Begone Satan, by Rev. Carl Vogl

Exorcist priest Father Carl Vogl wrote a report that described a 23-day exorcism of a woman in Earling, Iowa, in 1928 which has become one of the most famous exorcism accounts in the United States.

Following is part of the dialog between the exorcist and two demons speaking through the possessed woman and found in the booklet, Begone Satan, by Rev. Carl Vogl and published by Tan Books …

“The exorcist: ‘In the name of Jesus and His most Blessed Mother, Mary the Immaculate, who crushed the head of the serpent, tell me the truth. Who is your leader or prince among you? What is your name?

“Devil, barking like the hound of hell. ‘Beelzebub.’

“Exorcist: ‘You call yourself Beelzebub, Are you not Lucifer, the prince of the devils?’

“Devil: ‘No, not the prince, the chieftain, but one of the leaders.’

“Exorcist: ‘You were therefore not a human being, but you are one of the fallen angels, who with selfish pride wanted to be like unto God?’

“Devil with grinning teeth. ‘Yes, that is so. Ha, how we hate Him!’

“Exorcist: ‘Why do you call yourself Beelzebub if you are not the prince of the devils?’

“Devil: ‘Enough. my name is Beelzebub.’
“Exorcist: ‘From the point of influence and dignity you must rank near Lucifer, or do you hail from the lower choir of angels?’

“Devil: ‘I once belonged to the seraphic choir.’
“Exorcist: ‘What would you do, if God made it possible for you to atone for your injustice to Him?’

“Demonical sneering: ‘Are you a competent theologian?’

“Exorcist: ‘How long have you been torturing this poor woman?’

“Devil: ‘Since her fourteenth year.’ (26 years of possession)

“Exorcist: ‘How dared you enter into that innocent girl and torture her like that?’

“Sneeringly: ‘Ha, did not her own father curse us into her?’

“Exorcist: ‘But why did you, Beelzebub, alone take possesion of her? Who gave you that permission?’

Devil: ‘Don’t talk foolishly. Don’t I have to render obedience to Satan?’

“Exorcist: ‘Then you are here at the direction and command of Lucifer?’

“Devil: ‘Well, how could it be otherwise?”

What happens next, by the power of God, the name of Jesus and the holiness of the exorcist, is the continued forcing of the demons to tell the truth. At this point in the story the exorcist wants to call up the damned soul of the the deceased father of the woman who cursed his daughter into demonic possession.

The dialog goes on …

“Exorcist: ‘Then I solemnly command in the name of the Crucified Savior of Nazareth that you present the father of this woman and that he give me answer!’

“A deep rough voice announced itself, which had already been noticed alongside the voice of Beelzebub.’

“Exorcist: ‘Are you the unfortunate father who has cursed his own child?’

“With a defiant roar: ‘No.’

“Who are you then?’

“I am Judas.’

“What, Judas! Are you Judas Iscariot, the former Apostle?’

“Thereupon followed a horrible, woefully prolonged : ‘Y-e-s, I am the one.’ This was howled in the deepest bass voice. It set the whole room a-quivering so that out of pure fright and horror the pastor and some of the nuns ran out. Then followed a disgusting exhibition of spitting and vomiting, as if Judas were intending to spit at his Lord and Master with all his might, or as if he had in mind to unloose his inner waste and filth upon Him.’
“Finally Judas was asked: ‘What business have you here?’

“‘To bring her to despair, so that she will commit suicide and hang herself! She must get the rope, she must go to hell!’

“‘Is it then a fact that everyone that commits suicide goes to hell?’

“‘Rather not.’

“‘Why not?’

“‘Ha, we devils are the ones that urge them to commit suicide, to hang themselves, just as I did myself.’

“‘Do you regret that you have committed such a despicable deed?’

“A terrible curse followed: ‘Let me alone. Don’t bother me with your fake god. It was my own fault.’ Then he kept on raving in a terrible manner.”

This is only a small exerpt from a priest’s personal diary and his journey into the realm of the diabolical which has a remarkably similar resonance as the Biblical accounts of Jesus and His encounters with demonic activities.