(thanks Rich)
Fr. Halloran was a legend in the Diocese of Scranton where I lived and worked for over a year. Please pray for the repose of his soul.
“You’ve probably heard of “The Exorcist.” Father Halloran, who died Tuesday (March 1, 2005) at 83, was the last living Jesuit to be involved in an exorcism that took place in 1949 at a psychiatric unit in St. Louis. The incident provided the inspiration for William Peter Blatty’s 1971 runaway bestseller by that name, which led to the hit movie, and a few more of lesser box office appeal, including a recent prequel.”
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Thomas B Allen wrote a book about this, supposedly based on journal kept by one of the priests.
The article you reference is the first time I’ve seen the boy’s name revealed. I’m sure that he and his family are not too happy about that.
I really liked “In the grip of evil” it is a documentary pertaining to the real events of what transpired in 1949, Father Halloran is seen throughout the movie giving his first hand accounts. The DVD I rented had extra material and you could read the Journal.
Bostton1
+J.M.J+
Google turned up a few websites mentioning “Douglas Deen” as the name of the real boy behind “the Exorcist” story. If he was fourteen years old in 1949, he must be pushing 70 now – if he’s still alive, that is.
In Jesu et Maria,
I’d guess that the last Jesuit exorcist title is US only. I’ve no doubt that exorcisms outside this country happen to this day.