Prayer to Saint Michael

The Prayer to Saint Michael asks the archangel to defend us against evil through the power of God. Catholics may pray this traditional short invocation after the Rosary or at another time. It is an optional devotion, with no separate Rosary bead assigned to it.

On this page
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 host, 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.

In Latin

Sancte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio;
contra nequítiam et insídias diáboli esto præsídium.
Imperet illi Deus, súpplices deprecámur;
tuque, Princeps milítiæ cæléstis,
Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos,
qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in mundo,
divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Amen.

Asking for Saint Michael's help

The Prayer to Saint Michael asks the archangel to defend us against evil through the power of God. Scripture presents Michael as a defender of God's people in Daniel 12:1 and as the leader of the angels in the struggle against the dragon in Revelation 12:7–9. The prayer brings that biblical image into a short petition for protection.

Angels are creatures who serve God. They act by his power. The Catechism describes their service in §§329–336. When we ask Saint Michael to defend us, we entrust ourselves to God's care and ask for help to remain faithful to Christ.

Its place after the Rosary

The short prayer is associated with Pope Leo XIII and became familiar through prayers formerly said after Low Mass. Saint John Paul II recalled that tradition in his Regina Caeli address on April 24, 1994, and encouraged prayer for help in the spiritual struggle. It is an optional addition after the Rosary's customary conclusion.

In September 2018, Pope Francis invited Catholics to conclude their daily Rosary during October with Sub Tuum Praesidium and the Prayer to Saint Michael. That invitation addressed a particular moment in the Church's life. It was a request for that October, not a permanent rule for the Rosary.

You may pray this invocation after the usual closing prayer, then finish with the Sign of the Cross. No additional bead is assigned to it. When praying with a parish or family, follow the shared sequence. After the Rosary explains other customary conclusions.

The short form

The text here is the traditional short prayer. It is distinct from longer prayers associated with Saint Michael and from the Church's formal rites of exorcism.

Pray the Holy Rosary

Sources