Msgr. Rossetti

Response: The Scriptures relate an incident where the disciples ask Jesus why they could not cast out a particular demon. Earlier translations of Mk 9:29 records Jesus saying that this kind of demon can only be driven out by prayer and fasting.

Regardless of the Bible translation used, it is a long tradition that prayer and fasting are powerful aids to the ministry of casting out demons. The Rite of Exorcism is itself not a sacrament but a sacramental, which means that its efficacy partly relies on the faith and spiritual lives of those involved. So, the Exorcist and his Team are admonished to spiritually prepare themselves for each session, and the afflicted person should do the same.

We prepare ourselves by regular prayer and sacraments, including confession, plus fasting when appropriate. We have found that maintaining a disciplined spiritual life and controlling one's passions, including fasting, are important for the efficacy of the exorcism prayers. But in the end, it is God who is in charge and He decides when the demons will leave. While we prepare ourselves as best we can, we trust in Jesus to cast out the demons when He decides it is time to do so.