The St. Michael Prayer: Meaning, History and How to Pray It
"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle." For more than a century, Catholics around the world have prayed these words for protection against evil. Here is the full St. Michael Prayer, where it comes from, and how to make it part of your daily life.
The St. Michael Prayer
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Where the prayer comes from
The prayer was composed by Pope Leo XIII in the 1880s. In 1886 he ordered that it be prayed, together with other prayers, after every Low Mass throughout the world. Catholics prayed it this way for decades, until the practice ended with the liturgical changes of the 1960s.
The prayer never disappeared. In 1994, Pope St. John Paul II urged the faithful not to forget it, and to pray it "to obtain help in the battle against the forces of darkness." Today many parishes pray it again after Mass, and countless Catholics pray it every day at home.
What the prayer means
"Defend us in battle"
The Christian life is a spiritual battle. St. Paul writes that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12). We ask St. Michael to stand beside us.
"Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil"
Temptation rarely looks like an attack. It looks like a snare: something hidden, quiet and easy to step into. We ask for protection we cannot give ourselves.
"May God rebuke him, we humbly pray"
These words echo the Letter of Jude, where St. Michael himself does not rebuke the devil on his own authority but says, "The Lord rebuke thee." All power belongs to God.
"O Prince of the heavenly hosts"
St. Michael is the leader of God's angels. In the Book of Revelation, "Michael and his angels fought against the dragon" (Revelation 12:7).
Who is St. Michael?
St. Michael is one of the three archangels named in Scripture, together with Gabriel and Raphael. His name means "Who is like God?", a question that is itself a declaration of humility before God. The Church celebrates his feast, together with Gabriel and Raphael, on September 29.
He is invoked as the protector of the Church, and as a patron of soldiers, police officers and all who protect others, which is why the St. Michael prayer card is so often given to fathers, sons and those in uniform.
How to pray it every day
- Pray it after your morning offering, to begin the day under his protection.
- Pray it as a family after the Rosary or before bed.
- Pray it in moments of temptation, fear or conflict.
- Keep the prayer on a card in your wallet, car or nightstand, so the words are always close.
Our Saint Michael prayer card pairs devotional artwork of the Archangel with the full prayer on the back. It is a meaningful gift for a confirmation, a godson, a new father, or anyone who serves and protects others. Discover more saints in our Saint Prayer Cards collection.
