Exorcism Against Satan and the Rebellious Angels
Published by Order of His Holiness Pope Leo XIII
The Holy Father exhorts priests to say this prayer as often as possible, as a
simple exorcism to curb the power of the devil and prevent him from doing harm.
The faithful also may say it in their own name, for the same purpose, as any
approved prayer. Its use is recommended whenever action of the devil is
suspected, causing malice in men, violent temptations and even storms and
various calamities. It could be used as a solemn exorcism (an official and public
ceremony, in Latin), to expel the devil. It would then be said by a priest, in the
name of the Church and only with a Bishop's permission.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Most glorious Prince of the Celestial Host, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us
in the conflict which we have to sustain against principalities and powers, against
the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the
high places (Eph. 6.12). Come to the rescue of men whom God has created to His
image and likeness, and whom He has redeemed at a great price from the
tyranny of the devil. It is thou whom Holy Church venerates as her guardian and
protector; thou whom the Lord has charged to conduct redeemed souls into
Heaven. Pray, therefore, the God of Peace to subdue Satan beneath our feet,
that he may no longer retain men captive nor do injury to the Church. Present our
prayers to the most High, that without delay they may draw His mercy down upon
us. Seize the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, bind him and
cast him into the bottomless pit, that he may no more seduce the nations (Apoc.
20.2-3).
Exorcism
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, strengthened by the
intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the
Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, [and
powerful in the holy authority of our ministry]*, we confidently undertake to repulse
the attacks and deceits of the devil.
*Lay people omit this text
Psalm 67
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and let them that hate Him flee
from before His face.
As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish away: as wax melts before the fire, so let
the wicked perish at the presence of God.
V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Flee, bands of enemies.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Offspring of David has conquered.
V. May Thy mercy descend upon us.
R. As great as our hope in Thee.
(The crosses (+) below indicate a blessing to be given if a priest recites the
Exorcism; if a lay person recites it, they indicate the Sign of the Cross to be made
by that person.)
We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, Satanic powers,
infernal invaders, wicked legions, assemblies, and sects. In the name and by the
virtue of Our Lord Jesus Christ +. May you be snatched away and driven from the
Church of God and from the souls redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine
Lamb +.
Cease by your audacity, cunning serpent, to deceive the human race, to
persecute the Church, to torment God's elect, and to sift them as wheat +. This is
the command made to you by the Most High God +, with Whom in your haughty
insolence you still pretend to be equal +. The God Who will have all men to be
saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2.4). God the Father
commands you +. God the Son commands you +. God the Holy Ghost commands
you +. Christ, the Eternal Word of God made Flesh, commands you +. He Who to
save our race, outdone through your malice, humbled Himself, becoming obedient
unto death (Phil. 2.8). He Who has built His Church on the firm rock and declared
that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Her, because He dwells with Her all
days, even to the consummation of the world (Matt. 28.20). The hidden virtue of
the Cross requires it of you, as does the power of the mysteries of the Christian
Faith +. The glorious Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, commands you +. She who
by Her humility and from the first moment of Her Immaculate Conception crushed
your proud head. The faith of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of the other
Apostles commands you +. The blood of the Martyrs and the pious intercession of
all the Saints command you +.
Thus, cursed dragon, and you, wicked legions, we adjure you by the living God +,
by the true God +, by the holy God +, by the God Who so loved the world, as to
give up His only-begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him may not perish but
may have life everlasting (St. John 3.16). Cease deceiving human creatures and
pouring out to them the poison of eternal perdition. Cease harming the Church
and hindering her liberty. Retreat, Satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy
of man's salvation. Cede the place to Christ in Whom you have found none of
your works. Cede the place to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church
acquired by Christ at the price of His Blood. Stoop beneath the all-powerful Hand
of God. Tremble and flee at the evocation of the Holy and terrible name of Jesus;
this Name which causes hell to tremble; this Name to which the Virtues, Powers
and Dominations of Heaven are humbly submissive; this Name which the
Cherubim and Seraphim praise unceasingly, repeating: Holy, Holy, Holy is the
Lord, the God of Hosts.
V. O Lord hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. May the Lord be with thee.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
God of Heaven, God of earth, God of Angels, God of Archangels, God of
Patriarchs, God of Prophets, God of Apostles, God of Martyrs, God of
Confessors, God of Virgins, God who has power to give life after death and rest
after work, because there is no other God than Thee and there can be no other,
for Thou art the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, of Whose reign there
shall be no end. We humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy glorious Majesty and
we supplicate Thee to deliver us from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from
their snares, their lies, and their furious wickedness. Deign, O Lord, to protect us
by Thy power and to preserve us safe and sound. We beseech Thee through
Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
V. From the snares of the devil,
R. Deliver us, O Lord.
V. That Thy Church may serve Thee in peace and liberty,
R. We beseech Thee to hear us.
V. That Thou would crush down all enemies of Thy Church,
R. We beseech Thee to hear us.
(Holy water is sprinkled in the place where we may be.)
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection 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 evil spirits who wander throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
*Indulgence of 300 days, plenary under the usual conditions, if this invocation is
recited daily during a month.
Imprimatur: + Manuel, Bishop of Barcelona, December 19, 1931