Two Books on Exorcism

"Exorcism: Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult" by Fr Jose Francisco Syquia is a true narration of the author's adventures as an exorcist in the Philippines. Published in 2006, the account is set recent and interspersed with teachings Fr Syquia has studied.

In parallel, "The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist" by Matt Baglio (2009) tells the account of Fr Gary Thomas, who was a skeptic of modern-day demonic possession, until he has had to undergo a course on it in Rome. The skeptic-turned-exorcist Fr Thomas tells his journey under the tutelage of a renowned exorcist (who accepts cases in a church as would a doctor in a clinic), until such time he has to lead an exorcism himself.

Aside from exorcism and the supernatural being real and practiced until now––the Modern Age of Science––the following are noteworthy in the two books:

1) Having been involved with the occult and the New Age Movement (beyond-curious or habitual interest in Astrology, Numerology, Tarot cards, fortune telling, etc.) or being an occult practitioner increases the chances of you being obsessed, oppressed or possessed. Having a sinful lifestyle will do so too.

2) Temptation from the devil is an ordinary demonic activity, while unusual types of demonic harassments are possession, oppression, obsession and infestation.

3) Possession is a state of full control over a body (but not the soul) by demon(s). The mental, affective and volitive faculties of a patient are suspended. Obsession is characterized by thoughts that spring up momentarily or more frequently. These thoughts may be absurd, blasphemous, shameful, horrifying. They come especially at night. When suicidal in nature, the obsession would be at a dangerous level. Oppression is defined more variedly: burdens or afflictions that torment, affecting one's health, emotional and psychological well-being, spiritual life, relationships and work. Such misfortunes may come from nowhere. Deliverance prayers would be adequate for the latter two, while an exorcism is required for possession. Infestation is locational or material control of the demons. This may involve objects accepted from occult practitioners, or houses that are haunted.

4) Fortune tellers border the Quiapo church––an irony of strong forces localized.

5) Albularyos sometimes work because they call on to spirits that may be stronger than the spirits that have caused the illness. A visit to the albularyo may incur wasted money: getting healed on the first visit might assure the albularyo a second visit; thus the albularyo may implant on you another sickness.

6) Deliverance prayers can be thought of as a private exorcism. Crucial is the praying individual's faith for the success of the deliverance.

7) Trained exorcists discern the psychological from the non-human. An exorcist might say a prayer in Latin, dual-purpose: To check if the human reacts from it as a demon would, and to not traumatize a potential possessed individual.

8) Different exorcists have different styles. Different possessed humans have different reactions to different exorcists.

9) Demons do not want to get noticed. They'd manifest scientifically or naturally to deceive, especially the exorcists.

10) Being sinful makes you vulnerable to spiritual attacks (curses that may be spoken unintentionally or otherwise, spells).

11) Demons are fallen angels that are experts at deception. They may know secrets and use these to assault an exorcist or his team (which may include a psychiatrist, a doctor, a charismatic group).

There is an archdiocese in Manila, an office in Exorcism. http://exorcismphilippines.com/
Read this recent interview with Fr Syquia: http://www.mb.com.ph/node/339374/the-exorci