The stages of an Exorcism

Regardless of the hype of movies, exorcisms do take place.

Exorcism (from Late Latin exorcismus, from Greek exorkizein - to adjure) is the practice of evicting demons or other evil spiritual entities from a person or place which they are believed to have possessed (taken control of).

During an exorcism, there have been identified specific stages. These stages occur 9 out of 10 exorcisms that take place.

1) Presence
2) Pretense
3) Breakpoint
4) Voice
5) Clash
6) Expulsion


Presence: From the moment in any genuine exorcism, an unmistakable and unexplainable presence is felt and known.

Pretense: In the early stages of the exorcsim, the evil spirit will make every attempt to "hide behind" the possessed. This must be broken.

Breakpoint: This is a new stage of attacks the exorcist undergoes during an exorcism. The exorcist undergoes confusion. Confusion of all his/her senses, as well as contradiction of the exorcist senses.

Voice: An inordinately disturbing and humanly distressing babel. This must be silenced.

Clash: The locking of wills between the evil spirit and the exorcist.

Expulsion: By God's grace and the power of Jesus Christ, the evil spirit departs the possessed.