Giving to God what belongs to God
“So each of us shall give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14: 12
"Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account.” Hebrews 13: 17
Praying the St. Michael Prayer after Masses
In the the Archdiocese of Hartford 2018 - 2022
Decree of September 11, 2018
"This decree concerns the establishment of Eucharistic Adoration as a norm for the Archdiocese of Hartford to be observed for at least one hour weekly in each parish, as well as the obligatory recitation of the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel," wrote Archbishop Leonard P. Blair in the letter accompanying the decree. READ the letter and decree here.
The Decree requires the following:
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Restoration of the practice of praying the traditional prayer to St. Michael.
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To be said after all scheduled Sunday and weekday Masses.
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To be said by the celebrant and the people.
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To be said after the Dismissal and before the recessional hymn.
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The prayer may be in your missal, if not, here is the prayer provided in the Decree: "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, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen."
Letter of November 2022
As of the first Sunday of Advent 2022, November 26/27, in a letter read at Masses, Archbishop Blair has directed that a prayer for vocations replace the praying of the St. Michael prayer after Masses. He hopes that we will pray the St. Michael prayer privately. The letter is read in this video. The letter is read in this video. You can also read it here.
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Confused? Someone else was too and sent a question to the blog of canon lawyer Cathy Caridi, J.C.L.. You can read her answer here.