Last week, I reflected on the practice of praying the St. Michael Prayer after Mass. This week, with the Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael coming on September 29, I would like to look more closely at the saint whose name our parish bears.

Recently, someone asked me about the practice of praying the St. Michael Prayer after some Masses. Is it something we should be doing? Is it part of the Mass? With the Feast of the Archangels—Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael—coming at the end of the month, it seems like a good time to reflect a little on this prayer and its relationship to the Mass.

Recently, someone asked me about the custom of adding the words, “and for the prayers we hold quietly in our hearts,” at the end of the General Intercessions at Mass. They wondered why sometimes we say it and sometimes we do not. It is a good question, and it gives us an opportunity to return to something we reflected on a few weeks ago: the priestly role of the baptized.

Recently, someone asked me about the custom of adding the words, “and for the prayers we hold quietly in our hearts,” at the end of the General Intercessions at Mass. They wondered why sometimes we say it and sometimes we do not. It is a good question, and it gives us an opportunity to return to something we reflected on a few weeks ago: the priestly role of the baptized.

Over the past several weeks, we have reflected on the identity and mission of the laity: who they are, where their mission is lived, and how the baptized share in Christ’s threefold mission as Priest, Prophet, and King. This week, as we conclude the series, we turn to the kingly office.