A reader alerted me to the following in The Daily Illini. This concerns demonic possession and exorcism.
My emphases and comments.
Exorcist shares past experiences with demonic possession
Katie Palmer
October 28th, 2009 – 4:00 AMWith Halloween around the corner and Hollywood releasing horror movies such as "Paranormal Activity" and "Saw VI," one cannot help but feel chills running down his or her spine. [But perhaps for the wrong reason. Perhaps because people are becoming desensitized to true evil by constant exposure to silly evil.] St. John’s Catholic Newman Center had the timing right when it invited exorcist Father Vince Lampert to speak about his experiences Monday night at Foellinger Auditorium.
Lampert, the head priest at St. Francis and Clare parish in Greenwood, Ind., was ordained a priest in 1991. He was later asked by the archbishop of Indianapolis if he was willing to train as an exorcist, said Monsignor Gregory Ketcham, director and head chaplain at the Newman Center.
"Father Lampert was asked to take on the role of an exorcist because he is very prayerful and faithful, and he has a lot of integrity — he’s a good man," Ketcham said. [Exorcists need to be upright.]
Lampert is one of twelve exorcists in America today, Ketcham said. Lampert spent a whole summer in Rome training under Italy’s head exorcist. This training included witnessing and assisting in about 60 exorcisms. [There is now a course for priests in Rome.]
Now that Lampert has been a fully trained exorcist for several years, he said he receives five to six calls a week from people who believe they are possessed. Exorcisms are only performed as a last resort once the subject is determined to be truly possessed. [And not just a little strange.]
"For one to become possessed by the devil, one has to have a dedication to the devil, be cursed or lead a life that is full of sin; it is something more than just a struggle against temptation," Lampert said. [There is also a difference between the levels or grades of demonic attacks.]
Performing an exorcism takes a lot of preparation by not only the subject, but by the exorcist too, Lampert said. Before each exorcism, Lampert has to go through a series of prayers and attend confession so the devil will not be able top reach him.
"In order for a person to be exorcised, they have to be fully committed to turning to Christ," Lampert said. "If they resist, the exorcism cannot be performed."
When determining if a person is in fact possessed, Lampert looks for several criteria.
"A person may be possessed if they have an ability to speak unknown languages, unhuman-like strength, the knowledge of the unknown, and an inexplicable aversion to holy places," Lampert said. [Remember… this world has it "Prince", as the Lord said. The realm of the sacred and the secular or profane are in contrast. By blessings and consecrations, people, places and things are torn from the grasp of the Prince of this world and given over to the King. Sacramentals are powerful weapons of the spiritual life. Use them. Ask for blessings.]
During an exorcism, Lampert goes through 10 steps, including prayers and blessings, he said.
"Sometimes the exorcism can be rather dull," Lampert said. "But I have seen a woman levitate and people’s faces contort."
During his lecture, Lampert told several stories of extraordinary events that have occurred during his exorcisms. In one story, a person spoke in a childlike voice that was not his own, as it was the devil speaking.
People formed long lines before the microphone in order to ask Lampert questions about his unusual career. [I bet. The problem with this topic is that it tends to spark unhealthy interest and dangerous curiosity.] Many viewers were also listening attentively to his answers with gasping and awing. Many of the seats at Foellinger Auditorium were occupied throughout the event.
Erika Satterlee, freshman in LAS, said she went into the lecture not knowing much about exorcisms except for depictions in movies.
"The lecture was definitely interesting," Satterlee said. "It freaked me out too, which I knew it would." [You better be freaked out.]
This was Lampert’s second time speaking at the University around Halloween, Ketcham said.
"Lampert’s purpose of speaking is to share the Catholic view of evil and how it works in our lives," Ketcham said. "He is here to tell us the truth."
Exorcist shares past experiences with demonic possession
Perhaps the riposte of Yoda to Luke Skywaker is appropriate. The young man declares that he is not afraid. Yoda responds "You will be."
Some random comments.
Every diocese is suppose to have an appointed exorcist. Sadly, this hasn’t been take seriously in all times and places.
The new Rite for Exorcism is held by some to be inferior. However, the Congregation for Divine Worship said that the old Rite can be used. Furthermore, the older Rite of Excorcism is found in the pre-Conciliar Rituale Romanum.
Priests cannot, on their own, do exorcisms without permission of ecclesiastical authority. This is for everyone’s good!
Laypeople: Do not! NOT! NOT EVERRRRRRRR attempt anything like an exorcism. If you have concerns about a person, go to a priest or the bishop after consulting medical and psychological professionals. If you are worried about your house or a place. Talk to a priest. Use sacramentals such as Holy Water and blessed salt. Do NOT fool around with this stuff. This isn’t a joke.
Avoid avoid avoid things that might open you up to oppression by the Enemy, such as Tarot cards and Ouija boards and other things that might be taken to be "games". If you have those things destroy them NOW, not later.
Priests have the character that comes from Holy Orders: lay people do NOT.
Be aware of these things without developing to great an interest.
