PHILIPPINES: St. Michael Prayer approved by Bishops Conference after all Masses

Even though I hear about some liturgical craziness in the Philippines, here is a positive sign:

From the news service of the Bishops Conference of the Philippines:

CBCP urges revival of St. Michael the Archangel Prayer
Filed under: Headlines |
MANILA, Sept. 26, 2013— The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has authorized for use of the old St. Michael the Archangel Prayer for recitation after Mass in all churches nationwide.  [I honestly didn’t expect this.  What great news!]

In a circular to all the archdioceses and dioceses, the CBCP highly recommends the recitation of the prayer composed by Leo XIII in 1896 amid the “many situation of trouble and conflict” in the country. [I would have preferred “command”, rather than simply “recommend”, but HEY!]

Archbishop Jose Palma, CBCP president, said the prayer is also “very timely” because of recent calamities that brought havoc in various areas and the “escalating” corruption in the government.

“Through this prayer, we invoke St. Michael to defend us and our country against the wickedness and snares of the evil one,” Palma said.

“Michael – which means, “Who is like God” – will win over all the evil attempts to disfigure the face of mankind because God Who is stronger acts in him,” he added.

The Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel:

“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him we humbly pray. And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl upon the earth for the ruin of souls. Amen”. (CBCPNews)

Fathers!  Bishops!

Bring back the Prayers after Mass with your flocks!

Happy Feast of St. Michael!

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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34 Comments

  1. Kathleen10 says:

    A wonderful prayer. So important in our current troubles. We certainly need St. Michael to help us.
    Happy Feast of St. Michael, Fr. Z. And all.

  2. rcg says:

    Our FSSP parish recites this after all Low Masses. It is in the paperback Missal, but not in our ’62.

  3. Priam1184 says:

    Sancte Michaele Archangele, defende nos in proelio contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus supplices deprecamur; tuque, princeps militiae coelestis, satanam aliosque spiritus malignos qui pervagantur in mundo divina virtute in infernum detrude!

    Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael guide us and protect us.

  4. Priam1184 says:

    Sorry mistakes abound, the correct version:

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

    Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael guide and protect us.

  5. KevinSymonds says:

    Wow! Awesome news!

    The St. Michael Prayer is important to me as it is the topic of my second book.

    One small note: Leo XIII did not write it in 1896. He wrote it between 1884-1886. [Did I say 1896? Working from memory. It must have been a monsignor moment.]

    and YES, a vision DID precede the prayer’s composition.

  6. inexcels says:

    That is a fantastic painting.

  7. frjim4321 says:

    I am not a fan of inserting private devotions into the mass; but it sound like this is after the final blessing, so not quite as bad. There could be some benefit in pressuring people to stay until after the final hymn, though, but it still feels like an optional devotion being forced upon the entire population.

  8. StWinefride says:

    frjim4321: but it still feels like an optional devotion being forced upon the entire population.

    It takes less than 20 seconds to say the St Michael prayer.

  9. acardnal says:

    frjim4321 wrote, “I am not a fan of inserting private devotions into the mass; but it sound like this is after the final blessing, so not quite as bad.”

    At a Novus Ordo parish I attended in Virginia, the Prayer to St Michael was said AFTER the dismissal and was led by the priest at the foot of the altar before the recessional. Only took about 15 seconds.

  10. Suburbanbanshee says:

    For those of you playing the home game, the calamities in the Philippines are not so much the bad economy (though they’ve got it) and the horrible storms (though they’ve had them), but rather the incredibly violent attacks of the local jihadi groups, which recently caused the government to evacuate tens of thousands of people from an entire city.

    And yes, the bishops do have the power to request or command changes in the local disciplines (Ireland’s bishops occasionally made the Lenten fasting rules more severe), or to command everyone to join in on acts of devotion or public prayer. It’s unlikely that Archbishop Bland Dude will command everybody in the diocese to process penitently around their parish churches on their knees one Sunday, but he could, and only people unable to do so would be right to refuse. The Filipino bishops know it’s time to dial 911 on the God-phone, so they’re calling on everyone to start dialing. It would be foolish to disobey an order intended for everyone’s good, or quibble about whether it’s your favorite devotion or not.

    And of course the Pope who authored the prayer had every right to promulgate it as part of the Mass. That he felt the need to do so should be a sign that we should take the prayer seriously.

    St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!

  11. Suburbanbanshee says:

    Given the historical, albeit sometimes unfriendly, closeness of the US and the Philippines, and given that Filipino-American ladies are backbones of the US church, I think it would be a nice gesture of solidarity for US bishops to promulgate the St. Michael prayer also, or at least to indicate to priests that they are free and welcome to do so.

    People in parishes with a lot of Filipino heritage would probably appreciate it, albeit it would be nice for Father to explain why he’s doing it.

  12. Elizium23 says:

    We began using this prayer after every Mass, all day every day, as the HHS mandate became news. And we continue using it earnestly. And it has cultivated in me a devotion to St. Michael.

  13. We have had the same Pastor for twelve years or so; he has always prayed the St. Michael Prayer after the closing prayers of the Mass.

  14. gloriainexcelsis says:

    After every Low Mass in the EF we pray the prayers Pope Leo XIII introduced. They were said to obtain a solution to the Vatican’s relationship with the Italian State after the Papal States were seized. After the establishing of the Vatican State (Treaty of 1929), Pope Pius XI asked that they be continued for the conversion of Russia. Besides the prayer to St. Michael, the priest, after Mass and before the recessional, descends the stairs and prays with the congregation, three Hail Marys, the Hail Holy Queen, and the priest alone says: Let Us Pray. O God our refuge and our strength, look down in mercy on Thy people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of St. Joseph her spouse, of thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, in mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of our holy mother the Church. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. We then recite the prayer to St. Michael, and three Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Have mercy on us. In these days we need all the prayers we can get (and give). I can’t imagine objecting to staying a few more minutes after Mass to pray for the conversion of Russia and for our Church. Why are people so anxious to get out of church after Mass? Our Lord is still there, isn’t He? It has been my experience that several people remain in church for 5-10-15 minutes of Thanksgiving after Holy Communion before leaving.

  15. gloriainexcelsis says:

    Oh, yes. I remember praying these prayers after Mass always when I was growing up; but then that was when the only Mass was the EF, back in the pre- middle ages of the 20th century.

  16. KevinSymonds says:

    No, Fr. Z., it was not you who said it. It was the article itself. I am sorry I did not clarify that.

  17. patergary says:

    I am the pastor of the biggest Filipino-American parish (63% of parishioners) in Washington, DC area and I might add the St. Michael’s Prayer in our parish.

  18. Serviam1 says:

    In Boston (MA), until 1965 the Leonine prayers were recited after every Low Mass.
    The Leonine prayers included:
    1. Hail Mary [3x]
    2. Hail Holy Queen
    V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
    R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
    V. Let us pray.
    3. O God our refuge and our strength….
    4. St. Michael Prayer
    V. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. R. Have mercy on us. [3x]
    5. The Divine Praises [In reparation for sacrilege attributed to the burning of the Ursuline Convent in Charlestown, MA on 12 August 1834] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursuline_Convent_Riots

    The Leonine prayers as well as the Divine Praises were revived at Low Masses at Holy Trinity Church, with the introduction of the 1988 Indult in Boston in 1990.

  19. iPadre says:

    Yes! I’ve been doing this following daily Mass for 11 years.

    frjim4321: That is not an insertion in the Mass. “Ite Missa est.”

  20. Bea says:

    Thanks be to God, we have a pastor who says the Hail Holy Queen AND the St. Michaels Prayer after every one of his Masses. (The Associate priests do not).

    frjim4321 this was NOT a “private devotion” but instituted as a PUBLIC devotion After Mass (The Leonine Prayers that Pope Leo XIII requested). Since these prayers were omitted, the Church has fallen on hard times, partly and particularly because the protection of St. Michael was no longer called for. Satan is sneaky in convincing the hierarchy that these prayers were no longer needed and we have seen the results. Don’t be afraid to add these prayers after your Masses (if indeed, you are a priest), your parishioners will (to your surprise) most probably be grateful to you.

  21. Bea says:

    Fr. Z
    It wasn’t YOUR “monsignor moment” It was the Philippine News that gave the year 1896.

  22. Imrahil says:

    I do not know whether a Bishop’s Conference has a right to command that (a bishop’s conference has precisely the powers given to it in positive law and none beyond; you’d have to have a diocesan bishop or the priest alone for the rest). It may.

    I wonder, though, what business does it have to authorize it. It is a legitimate, papally-approved prayer, and it is prayed when the time ruled by rubrics is over. No priest needs a permission to pray it, be it silent or in public, just as little as they need permission to sing a Te Deum or a chant to Mary or a May the Lord save you Bavaria or whatever, which also is not a necessary part of the Mass, or to pray the Bl. Pater Rupert Mayer’s prayer (I know a Church where this is custom) or suchlike.

    It is, dear @Fr Jim, not forcing an optional devotion on the populace for the very simple reason that the populace is perfectly entitled to stand up and leave. They may not want to risk raised eyebrows for so short a prayer, but then the prayer is very short.

    Also, while it is optional to say the prayer of course, the prayer contains no assertions of teaching or promises of moral life which would be optional to the Catholic.

  23. Imrahil says:

    the prayer contains no assertions of teaching or promises of moral life which would be optional to the Catholic

    which is, I could add, more than can be said of many orthodox sermons perfectly able to be forced on the populace (without even talking about disorthodox sermons); and I guess sometimes legitimately so.

  24. AvantiBev says:

    From the Philippines to Nigeria –where overnight Boko Haram broke into a dorm at an agricultural college slaughtering 40, wounding 4 as the students slept — we Christians are under assault from Satan and those who follow that book the evil one dictated to Old Mo’. This prayer should be said daily as well as after every Low Mass. We say it at St. John Cantius here in Chi town. Why not say it daily for overcoming the powers and principalities behind Islamic jihad.

  25. joan ellen says:

    Serviam1, thank you for your list of the leonine prayers. I do not remember where/when the prayer for the conversion of Russia was included. Do you remember?

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  27. adeacon says:

    Our parish tradition was always to recite the St. Michael’s prayer immediately following Holy Mass. Eight years ago a new Pastor was assigned to our parish who discouraged this tradition and soon enough stopped it all together. He not only does not want prayers said after Mass, he wants everyone OUT. After daily Masses and Sunday noon Mass, he turns off the lights, even with people still in the Church. We must pray for our pastors, that the Holy Spirit will guide them and bless them with Jesus’ inviting character.

  28. LarryW2LJ says:

    I agree with inexcels – awesome illustration!

    And “awesome” is not a word that I over-use, like the rest of society. I mean that in the truest sense of the word – that illustration is awesome and magnificent, too.

  29. MKirGBP says:

    I, personally, wish we’d recite the originally penned prayer that Pope Leo gave us. Yes, it’s much longer, but much more specific as to the nature of what is needed. I don’t want to 2nd guess Pope Pius XI as to why it was shortened during his Pontificate, but honestly, with everything that’s going on in the World and The Church today…we ALL need to revert back to the Original prayer after every Mass, after every Meal,…every and any chance we can!!
    “O Glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in his own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil.
    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, that 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 has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for 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 conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down 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.
    Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
    The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered, the root of David.
    Let thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
    As we have hoped in thee.
    O Lord, hear my prayer.
    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 suppliants we implore thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel St. Michael, thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen”

  30. MarkG says:

    The Prayer to St. Michael is my favorite prayer.
    One strange thing is that there is so much variation in the English translations of it.
    I’ve never seen the exact English wording written the same way in two places.
    The really odd thing is that the wording that is used in the US before Vatican II and still used in SSPX and FSSP TLMs doesn’t match any written version in any missal or handout that I’ve personally seen (has anyone else seen one that matches exactly?).
    I always wonder why the SSPX and FSSP don’t just print it the way it’s said in their missals?
    Is there some translation part or parts they don’t think are accurate enough?
    Or is it a case where the laity is set in their ways and just overwhelms the written text and the priests have long since given up?

  31. StWinefride says:

    MarkG: I’ve never seen the exact English wording written the same way in two places.

    I wish there was one translation of this prayer. The one I learned is the following, and I want to stick with it because I like the “by the divine Power of God” which is what I think the Latin is saying, then again my Latin is zero (apart from knowing my prayers). If “divine” is in the Latin then it should also be in the English translation:

    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 Divine Power of God,
    cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
    who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

    http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/the-saint-michael-prayer.html

    The Latin, as mentioned by Priam1184 above:

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

  32. Johnno says:

    frjim4321 –

    pfft.. BwaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

  33. At our Mass for the 1st class feast of St. Michael yesterday, the priest in his sermon read the St. Michael prayer against Satan and his rebellious angels, with exorcism:

    http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=682

    which is considerably longer (and more elaborately condemnatory) than even the so-called long form of the familiar short prayer of St. Michael. A hand missal says

    “The Holy Father [Pope Leo XIII] exhorts priests to say this prayer as often as possible, as a simple exorcism to curb the power of the devil and prevent him from doing harm. The faithful also may say it in their own name, for the same purpose, as any approved prayer. Its use is recommended whenever action of the devil is suspected, causing malice in men, violent temptations and even storms and various calamities. It could be used as a solemn exorcism (an official and public ceremony, in Latin), to expel the devil. It would then be said by a priest, in the name of the Church and only with a Bishop’s permission.”

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