Section 2. On Exorcisms

53. Notion and division. By the name exorcism is signified an imperative adjuration of the devil.

It is distinguished: a. into solemn exorcism, which is done for expelling devils, and simple exorcism, which is done only for restraining the power of the devil, lest he harm persons or things.

b. Into public exorcism, which is done by the ministers of the Church in the name and authority of the Church, and private exorcism, which is done in the proper name of the one exorcising.

Exorcism is properly directed against the devil, who is imperatively adjured to depart from possessed bodies; but sometimes it is also directed toward persons or things, as toward harmful animals, water, salt, lest they themselves or their use harm men. For since all creatures, even irrational ones, are subject to the curse of sin and therefore to the power of the devil, the Church by simple exorcism everywhere repels the devil and prohibits his influence.

54. Assertions. 1. Solemn exorcism can be performed only by priests of the Church, and this with the express permission of the Ordinary presupposed: for it is performed in the name of the Church; but the Church prohibits any priest, whether secular or regular, from doing this without permission.

a. Clerics receive the power of exorcising through the order of exorcist; but their power is impeded, because according to the present discipline of the Church they cannot use it: for it is not permitted to perform a solemn exorcism without special permission; but this permission, for preventing abuses, is not granted except to priests.

b. The formula of solemn exorcism is contained in the Roman Ritual (tit. X, c. 1), where there are also precepts to be observed in the use of solemn exorcism. It is provided there (n. 14) that the exorcist not mingle curious and useless conversations with the possessing devil; nevertheless to make one or another useless question does not exceed venial sin.

c. The universal law which requires the permission of the bishop is this: No one can lawfully utter exorcisms over the possessed unless he has obtained a special and express permission from the Ordinary. This is not to be granted except to a priest endowed with piety, prudence, and integrity of life. Cn. 1151.

2. Solemn exorcism is not to be employed unless the fact of possession is certainly evident. Cn. 1151, 2.

a. Although the fact of demoniacal possession cannot be denied without the sin of heresy because of the testimony of the Gospels, nevertheless this must be conceded, that possessions in our time are much rarer; indeed, several phenomena which in antiquity were held as signs of possession must be attributed not to the devil but to natural illnesses. Wherefore in judging facts of possession great caution and discretion are needed.

b. The Roman Ritual (n. 3) lists these signs of possession: "to speak in an unknown tongue with several words or to understand one speaking; to disclose distant and hidden things; to show strength above the nature of one's age or condition, and other things of this kind"; yet these and things of this kind are not certain signs of possession, but, as the Ritual itself warns, certain indications which are greater as more of them occur together: for there are natural illnesses, especially hysteria and demonomania, in which phenomena of this kind are observed.¹ In doubt about the fact of possession, it is useful to consult a skilled and thoroughly Catholic physician, who does not reject a priori the very fact of possession.

c. Although probability of possession of itself suffices for licitly performing an exorcism, nevertheless now it must be employed only when moral certitude exists. This is required both by scandal, which today is more easily apt to arise because of the mockeries of the impious, and by the welfare of the one to be exorcised, whom exorcism, especially more frequent exorcism, could greatly harm if he is in reality laboring only from a natural illness;² and the cited canon also requires this.

3. Simple exorcism can be performed by all having power for this, that is, by priests; and absolutely it could be performed also by exorcists, unless the present discipline of the Church stood in the way.

An exorcism of this kind is, for example, that which occurs in the rite of baptizing or of confecting blessed water.

4. Private exorcism can be performed by all the faithful: for to avert temptations or vexations of the devil, anyone can command the devil through God or through Jesus Christ not to harm himself or others.

The effect of this exorcism is not derived from the authority and prayers of the Church, since it is not done in the name of the Church, but from the virtue of the name of God and of Jesus Christ. "For devils," says Pesch (l.c., n. 342), "naturally dread the mysteries of faith by which they know themselves to have been conquered; therefore, when they see the sign of the cross and hear the name of Jesus and other similar things, they are tormented and flee."

Note 1. The use of sacramentals is indeed prescribed nowhere, yet the faithful are earnestly to be exhorted to use them frequently and devoutly in order to perceive their manifold effects. Therefore pastors of souls should explain the nature of sacramentals to the faithful and aptly instruct them in their right use, so that those who seem to themselves wiser may not despise them, and the more uneducated may not use them in a superstitious way.

Note 2. Priests should remember that the priestly blessing itself is a sacramental which it is permitted to employ privately, here and there, by the formula May the blessing of almighty God, etc., or May He bless you, etc. The power of blessing is conferred upon priests in ordination together with the power of consecrating, and they can by the use of this power avert many impending evils from men and pour out an abundant blessing upon them, especially upon infants and the sick, whom the divine Savior so often blessed from His heart. The effect of the priestly blessing will be more abundant in proportion as the faith and confidence of the priest blessing is firmer.

Note 3. It is greatly to be recommended to the ministers of the Church that they perform simple exorcism rather often, mindful of the word of the Lord: in my name they shall cast out devils; but especially over those who are troubled by vehement temptation, and over penitents whom they notice to experience difficulties in eliciting sorrow and purpose concerning sins or in sincerely manifesting their sins. They can use this or a similar formula: In the name of Jesus I command you, unclean spirit, to depart from this creature of God.

¹ Cf. Olfers, Pastoralmedicin, p. 128 ff.; Heyne, Uber Besessenheitswahn (Paderborn: Schoningh, 1904).

² Genicot I, n. 300, 3.