Exorcism Prayer by Pope Leo XIII

Pope Leo XIII is known for composing his famous prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, as well as an exorcism prayer. For over a century, Pope Leo XIII’s prayer to St. Michael was recited after each Low Mass. As for the exorcism prayer, it was added to the Roman Rite at the beginning of the XXth century, and bishops and priests were encouraged to recite it regularly in their parishes and dioceses. The prayer’s practice later ended under Pope Pius XI, and it was eventually removed from the Roman rite in 1985. Indeed, the Congregation or the Doctrine of the Faith considered it too dangerous for laymen to address Satan directly in this prayer, as there was a ‘non-denominational’ version. However, the Church authorises prayers for deliverance or liberation.

 Exorcism Prayer by Pope Leo XIII, Abridged

“Most glorious Prince of the Heavenly Armies, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in our battle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places (Eph. 6:12). Come to the assistance of men whom God has created to His likeness and whom He has redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. 

The Holy Church venerates you as her guardian and protector; to you, the Lord has entrusted the souls of the redeemed to be led into heaven. Pray therefore the God of Peace to crush Satan beneath our feet, that he may no longer retain men captive and do injury to the Church. Offer our prayers to the Most High, that without delay they may draw His mercy down upon us; take hold of the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, bind him and cast him into the bottomless pit that he may no longer seduce the nations. (Rev. 20: 2-3)

 In the Name of Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, 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. God arises; His enemies are scattered and those who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire, so 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,

hath conquered.

V/ May Thy mercy, Lord, descend upon us.

R. As great as our hope in Thee.

We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, all satanic powers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions, assemblies and sects. In the Name and by the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, + may you be snatched away and driven from the Church of God and from the souls made to the image and likeness of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb. + Most cunning serpent, you shall no more dare to deceive the human race, persecute the Church, torment God's elect and sift them as wheat. + The Most High God commands you, + He with whom, in your great insolence, you still claim to be equal. God who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:4) God the Father commands you. + God the Son commands you. + God the Holy Ghost commands you. + Christ, God's Word made flesh, commands you; + He who to save our race outdone through your envy, humbled Himself, becoming obedient even 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 will dwell with Her all days even to the end of the world. (Mt. 28:20) The sacred Sign of the Cross commands you, + as does also 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, diabolical legions, we adjure you by the living God, + by the true God, + by the holy God, + by the God who so loved the world that He gave up His only Son, that every soul believing in Him might not perish but have life everlasting; (St.Jn. 3:16) stop deceiving human creatures and pouring out to them the poison of eternal damnation; stop harming the Church and hindering her liberty. Begone, Satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy of man's salvation. Give place to Christ in Whom you have found none of your works; give 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 when we invoke 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 beseech Thee to deliver us by Thy power from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from their snares, their lies and their furious wickedness. Deign, O Lord, to grant us Thy powerful protection and to keep 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 may crush down all enemies of Thy Church:

R. We beseech Thee to hear us.”

What Are Exorcisms?

An exorcism is a ritual that is exclusively performed by trained bishops and priests - ‘exorcists’, asking  “publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One” (Catechism of the Catholic Church). Exorcists are called to intervene when people are targeted, or believe that they are possessed by the devil. These priests pray for, or along with the victims according to specific, appropriate and Church-approved rituals.

Pray for The Intercession of Saints with Hozana

Pope Leo XIII’s prayer opens by asking for the help of St. Michael the Archangel to fight off evil. And it makes sense, since St. Michael is described as the commander of the army of the Lord, who in the Book of Revelation led other Angels into battle and defeated the Dragon. Many prayers are addressed to him by the Catholic Church, asking for his protection. You too can pray for the protection of St. Michael by saying this beautiful novena. 

The intercession of Saints is a powerful tool for spiritual strength and power: with Hozana, you have access to a large variety of spiritual programs to practice daily prayer and to enrich your oratory content. Along with other Christians, join communities dedicated to Saints and ask for their intercession and protection! Discover the many different Saints by praying to them, say a Novena to St. Rita in times of need, reflect on the words of the Fathers of the Church, and more!