Review on "The Rite-The Making of a Modern Exorcist" by Matt Baglio

The Rite-The Making of a Modern Exorcist
by Matt Baglio

Review by Father Aidan J. Hix, O.S.C.
Thursday, February 17, 2011


C.S. Lewis once said "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them." When I was a teenager, my friend Arlon and I would read books on the Occult, demons and Possession by several supposed Christian authors such as Nicky Cruz’s book, “Satan on the Loose.” I felt both excited and terrified by the prospect of ever encountering such a phenomena as a demon or a demon possessed person.

In fact, even now, as an ordained priest, the idea seems a bit eerie! I’ve often joked around about such a prospect by saying if I was ever called upon to do an exorcism that I would call for a fleet of Fire trucks and bless each one as a container of Holy Water; then would proceed to man the water gun turret and lead the charge with all hoses on full force!

But the truth is that the problem of evil is not a laughing matter; and Matt Baglio did a wonderful job of introducing the world to darker side of faith and the battle between good and evil. He told the story of Father Gary Thomas’ journey of becoming an exorcist; and the testimonies of many who claimed to have been possessed by an outside entity and the story of their liberation, often a gradual process over a period of years.

The book provides a wide overview of the multifaceted issues concerning Demon Possession and Exorcism. He touches briefly on the historical and Biblical development of the idea of the “Devil”, Angelology, Demonology, as well as other Theological concerns; including the development and use of the Roman Catholic Ritual of Exorcism. All of which decry the sensationalist portrayals of Hollywood.

However, he does not focus only on the question of personified evil and possession from a religious, albeit Catholic perspective; but commits an entire section of the book to discuss how modern research from the scientific and medical community accounts for “anomalous healing.” This covers such exciting concepts as:
• healing vs curing
• voodoo possession as a kind of psychotherapy or Folk Therapy
• advances in neuroscience
• benefits of an exorcism in treating people with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)
• Reattributing techniques
• Placebo effects
• therapeutic rituals
• Expectancy
• Motivational Concordance
• Self-actualization
• Prayer as a therapeutic ritual
• Quantum Entanglement & healing from a distance
• The Spiritual Brain and Mystical Experiences
• Differentiating the source from psychosis to possession

Matt Baglio’s book goes along way in debunking the sensational misunderstanding of the Catholic practice of exorcism. Most exorcisms are quite mundane with very little physical manifestation, though some can be quite violent. Although there are still stories of abuse and deaths of victims of possible possessions due to medieval like practices, the practice in the American catholic church is that a candidate for exorcism must have a complete physical and psychological/psychiatric evaluation and the permission of a bishop prior to an exorcism ever being done.

Interestingly, a major part of the ongoing process of deliverance ministry is assisting the afflicted person being “proactive” in their own recovery by a return to the spiritual disciplines of going to church, prayer, the Sacraments (especially Confession and Holy Communion) and putting their faith in God. It reminds us that this is a ministry to people who are hurting and afflicted; and not merely engaging in the sensational or paranormal.

I believe Matt Baglio’s book, The Rite, is one of the best books I’ve ever read on this aspect of Pastoral Ministry; and should be part of every pastor’s arsenal. It certainly touched me deeply and dispelled many of my fears and concerns; and reminded me of the power of faith and the hope we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.