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1818 Episode Eight: Fact vs. Fiction – The True Story of the 1949 St. Louis Exorcism

Explore the historical facts and spiritual legacy behind one of the most speculated chapters of Saint Louis University history: the 1949 St. Louis exorcism, a real-life event that inspired William Peter Blatty's bestselling novel and screenplay "The Exorcist."

A graphic that says episode eight 1818 A Saint Louis University Alumni Podcast. Fact versus Fiction the true story of the 1949 Saint Louis exorcism. Brian Shelton grad a and s 2003 Professor of Theology Dean of the School of Christian Studies at Asbury University. John Waide a and s 1973 Archivist Emeritus at Saint Louis University.

Listen to 1818: A Saint Louis University Alumni Podcast to learn more about the 1949 St. Louis Exorcism.

In the final episode of the first season of "1818: A Saint Louis University Alumni Podcast," co-hosts Meg Connolly (A&S ’90, GRAD A&S ’92) and Tony Minor (A&S ’03) learn: 

Four men, two in suits and two in priest clothing pose for a photo.
The panel of experts who spoke at Pius XII Library in 2013 on the 1949 exorcism: the late Thomas B. Allen, author of "Possessed: The True Story of an Exorcism,"  John Padberg, S.J., the late Jesuit historian and scholar, John Waide, archivist emeritus, and the late Paul Stark, S.J., former vice pres­ident for mission and ministry. Photo by Michelle Peltier

About Episode Eight

First, Saint Louis University Archivist Emeritus John Waide (A&S '73), who has answered decades of questions about SLU's role in the famous religious rite, joins Connelly to discuss a landmark 2013 panel on the exorcism held in Pius XII Memorial Library that drew over 1,000 students and community members on the 40th anniversary of the film. He shares that Paul Stark, S.J., SLU’s vice pres­ident for mission and ministry at the time, set the tone for the event.

“Father Stark mentioned that we weren't trying to hide anything,” Waide says. “And he made it clear that for that day, for that event back in 2013 — that this was not some grand expose or mysterious thing that we were trying to do. That it was a factual presentation of the events.”

The nearly two-hour video coverage of the event remains one of SLU's top posts on YouTube, with more than 282,700 views.

Inside the Roundtable Discussion

Then, Waide stays on as an expert in the second half, where he is joined by Brian Shelton, Ph.D. (GRAD A&S ' 03), author of "Theology of a Diary: The 1949 St. Louis Exorcism." Together, the panel unpacks primary source documents detailing the pastoral commitment of the SLU Jesuits involved in the rite, separating Hollywood fiction from reality and examining how a story often associated with fear ultimately delivers a powerful message of hope and perseverance.

“As a theologian, I hope the story of the exorcism can illustrate the value of Christian theology, of belief in understanding life and the world," Shelton says. "This is a 20th-century story of genuine belief and hope in Christ akin to the early church that recorded exorcisms in scripture and shared that exact same hope.” 

Alumni Perks

To wrap up the episode, Minor shares one of our favorite alumni benefits: Saint Louis University's alumni publication, which dates back to October 1926.

First published as Alumni News of St. Louis University, the publication later became St. Louis University Magazine and, since the ‘70s, has been known as Universitas. The publication showcases the latest campus news, feature stories, profiles and more.

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