Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
of Pope Leo XIII
O Glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of
the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on
against principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness,
spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His
own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the
devil. Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as
already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his
apostate host, who were powerless to resist Thee, nor was there place for them
any longer in heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil
or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels.
Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of
men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with
all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the
name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal
perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon
pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men, of his
depraved mind, corrupt heart, spirit of lying, impiety, blasphemy, his pestilent
breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies
have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the Spouse of
the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions.
In the Holy Place itself, where has been
set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of
the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the
iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be
scattered.
Arise then, 0 invincible Prince, bring help
against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the
victory. They venerate Thee as their protector and patron; in Thee Holy Church
glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to Thee has God
entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to
the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he
may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our
prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the
mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent who is the
devil and Satan, do Thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no
longer seduce the nations. Amen
V. Behold the Cross of
the Lord; be scattered hostile powers.
R.. The Lion of the
tribe of Juda has conquered, the root of David.
V. Let Thy mercies be
upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in
Thee.
V O Lord, hear my
prayer.
R. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
[Priest] Let us pray. O
God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy name, and we
suppliantly implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin
Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel St. Michael, Thou
wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander
about the world for the injury of the human race and ruin of souls. Amen.
Pope Leo XIII 1888
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