First, did I pick up this book from the library because I saw the movie starring Anthony Hopkins?Yes, I did.Did I get just a tad freaked out reading this at night by myself?Yes, I did.Do I regret reading it?Quality-wise, no. For unnerving me, yes!In the Fall of 2004, a Vatican affiliated University began a course called "Exorcism and the Prayer of Liberation." Catholic dioceses around the world had to ask their bishops to nominate an official exorcist. Father Gary Thomas was nominated and had to take the above course in Rome. Matt Baglio's The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist is his journey to become certified.I'll say it right now, this book is nothing like the movie. The only similarity is that Father Gary is trained by an older Italian exorcist named Father Carmine. That's about it. The Rite cleared up some major misconceptions I had about exorcism and the Catholic Church in general. I liked how Baglio broke down every piece of revelant information.Baglio did a great job of connecting Father Gary's background information and his crisis of faith to his decision to become an exorcist. Also, he did a good job of explaining the Bible as it pertains to the Holy Trinity and The Devil. I found the explanation of the stages of possession fascinating.I liked how exorcism are not seen as archaic but rare and are only used as a last resort after scientific intervention doesn't show any leads. Faith and Science does go hand in hand. The most surprising aspect was that exorcisms are not one shot cure-alls but a process. It may take a person years, depending how long they have had the demon, to experience "Liberation" from the demon once and for all. Even then, the exorcism cannot do it alone; the affected person has to participate in church and pray constantly to further weaken its hold.Again, I found this book absolutely fascinating. I was raised as a Roman Catholic but now teeter back and forth to atheist and agnostic. I appreciated The Rite immensely. Simple and straightforward, it presents The Rite from the viewpoint of the people who perform them - the priests. You will have absolutely no fear of being misled, or having the scenes sensationalized - it almost has a documentary feel to it. A good read for any Catholic curious about this mysterious, if not controversial method employed by the Catholic Church to rid people of 'demons', you will either be forced to fully acknowledge that such forces and unseen beings exist and can have direct influence over us, or at the very least, shake you enough to reconsider your existing views and beliefs.
What do You think about Rite (2009)?
Interesting Book on exorcism but it is more to non-fiction. Gave me a really good idea on exorcism
—cleeker2
Well-written, honest, and equally entertaining and informative.
—jenrox
First time ever to like a movie far more than a book.
—Laterose
Scary but faith affirming as a Catholic Christian
—Blythev
