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O glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we
carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid
of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the
devil. Fight this day the battle of our Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the
proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in
heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the
abyss with his angels. Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light,
he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the Name of God and of
His Christ, to seize upon, slay, and cast into eternal perdition, souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. That wicked
dragon pours out. as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of
lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies
have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands
on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair
of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that
when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered. Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks
of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron;
in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men
to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered
that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High,
so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the
devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.
V: Let us pray. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as suppliants, we implore Thy
clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael,
Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the
human race and the ruin of our souls. Amen.
Teachings of the Catholic Church
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