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I went to church this past Sunday afternoon for the baptism of a good friend’s recently born little girl. I’ve witnessed this particular ceremony a number of times, more often these days, it seems, as friends are having children for the first time. Growing up Catholic, I’m not what you’d call a regular churchgoer but it’s a beautiful and ancient event, full of proud and loving parents, family members and, generally, wailing children.

The baptism ceremony can have different meanings for different faiths, but for Roman Catholics, it’s a sacrament that initiates an individual as a child of God. Parents speak for their children, who will later speak for themselves, at Confirmation, when older. At the various baptisms I’ve attended, the presiding priest tends to follow a set template, sometimes adding their own biblical or philosophical interests into the sermon when addressing the congregation. On Sunday, I heard something that I hadn’t heard before – certainly not at a baptismal event.

The conducting priest went to some lengths, talking about the nature of sin and evil. He mentioned the word “exorcism” and, perhaps reading the crowd, reaffirmed that it is a practice that indeed exists. “There are two things we know,” he told us. “First, that there is evil in the world and second, that it is very powerful.”

And, while sitting quietly in the pew, my mind was immediately drawn to the most frightening film I have ever had the enjoyment of watching.

Who hasn’t seen The Exorcist?

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