Salve Maria!
Here is a beautiful exorcistic chant to St. Michael the Archangel, Prince of the Heavenly Legions! This Gregorian chant contains the words of the Short Exorcism Prayer (part of the Leonine Prayers) composed by His Holiness Pope Leo XIII. Pope Leo XIII is known for composing his famous prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, as well as an exorcism prayer. Before we delve into the prayer itself, let's explore the history and origins of Pope Leo XIII's Short Exorcism Prayer. Pope Leo XIII, who served as Pope from 1878 to 1903, was a highly spiritual and dedicated leader of the Catholic Church. He had a profound understanding of the spiritual battle between good and evil and was deeply concerned about the rise of demonic influence in the modern world.

In response to these concerns, Pope Leo XIII composed this powerful prayer in 1884, imploring the intercession of the Archangel Michael, the protector against evil, and seeking divine assistance in expelling demonic forces. 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.

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. #exorcism #catholicmusic #gregorianchant