Misunderstandings About the Catholic Church

As a Catholic, I have become quite familiar with the many misinterpretations of my faith, and the many assumptions associated with it, and I want to clarify a few things.
1. We do NOT worship the Virgin Mary or the saints.  Rather, our church venerates them. This means we have respect for them and honor their courage, holiness and example in faith and love towards others with humility. We look up to them for strength. Like role models and reminders of the power of God.
2. The Eucharist is not just a symbol. In the Rite of the Mass, the priest, with the Holy Spirit, acts in the person of Christ, and the Eucharist becomes the body and blood of Christ. It's a transformation.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem said this in AD 350: "Do not, therefore, regard the bread and wine as simply that, for they are, according to the Master's declaration, the Body and Blood of Christ. Even though the senses suggest to you the other, let faith make you firm. Do not judge in this matter by taste, but be fully assured by faith, not doubting that you have been deemed worthy of the Body and Blood of Christ."
3. The crucifix does not disrespect or blaspheme the life of Christ or 'crucify Him again'. Instead, it is a reminder of the sacrifice He made for you and I. The sacrifice that He continues to make, as we all crucify Him again and again with our sins. It's a reminder of just how much He loves us, despite how much we do not deserve it.
4. Why do we confess to a priest? Remember in John 20:23 where Christ says to His disciples, 'whatever sins you loose shall be loosed in Heaven. Whatever sins you retain shall be retained in Heaven.' ? Jesus Christ gave the authority to His disciples to forgive sins. That tradition is passed down through the priesthood, wherein the priest, with the Holy Spirit, acts in the person of Christ during the Rite of Confession.
5. And here's the big one. Homosexuality. The church is NOT homophobic nor does it condemn gay people. There's a huge misunderstanding there. What the church does not support is homosexual behavior. Just as it does not support sex outside of marriage or promiscuity. But we do not condemn a person for being gay. That would go against everything Jesus Christ came for. And who are we to judge or condemn a man or woman simply because he or she is gay? We must not forget that it is not our job to judge or condemn others. That is up to God. Remember the verse where Jesus points out 'Do not point out the speck in your brother's eye, and neglect to see the log in your own eye'? In order to truly become one with God, we must turn away from judging and condemning others and take a moment to clean up the mess we have within ourselves. Only then can we truly believe and understand our faith.

Please comment respectfully and with regard for others. I am simply trying to clear up a few things for friends. I hope my thoughts have been helpful.

Let Us Not Forget the Battle We are Really Fighting

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

-Ephesians 6:12

I came across this quote recently while writing my final paper for a College English class, in which I chose to research demonic possession. This quote is truly powerful and is a significant reminder to all of us of the true battle we fight every day in our lives. We are all  in the midst of a constant battle. Earth, this place we live, is a constant battleground between the forces of God, and the forces of Satan. Each and every choice we make is a decision that turns us either towards God or away from Him. I have become exceedingly aware of these kinds of battles as I find myself fighting my conscience in difficult decisions that confuse me. But through God, all things are possible. Let us not forget the war we fight, and who we are fighting for. You have to choose who you will stand by. You cannot sit on the fence. Because eventually, that fence will come crashing down, and you with it. Evil surrounds us. Let us not be led astray by its sometimes alluring temptations. 

Many Blessings,

Mary

How Does My Faith Fit in Today's World?

Hello everyone!

Hope all of you are well, I want to reach out to those of us in the world who are of the young generation.

We are faced with a lot of pressure in today's world. What makes us who we are? How and who do we identify ourselves with? Why? Why does any of it matter? What could God possibly want from us? And how do we figure out what that is?

As a nursing student, and young adult, I am faced with these questions a lot. For awhile, I made myself believe that the only way I could have an identity was through others. Through friends, a relationship, how people thought of me.

But what I have come to realize is that my identity is through Christ. I am in a constant battle with the world. Just like all of us. We are faced everyday with the choices to follow God or turn away from Him. My identity does not lie in how people see me, but how God sees me. He knows what is best for me. And He knows exactly where I should go. If I place my trust in His plan and let go of my own ideas, my life will fall into place. All these questions that haunt me will be answered. Because through God, I am no longer blind, but able to see things beyond anything I could imagine without Him.

So for those of you out there struggling, take a minute and think about the things that you identify yourself with. And try to picture a life with God at your side rather than hidden in a corner of your mind. Let God guide you. He loves you. He loves me. And no matter what you are going through, what pressures you are under, you will prevail if you simply give God the control.

Have faith everyone, and remember the loyalty of Saint Michael. He is an amazing example of strength and power through God.

Here is a new song by one of my favorite bands that I find powerful and true about the endless Love of Christ.

Blessings,
Mary

Wow, it has been so long since I have posted on here. Thanks to everyone who has viewed the blog, we have had over 25,000 views!! That's AMAZING!

To hopefully begin a posting streak I would like to post this prayer. It is a Catholic Deliverance Prayer. Extremely effective and extremely powerful.

The Deliverance Prayers

Prayer for Inner Healing

 Lord Jesus, You came to heal our wounded and troubled hearts. I beg You to heal the torments that cause anxiety in my heart; I beg You, in a particular way, to heal all which are the cause of sin. 

I beg You to come into my life and heal me of the psychological harms that struck me in my early years and from the injuries that they caused throughout my life. Lord Jesus, You know my burdens. I lay them all on Your Good Shepherd's Heart. I beseech You -- by the merits of the great, open wound in Your heart -- to heal the small wounds that are in mine. 

Heal the pain of my  memories, so that nothing that has happened to me will cause me to remain in pain and anguish, filled with anxiety.
    Heal, O Lord, all those wounds that have been the cause of all the evil that is rooted in my life. I want to forgive all those who have offended me. Look to those inner sores that make me unable to forgive. You Who came to forgive the afflicted of heart, please, heal my own heart. 
    Heal, my Lord Jesus, those intimate wounds that cause me physical illness. I offer You my heart. Accept it, Lord, purify it, and give me the sentiments of Your Divine Heart. Help me to be meek and humble.
    Heal me, O Lord, from the pain caused by the death of my loved ones, which is oppressing me. Grant me to regain peace and joy in the knowledge that You are the Resurrection and the Life. Make me an authentic witness to Your Resurrection, Your victory over sin and death, Your living presence among us. Amen.

Prayer for Deliverance

 My Lord, You are all powerful, You are God, You are Father. We beg You through the intercession and help of the archangels Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel, for the deliverance of our brothers and sisters who are enslaved by the evil one. All saints of heaven, come to our aid.
From anxiety, sadness, and obsessions, We beg You: Free us, O Lord. 

From hatred, fornication, envy, We beg You: Free us, O Lord. 

From thoughts of jealousy, rage, and death. We beg You: Free us, O Lord. 

From every thought of suicide and abortion. We beg You: Free us, O Lord. 

From every form of sinful sexuality. We beg You: Free us, O Lord. 

From every division in our family, and every harmful friendship. We beg You: Free us, O Lord. 

From every sort of spell, malefice, witchcraft, and every form of the occult. We beg You: Free us, O Lord.

    Lord, You Who said, "I leave you peace, my peace I give you," grant that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, we may be liberated from every evil spell and enjoy Your peace always. In the Name of Christ, our Lord. Amen.

I pray these every night, and any time I feel something dark attached to me. 

Hopefully you all find this prayer as powerful and relieving as I do! God Bless everyone.

I will try to keep this more updated. :)

Many Blessings,

Mary

The Story of Saint Michael

Hello everyone, I haven't been on in quite awhile. I found this online and thought I would share it, it is a great portrayal of the story of Saint Michael. It will also help those of you who don't completely know or understand who he is.

God had made Heaven and the Earth and all the Angels and all the extra important Angels,called Archangels. (Like an extra important Bishop is called an Archbishop.) The Archangels were God's very special friends and were Shining and Strong and Powerful. One Archangel was called Gabriel. He was the one that God sent to tell Our Blessed Lady that She was to become the Mother of God, the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Another Angel was called Raphael; he was the one who helped Tobias in the Bible. Another Archangel was called Michael. Michael was "the Angel of the Lord", who was sent to Moses and Jacob and Abraham and to other people throughout the history of the world. Another Archangel was Lucifer, who was so beautiful that the other Angels called him the Son of the Morning.

Well, everybody was very happy because they were with God, and they all loved him, because he had made them so Strong and Shining and Lovely. Then one day Lucifer, Son of the Morning, said to himself: "Why should God be the most important person in Heaven? Why, shouldn't I be? I can fly and I can change into other things, and I am beautiful and I am powerful. In fact, I am just as Important as God, and I shan't do what He tells me ever again. I shall fight Him and have Heaven for mine!"
So, Lucifer went around Heaven, and he collected a lot of other Angels who also didn't want to be less Important than God, until he had a Great Army. Then they marched up to the Throne of God and said Proudly: "We are just as Important as You. Why should You be the King of Heaven any more than one of us? We are Strong and Proud and Beautiful, and we will fight You for the Kingdom of Heaven." God looked at them; then He said: "Lucifer, I thought that you were My friend, and I trusted you. Be sensible now, and think about what you are doing." "I have thought," said Lucifer, "and, I'd rather not be in Heaven at all than have You for my King, and so would all of us!" And behind him all the Rebel Angels shouted with a great shout: "We will follow Lucifer! Long live Lucifer! Let him reign over us in Heaven! WE DO NOT WANT GOD!" "Very well," said God, "if you don't want Me, you needn't have Me. But, if you want to fight for Heaven, you can if you think it will be any good." Then, God called Michael the Archangel, and made him gather together a Mighty Army of Angels who were on God's side.

So, now you know why we sometimes say in our prayers, "Holy St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the Day of Battle," because he is so good at battles.
But, what happened to Lucifer and his Rebel Angels? Well, he was so furious and enraged at having lost his Battle with God that he has never gotten over it. You see, he is never allowed inside Heaven anymore forever and ever and ever; and, now that he can't go into Heaven anymore, he is angry about it. So, in Revenge, he does everything horrible to God that he can. His worst feeling is Jealousy; whom do you suppose he is jealous of? Us! Why? Because when Our Lord Jesus was Crucified, He opened the Kingdom of Heaven for us to go in! So Lucifer, whose other name is Satan, or the Devil, is furious because we Ordinary People are allowed into Heaven, and he, an Archangel, is not. So, he and his angels (or demons) try always and always to stop us going into Heaven by giving us bad Ideas, and making us do things that we know are wrong, so as to hurt God. So, whenever you want to do or say something horrid, think of the Great Battle in Heaven and remember that it is Lucifer trying to keep you on his side. If you don't do or say it, you have won and have stayed on God's side.
St. Michael's Special Day is September 29th; it is the Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, and of All Angels, because of all the Angels who helped him win the Battle with Lucifer.

http://www.saintmichaelusa.org/smstory.php

Many Blessings

My Declaration, An Inspiring Song By Tom Baxter

I haven't posted on here in awhile, lots has been going on, but I found this song yesterday and it reminded me of how truly strong we can be if we pick ourselves up and keep pushing forward. All it takes is courage and faith. Saint Michael is a grand example of such courage and faith, because he never lets fear take him down, but rather he builds himself up and faces the frontlines of Evil with Faith in God and His plan. We should do that too. And with that we can accomplish anything. God knows what he is doing, although we may not understand it yet, it will come to us when we are ready.

Many Blessings,
Mary

Pray For Life

This month is the month for life. Let us pray to Saint Michael and the Virgin Mary to spare life and help those who consider the choice of abortion. 


Saint 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,
Cast into Hell,
Satan and all Evil spirits who prowl about the world,
Seeking the ruin of souls. 
Amen.


Hail Mary, full of grace, 
The Lord is with thee,
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now, and at the hour of our Death.
Amen. 

The 13th Day - Movie Based on the Story of Fatima, Portugal

Prayer to Saint Michael

Many Blessings,
Mary Hughes

Angels of Light vs. The Angels of the Darkness: Saint Michael the Archangel

The Catholic Encyclopedia - Saint Michael the Archangel

St. Michael is one of the principal angels; his name was the war-cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against the enemyand his followers. Four times his name is recorded in Scripture:
(1) Daniel 10:13 sqq., Gabriel says to Daniel, when he asks God to permit the Jews to return to Jerusalem: "The Angel [D.V. prince] of thekingdom of the Persians resisted me . . . and, behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me . . . and none is my helper in all these things, but Michael your prince."
(2) Daniel 12, the Angel speaking of the end of the world and the Antichrist says: "At that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people."
(3) In the Catholic Epistle of St. Jude: "When Michael the Archangel, disputing with the devil, contended about the body of Moses", etc.St. Jude alludes to an ancient Jewish tradition of a dispute between Michael and Satan over the body of Moses, an account of which is also found in the apocryphal book on the assumption of Moses (Origen, De Principiis III.2.2). St. Michael concealed the tomb of Moses;Satan, however, by disclosing it, tried to seduce the Jewish people to the sin of hero-worship. St. Michael also guards the body of Eve, according to the "Revelation of Moses" ("Apocryphal Gospels", etc., ed. A. Walker, Edinburgh, p. 647).
(4) Apocalypse 12:7, "And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon." St. John speaks of the great conflict at the end of time, which reflects also the battle in heaven at the beginning of time. According to the Fathers there is often question of St. Michael in Scripture where his name is not mentioned. They say he was the cherub who stood at the gate of paradise, "to keep the way of the tree of life" (Genesis 3:24), the angel through whom God published the Decalogue to his chosen people, the angelwho stood in the way against Balaam (Numbers 22:22 sqq.), the angel who routed the army of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35).
Following these Scriptural passages, Christian tradition gives to St. Michael four offices:

• To fight against Satan.
• To rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death.
• To be the champion of God's people, the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament; therefore he was the patron of the Church, and of the orders of knights during the Middle Ages.
• To call away from earth and bring men's souls to judgment ("signifer S. Michael repraesentet eas in lucam sanctam", Offert. Miss Defunct. "Constituit eum principem super animas suscipiendas", Antiph. off. Cf. The Shepherd of Hermas, Book III, Similitude 8, Chapter 3).

Regarding his rank in the celestial hierarchy opinions vary; St. Basil (Hom. de angelis) and other Greek Fathers, also Salmeron, Bellarmine, etc., place St. Michael over all the angels; they say he is called "archangel" because he is the prince of the other angels; others (cf. P. Bonaventura, op. cit.) believe that he is the prince of the seraphim, the first of the nine angelic orders. But, according to St. Thomas(Summa Ia.113.3) he is the prince of the last and lowest choir, the angels. The Roman Liturgy seems to follow the Greek Fathers; it calls him "Princeps militiae coelestis quem honorificant angelorum cives". The hymn of the Mozarabic Breviary places St. Michael even above the Twenty-four Elders. The Greek Liturgy styles him Archistrategos, "highest general" (cf. Menaea, 8 Nov. and 6 Sept.).


Source: CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA

The Importance of the Saint Michael Prayer

The Prayer to Saint Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel,

Defend us in the Battle,

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

Rebuke him, o God,

We suppliantly beseech thee,

And do then, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,

Under thy Divine Power,

Drive into Hell,

Satan and all the other evil spirits

Who wander through the world,

Seeking the ruin of souls.

AMEN

The Prayer to the Archangel Michael was composed by Pope Leo XIII (d. 1903) after he had a vision of the battle between the "Woman clothed with the sun" and the great dragon who tried to devour her child at birth, in the Book of Revelation, chapter 12. In 1886, the pope decreed that this prayer be said at the end of "low" Mass (not "high", or sung Masses) thoughout the universal Church, along with the Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen); and the practice of the congregation praying these prayers at the end of Mass continued until aout 1970.


In 1994, during the International Year of the Family, Pope John Paul II asked all Catholics to pray this prayer daily. He warned that the fate of humanity was in great peril (in particular because of the U.N. Population Conference to be held in Cairo that year). Though he did not order that the prayer be said after Mass, he urged Catholics to pray together to overcome the forces of darkness and evil in the world.


In his Angelus message given in St. Peter's Square, Sunday, April 24 1994, shortly before the United Nations Conference in Cairo, the pope spoke of "the Woman clothed with the sun", who appeared in Saint John's apocalyptic vision, with the dragon about to devour her newborn child (Rev 12:1-4). The Holy Father said that in our time "all the accumulated threats to life" are placed before woman, and we must "address the Woman clothed with the sun" to overcome these snares. In this message he encouraged the revival of the prayer to Saint Michael:


"May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle of which we are told in the Letter to the Ephesians: 'Draw strength from the Lord and from His mighty power' (Ephesians 6:10). It is this same battle to which The Book of Revelation [Apocalypse] refers, recalling before our eyes the image of Saint Michael the Archangel (cf. Revelation 12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had a very vivid vision of this scene when, at the end of the last century, he introduced a special prayer to Saint Michael throughout the Church. Even if this prayer is no longer recited at the end of every Mass, I ask everyone to remember it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world."




Source: http://www.wf-f.org/Michaelmas.html

Prayers to Saint Michael

Mont St. Michel, France

Before the construction of the first monastic establishment in the 8th century, the island was called "monte tombe". According to legend, the Archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction, until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger.

             -Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Catholic Encyclopedia

Disciple - You Don't Own Me - True Song of Avoiding and Defeating Evil

The Chaplet of St. Michael

O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, etc.

(Say one Our Father and three Hail Marys after each of the following nine salutations in honor of the nine Choirs of Angels)

1. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.

2. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection. Amen.

3.By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility. Amen.

4. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominions may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions. Amen.

5. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil. Amen.

6. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation. Amen.

7. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience. Amen.

8. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven. Amen.

9. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to Heaven. Amen.

Say one Our Father in honor of each of the following leading Angels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel.

Concluding prayers

O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises.

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into Your Presence. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The Litany of St. Michael

The War in Heaven

St. Michael the Archangel

Litany in Honor of Saint Michael the Archangel

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. 

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Queen of the Angels, pray for us.
St. Michael, the Archangel, pray for us.
Most glorious attendant of the Triune Divinity, pray for us.
Standing at the right of the altar of Incense, pray for us.
Ambassador of Paradise, pray for us.
Glorious Prince of the Heavenly armies, pray for us.
Leader of the Angelic hosts, pray for us.
The standard-bearer of God's armies, pray for us.
Defender of Divine glory, pray for us.
First defender of the Kingship of Christ, pray for us.
Strength of God, pray for us.
Invincible Prince and warrior, pray for us.
Angel of Peace, pray for us.
Guide of Christ, pray for us.
Guardian of the Catholic Faith, pray for us.
Champion of God's people, pray for us.
Guardian Angel of the Eucharist, pray for us.
Defender of the Church, pray for us.
Protector of the Sovereign Pontiff, pray for us.
Angel of Catholic action, pray for us.
Powerful intercessor of Christians, pray for us.
Bravest defender of those who hope in God, pray for us.
Guardian of our souls and bodies, pray for us.
Healer of the sick, pray for us.
Help of those in their agony, pray for us.
Consoler of the Souls in Purgatory, pray for us.
God's messenger for the souls of the just, pray for us.
Terror of the evil spirits, pray for us.
Victorious in battle against evil, pray for us.
Guardian and Patron of the universal Church, pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Relying, O Lord, upon the intercession of Thy blessed Archangel Michael, we humbly beg of Thee, that the Sacrament of the Eucharist which we have received may make our souls holy and pleasing to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Quotes from the Chief Archangel - St. Michael

Hymn to St. Michael

Homily on Saint Michael the Archangel

The Chaplet of Saint Michael With Mother Angelica - EWTN

Saint Michael Novena - Prayer of the Archangel

Prayer for Protection Against Evil and Danger

Dear St. Michael, the Archangel, protect us, both body and soul from the Evil One, his followers and anyone who would approach us with malicious intent.

Protect us, our bodies, and our cars, as we travel about in our daily activities.

Protect us, our bodies, our home, our property and possessions during times of storm, from all dangers of lightning, high winds, hail and flood waters. Amen.

A Video of the Saint Michael Prayer

Prayer for the Protection of the Church

O glorious St. Michael, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of the Church, against which the powers of hell are unchained, guard with especial care her august Head, and obtain that for him and for us the hour of triumph may speedily arrive.

O glorious Archangel St. Michael, watch over us during life, defending us against assaults of the demon, assist us especially at the hour of death; obtain for us a favorable judgment, and the happiness of beholding God face to Face for endless ages. Amen.

A Detailed Prayer to Saint Michael

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.

The Prayer to Saint Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel,

Defend us in the Battle,

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

Rebuke him, o God,

We suppliantly beseech thee,

And do then, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,

Under thy Divine Power,

Drive into Hell,

Satan and all the other evil spirits

Who wander through the world,

Seeking the ruin of souls.

AMEN.