Product Code Database
In some religions, an exorcist (from the Greek „ἐξορκιστής“) is a person who is believed to be able to exorcism the devil or performs the ridding of or other supernatural beings who are alleged to have possessed a person, or (sometimes) a building or object. An exorcist can be a specially prepared or instructed person including: priest, a nun, a monk, a witch doctor (healer), a shaman, a psychic or a geomancy (Feng shui - Chinese geomancy).
These exorcists routinely performed ceremonies over adults and infants preparatory to baptism. Authors such as Eusebius (3rd century) and Augustine (4th century) provide details of these minor exorcisms: Eusebius mentions the imposition of hands and prayer.Scannell, T. (1908). Catechumen in The Catholic Encyclopedia New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved May 21, 2014 from New Advent. Augustine noted that rites of exorcism by exsufflation (breathing upon the candidate) were also performed for the infant baptism.Augustine of Hippo. On Marriage and Concupiscence (Book II). Paragraph 50. Translated by Peter Holmes and Robert Ernest Wallis, and revised by Benjamin B. Warfield. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 5. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1887) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight.
The office of Exorcist was not a part of the sacrament of Holy Orders but as a Sacramentals was instead first conferred on those who had the special charism to perform its duties and later to those studying for the . As a minor order, exorcists wore the surplice.
In 1972, the minor orders were reformed; men preparing to be ordained as Catholic priests or deacons would no longer receive the minor order of exorcist; the minor orders of lector and acolyte were retained, but redesignated as ministries. It was left open to the Catholic bishops of individual countries to petition the Vatican to establish a ministry of exorcist if it seemed useful in that nation.Paul VI. Ministeria quaedam , II: "The orders hitherto called minor are henceforth to be spoken of as 'ministries'."
The rite of conferral continues in societies that use the 1962 (or earlier) form of the Roman Rite, such as the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter, Society of St. Pius X, and also among groups not in communion with the current bishop of Rome, such as the Society of St Pius V. Some believe that attainment of the position of Acolyte in post-Council practices implies ordination to the minor orders which used to be below it, such as Exorcist and Porter, although this has not been officially defined (although Canon Law section 1009 does specifically state that the only "orders are the episcopate, the priesthood and the diaconate").
The Eastern Churches did not establish a minor order of exorcist, but simply recognised the calling of lay or ordained members of the faithful who had the appropriate spiritual gifts. In principle, every Christian has the power to command demons and drive them out in the name of Christ.
The Catholic Church's Rite of Exorcism was revised in 1999. Paragraph 13 of its introduction states that a priest can be appointed by the local Bishop either for a single act of exorcism, or to the permanent position of 'exorcist'. The Rite then specifies that whenever it uses the word exorcist without qualification, it indicates a priest mandated in this way.
Among notable exorcists, Gabriele Amorth served as chief exorcist of the Diocese of Rome; he was the founder of the International Association of Exorcists.
American exorcists whom have been featured on include Fr. Carlos Martins and Vincent Lampert. Fr. Carlos Martins stated that “1 confession is more powerful than 1,000 exorcisms”@missiodeicatholic, and Fr. Carlos Martins. “One Confession Is Worth More than a Thousand Exorcisms.” YouTube, YouTube, 14 Oct. 2023, www.youtube.com/shorts/n2ylZlvVV5o. and Fr. Vincent Lampert also stated that only 1 out of every 5,000 inquiries for those seeking an exorcism were an actual case of demonic possession.@VICE, and Fr. Vincent Lampert . “A Day in the Life of a Modern American Exorcist.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 Sept. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=7szlOjtKGY0.
Vaishnava traditions also employ a recitation of names of Lord Narasimha and reading scriptures (notably Bhagavata Purana) aloud. According to Gita Mahatmya of Padma Purana, reading the 3rd, 7th and 8th chapter of Bhagavad Gita and mentally offering the result to departed persons helps them to get released from their ghostly situation. Bhajan, continuous playing of mantras, keeping scriptures and holy pictures of the deities (Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Shakti etc. but especially of Narasimha) in the house, burning incense offered during a puja, sprinkling water from holy rivers, and blowing conches used in puja are other effective practices.
Main Puranic resource on ghost- and death-related information is Garuda Purana.
|
|
