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Objection 1: It seems that exorcism should not precede Baptism.
For exorcism is ordained against energumens or those who are
possessed. But not all are such like. Therefore exorcism should not
precede Baptism.
Objection 2: Further, so long as man is a subject of sin, the
devil has power over him, according to Jn. 8:34: "Whosoever
committeth sin is the servant of sin." But sin is taken away by
Baptism. Therefore men should not be exorcized before Baptism.
Objection 3: Further, Holy water was introduced in order to ward
off the power of the demons. Therefore exorcism was not needed as a
further remedy.
On the contrary, Pope Celestine says (Epist. ad Episcop.
Galliae): "Whether children or young people approach the sacrament
of regeneration, they should not come to the fount of life before the
unclean spirit has been expelled from them by the exorcisms and
breathings of the clerics."
I answer that, Whoever purposes to do a work wisely, first removes
the obstacles to his work; hence it is written (Jer. 4:3):
"Break up anew your fallow ground and sow not upon thorns." Now the
devil is the enemy of man's salvation, which man acquires by
Baptism; and he has a certain power over man from the very fact that
the latter is subject to original, or even actual, sin. Consequently
it is fitting that before Baptism the demons should be cast out by
exorcisms, lest they impede man's salvation. Which expulsion is
signified by the (priest) breathing (upon the person to be
baptized); while the blessing, with the imposition of hands, bars
the way against the return of him who was cast out. Then the salt
which is put in the mouth, and the anointing of the nose and ears with
spittle, signify the receiving of doctrine, as to the ears; consent
thereto as to the nose; and confession thereof, as to the mouth. And
the anointing with oil signifies man's ability to fight against the
demons.
Reply to Objection 1: The energumens are so-called from "laboring
inwardly" under the outward operation of the devil. And though not
all that approach Baptism are troubled by him in their bodies, yet all
who are not baptized are subject to the power of the demons, at least
on account of the guilt of original sin.
Reply to Objection 2: The power of the devil in so far as he
hinders man from obtaining glory, is expelled from man by the baptismal
ablution; but in so far as he hinders man from receiving the
sacrament, his power is cast out by the exorcisms.
Reply to Objection 3: Holy water is used against the assaults of
demons from without. But exorcisms are directed against those assaults
of the demons which are from within. hence those who are exorcized are
called energumens, as it were "laboring inwardly."
Or we may say that just as Penance is given as a further remedy
against sin, because Baptism is not repeated; so Holy Water is
given as a further remedy against the assaults of demons, because the
baptismal exorcisms are not given a second time.
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