In the quiet town of Earling, Iowa, in 1928, a terrifying drama unfolded that would echo through the annals of American religious history. Emma Schmidt, a devout Midwestern Catholic, became the center of a harrowing exorcism that lasted 23 days, capturing the attention of the Church and the public alike. This is not just a ghost story; it’s a complex tale of trauma, belief, and the human psyche.

Emma was born in 1882 in Marathon, Wisconsin, to a German Catholic family. Her childhood was marred by tragedy when her mother died, leaving her in the care of her father, Jacob, an alcoholic who allegedly subjected her to abuse. Emma later claimed that after rejecting his advances, he cursed her, marking the beginning of her torment. By age 14, she started experiencing disturbing symptoms, including blasphemous thoughts and auditory hallucinations that urged her to desecrate sacred spaces.

Doctors found nothing physically wrong with Emma, labeling her as “normal.” With no medical explanation for her suffering, her family and local priests turned to the Church, seeking spiritual intervention. In 1912, Emma underwent her first exorcism, which provided only temporary relief. Over the next 16 years, her condition worsened, and she began to hear voices claiming to be not just demons, but the spirits of her father and her aunt, Mina, who was rumored to practice witchcraft.

Desperate for help, Emma was brought to a convent in Earling in August 1928. The Church arranged a second exorcism, led by Father Theophilus Riesinger, a seasoned priest. From the moment Emma entered the convent, her demeanor shifted dramatically; she hissed at the nuns and refused food, claiming she could sense its blessed nature. The stage was set for a cosmic showdown between good and evil.

For 23 grueling days, Emma was subjected to a series of exorcisms that included violent thrashing, vomiting, and speaking in multiple voices and languages. Witnesses claimed she levitated and displayed unnatural strength, bending the iron bed frame that restrained her. The air was thick with a foul odor, drawing curious townspeople to the convent.

By December, the exorcism seemed to drain everyone involved. On the final day, Emma suddenly sat up, whispered the names of her tormentors—Beelzebub, Judas, Jacob, and Mina—and then fell silent. Moments later, she opened her eyes and declared, “From what a terrible burden have I been freed at last.” Emma resumed her life, and the exorcism was deemed a success.

However, the story didn’t end there. It remained largely secret until a booklet titled Begone, Satan! was published in 1935, bringing Emma’s tale to the public eye. Her story inspired books, films, and debates about the nature of possession and mental illness.

Theories surrounding Emma’s exorcism have emerged over the years, ranging from the belief in demonic possession to the idea that she suffered from untreated psychological conditions. Some theorists argue that her experiences were a product of cultural and religious pressures, while others suggest that her symptoms stemmed from trauma and abuse.

Demonic Possession: The Catholic Church maintains that Emma was genuinely possessed by demonic spirits, expelled only through faith and the rigorous exorcism process.
Psychological Illness: Many skeptics believe Emma’s symptoms align with modern psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia or severe PTSD, exacerbated by her traumatic upbringing.
Hoax or Exaggeration: Some argue that the entire episode was fabricated or exaggerated, either by Emma or the clergy involved, to gain attention or validate their beliefs.
Social Suggestion: This theory posits that Emma acted out the role of the possessed due to strong social suggestion, internalizing the belief that she was demonically afflicted.
Feminist Perspective: Some view Emma’s narrative as a reflection of patriarchal control, with her exorcism serving as a means to suppress her emerging autonomy.
Trauma-Induced Dissociation: This hybrid theory suggests that Emma’s experiences were expressions of her trauma, with her “demons” representing her abusers and the pain she had endured.

Ultimately, what likely transpired during those harrowing days in the convent was not a battle between good and evil, but a complex interplay of personal trauma, societal expectations, and the power of belief. Emma’s journey reflects a woman trying to articulate her suffering through the only language available to her—a narrative of possession.

The haunting tale of Emma Schmidt serves as a reminder of the struggles many face when navigating trauma and the societal pressures that can distort our understanding of mental health. In the end, the true power of the exorcism lies not in casting out demons, but in giving voice to suffering and allowing for healing through belief.