Posted on 10/28/2009 6:00:29 AM PDT by NYer
Father Vincent Lampert (right), from St. Francis and Clare Parish in Indianapolis, Ind., lectures at Foellinger Auditorium on Monday. Fr. Lampert discussed his experiences as one of 12 officially trained exorcist priests in the United States. 
Joanna Mirowska The Daily Illini
With Halloween around the corner and Hollywood releasing horror movies such as "Paranormal Activity" and "Saw VI," one cannot help but feel chills running down his or her spine. St. John's Catholic Newman Center had the timing right when it invited exorcist Father Vince Lampert to speak about his experiences Monday night at Foellinger Auditorium.
Lampert, the head priest at St. Francis and Clare parish in Greenwood, Ind., was ordained a priest in 1991. He was later asked by the archbishop of Indianapolis if he was willing to train as an exorcist, said Monsignor Gregory Ketcham, director and head chaplain at the Newman Center.
"Father Lampert was asked to take on the role of an exorcist because he is very prayerful and faithful, and he has a lot of integrity — he's a good man," Ketcham said.
Lampert is one of twelve exorcists in America today, Ketcham said. Lampert spent a whole summer in Rome training under Italy's head exorcist. This training included witnessing and assisting in about 60 exorcisms.
Now that Lampert has been a fully trained exorcist for several years, he said he receives five to six calls a week from people who believe they are possessed. Exorcisms are only performed as a last resort once the subject is determined to be truly possessed.
"For one to become possessed by the devil, one has to have a dedication to the devil, be cursed or lead a life that is full of sin; it is something more than just a struggle against temptation," Lampert said.
Performing an exorcism takes a lot of preparation by not only the subject, but by the exorcist too, Lampert said. Before each exorcism, Lampert has to go through a series of prayers and attend confession so the devil will not be able top reach him.
"In order for a person to be exorcised, they have to be fully committed to turning to Christ," Lampert said. "If they resist, the exorcism cannot be performed."
When determining if a person is in fact possessed, Lampert looks for several criteria.
"A person may be possessed if they have an ability to speak unknown languages, unhuman-like strength, the knowledge of the unknown, and an inexplicable aversion to holy places," Lampert said.
During an exorcism, Lampert goes through 10 steps, including prayers and blessings, he said.
"Sometimes the exorcism can be rather dull," Lampert said. "But I have seen a woman levitate and people's faces contort."
During his lecture, Lampert told several stories of extraordinary events that have occurred during his exorcisms. In one story, a person spoke in a childlike voice that was not his own, as it was the devil speaking.
People formed long lines before the microphone in order to ask Lampert questions about his unusual career. Many viewers were also listening attentively to his answers with gasping and awing. Many of the seats at Foellinger Auditorium were occupied throughout the event.
Erika Satterlee, freshman in LAS, said she went into the lecture not knowing much about exorcisms except for depictions in movies.
"The lecture was definitely interesting," Satterlee said. "It freaked me out too, which I knew it would."
This was Lampert's second time speaking at the University around Halloween, Ketcham said.
"Lampert's purpose of speaking is to share the Catholic view of evil and how it works in our lives," Ketcham said. "He is here to tell us the truth."
Another official exorcist is Fr. Tom Euteneuer who will be a guest on EWTN's Life on the Rock, Thursday, November 4, 2009.
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I watched “The Exorcist” last night.
Gosh, he has such a sweet, optimistic face for someone who grapples with evil.
lol
Thats because he knows he is on the winning side. Peace and light radiate from those who battle evil......
you are exactly right.....great observation.
I cheated. I have personal experience with demonic activity in one of my children (was being attacked viciously, for good reason, he is going into the priesthood).
The priest and prayer group that prayed over him told me of amazing and frightening things they saw while doing so. 3 of them had visions, one was granted the request to receive the pain my son was suffering. The pain took him off his feet it was so intense. The priest was sick for almost 2 weeks afterward. I was sitting there with him while this was going on. He hit the floor as soon as the priest laid hands on him and the entire group started praying in tongues so loudly and simultaneously that it was actually freaky. He was out for almost 20 minutes and they had to get smelling salts out to revive him. When all was said and done, my son remembered nothing except feeling so at peace and with Jesus. It was amazing. The best part is, we had never met any of those in the prayer group, we had not informed the priest that we were coming to the Eucharistic Adoration/prayer service that this happened at, and none of them knew my son was called to the priesthood at that time.
I think I need to go to mass there one weekend. I would like to hear this man preach. I had NO idea that he was an exorcist!
WOW!
It goes without saying that the devil does not attack those who he believes he owns.
The fact that God allows the devil to even tempt us should make us realize we are being tested and strengthened in faith.
Just read the life of Saint Padre Pio and many other Saints to see this.
Just a reminder to everyone. The movie “The Excorcist” was based on a true story of a boy who became demon possed after playing with a Ouija Board, never, ever, let your children play with one of those (or similiar types of things). Talk to them about it, it’s important.
That is very true. If you are not being attacked in some way, it is a good idea to take stock of your faith life.
Regarding Ouija Boards: One of the Prayer Groups I was a member of in Montgomery, Alabama, taught on demonic influences in our lives through games, television shows, recordings (records and tapes), books, and movies.
One woman went home and spent a day in prayer and fasting for God’s protection. The next day she took her children’s Ouija Board to the “burn barrel” outside, lit a nice fire, then tossed in the Ouija Board. The Ouija Board shot out of the fire, unburned. She and then her husband kept tossing it in the fire and watching as it shot up and then landed on the grass, totally unfazed by the fire. So her husband goes and gets an ax, lays the board on the chopping block, and takes a huge swing. As the ax hits the Ouija Board, it bounces off and swings back over her husband’s head, practically dislocating his shoulders.
By this time neighbors were looking on and amazed at the “force” in the Ouija Board. One neighbor had a small wood chipper and offered its services. The two men wedged the Ouija Board into the chipper and then turned it on . . . and there was an unearthly scream from the chipper as the Ouija Board was chopped up.
Made a lot of believers out of the group. [The day of prayer and fasting was for protection from any demons released from the Board which might have tried to enter someone taking part in the destruction of the Ouija in the Board.]
The story was so vivid that I’ll never forget it.
Here’s what Christians face, daily:
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Yes, he does, a very handsome man with a lovely countenance.
Amazing testimony. Thank you.
I agree. Ouija boards are demonic.
Did your son answer the call? Is he now a priest?
He was on The Abundant Life this week so it will be on the repeats. Very interesting interview.
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