a minor order formerly entailing actual exorcisms; a special rank existing in the Western Church from the early 3rd century onward, to which a Reader may be elevated by the Bishop in a church rite Nowadays, exorcisms are usually performed by an older monastic Priest, and exorcists usually have a catechetical function, casting out the evils of ignorance and false understanding so that the people may battle in a right manner with the Evil One and his teachings
the second of the minor orders of the ministry; the power of exorcising evil spirits was never confined to this order although they assisted in this process, as well as with the pouring out of water at the mass