Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications
Encyclopedia
Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications (Latin
: De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam) is an 84-page document of the Catholic Church describing the rite
of exorcism
. It was revised on 26 January 1998, making it the last liturgical book
to be revised following the Second Vatican Council
of 1962-1965. The preceding revision of the document was in 1614. The document was originally issued only in Latin
, but some versions in the vernacular are extant.
Following the trends in Catholic approaches to alleged cases of possession since the pontificate of Leo XIII in the nineteenth century, the new revision includes a warning not to confuse mental illness
with demonic possession
. It also removes a couple of descriptions of Satan
, which sat uncomfortably with the Church's doctrine, and states that the devil is "a spirit without body, without colour and without odour." Although taking many forms, Satan as a metaphysical or spiritual being exists without real physical attributes, but only the assumed forms.
Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications is used for solemn exorcisms, which are always performed with the express permission of a bishop
. It is performed by a priest in a formal ceremony. There are several different forms of ritual that may be used for minor exorcisms, including Saint Michael's Prayer against Satan and the Rebellious Angels of Leo XIII.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
: De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam) is an 84-page document of the Catholic Church describing the rite
Rite
A rite is an established, ceremonious, usually religious act. Rites in this sense fall into three major categories:* rites of passage, generally changing an individual's social status, such as marriage, baptism, or graduation....
of exorcism
Exorcism
Exorcism is the religious practice of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed...
. It was revised on 26 January 1998, making it the last liturgical book
Liturgical book
A liturgical book is a book published by the authority of a church, that contains the text and directions for the liturgy of its official religious services.-Roman Catholic:...
to be revised following the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
of 1962-1965. The preceding revision of the document was in 1614. The document was originally issued only in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, but some versions in the vernacular are extant.
Following the trends in Catholic approaches to alleged cases of possession since the pontificate of Leo XIII in the nineteenth century, the new revision includes a warning not to confuse mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
with demonic possession
Demonic possession
Demonic possession is held by many belief systems to be the control of an individual by a malevolent supernatural being. Descriptions of demonic possessions often include erased memories or personalities, convulsions, “fits” and fainting as if one were dying...
. It also removes a couple of descriptions of Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
, which sat uncomfortably with the Church's doctrine, and states that the devil is "a spirit without body, without colour and without odour." Although taking many forms, Satan as a metaphysical or spiritual being exists without real physical attributes, but only the assumed forms.
Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications is used for solemn exorcisms, which are always performed with the express permission of a bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
. It is performed by a priest in a formal ceremony. There are several different forms of ritual that may be used for minor exorcisms, including Saint Michael's Prayer against Satan and the Rebellious Angels of Leo XIII.
External links
- The second part of the Roman Ritual, containing the exorcism ritual in its entirety. English translation prior to recent revision.