Tuesday, March 19, AD 2024 5:18am

Pope Leo and Saint Michael the Archangel

(I originally posted this in 2010.  I think I will begin posting it on each September 29, the feast of the Archangels.)

In 1947 Father Domenico Pechenino related what he had witnessed over six decades before.

“I do not remember the exact year. One morning the great Pope Leo XIII had celebrated a Mass and, as usual, was attending a Mass of thanksgiving. Suddenly, we saw him raise his head and stare at something above the celebrant’s head. He was staring motionlessly, without batting an eye. His expression was one of horror and awe; the colour and look on his face changing rapidly. Something unusual and grave was happening in him.

“Finally, as though coming to his senses, he lightly but firmly tapped his hand and rose to his feet. He headed for his private office. His retinue followed anxiously and solicitously, whispering: ‘Holy Father, are you not feeling well? Do you need anything?’ He answered: ‘Nothing, nothing.’ About half an hour later, he called for the Secretary of the Congregation of Rites and, handing him a sheet of paper, requested that it be printed and sent to all the ordinaries around the world. What was that paper? It was the prayer that we recite with the people at the end of every Mass. It is the plea to Mary and the passionate request to the Prince of the heavenly host, (St. Michael: Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle) beseeching God to send Satan back to hell.”

Cardinal Giovanni Batista Nassalli Rocca di Corneiliano wrote in his Pastoral Letters on Lent:  “the sentence ‘The evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls’ has a historical explanation that was many times repeated by his private secretary, Monsignor Rinaldo Angeli. Leo XIII truly saw, in a vision, demonic spirits who were congregating on the Eternal City (Rome). The prayer that he asked all the Church to recite was the fruit of that experience. He would recite that prayer with strong, powerful voice: we heard it many a time in the Vatican Basilica. Leo XIII also personally wrote an exorcism that is included in the Roman Ritual. He recommended that bishops and priests read these exorcisms often in their dioceses and parishes. He himself would recite them often throughout the day.”

The Prayer written by the Pope is of course the famous prayer to Saint Michael:

Sancte Michael Archangele,
defende nos in proelio;
contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.
Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur:
tuque, Princeps militiae Caelestis,
satanam aliosque spiritus malignos,
qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo,
divina virtute in infernum detrude.
Amen.

This is the version I learned as a boy:

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in the battle.  Be our protection against the malice and snares of the Devil.  We humbly beseech God to command him.  And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the powers of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

In 1886 this prayer was added to the prayers that in 1884 Pope Leo had ordered to be said after every low Mass.  In 1964, by Inter oecumenici, the Payer to Saint Michael, along with the other Leonine Prayers after low Masses, were suppressed.  I have always thought that a great pity.  Rest assured that Satan did not cease his activity in 1964, and Pope Leo sought to remind us of that activity and through the prayer to Saint Michael to help guard us against it.   It is still a common prayer in my house.

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CAM
CAM
Tuesday, September 30, AD 2014 11:04am

An annual posting is good and necessary. When I was a child the prayer to St. Michael intention was for the conversion of Russia. At my mission church we have prayed for about 10 years to St. Michael after daily Mass and at the 0730 Sunday Mass which has no music other than the Sanctus and Agnus Dei. In another parish they preface the recitation with “For religious freedom”. The diocese of Arlington is very traditional. When my nephew was in Afghnistan and Iraq I sent him blessed St. Benedict medals and St. Michael holy cards for him and his men. It’s a powerful prayer.

CAM
CAM
Tuesday, September 30, AD 2014 11:14am

As for recitation of exorcisms, the only words to that effect that I can recall taught to us by the IHMs were “Begone Satan!”. To be used when one is distracted during Mass or at prayer. It works.

Paul D
Paul D
Tuesday, September 30, AD 2014 11:43am

Was it ever addressed by the Church as to why it was removed from the low Masses?

Anzlyne
Anzlyne
Tuesday, September 30, AD 2014 10:47pm

I don’t know where the “why” is addressed, I know it happened in #48 of Inter oecumenici.
/
At the same time Psalm 42 before mass was dropped, (I will go in to the altar of God: to God Who gives joy to my youth. Judge me, O God….)

Here’s a link “The Day The Mass Changed”
http://www.adoremus.org/0210Benofy.html

TomD
TomD
Wednesday, October 1, AD 2014 8:59am

Our new 30-something pastor has asked everyone to recite the St. Michael prayer at the end of Mass. it is quite appropriate and moving.

Paul D.
Paul D.
Thursday, October 2, AD 2014 8:20am

Chapter II. Mystery of the Eucharist

I. ORDO MISSAE (SC art. 50)

48. Until reform of the entire Ordo Missae, the points that follow are to be observed:

j. The last gospel is omitted; the Leonine Prayers are suppressed.

Thanks, Anzlyne.

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