ON FAITH & MEDIA with Sr. Rose Pacatte | The Devil Inside

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The Devil Inside

By Sr. Rose Pacatte, F.S.P.
Source: AmericanCatholic.org

In the 1980s an American woman, Maria Rossi, murders two priests and a nun as they carry out an exorcism for her. She is arrested but found non guilty by reason of insanity at her trial. She is sent to an asylum and for some strange reason the Vatican intervenes and has her transferred to a mental hospital in Rome.

Twenty years on her daughter leads a documentary film crew to Rome as she seeks to visit her mother and try to arrange an exorcism for her.

Last year “The Rite” was released, based on a non-fiction book by Matt Baglio. I liked “The Rite” film, because though fictionalized, it reflected Catholic teaching and practice about exorcism accurately. Most importantly, it showed that the rite of exorcism, through the grace of Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, relieves suffering.

“The Devil Inside” however, plays fast and loose with accuracy. It’s like “The Blair Witch Project” goes to Rome. It’s a horror flick. I am sure the filmmakers must have read “The Rite” because they get some things right, but their bias against the Church as expressed by two priests who exorcise Maria without permission of the Vatican, is odd and thus renders the inner logic of the film quite flawed.

“The Devil Inside” won the box office last weekend, but I thought it was a boring rehash of the same old story. The good part is that the film reminds people that the devil is still around and he sure doesn’t seem to be leaving Hollywood anytime soon.

Search reviews at CatholicMovieReviews.org

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Felix of Cantalice: Felix was the first Capuchin Franciscan ever canonized. In fact, when he was born, the Capuchins did not yet exist as a distinct group within the Franciscans.
<p>Born of humble, God-fearing parents in the Rieti Valley, Felix worked as a farmhand and a shepherd until he was 28. He developed the habit of praying while he worked. </p><p>In 1543 he joined the Capuchins. When the guardian explained the hardships of that way of life, Felix answered: "Father, the austerity of your Order does not frighten me. I hope, with God’s help, to overcome all the difficulties which will arise from my own weakness." </p><p>Three years later Felix was assigned to the friary in Rome as its official beggar. Because he was a model of simplicity and charity, he edified many people during the 42 years he performed that service for his confreres. </p><p>As he made his rounds, he worked to convert hardened sinners and to feed the poor–as did his good friend, St. Philip Neri, who founded the Oratory, a community of priests serving the poor of Rome. When Felix wasn’t talking on his rounds, he was praying the rosary. The people named him "Brother Deo Gratias" (thanks be to God) because he was always using that blessing. </p><p>When Felix was an old man, his superior had to order him to wear sandals to protect his health. Around the same time a certain cardinal offered to suggest to Felix’s superiors that he be freed of begging so that he could devote more time to prayer. Felix talked the cardinal out of that idea. Felix was canonized in 1712.</p>

I think of all the women religious in the United States who touch countless lives, alleviate the suffering of so many, strive to offer a voice to the voiceless, remember the forgotten, care for those most in need, and focus their lives on the greater good of all God's people, without concern or regard for what they could receive in return.

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