St. Michael the Archangel
Prince of the Heavenly Host
The great defender of God's people and commander of the armies of heaven, whose name is itself a question no enemy can answer: Who is like God?
- Feast
- September 29 (Michaelmas)
Invoked For
- The Church
- Soldiers
- Police officers
- The sick
- A holy death
- Protection from evil
Who He Is
St. Michael is not a man but an archangel, and so he has no birth, no death, and no tomb. His name is a battle cry in the form of a question — Mi-ka-el, "Who is like God?" — the answer to the pride by which Lucifer fell.
Scripture names him four times. Daniel calls him "one of the chief princes" and "the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people." The Letter of St. Jude records his dispute with the devil over the body of Moses. And the Book of Revelation gives the scene that all his images recall: "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon... and the great dragon was cast out."
From this the Church has long given him four offices: to fight against Satan; to rescue the souls of the faithful from the enemy, especially at the hour of death; to be the protector of the people of God; and to lead souls from this world to their judgment.
How the Church Honors Him
As an archangel, St. Michael was never canonized — canonization concerns men and women who lived, died, and are now found to be in glory. He has been honored by the Church from apostolic times, and is one of only three angels named in Scripture, with Gabriel and Raphael.
His feast on September 29, long called Michaelmas, marks the dedication of an ancient basilica in his honor on the Salarian Way outside Rome. Since 1969 the day has celebrated all three archangels together.
The short prayer that made him a household name was composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886, and for many decades was prayed at the end of every Low Mass throughout the world.
Prayers to St. Michael the Archangel
Tap any prayer to open it large and clear — set for reading aloud. Close it to return here and choose another.