He said the St. Michael’s prayer does not reach that bar. Father Ruff noted that the Roman rite is “rigorously theocentric” and has relatively little invocation of Mary or the saints.

“This shows my intention,” Father Alar added. “This candle symbolizes the prayer.” A Candle for All Reasons. The faithful illuminate up vigil lights and votive candles for any number of ...

The prayer reads in full: "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 ...

The prayer to St. Michael was a regular feature of the Mass until the Vatican II era, though Pope John Paul II in 1994 urged Catholics to make the prayer a regular part of their lives.

Before the 1962-65 Second Vatican Council, the St. Michael Prayer was a fixture at the conclusion of every Mass since its composition by Pope Leo XIII in the late 1800s.