Is there a connection between Lent and the St. Michael prayer?
If you ask any Catholic scholar, they will tell you no. However, for Deacon Dan, there is a connection.
Each Lent, the Church asks us to give alms, fast, and pray. All three actions help us to become holy and draw closer to God. When we give alms we push ourselves just a little more in doing works of mercy, giving of our time and treasure. When we fast, our physical sacrifice should remind us of our reliance on God and all the good he provides. And when we pray, we deepen our relationship with God, our neighbors, and our enemies.
Each Lent, I challenge myself to go deeper in my prayer life using a Lectio Divina (meditative) style of praying. I chose either a scripture passage, a traditional Catholic prayer, or an intercessory prayer. I let the Holy Spirit inspire me and this becomes part of my daily Lenten routine.
Many years ago, I chose the St. Michael prayer. The prayer is part of the Leonine Prayers, established by Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903), which were once said at the end of Mass. They are called Leonine because Pope Leo XIII ordered them to be said after Low (simple) Mass for the liberty of the Church during an era when the temporal authorities attempted to suppress the Church’s rights.
The St. Michael prayer was not originally included in the Leonine Prayers. It was added a couple years after Pope Leo’s original instruction, following a mysterious and powerful vision that he is said to have experienced after celebrating Mass at the Vatican. Though it is not certain exactly what happened that day, the Holy Father beheld a harrowing vision of demons gathering upon Rome. He quickly went and composed the St. Michael prayer and added it to the Leonine Prayers.
Although it is no longer obligatory after Mass, pontiffs, especially John Paul II, and many bishops, have promoted the St. Michael prayer as a powerful defense against Satan’s forces. Many parishes, such as, Our Lady of the Cove, recite it together after Mass.
This Lent, I encourage you to rediscover an old prayer, a psalm, or a bible verse and pray it daily. Place a copy on your bathroom mirror, your bedside table, or your desk and pray it and reflect on it. It will enhance your Lenten journey. Maybe even choose the St. Michael prayer and pray it for the protection of the Church, our country, your family, for yourself.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, 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.
February 24, 2023