Day 7 – Prayer and Fasting for Pope and Synod

Day 7 – Prayer and Fasting for Pope and Synod

Nine Days of Prayer and Fasting for the Holy Father and the Synod on the Family

September 29 marked the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel. It also “happened” to mark the last nine days of the 54 Day Rosary Novena that thousands of people have been praying. This all concludes on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (AKA, Our Lady of Victory) on October 7. This is also right at the beginning of the Synod of Bishops on the Family in Rome (Oct. 4-25, 2015).

Last year’s synod brought much consternation when the Vatican released the interim document that looked as though the Church teaching on homosexuality and on communion for the divorced and civilly remarried was at least softening if not changing altogether. This news rocketed around the world in the moments after the document was released. Many worry this final session of the synod in October could cause a terrible division in the Church. Some even speculate heresy and/or schism. It’s time to pray, and pray hard!!

At this critical time in our Church, we are calling for all of us to do the “Nineveh Thing.” Recall the story of God calling Jonah to go through the city of Nineveh and warn them their time was short. The people believed Jonah and called for fasting and repentance.

Nine Days of Prayer and Fasting

1) Go to Confession so you are praying in a state of grace.

2) Fast (or abstain) from something you like, but may not be the best for you (e.g., soda, IPod, desserts, TV, etc.)

3) Commit to pray a rosary a day for these nine days (Those who are praying the 54 Day Rosary Novena can just continue to do so).

4) Commit to praying the St. Michael prayer (try praying the original long form – see below) for these nine days, since this starts on his feast day.

5) Pray for the pope’s intentions (an Our Father and Hail Mary is sufficient)

I will post reminders on my Facebook wall everyday. You can also be alerted of these daily reminders by joining this Facebook group: Special Forces Training

Original – Prayer to St. Michael

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage.

Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered the root of David.
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

Short Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice 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 all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen.