer to the altar and the Holy Eucharist. As noted above, the minor orders – and subdiaconate – are still in use, with approval from the Holy See, by societies of apostolic life that use the traditional Roman missal, such as the FSSP.

It wasn’t that gradual as they were ordained into several minor Orders on the same day

 

[Ad_Orientem]

It wasn’t that gradual as they were ordained into several minor Orders on the same day

Was that the case from the Middle Ages until the 20th c.? I thought the clumping together was a relatively recent phenomenon.

The FSSP does two at a time, but this is preceded by tonsure and followed by subdiaconate (so four occasions of the bishop coming out before diaconate), and the whole process is fanned out over several years of formation. I think they combine minor orders for practical reasons, i.e. the availability of bishops to ordain so often. If they had the luxury of a long formation like the Jesuits, it would make sense to do one at a time.

 

[PatrickKennedy]

Was that the case from the Middle Ages until the 20th c.? I thought the clumping together was a relatively recent phenomenon.

The FSSP does two at a time, but this is preceded by tonsure and followed by subdiaconate (so four occasions of the bishop coming out before diaconate), and the whole process is fanned out over several years of formation. I think they combine minor orders for practical reasons, i.e. the availability of bishops to ordain so often. If they had the luxury of a long formation like the Jesuits, it would make sense to do one at a time.

I believe so Porter, Lector, Acolyte and excorcist all at once, the sub deacon then a year later deacon

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Thanks, Reverend. Are you a priest or still in formation? Also, is the process you describe mandated? Is it typical?