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Text Box: 19. While performing the exorcism over a woman, he ought always to have assisting him several women of good repute, who will hold on to the person when she is harassed by the evil spirit. These assistants ought if possible to be close relatives of the subject, and for the sake of decency the exorcist will avoid saying or doing anything which might prove an occasion of evil thoughts to himself or to the others. 20. During the exorcism he shall preferably employ words from Holy Writ, rather than forms of his own or of someone else. He shall, moreover, command the devil to tell whether he is detained in that body by necromancy, by evil signs or amulets; and if the one possessed has taken the latter by mouth, he should be made to vomit them (the exorcist always being conscious of the potential requirement this be done by a competent physician); if he has them concealed on his person, he should expose them; and when discovered they must be burned. Moreover, the person should be exhorted to reveal all his temptations to the exorcist. 21. Finally, after the possessed one has been freed, let him be admonished to guard himself carefully against falling into sin, so as to afford no opportunity to the evil spirit of returning, lest the last state of that man become worse than the former. CAUTIONS AND ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS TO THE EXORCIST A. The exorcist should be prepared to have the demon reveal the exorcist’s sins, especially those which he has forgotten and not confessed and those for which he has not received absolution. It therefore is prudent that the exorcist confess and receive absolution immediately prior to each exorcism session, but not merely to avoid embarrassment, but primarily to protect his own immortal soul. B. For this purpose and also for his

Text Box: own protection and assistance, especially should the demon be exceptionally violent, if available, another priest should assist the exorcist, with it being clear and certain which is the exorcist or lead, and which is the assistant. C. If the exorcism is to take place not in the church or other place where the Holy Eucharist is present, it is permitted and advised that the exorcist carry It properly secured (in a pyx) on his person or place It in a place of reverence where the exorcism takes place, always mindful of Its safety. D. When tracing the sign of the Cross on the person afflicted it is not necessary that Holy Oil (Chrism) be used, though its use often is prudent or advisable. E. Be sure to know the full, proper name of the one thought to be possessed, as well as any familiar names by which the person is called. In some instances it is more proper to use but the proper first name, others the full name, or the first and last name, and even to use the full proper name followed by a statement of the familiar name, e.g.: N. Johnathan Westphalt Smithson, whom we often call John. F. The Exorcist should read the ritual to be used prior to using it. Not just an hour before, but at least several hours prior, at and in a time, place, and situation where he will be at peace, in a prayerful manner, not skimming or cursorily but contemplatively and studiously. To be continued in the next issue of REUNION. +

Text Box: THE CONFESSIONS OF SAINT AUGUSTINE BOOK NINE (Cont'd) CHAPTER IV 7. Finally the day came on which I was actually to be relieved from the professorship of rhetoric, from which I had already been released in intention. And it was done. And thou didst deliver my tongue as thou hadst already delivered my heart; and I blessed thee for it with great joy, and retired with my friends to the villa.[275] My books testify to what I got done there in writing, which was now hopefully devoted to thy service; though in this pause it was still as if I were panting from my exertions in the school of pride.[276] These were the books in which I engaged in dialogue with my friends, and also those in soliloquy before thee alone.[277] And there are my letters to Nebridius, who was still absent.[278] When would there be enough time to recount all thy great blessings which thou didst bestow on us in that time, especially as I am hastening on to still greater mercies? For my memory recalls them to me and it is pleasant to confess them to thee, O Lord: the inward goads by which thou didst subdue me and how thou broughtest me low, leveling the mountains and hills of my thoughts, straightening my crookedness, and smoothing my rough ways. And I remember by what means thou also didst subdue Alypius, my heart's brother, to the name of thy only Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ -- which he at first refused to have inserted in our writings. For at first he preferred that they should smell of the cedars of the schools[279] which the Lord hath now broken down, rather than of the wholesome herbs of the Church, hostile to serpents.[280] 8. O my God, how did I cry to thee when I read the psalms of David, those hymns of faith, those paeans of devotion which leave no room for swelling pride! I was still a novice in thy true love, a catechumen keeping holiday at the villa, with Alypius, a

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