The Rite: Difference between revisions
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* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1161864/ IMDB.] | * [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1161864/ IMDB.] | ||
* Based on Matt Baglio's book, [http://www.amazon.com/Rite-Making-Modern-Exorcist-ebook/dp/B001UMCA1O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1298662724&sr=8-2 ''The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist.''] | * Based on Matt Baglio's book, [http://www.amazon.com/Rite-Making-Modern-Exorcist-ebook/dp/B001UMCA1O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1298662724&sr=8-2 ''The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist.''] | ||
* [http://www.bustedhalo.com/videoandaudio/interview-father-gary-thomas-vatican-certified-exorcist Interview with Fr. Gary Thomas.] | |||
== Some presuppostions == | |||
There is, of course, a kernel of truth in the story: the Church does teach that we have supernatural enemies (fallen angels--devils, and demons) and that people are capable of choosing Hell (the souls of the damned); it does teach that Jesus can use ordained ministers (deacons, priests, or bishops) to drive evil spirits out of the souls of God's children; the holiness and wisdom of the exorcist does make a difference in the efficacy of the rite--in obedience to the Scripture passage, "This kind can only be driven out by prayer [and fasting]," the exorcist often fasts and prays continually until the matter is resolved; there is a renewed emphasis on the need for the ordained to be trained as exorcists so that they are available when needed. | There is, of course, a kernel of truth in the story: the Church does teach that we have supernatural enemies (fallen angels--devils, and demons) and that people are capable of choosing Hell (the souls of the damned); it does teach that Jesus can use ordained ministers (deacons, priests, or bishops) to drive evil spirits out of the souls of God's children; the holiness and wisdom of the exorcist does make a difference in the efficacy of the rite--in obedience to the Scripture passage, "This kind can only be driven out by prayer [and fasting]," the exorcist often fasts and prays continually until the matter is resolved; there is a renewed emphasis on the need for the ordained to be trained as exorcists so that they are available when needed. | ||
Revision as of 21:39, 26 February 2011
- IMDB.
- Based on Matt Baglio's book, The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist.
- Interview with Fr. Gary Thomas.
Some presuppostions
There is, of course, a kernel of truth in the story: the Church does teach that we have supernatural enemies (fallen angels--devils, and demons) and that people are capable of choosing Hell (the souls of the damned); it does teach that Jesus can use ordained ministers (deacons, priests, or bishops) to drive evil spirits out of the souls of God's children; the holiness and wisdom of the exorcist does make a difference in the efficacy of the rite--in obedience to the Scripture passage, "This kind can only be driven out by prayer [and fasting]," the exorcist often fasts and prays continually until the matter is resolved; there is a renewed emphasis on the need for the ordained to be trained as exorcists so that they are available when needed.
Exorcism is NOT a contest between the exorcist and the unclean spirits. It is the application of Jesus' victory on the Cross to a suffering member of His Body.
Because the movie was designed to make money for the producers, I doubt that it is an entirely accurate representation of the Church's teaching. Some day I will go see it, I suppose; it is not something I look forward to at all.
Some Observations
- Tag line: "You can only defeat it when you believe."[1]
- We don't defeat the evil spirits; Jesus has defeated them and shares His victory with us. Our faith is not in our faith; our faith is never any greater than a mustard seed compared to the greatness of God's love and compassion for us.
- Symptoms of possession
- "The Ritual gives three signs that indicate the possible presence of a demon: abnormal strength, the ability to speak or understand a previously unknown language, and the knowledge of hidden things."[2]
- Our culture is vulnerable
- "Where faith decreases, superstition grows."[3]
- An exorcist in every parish?
- One review says that the Pope wanted to have "an exorcist in every parish."[4] The normal distribution is at least one exorcist per diocese. Either the movie or the review got mixed up.
Exorcism in Baptism
A prayer of exorcism and preliminary anointing is part of the "Rite of Baptism":
- Celebrant: We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior; may he strengthen you with his power, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
- All: Amen.
- The Celebrant anoints the child on the breast with the Oil of Catechumens.