Thesaurus Exorcismorum atque conjurationum terribilium

While Grimoires were widely appreciated as sources of magical knowledge, it was the Exorcism Manuals that held the most sway over occult practices. The descriptions of exorcism rituals in these manuals closely resembled the conjurations found in grimoires, leading to their misuse as tools for summoning demons rather than expelling them. Motivations for summoning a demon varied widely, encompassing desires for wealth, success in gambling, and even remedies for impotency. Consequently, numerous exorcism manuals were included in the papal index in 1709.

The “Thesaurus” stands as an unparalleled, all-encompassing compendium of Roman Catholic exorcism manuals, spanning an extensive 1300 pages. Its contents are drawn from the works of profoundly influential exorcists from across history, endowing it with immense significance. Despite its reputation as a peerless and impactful collection of exorcism treatises, this tome remains exceedingly scarce, seldom surfacing in the market. Remarkably, a rare edition from the personal library of the late Robert Lenkiewicz, an esteemed artist hailing from Southwest England, once graced the auction block at Sotheby’s. Another notable purveyor of rare books has set its value starting at $1600 and even found upwards to a staggering $30,000.

The book, "Thesaurus Exorcismorum," is meticulously organized into four parts, each dedicated to a different author. Within its pages, this comprehensive tome holds a collection of six pivotal works produced by the most influential Franciscan Exorcists of the 16th century. These esteemed individuals include Valerio Polidoro, Girolamo Menghi, Zacharia Visconti, and Pietro Antonio Stampa.

I. Practica exorcistarum & Dispersio Daemonum by Paduan Valerio Polidoro encompasses two significant works. The initial portion delves into a theoretical exploration, discussing aspects such as the names of the devil, exorcism behavior, demon nature, the phases of exorcisms, confession methodology, attire for exorcists, readings, blessings, and the ritual of delivering a house from demons. Finally, it elucidates the process of acquiring a demon's name, inscribing it above its image on paper, and setting it ablaze.

The political instability, combined with the religious and moral crisis in Europe during this period, was often attributed to "the Devil’s influence," leading to a flourishing of the "Art of Exorcism" from the late 1500s through the mid to late 1600s. Demonologists conducted extensive research into the names, physical aspects, forms, and activities of demons. Their findings were then compiled into treaties and manuals on exorcisms aimed at eradicating the "satanic presence in society." Consequently, the boundaries between exorcist doctrine, the occult, and mystical techniques became increasingly intertwined, prompting many reviewers of the era to make note that investigations into therapeutic and anti-demonic methods led researchers to delve into unusual and esoteric sources in a quest to understand and combat the physical, sensory, and paranormal manifestations.

This then set off a chain of the following events: First, the manuals were received as a direct rivalry to the established teachings of theologist and judges. This was followed by an ignited wave of skepticism and distrust in these new techniques. Finally, the publication of Rituale Romanum in 1614, containing precise instructions that sharply contradicted the practices outlined by Manghi et al, led to widespread censure and prohibition. By 1704, Flagellum & Fustis Daemonum had become the subject of heavy censorship, solidifying its controversial status.

Not long after its first printing in 1608, the Catholic Church recognized the importance of the text and republished it after standardizing the rite of exorcism in the Rituale Romanum in 1614. It is worth noting that this text, in addition to its role in exorcisms, has earned a significant reputation as one of the primary sourcebooks for demonology.

II. Flagellum Daemonum and Fustis Daemonum were the 3rd and 4th works penned by Girolamo Menghi, an esteemed Italian Franciscan priest and widely regarded as the greatest exorcist in history. Revered as the father of exorcists, Menghi conducted a multitude of exorcisms across Italy and authored numerous treatises encompassing diverse rituals and prayers aimed at combating a spectrum of demons and spirits. Flagellum revolves around providing guidance to practicing exorcists, offering insights into important facets such as demeanor, patience, prescribed formulas and gestures, optimal timing and location for exorcisms, and the consideration of whether to conduct them in private or public settings. Meanwhile, Fustis delves into the nature and potent abilities of demons, including their capacity to inflict illnesses upon the afflicted.

III. Complementum artis exorcisticae, the 5th work authored by Zacharia Visconti, a demonologist hailing from Milan, delves into the intricate details of identifying the physical manifestations of demon possession. Within this comprehensive volume, Visconti meticulously outlines an extensive compendium of herbal remedies such as oils, fumes, and eye drops administered to the 'indaemoniati' in order to induce the expulsion of demons through regurgitation or evacuation, offering a fascinating insight into the ancient practice of exorcism.

IV. Fuga Satanae, the 6th section of the Thesaurus Exorcismorum written by the Italian priest Pietro Antonio Stampa, is renowned and widely regarded as one of the most significant and widely-used manuals for exorcisms. Notably, this section has garnered immense attention due to its compilation of the various names and titles attributed to the Devil, his aides, and other demons, as well as its comprehensive list of Holy Scriptures that are employed in combating each of these entities. Furthermore, Stampa himself was esteemed and considered as one of the foremost authorities in the battle against demonic forces.