
By: J.J. Hitt
Re: Excorcism Made Easy

 From my catholic junk e-mail (that's right, exorcisms
 by e-mail):

  The following is a simple exorcism prayer that can be said by
  priests or laity. The term "exorcism" does NOT always denote a
  solemn exorcism involving a person possessed by the devil. In
  general, the term denotes prayers to "curb the power of the devil
  and prevent him from doing harm." As St. Peter had written in Holy
  Scripture, "your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth
  about seeking whom he may devour." (I.St.Peter V,8)
  ----------------------------------------------
  ----

PRAYER AGAINST SATAN and THE REBELLIOUS ANGELS

PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF H.H. POPE LEO XIII

The Holy Father exhorts priests to say this prayer as often as
possible, as a simple exorcism to curb the power of the devil
and prevent him from doing harm. The faithful also may say it
in their own name, for the same purpose, as any approved prayer
Its use is recommended whenever action of the devil is suspected,
causing malice in men, violent temptations and even storms and
various calamities. It could be used as a solemn exorcism (an
official and public ceremony, in Latin), to expel the devil. It
would then be said by a priest, in the name of the Church and
only with a Bishop's permission.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.

PRAYER TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

  Most glorious Prince of the Heavenly Armies, Saint Michael the
Archangel, defend us in "our battle against principalities and
powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against
the spirits of wickedness in the high places"  (Eph., VI,12).
Come to the assistance of men whom God has created to His
likeness and whom He has redeemed at a great price from the
tyranny of the devil. Holy Church venerates thee as her guardian
and protector; to thee, the Lord has entrusted the souls of the
redeemed to be led into heaven. Pray therefore the God of Peace
to crush Satan beneath our feet, that he may no longer retain
men captive and do injury to the Church. Offer our prayers to the
Most High, that without delay they may draw His mercy down upon
us; take hold of "the dragon, the old serpent, which is the
devil and Satan", bind him that he may no longer seduce the
nations" (Apoc. XX,2).

EXORCISM

  In the Name of Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, strengthened by
the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter
and Paul and all the Saints. (and powerful in the holy authority
of our ministry)*, we confidently undertake to repulse the
attacks and deceits of the devil.

* Lay people omit the parenthesis above.

  PSALM 67: God arises; His enemies are scattered and those who
hate Him flee before Him.
  As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts
before the fire, so the wicked perish at the presence of God.

  V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee bands of enemies.
  R. He has conquered, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the
     offspring of David.
  V. May thy mercy, Lord, descend upon us.
  R. As great as our hope in Thee.

[The crosses below indicate a blessing to be given if a priest
recites the Exorcism; if a lay person recites it, they indicate
the Sign of the Cross to be made silently by that person.]

  We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, all
satanic powers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions,
assemblies and sects; in the Name and by the power of Our Lord
Jesus Christ,+ may you be snatched away and driven from the
Church of God and from the souls made to the image and likeness
of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb. +
Most cunning serpent, you shall no more dare to deceive the
human race, persecute the Church, torment God's elect and sift
them as wheat.+ The Most High God commands you,+ He with whom,
in your great insolence, you still claim to be equal; "He who
wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth"  (I Tim., II,4). God the Father commands you. + God the
Son commands you. + God the Holy Ghost commands you. + Christ,
God's Word made flesh, commands you; + He who to save our race
outdone through your envy, "humbled Himself, becoming obedient
even unto death" (Phil.,II,8); He who has built His Church on the
firm rock and declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail
against Her, because He will dwell with Her "all days even to the
end of the world" (Mat.,XXVIII,20). The sacred Sign of the Cross
commands you, + as does also the power of the mysteries of the
Christian Faith. + The glorious Mother of God, the Virgin Mary,
commands you. + The blood of the Martyrs and the pious
intercession of all the Saints command you. +
   Thus, cursed dragon, and you, diabolical legions, we adjure
you by the living God, + by the true God, + by the holy God, + by
the God "who so loved the world that He gave up His only Son,
that every soul believing in Him might not perish but have life
everlasting" (St.John,III); stop deceiving human creatures and
pouring out to them the poison of eternal damnation; stop harming
the Church and hindering her liberty. Begone, Satan, inventor and
master of all deceit, enemy of man's salvation. Give place to
Christ in whom you have found none of your works; give place to
the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church acquired by Christ
at the price of His Blood. Stoop beneath the all-powerful Hand of
God; tremble and flee when we invoke the Holy and terrible Name
of Jesus, this Name which causes hell to tremble, this Name to
which the Virtues, Powers and Dominations of heaven are humbly
submissive, this Name which the Cherubim and Seraphim praise
unceasingly repeating: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the God of
Armies.

   V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
   R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
   V. May the Lord be with thee.
   R. And with thy spirit.

   Let us pray. - God of heaven, God of earth, God of Angels,
God of Archangels, God of Patriarchs, God of Prophets, God of
Apostles, God of Martyrs, God of Confessors, God of Virgins,
God who has power to give life after death and rest after work,
because there is no other God than Thee and there can be no other,
for Thou art the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, of
whose reign there shall be no end, we humbly prostrate ourselves
before Thy glorious Majesty and we beseech Thee to deliver us by
Thy power from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from their
snares, their lies and their furious wickedness; deign, O Lord,
to grant us Thy powerful protection and to keep us safe and sound.
We beseech Thee through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

   From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Lord.

   That Thy Church may serve Thee in peace and liberty, we beseech
Thee in peace and liberty, we beseech Thee to hear us.

   That Thou may crush down all enemies of Thy Church, we beseech
Thee to hear us.

   (Holy water is sprinkled in the place where we my be.)


Imprimatur: +Henri, O.M.I.
             Vicar Apostolic of James Bay - Aug. 15, 1967


