41. The Movie The Exorcist Shocked the World

Notes

The 1973 film "The Exorcist" was inspired by a real-life exorcism of a 14-year-old boy in Maryland in 1949, blending cinematic horror with true events. The Catholic Church was integral in performing the exorcism, highlighting a blend of spirituality and intense prayers over several weeks.
While the film emphasized terror and dramatic effects such as levitation and screaming, the actual exorcism was much less theatrical. The church focused on spiritual warfare and the power of Christ to combat the forces of darkness, relying more on faith than on visually stunning scenes.
True evil, as suggested in the movie, is indeed robust but not insurmountable when faced with the spiritual authority of the Catholic Church, which has centuries of experience performing exorcisms and combating demonic presence with the potent force of religious sacraments and prayers.
Each Catholic diocese is equipped with a designated exorcist, whose identity is usually confidential to prevent public harassment. These priests are specially trained to discern genuine cases of possession from mental health issues, employing age-old rites and fervent prayer.
The iconic line from the film, "The power of Christ compels you," underscores a real-life commitment to faith over fear during exorcisms, which focus on affirming God's supremacy rather than just expelling demons.
Ronald Hunkler, initially identified as Roland Doe, became inadvertently involved with malevolent forces after experimenting with a Ouija board. This narrative illustrates the potential dangers of engaging with seemingly innocent yet spiritually risky objects.
The exorcism attempts escalated after Ronald's family, initially Lutheran, observed disturbing phenomena including mysterious noises and objects moving inexplicably. They sought help from a Catholic exorcist after their pastor recommended one due to the church's recognized expertise in dealing with demonic afflictions.
Continued attempts at exorcism in Maryland proved initially unsuccessful and even dangerous, leading Ronald's family to seek help in St. Louis. There, stronger efforts led by Father William Bowdern and another assisting priest eventually achieved success after a grueling spiritual battle.
Key sacramentals like holy water played a crucial role during the exorcism, provoking intense reactions from the demonic presence within Ronald. The final relief came quietly and without drama, emphasizing the silent yet profound victory of faith.
Ronald went on to lead a normal life and even worked for NASA, keeping his harrowing past private to avoid stigma, which highlights the long-term effectiveness of the successful exorcism and the normalcy that can follow even the most severe spiritual disturbances.
The making of "The Exorcist" movie was fraught with eerie incidents such as unexplained fires and injuries, contributing to rumors that the film set itself was cursed. These occurrences further blurred the lines between the film’s fiction and the reality of spiritual warfare.
Upon its release, "The Exorcist" not only terrified audiences, leading to physical reactions such as fainting and vomiting, but also ignited debates across religious and secular spaces about the nature of evil and the power of faith.
Despite the sensational portrayal in the film, most cases reviewed by the church involving claims of possession are determined to be mental health issues. Collaboration with medical professionals ensures that individuals receive appropriate care, reflecting the church's holistic approach to exorcism.
The portrayal of exorcisms in media often leans towards dramatization; however, the church views its role as fundamentally about rekindling God’s light in afflicted souls rather than merely participating in sensational battles against demons.
Viewing "The Exorcist" should be an opportunity to reflect on the true stories of spiritual triumph and the church's enduring battle against evil, rather than an exercise in succumbing to fear enhanced by Hollywood effects.

Episode Transcript

The 1973 film The Exorcist shocked the world, but its spine chilling tale of demonic possession was not just fiction. It was inspired by a true story. This is the Catholic Frequency podcast. Visit us online at catholicfrequency.com.

This is the story of the real life battle of how the Catholic church was summoned to defeat the power of the devil.

The movie The Exorcist is a cultural milestone, but its roots lie in a real exorcism case from 1949 involving a 14 year old boy in Maryland. The Catholic church performed the exorcism rite, and the boy was freed from demonic possession after weeks of prayer and struggle. Now the real case was far less dramatic than the film. Hollywood, of course, amplified the horror, focusing on the power of evil, screaming, levitation, shocking visuals. This glorification overshadows the truth.

Christ's power through the church always prevails over darkness. In the movie, the possessed girl and the dramatic effects take center stage. The real story, however, emphasized the spiritual battle, not the spectacle. The priests relied on prayer, fasting, and the authority of Jesus Christ, not theatrics. Evil is real.

It is powerful, but it's not invincible. The film does get one thing right. When evil manifests, the Catholic church is called. For centuries, the church has been the authority on exorcisms armed with the power of Christ. No other institution has the spiritual tools or authority to confront such forces.

Every Catholic diocese has a designated exorcist, though their identity is typically kept secret to protect them from harassment. These priests are trained to discern true possession from other causes, relying on prayer and the church's ancient rites. However, the movie downplays the ultimate truth. Jesus Christ is more powerful than evil. The power of Christ compels you.

That line is iconic, but the film leans into fear rather than faith. In reality, exorcisms are about trust in God's victory, not just defeating demons. The real case involved a boy named Ronald Hunkler, known as Roland Doe. It began when Ronald, curious and unaware of the danger, played with a Ouija board, a tool that opens doors to evil. This likely became the gateway for his possession, inviting dark forces into his life.

Strange events followed in Cottage City, Maryland, scratching noises, moving furniture, and violent outbursts. Ronald's family, who were Lutheran, contacted their pastor for help. Recognizing the severity, he recommended they call a Catholic priest, knowing the church's authority in such cases. An initial exorcism attempted by father Albert Hughes in Maryland failed, with Ronald reportedly injuring the priest. Desperate, the family traveled to Saint Louis where they had relatives.

There, father William Bowdern, a Jesuit priest, was assigned and ultimately led the successful exorcism. The exorcism, with help from another priest, unfolded over several weeks in Saint Louis. They faced intense spiritual resistance. Ronald spoke in Latin, his bed shook, and words appeared on his skin. But the priests persisted in faith.

Holy water proved effective during the exorcism, causing violent reactions when sprinkled on Ronald. Demons often recoil from sacramentals like holy water, which carry the blessing of the church and the authority of Christ. Unlike the film's dramatic ending, Ronald's deliverance was quiet. On 04/18/1949, after a final right, he awoke calm saying, he's gone. He went on to live a normal life working for NASA, but he kept his past private, fearing stigma.

Christ's victory in his life was complete. Making The Exorcist was intense. Director William Friedkin pushed boundaries with chilling effects, and the set was plagued by eerie incidents, fires, injuries, and a sense of unease. Some believe the film itself was cursed, adding to the mystique. When it was released in 1973, the impact was seismic.

Audiences fainted, vomited, and left theaters shaken. It sparked debates about faith, evil, and the supernatural. For Catholics, it was a double edged sword. It raised awareness of spiritual warfare, but it sensationalized it too. It's worth noting that most claims of possession investigated by the Catholic Church, up to 90% according to the late exorcist father Gabriel Amorth, are not demonic but stem from mental illness.

Priests work with doctors to discern the cause, ensuring care for those in need. From a Catholic view, the exorcist is a reminder of the reality of evil, but also a call to faith. Demons exist, but they tremble before Christ. The church's role in exorcisms is not about drama. It's about bringing souls back to God's light.

If you watch the film, remember Hollywood amplifies fear for effect. The real story is one of hope, fate, and Christ's triumph. Evil may seem powerful, but it's no match for the one who conquered sin and death. Let's pray for those who suffer from spiritual oppression and for the priests who battle on the front lines. And let's hold fast to the truth that greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.

This is the Catholic Frequency podcast. Thanks for listening. Visit us online at catholicfrequency.com.