Exorcisms Part 2 - The Roman Ritual

 

Coat of Arms of Pope Paul V

The Rite of Exorcism is found in the Roman Ritual promulgated as law by Pope Paul V in 1614.

Understanding the Roman Ritual is therefore important in evaluating the Exorcisms that the local ordinary asked the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer to perform when he issued faculties for the Rite.

Through the centuries there were many different Rites. With the advent of printing it was decided by the Council of Trent to review and publish them in one book for the Latin Church. It was not immediate. It was only in 1614 that Pope Paul V brought into being, the book we know as the Roman Ritual, or in Latin the Rituale Romanum.

 

Pope Paul V

(1550 - 1621)

The Roman Ritual contains the sacred and authentic rites of the Church that are to be observed in the administration of the sacraments and other ecclesiastical functions so that they should be carried out according to a public and fixed standard by following the rubrics.

What are Rubrics?
The rubrics are the directions that govern the rites. It is important to note that rubrics are laws, they are not creative suggestions. They have full legal force. Rubrics bind as law in the same way that Canon Law binds. They emanate from the Pope and impose upon the priest an obligation to obey them. With the Rubrics the Pope also set out the 21 Normae, the standards to be observed.

Titulus XII

The Rite of Exorcism is Titulus XII in the Rituale Romanum made law by Pope Paul V in 1614.

1952 edition of the Rituale Romanum

The Rite of Exorcism underwent no change in the 1952 edition photographed on this post.

All questions concerning the Rite of Exorcism should reference the rubrics and standards of the Rite as set out by the Church through Pope Paul V in 1614.

Conclusion:
Any questions about the Rite of Exorcism 

should be answered by:
What does the Rite direct?

Did the priest follow the directions?

Was he obedient to the Pope's Rubrics and Standards?