Using St. Michael's prayer at Mass

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Muzhik

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Can a parish priest begin reciting the St. Michael’s prayer at the end of Mass on his own authority, or is that something the local bishop must approve?
 
There is nothing that prohibits any kind of approved devotion in church.

Therefore, once the Mass is ended, it is ended. Whatever follows is fair game.
 
Muzhik said:
Can a parish priest begin reciting the St. Michael’s prayer at the end of Mass on his own authority, or is that something the local bishop must approve?
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Define “at the end of Mass”. The details matter.
 
1ke said:
Define “at the end of Mass”. The details matter.
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I’m thinking of how the prayer was required by Pope Leo XIII (who composed it) to be said at the end of every low Mass. This was the norm for the Church until John XXIII suddenly and without warning removed that requirement.

When I was in high school, our local bishop imposed that prayer “at the end of Mass” after the diocese had experienced a sharp increase in violence. The violence subsided shortly after we began saying the prayer, however, the prayer was still being said when I graduated and left the diocese, so I don’t know how or when it stopped being used. (I’m assuming after a new bishop was enthroned, but can’t say for certain.)
 
Joannm said:
Style mass is over when the priest or Deacon says, “the mass is ended…”
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I believe that’s exactly the point 1ke was getting at. If it is before that point the priest would be adding to the Mass, but if it is after that point then they are not adding to the Mass, but leading a public devotion outside of Mass.
 
Muzhik said:
I’m thinking of how the prayer was required by Pope Leo XIII (who composed it) to be said at the end of every low Mass. This was the norm for the Church until John XXIII suddenly and without warning removed that requirement.

When I was in high school, our local bishop imposed that prayer “at the end of Mass” after the diocese had experienced a sharp increase in violence. The violence subsided shortly after we began saying the prayer, however, the prayer was still being said when I graduated and left the diocese, so I don’t know how or when it stopped being used. (I’m assuming after a new bishop was enthroned, but can’t say for certain.)
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If it’s done like the Leonid prayers at a low Mass then it is actually after the Mass. The Leonid prayers were never technically part of the Mass.
 
The prayer is fine after the Mass has ended. No Catholic bishop could/would oppose it.
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,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen…
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St. Pope John Paul II asked that we start using that prayer again.
Pope John Paul II:
May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle we are told about in the Letter to the Ephesians, “Draw strength from the Lord and from his mighty power” (Eph 6 10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle recalling before our eyes the image of St. Michael the Archangel (Rev. 12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had a very vivid recollection of this scene when, at the end of the last century, he introduced a special prayer to St Michael throughout the Church. “St Michael the Archangel defend us in battle, be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.” Although today this prayer is no longer recited at the end of Mass, I ask everyone not to forget it, and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world.
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Our bishop here in the diocese of Austin, Texas stated recently that if these prayers are to be done, it must be when the presiding priest has exited the Church so as not to confuse these prayers with the liturgy.
 
Muzhik said:
I’m thinking of how the prayer was required by Pope Leo XIII (who composed it) to be said at the end of every low Mass. This was the norm for the Church until John XXIII suddenly and without warning removed that requirement.

When I was in high school, our local bishop imposed that prayer “at the end of Mass” after the diocese had experienced a sharp increase in violence. The violence subsided shortly after we began saying the prayer, however, the prayer was still being said when I graduated and left the diocese, so I don’t know how or when it stopped being used. (I’m assuming after a new bishop was enthroned, but can’t say for certain.)
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“without warning?”
:confused:
 
1ke said:
Define “at the end of Mass”. The details matter.
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Good point. Some see the recessional as being the end of Mass. Will be priest be called back to lead this or other prayers after Mass?

I know in some places, the congregation takes it upon themselves to say the rosary, the Prayer of St. Michael, or whatever.
 
Muzhik said:
This was the norm for the Church until John XXIII suddenly and without warning removed that requirement.
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For the record, they were removed by Pope Paul VI. It was around the same time the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar were also removed (along with the Last Gospel) and the communion formula was shortened to “Corpus Christi/Amen.”
 
ProVobis said:
For the record, they were removed by Pope Paul VI. It was around the same time the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar were also removed (along with the Last Gospel) and the communion formula was shortened to “Corpus Christi/Amen.”
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Yes. .
 
TimothyH said:
I thought the same thing.
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Actually if you had attended nothing but High Mass or Missa Cantata, you wouldn’t have noticed it at all.

But if you had regularly attended the Missa Lecta, or the Low Mass, removing the prayers after Mass, not only the Prayer to St. Michael, would have been quite noticeable and perhaps bothersome as well. I believe the removal of the prayers in question was made in 1965.
 
ProVobis said:
Actually if you had attended nothing but High Mass or Missa Cantata, you wouldn’t have noticed it at all.

But if you had regularly attended the Missa Lecta, or the Low Mass, removing the prayers after Mass, not only the Prayer to St. Michael, would have been quite noticeable and perhaps bothersome as well. I believe the removal of the prayers in question was made in 1965.
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I know. It would be. But the liturgy is never anyone’s property. (as St. John Paul so eloquently stated).
The Church doesn’t need to consult with us. 😉 That’s all I meant. 🙂
 
pianistclare said:
The Church doesn’t need to consult with us.
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True in principle. Nonetheless, polls were taken by the bishops, or so I keep hearing all the time, although I don’t know if the St. Michael’s prayer was in any poll. 😉

Strange, though, that they would be taking out the only thing in English that was considered a requirement during or after Mass back then.
 
Joannm said:
Style mass is over when the priest or Deacon says, “the mass is ended…”
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After several hours of beating my head against the wall (a frequent life exercise, I’m afraid), I remember when I was in high school (not THAT long ago. Really. Pay no attention to the grey hairs, it’s a family trait…) the order used was,

“The Mass is ended. Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord”
“Thanks be to God”
(Begin exit hymn)

I believe the prayer was inserted between the “Thanks be to God” and the exit hymn, i.e., after the Mass has officially ended, but before the herd begins the stampede towards the exits.
 
Muzhik said:
After several hours of beating my head against the wall (a frequent life exercise, I’m afraid), I remember when I was in high school (not THAT long ago. Really. Pay no attention to the grey hairs, it’s a family trait…) the order used was,

“The Mass is ended. Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord”
“Thanks be to God”
(Begin exit hymn)

I believe the prayer was inserted between the “Thanks be to God” and the exit hymn, i.e., after the Mass has officially ended, but before the herd begins the stampede towards the exits.
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In many places it was post communion along with the Anima Christi, and still is in come parishes overseas.
 
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