Prayers to Saint Michael the Archangel
[7] And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels: [8] And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. [9] And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
The Apocalypse of St John (Revelation) 12.7-9
St Michael, Raphael, c. 1504-1505
Saint Michael Prayer
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et
insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices
deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus
malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína
virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen.
Translation approved by the IV Plenary Council of Australia and New Zealand for use in these countries, September 1937, Imprimatur N.T. Gilroy Archiepiscopus Sydneyensis 20/01/1941:
Blessed Michael, Archangel, defend us in the hour of conflict; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil - may God restrain him, we humbly pray - and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust Satan down to hell, and with him, the other wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Saint Michael, Prayer Roll MS G.39 fol. 15r, Yorkshire, c. 1500
O Prince of the Heavenly Host
O prince of the heavenly host, Saint Michael, thou who cast into hell proud Lucifer with all his followers, thou who art defender and protector of the Church, thou who art protector of souls departing from this world, come to the aid of the People of God and defend the Church committed unto thee against all the snares of Satan. Help my soul which I now commend to thee against this same enemy. Protect me especially at the hour of my death, so that I may be admitted to the joys of paradise where I, with all the Angels, may praise God eternally. Amen.
O princeps caelestis militiae, sancte Michael, qui superbum Luciferum cum omnibus suis asseclis in tartarum deiecisti, o defensor et protector Ecclesiae, o animarum ex hoc saeculo migrantium praeses: succurre populo Dei, defende Ecclesiam tibi commendatam contra omnes insidias satanae; adiuva animam meam contra eundem hostem constitutam, quam tibi nunc commendo. Praesertim me in hora mortis meae protege, ut ad paradisi gaudia admittar, ubi cum omnibus Angelis Deum aeternis laudibus depraedicem. Amen.
Saint Michael and the Angels at War with the Devil Domenico Ghirlandaio (1448-1494) Extract
Very Short Prayer to Saint Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle, that we perish not in the fearful judgment.
Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in praelio, ut non pereamus in tremendo iudicio.
Archangel St. Michael, c. 18th century, Lima, Peru in the Cuzco style of Spanish Colonialism, Parroquia de Santa María la Mayor, Ezcaray, La Rioja, Spain
O Most Glorious Prince
O most glorious Prince, Saint Michael the Archangel, I, thy most humble servant, salute thee through the most beloved Heart of Jesus Christ which I lovingly offer for the increase of thy joy and thy glory. I give thanks to God for the blessedness which He brings to thee and with which He wishes to honor and exalt thee above all the other Angels. I especially commend myself to thy care in life and death. Be with me now and always, especially at the end of my life. Kindly console me, strengthen me, and protect me. Obtain for me an increase in faith, hope, and charity. Do not permit me to stray from the holy faith, nor fall into the snare of desperation, nor to take for granted good works, which I am engaged in through the grace of God. Obtain for me pardon of my sins, humility, patience and the other virtues, true perseverance in goodness, and the final grace that I may give glory to God with thee forever. Amen.
Princeps gloriosissime, Sancte Michael Archangele, ego humillimus cliens tuus saluto te per dulcissimum Cor Iesu Christi, quod in augmentum gaudii et gloriae tuae peramanter offero, gratias agens Deo pro beatitudine, quam tibi contulit, et quod te super omnes alios Angelos honorare et exaltare voluit. Tibi vitae et mortis meae curam specialiter commendo, adsis mihi nunc et semper, maxime in fine vitae meae, benigne me tunc consolare, conforta et protege. Impetra mihi augmentum fidei, spei et caritatis, nec permittas me a sancta fide deviare nec in foveam desperationis incidere, neque de operibus bonis, si quae per gratiam Dei operatus sum, praesumere. Impetra mihi peccatorum meorum veniam, humilitatem, patientiam et alias virtutes, maxime vero perseverantiam in bono et gratiam finalem, ut tecum Deum meum glorificem in saecula. Amen.
St Augustine and St Michael, Piero della Francesca, 1454-1469, Detail of St Michael
O glorious prince St. Michael,
chief and commander of the heavenly hosts,
guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits,
servant in the house of the Divine King
and our admirable conductor,
you who shine with excellence
and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil,
who turn to you with confidence
and enable us by your gracious protection
to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
Initial B with St. Michael the Archangel slaying the dragon, French Manuscript Illumination, 16th Century.
The B is from the first word in the Introit for the Feast of the Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel, BENEDICITE Dóminum, omnes Angeli ejus ...
St Michael, Heavenly Guardian and Commander
Michael, glorious Prince chief and champion of the heavenly host, guardian of the souls of men, conqueror of rebel angels, steward of the palace of God, under Jesus Christ our worthy captain, endowed with superhuman excellence and virtue, vouchsafe to free us all from every ill, who with full confidence have recourse to you; and by your incomparable protection enable us to make progress each day in the faithful service of our God.
Guardian Angel, Unknown Artist, 18th Century
Prayer to the Archangels to Protect a Family
O Jesus, our most holy Redeemer, we ask you to bless our home, our family, our household. Preserve us from all evil.
St. Michael, defend us against all the wicked wiles of hell.
St, Gabriel, obtain for us wisdom that we may understand the holy will of God.
St. Raphael, preserve us from ill health and all danger to life.
Holy guardian angels, keep us day and night in the way to salvation. Amen.
Michael the Archangel Victorious in the Fall of Angels, Yolande de Soissons Psalter-Hours (Morgan Library, M.729, fol. 404v), France, second half of the 14th Century
Prayer to St. Michael
Holy Michael Archangel, come to our aid, be our protector and helper against the snares and wiles of the evil one. Defend us with thy heavenly sword, protect us with thy heavenly shield. Help us to be free from sin and bring us safely to God's holy presence.
Prayers from the Roman Missal, Propers for the Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel
[These prayers first posted on the Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel, 29 September 2021]
INTROIT
BLESS the Lord all ye His Angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute His word, hearkening to the voice of His orders. (Psalm 102:20) Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless His holy name. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Bless the Lord, all ye His angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute His word, harkening to the voice of His orders.
BENEDICITE Dóminum, omnes Angeli
ejus: poténtes virtúte, qui fácitis
verbum ejus, ad audiéndam vocem
sermónem ejus. (Psalm: 102: 20) Bénedic,
ánima mea, Dómino: et ómnia, quæ
intra me sunt, nómini sancto ejus.
Glória Patri et Fílio et Spirítui Sancto,
sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et
semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum.
Amen. Benedícite Dóminum, omnes
Angeli ejus: poténtes virtúte, qui fácitis
verbum ejus, ad audiéndam vocem
sermónem ejus.
COLLECT
O GOD, Who hast constituted the services of Angels and of men in a wonderful order, mercifully grant, that they who ever stand before Thy face to do Thee service in heaven, may also defend our life upon earth. Through our Lord.
DEUS, qui miro ordine, Angelorum ministeria hominumque dispensas: concede propitious; ut, a quibus tibi ministrantibus in coelo semper assistitur, ab his in terra vita nostra muniatur. Per Dominum nostrum.
GRADUAL
BLESS the Lord all ye His Angels: you that are mighty in strength, that do His will. O my soul, bless thou the Lord: and all that is within me praise His holy name.
BENEDICITE Dominum, omnes Angeli ejus: potentes virtute, qui facitis verbum ejus. Benedic, anima mea, Dominum, et omnia interiora mea nomen sanctum ejus.ANTIPHON AT THE MAGNIFICAT
O MOST glorious prince Michael Archangel, be mindful of us, and here and everywhere entreat the Son of God for us. Alleluia, alleluia.
PRINCEPS gloriosissime Michael Archangele, esto memor nostri: hic, et ubique semper precare pro nobis Filium Dei. Alleluia, alleluia.
Saint Michael and the Angels at War with the Devil , Domenico Ghirlandaio (1448-1494)
Prayers from the Roman Missal, Propers for the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels
[These prayers first posted on the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, 2 October 2022]
COLLECT
O GOD, Who in Thine ineffable Providence hast deigned to send Thy holy Angels to keep watch over us: grant to us Thy suppliant people, that we may always be defended by their protection, and may rejoice in their fellowship for ever. Through our Lord.
DEUS, qui ineffabili providentia sanctos Angelos tuos ad nostram custodiam mittere dignaris: largire supplicibus tuis: et eorum semper protectione defendi, et aeterna societate gaudere. Per Dóminum nostrum.
ALLELUIA
ALLELUIA, alleluia. Bless the Lord, all ye His hosts: ye ministers of His who do His will. Alleluia.
ALLELUIA, alleluia. Benedicite Domino omnes virtutes ejus: ministri ejus, qui facitis voluntatem ejus. Alleluia.
POSTCOMMUNION
WE have received, O Lord, Thy divine mysteries, in joyful celebration of the solemnity of Thy holy Angels: we beseech Thee, that by their protection we may always be delivered from the snares of our enemies and guarded against all adversity. Through our Lord.
SUMPSIMUS, Domine, divina mysteria, sanctorum Angelorum tuorum festivitate laetantes: quaesumus; ut eorum protectione ab hostium jugiter liberemur insidiis et contra omnia adversa muniamur. Per Dóminum nostrum.
Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy, Caravaggio, c. 1595
Novena Prayer to Saint Michael and Act of Consecration to St. Michael the Archangel
[These prayers first posted on the Feast of the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel, 29 September 2024]
Novena Prayer to St. Michael
This Novena prayer was promoted by the Norbertine Fathers at St. Michael’s Abbey (Silverado, California) and prayed 20-28 September 2024 leading up to Michaelmas (the Feast of St. Michael on 29 September 2024): Link to Novena.
Great Saint Michael, Prince of the Heavenly Host,
your name is a question filled with awe: "Who is like God?"
Your vocation is to reveal His power and His wisdom,
and so your name teaches us that nothing can compare with His might and goodness.
What is there that we cannot hope to receive from God's hand through your intercession and care?
We entrust to you the intentions we bring in this novena:
for Holy Church in Her trials; for our homelands so much in
need of healing and grace; for our families who are shielded
by the angels who guard us on our way to heaven;
for the sick; for sinners; for the dying;
for our dear, departed loved ones; and for protection
from all the forces of evil who oppose these intentions.
We expect great things and abundant blessings as we invoke you.
Christ the Lord is your King and ours; we are safe under your
shield and with your fiery sword of burning love for Him.
We thank you in advance for the gifts to be obtained in this
novena and promise in our gratitude to make your name
and devotion known as much as we are able.
Blessed be God, glorious in His fair hosts of angels led by you,
Michael, the leader of the bodiless powers of heaven!
Amen.
Act of Consecration to St. Michael the Archangel
Ancient prayer from Monte Gargano.
O St. Michael the Archangel, most Noble Prince of the Angelic Hierarchies, valorous warrior of Almighty God, and zealous lover of His Glory, terror of the rebellious angels, and love and delight of all the just, desiring to be numbered among thy devoted servants, I, today offer and consecrate myself to thee, and place myself, my family and all I possess under thy most powerful protection.
I entreat thee not to look at how little, I, as thy servant have to offer, being only a wretched sinner, but rather gaze, with favourable eye, at the heartfelt affection with which this offering is made. Remember that, if from this day onward, I am under thy patronage, thou must assist me during all my life and procure for me the pardon of my many sins, and the grace to love God, my dear Saviour Jesus, and my Sweet Mother Mary with all my heart. Obtain for me the help necessary to arrive at my crown of glory.
Defend me always from my spiritual enemies particularly in the last moments of my life.
Come then, O Glorious Prince. Succour me in my last struggle. With thy powerful weapon cast far from me and into the infernal abyss that prevaricator and proud angel that thou prostrated in the celestial battle.
Saint Michael, defend us in our daily battles so that we may not perish in the Last Judgment. Amen.
Statue of St. Michael the Archangel, Rooftop of Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere (Built 1872-1896), Overlooking Lyon, France
Immaculate Queen of Peace, pray for us.
