Prayer to St. Gabriel the Archangel: Full Text and a Printable Prayer Card
The prayer to St. Gabriel the Archangel addresses the angel God chose to carry His most important message: Gabriel is the angel of the Annunciation, the one who told Mary she would become the mother of the Savior. His name means “God is my strength”.
The traditional prayer is below, with prayers for expectant mothers, for discernment, for those who work with words, and a free prayer card to print.
The Prayer to St. Gabriel the Archangel (Full Text)
Blessed St. Gabriel, Archangel,
we beseech you to intercede for us at the throne of divine mercy:
as you announced the mystery of the Incarnation to Mary,
so through your prayers may we receive strength of faith and courage of spirit,
and thus find favor with God and redemption through Christ our Lord.
May we sing the praise of God our Savior
with the angels and saints in heaven forever and ever. 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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Gabriel, the Angel of the Annunciation
Gabriel appears at the turning points of salvation history. He explains the visions of the prophet in the Book of Daniel, announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah in the Temple, and six months later greets a young woman in Nazareth with words the world has never stopped repeating: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (Luke 1:28).
His story and his meaning are told in our article on Archangel Gabriel, the divine messenger and herald of the Annunciation, part of our series on the archangels and their sacred mission.
When Do Catholics Pray to St. Gabriel?
Every time the Angelus is said, morning, noon and evening, the Church repeats Gabriel’s own words to Mary: he is woven into Catholic daily prayer more than any other angel. His feast is September 29, shared with Michael and Raphael; the old calendar honored him on March 24, the eve of the Annunciation.
In 1951, Pope Pius XII declared him patron of telecommunications and of all who work in radio, television and the press: the messenger angel watches over modern messengers.
Prayers to St. Gabriel by Intention
For Expectant Mothers and Their Babies
St. Gabriel the Archangel, you brought Mary the news of the child she would bear. Watch over this mother and the child she carries. Keep them both in health and in peace, calm every fear, and fill this waiting with the same quiet joy you brought to Nazareth. Amen.
For Discernment When You Are Waiting for an Answer
St. Gabriel the Archangel, bearer of God’s word, help me to hear it. In this decision I cannot yet see clearly, obtain for me an attentive heart, the patience not to force the answer, and the courage to say yes, as Mary did, when God’s will becomes plain. Amen.
For Those Who Work with Words and Media
St. Gabriel the Archangel, patron of messengers, guide all who write, broadcast and publish. Keep their words truthful, their intentions honest, and their work in the service of what is good. Amen.
St. Gabriel in Sacred Art
No angel has been painted more often. Every Annunciation in the history of art is a portrait of Gabriel: kneeling with folded hands in Fra Angelico’s fresco at San Marco, rushing forward with a lily in Botticelli’s Cestello Annunciation. Our gallery of Annunciation paintings gathers the finest of them.
More Archangel Prayers
The other archangels have their own pages of prayers, each with a free printable card: the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel for protection, the prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel for healing and travelers, and the prayer to Archangel Uriel for wisdom and light. In September, many Catholics also pray the St. Michael novena before the feast of the archangels.
And to meet the archangels themselves, their story in Scripture and in sacred art, read our articles on Archangel Michael, fearless warrior and divine protector, Archangel Raphael, the healer of God and Archangel Uriel and his place in Catholic theology.
FAQ
What is St. Gabriel the patron saint of?
Messengers and communication workers, by declaration of Pius XII in 1951, as well as postal workers and diplomats. By long tradition he also watches over expectant mothers, because of the Annunciation.
Where does Gabriel appear in the Bible?
In the Book of Daniel, chapters 8 and 9, where he interprets visions, and in the Gospel of Luke, where he announces the births of John the Baptist and of Jesus. He is one of only three angels named in the Catholic Bible, with Michael and Raphael.
How is the Angelus linked to St. Gabriel?
The Angelus opens with the words “The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary”, and that angel is Gabriel. Praying the Angelus morning, noon and evening is the most traditional way of keeping his message present through the day.
Where can I buy a St. Gabriel 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. Gabriel the Archangel prayer poster. The shop also offers the prayers of the other archangels as posters, alongside canvas reproductions of the great angel paintings.
