The Origin, Suppression and Rise Again of Pope Leo's Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel


Sixty Years Later: The Untold Story Behind Vatican II's Suppression of the St. Michael Prayer

How a single line in a 1964 liturgical instruction eliminated a worldwide Catholic devotion—and why it's making a comeback

VATICAN CITY — On September 26, 1964, with just eight words buried in a technical liturgical document, one of the Catholic Church's most beloved prayers effectively disappeared from Sunday worship around the world.

"The last gospel is omitted; the Leonine Prayers are suppressed," read the terse directive in Inter Oecumenici, an instruction implementing the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

With that simple statement, the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel—composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and recited by millions of Catholics after Mass for nearly eight decades—was quietly removed from the universal liturgy.

A Prayer Born from Papal Vision

The prayer's origins trace back to what Pope Leo XIII described as a terrifying vision of Satan challenging God for souls. In response, the Pope composed the now-famous invocation: "St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil..."

Originally mandated after all Low Masses throughout the universal Church, the prayer became part of the "Leonine Prayers"—a set of devotions that also included three Hail Marys, the Salve Regina, and other petitions for the Church's protection and freedom.

For 80 years, from 1884 to 1964, Catholics worldwide ended their participation in Mass by kneeling alongside their priests to invoke St. Michael's protection against evil.

The Silent Suppression

What remains striking about the prayer's elimination is what wasn't said. Unlike other major liturgical changes implemented after Vatican II, no theological justification or explanation accompanied the suppression of the Leonine Prayers.

"It's ironic that after all the fanfare and solemnity in which the Saint Michael prayer was introduced by Pope Leo XIII, that in one simple line of prose, accompanied by no justification or rationale whatsoever, the entire lot of prayers simply disappeared," observed one liturgical commentator.

Father Andrew Menke, executive director of the Secretariat of Divine Worship for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, acknowledges the abrupt nature of the change. The elimination reflected broader liturgical principles behind Vatican II's reforms, he explained, including a focus on the Eucharist as central to worship and an emphasis on streamlining the Mass itself.

The reforms sought to emphasize "full, conscious, and active participation" in the liturgy proper, rather than in devotional prayers that were technically separate from the Mass.

Lost Purpose, Lingering Questions

The original political purpose behind the Leonine Prayers had already been resolved by 1964. Pope Leo XIII initially instituted them to defend papal temporal sovereignty during conflicts with the Italian state. After the 1929 Lateran Treaty established Vatican City, Pope Pius XI redirected the prayers toward "the conversion of Russia" during the Soviet era.

By the time of Vatican II, some Church leaders may have viewed the prayers as having outlived their original purpose. The Council's Constitution on Sacred Liturgy emphasized returning to ancient liturgical practices and removing later accretions that weren't considered essential to the Mass.

Yet critics point out that the Church faced new challenges in the 1960s that might have warranted continued prayers for protection against evil—from the cultural upheavals of the decade to emerging threats to religious freedom worldwide.

The Remarkable Return

Today, sixty years later, the Prayer to St. Michael is experiencing an unexpected renaissance. The 2018 clergy abuse scandals, global persecution of Christians, and what many Catholics perceive as increased spiritual warfare have renewed interest in Leo XIII's prayer.

In October 2018, Pope Francis himself encouraged Catholics to pray the St. Michael prayer, along with the Rosary, for the protection of the Church. The recommendation came amid revelations of clerical abuse and internal Church conflicts.

"People latched on to it as an appropriate response," Father Menke observed, noting that many parishes now recite the prayer after Mass ends—technically outside the liturgy itself.

Dioceses across the United States report growing numbers of parishes voluntarily adopting the practice. In some cases, bishops have actively encouraged or even mandated the prayer's return.

Theological Questions Remain

The prayer's comeback has raised questions about the nature of the 1964 suppression. Canon lawyers point out that "suppressed" doesn't mean "prohibited"—the Church simply removed the obligation to recite the prayers, without forbidding their use.

"The St. Michael Prayer has not been banned," explained one liturgical expert. "It's simply no longer prescribed as something that must be said at the end of Mass."

Some liturgical scholars argue for caution about adding devotional elements back into the Mass, emphasizing that Vatican II's reforms were carefully considered. Others contend that the Church's current struggles justify invoking St. Michael's protection more than ever.

Looking Forward

As the Catholic Church approaches the 60th anniversary of Inter Oecumenici, the return of the St. Michael Prayer raises broader questions about liturgical development and the role of popular devotion in Catholic worship.

The prayer's journey—from papal mandate to silent suppression to grassroots revival—illustrates how liturgical practices can evolve in response to both official directives and pastoral needs.

Whether recited in packed cathedrals or small parish churches, the words Pope Leo XIII composed after his mystical vision continue to resonate with Catholics seeking protection in an uncertain world: "Cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls."

For many Catholics today, that plea feels as urgent as it did 140 years ago.

SIDEBAR: Pope Leo XIV and His Connection to Leo XIII

Pope Leo XIV, the current pontiff, was elected on May 8, 2025, becoming the first American pope in Church history. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost chose the name "Leo XIV" upon his election, continuing the papal name that originated with Pope Leo XIII.

The Historical Connection: According to Cardinal Kevin Farrell, a close friend, Pope Leo XIV chose "Leo" as his papal name partly because Leo XIII was a supporter of social rights, particularly workers' rights. This choice creates a direct link between the current pope and the pontiff who composed the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel in 1886.

Pope Leo XIII's Legacy (1878-1903): Leo XIII was one of the most influential popes of the modern era, known for:

  • Composing the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
  • Writing the groundbreaking social encyclical Rerum Novarum (1891)
  • Promoting Thomistic philosophy through Aeterni Patris (1879)
  • Opening the Vatican Secret Archives to scholars
  • His 25-year pontificate, the third-longest in papal history

Pope Leo XIV's Background: The current Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago in 1955 and spent years working as a missionary in Peru. He is known to share some of the same priorities as his predecessor Pope Francis, particularly when it comes to the environment and outreach to migrants and the poor.

A Meaningful Choice: The selection of "Leo XIV" suggests the new pope wishes to honor both the social justice legacy of Leo XIII and potentially the spiritual protection themes embodied in the St. Michael Prayer—especially relevant given current global challenges facing the Catholic Church.

This article is based on extensive research into liturgical documents, historical records, and contemporary pastoral practices regarding the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel.

Sources

Primary Documents:

Academic and Historical Sources:

Church News and Commentary:

Liturgical Analysis:

Vatican Publications:

Additional Resources:


Catholic News Article: St. Michael Prayer and Vatican II | Claude | Claude

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