Pope Leo XIII – Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel (1886) and Exorcism in Satanam (1890)

On October 13, 1884, Pope Leo XIII is said to have had a vision of Satan challenging Christ, and in 1886 he promulgated two prayers: the famous “Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel” (recited after each Mass until 1964) and the “Exorcism of Leo XIII” (a solemn Latin text with exorcism formulas). These two prayers are fundamental historical references for papal demonology.Table: – Pope: Leo XIII – Prayer 1: Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel (1886) – Prayer 2: Exorcismus in Satanam et Angelos Apostaticos (1890) – Context: Response to perceived growing satanic anti-church activity at the end of the 19th century.1. Prayer to Saint Michael the ArchangelOriginal Latin Text:> *Sancte Michael Archangele,* > *defende nos in proelio,* > *contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.* > *Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur:* > *tuque, princeps militiae caelestis,* > *Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos,* > *qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo,* > *divina virtute, in infernum detrude.* > *Amen.*Portuguese Translation:> São Miguel Arcanjo, > defendei-nos no combate, > sede o nosso amparo contra a maldade e as ciladas do diabo. > Subjugue-o Deus, instantemente o pedimos. > E vós, príncipe da milícia celeste, > pelo poder divino, > precipitai no inferno Satanás e os outros espíritos malignos > que andam pelo mundo para perder as almas. > Amém.History of the Prayer:It is reported that on October 13, 1884, while celebrating Mass privately, Leo XIII experienced a mystical event: he heard two voices at the altar, one of Christ and one of Satan. Satan asked Christ for “more time and more power” to destroy the Church. Christ granted him limited extension. After Mass, Leo XIII composed the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel and ordered it be recited in every Mass (not sung) worldwide, along with three Our Fathers and the Hail Holy Queen.This practice lasted from 1886 to 1964, when it was removed by the liturgical reforms of Vatican II (Inter Oecumenici, September 26, 1964). It was widely restored after April 24, 1994, when Pope John Paul II, during Regina Caeli, recalled the prayer and recommended it to the faithful for personal recitation.2. Exorcismus in Satanam (1890)On May 18, 1890, Leo XIII published the “Exorcismus in Satanam et Angelos Apostaticos,” a solemn Latin exorcism intended for use by bishops and priests designated for exorcism ministry. It was included in the 1925 *Rituale Romanum* and in the appendix of exorcisms against Satan.Latin Text of the Exorcism (Excerpt):> *Exorcizamus te, omnis immunde spiritus, omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursio infernalis adversarii, omnis legio, omnis congregatio et secta diabólica, in nomine et virtute Domini Nostri Iesu + Christi, eradicare et effugare a Dei Ecclesia, ab animabus ad imaginem Dei conditis ac pretioso divini Agni Sanguine redemptis +.*

We exorcise you, all unclean spirits, all powers of Satan, all incursions of the infernal adversary, all legions, all congregations and diabolical sects, in the name and by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. Depart and flee from the Church of God, from souls created in His image and redeemed by the precious blood of the divine Lamb.

No longer dare to deceive humanity, persecute the Church of God, shake and sift like wheat the chosen ones of God. Be commanded by the highest God, to whom, in your great pride, you still presume to be similar…

Historical Context of Leonine Prayers

The late 19th century was marked by:

• Aggressive anti-clericalism (in post-1870 Italy, post-1880 France)
• Growth of Freemasonry and spiritualism
• Persecution of the Church in numerous countries (German Kulturkampf 1871-1887)
• Emerging theological modernism
• Crisis of religious orders in several countries

Pope Leo XIII saw these phenomena as signs of an “organized Satanic action” against the Church. His prayers to Saint Michael and published exorcisms are his spiritual response.

Contemporary Pastoral Relevance

After 1964, the Prayer to Saint Michael was no longer obligatory in the Eucharist liturgy. However:

• JP2 (April 24, 1994): Recommended praying it as a personal devotion at Regina Caeli.
• Benedict XVI: Publicly prayed it several times, especially during his pontificate.
• Francis (September 29, 2018): Asked all Catholics to pray the Rosary, the Prayer to Saint Michael, and the Sub Tuum Praesidium daily in October 2018, in the context of sexual abuse scandals within the clergy.
• Portuguese Episcopal Conference (2018): Officially reintroduced the Prayer to Saint Michael after each Mass in all parishes.

Leone XIII’s Exorcism and the New Rite

The Exorcismus in Satanam of Pope Leo XIII served as a basis for the Rituale Romanum of 1925 (Chapter XII on exorcisms). After Vatican II, it was reformed and replaced by the new De Exorcismis et Supplicationibus Quibusdam (1999), but Leo XIII’s original text remains a historical reference and theological source.

Further Reading

Fourth Lateran Council 1215 – Firmiter Credimus on Angels and Demons | CDF Faith and Demonology 1975 | Paul VI Confronts the Devil | John Paul II Catecheses on Angels and Demons

Also see: What is Angeology? Angels in the Bible and in the Magisterium

Check out our comprehensive guide to Catholic Angeology.