S.J., another assistant who was one of the last living eyewitnesses to the exorcism. Allen's Possessed: The True Story of an Exorcism, a historical account based on two primary sources: a detailed diary kept by Raymondīishop, S.J., who assisted during the rite, and lengthy interviews with Walter Halloran, The version Waide puts the most stock in is Thomas B. "There are dozens of versions of what happened."ĭon't even think about consulting William Peter Blatty's 1971 book The Exorcist or So it's a little unsettling when he begins the story of the 1949 exorcism by acknowledging, He knows SLU history forwards and backwards. Waide (A&S '73) has worked at Pius XII Memorial Library for 40 years and was the UniversityĪrchivist for more than two decades. "I get more requests around Halloween, but it's a popular question year-round." "Without a doubt, the topic I'm asked about most frequently is the exorcism," said It, too, especially if they end up in one of the infamous locations.Ī University legend at this point, the story includes its share of error, exaggeration On campus, or maybe once the air turns cold in the fall. In hushed tones, upperclassmen tell the story to freshmen during their first days There's a bloody handprint on one of the walls. The door is only unlocked to change the lightīulb. On the fourth floor, in a room that has been sealed offĪ light is kept on in the room, still. You know The Exorcist ? It happened at Saint Louis University. The spirit of the story is always the same, but the specifics are all over the place.
Take an in-depth look at Saint Louis University's part in the most famous exorcism