****** EXORCISM ******

BLESSING OF MEDAL OF ST BENEDICT

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord

R. Who made heaven and earth.

In the name of God the Father + Almighty, who made heaven and earth, the seas and all that is in them, I exorcise these medals against the power and attacks of the evil one. May all who use these medals devoutly be blessed with health or soul and body. In the name of the Father + Almighty, of his Son + Jesus Christ our Lord, and of the Holy + Spirit the paraclete, and in the love of the same Lord Jesus Christ who will come on the last day to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. R. AMEN

Let us pray. Almighty God, the boundless source of all good things, we humbly, ask that, through the intercession of St. Benedict, you pour out your blessings + upon these medals. May those who use them devoutly and earnestly strive to perform good works, be blessed by you with health of soul and the help of your merciful love, resist the temptations of the evil one and strive to exercise true charity and justice toward all, so that one day they may appear sinless and holy in your sight. This we ask through Christ our Lord. R. AMEN

The medals are then sprinkled with holy water.

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OBSESSION:

Obsession is a series of temptation that are more violent and prolonged than normal everyday temptations. These temptations are sudden, overwhelming and persistent--there is no medical explanation for them. Obsession differs from possession in that Satan and his evil army are only permitted to surround the victim and not enter the victim as in possession. Satan causes torment by by working on emotions and passions of the vicitm. He acts on the imagination, memory, and upon all five senses of the victim. These attacks may cause the victim to experience temporary insanity, anxiety, hysteria, panic, rage, lust, etc. Satan has no permanent power over the individual as in possession when Satan enters the victim and takes full control over the body. In some cases, as in the lives of the saints, the individual may be struck or knocked down by an invisible force. Obsession is sometimes observed in those who are perfecting their spiritual lives, who are obedient, charitable and humble. God allows Satan to test such souls to see what they are worth and for the purification of their souls. If diabolic obsession is persistent and violent, a priest may utilize private exorcism from the Roman Ritual or shortened forms of these prayers.

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POSSESSION:

The following are symptoms of possession as represented in the Roman Ritual of Exorcism. In most cases, a victim will have one or more of the traits listed. Not all of these symptoms must be present to indicate possession and it is quite possible that none of these symptoms will be present.

Victim speaks or understands unknown languages without ever studying the language being spoken or heard

Victim clearly knows things that are distant or hidden

Victim can predict future events (sometimes through dreams)

Victim has an intense hatred for holy things

Victim shows a physical strength far above his age or normal condition

Most victims are under medical care for mental illness before it is even discovered that they are possessed. The doctor prescribes a variety of medicines and would be cures only to find that the victim does not respond to any of them. Victims are not limited to a definite age group. Victims can be days old and be possessed (see Cursed from the womb). Once such case involved a 13 month old infant. When the exorcist placed a medal of St. Benedict on the infant, the baby responded with much agitation. The baby, who was laying on his stomach, turned his head and said annoyed, "Andate, marchate!" ("Leave me, get out of here!") The exorcist, as well as the parents of the child were amazed, for the infant had not yet learned to speak!