Devotion to St Michael the Archangel is less obvious in the contemporary church than it once was – part of a shift in our relations with the saints generally – but there is a prayer that is still widely used among Catholics of a traditionalist bent. JD Vance, the US vice-president, recalled it in his recent book on conversion:
“St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defence against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.”
