The Real "Exorcist"

Jesuit scholars discuss the 1949 exorcism that inspired the novel and film The Exorcist.

Saint Louis University junior Zach Grummer-Strawn has never seen "The Exorcist," the 1973 horror film considered one of the finest examples of unadulterated cinematic terror. He's only vaguely familiar with the monthlong 1949 demon-purging ritual at his school on which the film and William Peter Blatty's 1971 novel were based.

But just in time for Halloween, Jesuit scholars have joined a whole new generation of horror buffs in St. Louis to recount the supernatural incident. The university hosted a panel discussion Tuesday on the exorcism, which involved the treatment of an unidentified suburban Washington, D.C., boy. About 500 people crammed into Pius XII Library, with some spilling into the library aisles, leaning against pillars or sitting on desks. Read more

Ghost Hunter Tries to Exorcise Ghosts with His Penis

A ghost hunter convinced a woman her vagina was haunted and charged her $3250 to exorcise the ghosts with his penis.

A man was recently arrested in China after he claimed that he could get rid of ghosts from a young woman's vagina with his penis. The paranormal enthusiast allegedly charged $3250 to perform the sexorcism the Huffington Post reported today. Read more

Exorcism Experiencing a Renaissance in American Catholicism

Exorcism is experiencing a renaissance in American Catholicism.

For more than a decade, Frank, a software consultant who lives near Silicon Valley, California, has been haunted by depression and rage. Searching for remedies to lift his dark mood, Frank, 52, tried pills, therapy, even channeling spirits. Nothing worked.

Three years ago, his wife handed him a book about demonic possession. Written by a former priest active in charismatic Catholic circles, the book presented scriptural arguments for the existence of demons and offered advice to questions such as “How do we know if an evil spirit is really present?” and “How do I pray for deliverance?” Desperate for relief, Frank decided, while he was jogging one night, to pray for deliverance.ed.

“If I had known what was going to happen, I would have picked a more private place,” Frank says. After reciting the recommended prayer, he doubled over, dry heaving, by the side of the road. His lungs felt like they were leaping out of his chest. Read more

School Turns to Feng Shui for Exorcism

Instead of psychics or priests, a school is using feng shui masters to exorcise its ghosts.

A group of feng shui masters recently went to a primary school in Guangdong province to exorcise ghosts in visits that have given rise to much controversy among the public.

The masters, schooled in the ancient Chinese art of placement, were invited to use magic arts at the Central Primary School of Gaozhou city's Pingshan township to improve the school's fortunes following the violent deaths of two students in the past two years. Read more

Priests: Hollywood Depiction of Exorcism Not Far from Reality

This surprised me: some priests say that the Hollywood depictions of exorcism are very similar to what actually happens when exorcisms are performed.

Hollywood films have been known to stretch the truth just a little, with wizarding teens, talking dogs and families with superhero powers taking over the widescreen. Even less-family-oriented movies like the “Saw” and “Nightmare on Elm Street” series’ have taken evil to great extremes.

But, some priests say, when it comes to depicting exorcism in films, much of what is shown onscreen is very similar to what really happens during the very rare, highly confidential Catholic rite. Those afflicted with demonic possession express great physical strength and speak unknown languages in a voice that is not their own. Read more

What Happens at Exorcism School?

At a recent exorcism conference in Baltimore, Maryland, bishops and priests discussed demons, devils, and the need for proper exorcism training.

The exorcism conference was closed-door. The October conference, in Baltimore, Maryland, preceding a conference of US Catholic bishops, was attended by 56 bishops and 66 priests. The bishops were the novelty. There is a small annual conference on exorcism, but only a few priests attend. The conference focused on the details of the rite of exorcism, and "the reality of demonic manifestations in our society", a participant said.

While all Catholic priests can theoretically perform exorcism, very few American priests are trained to do so. The conference, intended to remedy the shortfall, was organised by Bishop Thomas Paprocki, chair of the Bishops' committee on canonical affairs and church governance. "I thought it went well," he said. "We had lots of bishops, and lots of priests." Read more