Exorcism (Rituale Romanum)

Domain XIII · Contemplative & religious disciplines · 1999 · Holy See

What it is

The Church describes exorcism as a form of prayer "against the power of the devil" and classes it as a sacramental, not one of the seven sacraments. It distinguishes minor exorcisms (prayers within the baptismal rites for adults and children, and private supplications the faithful may use) from…

Format

• This is a rite, not a therapy; there are no therapy phases or session counts in the sources. The framework below sets the Church's published pathway beside the therapist's parallel tasks.

Evidence status, as the guide reports it

• Treatment: evidence-based treatment of any diagnosed condition, integrated with the client's faith where the client wants that.

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Does it involve fasting, a special diet or 'detox'? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
• Is it a group, retreat or community? How do they respond if someone wants to leave or raises a concern?
• How do you and the practitioner understand what is happening, in spiritual or cultural terms? Is that a source of comfort, worry, or both?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• accommodation that becomes avoidance of needed treatment. Working: attendance is steady.
• guilt in family members; media intrusion; isolation. Working: the client keeps or rebuilds supports.
• secrecy; isolation from doctors; escalation over days. Working: the client chooses medical review and authorised pastoral routes.
• food or fluid refusal, which can become life-threatening (Klingenberg). Working: the client attends medical appointments and the doctor is aware of the religious context.
• suicidal thinking linked to beliefs of damnation (assess risk using current standards). Working: self-blame softens; the client can hold faith and self-compassion together.

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.