In the late 1800s, the Church was facing several challenges including the rise of atheism, secularism, and the occult. Pope Leo XIII saw the need for Catholics to have a prayer that would call on the protection of St. Michael the Archangel against these dominant forces.
In 1886, Pope Leo XIII composed the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, which he included in the Vatican’s official prayer book. The prayer was quickly embraced by the faithful who saw it as a powerful tool to combat evil.
The prayer is a call to St. Michael, who is considered the protector of the Church and God’s people, to defend and shield us from evil. It opens with the words “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.”
To understand the significance of this prayer, it is essential to remember that as Christians, we are in constant spiritual warfare. The enemy, the devil, is constantly seeking to lead us away from Christ and towards sin. Therefore, this prayer is a powerful tool to seek the help of the archangel in battling these spiritual attacks.
St. Michael is a significant figure in the Church. He is mentioned in the Bible several times, including in the book of Revelation, where he is described as leading the angels in a war against the devil. His name, which means “Who is like God,” is a declaration of his loyalty and obedience to God.
The prayer to St. Michael the Archangel has become widely popular in the Catholic Church. It has been recited at the end of Masses and other Catholic services as a way of seeking the protection of the archangel against evil. It has also been printed on prayer cards, medals, and other devotional items.
The prayer has even been used in non-Catholic Christian circles, particularly those who acknowledge the existence of spiritual warfare and the role of angels in protecting God’s people.
Pope John Paul II had a strong devotion to St. Michael the Archangel and promoted the use of this prayer. He once said, “The prayer can fortify us for that spiritual battle about which the Letter to the Ephesians speaks, ’Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power’ (Ephesians 6:10). And to this same power of God and to his son, Jesus Christ, we also turn in prayer.”
In conclusion, the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel by Leo XIII remains a powerful tool for Catholics seeking protection and strength in their spiritual warfare. It is a prayer that acknowledges the presence of evil in our world and calls on the intercession of a powerful defender against evil attacks. As we face challenges in our daily lives, let us not forget to call on St. Michael to defend us and help us in our battles.