The St. Michael prayer is a powerful devotional prayer that has been used by Catholics for generations to invoke the protection and intercession of St. Michael the Archangel. Pope Leo XIII wrote the long form of the prayer in 1886, in response to a vision he had of the spiritual battle between good and evil and the increasing concerns about temptation and evil in the world.
The long form of the prayer, also known as the "St. Michael the Archangel Prayer", reads as follows:
"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 hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."
The short form of the St. Michael prayer, used by those who want to invoke St. Michael's protection, reads as follows:
"St. Michael the Archangel, protect us in battle. Amen."
Pope Leo XIII also added the St. Michael prayer as a minor form of exorcism to the end of low Masses, a testament to its power and significance. The St. Michael prayer remains a source of comfort and inspiration for Catholics today and continues to be used as a symbol of Catholic devotion and faith.
In conclusion, the St. Michael prayer was written by Pope Leo XIII in 1886, after he had a vision of the spiritual battle between good and evil. The prayer, in both its long and short forms, provides Catholics with a powerful means of seeking the protection and intercession of St. Michael the Archangel and remains a source of comfort and inspiration for generations of Catholics.
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