Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in prœlio

On October 13, 1884,  Pope Leo XIII paused at the foot of the altar after Mass, and fell into a sort of coma. When the Pope recovered, he spoke of a terrifying vision he had of the battle between the Church and Satan. Afterwards, Pope Leo went to his office and composed this now famous prayer to St. Michael the Archangel and ordered it to be recited after Low Mass. This was duly done until it was removed after Vatican II.

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in prœlio, contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen.

Carlo Crivelli, National Gallery. 1476. [CC BY 3.0 ].
From an altarpiece which Crivelli painted for a side chapel in the Dominican church at Ascoli Piceno, in the Italian Marche. A framed print is in author's dining room.

Holy Michael the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God thrust into hell Satan and all the wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

Our Lady's Birthday : Ave Maris Stella!

The Church celebrates the birthdays of three persons: Our Blessed Lord, Our Lady and St John the Baptist. All three were born without stain of sin.

In honour of Our Heavenly Mother's birthday, here is the beautiful hymn Ave Maris Stella.

Ave Maris Stella is a popular liturgical hymn of unknown origin. It can be dated back to at least the 9th century for it is preserved in the Codex Sangallensis, a manuscript in the Swiss Monastery of St. Gallen. It is found in ancient codices of the Divine Office for Vespers on Marian feasts. Today it is still in use in the Divine Office and in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin.

Mary as a young girl.J-J Tissot

Ave maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo,
Felix cæli porta.

Ave, star of ocean,
Child divine who barest,
Mother, ever-virgin,
Heaven’s portal fairest.

Ecce ancilla Domini. J-J Tissot

Sumens illud Ave
Gabriélis ore,
Funda nos in pace,
Mutans Hevæ nomen.

Taking that sweet Ave
Erst by Gabriel spoken,
Eva’s name reversed,
Be of peace the token.

Magnificat anima mea. J-J Tissot

Solve vincla reis,
Profer lumen cæcis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.

Break the sinners’ fetters,
Light to blind restoring,
All our ills dispelling,
Every boon imploring.

Venite adoremus. JJ Tissot. Brooklyn Museum.

Virgo singuláris,
Inter omnes mitis,
Nos culpis solútos
Mites fac et castos.

Maid all maids excelling,
Passing meek and lowly,
Win for sinners pardon,
Make us chaste and holy.

Mary cradles her Son. JJ Tissot. Brooklyn Museum.

Vitam præsta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut vidéntes Jesum,
Semper collætémur.

As we onward journey
Aid our weak endeavour,
Till we gaze on Jesus
And rejoice forever.

After her Assumption, Mary is crowned Queen of Heaven. Fra Angelico.

Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spirítui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.

Father, Son, and Spirit,
Three in One confessing,
Give we equal glory
Equal praise and blessing.

Amen.
Amen.

Totus tuus ego sum 
Et omnia mea tua sunt;
Tecum semper tutus sum:
Ad Jesum per Mariam