In the Name of Jesus Christ our God and Lord, strengthened by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints, (and powerful in the holy authority of our ministry),* we confidently undertake to repulse the attacks and deceits of the devil.
God arises; His enemies are scattered and those who hate Him flee before Him.
As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire, so the wicked perish at the presence of God.
V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee bands of enemies.
R. He has conquered, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the offspring of David.
V. May Thy mercy, Lord, descend upon us.
R. As great as our hope in Thee.
We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, all satanic posers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions, assemblies and sects; in the Name and by the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, � ** may you be snatched away and driven from the Church of God and from the souls made to the image and likeness of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb. � Most cunning serpent, you shall no more dare to deceive the human race, persecute the Church, torment God�s elect and sift them as wheat. � The Most High God commands you, � He with whom, in your great insolence, you still claim to be equal;�He who wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.� God the Father commands you. � God the Son commands you. � God the Holy Spirit commands you. � Christ, God�s Word made flesh, commands you; � He who to save our race outdone through your envy, �humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death;� He who has built His Church on the firm rock and declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Her, because He will dwell with Her �all days even to the end of the world.� The sacred Sign of the Cross commands you, � as does also the power of the mysteries of the Christian Faith. � The glorious Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, commands you; � She who by Her humility and from the first moment of Her Immaculate Conception, crushed your proud head. The faith of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and the other Apostles commands you. � The blood of the Martyrs and the pious intercession of all the Saints command.
AMEN.
* Lay people omit this parenthesis.
** The crosses indicate blessing to be given if priest recites the prayer; if lay person recites it, they indicate the Sign of the Cross to be made silently by that person at every cross.
** The crosses indicate blessing to be given if priest recites the prayer; if lay person recites it, they indicate the Sign of the Cross to be made silently by that person at every cross.
