St. Michael the Archangel Prayer: Full Text, History, and a Printable Prayer Card
The Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel is one of the most loved protection prayers of the Catholic tradition. Written by Pope Leo XIII in 1886, it asks the prince of the heavenly armies to defend us in the daily battle against evil, fear, and temptation.
Many Catholics say it after Mass, in the morning, or whenever they feel the need of a strong protector. The full text is just below, followed by its history, the Latin version, and a free prayer card you can print, frame, or slip into a missal.
The Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel (Full Text)
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense 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.
Free printable prayer card:
- Prayer card, PDF, US Letter
- Prayer card, PDF, A4
- Pocket prayer cards, 4 per sheet, PDF
- High resolution image, JPG
These files are free for personal use, for your parish, or for catechism class.
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A Short History of the St. Michael Prayer
Pope Leo XIII composed the prayer in 1886 and asked that it be recited, kneeling, after every Low Mass, together with the other prayers known as the Leonine Prayers. A famous story claims the pope wrote it after a troubling vision of the Church under attack; the account is repeated everywhere, but it appears only in much later sources and cannot be verified. What is certain is his intention: to place the whole Church under the protection of the leader of the heavenly hosts.
The prayers after Low Mass were discontinued in 1964, in the liturgical reforms that followed the Second Vatican Council, but the St. Michael prayer never disappeared from Catholic life. St. John Paul II invited the faithful to take it up again in 1994, and many parishes now say it after Mass once more. To go further into his story in Scripture and in art, read our article on Archangel Michael, the fearless warrior and divine protector, part of our series on the archangels and their sacred mission.
The Latin Version: Sancte Michael Archangele
The prayer is still loved in Latin, the version generations of Catholics learned by heart.
Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio; contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute in infernum detrude. Amen.
When Do Catholics Pray the St. Michael Prayer?
The most common moment is right after Mass, kneeling, as the Leonine custom prescribed. Many families also say it in their morning prayers, before a journey, or in seasons when a home feels troubled. It is short enough to be learned by heart in a week and prayed in thirty seconds.
In October 2018, Pope Francis asked the faithful of the whole world to add the St. Michael prayer to their daily Rosary, for the protection of the Church. The feast of St. Michael, which he shares with the archangels Gabriel and Raphael, falls on September 29, the old feast of Michaelmas.
Prayers to St. Michael by Intention
For the Protection of Your Home and Family
St. Michael the Archangel, stand guard over our home. Keep far from it every evil influence, every discord and every fear. Watch over those who sleep under this roof, and keep our family united in the peace of Christ. Amen.
For Police Officers, Soldiers and First Responders
St. Michael the Archangel, patron of those who protect and serve, shield them on duty this day. Give them courage in danger, calm in confusion, justice in every decision, and bring them home safely to the people who love them. Amen.
Against Evil and Temptation
St. Michael the Archangel, defender of souls, stand with me in the hour of temptation. Drive back the lies of the enemy, strengthen my will where it is weak, and keep my eyes fixed on Christ, my victory and my peace. Amen.
The St. Michael Novena
Every year, many Catholics pray a nine-day novena to St. Michael from September 20 to 28, ending on the eve of his feast. We have prepared the full novena, with a short meditation and an intention for each of the nine days: the St. Michael Novena, day by day.
St. Michael in Sacred Art
Painters have always loved the scene this prayer calls to mind: the young archangel, sword raised, calm and victorious over the enemy. Guido Reni’s altarpiece in Rome, painted around 1635, shows him almost serene as he subdues Satan; Raphael’s great panel in the Louvre, painted for the King of France in 1518, gives him an unforgettable lightness. You will find more angels from the great masters in our collection of angel and archangel art prints.
More Archangel Prayers
Each archangel has his own page of prayers, with a free printable card: the prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel for healing and travelers, the prayer to St. Gabriel the Archangel for God’s messages and expectant mothers, and the prayer to Archangel Uriel for wisdom and light.
And to meet the archangels themselves, their story in Scripture and in sacred art, read our articles on Archangel Raphael, the healer of God, Archangel Gabriel, the divine messenger and Archangel Uriel and his place in Catholic theology.
FAQ
What is the most powerful prayer to St. Michael?
The prayer written by Pope Leo XIII, given in full at the top of this page, is by far the best known, and the one the Church herself prayed after Mass for decades. No prayer is powerful as a formula: its strength lies in the faith with which it is said, and in the One to whom St. Michael leads us.
Why was the St. Michael prayer said after Mass?
Pope Leo XIII added it in 1886 to the prayers recited after Low Mass, at a time when the Church felt under siege. The custom was discontinued in 1964, but many parishes have freely brought it back since.
Is the St. Michael prayer in the Bible?
The prayer itself is not, since it was written in 1886. St. Michael, however, appears in the Book of Daniel as the protector of God’s people, in the Letter of Jude, and in Revelation 12, where he leads the heavenly armies against the dragon.
Where can I buy a St. Michael prayer poster?
The medieval illuminated design shown on this page is available as a large poster, printed on high quality matte paper, from our own shop, jesuschrist.pictures: see the St. Michael the Archangel prayer poster. The shop also offers the prayers of the other archangels as posters, alongside canvas reproductions of the great angel paintings.
