The "Great Exorcism" of Anneliese Michel: A review of the Anneliese Michel true story of multiple demonic possession and exorcisms

Anneliese Michel
image credit: UnityPublishing.com

The Devil Inside movie depicted Maria Rossi as a multiple demonic possessed woman who murdered three Church servants while undergoing an exorcism. There is truth to the exorcism performed in The Devil Inside movie. The real life exorcism of Anneliese Michel took place in 1975. 

Anneliese Michel was born in German on September 21, 1952. The young girl was raised as a devout Catholic. Anneliese underwent psychological care to treat her mental condition classified as epilepsy. However, an autopsy of Anneliese's brain showed no decay or progression associated with epilepsy suffers (Unity Publishing). The exorcism of Anneliese Michel is depicted in The Devil Inside movie as the Maria Rossi exorcism to demonstrate the evil from within the possessed.   

One eerie aspect of the Anneliese Michel exorcism case began as age 17 with symptoms such as "unusual seizures happening during the night, which involved her body suddenly becoming rigid, the sensation of an enormous weight on her chest, paralysis, and inability to speak" (UnityPublishing.com, par. 6). The seizure symptoms resemble sleep paralysis and an out of body experience. The Insidious movie also depicts astral projection as an act which can open evil portals.   

Stanford's 1999 research on sleep paralysis is consistent with Anneliese's first seizure symptoms. Sleep paralysis sufferers assume they're having an out of body experience (OBE). There is heavy, suffocating pressure as if someone is sitting on their chest. An unknown entity may bite on a dangling hand with gnawing action and a jerking motion. Review Stanford's 1999 research on sleep paralysis to compare the research to Anneliese's early seizure experience. Is it possible that multiple demons entered Anneliese's physical body in 1969, and then manifested up until her death in 1976?   

According to Unity Publishing, Anneliese "began seeing demonic faces during her daily prayers" (par. 7). Seeing the demonic faces are consistent with multiple demonic possession. Anneliese's evil demon experiences urged her to take religious action with the Church. 

As a firm believer in her Catholic religion, Anneliese felt an evil presence in her body that required immediate attention (Unity Publishing). She would experience an uneasy feeling whenever approaching sacred religious artifacts. Furthermore, it is noted that medical drug intervention while undergoing an exorcism disrupted the outcome. The possessed must focus on removing the demons from within their soul. The lack of concentration while undergoing an exorcism can impact the process. 

The Church eventually approved Anneliese's exorcism. She received the "weekly exorcism sessions" which involved the 17th century "full Rituale Romanum" (Unity Publishing, par. 15). Anneliese claimed the evil from within her mind began to command her to do bad things. She struggled to resist the voices.

The Devil Inside depicted Maria Rossi speaking in multiple languages at one time, displaying her intense supernatural powers and showing her resistance from religious artifacts. Anneliese also duplicated the same aggression. She withdrew from religious crosses, monuments, and images which communicated her faith. The Church denied Anneliese further exorcisms to treat her possible demonic possession.

Anneliese essentially went insane at home. Her violent behavior toward others as well as herself persisted. The Church finally approved the exorcism of Anneliese Michel. According to the Unity Publishing, Bishop of Wurzburg, Josef Stangl authorized two priests to undergo "The Great Exorcism" (par. 20). The exorcism of Anneliese represented one of the most well known and documented exorcisms. In Anneliese's exorcism case, the exorcists' recorded the sessions.  

Consistent with multiple demonic possesssion, Anneliese was possessed with the following demons:

• Lucifer
• Judas
• Iscariot
• Nero
• Cain
• Hitler
• Fleischmann
• disgraced 16th century Frankish priest
• several other demons manifesting inside Anneliese (Unity Publishing, par. 21).  

The power of multiple demonic possession overpowered the helpless Anneliese. Her strong religious faith was no match for the the evil; however, Anneliese agreed to cease the exorcisms. According to Unity Publishing review of Anneliese's handwritten letter to the Church, the young woman claimed that the Virgin Mary visited to give her two choices:

1. To be freed from the Demons immediately
2. To remain possessed for a time longer to show the entire world the dangers and power of demons (par. 25). 

The sweet Anneliese decided to accept choice number #2. Ironically, Anneliese predicted her exact time of death on July 1, 1976 (Unity Publishing, par. 26). The Virgin Mary conveyed to Anneliese that the demons would be freed soon before she had passed, enabling her to leave her physical body in peace. 

Anneliese is deemed as a strong believer who sacrificed her life to save many people from the wrath of Hell. The Anneliese Michel exorcism true story resembles Jesus making the sacrifice to save humans from their sins. How many people would accept a proposition to remain possessed to help others to lead a better life. Anneliese was only 23 years old when she died of complications. 

The court case attracted huge attention to the Anneliese Michel exorcism murder case. Two priests and Anneliese's parents were charged with negligent homicide (Unity Publishing, par. 29). The tapes played in the court revealed demonic voices. In the final verdict, the four people were convicted, but received light sentences with no jail time. The Anneliese Michel exorcism murder case was quite unique since religion entered the legal system.   

In moving Anneliese's body to inspect her remains, the corpse seemed to be completely intact after a few years, pointing the power of the supernatural (Unity Publishing). The Exorcism of Emily Rose depicted the Anneliese Michel exorcism in the 1975. The exorcism of Anneliese Michel took place a few years after The Exorcist (1973) movie. It is rare there are murder trials based on exorcisms.   

Want to read more details of the Anneliese Michel exorcism? Experience sleep paralysis that feels like evil? Afraid of the Devil? The Devil Inside movie is increasing exorcism awareness. Are you convinced there are demons? The Anneliese Michel exorcism is very real. Her demonic possession experiences are extremely evil. Anneliese Michel is identified as devout believer whose acceptance to allow demons to possess her to show the world that demons do exist protected the future of religion like another great savior, Jesus Christ.  

Rest in Peace

Anneliese Michel

September 21, 1952-July 1, 1976  

Interested in the Maria Rossi exorcism portrayed in The Devil Inside movie? Check out The Rossi Files to investigate exorcisms and learn more about The Devil Inside characters and plot. Read about the connection between sleep paralysis and demonic possession.

The Devil Inside Plot Spoiler

Purchase The Devil Inside DVD and save 48% - due out May 15, 2012

Sources:

"The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The True Story." Unity Publishing. Retrieved January 7, 2012, from 

http://www.unitypublishing.com/Apparitions/EmilyRose.htm   

Sleep Paralysis (1989). Stanford. Retrieved June 1, 2011, from http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/paralysis.html