We’ve all been told before that exorcisms happen for real, but I feel like it’s a thought that most of us push back into some corner of our minds and forget about.
Recently, I’ve had an awakening to it, since I’ve had a chance to meet someone who actually performs them.
A Greek Catholic priest let me in on some things that he felt he was allowed to share about this bizarre ritual.
Some of these completely contradict the stuff we’ve seen in horror movies, while others match it to a tee.
So, here are 9 fascinating facts about real-life exorcisms!
1. The Prayer Mustn’t Stop
During an exorcism, the prayer is much more important than you might think; at least it’s more important than I thought.
Es un lifeline. The person performing the ritual has to keep praying without a pause, however long it takes.
If the prayer ever stops, the entire session can turn sour before anyone knows it.
The main purpose of the prayer is to keep the entity at bay, maintaining control over the situation. It’s like a barrier that prevents the demon from gaining any more strength.
And the demon tries to get the exorcist to stop. It throws distracciones, beastly sounds, and insults at them.
It does pretty much anything to get the person who’s performing the exorcism to lose their focus.
That’s why the exorcist has to be incredibly disciplined and committed, often praying for hours on end.
It’s a tense, exhausting process that demands unwavering dedication.
2. Never Look the Possessed in the Eye
Here’s a creepy tip the movies rarely tell you: You must never, ever look the possessed in the eye during an exorcism!
It’s not just a superstition – it’s actually dangerous.
The possessed person can become hyper-aware, and direct eye contact might give the demon or spirit a way to manipulate you or even attach itself to you.
The eyes are believed to be the window to the soul, and during possession, the entity might use that window to influence you.
Many exorcists advise keeping your gaze low or focusing on some object in the room.
It’s a crucial safety tip that can make all the difference between staying safe and falling under the influence of something dark.
3. What Kind of Person Can Become an Exorcist?
The movies get one thing right, and it’s that, even among clergy, those with the potential to be exorcists are very rare.
Proper training and experience, discipline, and strong faith are all obvious conditions, but there’s another one that I never paid much thought to – deep spiritual strength and calmness.
Only people who possess profundidad y un pure heart can perform exorcisms. It takes rigorous vetting and preparation.
These people often have a background in psychology or theology.
It’s not a job you can just pick up. It takes recommendation, observation, patience, and training.
Many steps are taken to ensure that the person is capable of handling what they’re about to see.
And this doesn’t only concern the exorcism itself, but the exorcist’s ability to continue living a normal life after the experience.
4. They’re Done More Often Than You Think
The particular exorcisms I’ve been told about have been done in the Czech Republic.
If you look online, the latest one from this country that made waves is dated to 2014, but in reality, numerous exorcisms are performed each year.
This one only became an internet sensation because it was recorded through a keyhole and the video was leaked online. And yes, the church actually confirmed its authenticity.
Though I haven’t been given an exact number, some experts estimate that dozens of these rituales are carried out every week across different regions.
However, the majority are kept quiet because the person or family in question wants privacy, or because the church doesn’t want to cause panic.
The truth is – spiritual afflictions are much more common than any of us thought.
5. The Possessed Really Know Things They Shouldn’t
One of the most unnerving signs of possession is that the individual often reveals knowledge they have no way of knowing.
And I don’t mean speaking in tongues, but actually knowing personal details and secrets about the exorcist’s life.
The entity might often use these very secrets to confuse the exorcist and disrupt the exorcism.
This ties directly to the importance of discipline and prayer, because even as the demon airs out all your dirty laundry and gives shocking details about your life, you can’t stop praying.
Este eerie awareness is nothing short of chilling, and it’s one of the clear signs that the erratic behavior of the victim isn’t just mental illness – it’s a demonic possession.
6. The Vetting Process for Exorcism Is Dead Serious
Getting an exorcism isn’t as simple as making a call. The spiritual authority – church, in this case – conducts a serious vetting process first.
In fact, this acquaintance of mine said that the closest depiction of the legal and vetting process we have when it comes to movies is The Exorcism of Emily Rose.
Anyway, any mental health issues, illnesses, or any other explanations have to be ruled out before considering a ritual.
This process involves multiple evaluations and interviews. The church has to be sure that what they’re dealing with isn’t schizophrenia or severe depression.
This can take weeks e incluso meses. The process is so rigorous both for the sake of the victim, the exorcist, and the church itself.
7. You Can Actually Watch an Exorcism – If You Dare
If you know an exorcist, they might allow you to observe the ritual if they think you can take it.
Still, many people would think twice before stepping into something like that.
Even if it’s totally safe and you’re not actually taking part in the exorcism, seeing something like that firsthand has to change you.
Besides, many of these are documented cases, and there are authentic videos available for those who are curious but prefer to keep a safe distance.
Watching a real thing can be shocking, as they often contain inhuman screams, thrashing, and strange phenomena.
Son raw and terrifying, so think carefully before you decide to look them up.
8. Rare but Extreme Signs of Possession
Climbing walls, levitating, and smashing through doors are horror movie staples when it comes to exorcism, but in reality, these are very rare and extreme signs of possession.
They may happen when the entity inside the person has gained incredible strength or control.
Usually, these behaviors are spontaneous and unpredictable, often accompanied by violent outbursts.
They’re signaling that the entity is pushing beyond normal boundaries – suggesting a dangerous level of possession.
These cases often require more intense rituals, sometimes even multiple sessions, to finally break the entity’s hold.
9. You Don’t Have to Be a Priest to Perform an Exorcism
This one surprised me the most.
While priests are the most recognized exorcists, you don’t actually have to be one to perform an exorcism, and you can get authorized by the church, and all.
Some spiritual practitioners, shamans, or trained laypeople have been authorized to carry out these rituals.
Earlier, I mentioned exactly what kind of person is allowed to become an exorcist, and again, spiritual authority, experience, and deep understanding of the ritual are crucial.
It’s not something to take lightly, because witnessing these terrifying possessions can challenge your whole outlook on life.
So, while it’s technically possible for anyone to do it, exorcisms are still mainly performed by clergy.
A little Aquarius, devoted to writing and embroidery. Through my writing, I hope to empower readers to align with their true selves and navigate life’s mysteries with confidence.