Random Supernatural Horrors In 'Rite' Were Based On Work Of Father Gary Thomas (13 items)

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  (#1) Father Gary Thomas Played An Active Role In The Movie's Development

  Father Gary Thomas had an integral role in the development of The Rite. At a time he spent over a week in Budapest, where most of the film was shot, offering criticism and insight to the creators. Anthony Hopkins reportedly received coaching on how to properly portray an exorcism from Father Thomas, which included everything from how to wear a stole to how to punctuate the prayers. The creative staff of The Rite was deeply interested in accuracy, according to Father Thomas.
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  (#2) The Catholic Church Really Does Have A Class For Exorcists

  Since the appointment of Pope Francis in 2013, there's been a resurgence in demands for exorcisms. In fact, it's been reported that Pope Jean Paul II issued a mandate requesting every bishop appoint and train an exorcist for their diocese. Part of this training may include a week-long training course in the Vatican, designed to prepare priests for duties as an exorcist.

  In Father Gary Thomas's case, this training ended with him tutoring under Father Carmine, a Roman exorcist, for three-and-a-half months. He observed exorcisms, helped the discernment team, and participated in the rite to gain the hands-on experience he needed to expel evil.
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  (#3) Father Thomas Only Performs Exorcisms In Approved Languages

  Demons can be surprisingly legalistic, according to Father Gary Thomas. He says the power of an exorcism comes from the faith of those involved but also from the approval of the Catholic church.

  Part of this approval means using the correct language to perform the rite. Latin is the traditional language of exorcisms, and the most hated language to demons, according to Father Thomas. However, in a pinch, approved translations of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese are available for use. Demons have apparently even been known to tease exorcists who do not use an approved translation. This means parishioners who speak other languages, like Father Thomas's native English, are out of luck when it comes to understanding the rite being administered to them.
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  (#4) There Are Only Three Questions Father Gary Thomas Asks A Demon

  Communicating with demons is definitely on the Catholic Church's list of things not to do, but for an exorcist it can be unavoidable. As pointed out in The Rite, ascertaining a demon's name and purpose is the first step in asserting control. 

  For Father Thomas, this means praying for the safety of his team and then beginning a grueling interrogation into the nature of the demon involved. This interrogation always contains only three questions: "What is your name?", "How did you get in?", and "When are you leaving?" He says that obtaining answers to these questions is a sign the demon is losing strength. Once the demon's strength is depleted, he can begin casting it out with prayer.
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  (#5) Father Gary Thomas Was A Middle-Aged, Experienced Priest When He Became An Exorcist

  The movie The Rite follows a seminarian, Michael Kovak, who is planning on renouncing his vows after graduation to get a free education. He ends up traveling to Rome to train as an exorcist, where he finds his calling.

  In contrast, Father Gary Thomas, whom Kovak was based on, was an experienced priest of 22 years when he pursued his training as an exorcist. Already in his 40s, he says he was far from a skeptic by that point. He doesn't blame director Mikael Håfström for taking liberties with Matt Baglio's written account of his life. Father Thomas actually says he was happy for the opportunity to act as consultant for the film, making sure all the most important details were accurate.
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  (#6) Father Gary Thomas Was Not His Diocese's First Choice To Become An Exorcist

  Few people end up with the first job they take, and Father Gary Thomas was no exception. The father spent the first 22 years of his career as a traditional priest before his diocese suggested he become an exorcist. A detail The Rite left out was that his bishop originally requested another priest take the position, but the clergyman declined.

  Whether based on the danger involved or the stigma surrounding the profession, exorcism is unpopular work among most priests. In a turn of events not unlike the character based on him, however, Father Thomas has taken it as a calling. He claims that Satan is real - and it's up to the faithful to put themselves at the disposal of God to fight them.
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  (#7) There Are Many Different Levels Of Possession

  From the boy with nightmares to Rosaria's full possession, The Rite shows a few different levels of demonic interaction. Father Gary Thomas has been an exorcist for a number of years, and he boils demonic experiences down to four categories that increase in severity as they go on: harassment, oppression, obsession, and true possession.

  The first two categories are often manageable. With harassment, a person may only feel vaguely uncomfortable around holy objects, or they may hear things in the night. Oppression often exhibits itself as a deep depression or malaise when a clinical diagnosis cannot be found. Obsession can involve external manifestations of demonic activity, like hallucinations or physical interaction. Finally, during possession, a persons body is given over to a demon, which requires a major exorcism.
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  (#8) Father Gary Thomas Looks For Six Signs Of Possession During An Exorcism

  The Rite's creative team put quite a bit of effort into making the movie as accurate as possible. To do that, they even consulted Father Thomas on the little things, like how an exorcist determines someone is possessed. 

  On top of normal psychiatric and medical evaluations, a person seeking an exorcism must display some of the six classic signs of possession. These signs include aversion to the sacred, speaking in unfamiliar languages, exhibiting unnatural strength, knowledge of hidden things, foaming at the mouth, and a pseudo-epileptic reaction.

  These behaviors explain why it could be so important to investigate psychological and physiological causes first. If somebody is seizing and foaming at the mouth, it could be dangerous to assume possession before getting them to a health care professional.
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  (#9) It Takes More Than Just A Couple Of Priests To Execute An Exorcism

  In Hollywood, films are expected to take some dramatic liberties with true stories, and The Rite is no different. Exorcism is a complicated sacrament, and unlike what was shown in the movie, the process can take up to five people to perform the whole ritual.

  Father Thomas has a team of medical experts including a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, and medical doctor. He also has a prayer team that does all of the discernment, which is to say they figure out if it's a real possession or something else first. Exorcism is a slow process, and there's a whole bureaucratic process that's required to even get permission to perform a major exorcism. This process includes proving consent for the ritual and a psychological evaluation.
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  (#10) He Receives Several Requests A Week For Exorcisms

  Life is busy for an exorcist. Father Gary Thomas has gone on record stating he gets several calls for aid a week, one day even receiving five separate phone calls requesting exorcisms. This causes him to spend almost every one of his days off performing exorcisms. He says he could perform one or two exorcisms a week for minor cases of demonic attachment. With need for exorcisms increasing, however, there is a question on how long Father Thomas can keep up with the demand.
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  (#11) Father Gary Thomas Believes "Abuse Is A Doorway" To Possession

  While Father Gary Thomas believes in all of the normal gateways to possession - Ouija board, tarot, psychics, etc. - he also believes abuse can leave someone vulnerable. He describes abuse as a "soul wound" that can attract demonic activity to a person. In the film, this is reflected in Rosaria's sexual assault resulting in her possession. 

  Its important to note Father Thomas doesn't believe all abuse leads to demonic possession, but rather that abuse is a doorway which can leave someone vulnerable to possession. He describes a situation in which someone may be tempted to find closure to trauma by dabbling in the occult - which is against Catholic doctrine - and could end up forming a relationship with Satan. Father Thomas considers this type of relationship inherently unequal, eventually leading to possession if unchecked.
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  (#12) He Believes Christians Are Under Attack From Pagan Influences

  The Catholic Church has long had a stance against any occult practices such as using Ouija boards, tarot cards, palm reading, or séances. The late Father Gabriele Amorth, former official exorcist of Vatican City, has even gone on record saying yoga and Harry Potter are possible gateways to demonic possession.

  Father Gary Thomas's view may be a bit more restrained, but he still believes Christians are under attack from an increasingly "pagan" culture. This is echoed in Pope Jean Paul II's warning that new age and occult practices are running rampant in Europe.
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  (#13) Father Thomas Believes Exorcising A Non-Christian Can Be Dangerous

  The exorcisms Father Thomas performs are a Catholic sacrament, and he warns about the dangers involved for those not of Christian faith. His exorcisms revolve around calling down Jesus for intercession, and without faith that can do more harm than good. He describes exorcism as cleaning a house: the clutter may be gone, but if something (Jesus) isn't put in to replace it, the clutter will just come back. That isn't to say he's not willing to perform exorcisms on non-Christians. It is simply important to Father Gary Thomas that they understand the risks involved.

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