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Anneliese Michel: A True Story of a Case of Demonic Possession. Germany – 1976
On March 30, 1978, the trial began in the district court of Aschaffenburg Germany, of Josef and Anna Michel and Father Arnold Renz and Father Ernst Alt. The four were charged with negligent homicide in the death of Anneliese Michel. The courtroom sitting area was occupied primarily by media persons from Germany and abroad. Anneliese, her family, a few close friends, and the two priests involved and their Bishop, all believed that Anneliese suffered from possession. At the time, it was the first official and public case of exorcism in Germany in approximately fifty years, and the only known case to have been recorded on audio tapes. After sixty-seven exorcism sessions, Anneliese died on July 1, 1976 of what appeared to be starvation.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2012
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May 14, 2020
If the devil was ever to be given his due, from a public relations standpoint, it would be the two cases that inspired the films: The Exorcist and The Exorcism of Emily Rose, the former having occurred in 1949 while the latter lengthily played out during the 1970s.
Because this particular written work was undertaken by Fr. Fortea, who is himself a very well known Catholic exorcist in Spain, I was curious as to what his take on this exorcism would be. He seems to acknowledge it in the affirmative, that this was indeed a bona fide demon possession case.
I, however, am stuck in the grey area. Scepticism is just natural with me. But I am open-minded and do not dismiss other’s beliefs. My personal belief is that Anneliese Michel had underlying medical and mental issues that were compounded by hardcore Catholic scrupulosity on steroids that had run amuck. While I do believe in demons and demon possession, I also believe that people see what they want to see when they are witnessing someone in the throes of something that they cannot immediately explain away. The brain is a powerful tool. And I don’t think, even now, we fully understand its amazing power and capacity, much less back then.
Having read Dr. Felicitas Goodman’s earlier book on the case, The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel, from a purely cultural perspective, I was hoping that some light would be shed on this case from a Catholic perspective. And that was indeed offered in this very concisely written book. This experience had to be divided, dissected and framed. Like separating the egg from the yolk, there was the medical camp and the supernatural/demonic camp. Could the two camps possible have merged? It’s possible, however, unlikely, even though it is espoused by many. Anneliese Michel did suffer from Temporal lobe epilepsy - a double whammy. She was also on some pretty powerful medicine: Dilantin, Periciazinea and Tegretol, just to name a few. Yet, there had to be legitimate signs of demonic activity in order for the Catholic Church to give her stamp of approval for an exorcism. They seemed hesitant at first but then eventually assented. I think they were responding to the despondency of a beleaguered and intensely devout family, nothing more, nothing less. But I do think the Church actions were irresponsible. And I think, too, that Anneliese Michel was deeply afraid of psychiatric hospitals and the stigmas surrounding them, which in itself showed an awareness of a fate worse than death, at least for her. Was demon possession more tolerable? At least her faith was a part of the latter. Was there a communal psychosis going on? Perhaps. Belief is a powerful thing.
Fr. Fortea breaks down this complex narrative very concisely and addresses the horrific things that this poor tormented young women endured. At times, I found this book made for very heavy reading, because it was just so awful, and the possibilities for the supposed demon possession seemed so multifaceted. He himself admits that the spiritual, religious, physical, medical and legal aspects tied to this exorcism has blurred, quite significantly, the credibility of this case. Conversely, wouldn’t that be the ideal outcome for the devil? Get the devil’s work done and then chalk it up to the ravings of a bunch of unsophisticated fools.
Wherever you stand on this case, it does make for an interesting read. But it is very sad. Anneliese Michel should be with us today and living a normal happy life. If there were zero underlying health issues related to Anneliese Michel and then this supposed possession was happening, then this case might have come off as more credible. But her ill health had to play a pivotal factor in what happened to her. It is interesting to note that the Vatican altered the question and answer approach when using the Rituale Romanum during an exorcism. In this case, the open-ended questioning only reaffirmed the convinced mindset of a sick woman. To say that this was God’s will for her, her ‘vocation,’ to me, verges on the level of psychopathic. And God is anything but that, for even though Abraham, while taken to the brink, was never allowed to slay Isaac.
Because this particular written work was undertaken by Fr. Fortea, who is himself a very well known Catholic exorcist in Spain, I was curious as to what his take on this exorcism would be. He seems to acknowledge it in the affirmative, that this was indeed a bona fide demon possession case.
I, however, am stuck in the grey area. Scepticism is just natural with me. But I am open-minded and do not dismiss other’s beliefs. My personal belief is that Anneliese Michel had underlying medical and mental issues that were compounded by hardcore Catholic scrupulosity on steroids that had run amuck. While I do believe in demons and demon possession, I also believe that people see what they want to see when they are witnessing someone in the throes of something that they cannot immediately explain away. The brain is a powerful tool. And I don’t think, even now, we fully understand its amazing power and capacity, much less back then.
Having read Dr. Felicitas Goodman’s earlier book on the case, The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel, from a purely cultural perspective, I was hoping that some light would be shed on this case from a Catholic perspective. And that was indeed offered in this very concisely written book. This experience had to be divided, dissected and framed. Like separating the egg from the yolk, there was the medical camp and the supernatural/demonic camp. Could the two camps possible have merged? It’s possible, however, unlikely, even though it is espoused by many. Anneliese Michel did suffer from Temporal lobe epilepsy - a double whammy. She was also on some pretty powerful medicine: Dilantin, Periciazinea and Tegretol, just to name a few. Yet, there had to be legitimate signs of demonic activity in order for the Catholic Church to give her stamp of approval for an exorcism. They seemed hesitant at first but then eventually assented. I think they were responding to the despondency of a beleaguered and intensely devout family, nothing more, nothing less. But I do think the Church actions were irresponsible. And I think, too, that Anneliese Michel was deeply afraid of psychiatric hospitals and the stigmas surrounding them, which in itself showed an awareness of a fate worse than death, at least for her. Was demon possession more tolerable? At least her faith was a part of the latter. Was there a communal psychosis going on? Perhaps. Belief is a powerful thing.
Fr. Fortea breaks down this complex narrative very concisely and addresses the horrific things that this poor tormented young women endured. At times, I found this book made for very heavy reading, because it was just so awful, and the possibilities for the supposed demon possession seemed so multifaceted. He himself admits that the spiritual, religious, physical, medical and legal aspects tied to this exorcism has blurred, quite significantly, the credibility of this case. Conversely, wouldn’t that be the ideal outcome for the devil? Get the devil’s work done and then chalk it up to the ravings of a bunch of unsophisticated fools.
Wherever you stand on this case, it does make for an interesting read. But it is very sad. Anneliese Michel should be with us today and living a normal happy life. If there were zero underlying health issues related to Anneliese Michel and then this supposed possession was happening, then this case might have come off as more credible. But her ill health had to play a pivotal factor in what happened to her. It is interesting to note that the Vatican altered the question and answer approach when using the Rituale Romanum during an exorcism. In this case, the open-ended questioning only reaffirmed the convinced mindset of a sick woman. To say that this was God’s will for her, her ‘vocation,’ to me, verges on the level of psychopathic. And God is anything but that, for even though Abraham, while taken to the brink, was never allowed to slay Isaac.
October 19, 2014
I was familiar with Anneliese's story at a young age and was always captivated by it. When the Exorcism of Emily Rose came out (movie), I was fascinated to learn that it was based on Anneliese's story and they alsy used her ACTUAL audio tapes of her exorcism in the movie as well.
I've always wanted to learn more about the story and this book really achieved that. I was able to understand step by step all that happened from her childhood to her end.
She was very close to christ and preached to others about her religion her whole life and the fact that she allowed her possession to continue so that we as the world can finally admit that it was a real exorcism is what I team as heroic.
It all comes down to wether or not you believe in possession, demonic or otherwise. I do, and this story gave me chills as well as gratitude that annaliese had the courage that she had.
Unfortunately, we lost her due to the possession but her story will in fact continue and I'm proud that I read this book because her story should be known to all.
5/5
I've always wanted to learn more about the story and this book really achieved that. I was able to understand step by step all that happened from her childhood to her end.
She was very close to christ and preached to others about her religion her whole life and the fact that she allowed her possession to continue so that we as the world can finally admit that it was a real exorcism is what I team as heroic.
It all comes down to wether or not you believe in possession, demonic or otherwise. I do, and this story gave me chills as well as gratitude that annaliese had the courage that she had.
Unfortunately, we lost her due to the possession but her story will in fact continue and I'm proud that I read this book because her story should be known to all.
5/5
October 14, 2015
This is a great companion book to The Exorcism of Anneliese Michel. They give slightly different views; Dr. Goodman, who wrote the latter, is an anthropologist and used her own scientific field against the psychology and neurology used in the trial. This book, however, sticks with Catholic view point, nevertheless, the opinions of the authors vary about what was the best way to handle Anneliese's condition in respect to the worldly courts. Any person interested in The Klingenberg Case would do well to read this as well as Dr. Goodman's book.
July 22, 2025
Well, this book was a surprise… but not in the way I expected.
Before reading this book, I had no doubts about Anneliese Michel’s demonic possession; (especially after watching The Exorcism of Emily Rose, which I found powerful, edifying, and a true story about something that can and does happen).
But after reading this… I’m not so sure about this particular case.
Anneliese claimed to be possessed not just by Lucifer, but also by Hitler, Nero, Judas, and a fallen priest, something that goes against biblical teaching. Human souls don’t possess people, demons do.
And everything she said during her possessed state seemed to reflect what she already knew: Lady of Fatima apparitions, (a devotion she grew up with), religious writers she admired, holy places she’d visited, she even spoke about Church teachings on communion that she disagreed with: things rooted in her own spiritual frustrations.
I think nothing came through that she couldn’t have learned or believed herself.
She came from a deeply devout family (maybe even a little fanatical) and her suffering might have been a tragic result of religious trauma, spiritual obsession, untreated mental illness, or a mix of these. All the harm she experienced, she inflicted on herself. There were no supernatural signs, just pain.
I’m not saying this with cynicism or judgment. If anything, I feel heartbroken for her. She was suffering, deeply.
Her family and priests believed so strongly that it was a spiritual battle that they stopped pursuing medical or psychiatric care. (No judgment here, I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done if I had been there. They acted with faith and love, hoping to save her).
And the Church, even after giving permission for the exorcisms, never officially declared it a confirmed case of possession.
I still absolutely believe in demonic possession. But in Anneliese’s case, I’m beginning to think it could’ve been something else entirely.
November 5, 2024
I expected more of a true crime story but instead encountered a course on Catholic theology and exorcism. The starvation death of Anneliese Michel caused an uproar in the predominantly secular Germany of 1976. The trial would pit science versus religion. Michel's mother and father as well as two Catholics priests who performed numerous exorcisms were the accused. The priests testified with a belief in the young woman's possession by the Devil. A pair of psychiatrists disagreed with the men of the cloth, believing that Anneliese was mentally unstable.
The author is a true believer and he spends most of the book with entries from the diary of the troubled young lady. Tapes of the exorcisms with English translations are available online and the demons are identified as Judas, Nero, Cain and Hitler. Even as a reluctant Catholic, I am skeptical as to the reality of demonic possession.
Father Jose Antonio Fortea is the coauthor and his forays into diatribes against the modern church are tiresome. The change from a universal Latin mass and the tradition of placing the Communion Host directly upon the tongue seem trivial to me. Father Fortea is preaching to his fellow true believers and the certainty of his "one true church" are not very convicing.
The author is a true believer and he spends most of the book with entries from the diary of the troubled young lady. Tapes of the exorcisms with English translations are available online and the demons are identified as Judas, Nero, Cain and Hitler. Even as a reluctant Catholic, I am skeptical as to the reality of demonic possession.
Father Jose Antonio Fortea is the coauthor and his forays into diatribes against the modern church are tiresome. The change from a universal Latin mass and the tradition of placing the Communion Host directly upon the tongue seem trivial to me. Father Fortea is preaching to his fellow true believers and the certainty of his "one true church" are not very convicing.
June 6, 2025
Relato factual do processo de possessão e exorcismo de Annelise Michel, de acordo com os relatos dos envolvidos mais próximos.
- Como narrativa não fictícia, não nos cabe avaliar, julgar ou escrever sobre. Uma leitura feita para ser sentida e, ou apreciada por aqueles quem creem, ou desacreditada pelos que não o fazem.
Ainda assim, uma leitura válida, tanto do ponto de vista religioso quanto como uma espécie de estudo sobre a alma humana.
- Como narrativa não fictícia, não nos cabe avaliar, julgar ou escrever sobre. Uma leitura feita para ser sentida e, ou apreciada por aqueles quem creem, ou desacreditada pelos que não o fazem.
Ainda assim, uma leitura válida, tanto do ponto de vista religioso quanto como uma espécie de estudo sobre a alma humana.
June 24, 2015
This book umm...omg it was amazing I really loved it I mean I am not gonna lie I believe it, why not? I have always been curious about demons and the evil kingdom down there and seriously this story scares the shit out of me. I really feel bad for Anneliese being cursed from birth and being tortured til she couldn't take it no more. Being controlled by evil forces who were going to in the end destroy her.
thanks for this book and showing us her story ;)
thanks for this book and showing us her story ;)
April 17, 2016
I pray that this book be read by everyone.
This book will open your eyes to the hard truth that evil is very real. It will also serve as a guide to salvation. Please read.
This book will open your eyes to the hard truth that evil is very real. It will also serve as a guide to salvation. Please read.
August 23, 2019
An exorcist presents a unique opportunity for a nonbeliever: if his ministry is real, so is evil, and the authority of Christ over it, as well as the power vested in the priest to expel the demon. That's an awful lot of far-out claims validated in one fell-swoop. On the other hand, if these men are charlatans, they would be easily exposed by now, right? After 2000 some odd years of deception?
Instead, related films like the Exorcist, which retains a perennial rank as the one of the top 10 scariest films of all time, and more recently The Exorcism of Emily Rose, which is based on this story, are quarantined into the corner of pop culture and people continue living in disbelief.
As for this book, it is striking for its recency and for the setting of Germany, which has become ground zero for faithless in the Church. Not surprising that so many unanswered questions remain about this case, even with hours of records and the whole history of exorcism available to the skeptic. There is a difficult account of the denials which spun up after the death of Anneliese, perhaps the biggest betrayal coming from the doctor who finally recommend she see a priest, only to lie in court that he did so. He could typify the medical community at large which apparently can't even defend biological reality before identity politics.
It is particularly painful, the mission Anneliese is called to, to convert sinners by suffering a relentless possession of six demons. Men will also feel pain for her boyfriend Peter who shows his lady remarkable fidelity during the string of horrific events. So much suffering happens upon her family and friends, and of course, the priests.
Yes, the very reason this book exists, and the story behind it is can be told, is because faith his effectively vanished from the modern mind, that's the cause of the coincidence of so many factors, even the identities of the demons themselves. These things taken together help explain the particular case of Anneliese's possession; it was a message for our age.
I hope this book continues to turn heads and win readers. It's not a happy book, but it is an important one that speaks directly to today's spiritual crisis.
Instead, related films like the Exorcist, which retains a perennial rank as the one of the top 10 scariest films of all time, and more recently The Exorcism of Emily Rose, which is based on this story, are quarantined into the corner of pop culture and people continue living in disbelief.
As for this book, it is striking for its recency and for the setting of Germany, which has become ground zero for faithless in the Church. Not surprising that so many unanswered questions remain about this case, even with hours of records and the whole history of exorcism available to the skeptic. There is a difficult account of the denials which spun up after the death of Anneliese, perhaps the biggest betrayal coming from the doctor who finally recommend she see a priest, only to lie in court that he did so. He could typify the medical community at large which apparently can't even defend biological reality before identity politics.
It is particularly painful, the mission Anneliese is called to, to convert sinners by suffering a relentless possession of six demons. Men will also feel pain for her boyfriend Peter who shows his lady remarkable fidelity during the string of horrific events. So much suffering happens upon her family and friends, and of course, the priests.
Yes, the very reason this book exists, and the story behind it is can be told, is because faith his effectively vanished from the modern mind, that's the cause of the coincidence of so many factors, even the identities of the demons themselves. These things taken together help explain the particular case of Anneliese's possession; it was a message for our age.
I hope this book continues to turn heads and win readers. It's not a happy book, but it is an important one that speaks directly to today's spiritual crisis.
March 4, 2022
+JMJ+
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in psychology, theology, and how they might intermingle.
A fascinating read that I could not put down. After reading this, I am not surprised by the current state of Catholics bishops, priest, and laity in the German speaking Church (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).
Be strong Church Militant! Recite your rosary regularly and frequent the Sacraments.
May Anneliese Michel be received into eternal glory and may she constantly pray for the faithful before the throne of Almighty God. Amen.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in psychology, theology, and how they might intermingle.
A fascinating read that I could not put down. After reading this, I am not surprised by the current state of Catholics bishops, priest, and laity in the German speaking Church (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).
Be strong Church Militant! Recite your rosary regularly and frequent the Sacraments.
May Anneliese Michel be received into eternal glory and may she constantly pray for the faithful before the throne of Almighty God. Amen.
March 24, 2024
Amazing true story!
Great book. Must read.
This story is just another proof that Jesus Christ is Lord and that the Holy Catholic Church is the ONLY true religion in the world. All other religions are man made.
Unbelievable how many people hear about this true story but refuse to believe and radically turn their lives around.
I encourage everyone reading this book to say a prayer, invite Jesus into your life, and ask Him to help you radically turn your life around. He knows we cannot do it on our own. He wants to help. All things are possible for Him!
Great book. Must read.
This story is just another proof that Jesus Christ is Lord and that the Holy Catholic Church is the ONLY true religion in the world. All other religions are man made.
Unbelievable how many people hear about this true story but refuse to believe and radically turn their lives around.
I encourage everyone reading this book to say a prayer, invite Jesus into your life, and ask Him to help you radically turn your life around. He knows we cannot do it on our own. He wants to help. All things are possible for Him!
October 31, 2024
This book is very repetitive and states the same thing over and over again I don’t think it fully goes into detail not what I was wanting anyways. I ended up skipping chapters and skimming to where I did want to read and what I found interesting but even then it’s all very speculative. Keeping that in mind.
April 27, 2020
So Powerfu!
This book is about so much more than an exorcism. So much more than a scary story. It's an eye opener and causes so many emotions. I cried, I prayed, and most of all, I took notes. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING AND THE STORY WILL BE WITH ME.FOREVER
This book is about so much more than an exorcism. So much more than a scary story. It's an eye opener and causes so many emotions. I cried, I prayed, and most of all, I took notes. THIS BOOK IS AMAZING AND THE STORY WILL BE WITH ME.FOREVER
May 7, 2020
Whether it be through possession or mental health whichever you believe. It is so sad to read of the suffering that this poor girl went through. I found the book interesting yet quite hard going in parts.
April 3, 2022
Felt a little bit like Christian propaganda at times but the story itself is quite interesting. Wasn’t expecting for it to be so much of the legal side and the trial, I was hoping to read more about the actual events.
October 17, 2024
I watched the movie "The Exorcism Of Emily Rose" a few years ago which was based on this case and I enjoyed both the movie and this book.The book has much more detail that the movie left out.I do believe Anneliese Michel was possessed.
December 3, 2018
Excellent read
A very spiritual and enlightening read. Not a horror novel but more about the inner workings of evil and its effect on the world.
A very spiritual and enlightening read. Not a horror novel but more about the inner workings of evil and its effect on the world.
January 11, 2020
Grab your Rosary! This is the Church Militant.
The church is divided into the Church Triumphant in heaven, the church suffering in purgatory, and the church Militant on earth. The rosary is our weapon and we are called to be Saints. The ordeal of Anneliese Michel illustrates the battle and the cost of failure.
The church is divided into the Church Triumphant in heaven, the church suffering in purgatory, and the church Militant on earth. The rosary is our weapon and we are called to be Saints. The ordeal of Anneliese Michel illustrates the battle and the cost of failure.
August 21, 2020
Excellent
Best book summarizing Anneliese's story. Shows the truth of and reasons for her possession. Shows the Truth of the Catholic Church's teachings. Highly recommended!
Best book summarizing Anneliese's story. Shows the truth of and reasons for her possession. Shows the Truth of the Catholic Church's teachings. Highly recommended!
November 12, 2019
So I went into this knowing an awful lot about the case before hand, like most people I first became aware of it because of The Exorcism of Emily Rose and I kind of did a lot of digging online to find out more about Anneliese.
This book is brilliant in the respect that it has a lot of letters and documents that have been included that I've never read before and it really gives you an insight as to what Anneliese was like as a person before and during the tortures that she went through.
Now the real question is "was she possessed or was she just ill" reading the book I was constantly thinking "well fuck me, she was really possessed" I didn't realize just how much involvement Doctors had before she turned to priests in order to finally get the help she believed she needed, the further I read on though the more apparent it became that the author also believed that there was no mental illness and that she was actually possessed, this took the edge off the book a little for me, I would have preferred a more balanced view that left the reader to make their own mind up because whether you believe in God, The Devil and demonic possession or not, there is a lot of compelling facts to support both sides of the argument.
One thing can not be denied though and that is that Anneliese suffered terribly at the hands of her beliefs and whether it was demonic possession or mental illness she must have been an extremely strong young woman to go through what she did and for as long as she did.
This book is brilliant in the respect that it has a lot of letters and documents that have been included that I've never read before and it really gives you an insight as to what Anneliese was like as a person before and during the tortures that she went through.
Now the real question is "was she possessed or was she just ill" reading the book I was constantly thinking "well fuck me, she was really possessed" I didn't realize just how much involvement Doctors had before she turned to priests in order to finally get the help she believed she needed, the further I read on though the more apparent it became that the author also believed that there was no mental illness and that she was actually possessed, this took the edge off the book a little for me, I would have preferred a more balanced view that left the reader to make their own mind up because whether you believe in God, The Devil and demonic possession or not, there is a lot of compelling facts to support both sides of the argument.
One thing can not be denied though and that is that Anneliese suffered terribly at the hands of her beliefs and whether it was demonic possession or mental illness she must have been an extremely strong young woman to go through what she did and for as long as she did.
November 30, 2014
Great read
This was a very interesting story and an excellent companion for the movie. Well written, but a little bias toward the end.
This was a very interesting story and an excellent companion for the movie. Well written, but a little bias toward the end.
January 6, 2017
Sad
Awesome book!! Anneliese was true saint! I loved every page of this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in exorcism.
Awesome book!! Anneliese was true saint! I loved every page of this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in exorcism.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews