Prayer of St. Michael

[Teelynn]

This has probably been discussed in the past, but whatever happened to the “prayer of St. Michael” in the Mass? Before Vll it was part of the mass. Was this optional to not include this prayer? Shows how much I know. On the other hand, this is how I am learning more.

 

[LJN21]

This has probably been discussed in the past, but whatever happened to the “prayer of St. Michael” in the Mass? Before Vll it was part of the mass. Was this optional to not include this prayer? Shows how much I know. On the other hand, this is how I am learning more.

I think technically its part of the Latin right in America. Its still said after a low Mass at a Latin Mass, at least the ones I’ve been too.

 

[LilyM]

I think technically its part of the Latin right in America. Its still said after a low Mass at a Latin Mass, at least the ones I’ve been too.

That’s the point - it was only EVER said after a Low Mass. Not all masses, so it’s not an integral part, no.

 

[tee_eff_em]

More evidence against integrality: The Leonine Prayers were a 19th century innovation.

With tongue firmly in cheek,
tee

 

[BlyssfulDreamer]

Our parochial vicar says it after every Mass…well, except for the daily Masses with the children.

:heart:Blyss

 

[otjm]

It was never in the Mass. It was said after the Mass, at the foot of the altar. The Mass had ended, the dismissal and final blessing given, and then the priest and altar servers knelt down and the prayers were recited.

 

[SORROWS]

I pray the St. Michael Prayer after Mass. It is a very important and powerful prayer. I also pray it after my
Rosary and throughout the day when I need it.

 

[lak611]

It was never in the Mass. It was said after the Mass, at the foot of the altar. The Mass had ended, the dismissal and final blessing given, and then the priest and altar servers knelt down and the prayers were recited.

Was the congregation required to stay and pray this prayer after the Mass, or were they allowed to leave after the dismissal and final blessing were given?

 

[AJV]

Was the congregation required to stay and pray this prayer after the Mass, or were they allowed to leave after the dismissal and final blessing were given?

You could leave since it was not part of the Mass proper.

Uusually what many moral theologians used to do was divide the Mass into parts each with a certain value, and compute accordingly whether the person had fulfuilled the obligation or not. Most held that it was absolutely inexcusable to leave before the priest’s communion but after that…

 

[lak611]

You could leave since it was not part of the Mass proper.

Uusually what many moral theologians used to do was divide the Mass into parts each with a certain value, and compute accordingly whether the person had fulfuilled the obligation or not. Most held that it was absolutely inexcusable to leave before the priest’s communion but after that…

Thanks!

 

[otjm]

Was the congregation required to stay and pray this prayer after the Mass, or were they allowed to leave after the dismissal and final blessing were given?

Nobody blocked the doors.

At the time that the Church had these prayers, the general mindset of the great majority of Catholics was obedience, and in many ways, was strongly towards, or approaching.blind obedience for many, if not most.

That was true also for the majority of the public. This was in the heydays before the revolt of the '60’s was in full swing.

Most people simply did not question whether or not they could leave; they just stayed. In fact, most people, if you asked, would probably have said that the prayers were part of the weekday Mass, as most people knew almost nothing of liturgical rules. It was what it was, and no one questioned it.

 

[lak611]

You could leave since it was not part of the Mass proper.

Uusually what many moral theologians used to do was divide the Mass into parts each with a certain value, and compute accordingly whether the person had fulfuilled the obligation or not. Most held that it was absolutely inexcusable to leave before the priest’s communion but after that…

Nobody blocked the doors.

At the time that the Church had these prayers, the general mindset of the great majority of Catholics was obedience, and in many ways, was strongly towards, or approaching.blind obedience for many, if not most.

That was true also for the majority of the public. This was in the heydays before the revolt of the '60’s was in full swing.

Most people simply did not question whether or not they could leave; they just stayed. In fact, most people, if you asked, would probably have said that the prayers were part of the weekday Mass, as most people knew almost nothing of liturgical rules. It was what it was, and no one questioned it.

Thanks! I was not looking for any kind of debate about this. I am just interested in the history of the practice. Both of you have clarified this for me. I am surprised however that most people were unaware of liturgical rules. I would have thought people were more aware of the rules than they are nowadays.

 

[otjm]

Thanks! I was not looking for any kind of debate about this. I am just interested in the history of the practice. Both of you have clarified this for me. I am surprised however that most people were unaware of liturgical rules. I would have thought people were more aware of the rules than they are nowadays.

They were aware of the rules to the extent that they followed them; but not to the extent that they had much, if any knowledge as to why they did what they did. It was just what everyone did. There was not any particular variety, other than there was a low Mass (not sung); a high Mass (sung) and on Christmas and Easter, a Solemn High Mass with deacon and subdeacon (thsoe positions often filled by assistant pastors), thurifer, master of ceremonies, and candle bearers.

 

[Seminarian_Matt]

As other posters have said, the St. Michael Archangel Prayer was said immediately after the end of a Low Mass. However, even though it is no longer said in most places, we can still say the prayer to ourselves at the the end of Mass. I always do when I remember to pray it.

History:

One day after Mass and in a Conference with the Cardinals, Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) fell down and received a vision of hell. Physicians ran to him to find no pulse; they feared that he had died. Yet, he opened his eyes only a few minutes later and screamed, “Oh what a horrible picture I was permitted to see!” In his visions, legions of devils flew from the depths of hell to cause destruction to the Church and damn souls. Suddenly St. Michael the Archangel appeared and fought the devils back into the abyss of hell. Following this, Pope Leo XIII created a prayer in honor of St. Michael. Before the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), this prayer (the much shortened version) was said after each Low Mass.

Prayer said after each Low Mass:

Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And you, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Also, there is a Full-length version of the prayer written by Pope Leo XIII too. I like to pray it occasionally.

Longer version:

freewebs.com/acatholiclife/stmichaelthearchangel.htm

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

Here’s something that maybe some of you could help me with: Does anyone know if there exists any choral settings of this prayer?

 

[hilde_the_dog]

It is recited after all daily masses in my home parish as the priest and alter boys exit, but not in the church near my office.

 

[AJV]

History:

One day after Mass and in a Conference with the Cardinals, Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) fell down and received a vision of hell. (snip)

The authenticity of the vision is contested (and by a sede too, no less) See here

Thanks! I was not looking for any kind of debate about this. I am just interested in the history of the practice. Both of you have clarified this for me. I am surprised however that most people were unaware of liturgical rules. I would have thought people were more aware of the rules than they are nowadays.

lak611 I bow to otjm’s knowlege since I was not there and whatever little I happen to know is only theoretical. However my parents (both now Protestants) have told me about their experiences: according to my mother who grew up in India in that time, the so-called Judas shuffle was common (though she used to only observe it during exams ) And according to my father, he got a beating from my grandfather for suggesting that they do that.

 

[Genesis315]

It is recited after all daily masses in my home parish as the priest and alter boys exit, but not in the church near my office.

Same here. Some parishes pray it after faily Mass, some don’t Some pray other prayers as well, usually to the parish’s patron.

 

[Seminarian_Matt]

The authenticity of the vision is contested (and by a sede too, no less) See here

I’m a proud Traditionalist but I certainly don’t trust sedevacantists. The Church has always taught that the vision is authentic.

 

[AJV]

I’m a proud Traditionalist but I certainly don’t trust sedevacantists. The Church has always taught that the vision is authentic.

Where?

It has been widely dessimated in one or another form, to be sure, but when was it approved? I don’t mean to be rude but I don’t think you’ll find anything that says that it was approved by the Church.

The reason I brought up the sedevacantist was not because you’re a traditionalist but because they usually give a lot of credence to the vision vis-a-vis what happens in the Church.