The story begins on October 13, 1884. Pope Leo XIII, a man of deep faith and formidable intellect, was celebrating Mass. After the liturgy, he didn’t leave the chapel right away—he seemed lost in thought, as if something had seized him. According to those closest to him, the Pope suddenly turned pale, his breathing labored, visibly shaken. What did he see?
There’s no single official account. The most well-known version claims Leo XIII had a mystical vision: he overheard a conversation between Jesus and Satan. The devil requested more time and greater power to destroy the Church. Christ allowed him to act for a limited time, assuring him that the Church would endure. Then, as legend has it, the Pope heard a terrifying commotion of demons gathering over the Eternal City—Rome. Deeply shaken, Leo XIII immediately retreated to his study and wrote the now-famous prayer to St. Michael, invoking protection “against the wickedness and snares of the devil”.
Earlier in 1884, Leo XIII had ordered the recitation of “Leonine Prayers” after every Low Mass—short petitions for the liberty of the Church and the conversion of sinners. At first, the St. Michael Prayer wasn’t among them. It was only after the traumatic events of October 13 that the Pope added it, making it a public, accessible form of spiritual exorcism.
For decades, this prayer was mandatory after every Low Mass. The practice was discontinued after Vatican II, but it has resurfaced in times of crisis—especially during the pontificate of John Paul II, who strongly encouraged the faithful to pray it daily.
While there are many translations, the core message remains unchanged:
"St. 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 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."
Fourteen Popes have taken the name Leo. The most famous, Leo the Great (Leo I), personally met Attila the Hun and, according to legend, stopped his army from sacking Rome. The story goes that as the Pope faced Attila, a mighty angel appeared at his side with a sword. The Huns withdrew without a fight—a sign that not only diplomacy, but also the intervention of heavenly powers, protected the Church.
Pope Leo XIII, living in an era of scientific upheaval and growing secularism, is remembered as the “Rosary Pope” and the “Pope of the Workers.” Yet it is the St. Michael Prayer that stands as his most remarkable spiritual legacy.
Today, with the election of Pope Leo XIV—on the feast of St. Michael the Archangel—many see a return to the tradition of the “defender popes,” and a continuation of the spiritual battle Leo XIII captured in his prayer.
Who is St. Michael? His name means “Who is like God?” According to the Book of Revelation, he leads the angels against the dragon—Satan. In Christian tradition, he is the Church’s protector, the patron of police, soldiers, and those in danger. His veneration flourished in medieval Europe. Pope Leo the Great established a special feast in his honor, and the West is dotted with sanctuaries, the most famous being Monte Gargano in Italy.
Legends abound of St. Michael appearing to popes and saints, heralding the victory of good over evil. One tale tells of Pope Leo IV, who in the 9th century prayed to Michael to save Rome from Saracen invaders—an act believed to have summoned heavenly help.
Why is the St. Michael Prayer so important today? In a world where evil takes new forms—from violence to spiritual emptiness—the Church reminds us that the struggle is not just social or political, but spiritual. This prayer calls us to awareness of that real spiritual battle, asking for protection not just for the Church, but for every family, every individual wrestling with temptation and chaos.
With the election of Pope Leo XIV, American Robert Prevost, on the feast of St. Michael, many see not just a sign of hope but a programmatic statement. By choosing the name Leo, the new Pope invokes the tradition of “defender popes,” underlining the role of prayer and spiritual combat in times of crisis—especially as secularism and loss of meaning challenge the faithful.
In Polish churches, the St. Michael Prayer is being recited more and more often after Mass. In some parishes, the entire set of Leonine Prayers is returning. Stories abound of St. Michael’s miraculous interventions—from saving lives in accidents to healings attributed to his intercession. Many homes display images of Michael with a sword, guarding thresholds just as angelic hosts once guarded Israel’s.
Times change, but the struggle with evil endures. Pope Leo XIII left us a spiritual weapon to use not only in moments of fear, but every day—for ourselves, our loved ones, and the Church. Pope Leo XIV takes up this legacy, inviting all to pray not just for protection, but for the courage to face the challenges of our age.
“Pray it! Do it now!” modern pastors urge. The Prayer to St. Michael isn’t a relic of the past. It’s a living, effective defense—and a sign that the Church, though embattled, never stops trusting that “Who is like God?”
