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

the exorcist (or vice versa). The risk is that the sufferers can become addicted and develop an exaggerated affection for the exorcist. For this reason, say exorcists, it is best to keep these people at a slight distance.
    The demon will also try to dishearten the exorcist through intimidation or fear, usually carried out by displays of power. In one such instance, Father Daniel (who became an exorcist in the fall of 2006) had all his instant text messages erased from his cell phone one morning. He had recently signed up for a new plan and figured it must be a problem with the company. Later that night, however, when he was giving a blessing over the same phone (exorcists claim telephone blessings can be efficacious), the voice of the person changed and the demon came out taunting: “Did you like the little joke I played on you this morning?” When Father Daniel expressed confusion, the gruff voice mocked, “If you say a prayer that I give to you, then I will give you back all your instant messages.”
    Another exorcist in Chicago, the day before he found out he was to be nominated by the bishop, was awakened by a terrible noise in the middle of the night, like a train wreck happening in his room. Opening his eyes, he then saw the TV at the foot of his bed levitate off the stand a few feet then crash to the floor, and the tape inside the VCR shoot out across the room. At the same time, the curtains of his room moved violently even though his windows were closed.
    Sometimes the signs can be even more direct. In 2006, an exorcist from the Midwest was talking to a young man he thought might be possessed when he heard a raspy voice—as if out of nowhere—say, “Get out!”
    An Italian exorcist told of an episode involving members of a Catholic charismatic prayer group who thought they had a special “gift” to cast out evil spirits. During the exorcism, the charismatics were laying on hands and talking to the demon, ordering it to comply. Without warning, the demon turned on them saying, “Who are you?” Then he launched a bookcase at them, sending them all to the emergency room with injuries.
    Exorcists have seen things happening even outside, beyond the confines of the exorcism itself. Father Nanni reports that some exorcists have had their car headlights mysteriously turn off just as they were negotiating particularly dangerous curves on mountain roads. In his book, An Exorcist Tells His Story , Father Amorth recounted how one exorcist, after the demon threatened him with immolation, was driving home when his car caught fire. Father Nanni, while performing a blessing by phone, had the lightbulb in his room explode over his head.
    In extreme instances, an exorcist may be severely injured, though this last point has perhaps been exaggerated, especially in the media. Exorcists are rarely hurt. Father Nanni recalled one example: As an exorcist was leaving the house of a demonized person in Sicily, he was shoved by an unseen force into an oncoming truck, which nearly killed him. When asked why God would allow such a thing to happen, Father Nanni seemed unfazed. “We all have to bear our own burdens,” he said. In this case, the exorcist recovered, returned to the house, and liberated the person.
    Throughout all of this, the only armor the exorcist has to protect him is his faith. “Faith is worth more than anything else,” says Father Amorth. “The faith of the exorcist, of the person who is getting exorcised, the faith of the people who help and pray for the person, family and friends.”
    “I learned more in performing exorcisms through prayer and faith than from my studies,” said Father Gramolazzo. “The books that you read and study become something more theoretical; you don't get inside the world of faith. When you perform an exorcism, however, you have to enter into this world; you get in touch with the supernatural.”

    As T HEY WALKED BACK to the train station following class, Father Gary discussed some