Rite of Exorcism (Ritus exorcizandi; Rituale Romanum)

The tradition claims that, when performed by an authorized priest in the name of Jesus Christ and by the public authoritative prayer of the Church, the rite compels demons to reveal themselves and depart and withdraws the afflicted person or object from the dominion of the Evil One.

1. 01Obtain diocesan authorization: before using the official Rite, secure permission from the competent Church authority (bishop or his delegate) who designates the priest as an authorized exorcist (requirement of Church practice and emphasized in official commentary).
2. 02Conduct investigation and discernment: perform a careful medical, psychiatric, and pastoral assessment of the person's condition to determine whether the case is one for the Rite (investigative practice documented in pastoral accounts and guideline summaries).
3. 03Prepare the place and persons: bring the afflicted person to a suitable location (often private and pastoral rather than public liturgy); ensure presence of the authorized priest (exorcist) and, where indicated by local practice, assistants and a confessor/medical observer (procedural principle from pastoral sources).
4. 04Use the approved liturgical text: read and pray the approved text of the Rite of Exorcism as promulgated in the Roman Ritual / revised rite (the approved text contains the official prayers and invocations; sources note an English text is available — e.g., 1999/2004 translations — but do not reproduce private prayers here).
5. 05Open with the invocations prescribed by the Rite: recite the opening invocations from the approved text, repeating the first three invocations as directed by the Roman Ritual and the 1999 English edition (the Ritual and its English presentation note that the first three invocations are to be repeated).
6. 06Invoke Christ's authority and command the demon: using the formulaic prayers and commands in the name of Jesus Christ contained in the approved rite, the exorcist orders the unclean spirit to reveal itself and depart (the rite's core actions as described in sources).
7. 07Employ sacramentals as provided by the Rite and customary practice: accompany prayers with sacramentals customary in Catholic exorcism practice (e.g., sign of the cross with a crucifix, sprinkling of holy water) in accordance with the approved text and pastoral custom (sources associate sacramentals with the rite though do not reproduce every officiating action).
8. 08Repeat invocations and commands as necessary: follow the rite's pattern of repeated invocations/commands (the Roman Ritual directs repetition of the first three invocations and the revised rite preserves repetition in its structure).
9. 09Conclude according to the approved formula: bring the rite to its liturgically prescribed conclusion using the closing prayers and blessings found in the approved Roman Ritual text or revised edition (official practice emphasizes use of the approved text).
10. 10Follow‑up pastoral care: provide sacramental and pastoral follow‑up (confession, Eucharist, spiritual direction, continued medical/psychological care) as part of the Church's pastoral response after the ritual (pastoral standard in accounts and manuals).

1. [1]
   Exorcism in the Catholic Church (Wikipedia). Wikipedia article summarizing Catholic teaching, Catechism quotation on exorcism, and emphasis on authorization and the exorcist's faith.wiki
2. [2]
   Rituale Romanum / Roman Ritual (Wikipedia). Background on the Roman Ritual as the liturgical book containing rites including exorcism; context for the approved text.wiki
3. [3]
   Rite of Exorcism (1999 English text posted online). Online presentation of the 1999 English Rite of Exorcism; notes that the Roman Ritual directs repetition of the first three invocations.other
4. [4]
   The Vatican's exorcists: driving out the devil in the 21st century (Wilkinson, book). Ethnographic and journalistic account of contemporary Vatican exorcists, investigation procedures, and pastoral concerns (distinguishing illness from possession).other
5. [5]
   On Exorcism Part 2: How Possession is Detected (archive.org video transcript summary). Video/archive source discussing detection of possession, the centrality and risk to the exorcist, and phenomena associated with alleged possession.other
6. [6]
   Father Amorth on the New Rite of Exorcism vs. the Old Rite of Exorcism. Interview material and commentary by Father Amorth noting the rite was revised (not rewritten) and historical continuity of many prayers.other
7. [7]
   The New Rite of Exorcism vs. the Old Rite of Exorcism - A Priest's Opinion. Priestly commentary addressing differences between older and revised rites and debates over particular prayers (e.g., omission of the Athanasian Creed in some revisions).other
8. [8]
   Christianity.SE Q&A: According to Catholicism, is the power of exorcism the fruit of the true church?. StackExchange discussion referencing the Roman Ritual and patristic continuity of the present rite in the Roman Rite.other
9. [9]
   Incense, candles, crystal and exorcism (Christianity.SE). Discussion relevant to sacramentals and customary items used in Catholic ritual and exorcism practice; used to contextualize customary sacramentals without asserting an exhaustive canonical list.other
10. [10]
    Archive: The 'Catholic' Charismatic Movement Exposed. Critical audiovisual material contrasting official Rite and charismatic deliverance practices; used to note controversies and distinctions in practice.other