THE RITUALE ROMANUM

Rituale Romanum, also referred to as “The Ritual,” is one of the official books of the Roman Rite. It contains all of the services performed by a priest that were not included in the Missal and Breviary, including some that were. It was first written in 1614 under Pope Paul V.

MANUAL ON EXORCISM

Rituale Romanum is a priest’s official and only formal manual on the exorcism rite sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church. It does not include a definite procedure for performing an exorcism. Instead it cautions priests against performing exorcisms on those who may not be possessed. The Rituale Romanum also contains instructions for the exorcism of homes and other places believed to be infested by demons and spirits. Due to an advancement in medical science and the expansion of knowledge on mental illnesses in the early fifties, the Rituale Romanum was revised changing the terminology of "are the signs of” to “might be the signs of” demonic possession.

THE EXORCIST EFFECT

The second major revision to the rite came in January 1999, due to the film The Exorcist. The Exorcist premiered in 1973. Cinemas had ambulances standing by to deal with the hysteria, and Catholic Churches reported an increase demand for confessions. A church in Washington received 40 requests for exorcisms after the film’s release! At the Vatican Council, in January 1999, Cardinal Jorge Artura Medina updated Rituale Romanum to carry a warning that priests must make sure that the victim is suffering from demonic or spiritual possession before performing the exorcism.

 

THE HISTORY OF EXORCISMS

The act of performing exorcisms can be traced back through history. The Christian tradition originally came from Babylon, during the times of Jesus. Jesus would use exorcisms to cure the sick. Over the next centuries, as Christianity spread so did the act of performing exorcisms. By the Middle Ages in Europe, blessings were used to protect crops, houses, and possessions, while exorcism was seen as a kind of ritual purification. Also during the middle ages, large crowds would gather to watch witches being exorcised through torture.

IS THERE MORE TO BAPTISM?

Baptism in fact also reflects these earlier beliefs. Baptism is performed to “drive out” the original sin. Immersion in water during baptism used to symbolize the descent into the Devil’s domain and re-emergence into the light of Christ’s presence.

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of a possessed person are as follows: individual contains paranormal capacities, superhuman strength, manifests knowledge of previously unknown languages, and is accompanied by extreme revulsions for sacred texts and objects.

THE EXORCISM PROCESS

The process of performing an exorcism has been built upon over the years. It is best for a priest to purge himself of all his sins before performing an exorcism, due to the chance that the demon may use his sins against him. When reciting the exorcism the priest may use his “mother tongue,” but Latin is most effective. Throughout the exorcism recitations of the cross are made, scriptures are read, and hands are laid upon the victim. The exorcist calls upon the demon, or spirit, to make itself known and to yield to Jesus Christ and leave the victim in peace.

There are usually three people in the room with the exorcist. A young priest stands by to train in the performance of an exorcism and to take over if necessary. A medical physician stands guard in case the exorcist needs help with the victim and to give the victim medication. The third person in the room is a physically strong family member, typically if it’s a female victim a female family member aids in order to prevent a scandal from occurring.

The steps of an exorcism are as follows:
1) The Exorcist is robed in surplice and violet stole, one end of which is placed around the neck of the possessed person, bound if it is violent
2) Exorcist sprinkles those present with holy water.
3) The Litany
4) Psalm 54 (Save me, O God, by Thy Name)
5) Adjuration imploring God’s grace for the proposed exorcism
6) The Gospel (John I; and/or Mark XVI; Luke X; Luke XI)
7) Preparatory Prayer
8) First exorcism
9) Prayer for success and making signs over the demoniac
10) Second exorcism
11) Prayer for success
12) Third and final exorcism

Exorcisms and demons are not just a figment of our imagination, they exist. The Roman Catholic Church has acknowledged their presence and the power that they can have over an individual. The unknown and supernatural does exist, just waiting to be discovered. The truth is out there.

DELVE DEEPER INTO EXORCISMS

Demons and Exorcisms: Read, Hear, and See actual exorcisms!

The Rituale Romanum In-Depth

Exorcism Procedures

Culture: The Exorcist influences Exorcisms

History of Exorcisms

Exorcisms and the Rituale Romanum

 

By Dean5339