Exorcist: Documentary by Jay Taruc (GMA-7 News TV, Philippines)

I was fortunate to watch this documentary while handling the funeral arrangements of my dad in the Philippines last week. One of the two exorcists extensively interviewed for this TV documentary show, Fr. Jojo Zerrudo, was also the priest who offered the Traditional Latin Requiem Mass on the day of my dad's burial (last October 10, 2010) at the Paz Funeraria in Manila Memorial Park, Sucat, Philippines. The parish where Fr. Zerrudo is assigned (Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy in Sikatuna Village, Quezon City), offers the Traditional Latin Mass everyday (Mon-Sat, Low Mass: 8:30AM; Sunday: Missa Cantata: 2:00 PM). In fact, the last exorcism shown on the documentary happened on the same day when my dad was buried! It was quite a hectic day for Father Zerrudo! (who is also the official exorcist for the Diocese of Cubao). Anyway, be sure to check out his blog "Sense of the Sacred".

I-WITNESS “EXORCIST"

Documentary by Jay Taruc

(Oct. 11, 2010 Episode summary taken from GMA News TV, based in the Philippines)

Many have turned these scenes into iconic Hollywood images – a girl twisting her head in an impossible angle, speaking foreign languages and cursing at a priest who is performing an exorcism. Now, the real-life exorcists break their silence and reveal a world where they say unimaginable horrors are very real, and much stranger than fiction.

For the first time on Philippine television, the Office of Exorcism under the Archdiocese of Manila has opened its doors to a documentary team for an in-depth discussion of a subject that has long been kept behind closed doors. I-Witness has been allowed access to the official “exorcists" of the Church as well as confidential exorcism footage.

Father Jocis Syquia, head of the Office of the Exorcism, divulges what really goes on during the exorcism ritual conducted by a team of experts composed of priests, a lawyer, a doctor, and volunteers commissioned by the Archdiocese. The team is tasked to handle cases of demonic disturbances in persons, places or things.

The critically acclaimed film, “The Exorcism of Emily Rose," is based upon the tragic true story of Anneliese Michel who died after months of undergoing exorcism rituals. Anneliese’s story is controversial and raised questions about exorcism. After this incident, the Vatican revised their book of exorcism rituals and required that a doctor and lawyer be present whenever a ritual is to be performed.

Accordingly, before any exorcism ritual can occur, a psychiatric evaluation and a series of interviews have to be completed by the person, for the exorcist to determine if it is an authentic demonic attack.

Father Syquia and his fellow exorcist Father Jojo Zerrudo have been involved in numerous cases of demonic possession. They tell of moments when they had to grip onto their faith to continue what they were doing because the demon, they said, retaliated in unexpected ways. To these real-life exorcists, it is all part of a battle to bring the person back to a meaningful relationship with God.

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Video compilation taken from the Pinoy Ako website. Since some portions of the video are in Tagalog, I have taken the liberty to translate them for the benefit of my non-Filipino friends below each video clip:

Part 1

Fr. Jocis Syquia (Director, Office of Exorcism, Archdiocese of Manila) explains that upon the arrival of the Spanish missionaries in the Philippines, they also began expelling demons that originated from the practice of pagan rituals among the natives.

All bishops are considered exorcists, since they have the fullness of the priesthood. While priests are allowed to exorcise, they need permission or delegation from their respective bishop.

Fr. Jojo Zerrudo started as an exorcist at his parish (Parish of the Lord of Divine Mercy or PLDM). His sessions would usually start with a psychiatric evaluation, to make sure that the person has a spiritual malady and not a physical one. In each exorcism session, a doctor and lawyer are also present.

Part 2

Fr. Zerrudo explains that to prepare for an exorcism, the priest goes to confession and then afterwards offer mass for the person to be exorcised. He uses the book "The Roman Ritual" along with a variety of religious items such as a stole, Holy Water, the Cross of St. Benedict. Latin, being the official language of the Church has an important value: the person being exorcised won't understand it, but the devil or evil spirit can definitely understand it! [The devil hates latin! This was attested by Fr. Gabriel Amorth, the Chief Exorcist in Rome. This is why it's a good idea to be familiar with even just the basic prayers in latin]. Relics are also important. Relics are physical remains of a saint (such as hair or bone) that are kept for veneration. The highest relic is none other than the Relics of the True Cross of Christ.

In 1999, the Exorcism Rite was revised. However, most exorcists (including Fr. Zerrudo and Fr. Syquia) still prefer the 1614 Ritual -- which they say is more powerful than the revised rite. [Another exorcist, Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, former president of Human Life International shares the same observation]. The presence of a doctor is important to see if the person is physically able to withstand the ritual, if not, the session would then be stopped. The presence of a lawyer helps to ensure that there are no legal liabilities.

What is seen on TV and movies are usually true: pains of the possessed, inverted cross appearing on the forehead, or the head being able to rotate 360 degrees, levitation, body and feet being twisted, etc. The influence of the new age is simply a revival of paganism. The majority of cases being brought to Fr. Zerrudo usually involve possessions stemming from occult practices (oija board, sorcery, witch craft, etc.). [So stay away from them!]

Part 3

A second case of exorcism is that of Mara, who comes from a devout Catholic family. Her case started on a Good Friday, after seeing what appears to be another teenager vanishing mysteriously. At 2AM, she felt her entire body ache. The pattern would usually repeat itself everyday, particularly before 12, 3, 6pm (Angelus). Being oppressed, she would then be found to be drooling, and her body would be bended by a mysterious force. Having consulted a 'spiritist' brought her temporary relief, but after a few months, she had would experience the same pains.

Once, while taking a shower, she would hear voices saying 'I am your God'. At this point, she got in touch with Fr. Syquia's Exorcism team. After evaluating her, an exorcism and blessing of her house was immediately done. Mara is convinced that she was allowed to undergo this experience so that her relationship with God would grow deeper.

Part 4

Fr. Zerrudo explains that one cannot be afraid when dealing with the devil, since this would indicate a lack of trust in God. Sister Leilani Macoy (FMA), a member of Fr. Syquia's Exorcism team, recounts one time where she was holding a plastic bag while the possessed was vomiting nails. Shortly after, while she was sleeping, she felt being choked. At first, she couldn't say her prayers (not even a Hail Mary), but afterwards, she felt ok. Even Fr. Syquia wasn't spared by the devil, as he recounts getting mysterious scratches. Fr. Syquia also mentions that a lot of those who get possessed are women and children (he thinks that they are more sensitive to the spiritual world).

In the 3rd case, another woman (Rowena) was brought to Fr. Zerrudo, after being diagnosed with depression. At first, Fr. Zerrudo thought that a deliverance prayer was all that she needed. However, all that changed when he started to rub on her ears the oil of catechumens. Her reaction changed dramatically. Rowena started howling and acted strangely. Immediately, Fr. Zerrudo made a quick decision to do a full-blown exorcism. He noticed that the evil spirit on her screamed at a certain latin phase. It took Fr. Zerrudo a total of 2 and 1/2 hours before the spirit left Rowena's body. [Fr. Zerrudo later recounted to me that Rowena was offered a glass of water (that actually was Holy Water) and she refused to drink it. When offered a glass of ordinary water, she was ok with it. It goes to show that the evil spirit can distinguish what is Holy Water and what is not! Too bad it wasn't shown in TV.]

For some people, they think that the Exorcism is about the devil. No! It's actually about the Lord and his love for us, this was asserted by Fr. Jojo Zerrudo. The show ends with an update on Mara, who is back to her normal life. The other woman, Rowena, was advised to see the doctor (to deal with the depression) and to come back for one more healing session.

Divine Mercy Pro-Life Conference

A few weeks ago, a new book on Exorcism arrived, and I got a chance to skim the first few chapters. The Exorcism and the Church Militant was very well organized and Fr. Thomas Euteneuer really laid out very nicely the topics in a Question & Answer format. He even had Fr. John Corapi write a foreword for the book! An interesting section on the appendix titled "The New Rite of Exorcism: A Potent Weapon is Weakened" caught my eye. Here Father compares the 1614 exorcism ritual, "De exorcizandis obsessis a dae monio" ("On Exorcising Those Obsessed by a Demon") and the watered-down 1999 revision titled "De exorcismis et supplicationibus quibusdam" ("On Exorcisms and Other Supplications"). Hmmm. The story sounded familiar. Anyway, compared with the other books on exorcism, I find that this is the the easiest to read.

I first encountered the name of Fr. Euteneuer in the pro-life movement, since he's the President of Human Life International. To my surprise, I found out later that he's also an exorcist! When I read an email from the Divine Mercy mailing list that Fr. Euteneuer would be visiting the Bay Area again (I missed the opportunity to see him give a talk at the East Bay Men's Conference at the Oakland Cathedral last May), I made a point to go the Divine Mercy Pro-Life Conference at Holy Spirit Parish (Fremont, CA) last Saturday, August 7. He was joined by Dr. John Bruchalski, a former abortion doctor who has since then converted to the Catholic faith and runs the Tepeyac Family Center based in Fairfax, VA.

Me and Dr. John Bruchalski. His conversion story was very moving. Also learned from him the need to pray for the doctors in the abortion industry which can really work wonders (him being an example!).

Me and Fr. Thomas Euteneuer. I mentioned to him a priest friend in the Philippines (who also is an exorcist). He said "Oh yes, the Philippines needs more exorcists!". Out of curiosity, I asked Fr. Euteneuer if he ever had a chance to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass (better known as the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite). He said, "No, but I'll need to learn that" (or something to that effect). At least he has shown interest and he knows he has to get himself trained somehow. When I mentioned to him that I go to St. Margaret Mary's where the Traditional Mass is being offered on a daily basis, he was impressed.

A nice autograph from Fr. Euteneuer.

The seats were full to capacity (though this photo was taken during the lunch break). There were lots of Filipinos! (I'd say definitely more than half of the conference goers!)

I visited the Perpetual Adoration Chapel afterwards. I learned from the conference that the Holy Spirit Parish is the 2nd in the Diocese of Oakland to have a 24-hour Adoration chapel (the first is the Divine Mercy Chapel at El Cerrito, CA).

Here's Fr. Euteneuer on EWTN's World Over Live discussing "Exorcism and the Church Militant".

Demonic possession and Exorcism

Two stories on Exorcism caught my attention these past few days. One is from Dailyillini (an independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois):

Exorcist shares past experiences with demonic possession

With Halloween around the corner and Hollywood releasing horror movies such as "Paranormal Activity" and "Saw VI," one cannot help but feel chills running down his or her spine. St. John's Catholic Newman Center had the timing right when it invited exorcist Father Vince Lampert to speak about his experiences Monday night at Foellinger Auditorium.

Lampert, the head priest at St. Francis and Clare parish in Greenwood, Ind., was ordained a priest in 1991. He was later asked by the archbishop of Indianapolis if he was willing to train as an exorcist, said Monsignor Gregory Ketcham, director and head chaplain at the Newman Center.

"Father Lampert was asked to take on the role of an exorcist because he is very prayerful and faithful, and he has a lot of integrity — he's a good man," Ketcham said.

Lampert is one of twelve exorcists in America today, Ketcham said. Lampert spent a whole summer in Rome training under Italy's head exorcist. This training included witnessing and assisting in about 60 exorcisms.

Now that Lampert has been a fully trained exorcist for several years, he said he receives five to six calls a week from people who believe they are possessed. Exorcisms are only performed as a last resort once the subject is determined to be truly possessed.

"For one to become possessed by the devil, one has to have a dedication to the devil, be cursed or lead a life that is full of sin; it is something more than just a struggle against temptation," Lampert said.

Performing an exorcism takes a lot of preparation by not only the subject, but by the exorcist too, Lampert said. Before each exorcism, Lampert has to go through a series of prayers and attend confession so the devil will not be able top reach him.

"In order for a person to be exorcised, they have to be fully committed to turning to Christ," Lampert said. "If they resist, the exorcism cannot be performed."

When determining if a person is in fact possessed, Lampert looks for several criteria.

"A person may be possessed if they have an ability to speak unknown languages, unhuman-like strength, the knowledge of the unknown, and an inexplicable aversion to holy places," Lampert said.

During an exorcism, Lampert goes through 10 steps, including prayers and blessings, he said.

"Sometimes the exorcism can be rather dull," Lampert said. "But I have seen a woman levitate and people's faces contort."

During his lecture, Lampert told several stories of extraordinary events that have occurred during his exorcisms. In one story, a person spoke in a childlike voice that was not his own, as it was the devil speaking.

People formed long lines before the microphone in order to ask Lampert questions about his unusual career. Many viewers were also listening attentively to his answers with gasping and awing. Many of the seats at Foellinger Auditorium were occupied throughout the event.

Erika Satterlee, freshman in LAS, said she went into the lecture not knowing much about exorcisms except for depictions in movies.

"The lecture was definitely interesting," Satterlee said. "It freaked me out too, which I knew it would."

This was Lampert's second time speaking at the University around Halloween, Ketcham said.

"Lampert's purpose of speaking is to share the Catholic view of evil and how it works in our lives," Ketcham said. "He is here to tell us the truth."

Here are the youtube videos of Fr. Lampert's talk:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Here is the other article, from the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

Exorcist’s tales: ‘Hair on my arms stood on end’

By Cathy C. Yamsuan

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Posted date: October 30, 2009

MANILA, Philippines — Walking toward the squat bungalow on a narrow street in Mandaluyong City, the priest wondered why his friend had requested “a lot of holy water” for the blessing.

“I thought I was going to bless a big house. It was only a bungalow surrounded by tall trees,” Fr. Armand Tangi said, remembering that rainy afternoon in 1984.

Tangi, then a freshman priest of the Society of St. Paul, saw nothing strange about the house that was inhabited only by his friend’s uncle.

But as soon as his friend (let’s call him Rey) opened the front door, “it was so cold even with all the windows closed,” Tangi said. “The hair on my arms stood on end.”

Tangi, Rey and their companions—two women, both office subordinates of the latter—walked in.

Looking around, the priest noted that there were no religious statues or objects to be seen—something he found odd in a house owned by a Catholic family.

Rey introduced him to the elderly uncle seated on a rocking chair. But the latter’s “thoughts seemed somewhere else,” the priest said.

Having arranged the holy water and the prayer cards brought by Rey, Tangi put on his stole and opened his book of prayers at the appropriate page.

Moaning

“I started the prayer and I could hear moaning, a male voice, as though in pain. It wouldn’t stop,” Tangi said.

He and the women exchanged glances anxiously.

Praying aloud, they walked around the house, with the moaning growing louder each time they entered a room.

Recalled Tangi: “It was loudest when we reached the kitchen. I realized it was coming from the refrigerator.

“I didn’t know whether to open the ref door or not. What if whatever was moaning leapt out? What if it were a spirit and entered me or one of my companions?”

Eyes closed but still praying, Tangi grasped the vial of holy water, swung the refrigerator door open, and wildly squirted the vial’s contents inside.

He opened his eyes and saw only food and bottles of drinking water.

“I could still hear moaning inside the ref but it was getting faint. When I posted a card bearing a prayer to the Holy Name of Jesus on the door, it stopped,” the priest said.

Rey then asked Tangi to pray over his uncle, who appeared indifferent to what had just transpired.

“I stood behind him and put my hands on his head. I blessed him but I felt that something was very wrong,” Tangi said.

No one spoke as he and the others left the house.

With horns and tail

Only after they had gone a considerable distance did Rey disclose why he wanted the house blessed, Tangi said.

Not one of the housemaids hired to look after his uncle stayed for more than a few days. The girls complained that the chairs, even slippers, moved by themselves.

The most disturbing detail came from the neighborhood kids who claimed to see “a man with horns and a tail” standing behind his uncle, as if watching TV with him.

Rey also said that as a younger man, his uncle used the house for occult sessions involving the use of an Ouija board.

The guests at these gatherings were well-off people, many of whom later suffered bankruptcy or tragic deaths, Rey said.

He said one of them was a well-known socialite whose mysterious murder made headlines in the mid-1980s.

In one session, the group called on the spirit of a peer who had committed suicide.

“They asked the spirit, ‘Where are you?’ And it answered, ‘Why are you mocking me?’” Tangi quoted Rey as saying.

Witnesses said the glass on the board suddenly flew and smashed into a nearby wall. The furniture moved, as if being shoved around.

Causes of haunting

In his book “Exorcism: Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult,” Fr. Jose Francisco C. Syquia mentioned the “preternatural demonic causes” of a “haunted” house.

“Occult and sinful activities” may lead “evil spirits” to find “a spiritual opening,” said Syquia, the director of the Office of Exorcism of the Archdiocese of Manila.

Listed among the “magic sessions” that, according to Syquia, lead to the demonic possession of a place are “Ouija board, tarot cards, spell casting and the like.”

“Unless these activities are stopped, repeated sin and dealings with the occult can allow these spirits to have even more dominion within the home, as well as attract more evil spirits,” he warned.

Syquia said simple house blessings “do not suffice to drive … away” spirits who had attached themselves to houses used for occult activities.

He said a haunting could also have a spiritual cause: “Someone died, was killed, or committed suicide in the house and now needs prayers, sacrifices and Masses.”

In this case, family and friends can help by frequently offering prayers and Masses for the deceased, he said.

Protocol for exorcism

There is a protocol for the exorcism or deliverance of a house.

Tangi said a priest “has to fast, go to confession, and by the grace of God, try his best not to sin before the exorcism.”

Fr. Jude Rebaldo of the Diocese of Kalibo said that for an exorcism to succeed, the house owners must also be active participants.

“They need to exhibit the desire to put an end to the haunting. The initiative to clean the house must come from them,” he said.

Rebaldo said the house owners must also go to confession before the exorcism.

Vulnerable to retaliation

“The Holy Rosary is an effective protection. They must implore the help of Mama Mary and recite deliverance prayers addressed to the archangels, particularly St. Michael and St. Gabriel for protection,” he said, adding:

“This is because the owners who want to get rid of unholy spirits become vulnerable to retaliation.”

In the case of the Mandaluyong house, Tangi said he was not told beforehand. “I did not fast because I was thinking it was a simple house blessing.”

Asked what he thought saved him despite his unpreparedness, Tangi said: “I was newly ordained then, so perhaps I was very confident and still full of grace. Remember that I was armed only with a prayer book, my stole, holy water and the prayer cards brought by [Rey].”

Better prepared

In 2008, Tangi was better prepared for another exorcism, this time of a house built on a scenic mountain ridge that also served as a venue for Ouija sessions.

“When the host-owner died, he was buried in the property. That’s a no-no because Catholics are supposed to be buried in a sacred place,” Tangi said.

The heirs wanted the property converted into a retreat house.

“And for good reason,” Tangi said. “It is a beautiful, three-level property, with good architecture, overlooking the ridge, with a lawn and trees.”

An aunt of the heirs asked Tangi to bless the house.

“She admitted that there were spirits causing disturbances. The house was uninhabited for the longest time. Nobody wanted to stay. The caretakers felt that something unseen was always keeping watch, especially when they sleep,” Tangi said.

“Even visitors appreciated the house’s beauty and architectural design, but they felt ill at ease,” he said.

To prepare, the priest went to confession, fasted, and recited prayers of protection, particularly to St. Michael and Padre Pio, the Capuchin monk who also suffered demonic oppression.

3 p.m. prayers

Tangi chose to begin at 3 p.m., deemed the Hour of Great Mercy.

Everyone gathered around the dining table that stood at the center of the main floor.

“When I started with the prayers, we heard the sound of a door opening and closing,” he said.

Everything went well until Tangi reached the part of Pope Leo’s exorcism prayer to St. Michael that commands “unclean spirits, all satanic powers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions, assemblies and sects” out of the house “in the Name and by the Power of Our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Suddenly, a dinner plate on the table shattered.

“The shards went flying!” Tangi said. “Nobody got hurt so I continued praying, but I was worried that another plate might explode and hurt someone. The atmosphere was ominous. I was scared.”

But Tangi went on to finish the prayers and the eerie feeling soon disappeared.

Invitation to the devil

He led everyone in a walk around the house, sprinkling holy water and urging them to sing prayers to boost their spirits.

Tangi made a follow-up visit after a week. The caretakers said they no longer felt uneasy.

But a priest who came with him advised the heirs to remove an abstract painting displayed in the living room.

“It was predominantly black and red. The other priest said the painting was actually an invitation to the devil,” Tangi said. The heirs immediately complied.

Blessed objects

Syquia warned against calling on “agents of superstition”—such as arbularyo, magtatawas, spiritista—to exorcise a home.

Quoting the Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, he said: “[I]f the [occupants of the home] should happen to make use of superstitious means condemned by the Church to rid themselves of the curse, they enter, though without knowing it perhaps, into communication with the powers of darkness, which then acquire fresh strength.”

Syquia prescribed “blessed objects, like crucifixes on the door of every room, and the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary at the front part of the house.”

“This manifests that the house belongs to God,” he said, adding that the family’s daily praying of the rosary would also keep an atmosphere of peace.