Thanks, Daniel, for accepting us as fellow Christians. You, Glenn, Tron and Pninah are probably the only non-Catholics here that do.

There is no exorcism ritual that goes with baptism. I'm guessing that the book might be talking about the questions the about-to-be-baptized person is asked right before the baptism. Something to the effect of, "Do you reject Satan?" "Do you reject his works?" "Do you reject his empty promises?" With the person's affirmative answers, an exorcism has effectively taken place. The person has willingly driven Satan away.

He/she is then asked if he/she believes in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (in much lengthier form than these simple examples). The person thereby accepts God into his/her life, pushing out Satan for good.

That's what I'm guessing.

About the ball of fire - I'd guess that's just Jacob's description of how he felt. Totally engulfed in a ball of fire, actually the Holy Spirit. That's how I read that.

Radar