Prayer to Saint Michael

Prayer to Saint Michael

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.

Short Prayer to Saint Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel,

protect me.

Guard my mind and heart,

and help me walk in peace and light.

Amen.

The Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel is a Catholic prayer invoking the intercession of Saint Michael. The most widely recognized version of this prayer was composed by Pope Leo XIII and was recited after Low Mass in the Catholic Church from 1886 to 1964.

The prayer typically begins with "Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil" It continues, "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 of the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen" This specific prayer is often referred to as the "Leonine Prayer to Saint Michael" due to its origin with Pope Leo XIII.

Historically, Pope Leo XIII added this prayer to the Leonine Prayers in 1886, which he had previously directed to be prayed after Low Mass starting in 1884. The initial intention behind the Leonine Prayers was to seek divine assistance for the independence of the Holy See, particularly in response to the Italian government's actions against the Papal States. After the restoration of the Pope's temporal leadership with the creation of Vatican City in 1929, Pope Pius XI redirected the intention of these prayers to be for "tranquility and freedom to profess the faith to be restored to the afflicted people of Russia"

The practice of reciting the Leonine Prayers, including the Prayer to Saint Michael, after Mass was officially suppressed in 1964 by the instruction Inter oecumenici, which took effect in 1965. However, this suppression did not forbid its private or public use in other contexts. Pope John Paul II later recommended its use in 1994, emphasizing its importance for spiritual battle against "the forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world" More recently, in 2018, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to pray the Rosary daily during October, concluding it with the ancient prayer "Sub tuum praesidium" and the Leonine prayer to Saint Michael, specifically asking for protection against the devil's attacks and for the Church to be more aware of its faults.

Beyond the Leonine Prayer, other prayers to Saint Michael exist, including a longer form used in exorcism rituals and acts of consecration. For instance, an "Exorcism against Satan and the apostate angels" was published in 1890-1891, which included a prayer to Saint Michael. A shortened version of this exorcism prayer was introduced in 1902. The Holy See's 1999 revised Rite of Exorcism includes the 1902 prayer for optional use and also lists the 1886 Leonine prayer as a supplication for the faithful.

The origin of Pope Leo XIII's prayer is sometimes attributed to a vision he allegedly experienced, though historical evidence for this specific vision is debated. Various accounts suggest he saw demonic spirits attacking Rome or had a detailed conversation between Satan and God, leading him to compose the prayer. While the story of a vision is widespread, sources close to the institution of the prayer in 1886 do not mention it, leading some to conclude it was a later invention.

Other prayers to Saint Michael include a Novena, which is recited for nine consecutive days, and a Chaplet, which involves specific prayers for each choir of angels. The Eastern Orthodox Church also has its own prayers to Saint Michael, recognizing him as a "watcher and keeper over the human race" and an "indestructible shield" against evil.