Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications
Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications (Latin: ) is an 84-page document of the Catholic Church containing the current version of the Rite of Exorcism authorised for use in the Latin Church. Overview. The ritual book was published on 26 January 1999, making it the last liturgical book to be revised following the Second Vatican Council of 1962–1965. The preceding revision of the document was in 1614. A slightly amended edition was issued in 2004. The document was originally issued only in Latin, but some versions in the vernacular are extant. Following the trends in Catholic  approaches to alleged cases of possession since the pontificate of Leo XIII in the 19th century, the new revision includes a warning not to confuse mental illness with demonic possession. It also removes several descriptions of Satan, which sat uncomfortably with the Church's doctrine, and states that the devil is "a spirit without body, without colour and without odour." Although taking many forms, Satan as a metaphysical or spiritual being exists without real physical attributes, but only the assumed forms. The 2004 edition contains two chapters and two appendices. Chapter One. Title: The Rite of Major Exorcism This text  is used for the formal ceremony of solemn exorcisms, which are always performed with the express permission of a bishop. It is for use only by mandated priest-exorcists. Chapter Two. Title: Various texts which may be used "ad lib" as part of the rite. This Chapter is subdivided into three sections: a collection of nine psalms with concluding prayers; a collection of five Gospel readings; two pairs of deprecative and imperative formulae of exorcism. Appendix One. Title: Prayers and exorcism for use in particular circumstances of the church. An introductory rubric states: The Devil and other demons can not  only afflict persons (by temptation and vexation), but also places and objects, and can cause various forms of opposition and persecution of the Church. If the diocesan Bishop, in the particular circumstances, judges it opportune to announce meetings for the faithful to pray, under the guidance and direction of the priest, selected prayers and directives can be taken from the following pages. Appendix One contains the following liturgy: Appendix Two. Title: Prayers which may be used privately by the faithful in the struggle against the powers of darkness. Appendix Two contains the following (all in Latin): Of Exorcisms and Certain