The Possession of Anna Ecklund

In 1928, a woman known by the pseudonym Anna Ecklund underwent a dramatic exorcism in Earling, Iowa, that lasted 23 days. The case was documented by the attending priest and became one of the most famous possession cases in American Catholic history.

Background

Anna’s troubles allegedly began in childhood when her aunt, a reputed practitioner of witchcraft, placed curses upon her. Though Anna received an exorcism at age fourteen, her symptoms returned and intensified over the years.

The Earling Exorcism

Father Theophilus Riesinger, an experienced exorcist, conducted the ritual at a convent in Earling with the permission of the local bishop. The proceedings were kept secret from the townspeople, but the events inside the convent were witnessed by multiple nuns and priests.

The Phenomena

According to witnesses, Anna displayed superhuman strength, requiring six strong nuns to restrain her. She spoke in languages unknown to her, including Latin and German with various regional dialects. Her body allegedly swelled and became distorted.

Most disturbing were her displays of impossible knowledge, revealing the secret sins of those present and identifying the demons by name. She reportedly vomited quantities of foul-smelling material far exceeding what she had consumed.

The Resolution

After 23 days of intermittent exorcism sessions, the possession reportedly ended on December 23, 1928. Anna lived the remainder of her life free of the affliction, dying in 1941.

Assessment

Father Riesinger’s account, later published as “Begone Satan,” became a classic of exorcism literature and influenced the popular understanding of possession in America.