Traditional Catholic Exorcisms: Preserving the Church’s Ancient Rite of Deliverance

The Battle Between Good and Evil

The Church dogmatically and definitely teaches that the devil is a real being who tempts, deceives, and seeks the destruction of souls. We all know how the devil is punished after seducing Adam and Eve into sin (Genesis 3:14-15). The Book of Job, considered by many to be the oldest book of Scripture outside the Pentateuch, makes reference to satan “going out of the presence of the Lord” (2:7). St. Michael casts all the demons out of Heaven before the world’s creation (Apocalypse 12:7-9), and Lucifer’s fall from grace is witnessed in a supernatural vision by Isaias (14:12-15) and by Ezechiel (28:15-18). The devil is rebuked by the Lord (Zechariah 3:2). These are all types and prefigurations of the power of exorcism.

In the Gospels, Our Lord explicitly cast out demons and gave His apostles authority to do the same (cf. Mark 16:17). The Apostles use this power (cf. Mark 6:13), and in Acts, the Holy Ghost witnesses how St. Paul (16:18) and Philip the Deacon (8:7) continue this spiritual work.

The rite of exorcism, then, is a continuation of the ministry of Christ Himself. For centuries, the Church has safeguarded and exercised this sacred power in formal rites of exorcism, particularly through the traditional Roman Ritual (Rituale Romanum), the standard from 1614 until its Rite of Exorcism was replaced with a revised version in 1998.

The Traditional Rite of Exorcism

The traditional Rite of Exorcism is found in the Rituale Romanum, promulgated under Pope Paul V in 1614 and used with little modification until the late 20th century. This rite includes specific prayers, commands, and the use of sacramentals such as holy water, the crucifix, the relics of saints, and the Latin language. Among its most prominent features are:

1. Direct commands to the demon to depart, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. The Litany of the Saints, invoking the intercession of the Church Triumphant.
3. Psalm 90, which speaks of deliverance from demonic powers.
4. The Sign of the Cross made over the afflicted.
5. The use of Latin, the Church’s sacred language, which many exorcists report is particularly powerful in confronting evil spirits.

The traditional rite reflects the Church’s unwavering conviction in the authority of Christ and the power of sacramentals and prayer. The exorcist is reminded that it is not his personal power that drives out demons, but the authority given by Christ through the Church.

Changes after Vatican II: The New Rite of Exorcism

In 1998, the Vatican issued De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam (“Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications”), which updated the Rite of Exorcism. Many experienced exorcists voiced concerns about the new version, which included the following profound alterations:

1. The removal of many of the imprecatory prayers, which directly command demons to depart.
2. A greater focus on supplicatory prayers, asking God to deliver the afflicted rather than commanding the demon.
3. A less explicit affirmation of demonic possession, with more caution about diagnosing such cases.
4. Less use of Latin, often relying on the vernacular language.

Father Gabriele Amorth, the late Chief Exorcist of Rome, famously stated that the new rite was often ineffective and that he preferred the traditional (1614) version. He also called on the faithful to pray the Rosary, emphasizing its power over evil. Many exorcists seek and receive permission from their bishops to continue using the older rite for this reason.

Why the Traditional Rite Remains Preferred

Traditional Catholic priests and exorcists often point to several reasons for preferring the older rite:

1. Doctrinal Clarity: The traditional rite more clearly affirms the reality of the devil and demonic possession, while the new rite tends to soften these affirmations.
2. Spiritual Authority: The imprecatory commands reflect the Church’s confidence in Christ’s victory and the authority given to the priest through ordination.
3. Efficacy: Many priests report better results and stronger reactions from demons when using the traditional rite, especially when the prayers are said in Latin.
4. Sacred Continuity: The traditional rite links the modern exorcist with centuries of Catholic spiritual warfare and retains the theological richness of earlier generations.

Who Can Perform an Exorcism?

Every local ordinary (bishop), as a successor of the Apostles, is the chief exorcist within his diocese. However, he may delegate this power. Thus, only a priest expressly appointed by his bishop may perform a solemn (major) exorcism.[i] This rule applies to both the traditional and new rites. The priest must be of good repute, knowledgeable in theology, and personally holy. He acts not on his own authority but by that of Christ and the Church.

Minor exorcisms, on the other hand, are included in the traditional rites of Baptism and certain prayers and blessings. Lay people may pray deliverance prayers, but they should never attempt to perform formal exorcisms.

The New Testament even provides an example of what can happen to those who attempt to exorcise a demon without proper authority. St. Luke tell us: “And there were certain men, seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, that did this [attempted to exorcise a demon as St. Paul did]. But the wicked spirit, answering, said to them: Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? And the man in whom the wicked spirit was, leaping upon them, and mastering them both, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded” (Acts 19:14-16).

Exorcisms in Sacred Scripture and Tradition

Throughout history, saints have performed exorcisms. St. Antony of the Desert, St. Benedict, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Dominic, St. Vincent Ferrer, and St. John Vianney all battled the devil in various forms. These are just a few; there are many more. Yet their experiences affirm the truth of Scripture: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

The Gospels themselves are filled with accounts of Jesus casting out demons, such as the healing of the Gerasene demoniac (Mark 5:1-20) and the boy possessed by a mute spirit (Mark 9:16-29). These passages form the scriptural foundation of the Church’s exorcistic ministry. They also show that the power of Our Lord over all demonic forces is absolute.

Warnings and Cautions

The Church has always taught that exorcism is not to be sensationalized or treated superstitiously. The faithful must never view the devil as equal in power to God. The devils can never do anything which God does not permit. God permits demonic affliction for reasons often tied to human sin or the mysterious workings of Divine Providence, and always so that a greater good may flow therefrom.

As the Rituale Romanum notes, the exorcist should investigate thoroughly whether the case involves true possession or some natural illness. Many psychological conditions can mimic demonic activity.

Conclusion: A Rite of Mercy and Victory

The traditional Rite of Exorcism is a powerful expression of the Church’s faith in Christ’s dominion over all spiritual powers. Though few Catholics will ever witness a solemn exorcism, all are called to engage in spiritual warfare by living lives of virtue, avoiding sin, praying the Rosary, frequenting the sacraments, and relying on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This, of course, is all part of living a truly Catholic life.

In an age of growing occultism and moral confusion, the traditional exorcism remains a bulwark of truth and a reminder that the Church alone possesses the full means to free souls from bondage to the evil one. As the old rite confidently proclaims, “Ecce crucem Domini: fugite partes adversae!” – “Behold the Cross of the Lord; begone, ye hostile powers!”

ENDNOTE:

[i] It is important to distinguish between someone who performs solemn exorcisms and one who has received the minor order of exorcist. In the traditional Roman Rite, the minor order of exorcist was conferred on seminarians as one of the preparatory steps toward the priesthood. This rite gave the cleric a liturgical role in assisting with catechumens and minor exorcisms, primarily in preparing souls for baptism by driving out spiritual influences. However, only a priest specially appointed by the bishop – and in rare cases granted explicit faculties – can perform a solemn exorcism, the formal rite of casting out demons from a person believed to be possessed. This major rite requires proper authorization, grave discernment, and strict adherence to the Church’s ritual and norms.