Chances are you know the St. Michael Prayer. But do you know where it comes from? The prayer dates back to 1886 when Pope Leo XIII wrote it in response to some horrifying visions he had of demonic activity in Rome. He asked the faithful across the world to pray the St. Michael Prayer at the end of Mass.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard 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, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Who is St. Michael and why do we invoke his intercession against evil?

St. Michael is an Archangel, and we learn about his battle against evil in the Book of Revelation 12:7-8. “Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.”

Pope Leo XIII, after composing the St. Michael Prayer, sought to counter darkness and defend the Church during turbulent times by praying the St. Michael Prayer after Mass. Today it has mostly fallen out of practice, though some churches continue the tradition (Relevant Radio^®, for instance, prays the St. Michael Prayer after daily Mass at noon CT).

Why don’t we pray it after Mass anymore?

Gloria called The Patrick Madrid Show to ask why the Church no longer invokes the protection of St. Michael after Mass. “It was abandoned, more than eliminated, after the Second Vatican Council,” explained Patrick. “And that’s something I wish had been maintained.”

“Some parishes, thankfully, they still do this. But it is not something that’s widely done by any stretch. So why don’t we all pray the Prayer to St. Michael together? St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle….”

If you would like to pray the St. Michael prayer after Mass and your parish doesn’t continue the tradition, why not pray it on your own? Kneel in the pew with your family after the final hymn and pray the St. Michael Prayer together. Who knows, it might catch on!

Our nation and Church need daily protection from St. Michael the Archangel. Let’s invoke his protection for the Church and also in our own lives when we feel spiritual attack. He’s a powerful intercessor!

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Tune in to The Patrick Madrid Show weekdays at 8-11am CT only on Relevant Radio^®.