From CNN:<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n You know things are bad in Congress when the chaplain\u2019s morning prayer on the House floor sounds like an exorcism.<\/p>\n On Thursday, the Rev. Patrick Conroy told members of Congress it has been a \u201cdifficult and contentious week in which darker spirits seem to have been at play in the people\u2019s house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn Your most holy name, I now cast out all spirits of darkness from this chamber, spirits not from You,\u201d continued Conroy, a Jesuit priest who has been chaplain of the House of Representatives since 2011. As he prayed, Conroy closed his eyes and raised his hands in supplication.<\/p>\n Related: What Kind of Priest is Father Patrick Conroy?\u00a0<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n At times, Conroy\u2019s prayer sounded strikingly similar to the Catholic Church\u2019s old Rite of Exorcism, in which a priest cast \u201cunclean spirits\u201d from a possessed person. (The rite was revised in 1999.)<\/p>\n In a brief interview afterward, Conroy said the echo was intentional. But he added that his prayer, which he wrote himself, was more inspired by traditional blessings for homes or other buildings.<\/p>\n \u201cAnoint your servants here in the House with a healing balm to comfort and renew the souls of all in this assembly,\u201d Conroy prayed. \u201cMay your spirit of wisdom and patience descend upon all do that any spirit of darkness might have no place in our midst.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Read more.<\/strong><\/a> And watch the video of the prayer below.<\/p>\n