The Haunting Journey of William Peter Blatty
When William Peter Blatty was a high school student at Brooklyn Prep, one of his Jesuit teachers told the class about a 14-year-old boy in Maryland who was said to be a victim of demonic possession. Blatty read about the story in a Washington Post article dated August 20, 1949. The Post quoted sources from the Catholic diocese of Washington D.C. “In what is perhaps one of the most remarkable experiences of its kind in recent religious history, a 14-year-old Mt. Rainier boy has been freed by a Catholic priest of possession by the devil.”
The article recounted strange tapping on the walls, profane utterings, words appearing on the boy’s chest, projectile vomiting, extraordinary feats of strength, objects flying around the room and levitation. Doctors subjected the boy to medical, pharmaceutical and psychiatric treatments. Nothing worked. As a last resort, the family’s Lutheran minister recommended they consult the Catholic Church who had experience with exorcism.
The Church conducted an investigation and determined the case to be an authentic instance of demonic possession. The boy was moved to Georgetown University Hospital. Archbishop Ritter (soon to be a Cardinal) appointed a young priest, Father Albert Hughes, as exorcist. The boy tore a metal spring from the hospital bed and slashed Father Hughes down his shoulder and arm. The wounds…
