Exorcism done at baptism on child

[Gal. 5:22,23]

Last weekend my 5 year old was baptized in the Catholic Church. During the ceremony, the deacon perfomed an exorcism on my son. I was not prepared for this, nor were my Protestant friends and family members. Is this always done for a baptism? Could you explain to me why it was done and if it has always been the practice of the Church?

Thanks...

Edited August 4, 2006 by Lil Red

[Carson Weber]

[quote name='Gal. 5:22,23' post='1032802' date='Jul 28 2006, 08:54 AM']
Last weekend my 5 year old was baptized in the Catholic Church. During the ceremony, the deacon perfomed an exorcism on my son. I was not prepared for this, nor were my Protestant friends and family members. Is this always done for a baptism? Could you explain to me why it was done and if it has always been the practice of the Church?
[/quote]

Yes, baptisms always include an exorcism. This is done because before we are baptized, we are the property of Satan. Baptism delivers us from Satan's grasp and places us in the kingdom of Jesus Christ, into the King's grasp.

I do not know if it has [i]always[/i] been the practice of the Church.