Published by the or of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII. The Holy Father exhorts priests to say this prayer as often as possible, as a simple exorcism to curb the power of the devil and prevent him from doing harm. The faithful also may say it in their own name for the same purpose, as any approved prayer. Its use is recommended whenever action of the devil is suspected, causing malice in men, violent temptations, and even storms and various calamities. It could be used as a solemn exorcism (an official and public ceremony, in Latin) to expel the devil. It would then be said by priest, in the name of the Church, and only with the Bishop's permission.

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.

Glorious Prince of the Celestial Host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the conflict which we have to sustain "against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places." (Ephes. 6:12). Come to the rescue of men, whom God has created to His image and likeness, and whom He has redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. It is thou whom Holy Church venerates as her guardian and her protector, thou whom the Lord has charged to conduct redeemed souls into Heaven. Pray, therefore, the God of Peace to subdue Satan beneath our feet, that he may no longer retain men captive nor do injury to the Church. Present our prayers to the Most High, that without delay they may draw His mercy down  upon us. Seize "the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan," bind him and cast him into the bottomless pit "... that he (may) no more seduce the nations." (Apoc. 20:2-3).

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, strengthened by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, and powerful in the holy authority of our ministry, we confidently undertake to repulse the attacks and deceits of the devil.

Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and let them that hate Him flee from before His face.

As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. (Psalm 67:2-3).

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Flee, bands of enemies.
R. The Lion of the Tribe of Juda, the Offspring of David, hath conquered.
V. May Thy mercy descend upon us.
R. As great as our hope in Thee.

We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, Satanic powers, infernal invader, wicked legions, assemblies and sects. In the name and by the virtue of Our Lord Jesus Chris, may you be snatched away and driven from the Church of God and from the souls redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb. Cease by your audacity, cunning serpent, to delude the human race, to persecute the Church, to torment God's elect, and to sift them as wheat. This is the command made to you by the most High God, with Whom in your haughty insolence you still pretend to be equal, the God "Who will have all men to be save, and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim. 2:4). God and Father commands you; God the Son commands you; God the Holy Ghost commands you. Christ commands you, The Eternal Word of God made Flesh; He Who to have our race, out-done through your malice, "humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death." (Phil. 2:8); He Who has built His Church on the firm rock and declared that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against her, because He dwells with her "all days, even to the consummation of the world." (Matt. 28:20). The hidden virtue of the Cross requires it of you as does also the power of the mysteries of the Christian Faith. The glorious Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, command you; she who by her humility and from the first moment of her Immaculate Conception crushed your proud head. The faith of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of the other Apostles commands you. The blood of the martyrs and the pious intercession of all the Saints command you.

Thus, cursed dragon, and you, wicked legion, we adjure you by the living Go, by the true God, by the holy God, by the God Who "so loved the world, as to give His only-begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him, may not perish but may have life everlasting." (Jn. 3:16): Cease deceiving human creatures and pouring out to them the poison of eternal predition; cease harming the Church and hindering her liberty. Retreat, Satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy of man's salvation. Cede the place to Christ in Whom you have found none of your works. Cede the place to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church acquired by Christ at the price of His Blood. Stoop beneath the all-powerful Hand of God, tremble and flee at the evocation of the holy and terrible Name of Jesus, this Name which causes Hell to tremble, this name to which the Virtues, Powers, and Dominations of heaven are humbly submissive, this name which the Cherubim and Seraphim praise unceasingly, repeating: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the God of hosts.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. May the Lord be with thee.
R. And with the spirit.

God of Heave, God of earth, God of Angels, God of Archangels, God of Patriarchs, God of Prophets, God of Apostles, God of Martyrs, God of Confessors, God of Virgins, God Who hast power to give life after death and rest after work, because there is no other God than Thee and there can be no other, for Thou art the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, of Whose reign there shall be no end, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy glorious majesty and we supplicate Thee to deliver us from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from their snares, and their furious wickedness. Deign, O Lord, to protect us by Thy power and to preserve us safe and sound. We beseech Thee through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Lord.

That Thy Church may serve Thee in peace and liberty, We beseech Thee to hear us.

That Thou wouldst crush down all enemies of Thy Church, We beseech Thee to hear us.

(Holy water is sprinkled in the place where we may be."

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defender against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; do thou, O Prince of heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

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