DAY TWO – INVOKING THE INTERCESSION OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

 “The battle against the devil, which is the principal task of Saint Michael the Archangel is still being fought today, because the devil is still alive and active in the world.”                                         -St. John Paul II 

Dearest St. Michael, how many times during my life you have come to my aid and I have never thanked you! You are the angel of Catholic Action, you are the glorious prince of the heavenly armies and so powerful before the throne of God! Thank you immensely for your intercession on my behalf, as well as aiding those in my family and my loved ones. Please guard me against all evil spirits and malicious enemies, and protect me from danger. Help me to fight and overcome my daily battles with temptations.  Assist me in my final agony and especially at the hour of my death.  Please bring these petitions I now place before you to God Almighty (mention all of your intentions, especially for spiritual protection for Cardinal Burke and for many graces be bestowed upon him).. AMEN.

When we think of St. Michael, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the St. Michael’s prayer against evil. If you have not memorized this prayer, try praying it daily until it you know the words by heart. Some Catholic Churches pray it out loud after every Holy Mass if your parish does not, why not suggest it to your pastor? 

Saint 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 thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

The prayer was composed by Pope Leo XIII after being shown a vision of evil spirits being released from hell and their attempt to destroy the Catholic Church. During this horrible vision, St. Michael the Archangel appeared and pushed satan, as well as his legions back into hell. Here is the original, longer version of the St. Michael’s prayer:

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

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, 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 depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the 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 the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as 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, O 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 find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing 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. 

1. Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
   R. The Lion of the tribe of Judah 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.
   
   Let us pray. 

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against satan and all the other unclean spirits who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.