“Fr Bona, I have noticed that you like to say the prayer to St Michael the Archangel at the end of the Mass.” This is a remark made by a parishioner to me, and it prompted me to think that, perhaps, it will be good to reflect with you briefly on the prayer.
The prayer to St Michael the Archangel is closely associated with Pope Leo XIII. The story is that on a certain day in the Vatican, Leo XIII had a vision of Satan’s boastful plan to destroy the Church. Provoked by this frightening experience and determined to counter the plan, the Pope composed the prayer to St Michael and decreed that it be said at the end of Mass.
The choice of St Michael for assistance in the battle against Satan was informed by insights from the Scriptures. St Michael’s name is mentioned in three books of the Bible: Daniel (10: 13, 21; 12:1), Jude (1: 9), and Revelation (12: 7-9), and in each case, he is depicted as in victorious battle against the forces of evil. In the book of Revelation, Michael led God’s army against the adversary, the dragon and his angels: He defeated “that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” (Revelation 12: 9).
By words and actions, Jesus affirms that besides the evils that happen in the world through exercise of human freedom, there is a spiritual reality with a concrete essence, the Evil one, whose ultimate aim towards God’s children is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10: 10). He taught his disciples to ask the Father to deliver them from the evil one (Matthew 6: 13). The prayer to St Michael is one of the ways the Church carries out this injunction of Christ. St Peter instructs Christians to “Be sober and watchful because your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5: 8). Knowing that the flesh is weak (Matthew 26: 41), we ask the Archangel Michael for support knowing that he is experienced in leading God’s people to victory in battles.
Our Christian faith affirms the existence and operations of the devil, but, at the same time, it does not consider the devil as God’s opposite or equal. He is not almighty and not all-knowing. So, we are neither subject to him nor should we live in fear of him. However, the Scripture guides us to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6: 11). Prayer is a powerful armor for us. Does anybody think that the enmity between the seed of the woman and the serpent (Genesis 3: 15), or the war waged by the dragon against the offspring of the woman, against those who keep God’s commandment and those who bear witness to Christ (Revelation 12: 17) are things of the past? Does anybody think that the Church and the world in the present time are immune from the influence of Satan and other ungodly spirits?
Taking Leo as his name is an obvious expression by Pope Leo XIV to be guided by the spiritual legacies of the past Pope Leos, particularly Leo XIII, in leading the Church. The prayer to St. Michael is one of these legacies. It conforms with the spirit of the papacy of Leo XIV.
There is a popular saying that “prevention is better than cure”. Prayer to St Michael is a preventive measure against the onslaught of the evil one on us as individuals, families, Church, nation, and world. Therefore, I propose that, in faith, we say the prayer, individually, communally, privately, and publicly, and as often as possible.
Prayer
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,
cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits,
who prowl around the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
-Fr. Bona