An explainer

What is permitted, what is reserved, and why the distinction matters.

There is a great deal of confusing material online about deliverance and exorcism, some of it dangerous. The Church’s position is clear and worth knowing before you pray anything you found on a forum.

What Any Catholic May Pray

• Prayers of protection: the St. Michael prayer, Psalm 91, the St. Benedict medal prayer, St. Patrick’s Breastplate.
• Blessings of a home by the head of the household, and the use of holy water and blessed sacramentals.
• Deprecative prayers — asking God to protect and free — for oneself and for others.
• The sacraments, which are the ordinary and most powerful means: Confession and the Eucharist above all.

What Is Reserved to a Priest

Major exorcism — the formal rite addressing the devil directly with the Church’s authority — may be performed only by a priest with the express permission of the local bishop, and only after careful investigation. This is canon law, not custom. Laypeople may not use the imperative formulas of the rite, and published texts that invite them to do so should be avoided.

If You Are Worried

1. Go to Confession. Nothing else you can do is more effective.
2. Speak to your parish priest plainly. He has heard stranger things and he knows who to call.
3. Ask about a house blessing.
4. Be sceptical of online deliverance ministries that charge money or bypass the Church entirely.
5. Do not neglect medical and psychological causes — the Church herself insists these be ruled out first, and any competent exorcist will say the same.

A Prayer of Protection

Lord Jesus Christ, by Your cross and resurrection,
protect me and this house from all harm.
Send Your holy angels to guard us,
and let nothing that is not of You remain here.
St. Michael, defend us. Amen.