Catholic Information

St. Michael the Archangel

Quick Facts:

Here are some things to know about St. Michael the Archangel.
» His feast day is September 29, which is also known as Michaelmas.
» Michael's name means "who is like God" he is one of the chief angels in heaven.
» St. Michael the Archangel is a very strong and powerful angel.
» He protects and defends people who love God.
» Truth and justice are his main concern.
» St. Michael communicates with people when he helps and guides them.
» St. Michael the Archangel provides reassurance.
» The comfort that Michael provides is especially helpful for dying people.
» He also is called upon for the freeing of the possessed in spiritual bondage from evil spirits.
» St. Michael is the patron saint of the military, police, firemen, and others who work in dangerous conditions.
» He is often depicted with a sword, scales, banner, defeating Satan in the form of a dragon.
» He is also depicted holding balanced scales weighing souls during the Last Judgment.

St. Michael's Four Main Responsibilities

Fighting Satan St. Michael is the leader of heaven's forces against Satan and the fallen angels. He defeated Satan and cast him out of Paradise, and will do so again in the final struggle.

Angel of Death St. Michael is the angel of death assisting the soul of each person in its journey after death to heaven for judgment. At the hour of death, Saint Michael descends and gives each person a chance at redemption before passing.

Weighing Souls On Judgment Day, St. Michael weighs people's merits using scales. He is often depicted holding scales or the Book of Life.

Guardian of the Church St. Michael is the guardian of the Church, the special patron of the Chosen People, and the protector of the people of God.

St. Michael Prayer

The Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel

O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, etc.

Say one Our Father and three Hail Marys after each of the following nine salutations in honor of the nine Choirs of Angels

1. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity.  Amen.

2. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection.  Amen.

3. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility.  Amen.

4. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominations may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions.  Amen.

5. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation.  Amen.

6. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil.  Amen.

7. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience.  Amen.

8. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven.  Amen.

9. By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to Heaven.  Amen.

Say one Our Father in honor of each of the following leading Angels:
St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and our Guardian Angel.

Concluding prayers:

O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises.

Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into Your Presence. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Amen.

Revelations

"The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world — he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven." - Revelation 12:7-9