St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle…
When I was ordained a priest in 2003, I promised obedience to Bishop Brown and his successors. I have to admit those words of obedience can be easy to say but sometimes very hard to follow. Throughout my priesthood, obedience has often come easy but admittedly sometimes very difficult. My spiritual director told me once that obedience can be one of our greatest acts of love.
A couple of weeks ago when Bishop Vann was here to install me as Pastor, I was asked if we were praying the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. I responded that the parish had been praying the prayer but in recent months had stopped. He asked me if we would please continue to pray the prayer after every Mass. This wasn’t asked out of command but out of charity. I assured him of our parish’s commitment to be in union with our Bishop and would resume praying the St. Michael Prayer. As an act of obedience, this was an easy decision.
Starting this weekend, we will pray the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer at the end of every Mass on Sunday and during the weekday. I thank you all for joining me in being in union with our Bishop.
Prayer to St. Michael, the Archangel
St. 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 host,
by the power of God,
cast into hell Satan
and all the other evil spirits
who roam about the world,
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Fr. Patrick
|