Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

Long Version

Most glorious prince of the heavenly hosts, Archangel St. Michael, defend us in the terrible warfare which we carry on against Principalities and Powers, against the rulers of the world of darkness and all evil spirits.


Come to the help of man, whom God created immortal, fashioned in His image and likeness, and rescued at a great price from the tyranny of the devil.

With the great army of the holy angels, fight this day the battle of the Lord as thou didst of old, fight against Lucifer, the leader of the proud and apostate angels, who were powerless against thee, as they no longer had any place in heaven; and that monster, the old serpent who is called the devil and Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into hell with his angels.


But now that primeval enemy and slayer of men has regained his insolent boldness. Taking on the appearance of an angel of light, he has invaded the earth, and with his whole multitude of evil spirits, is prowling about among men, striving to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to capture, destroy and drag to eternal perdition the souls destined for the crown of eternal glory.

That malignant dragon is pouring out, like a foul stream, into the souls of men of ruined intellect and corrupt heart, the poison of his wickedness, the spirit of lying, of impiety and blasphemy, the pestilent breath of impurity and of all vice and iniquity.


These most cunning enemies have filled with bitterness and drenched with gall the Church, the Spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have lifted impious hands on her most sacred possessions.


In the Holy Place, where the See of Blessed Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up to enlighten the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the shepherd has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.


Arise, then, unconquerable Prince, defend the people of God against the attacks of the lost spirits, and give them the victory. Holy Church venerates thee as its guardian and patron; It glories in thee as Its defender against the malignant powers of hell; to thee God has entrusted the souls of men that are to be conveyed to the seats of heavenly beatitude in eternal happiness.


Pray then, to the God of peace, that he may put Satan under our feet, so completely vanquished that he may no longer be able to hold men in bondage and harm the Church.


Offer our prayers before the Most High, so that the mercies of the Lord may preserve us, and lay hold of the dragon, the old serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and hurl him bound in chains into the abyss where he may no longer seduce the nations.


Amen.


V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, be scattered ye hostile powers.

R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, has conquered.


V. Let thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.

R. As we have hoped in thee.


V. Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto thee.


Let us pray.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name and humbly beseech thy clemency, that, through the intercession of the ever Immaculate Virgin and our Mother Mary, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits who are prowling about the earth for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.


His Holiness, Leo XIII., Motu Proprio, September 25, 1888, granted the faithful who recite the above prayer AN INDULGENCE OF THREE HUNDRED DAYS, once a day.

Short Version

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 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.