Exorcism

There are two common kinds of exorcisms. Deprecatory and Imprecatory. Lay people should not do public imprecatory exorcisms.

Note: There is some disagreement about whether it is OK to give a devil a direct command in the name of Jesus when it is dealing with our own person or a father praying for his immediate family. The Vatican web site contains no information about this, nor does the Catechism or Otto's Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma. If the Magisterium (Pope's office) issues any kind of statement or directive on this I will post it. I have heard compelling arguments on both sides.

Deprecatory Exorcism

The first kind of exorcism is called a deprecatory exorcism (for example the Lord's Prayer) where we ask God, his angels and Saints to cast out the evil one. This does not involve a direct command to the devil. This is the only kind of exorcism which lay people should perform. The Church encourages us to do this. One of the best is the prayer of St. Michael the Archangel:

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

(Latin Version) Sancte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio contra nequítiam et insídias diáboli esto præsídium. Imperet illi Deus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, princeps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in mundo, divína virtúte, In inférnum detrude. Amen

(English Version) Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen

Imprecatory Exorcism

The 2nd kind is what we might have seen in the movie the exorcist. It is to be performed only by a Priest who has been given permission by a Bishop. It is below. It is called an imprecatory exorcism. And it involves a direct command to the devil (to leave the person or article - for example).

This is should only be used by a priest who has experience with exorcism and who has been given permission by his Bishop. It done in the name of Christ and his Church. It is very dangerous and not a game. A warning by Cardinal Ratzinger is below.

THE FOLLOWING TRANSLATION of Carinal Ratzinger (Now Pope Benedict XVI) was prepared by EWTN Online Services. It is not an official translation, and is not to be circulated without this warning.

ON THE CURRENT NORMS GOVERNING EXORCISMS

Inde Ab Aliquot Annis

Issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on September 29, 1984.

Excellentissime Domine,

For several years, in certain areas of the Church, assemblies formed to pray for liberation from the influence of demons (though they do not perform exorcisms as such) have been increasing in number. These assemblies are often led by members of the laity, even when there is a priest present.

Since the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has been asked what is the proper attitude towards these activities, this Dicastery deems it necessary to make known to all Ordinaries the response which follows:

1. Canon 1172 of the Code of Canon Law declares that no one may licitly perform exorcisms on those who are possessed [obsessos], unless he has obtained particular and express permission from the local ordinary (section 1), and it decrees that this permission is to be granted by the Ordinary only to priests who are outstanding in piety, knowledge, prudence, and integrity of life (section 2). Bishops are therefore strongly urged to enforce the observance of these prescriptions.

2. It follows also from these same prescriptions that Christ's faithful may not employ the formula of exorcism against Satan and the fallen angels which is excerpted from that formula made official by order of the Supreme Pontiff Leo XIII, and certainly may not use the entire text of that exorcism. Let all bishops take care to admonish the faithful about this matter whenever such instruction is required.

3. Finally, for the same reasons, Bishops are asked to guard lest those who lack the required power attempt to lead assemblies in which prayers are employed to obtain liberation from demons, and in the course of which the demons are directly disturbed and an attempt is made to determine their identity. This applies even to cases which, although they do not involve true diabolical possession, nevertheless are seen in some way to manifest diabolical influence.

[EWTN theological note: Paragraph 3 applies this prohibition to obsession (of persons) and infestation (of places). CBD]

Of course, the enunciation of these norms should not stop the faithful of Christ from praying, as Jesus taught us, that they may be freed from evil (cf. Mt 6:13). Moreover, Pastors should take this opportunity to remember what the tradition of the Church teaches about the function properly assigned to the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostles and the Saints, even in the spiritual battle of Christians against the evil spirits.

May I take this occasion to convey my great feelings of esteem for you, remaining

your servant in the Lord,

Joseph Card. Ratzinger, Prefect