The focus of this website is to provide the viewer's  with knowledge on exorcism and how it is related to healing.  We willmainly look at the Christian context of Exorcism,  the differencesand similarities in an exorcism (then and  now), a clearer understandingof possession and repossession
  of a demon, women and children's likeliness of  becominginflicted by a demon and an actual case study of an  exorcism.
 

  What is Exorcism?

  Exorcism according to the Catholic Encyclopedia is, "(1) theact of driving out, or warding off, demons,  or evil spirits, frompersons, places, or things, which are  believed to be possessed orinfested by them, or are liable  to become victims or instrumentsof their malice; (2) the means employed for this purpose, especially thesolemn and  authoritative adjuration of the demon, in the name ofGod,  or any of the higher power in which he is subject."

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05709a.htm
 

Why is an exorcism performed?

  An exorcism is performed in order to heal a person who has beenbecome ill by the infliction of a demon.

Can anybody be inflicted by a demon?

  Yes.

  Who is more likely to become ill bya demon?

  Women and children are more likely to become possessed by a demon. However, anybody can be inflicted, especially those  who arementally and physically weak.

  Are exorcisms still performed today?

  Yes, exorcisms are still being performed today, however it is difficult to find actual cases. Nonetheless, one  current exampleis Mother Theresa, which will be explained  further on in the presentation.(click on picture of Mother Theresa)

 Who performs an exorcism?

  Based on the Catholic Encyclopedia the "expulsion by  adjurationis, therefore, the primary meaning of exorcism,  and when, as in Christianusage, this adjuration is in the  name of God or of Christ, exorcismis a strictly religious act or rite." Therefore, those that are involvedin
  exorcisms have a spiritual connection to God. Thus, accordingto Kinsley's text Jesus, Catholic Priests, Saints and Faith Healers canall perform exorcisms.
"The saints are also depicted as exorcising demons  that causedmadness and as curing infertlity. They often  cured people simplyby touching thiem in their dreams.  (Kinsley, 110) Some examples ofFaith Healers who believe  in healing by exorcism William Branham,Oral Roberts and A.  A. Allen. (Kinsley, 127)

 What is involved in an exorcism?
 
 "The rituals of exorcism, laying hands on the sick,  anointingthem with holy oil (sometimes also involve making  the sign of thecross) eventually come to be regarded as a  sacrament as well, . .. or [even] visiting the sick."  (Kinsley, 104)

An Example of an Exorcism by a Faith Healer (OralRoberts)

  Kinsley provides an example of an exorcism by Oral Roberts, "[He]was assaulted by a woman. She punched Roberts,  shouted at him, andtore buttons off his couat in her fury.  Roberts finally managed toplace his hand firmly on her  forehead, and from that instant, hesaid, the womasn became  still, feeling the power of God surge throughhim. Roberts  received the gift of knowledge at this moment and wasable  to discern that the woman was possessed by forty or fifty spirits, which he commanded to leae her,. "When those  demons coameout they shook her body as htough she had ac  hill. And suddenly,as the demons left her, she scremed a  blook-curdling yell, and thnshe was as quiet and calm is  you are. And she looked about and cried,"I am free."  "Like a shaman, Roberts is able to see  directlyinto the spirit world and exercise power over it.
  Also like a shaman, Roberts often haleds by means of  combatingspirits who bring disease." (Kinsley, 131)
 

 What are some ways that you can protect yourselffrom Satan/demons/evil spirits?

"Baptism, confession, and communion came to be viewed  as ritualsthat dispelled sickness and had protective qualities and powrs. Baptismwas believed to repel evil  spirits that dwelled within a person orthat might attack a  person and cause sickness. Confession was believedto  purify people and make them impervious to sickness.  Communionwas held to have cleansing power." (Kinsley,  104)

  What are some symptoms of an exorcism?

  The symptoms of an illness by a demon are stamoache aches, mentally unstable, deafness, hallucinations, high fever,  weakness,vomiting, etc.

 Have exorcisms changed? If so, how?

  Yes they have changed.

  According to the research by Lisa Pitre, the exorcist rule  book has recently been revised and updated in 1998.( The  last revisionwas in 1614.) It contains 84 pages and is only  written in the Latinlanguage. It has been approved by the  Supreme Pontiff. The new exorcistrule book is for the most  part quite similar to the old exorcistrule book. The ritual  of an exorcism has not changed dramatically,however a few  things are different.

  What is different?
  -The language is quite modern and much easier to understand.
  -The formulas are named and implied a bit differently. What are the formulas?
  -The first formula is called the "imploring formula". It is formula where the exorcist  names or lists the evils of thedevil who are possessing a   certain individual. For example,an individual can be
  possessed by a demon of lust, destruction, anger, hate, revenge, anxiety, suicide, death, etc.
  -The second formula is called the "imperative formula". What is an "imperative formula"? It is a formula where the  exorcist ordersSatan to leave the possessed individual. " I  order you, Satan..."( Satan is referred to as the "prince  of the world" or "the enemyof human salvation".) Satan or  his evil demons ( the evil demons= fallen angels) are  characterized by the element of "temptation".Their role is  of temptation away from God.
 -The choice of prayers to be used during an exorcism can vary. Beforehand, there was only a single prayer that could  be saidto perform an exorcism.
  *A priest or bishop that performs an exorcism must consult a medical professional to determine whether the individual is  indeedpossessed or if he/she suffers from a mental  illness.*

  What is similar?
  -The rite itself is similar. It has not changed  dramatically.The process of exorcism is no different than  before. The sacramentsremain the same. For example, the use  of holy water, the cross, holyobjects, and so on are of   imperial order.
  -The exorcist, himself/herself cannot be just anyone within the Christian/Catholic tradition. He/she must be of  religious authority.
  -Belief in "Satan" is part of the Christian/Catholic  religion.
 

  *Unfortunately, there was not an example of an old exorcism prayer.*