The New Testament documents several instances of Jesus curing
people of demonic possession.
In Matthew 8:28, Jesus traveled to the country of the Gadarenes
and met two men who were behaving so violently that no one could go
near them. When they asked Jesus if he came to torment them, he
commanded the demons to leave the men and enter a herd of pigs. The
pigs then rushed blindly off a cliff and drowned in a lake
below.
The New Testament documents several instances of Jesus curing people of demonic possession.
In Matthew 8:28, Jesus traveled to the country of the Gadarenes and met two men who were behaving so violently that no one could go near them. When they asked Jesus if he came to torment them, he commanded the demons to leave the men and enter a herd of pigs. The pigs then rushed blindly off a cliff and drowned in a lake below.
This is an example of “exorcism,” the practice of expelling evil spirits by means of prayers and the use of other items such as rosaries, crucifixes, holy water or a priest’s stole. Although an ancient part of Christianity, this procedure rarely comes to the public’s attention.
An exception occurred in 1973 when the movie “The Exorcist” (based on a 1971 novel) became a hit. The film earned the most money up to that time, had a huge effect on popular culture and has been voted “the scariest movie of all time” by numerous media outlets.
This topic has caught the public’s interest again due to the recent release of “The Rite,” starring Anthony Hopkins. The film is based on the book “The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist” by journalist Matt Baglio. The book and movie are based on the experiences of the Rev. Gary Thomas, pastor of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Saratoga.
Father Thomas was an embalmer before entering the priesthood. In 2005, when Pope John Paul II directed that every diocese appoint an official exorcist, Bishop Patrick McGrath appointed Father Thomas to that position in the Diocese of San Jose.
Father Thomas traveled to Rome on a sabbatical leave and enrolled in a course being taught at the Regina Apostolorm Seminary that dealt with “exorcism and deliverance.” He also found an experienced mentor – an Italian Franciscan exorcist – whom he could follow and learn from.
On Jan. 18, Father Thomas gave a public lecture at his Saratoga church about “the rite of exorcism, how it is ministered and how it helps those in spiritual need.” More than 300 people attended, including Bishop McGrath.
He speculated more people seem to be paying attention to the demonic world today due to the decline in Christian belief and the rise of paganism. For example, although Italy is 95 percent nominally Catholic, 25 percent of Italians practice aspects of the occult. Palm-reading and other types of fortune telling are widespread. Another example is the increasing belief in astrology. Other indications of demonic influence are such things as broken relationships, addiction to pornography and substance abuse.
“Neglecting the life of prayer, attendance at Mass and confession give an opening to diabolical influences,” Father Thomas said.
The key to successful exorcisms is to distinguish between mental illness and demonic possession. To help with this analysis, Father Thomas is assisted by a ministry team composed of a physician, a psychologist and a psychiatrist – all practicing Catholics. Their role is to “not assume anything,” but to find “the root cause of the disturbance within the individual.”
Since he has begun this ministry, more than 100 people have been referred to him for help, but only five have met the criteria for performing an exorcism.
“Satan is not in every situation, and we need to be skeptical,” he said. He always consults his bishop, “the chief exorcist,” before proceeding.
The rite is held in the parish confessional; he locks the doors into the church to ensure privacy. It includes these steps:
– Priestly blessing
– Protection prayer
– Authority prayer
– Litany of the saints
– Scripture readings
– Absolution
– Use of sacramental objects.
– Demanding names of the demons
– Demanding that they leave the afflicted person
Sometimes Father Thomas observes such manifestations as the rolling of eyes, shaking of limbs, foaming at the mouth and extended coughing. It may take several repetitions of the procedure for as long as two to three hours to reach success, and he finds the afflicted person may need to return for further sessions.
For more information about the movie that is reigniting a controversy about Satanic possession and exorcism, visit www.theritemovie.warnerbros.com.
