Who is St. Michael the Archangel?

St. Michael is one of only three archangels named in the Bible — alongside Gabriel and Raphael. His name in Hebrew, Mikha'el, means "Who is like God?" — a battle cry, not a question, proclaiming that nothing and no one can equal God's power.

In Catholic tradition, St. Michael holds four primary roles: warrior against Satan, protector of the Church, guardian of souls at death, and champion of God's people. He is venerated across Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, and Jewish traditions, making him one of the most universally recognized heavenly figures in history.

St. Michael in Scripture

St. Michael appears throughout the Bible in moments of great spiritual significance. He is not a background figure — every time he appears, something decisive is happening.

In the book of Daniel, Michael appears twice as the protector of Israel, fighting against spiritual forces on behalf of God's people. In the Letter of Jude, he disputes with Satan over the body of Moses. And in the book of Revelation, his role reaches its fullest expression.

This image — Michael casting Satan out of heaven — is the one most deeply embedded in Catholic art, prayer, and devotion. It is the foundation of every prayer for protection that invokes his name.

His role in Catholic tradition

Beyond Scripture, St. Michael's presence in the life of the Church is extensive. He is said to have appeared to St. Joan of Arc, guiding her mission. The famous Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France, was built in his honor after an apparition in 708 AD. In the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox traditions, he is celebrated as the "Taxiarch" — commander of the heavenly armies.

The Catholic Church assigns him four specific offices:

• To fight against Satan and the fallen angels
• To rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy at the hour of death
• To be the champion of God's people
• To call souls before God's judgment

The St. Michael prayer for protection

The prayer most Catholics associate with St. Michael was composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886. According to accounts from those present, the Pope had a vision after Mass in which he saw a conversation between God and Satan — Satan boasting that he could destroy the Church, God giving him a century to try. Pope Leo XIII left the altar shaken, went to his study, and wrote this prayer. He ordered it to be said after every Low Mass worldwide, a practice that continued until 1964.

Today it is experiencing a significant revival. Many Catholics pray it daily, and it remains one of the most searched Catholic prayers online.

Who prays to St. Michael — and why

St. Michael's intercession is sought across a wide range of situations. Soldiers and police officers have long carried his image. Parents pray it for their children's protection. Many Catholics pray it daily as a spiritual discipline, especially in times of anxiety, temptation, or fear.

He is particularly invoked by:

• Military personnel and their families
• Police officers, firefighters, and first responders
• Parents praying protection over their children
• Anyone going through spiritual struggle or temptation
• Those experiencing anxiety, fear, or a sense of spiritual attack
• Catholics seeking to deepen their daily prayer life

Feast day — September 29

September 29 is the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael — the three named archangels. Known historically as Michaelmas, it has been celebrated since the 5th century and marks the beginning of autumn in many European traditions. On this day, Catholics attend Mass in honor of the archangels and often pray the St. Michael prayer with particular devotion.

How to keep St. Michael close

For centuries, Catholics have carried physical reminders of their faith — medals, scapulars, rosaries, and prayer cards. A prayer card is one of the most practical: wallet-sized, durable, and containing the full text of the prayer so it is always within reach.

Many people keep a St. Michael prayer card in a wallet, car, bedside drawer, or home prayer corner. It can also be brought to a priest for a blessing, making it a personal sacramental — an object set aside for devotional use.