The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio

Ritual and may remember some of what transpired but will typically feel as if something “alien” had taken over. Some exorcists, such as Father Amorth, describe the latter as an example of demonic obsession, while a case involving a person emerging from a trance with total amnesia would be indicative of full demonic possession.
    According to Father Nanni, once he has begun praying the Ritual , there are five traps that the novice exorcist should be wary of: (1) no reaction from the demon for a long time, which is an attempt to trick the exorcist into thinking the cause isn't demonic; (2) the demon fakes that he has gone after manifesting, fooling the person into thinking he or she is now liberated (for this reason, some exorcists ask for a sign of liberation); (3) the demon confuses the exorcist by creating in the possessed symptoms of mental illness; (4) the demon reveals the existence of an evil spell and the way in which the exorcist can get rid of it (the exorcist must not practice superstitious acts); and (5) the demon permits the victim to receive the Eucharist as a sign of liberation.
    Many people assume that during an exorcism the demon will speak through the person, but this is not always the case. According to Father Amorth, it is a misperception that demons like to speak. In fact, they will almost never do so unless ordered to by the exorcist. Some, however, do try to confuse the exorcist by talking or even threatening him during the Ritual to distract him from the prayers. Father Amorth has been threatened repeatedly. “Tonight I will throw you out of your bed!” or “I will eat your heart!” To which he responds, “Come on, I have my guardian angel that protects me.”
    However, beyond the bravado, there is a real danger of an exorcist being attacked physically, mentally, and spiritually by the demon during an exorcism, or even after.

    B ECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE ROLE they play exorcists are faced with a variety of moral and spiritual dilemmas that can open them up to potential attack by demonic forces. Perhaps the most obvious of these is sexual temptation. Exorcisms are highly charged encounters, often taking place in small confined spaces that involve a lot of thrashing and moaning from the victim, who is almost always a woman. There are several theories for the preponderance of female victims: Women are more intuitive and in touch with their spiritual side; the Devil targets women specifically to use them to tempt men; or as Father Bamonte suggests, it may simply be because more women than men are willing to seek out an exorcist.
    Given this gender dynamic, it is recommended that the exorcist have a “helper” in the room who is also a woman (this is listed in the guidelines of the 1614 Roman Ritual). Being the cunning foe that he is, say exorcists, the demon will try anything to distract the exorcist and get him to stop praying, including sexual advances. According to Father Dermine, the exorcist must also use good sense when he touches a woman he is praying over, always keeping in mind the heightened level of sexual tension.
    The exorcist can also be attacked through his pride. This sense of pride can come either from the admiration that an exorcist receives from the people he helps, or from the exorcist thinking himself superior because he has a connection to the supernatural or because he believes he has some personal “power” that can liberate people. The exorcist should never claim to be a holy man or to cultivate a cultlike following. This means he should never take money for his services, which would turn him into a kind of magician or faith healer.
    On the flip side, while many exorcists may be admired by the victims, they are often ridiculed by their fellow priests.
    An exorcist must be equally careful about familiarity. In many cases an exorcist is the only hope these people undergoing deep pain and suffering believe they have, and there is a real danger of their becoming too dependent on