ORDINARIVM

SANCTE MICHAEL ARCHANGELE

Prayer to St. Michael

The Prayer to St. Michael was composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 after reportedly experiencing a vision of Satan claiming power to destroy the Church. Leo XIII ordered this prayer recited after every Low Mass until 1964. The prayer invokes Michael as 'princeps militiae caelestis' (Revelation 12:7-9).

LATINE
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.
ENGLISH
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,
thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
NOTA
FONS
Leo XIII (1886)
INDULGENTIA
Partial indulgence
USUS
After Low Mass (1886-1964), spiritual combat
CONTEXT
Leo XIII composed this prayer after reportedly experiencing a vision of Satan being given power to test the Church for a period of time. The prayer invokes Michael as 'princeps militiae caelestis' (prince of the heavenly army).