D
dje101
Guest
I’ve always wondered, why does the Catholic Church exorcise demons and not cast them out like Jesus and the apostles in the NT? Thanks, everyone! God Bless!!
- Status
N
NewsTheMan
Guest
What’s the difference
Jesus was exorcising the demons, too.
D
dje101
Guest
well, Jesus and the apostles always just said something to the effect of “leave demon” and they just left. Why is it that the Catholic Church requires all these difference prayers and rituals and what not to exorcise a demon?What’s the difference
N
NewsTheMan
Guest
In the Gospels I read, it wasn’t as simple as that and I get the feeling the Apostles struggled with demons before exorcising them. As for Jesus - well… he is the almighty God, demons are going to do what he says.
Also, your wording is wrong. It’s not that the Church requires rituals and prayers - it’s that in order to exorcise rituals and prayers are needed, and so the Church provides this.
D
dje101
Guest
well if i’m getting the idea wrong, then please educate me. I can only think of one verse where the disciples came to Jesus and said that they can’t cast out a demon. where are other verses where the apostles wrestled with the demons? and can you or someone please provide a history of exorcism…like what it means, what the rituals are, etc.
I’m just trying to educated here, not start a debate. thanks for the time!
P
pablope
Guest
Here is a book recommendation: The Rite by Matt Baglio
A movie recently shown, and may still be, based on the book also of the same title.
The Rite of Exorcism is the way of casting out demons by the CC.
Exorcism has been practiced since the time of the Apostles. I am not familiar with the history of the Rite and the prayers. The book I mentioned above is a good starting point.
This much I can impart. Exorcism is no small matter. It is only as a last resort, after all exhaustive means have been availed off and there is absolute certainty that possession or obsession is the cause. The bishop’s permission is also needed by an exorcist priest before he does the ritual.
During exorcism, there is an intense spiritual battle, so the priest has to be prepared mentally, and specially, spiritually. Even those assisting need to be prepared.
I do not know if you are aware, the original 73 film Exorcist was based on a real event. It was shown on the Discovery Channel a few months ago. Here is the you tube link:
youtube.com/watch?v=dDgoNlOn-hk
Part 4 is specially chilling. There were witnesses to the final battle. I will not spoil the suspense for you.
H
hansgeorg
Guest
Jesus did some haggling with a Legion of demons, once, remember. he even allowed them to enter a herd of swine.
L
LDNCatholic
Guest
Because it works.
C
CB_Catholic
Guest
The Apostles didn’t just say “leave demon”. They invoked the name of Jesus. As to what they exactly said in the exorcisms not recorded, we don’t really know what prayers they used, except that they cast them out in Jesus’ name. They had no power to cast out demons on their own, it was given to them by Jesus. Jesus made it clear, though, that some demons require more prayer and even fasting to expel. A simple exorcism wasn’t enough. So what they prayed, and how they prayed we don’t really know. We only know the ones recorded, and we know the disciples cast out many demons in Jesus’names, but what exactly was said in all those cases we don’t know.
Jesus obviously did not have to invoke his own name, as he is the power by which demons are cast out. They had to obey him.
P
puzzleannie
Guest
that is the meaning of exorcism, casting out demons. don’t understand the question. The Church does it because Jesus did it. The ritual and the preparation behind it is also required by Jesus. Recall that he instructed the apostles carefully in how to do this ministry and he corrected them when they failed to do it properly, including prayer and fasting for preparation.
- Status