Anna Ecklund stood upright on her bed and collapsed, screaming at the top of her lungs. By 1912, he was well-known for his expertise in exorcisms and so was called upon when a young woman by the name of Anna Ecklund (sometimes referred to as Emma Schmidt) reported possession symptoms. For Businesses. THE EXORCISM OF ANNA ECKLUND. Interestingly, Anna Ecklund is not likely to have been her original name. At the age of fourteen, Anna started displaying weird behaviours. Anna despaired, feeling that she must be losing her mind. Over the following two sessions, from September 13 to 20 and December 15 to 23, Anna deteriorated quickly. Her identity was kept secret. Between August and December in 1928, intense sessions of exorcism were performed on her demon-possessed body. While the whole liturgy was happening, Ecklund apparently spoke in a high pitched voice, claiming to be the spirits of Beezelbub, Judas, her father, and her aunt Mina. Anna Ecklund recalled having visions of horrible battles between spirits during the exorcism. Unlike many other well-known cases of demonic possession, the Smurl family claimed it was not a person who was possessed. Throughout the three sessions of the exorcism, Anna Ecklund defecated and vomited massively, screamed, hissed like a cat, and suffered physical distortions. At one point, the girl allegedly attempted to strangle one of the priests, but this fact remains a matter of debate. When directly asked about the spirits within her, Anna listed several, with Beelzebub as their leader. He believed, as explained by the Catholic mythos, that she was being possessed by the returned demon, who brought seven fellow spirits with him. Over the next years, Anna claimed she was tormented by her dead father and aunts spirits. An exorcism was performed by two priests which lasted the entire day. This time the ritual of relinquishing demons was reported to have lasted two days before she was finally freed.. His family reported to the local priest that strange things such as objects moving on their own accord were happening around the house. However, their fears that at least three demons insanity, murder, and violence were still left inside him were realised that very morning. Showing Editorial results for anna eklund. "[1], The Exorcism of Anna Ecklund was released in the United Kingdom on 7 March 2016. Steiger was a little shaken, but Riesinger remained unsurprised. Emma Schmidt is the suspected real name of Anna, which was only changed to protect her identity after the first exorcism. From the beginning of her life, Anna Ecklund saw only the worst faces around her, the final phase of which ended with the last three sessions of the exorcism performed on her. Share. Read another story from us:The Grotesque Little Monsters Sailors used to Present as Souvenirs from Distant Lands. She later reported that on her arrival she experienced a feeling of unprecedented rage. Diagnosed with epileptic psychosis, she also experienced depression and visual and auditory hallucinations, for which she was hospitalized. The Exorcism of Anna Ecklund (2016) - Photo Gallery - IMDb The Exorcism of Anna Ecklund (2016) Photo Gallery 10 photos Add Image 10 photos Trailers and Videos See 1 video Storyline A Priest and a Vatican investigator take a possessed housewife to a convent to perform an Exorcism. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Sign up for The Lineups newsletter, and get our strangest stories delivered straight to your inbox. . Then, as they officially began the rite of exorcism, she allegedly ripped through her restraints, leapt into the air, and clung to the wall above the rooms door. I also want to get the Early Bird Books newsletter featuring great deals on ebooks. The real girl was born in 1882, and her name is unknown. It is possible that Ecklund's father accused his daughter of possession because he was sexually abusing her, and she had fought back, and her case was further complicated because her aunt Mina who may have also been her father's lover was alleged to have been practicing black magic on her. Father Joseph Stieger of Earling, Iowa, a friend of Riesinger, suggested the exorcism be undertaken at a convent owned by the Franciscan Sisters in Earling. Instead of inviting his aunt, Roland apparently invited something much more sinister. There, Anna was put under the care of Father Theophilus Riesinger, an expert in exorcism. With years of experience, Riesinger also fully expected her to attack during the ceremony. Historic Mysteries provides captivating articles on archaeology, history, and unexplained mysteries. I have had numerous experiences in presenting my research to a variety of audiences from academic, public and children. She is finally out on her own in a beautiful space in Santa Clara. ), or, if Hulda Emma Schmidt, on June 23, 1964 at age 81. The spirits sinister voices now dogged her every step, pressing her to commit terrible acts. | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA Notice, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. But suddenly she was able to dislodge herself from the bed and threw herself high up against a wall. THE TRUTH ABOUT THE EXORCISM OF ANNA ECKLUND. Attempts to exorcise the malevolent spirit from the home failed, and the family endured its torment until 1980, when they fled to Georgia. It has been claimed he said I was not wrought up about it all. Filming took place in Mumbles, Wales. But, he managed to get out of the car alive. This is the story of a 20th century exorcism, one that was supposed to remain a secret but which has inspired horror films ever since. Once faced with a team of Jesuit exorcists, the boy showed similar behavior as the other two entries on the list. Jumpstart your reading habit by signing up here https://lionessrue.medium.com/membership. Often said to include speaking in tongues and strange guttural voices, levitating and clinging to bedroom walls, disturbed thoughts and revulsion of holy objects and sacred spaces, Ecklunds possession spanned several decades beginning in 1912 when she was just 14 years old. He arrived at the train station and was met by Steiger who was supposed to drive them to the convent. One event that sealed the deal for the Yale-educated medical professional was when, during a phone call with Julias priest, he heard one of the demonic voices that had come from her mouth except she was nowhere near a phone. Yes! Anna also responded to the priests actions with vitriol, foaming at the mouth whenever Riesinger spoke Latin blessings. For most, the concept of possession comes from what we see in movies and books. Her condition was initially regulated by medications, but as more epileptic fits followed, she was diagnosed with other mental issues. Father Carl Vogl penned an account of Annas possession in a pamphlet, published in 1936, called Begone Satan: A Soul Stirring Account of Diabolical Possession in Iowa. On a number of occasions the ghost of a woman who hanged herself on the property appeared. Anna Ecklund was a pseudonym for Emma Schmidt (March 23, 1882 - July 23, 1941), an American woman whose alleged demonic possession and exorcism occurred over several decades, culminating in an extensive exorcism that lasted from August 18 to December 23, 1928 in Earling, Iowa. She participated in intense sexual acts. Search instead in Creative? [10][14] During the exorcisms, Ecklund also spoke in a high falsetto voice, which Riesinger interpreted as the voice of her aunt Mina. After 23 days, the exorcism was over, and the evil was gone. The exorcism was meant to remain a secret, but Reverend Carl Vogl gathered eyewitness accounts of the exorcism and published his pamphletBegone Satan! Her once soft voice often sank into a guttural growl capable of creating impossible sounds. 1896: Anna Eklund SHUTTERSTOCK Anna Ecklund was not her real name, but it's the one people associate with this classic case of demonic possession, thanks to the 2016 horror film, The Exorcism of Anna Ecklund. 51 Anna Eklund Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images All News Archival Browse 51 anna eklund stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Search instead in. But, because Ecklunds mother was Catholic, Ecklund grew up in the church. The boy was exposed to the ritual over thirty times. At one point, writes Cult of Weird, she was alleged to have leapt from the bed and levitated to the ceiling. 2017. Her skin sizzled and burnt when holy water touched it. [15][16] Ecklund was believed to be possessed by Judas Iscariot, as well as Jacob, her own father, who had cursed her with the help of his lover, her aunt Mina, for refusing his incestuous sexual advances during her adolescence. By continuing to browse, you accept the use of cookies and other technologies. Following this, she seemed to recover, until 1928. Anna also began howling very loudly like a wild beast. Soon after the Perron family moved into their dream house in a quaint Rhode Island neighborhood in 1970, the haunting began. In July of 1976, Michel passed away. The demons were eventually exorcised, and Ecklund went on to live her life, with only milder possessions after. 656. r/horror. Maybe the movie itself, like so many other bad horror movies, needs to be exorcised from people's minds. Riesinger's stature grew. What follows are the details of the Anna Ecklund case, as claimed by Reverend Vogl in Begone, Satan! However, this was not to continue. At the same time, the demons inside of Anna began to physically change and distort her body. is based on the real life the story of Anneliese Michel and addresses the question of whether or not are demonic possessions real. But, what really happened that led to these events? Whether or not such evil forces exist, or if this practice does relinquish them, is all a matter of supposition. A Social-Scientific Approach, vol 3. However, when Michael developed a love affair with another member of the group in 1974, things turned sour. A local church got involved to help and contacted Father Theophilus Riesinger. The Smurl familys case was both highly publicized and heavily scrutinized, discredited by paranormal professionals and clergy who claimed on several occasions that nothing unusual was happening at the residence. Her case was so well known that it served as the basis for a Time profile of the priest in charge of her exorcism, Father Theophilus Riesinger. Anna Ecklund was a pseudonym for Emma Schmidt , an American woman whose alleged demonic possession and exorcism occurred over several decades, culminating in an extensive exorcism that lasted from August 18 to December 23, 1928 in Earling, Iowa. While some elements of Anne Ecklund story were used to portray exorcism in Fridkiens supernatural horror, the true character on which the Exorcist book franchise was an unknown man referred to as Ronald Doe. She also developed an evil mindset towards priests and vomited after taking communion. While the real story sounds suitably horrific, the movie version though didn't fare that well. The Exorcism of Earling: the true story of Anna Ecklund. Add photo. There was a Catholic church and a convent where Ecklund could stay during the exorcism. [1] Some sources contradict the narrative that she was raised in Marathon, Wisconsin. He went on to perform a further nineteen successful exorcisms. On one occasion, her body even expanded to twice its normal size, causing the sisters in the room to wince in fear of the woman bursting. [10], On June 18, 1912, Ecklund underwent an exorcism by Father Theophilus Riesinger, a Capuchin priest originally from Bavaria, Germany, entrusted by Bishop Thomas Dunn of Des Moines, Iowa. Nearly 70 exorcisms were performed in secrecy under the order of the church. Join 1000s of subscribers and receive the best Vintage News in your mailbox for FREE, Flappers: subverting society with their shoes, Police arrest a 72-year-old suburban grandfather suspected of being the Golden State Killer, Im not dead yet: some Buddhist monks followed self-mummification, Project Azorian: Howard Hughes secret mission, 1960s U.S. satellite that started transmitting again in 2013, The Walk of Shame in Game of Thrones historical inspiration, The only unsolved skyjacking case in U.S. history might have a break, Kurt Gdel became too paranoid to eat and died of starvation, Little Ease: One of the most feared torture devices in the Tower of London, The humble English girl who became Cora Pearl, Walt Disney softened the original Snow White story. When she was 16, a head trauma caused her to develop temporal lobe epilepsy. The vomit seemed to consist primarily of tobacco leaves and other debris. Although Berkowitz has gone back and forth, sometimes sticking with the possession story, sometimes recanting it, he, to this day, believes that his crimes were part of an epic struggle between God and the Devil. Following a full night of exhaustive exorcism sessions, the priests claimed they had pulled upwards of 40 demons from Taylor but that several remained inside him when they sent him home. In so doing, the reverend at the story's center, Theophilus Riesinger, also became Americas foremost exorcists, with a 1936 Time article labeling him a potent and mystic exorcist of demons.. What Happened to the Crew of the Casie What are Ley Lines? Available at: https://emadion.it/en/paranormal/exorcisms/the-exorcism-of-earling-the-true-story-of-anna-ecklund/, Occult Museum. Described as a charming and engaging woman, Julia was the queen of a satanic cult. However, she noted that she had been possessed at the command of her father, Jacob, and his mistress, Mina, with the help of Lucifer himself. Anna became very violent when confronted with sacred and holy objects. [20] According to Francis Young, a theology scholar, elements of the account published by Vogl were repeated in a written account of Robbie Mannheim in Mount Rainier, Maryland in 1949 by Jesuit priests. I also want to get Early Bird Books newsletter featuring book deals, recommendations, and giveaways. Ecklund collapsed on her bed and began to shriek "Beelzebub, Judas, Jacob, Mina," followed by "Hell! Whatever the truth, the story of Anna is a truly harrowing tale of exorcism and the nature of evil. Get notified of the best best booming posts weekly. See hours. Her odd behavior began to show in other ways, such as purring while she waiting for Father Riesinger. 2020. Iowa. Tiffany Ceri was brought on to play the titular character of Anna Ecklund. It was widely reported at the time of Annas first exorcism that Mina was a witch, who would put cursed herbs in Annas food and placed curses on her. Sounds like nightmare fuel for me. "[21], In February 1936, the 1928 exorcism was profiled in Time magazine.[22]. Having graduated from University in History and Archaeology my strengths lie in research, writing and presentations. Both she and her Catholic family attributed her condition to demonic possession, and beginning at 22, she underwent an intense 10 months of Catholic exorcism rites. At the exorcism, there was Father Riesinger and Father Steiger, a couple of nuns and a housekeeper. Related: 6 Demonic Possession Movies and Shows You Can Stream Now. As they spoke the opening prayers, Anna sank into a deep sleep with her eyes shut tight. Anna spoke in languages she had never heard before and could list the childhood sins of the nuns and priests around her. 2009-2021 Historic Mysteries. Yes! speak in multiple languages unknown to her, "Emma Schmidt, 23 March 1882, Milwaukee, Wisconsin", Ghosts and Demons: The Lost Things - KyL Cobb - Google Books, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43173-0_2, "The Exorcism of Anna Ecklund Trailer Delivers Some True Story Chills", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Anna_Ecklund&oldid=1116257936, This page was last edited on 15 October 2022, at 17:19. Ecklund was said to have exhibited symptoms akin to possession beginning at age fourteen, and was forty-six years old during her final exorcism by Father Theophilus Riesinger, a Roman Catholic priest. In 1936, the Catholic Church approved Vogl publishing a pamphlet and instructional tract, called Satan Begone!, that chronicled the 1928 exorcism in Earling. She was born in 1882 in Marathon, Wisconsin. Summarize this article for a 10 years old. The Capuchins were inspired to live in a radical Franciscan manner, with an emphasis on prayer and poverty. Another exorcism was allegedly performed, this time lasting two days, before she was freed of the demon. Michel, a young German woman, had struggled from an early age with mental illness. A painting by Goya of Father General, Saint Francis Borgia, performing an exorcism. The longer they chased that hope, the closer to evil Riesinger, Steiger, and the sisters found themselves. Anna didnt react. [6] An article in the Des Moines Register from 23 September 1928 stated, Plot Summary Society's idea of what American exorcisms look like, though, wasn't shaped purely by movies, but rather from real-life rituals like the one performed onAnneliese Micheland a particularly well-documented case of possession and exorcism befell a woman often given the pseudonym "Anna Ecklund," whose story inspired a 2016 film. Losing her mind out on her demon-possessed body likely to have been her original.. From academic, public and children in a quaint Rhode Island neighborhood in 1970 the... 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Eyewitness accounts of the best best booming posts weekly more sinister Francis Borgia, performing an exorcism meant! Sounds suitably horrific, the movie itself, like so many other bad horror,... Physically change and distort her body when directly asked about the spirits sinister voices now dogged her step!