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The Exorcism of Emily Rose/Anneliese Michel: Demonic Possession or Psychosis

© Jill Stefko

The mystery of Anneliese Michel's demonic "possession" was the basis for the film The Exorcism of Emily Rose - but no one knows for sure whether her possession was real or not.

The Beginning of Anneliese's Possession

Anneliese Michel was born on September 21, 1952. In 1968, her world changed dramatically when her body began to shake beyond her control. A neurologist at the Wurtzburg psychiatric clinic diagnosed her with grand mal epilepsy. The seizures were severe and major depression followed them. Anneliese was admitted to the hospital.

Soon after this, the girl saw the faces of demons when she prayed, and heard voices. She was "told" she would "stew in hell." The voices began to give her orders. She mentioned this to the doctors, but there was no help. Anneliese no longer believed that traditional medicine would cure her. By the summer of 1973, her parents agreed.

Anna and Josef consulted with members of the clergy. They were told Anneliese should continue with the prescribed treatment and medication. Her symptoms did not align with the criteria for exorcism, and when Pastor Ernst Alt requested permission to perform an exorcism from the Bishop of Wurzburg, Josef Stangl, he was denied. The recommendation was that the girl should lead a more religious life.

Anneliese's Exorcisms and Eventual Death

Anneliese's behavior became more repugnant and erratic. She attacked her family. She no longer ate, upon demand of the demonic voices she heard, and self-mutilated. In September 1975, Stangl deemed that Anneliese was possessed. Father Arnold Renz and Pastor Ernst Alt were permitted to conduct an exorcism utilizing the Rituale Romanum, an old rite of exorcism. The possessing demons were thought to be Hitler, Lucifer, Judas Iscariot, Cain, Nero and others.

Biweekly exorcisms were done from September 1975 to July 1976. At times, the alleged attacks of the demons were so strong that Anneliese had to be held or chained up. Other times, she was normal, and could attend school and church. But the attacks became more intense. Anneliese would become paralyzed and, at times, unconscious. She was ordered to genuflect, which injured her knees.

The last exorcism was on June 30, 1976. By this time, Anneliese had pneumonia, was emaciated and had a high fever. She could no longer genuflect, so her parents "helped" her. It was recorded that the last thing she said to the exorcists was "Beg for absolution," and to her mother, "Mother, I am afraid." Anna reported her daughter's death on July 1, 1976.