Pope Leo XIII told us the devotion to be done against the evil one
THE DIABOLIC VISION OF LION XIII AND THE PRAYER TO SAN MICHELE ARCANGELO
Many of us remember how, before the liturgical reform due to the Second Vatican Council, the celebrant and the faithful knelt at the end of each mass, to recite a prayer to the Madonna and one to St. Michael the Archangel. Here is the text of the latter, because it is a beautiful prayer, which can be recited by everyone with fruit:
«St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our help against the wickedness and snares of the devil. Please beg us: may the Lord command him! And you, prince of the celestial militias, with the power that comes to you from God, send Satan and the other evil impulses that go around the world to perdition of souls ».
How did this prayer come about? I transcribe what was published in the journal Ephemerides Liturgicae, in 1955, pages. 5859.
Domenico Pechenino writes: «I don't remember the precise year. One morning the great Pope Leo XIII had celebrated Holy Mass and was attending another, thanksgiving, as usual. Suddenly he was seen energetically lifting his head, then fixing something above the head of the celebrant. He looked fixedly, without blinking, but with a sense of terror. and wonder, changing color and features. Something strange, great happened in him.
Finally, as if coming back to himself, giving a light but energetic touch of hand, he gets up. He is seen heading towards his private office. Family members follow him with concern and anxiety. They say softly to him: Holy Father, aren't you feeling well? I need something? Answers: Nothing, nothing. After half an hour he had the Secretary of the Congregation of Rites called and, handing him a sheet, he asked him to have it printed and sent to all the Ordinaries of the world. What did it contain? The prayer that we recite at the end of the Mass together with the people, with the supplication to Mary and the fiery invocation to the Prince of the heavenly militias, imploring God to send Satan back to hell ».
In that writing, orders were also made to say these prayers on their knees. The above, which had also been published in the newspaper The week of the clergy, on March 30, 1947, does not cite the sources from which the news was drawn. However, the unusual way in which he was ordained to recite that prayer results, which was sent to the Ordinaries in 1886. In confirmation of what P. Pechenino writes, we have the authoritative testimony of card. Nasalli Rocca who, in his Pastoral Letter for Lent, issued in Bologna in 1946, writes:
«Leo XIII himself wrote that prayer. The phrase (the demons) that roam the world to perdition of souls has a historical explanation, referred to us several times by its particular secretary, Msgr. Rinaldo Angeli. Leo XIII truly had the vision of the infernal spirits gathering on the eternal city (Rome); and from that experience came the prayer that he wanted to recite throughout the Church. He prayed this prayer in a vibrant and powerful voice: we heard it many times in the Vatican basilica. Not only that, but he wrote of his own hand a special exorcism contained in the Roman Ritual (edition 1954, tit. XII, c. III, pag. 863 et seq.). He recommended these exorcisms to bishops and priests to recite them often in their dioceses and parishes. He often recited it throughout the day. "
It is also interesting to take into account another fact, which further enriches the value of those prayers that were recited after each mass. Pius XI wanted that, in reciting these prayers, there should be a particular intention for Russia (allocation of June 30, 1930). In this allocution, after recalling the prayers for Russia to which he also solicited all the faithful on the anniversary of the patriarch St. Joseph (March 19, 1930), and after recalling the religious persecution in Russia, he concludes:
"And so that everyone can effortlessly and uncomfortably continue in this holy crusade, we establish that those preci that our predecessor of happy memory, Leo XIII, commanded that they be recited after the mass by the priests and the faithful, are said to this particular intention, namely for Russia. Of this the Bishops and the secular and regular clergy take care to make their people and those present at the Sacrifice informed, nor do they fail to recall the above in their memory "(Civiltà Cattolica, 1930, vol. III).
As can be seen, the tremendous presence of Satan was kept very clearly in mind by the Popes; and the intention added by Pius XI touched the center of the false doctrines sown in our century and which still poison the life not only of peoples, but of theologians themselves. If then the provisions of Pius XI were not observed, it is the fault of those to whom they were entrusted; they certainly integrated well with the charismatic events that the Lord had given to humanity through the apparitions of Fatima, while being independent of them: Fatima was then still unknown in the world.
Taken from "An Exorcist tells"
by Father Gabriele Amorth
INSTRUCTIONS ON THE EXORCISM OF LION XIII OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
A document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
It is a letter sent to all the Ordinaries to remind them of the current norms regarding exorcisms. I really don't know why some newspapers talked about "new restrictions"; there are no novelties; the final exhortation is important. It could be a novelty what is stated in n. 2, as it is repeated that the faithful cannot use the exorcism of Leo XIII, but it is no longer said that priests need permission from the bishop; it is not clear whether this variant is in the will of the Holy Congregation. I find the n. 3. The letter is dated 29 September 1985. We report a translation of it.
“Most excellent Lord, for some years, prayer meetings have been multiplying with this in some ecclesial groups. purpose, to obtain liberation from evil influences, even if they are not real exorcisms; these meetings take place under the guidance of lay people, even in the presence of a priest. Since the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was asked what should be thought of these facts, this Dicastery considers it necessary to inform all the Ordinaries of the following responses:
1. Canon 1172 of the Code of Canon Law establishes that no one can legitimately pronounce the exorcisms on the possessed if he has not obtained a specific and express license from the local Ordinary (par. 1 °), and specifies that the license by the Ordinary of the place is to be given only to a priest who is provided with piety, science, prudence and integrity of life (par. 2 °). Therefore bishops are strongly invited to strictly comply with these prescriptions.
2. From these prescriptions it also follows that it is not lawful for the faithful to use the formula of exorcism against Satan and the rebel angels, derived from what has become public law by order of the Supreme Pontiff Leo XIII; much less can they use the full text of this exorcism. The bishops should endeavor to warn the faithful of this provision, if necessary.
3. Finally, for the same reasons, the bishops are asked to ensure that even in cases where, even if it is not a proper and diabolical possession, however, it seems that some diabolical influence is manifesting those who do not have the due license, do not lead the meetings in which prayers are used to obtain liberation, during which we turn directly to demons and strive to know their names.
Having remembered these norms, however, must not in the least distract the faithful from praying that, as Jesus taught us, they will be freed from evil (cf. Mt 6,13:XNUMX). Furthermore, pastors can make use of this opportunity that is offered to them to remember what the Church's tradition teaches about the function that is proper to the sacraments, the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and the Saints, also in the spiritual struggle of Christians. against evil spirits.
(The letter is signed by the Prefect Card. Ratzingher and by the Secretary Msgr. Bovone).
Taken from "An Exorcist tells"
by Father Gabriele Amorth