The Prayer to St Michael, which was traditionally said at the end of

The Prayer to St Michael, which was traditionally said at the end of Mass until the mid 1960s, is
said to be one of Pope Francis’ favourite prayers.
The original prayer was composed on 13th October 1884, when the Holy Father Pope Leo XIII had
a remarkable vision. According to one version of events: after celebrating Mass, the aged Pope
was in conference with his Cardinals when suddenly he sank to the floor, seemingly in a deep
trance. Physicians were sent for, but they could find no trace of a pulse and it was feared that the
Pope had passed away. However, after a short period the Holy Father regained consciousness
and exclaimed with great emotion “Oh what a horrible picture I have been permitted to see!”
He had been shown a vision of evil spirits who had been released from Hell and their efforts to destroy the Church. But in the midst of the horror the Archangel St Michael appeared and cast Satan
and his legions into the abyss of hell. Soon afterwards Pope Leo XIII composed a prayer to St.
Michael.
At this time of continued persecution of Christians, some parishes, including St Joseph’s New
Malden, have re-introduced the Prayer to St Michael to ask for his protection for the persecuted
Church. Asking the Archangel to defend the Church from the assaults of Satan, is a powerful way
of supporting, and showing solidarity with, your suffering brothers and sisters around the world.