October Devotions: Rosary, Prayer to St. Michael
PRAYING THE ROSARY, PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL AND THE
SUB TUUM PRAESIDIUM PRAYER IN PARISHES
Bishop Scharfenberger has noted that a number of people have asked about parishes adopting the practice of reciting the Rosary concluding with the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. He wrote about this in his column in the October 4 issue of The Evangelist. Furthermore, in a statement on September 29, the Feast Day of the Archangels, Pope Francis asked all Catholics to pray the Rosary daily during the month of October, asking Mary and St. Michael the Archangel to intercede for the protection of the Church in a moment of “spiritual turbulence.”
Pope Francis stated that prayer “is the weapon against the Great Accuser who ‘goes around the world seeking to accuse.’ Only prayer can defeat him…The Russian mystics and the great saints of all the traditions advised, in moments of spiritual turbulence, to shelter beneath the mantle of the Holy Mother of God.” The statement also encouraged the use of the prayer of Sub Tuum Praesidium.
In the light of these developments, Bishop Scharfenberger has encouraged parishes, families and individuals to adopt these devotions and prayers as seems best in local or personal circumstances. Doing this would also provide an opportunity for some catechesis about these prayers and devotions. He also notes that many parishes and families or individuals already follow this practice.
One suitable time to recite the Rosary in a parish setting might be either before the Mass or after Mass. If the Rosary and/or prayers are used before Mass, it would be good to allow enough time at the conclusion of the prayers for practical matters and for some time of silence and recollection before Mass. In a similar way, if the Rosary and/or prayers are used after Mass, it would be good to allow a short period of time for practical matters (such as clearing up) and for those who need to leave to disperse. The Prayer to St. Michael or the Sub Tuum Praesidium might also be prayed immediately after the dismissal at the end of the Mass and before the recessional hymn or postlude.
St. Michael the Archangel Prayer:
Saint Michael 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 thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Sub Tuum Praesidium Prayer:
We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our petitions in our necessities,
but deliver us always from all dangers,
O Glorious and Blessed Virgin. Amen.
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