I will admit, I am just a bit too young to remember this, but I am sure that many in the parish do, but until the middle of the 1960s, at the end of each low Mass the priest and the congregation would recite the “St. Michael the Archangel Prayer.”  How many know the origin of that prayer?

While he never wrote about this, and apparently never spoke about it in detail, the origin of the prayer dates back to Pope Leo XIII.  On October 13, 1884 -- precisely 33 years before the “Miracle of the Sun” by Our Lady of Fatima -- Pope Leo had just completed celebrating Mass when he collapsed, as though dead.  The Cardinals and others present immediately rushed to his side. They were relieved to find the Holy Father alive, but he was also badly frightened. Apparently Pope Leo told those present that he had seen a vision of Satan approaching the throne of God, boosting that he could destroy the Church.  The Lord reminded Satan that His Church was imperishable, to which Satan replied, “Grant me one century and more power of those who will serve me, and I will destroy it.”  The Lord than granted the 100 years, reportedly giving Satan the 20th century to do his worse.

Pope Leo was then shown the events of the 20th century -- the genocides, the terrible wars, and the apostasy from the Faith in large scale.  After being helped to his feet, the Holy Father found some paper and a pen and composed the “St. Michael the Archangel Prayer”:

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 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.

As I mentioned, Pope Leo XIII then asked that the prayer be recited at the end of every low Mass.  Sadly, like so many of the Church’s traditional spiritual defenses, that practice was discontinued shortly after the Second Vatican Council.  I think it is a practice that we should start practicing again. While as a priest I do not have the authority to “add, subtract, or amend” any part of the Mass, it is appropriate for me to recommend that after Mass is finished that we recite the “St. Michael the Archangel Prayer” as part of our thanksgiving for the Mass.

I believe that the evidence that the Church has been under attack is evident to anyone with eyes to see.  In 1972, Pope Paul VI said as much when he told an audience, “It is as if from some mysterious crack, no, it is not mysterious, from some crack the smoke of Satan has entered the temple of God.”

About a year later, on October 13, 1973, Our Lady of Akita, in an approved apparition in Japan, took this point further and gave us some idea how this “smoke” would take effect. She said, "The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops...the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.”

This is exactly what has been happening.  Since we stopped reciting the “St. Michael the Archangel Prayer” the number of Catholics who attend Mass has dropped significantly, to less than 20%.  Nearly two-thirds of Catholics do not believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Marriage has been under attack with high rates of divorce and attempts to redefine it in a way contrary to God’s plan.  Grave, disgusting sins (and crimes) have been committed by priests, and now it appears a Cardinal, while other bishops covered up what was going on -- more concerned about public relations than in protecting the least ones.

Clearly, action must be taken to significantly reform procedures in the Church so that these crimes are punished, and that those who covered them up are held accountable.  This is what the Church’s hierarchy is going to need to address, with the assistance of knowledgeable laity.

For most of us, who will not have any role in such institutional reforms, we must take up the more significant battle for the our foe is spiritual.  We must commit ourselves to praying for the renewal of the Church, and for her defense against the “wickedness and snares of the devil.” Please carry the “St. Michael the Archangel Prayer” with you and pray it after Mass, and daily.  Perhaps I will ask the deacons to stay in the church after Mass so that after the recessional they can lead the congregation in it.

"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle….”