The conception of the Holy Spirit as a divine influence or power that we are somehow to get hold of and use, leads to self-exaltation and self-sufficiency. One who so thinks of the Holy Spirit and who at the same time imagines that he has received the Holy Spirit will almost inevitably be full of spiritual pride and strut about as if he belonged to some superior order of Christians. One frequently hears such persons say, “I am a Holy Ghost man,” or “I am a Holy Ghost woman.” But if we once grasp the thought that the Holy Spirit is a divine Person of infinite majesty and glory and holiness and power, who in marvelous condescension has come into our hearts to make us His abode there and take possession of our lives and make use of them, it will put us in the dust and keep us in the dust. I can think of no thought more humbling or more overwhelming than the thought that a Person of divine majesty and glory dwells in my heart and is ready to use even me.
R.A. Torrey

Exorcism

Exorcism

EXORCISM

BASIC R.C. BELIEF The driving out of the devil in cases of possession according to a special rite of the Church. The priest must have the express consent of his Bishop to perform an exorcism. Lesser exorcisms, which do not imply possession, are performed in the exorcism of salt and water in the making of the Holy Water.

SECULAR JOURNALS From USA TODAY, 3/6/90. “Outspoken Cardinal John O’Connor of New York surprised theologians when he said Sunday there have been two exorcisms in the New York archdiocese in recent months.

“`We hope, as far as we know, they have been successful,’ he said in his sermon at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He gave no details of the exorcisms.

“`If you asked most bishops in the country “Who is your exorcist?” they probably wouldn’t have one. It’s an ad hoc thing,’ said Rev. James Burtchell, theology professor at Notre Dame University. `Probably a number of bishops would be surprised to hear there were two in New York.'”