Is Exorcism REAL or Just a Myth?

The Catholic Church has long been a source of fascination for those drawn to the mysterious and the supernatural. From stories of saints who battled monsters and miracles of incorruptible bodies to ghastly exorcisms and tales of levitation, it’s not hard to see why the line between faith and folklore often blurs in the popular imagination. But how much of what we think we know is based on fact, and how much is the work of Hollywood? To shed light on these captivating and sometimes unsettling practices, we dive into a revealing conversation with author and editor Michael J. Lichens—a devoted researcher of the Church’s stranger corners and curator of exorcist memoirs including those of the famed Father Gabriele Amorth.

Demons in the Modern Age: The Surprising Revival of Exorcism

Most people imagine exorcisms as relics of the medieval era—grim rituals performed by candlelight in ancient stone churches, far removed from the world of Wi-Fi and smart phones. However, Lichens points out that exorcisms are far from rare museum pieces. They’re a living, though often secretive, aspect of Catholic practice. Oddly enough, the 1973 horror classic “The Exorcist” didn’t cement the ritual in the past; it propelled it back into public consciousness, prompting a steady increase in exorcism requests that persists to this day.

But exorcism isn’t just a catch-all phrase for anything spooky. The Catholic Church maintains a specific and ancient ritual—dating back to the gospels—for major exorcisms. These can only be performed by ordained priests, personally designated by their bishop. Minor exorcisms and prayers are accessible to any Catholic, but the major rites, especially those involving direct confrontation with allegedly demonic forces, require a lengthy process, spiritual preparation, and sometimes years of repeated effort. While every Catholic diocese is supposed to have at least one trained exorcist, adherence to this rule has historically varied, with some regions lacking a designated priest for decades.

Separating Myth from Reality: The Process Behind an Exorcism

Contrary to Hollywood’s dramatics, real-life exorcisms function within a careful process designed to separate psychological or medical problems from what the Church would define as genuine possession or infestation. When someone claims to experience paranormal disturbances—be it apparitions, strange noises, or unexplainable phenomena—a local priest is usually the first point of contact. Initial steps include prayers and blessings. If the situation escalates or becomes antagonistic, the priest must seek official permission to perform a major exorcism.

Before any rites are conducted, subjects are systematically evaluated by medical and psychiatric professionals to rule out mental illness, stress-related issues, or neurological conditions. In Europe, particularly in Rome, these evaluations can involve teams of doctors and psychologists, ensuring that exorcism is a last resort. Only if no natural explanation is found, and the bishop grants consent, does the exorcist proceed with the ancient rite. In reality, this can involve multiple sessions spanning months or even years. The dramatic single-battle climax depicted in films is, more often than not, a creative exaggeration.

The Hidden Heroes: Everyday Exorcists and the Mystery of Privacy

One of the more surprising revelations from Michael J. Lichens is the sheer normalcy of most exorcists. Many are parish priests leading ordinary lives: teaching, running community events, or cheering on local sports teams. The role is secretive—often even their closest parishioners are unaware of their unique responsibilities. The privacy of those afflicted and the necessity of discretion is paramount; exorcists rarely disclose details and almost always refer to cases anonymously, if they speak publicly at all.

Yet, exceptions exist. Some exorcists, like the celebrated Father Gabriele Amorth (often called the Pope’s Exorcist), embraced media attention to educate and demystify Catholic demonology. Amorth’s engaging stories and willingness to share his experiences made him a well-known figure and a prolific writer, with Lichens editing and promoting several of his books. Amorth believed public understanding could be fostered through storytelling, helping everyday people engage with these extraordinary elements of Catholicism.

A Battle of Good and Evil: Possession, Temptation, and the Types of Attacks

According to the exorcists Lichens has interviewed, demonic possession—including attacks on people, homes, or even objects—remains a rare but genuine concern. The Church distinguishes between “ordinary” demonic attacks (like temptation, which everyone faces) and “extraordinary” cases, which may involve possession, oppression, or infestation. The latter, while uncommon, are taken seriously when other explanations fail. Infestations—where a demonic presence attaches to a place or thing, often manifesting as unexplained activity—are considered the most frequent extraordinary encounters.

The root cause for these dark intrusions isn’t always dramatic. More often, it’s the result of dabbling in spiritually dangerous practices, attempts at cursing others, or striking bargains with spiritual entities. While such occurrences might seem rare in places like North America or the UK, some regions still report cases of individuals seeking out conjurers or using black magic for personal gain—sometimes unwittingly opening doors to greater spiritual peril.

Saints, Popes, and Spiritual Warriors: The Church’s Legacy of Exorcists

The practice of exorcism is woven through Catholicism’s history. Many early saints—including St. Nicholas and St. George—were known as exorcists, their lives filled with tales of casting out demons and confronting evil in its most dramatic forms. These stories, while often interpreted symbolically (such as St. George battling the dragon), reflect an enduring belief in the real spiritual struggles faced by humanity.

Even popes have taken up the exorcist’s mantle. Pope John Paul II, for instance, performed exorcisms before his papacy, and Pope Leo XIII composed the St. Michael prayer, still widely recited for protection against evil. Today, training in exorcism continues quietly behind the scenes, with organizations like the International Association of Exorcists founded to ensure priests are prepared for this challenging ministry—underscoring the ongoing relevance of spiritual warfare in the Church.

A Final Word: Between Mystery, Faith, and Curiosity

The world of exorcism isn’t just the stuff of horror films or medieval manuscripts. It’s an ongoing, living aspect of Catholic faith, drawing upon centuries of tradition and confronting the mysteries of things visible and invisible. Whether you consider these practices literal battles against supernatural evil or symbolic struggles with human frailty and temptation, the stories and testimonies gathered by experts like Michael J. Lichens provide a rare glimpse behind the curtain.

For those curious to learn more, Lichens recommends starting with Father Amorth’s “An Exorcist Tells His Story” or “The Devil is Afraid of Me”—books that blend thrilling accounts with spiritual advice and prayers anyone can use. The enduring popularity of such tales reminds us that our fascination with the strange and supernatural is not just a relic of the past, but a living thread in the tapestry of Catholic belief.

If you’ve ever wondered about the Church’s take on spiritual battles, or if you simply crave a story that’s stranger than fiction, exploring the real world of Catholic exorcisms is sure to intrigue—and perhaps even inspire—a new appreciation for the mysteries that surround us, seen and unseen.

📕 Guest: Michael J. Lichens

Michael is a longtime editor and author with a passion for the strange and spiritual. His latest book Weird Catholic Handbook is available from Sophia Institute Press and wherever books are sold.

🌍 Website: https://www.mlichens.com/

📘 Publisher: https://sophiainstitute.com