That Archangelic Prayer (VAMC)

Homily - That Archangelic Prayer

• In 1884, while Pope Leo XIII was attending Mass he had a vision;

• In the vision, he overheard a conversation between God and the devil, Satan.

• During the conversation Satan asked for a period of 75 to 100 years in order to destroy the Catholic Church;

• In the vision, God granted Satan’s request;

• Pope Leo XIII’s vision parallels the troubling negotiation between God and the devil — recorded in the Old Testament story of Job.

• When he was released from the trans-like state in which the vision occurred, Pope Leo XIII composed the Prayer to Saint Michael;

• A half hour later he gave the Prayer to Saint Michael to the Secretary of the Congregation of Rights and told him to send it out to all the Bishops of the world.

• The short form of The Prayer to Saint Michael is the one that he ordered to be prayed at every Mass;

• Today, in lieu of a homily, I’d like to offer — the less well-known — but more penetrating long form of the same prayer for your encouragement!

“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.

V. 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.” 

• During the month of October, our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has asked the faithful...as they pray the holy Rosary...
• To conclude the Rosary with the Sub Tuum Praesidium, and
• The Saint Michael Prayer.

• This homily has been offered as a Yea and Amen to his request!

Our Lady of Victories: Pray for us! We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our petitions In our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, 

O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

Lord Jesus Christ,Head of the Church, and King of the Universe: Have mercy upon us!

— — — — —

Sources:

God’s Chat with the Devil; The Vision of Pope Leo XIII

http://www.catholicstand.com/gods-chat-devil-popeleo/

Roman Raccolta

July 23, 1898, supplement approved July 31, 1902, London: Burnes, Oates & Washbourne Ltd., 1935, 12th edition.

Pope Francis invites the faithful to pray the Rosary in October

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-09/pope-francis-pray-rosary-october.html