On October 13, 1884, Pope Leo XIII had a remarkable vision. After he had finished celebrating Mass in his private Vatican Chapel, which had been attended by a few Cardinals and members of the Vatican staff, he suddenly stopped at the foot of the altar. He stood there at the altar as if in a trance for about 10 minutes before returning to his office. From this experience, he wrote the prayer to St. Michael. This prayer was prayed after Mass in Latin throughout the world as a part of the Low Mass in Latin. When asked what had happened, the Pope explained that as he was about to leave the foot of the altar, he suddenly heard two voices. One voice was kind and gentle, while another voice was unkind and harsh. The voices seemed to come from near the tabernacle. As he listened, he heard the voice of Satan tell God that he could destroy the Church.
After the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, this prayer of St Michael the Archangel no longer was prayed at the end of Mass. However, in recent years, especially after the tragic attacks of 9/11, some priests and Bishops in the United States started praying the prayer of the St Michael at the end of Mass. Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have all encouraged the faithful pray this prayer on a regular basis. There are many other parishes in our Diocese, the Diocese of Memphis, and the Diocese of Biloxi who pray this prayer at the end of the weekend Masses. I had first installed this prayer at St James parish in Tupelo after some parishioners brought this suggestion to the liturgy committee. We prayed it at the weekend Masses when I was pastor of St Jude in Pearl as well. In consultation with the parish staff here at Holy Savior, we have decided to pray the Prayer of St Michael the Archangel at the end of our weekend Masses beginning with the first Sunday of Advent.
Many of the men and women in the military, many first responders, and many police officers see St Michael the Archangel as their patron saint. Those men and women make many sacrifices for us each day to keep our communities and our nation safe. When we pray the prayer of St Michael the Archangel, let us remember those men and women, asking St Michael to protect them in his patronage.
St Michael the Archangel is a spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil. He is considered a champion of justice, a healer of the sick, and the guardian of the Church. In art Saint Michael is depicted with a sword, a banner, or scales, and is often shown vanquishing Satan in the form of a dragon.
Prayer of St Michael the Archangel:
Holy Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do you O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the divine power cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
This is a favorite prayer of mine. I am glad we are going to start praying it at the end of the weekend Masses here at Holy Savior.
Father Lincoln
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