The prayer to St. Michael the Archangel asks the leader of God’s angels to defend us against evil. Its best known form was written by Pope Leo XIII in the 1880s and was prayed after every Low Mass for decades; many Catholics still pray it daily for protection.
Below is the full prayer, shorter prayers for protection, a novena for the days before his feast on 29 September, and what Scripture says about St. Michael.
Prayers to St. Michael the Archangel
The St. Michael prayer of Pope Leo XIII
St. 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, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
A prayer to St. Michael for protection
St. Michael, protector of God’s people, watch over me and my family. Guard our home, our travels and our work. Defend us from every evil, seen and unseen, and lead us always toward God. Amen.
A prayer to St. Michael for a loved one
Holy Archangel Michael, I entrust (name) to your protection. Stand beside them in their battles, keep them from harm and from temptation, and bring them safely through this trial. Amen.
Short Prayers
- St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
- St. Michael, protect my family today.
- Holy Michael, guard me through this night.
Novena to St. Michael the Archangel
A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer for one intention. Each day, pray the main prayer above, name your intention, then pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be. Many people begin on 20 September so that the novena ends on 28 September, the eve of the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael on 29 September.
Who Was St. Michael the Archangel?
St. Michael is one of the three archangels named in Scripture, together with Gabriel and Raphael. His name in Hebrew is a question, “Who is like God?”, which Christians have long read as his answer to pride.
The Book of Daniel calls him “the great prince” who protects God’s people, the Letter of Jude calls him the archangel, and the Book of Revelation describes him leading the angels against the dragon. Catholics honour him as protector of the Church and helper of the dying.
Scripture
“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise.” Daniel 12:1 (NIV)
“Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon.” Revelation 12:7 (NIV)
Questions People Ask
Who wrote the St. Michael prayer?
Pope Leo XIII, in the 1880s. From 1886 it was prayed after Low Mass throughout the Church until the 1960s, and Pope John Paul II encouraged Catholics to keep praying it.
When is the feast of St. Michael?
29 September, shared with the Archangels Gabriel and Raphael.
Is the St. Michael prayer for protection?
Yes. It asks for his defence against evil and is widely prayed for protection of oneself, a family or a home.
Can I send a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel through Holy Land Prayer?
We do not send prayers to a shrine of St. Michael the Archangel. What we do is carry prayers to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem: you can write a prayer asking for this saint’s intercession in the form at the top of this page, and we will place it inside one of the chapels, where a priest prays it in English.
Who Writes These Prayers
The Holy Land Prayer team writes the prayers on this page. Traditional prayers are given in the form used in Catholic devotion. Scripture is quoted from the New International Version.
Last reviewed 28 September 2026 by the Holy Land Prayer team.
Ask for Protection in Jerusalem
The prayer to St. Michael asks for defense against evil, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is where Christians remember evil’s defeat at the empty tomb. If you would like a prayer for protection, for yourself, your home or someone in danger, carried there, write it in the form at the top of this page. It is printed and placed in one of the chapels, a priest prays it in English, and a candle is lit on your behalf. Both are photographed and the photos emailed to you. See how it works.
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