Egzorcyzmy chrzcielne w liturgii rzymskiej

Abstract

The author analyses and describes the prayers of baptismal exorcisms, starting from the Gelasian Sacramentary, through the following editions of the Roman Rite from 1614 to 1972. Baptismal exorcisms are supplicatory prayers for the liberation from the dominion, influence and traps of Satan. Until Vaticanum II, baptismal exorcisms consisted mainly of commanding formulas, frequently repeated, uttered directly to Satan called as maledictus diabolus, damnatus maledictus, immunde spiritus, maledictus satana, inimicus. Today, they are mainly a humble prayer directed to God the Father and to Jesus Christ for the liberation from satanic influence. During the catechumenate these are called the first or the minor exorcisms (primi, seu minores). Of more importance are those exorcisms that are made during the cleansing and enlightment periods, that is, on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sunday of Lent, inspired by the Gospel about the Samaritan woman, about the healing of the man born blind and about the rising of Lazarus from death.