In response to numerous requests from parishioners, beginning Sunday, January 1, 2023, our parish will adopt the practice of reciting in unison the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel prior to weekend Masses. It will be incorporated into the “welcome” given by the lector. The text is found on the back cover of the pew Missal. To be clear, since it not a prescribed part of the liturgy, it will be prayed prior to Mass.
The Church Fathers recognized the importance of the angels, particularly St. Michael. St. Basil and other Greek Fathers ranked St. Michael as the Prince of the Angels. In our tradition, St. Michael has four duties: (1) to continue to battle against Satan and the other fallen angels; (2) to save the souls of the faithful from the power of Satan, especially at the hour of death; (3) to protect the People of God; (4) finally to lead the souls of the departed from this life and present them to the Lord for the particular and final judgments. Christian iconography thus depicts St. Michael as a knight-warrior in battle armor wielding a sword, while standing triumphantly over Satan. He is also depicted holding the scales of justice or the Book of Life, symbols of the last judgment.
For the greater part of the last century, the faithful recited the prayer to St. Michael at the end of the Mass. Pope Leo XIII (d. 1903) after a prophetic vision, composed the prayer and ordered it to be said at the conclusion of Mass. This directive was suppressed in the liturgical reforms of Vatican II. In 1994, Pope John Paul II, suggested that the prayer be instituted at Mass once again but did not mandate it. Responding to the grave evils of our time we shall want to invoke the protection and intercession of St. Michael.
Edited: Saunders, Rev. William. The Prayer to St. Michael. Arlington Catholic Herald.
Day Time Location Saturday 4:00 PM St. Anthony 5:00 PM Our Lady of Sorrows Sunday 8:00 AM Our Lady of Sorrows 9:30 AM St. Anthony 11:00 AM Our Lady of Sorrows (also
live-streamed)12:30 PM St. Anthony (Creole)
Note for those with Celiac Disease who wish to receive Holy Communion: Low-Gluten Hosts (0.01%) are provided for those with Celiac Disease. Please inform the priest or deacon of your need prior to Mass. At Communion time, approach the priest celebrant, who will have this Host.
Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church.
Thursday, 6:15 PM, Creole Mass, Our Lady of Sorrows Church
7:00 PM Vigil Mass, St. Anthony Church
9:00 AM Mass, Our Lady of Sorrows
12:15 PM Mass, St. Anthony Church
7:00 PM Mass, Our Lady of SorrowsThis schedule may change.
Please check the bulletin issued before the week of the
Holyday of Obligation for the Mass times and churches.
Weekly Bulletins.....
Saturday | following the 9:00 AM Mass | Our Lady of Sorrows Church |
2:45 – 3:30 PM | St. Anthony Church | |
3:45 – 4:30 PM | Our Lady of Sorrows Church |
The Diocesan directives and more information are included on the Corona Virus Updates page. Please know that these directives are not made in a vacuum or impulsively. Many factors had to be taken into account and parish leaders provided advice. Above all, remember that the arrangements are temporary.