an's salvation. Which expulsion is signified by the
(priest) breathing (upon the person to be baptized); while the
blessing, with the imposition of hands, bars the way against the
return of him who was cast out. Then the salt which is put in the
mouth, and the anointing of the nose and ears with spittle, signify
the receiving of doctrine, as to the ears; consent thereto as to the
nose; and confession thereof, as to the mouth. And the anointing with
oil signifies man's ability to fight against the demons.

Reply Obj. 1: The energumens are so-called from "laboring inwardly"
under the outward operation of the devil. And though not all that
approach Baptism are troubled by him in their bodies, yet all who are
not baptized are subject to the power of the demons, at least on
account of the guilt of original sin.

Reply Obj. 2: The power of the devil in so far as he hinders man from
obtaining glory, is expelled from man by the baptismal ablution; but
in so far as he hinders man from receiving the sacrament, his power
is cast out by the exorcisms.

Reply Obj. 3: Holy water is used against the assaults of demons from
without. But exorcisms are directed against those assaults of the
demons which are from within. Hence those who are exorcized are
called energumens, as it were "laboring inwardly."

Or we may say that just as Penance is given as a further remedy
against sin, because Baptism is not repeated; so Holy Water is given
as a further remedy against the assaults of demons, because the
baptismal exorcisms are not given a second time.
_______________________

THIRD ARTICLE [III, Q. 71, Art. 3]

Whether What Is Done in the Exorcism Effects Anything, or Is a Mere
Sign?

Objection 1: It seems that what is done in the exorcism does not
effect anything, but is a mere sign. For if a child die after the
exorcisms, before being baptized, it is not saved. But the effects of
what is done in the sacraments are ordained to the salvation of man;
hence it is written (Mk. 16:16): "He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved." Therefore what is done in the exorcism effects
nothing, but is a mere sign.

Obj. 2: Further, nothing is required for a sacrament of the New Law,
but that it should be a sign and a cause, as stated above (Q. 62, A.
1). If, therefore, the things done in the exorcism effect anything,
it seems that each of them is a sacrament.

Obj. 3: Further, just as the exorcism is ordained to Baptism, so if
anything b