What would assisting at an exorcims be like?

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HabemusFrancis

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Lets say you are a particularly devout parishioner. Father so and so notices your piety and asks you to join him at the exorcism.

What sort of things woudl you hear/see if you attended if its a genuine case? I suppose it might be scary…as much as just terribly depressing.

Any ideas?
 
Apprehension.

I would be immediately fixed on two things: 1/ Did I make a good examination of conscience the previous night.? 2/ What is the current state of my disposition with God?

“St. Paul I know, but who are you?”
 
Dear HabemusFrancis,

While I have never assisted at an exorcism myself, there is a book by the psychologist Scott Peck called People of the Lie which provides some fairly in-depth accounts and descriptions of laypersons assisting at one. It is certainly a book worth reading even if one does not agree with everything he says. 🙂
 
Interesting article from a psychiatrist who assists the Catholic Church in identifying demonic possession…

’As a psychiatrist, I diagnose mental illness. Also, I help spot demonic possession.’ How a scientist learned to work with exorcists.
“This was not psychosis; it was what I can only describe as paranormal ability. I concluded that she was possessed. Much later, she permitted me to tell her story…”
washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/07/01/as-a-psychiatrist-i-diagnose-mental-illness-and-sometimes-demonic-possession/?utm_term=.1b60075aee78
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Nigel7 said:
Interesting article from a psychiatrist who assists the Catholic Church in identifying demonic possession…

’As a psychiatrist, I diagnose mental illness. Also, I help spot demonic possession.’ How a scientist learned to work with exorcists.
“This was not psychosis; it was what I can only describe as paranormal ability. I concluded that she was possessed. Much later, she permitted me to tell her story…”
washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/07/01/as-a-psychiatrist-i-diagnose-mental-illness-and-sometimes-demonic-possession/?utm_term=.1b60075aee78
Click to expand...
Dear Nigel,

Thank you for sharing this interesting article.

Fr. Gabriele Amorth also reminds us of the need to be careful in distinguishing between mental illness and demonic possession.

I have sometimes thought that exorcists must be like the psychiatrists of the Catholic hierarchy: they perform an essential service, but they are often not taken seriously enough. :o
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I would think a priest-exorcist would not ask someone to help at an exorcism simply because they are pious. They don’t ask for a helper’s prayers as if a lay-helper himself would do the exorcism to an extent. They also would have to be psychologically sound and stable. They also might have to help restrain the person. These are just some things that come to mind.
 
What would it be like?
Unwise. :coffeeread:

If you are curious, there are plenty of books to read.
The prince of lies is no one to willfully tangle with Leave it to the experts.
 
I was asked by a friend to be present during exorcist prayers performed by an exorcist priest. She was not ‘possessed’ but more like oppressed. It’s been over a year and she has been freed.

I prayed the whole time trying to solely focus on my prayers.
 
I, for one, would earnestly endeavor to persuade Father so-and-so that he had the wrong guy.
 
HabemusFrancis said:
What sort of things woudl you hear/see if you attended if its a genuine case?
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We have to be very careful about unhealthy curiosity, especially concerning the kingdom of darkness. It is understandable that we should be fascinated; it is not in our everyday experience that someone is physically controlled by a maleficent spiritual being who can speak through them, reveal hidden things, levitate, etc. Not all cases, however, are that spectacular. In any case, the last person who should attend an exorcism is someone going merely to satisfy his curiosity.
 
I am sure suggestions for M. Scott Pecks’ books (The Road Less Travelled and People of the Lie) are well meaning, but he was a New Age author. Here is a quote:

“I have said that the ultimate goal of spiritual growth is for the individual to become as one with God.” He then makes this bold proclamation: “It is for the individual to become totally, wholly God.” In familiar New Age fashion he believes “these concepts” have been promoted in the past “by Buddha, by Christ, by Lao-Tse, among many others.” (from A Time of Departing, chapter 3). lighthousetrailsresearch.com/mscottpeck.htm

If you want first hand telling of what an exorcism is like, try, “Interview with an Exorcist” written by a Catholic Exorcist, Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea, will give you what you are looking for. I believe you can find interviews with him on YouTube as well.

PAX
 
My wife and I just happened to have listened to an audio by Fr. Thomas on this.

Fr. Thomas says he always has several other people there to help him with exorcisms. It sounds like a lot of things can go wrong.

Here are just two of the things I recall him mentioning . . .
  • Physical harm to the Priest (so you want some helpers here).
  • False accusations against the Priest (so you want some witnesses there).
Here is the audio.
**What You Need to Know About Exorcism: The Devil, Evil Spirits, and Spiritual Warfare
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By: Fr. Gary Thomas**
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shop.catholic.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-exorcism-the-devil-evil-spirits-and-spiritual-warfare-set.html
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Sounds like you can expect anything from boring to way more than you bargained for.

Some of them can get quite long as well.

I see seagal recomended a Youtube video by Fr. Thomas. That might be a good option too.

I read this small book (below) cover to cover about a year or two ago and thought it was quite good.
Interview with an Exorcist
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by Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea
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. . . . You will learn:
  • The difference between demonic possession, obsession, and infestation
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  • What really happens at an exorcism
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  • The signs that show when possession is present
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  • How to tell the difference between psychological problems and demonic influence
Click to expand...
  • Why the number of possessions has been increasing in recent times
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  • Why consulting mediums, dabbling in witchcraft, or having recourse to other occult practices is an open invitation to demonic spirits
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  • Why the permission of the local bishop is required for an exorcism to occur
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  • Why some within the Church disparage this essential apostolic ministry
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  • And much more
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shop.ascensionpress.com/products/interview-with-an-exorcist
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God bless.

Cathoholic
 
For arguments sake, we will assume the person needing the rite has been properly vetted and examined.

In order to participate, assistants would have to have had a rigorous confession. Any sins not confessed would be known and may be used against you. You may also receive communion, as this strengthens you. Directions from the Priest have to be followed to the letter. No room for exceptions. You would also have to continuously pray.

After that, you may actually be a little bored. Things may actually be very subtle. It is rare that there is just one exorcism. You may notice and experience strange things before the rite ever starts. So the Priest is not the only one who needs preparation. You might want to fast before the rite. The demon will most likely know that you will be there even before you do. If you assist for the thrill of it or because you are into danger, you don’t need to be there.

If crazy things do happen, then you most likely will be terrified, but you need to stay focused, and not react at all if possible. The end result will be that your faith will be increased many times over. This is a calling and a dangerous one at that. If you have been asked to help, then you will have already been partially vetted.

You most likely would not be invited to something nasty your first time. Assistants like Priests need training. Most likely your first few invitations will be for deliverance prayers for someone rather than a formal rite. Then after that maybe an informal or private intervention.

It is a must that you be a humble person, or successfully striving to become one. The Priest can tell if you are though most likely and would not even be asked it you are not. Everyone can see a prideful person without even trying.

Hope this answers your question.
 
Earlier I was thinking that this was an idle question, and if so, it really is a dangerous one, because you may find the pleasure that people find in horror movies, only for real, and that is a quick path to real problems with real demons. You may find yourself the patient that way. It is not for the idly curious.

I left it at that for a while, but then I was thinking. What if it is not an idle question? There are people called to this ministry, both to be “in the room” and to intercede somewhere else. You may be called to this, but it will not be for the sake of the excitement but for the sake of the One who calls people and gifts them. Like a doctor loves to see people healed, you may love to see people set free from oppression.

So, let us say you are called to that. What does it take? A pure and a stout heart, the gift or faith, the ability to pray at length and shut everything out except the Lord. How do you get there? Get good at the basics: prayer, living rightly, taking the Sacrament. You know the drill; excel at it. Spend time in church alone before the Lord. I mean hours, on a regular basis. Put up a crucifix and meditate on it. Fill your heart and your mind with Scripture and shut out worldly things. Consecrate your life to Jesus. Live in faith. Get a good spiritual director.

There is a real need for prayer warriors, for people who “will stand in the gap” in this particular ministry. But then, this is good for any ministry, for wherever the Lord calls you. “Here I am, send me!” should be the cry of the Christian. And some He sends into very dark places, very dark places indeed. Only if your eyes are fixed on His light will you be able to see. And what happens at an exorcism is incidental to the reality that the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords is supreme over every power, and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord.
 
RomanoAmerio said:
Dear Nigel,

Thank you for sharing this interesting article.

Fr. Gabriele Amorth also reminds us of the need to be careful in distinguishing between mental illness and demonic possession.

I have sometimes thought that exorcists must be like the psychiatrists of the Catholic hierarchy: they perform an essential service, but they are often not taken seriously enough. :o
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What is your view on deliverance?
 
Perhaps violent. A possessed woman in Turin, Italy, was said to have picked up a church pew and throw it at the altar. Witnesses saw her float or levitate. She crawled on the floor of the church.

She had many exorcisms, but none of them worked. She was this way since 2007. The last I heard was that she and her husband are now divorced because he could’t live with her anymore. (I don’t know what happens in a case like that. Can she live alone without getting into more trouble?)

In another case a possessed boy pulled a spring out of the bed he was on. He slashed the priest with it. (That was the case in 1949.)

In 1928, nuns assisted the priests…there were two priests. They took turns. After it was over, the nuns moved away from the convent because of the bad memories. (This was the Earling, IA case). They may need a woman assistant present if the possessed is female.

Then you have the vomiting to deal with. This can be quite unsettling to say the least.
 
Whatever one does must be motivated by love. As to curiosity, here is an excerpt from Tom Hoopes’ article on the demonic:
“When I agreed to do a story about demonic activity, possession, and exorcism for Crisis, I thought it would be fun—a spooky thrill. I’d write the article, warn about being too preoccupied with the subject matter, and be done. Instead, I got sleepless nights, horrifying conversations with those who have been involved in exorcisms, and a new point of view on the demonic world.”
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However, this interview with exorcist priest Fr. Pedro Barrajon provides some very comfoting illumination. What gives me great comfort is that the Blessed Virgin is off-limits to demons.
 
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