What does an exorcist do during mass?

[Et_Unitas]

I go to a traditional latin mass in an fssp church. I’ve noticed the title of “exorcist” in my church bulletin multiple times, and I’ve always wondered: what exactly does he do during mass? The wikipedia page on exorcist touches on it briefly, defining their role during a baptism; but they don’t elaborate on what they do during any given high mass. And are they priests? I’m confused why exorcist is given as a minor order.

Googling this question just lands me on a bunch of Emily Rose-tier websites.
Thanks for the clarification!

 

[porthos11]

Probably serve in some role, such as in choir, as MC, or in some other function as other acolytes do.

 

[Et_Unitas]

I’m beginning to question my memory on that, honestly. I’ll double check the bulletin next Sunday. I think I may be confusing the bulletin with a pamphlet given out by my church enumerating the people present in the sanctuary during mass.

 

[Fauken]

He’s referring to one of the Minor Orders, not the priest appointed by the bishop of a diocese to perform extraordinary exorcisms.

The wikipedia page on exorcist touches on it briefly, defining their role during a baptism; but they don’t elaborate on what they do during any given high mass.

So far as I know, they don’t have a role at Mass. They might bless holy water since that’s what the Order does.

And are they priests?

No. It’s a minor Order.

 

[Penitent60]

As stated , it is a minor order in the formation of a man becoming a priest. You are thinking of the role of a priest being an exorcist as in the magical world of film. That is not a common thing, although I cannot give more information on that.

 

[GiftofMercy]

wasnt the minor order of exorcist supressed

 

[Tis_Bearself]

wasnt the minor order of exorcist supressed

Vatican II suppressed the minor orders, but the FSSP (OP states this was an FSSP Mass) has been permitted to use the traditional method of ordination, and therefore ordains men as exorcists and other minor orders.

What Were the “Minor Orders,” and Why Do They Matter?| National Catholic Register

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Here’s another article with a helpful image that shows all the minor orders as steps leading up to priest.

Musings of an Old Curmudgeon: Word of the Day: Minor Orders

 

[CRV]

What happened to the Minor Orders? – Catholic Telegraph

 

[Et_Unitas]

Interesting that the suppression of the minor orders “opened up the practice of lay men and women serving as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.” Cool read. Thanks for the link.

Still at a loss as to what an exorcist would do at mass. Maybe that was a one time thing and there was a baptism that day…

 

[CRV]

ONTIFICAL COMMISSION ECCLESIA DEI INSTRUCTION ON THE APPLICATION OF THE APOSTOLIC LETTER SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI GIVEN MOTU PROPRIO
" 31. Only in Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life which are under the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, and in those which use the liturgical books of the forma extraordinaria , is the use of the Pontificale Romanum of 1962 for the conferral of minor and major orders permitted." (Bold emphasis is mine).

wrt what an exorcist would do at Mass - perhaps he also fills some other role that came before this minor order, perhaps Lector?

 

[Sean]

You are confusing the Exocirst appointed by the bishop and the minor order title of exocrist that orders like the FSSP and the ICKSP still use.