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, and 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; his depraved mind, corrupt heart, his spirit
of lying, impiety, blasphemy, his pestilential 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.
V. Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered,
hostile powers.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered
the root of David.
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee
.Let us pray
God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call
upon Thy holy name, and we humbly 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.
Pope Leo XIII, 1888
Raccolta 1933 (Partial Indulgence)
