Bishop Robert C. Morlino has asked that people in the Diocese of Madison pray for the triumph of good in our world and the overcoming of evil by praying the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel at all Sunday and Solemnity Masses in our diocese.
In doing some research (see www.catholic.org), I learned that Saint Michael the Archangel is the leader of all angels and the army of God. He has four main responsibilities, according to Scripture and tradition:
• To combat Satan.
• To escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death.
• To be a champion of all Christians and the Church itself.
• To call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment.
Pope Francis has often warned about the influence of the devil in our world today. On July 9, 2013, he joined with his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict, in the Vatican Gardens, where they consecrated the Vatican to Michael the Archangel and placed the whole Church under his protection.
Below is the Saint Michael Prayer. I encourage people to pray this prayer more often, asking Saint Michael to help us fight evil in our own lives and in the whole world.
Saint Michael Prayer
Saint 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.