Here is the brilliant 14th century icon of Saint Michael the Archangel found in the Byzantine Museum of Athens. The Greek letters on the top of the icon to left and right spell out: The Prince Michael — the Great Commander. And the Greek letters found inside the transparent sphere the angel holds spell out: Christ, the Righteous Judge.
Many decades ago, Pope Paul VI lamented, "Somehow, Satan's smoke has gotten into the Church through some crack." Not a few people might be saying something like that about our country today, or about the state of the world, or about folks whose lives seem to be in tatters and for no good reason.
Here's the traditional prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel many older Catholics know by heart, and which was prayed communally after most Masses until 1964.
Many decades ago, Pope Paul VI lamented, "Somehow, Satan's smoke has gotten into the Church through some crack." Not a few people might be saying something like that about our country today, or about the state of the world, or about folks whose lives seem to be in tatters and for no good reason.
Here's the traditional prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel many older Catholics know by heart, and which was prayed communally after most Masses until 1964.
Saint 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 you, O prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan
and all the other evil spirits
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Now I know a gentle nun who says she doesn't like the bit about sending Satan to hell. I get it, Saint Isaac says we should have pity even for the demons. So I send them to Jesus, who will know what to do with them.
