When should I pray the Prayer to Saint Michael?

You can pray it at any time, but the most common times are after Mass, as part of your morning prayers, and in the evening with your family. It is especially powerful to pray in moments of temptation, spiritual attack, or when you feel oppressed by anxiety, fear, or darkness. Many Catholics make it a daily habit, treating it as essential spiritual armor.

Is the Prayer to Saint Michael in the Bible?

The prayer itself is not in the Bible — it was composed by Pope Leo XIII in the 19th century. However, it is deeply rooted in biblical teaching. Saint Michael appears in Daniel, Jude, and Revelation as the great warrior angel who battles Satan. The prayer's language and imagery draw directly from these scriptural sources.

Why was the Prayer to Saint Michael removed from Mass?

The prayer was not formally abolished — it simply was not included in the revised Order of Mass promulgated after the Second Vatican Council in 1969. The Leonine Prayers (of which the Saint Michael prayer was part) were tied to specific historical circumstances and were not carried over into the new liturgy. Many parishes have voluntarily restored the prayer after Mass, and the Church has never discouraged its use.

What is the difference between the short and long Prayer to Saint Michael?

The short prayer (the one most Catholics know) is a brief invocation for protection, appropriate for all the faithful. The long prayer is a formal solemn exorcism composed by Pope Leo XIII that directly commands demonic forces. Because it is an exorcism prayer, the Church reserves it for use by priests with proper authority. Laypeople should stick to the short form.

Can children pray the Prayer to Saint Michael?

Absolutely. The short Prayer to Saint Michael is entirely appropriate for children of all ages. In fact, teaching children this prayer is one of the best gifts a Catholic parent can give. It instills in them an awareness of spiritual reality, confidence in God's protection, and a relationship with their heavenly guardian from an early age.

The Prayer to Saint Michael: History, Full Text & How to Pray It

The St. Michael prayer ("St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle...") asks protection against evil — composed by Pope Leo XIII after a vision. Catholics pray it after Mass in some parishes, during spiritual warfare, and on Michaelmas (September 29).

Full Text of the Prayer to Saint Michael

This is the short form of the prayer, composed by Pope Leo XIII and traditionally prayed by the faithful for spiritual protection. Memorize it, pray it daily, and teach it to your children.

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

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.

The Vision of Pope Leo XIII

The origin of this prayer is one of the most dramatic episodes in modern Church history. According to multiple accounts, on October 13, 1884 — exactly 33 years before the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima — Pope Leo XIII had a profound and terrifying mystical experience immediately after celebrating Mass in the Vatican.

The Pope suddenly stopped at the foot of the altar, his face drained of color. He stood motionless for about ten minutes, staring into the distance. Those present feared he had died or suffered a stroke. When he finally came to himself, he went directly to his office and composed the Prayer to Saint Michael.

What had he seen? According to accounts that circulated among those close to him, Leo XIII had been granted a vision in which he heard two voices — one gentle and one harsh and grating. The harsh voice was that of Satan, boasting to God that he could destroy the Church if given enough time and power. Satan asked for 75 to 100 years to do his worst. God granted the request. The gentle voice was that of Christ, assuring that His Church would prevail.

Whether this account is entirely accurate in every detail, the historical fact is undeniable: Pope Leo XIII was so shaken by what he experienced that he immediately composed a prayer calling on the greatest warrior of heaven for the Church's defense.

History: When and Why It Was Written

Pope Leo XIII officially promulgated the Prayer to Saint Michael in 1886, two years after his vision. He ordered it to be prayed after every Low Mass throughout the universal Church. For nearly 80 years, Catholics around the world ended every weekday Mass with this prayer, along with the Hail Mary and the Salve Regina.

The prayer was part of what became known as the "Leonine Prayers" — a set of prayers added to the end of Mass by Leo XIII for the intention of the temporal power of the papacy and the conversion of Russia. The context was the loss of the Papal States in 1870 and the growing threat of atheistic communism in Europe.

After the Second Vatican Council, the new Order of Mass promulgated in 1969 did not include the Leonine Prayers. They were not formally abolished — they simply were not incorporated into the revised liturgy. Many Catholics mourned their loss, and the prayer has seen a significant revival in recent decades as awareness of spiritual warfare has grown.

Today, many parishes have restored the Prayer to Saint Michael after Mass, and it is widely prayed by individuals, families, and prayer groups as a daily protection against evil.

Who Is Saint Michael?

Saint Michael is one of only three angels named in Sacred Scripture (along with Gabriel and Raphael). His name in Hebrew means "Who is like God?" — a battle cry, not a question. It is the declaration he made when he led the heavenly host against Lucifer and the rebellious angels at the beginning of time.

Scripture assigns Michael four distinct roles that make him uniquely suited to be the protector of the Church:

Warrior: In Revelation 12:7-9, Michael leads the angels in battle against the dragon (Satan) and casts him out of heaven. He is the commander of the armies of God.
Protector of God's People: In Daniel 10:13 and 12:1, Michael is called "the great prince who stands guard over your people." He is the guardian of Israel — and by extension, of the Church, the new Israel.
Weigher of Souls: In ancient Christian tradition, Michael accompanies souls at the moment of death and presents them before God's judgment. He is the angel of the last things.
Guardian of the Church: The Church has always understood Michael as her special protector, the one who stands between the faithful and the powers of darkness.

The Longer Version of the Prayer

Most Catholics are familiar only with the short prayer above. But Pope Leo XIII also composed a much longer prayer to Saint Michael — a formal exorcism prayer that is considerably more powerful and detailed. This longer prayer invokes Saint Michael against specific demonic forces and includes direct commands against Satan.

It is important to note that the longer prayer is a solemn exorcism and is reserved for use by priests. The Church does not recommend that laypeople pray the longer exorcism prayer on their own, as exorcism prayers require the authority of holy orders to be used properly. The short prayer, however, is entirely appropriate for all the faithful.

If you are facing serious spiritual oppression, the right course of action is to speak with your pastor, seek the Sacrament of Confession, and if necessary, request a referral to a priest trained in deliverance ministry.

How to Pray the Prayer to Saint Michael

The Prayer to Saint Michael is simple enough to memorize in a few minutes, yet powerful enough to pray for a lifetime. Here is how to incorporate it into your spiritual life:

After Mass: If your parish prays it after Mass, join in with full attention and faith. This is the context for which it was originally composed.
In the morning: Begin your day by placing yourself under Saint Michael's protection. Pray it as part of your morning prayers before leaving the house.
In times of temptation: When you feel spiritually attacked — by temptation, by fear, by despair — call on Saint Michael immediately. He is a warrior; he responds to those who call on him in battle.
For your family: Pray it aloud with your family each evening as a protection over your home and loved ones.
Before difficult situations: Before entering a spiritually dangerous environment, a difficult conversation, or a moment of moral challenge, invoke Saint Michael's protection.

Pray it with faith, not as a magic formula. The prayer works not because of the words themselves but because of the faith and trust in God that animates them. Saint Michael is a servant of God — he acts in response to God's will and the faith of those who call on him.

Why This Prayer Matters Today

The Catholic Church has always taught that spiritual warfare is real. The Catechism states clearly: "The whole of man's history has been the story of dour combat with the powers of darkness" (CCC 409). Satan is not a myth or a metaphor — he is a real personal being who actively seeks the destruction of souls.

In an age that has largely abandoned belief in the supernatural, the Prayer to Saint Michael is a countercultural act of faith. It declares that we live in a world where invisible forces are at work, that evil is real and personal, and that we need divine protection to navigate it safely.

Many spiritual directors, exorcists, and faithful Catholics report that the consistent daily praying of this prayer has brought measurable peace, protection, and spiritual clarity to their lives. It is not a prayer of fear — it is a prayer of confidence in God's power and in the intercession of His greatest warrior.

"The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

— 1 Peter 5:8