The power of Christ compels you…. and takes you to the movies!

By Casandra Vicario

Around this time of year, we remember one of the most popular real cases of demonic possession, which gave rise to a magnificent book and one of the most well-known and beloved horror films in history: “The Exorcist”. Turn your crucifix upside down, and let's get to know the case!

“I can assure you of one thing… that was real. I had no doubt then, and I have none now.”

Father Bowdern. Exorcist

He became known as “Roland Doe,” although his real name was “Robert Mannheim.” In 1949, the Washington Post published the case of this 14-year-old boy whose parents went to the local priest to have him perform an exorcism on their son.

The boy displayed aggressive behavior, spoke in strange voices and unknown languages, words appeared etched into his abdomen, his throat and stomach would swell, he vomited constantly, objects flew around and smashed violently in the house, among other things.

The family lived at 3210 Bunker Hill Road in Mount Rainier, Maryland; at first, when the strange noises began, they thought the house had some kind of infestation, so they called an exterminator but found nothing.

Shortly before his possession, an aunt very close to Robert named Harriet died suddenly, an event that affected him deeply; as a “curious” detail, the woman claimed to be a medium and spent a lot of time with the boy teaching him to use the Ouija board to contact spirits.

After his aunt's death, Robert kept playing with the Ouija board, and the strange phenomena kept happening in the house. The parents turned to the Lutheran pastor Luther Miles Shulze, who was interested in parapsychology and thought the house was experiencing a phenomenon known as “Poltergeist”; however, after keeping vigil over Robert one night and watching his bed levitate, he advised them to see a Catholic priest.

Young Mannheim was also taken to the University of Maryland's Mental Hygiene Clinic, where all of his tests came back “normal.”

“God never speaks. But the devil keeps advertising. Father, the devil makes a lot of commercials”

William Petter Blatty. The Exorcist.

This is how Robert's parents came to visit Father Albert Huges of St. James Church in Mount Rainer, who performed an exorcism on the boy and sent him home… however, everything stayed the same.

That's when the Jesuit priest Raymond Bishop and his friend Father William Bowdern enter the story; they visited Robert and witnessed the words written on his body, the low temperature of his room, the flying objects, and so on.

While the priests were investigating whether this case could indeed be an “authentic demonic possession” Robert's family began holding séances, concluding that it was the spirit of his late aunt Harriet who had taken possession of Robert.

“By the way, what an excellent day for an exorcism”

William Petter Blatty. The Exorcist.

Finally, on March 16, priests Bishop and Bowdern began another exorcism on Robert… well, actually, the whole thing lasted several days… and took place at various locations, including the Mental Pavilion of the Salesian Brothers.

By the way, one Easter Sunday was among the worst for the exorcists, since that day Robert spoke authoritatively in a demonic voice, his facial features became distorted, and the cold in the room grew more intense.

With his parents' permission, Robert was baptized into Catholicism, and finally, on April 18, during the thirteenth exorcism… Robert stood up and exclaimed “Satan, Satan, I am Saint Michael, and I command you to leave this body in the name of Dominus,” the boy had a few spasms and was finally freed of every demonic spirit.

Robert Mannheim's case was one of only three exorcisms “authorized” by the Catholic Church, which is why it became so popular and caught the attention of a 21-year-old seminarian named William Peter Blatty, who was fascinated by the story.

Instead of becoming a priest, Blatty became a writer, and some years later, still interested in Robert's story, he interviewed Father Bowdern, asking him for an account of the case; but the priest was forbidden to discuss the matter, let alone give details.

Despite this refusal, Blatty drew on the events that took place in 1949 and spent a year researching alongside Father Thomas Bermigham. He began writing a story somewhat different from the original, and that's how “The Exorcist,” was born, first published in 1971.

In 1973, William Friedkin directed the film adaptation of this story, which is perhaps one of the most important horror films of all time; it made many of us suffer, fear, and cry… and fall in love with horror cinema.

It is also one of the most notoriously “cursed” films out there — a number of events occurred during filming, but that…. is another macabre story.

Sources:

Book: Malditas Películas. Miguel Ángel Prieto. Spain, 2006.

https://www.abc.es/historia/abci-misteriosa-posesion-nino-14-anos-inspiro-pelicula-exorcista-201702230052_noticia.html (abre en nueva pestaña)