[EXORCISM] G. Benamati - Manuale Comodo per Li Curati - 1725

Exorcisms, Sacraments, and Insertion into the Books of Prohibited [Works]

Comfort Manual for the Curates
by Father Master Giambattista Benamati, served by Guastalla
Milan, Heirs of Domenico Bellagatta, 1725

15 × 8.5 cm (small pocket-sized octavo), approx. 335 pages.

Contemporary full-leather binding, backbone with raised bands, titles and rich gold tooling. Condition: good for a practical-use volume: sound paper with slight aging browning, sturdy but worn binding.

Rare liturgical-practical manual intended for parish priests (“curates”) and for any priest engaged in pastoral care. It offers detailed instructions and forms for all priestly functions: visiting and blessing the sick, administering the sacraments, blessing houses, objects, water, wine, etc.

A strong point and a great rarity is the extensive section devoted to exorcisms, with complete formulas, prayers, and rites for liberation from evil spirits, as well as litanies, solemn exorcisms (for the sacraments), and protective rituals. The volume also contains tables for the hours of function (midnight, morning, etc.) and numerous specific prayers.

Published in 1725, it was placed on the Index of Prohibited Books as early as 1727 (decree of September 2). This rapid insertion into the Index makes surviving copies particularly sought after by scholars of Church history, liturgy, and Catholic exorcism of the eighteenth century.

Pocket-sized manual really used by parish clergy.
A living testimony of pastoral care and the struggle against the demonic in the first half of the eighteenth century.
Extremely rare on the antiquarian market.

A volume of great charm for collectors of ancient religious books, liturgical texts, exorcisms, and works placed on the Index. A piece of notable historical and bibliographical interest.