Most of the time, when people think of exorcisms, they think of dramatic situations like those depicted in movies like “The Rite” or “The Exorcist.” But did you know that an exorcism is performed with something as common as the rite of baptism?
There are two kinds of exorcisms: major exorcisms and minor exorcisms.
A major exorcism is a solemn ritual performed by a priest when a person is believed to be possessed by a demon. They are rare and are only performed by authorized exorcists.
A minor exorcism, on the other hand, is a more general exorcism performed even if the recipient is not believed to be possessed and is included in the baptismal rite.
But if a person, such as an infant receiving baptism, is not possessed, why do they need an exorcism?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church answers: “Since Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil, one or more exorcisms are pronounced over the candidate.” (1237)
All humans are born with Original Sin (with the exceptions of Jesus and Mary). As the Council of Trent taught, this makes us “by nature children of wrath,” “servants of sin,” and “under the power of the devil and death.”
When a person is baptized, they receive God’s grace and are
