The Catholic Defender: The St. Michael Prayer sung by Eric Genuis
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Saint Michael the Archangel
Archangel Michael is known as a powerful warrior angel, the leader of God's heavenly armies, and a protector against evil, representing divine justice, strength, and courage in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. He's famous for battling Satan, guarding God's people (especially Israel), weighing souls at judgment, and symbolizing divine authority, often depicted with a sword or scales, vanquishing evil.
Saint Michael the Archangel is revered as the leader of Heaven’s armies, a spiritual warrior, and the protector of the Church against evil.
Mentioned in the Bible (Daniel, Revelation, Jude),
his name means "Who is like God?"
St. Michael is the patron of soldiers, police, and the sick.
He is depicted leading the heavenly hosts against Satan and his angels in Revelation 12, casting them out of heaven.
Regarded as the guardian of the Church and the protector of the Chosen People
He is the "Prince of the Heavenly Host" who led the angels in the Great Battle in Heaven, casting Satan and the rebellious angels down to Earth.
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Tradition holds that Michael acts as the angel of death, rescuing souls from the enemy and bringing them to judgment, often depicted holding scales.
He is believed to assist souls at the hour of death, protecting them from the devil's last-minute temptations and accompanying them to their judgment.
In art and theology, he is often depicted with a pair of scales, representing his role in weighing the deeds of souls on Judgment Day.
He is the patron of paramedics, police officers, soldiers, and radiologists.
Celebrated on September 29th
Commonly depicted in armor with a sword or spear, often standing over or vanquishing a dragon or demon representing Satan.
Just as he was the guardian prince of Israel in the Old Testament, he is now considered the protector and patron of the universal Church.
Mont-Saint-Michel in France and the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo in Italy.
He appears in the Book of Daniel as the "great prince" and advocate who stands watch over the people of Israel.
Composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886, this prayer invokes his protection against the snares of the devil.
A devotional chaplet approved by Pope Pius IX in 1851.
"Saint Michael's miracle" usually refers to the famous event at Chonae (Colossae), where the Archangel Michael diverted a river with his spear to save a shrine from pagan destruction, preventing it from being flooded, and also healed people at a miraculous spring there.
“Do you know,” he asked, “why I have come to you? Soon I must fight the prince of Persia again. When I leave, the prince of Greece will come; but I shall tell you what is written in the book of truth. No one supports me against these except Michael, your prince, Dan 10:21
Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it. Revelation 12:7–9
Yet the archangel Michael, when he argued with the devil in a dispute over the body of Moses, did not venture to pronounce a reviling judgment* upon him but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!” Jude Verse 9
defend us in battle.
"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."
The prayer is used to seek spiritual protection, strength, and help against the forces of evil.
The prayer was traditionally recited after Low Mass, and in 1994, Pope John Paul II urged Catholics to continue using it for spiritual combat.
On September 29, 2006, Michael Monsoor and three SEAL snipers watched vigilantly for enemy activity from their rooftop post in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. When a grenade thrown from insurgents bounced off Michael's chest, he could have escaped. Instead, he threw himself onto the live grenade, shielding his fellow soldiers from the immediate explosion. Michael died thirty minutes later, having made the ultimate sacrifice.
As George Monsoor (Michael's father) and Rose Rea show us in Defend Us in Battle, Michael had prepared for this selfless act all his life--a life that inspires us to have a similar generosity of heart. This fast-paced, compelling biography
tells the true story of a quiet boy from California who achieved his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL and saved numerous lives throughout his deployment
recounts how Michael's childhood of asthma and being bullied made him a staunch defender of justice and passionate about never quitting
draws on interviews, military documents, and eyewitness accounts to detail Michael’s remarkable military career and devotion to God and others
is an ideal gift for readers of military biographies such as American Sniper, the Last Punisher,and Unbroken,as well as for anyone eager to remember that this world still has heroes
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Michael received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart for his years serving his country. But his greatest legacy is in the hearts of those he inspired to live, and even die, for the sake of brotherly love.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
It asks St. Michael to act as a shield against the "wickedness and snares" (traps/temptations) of the devil.
It requests that God rebuke Satan and that St. Michael cast all evil spirits back into hell.
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel, traditionally recited for spiritual protection
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
Historically, it was mandated to be recited after every Low Mass. While no longer mandatory in the standard liturgy, recent popes like John Paul II and Francis have strongly encouraged Catholics to continue praying it for help against "the forces of darkness".
It acts as a request for God to stop, restrain, or punish the devil and his influence.
Similar themes of rebuke exist in Jude 1:9, where Michael the archangel says, "The Lord rebuke you".
It is used as a Spiritual Warfare Prayer to ask for protection and to resist temptation.
In 1884, after celebrating Mass in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIII reportedly collapsed into a trance-like state that lasted about 10 minutes. When he regained consciousness, he was ashen white and visibly shaken, later recounting a terrifying vision of the future.
the Pope heard two voices—one "kind and gentle" (God) and the other "guttural and harsh" (Satan)—emanating from near the tabernacle.
The devil boasted he could destroy the Church if given enough time and power.
Satan asked for 75 to 100 years and greater influence over those who would serve him.
Our Lord reportedly replied, "You have the time, you will have the power. Do with them what you will".
The vision reportedly showed the Pope the coming century's trials, including mass apostasy, devastating wars, and increased demonic activity.
Deeply moved, the Pope immediately went to his office and composed the Prayer to Saint Michael.
In 1886, he ordered this prayer to be recited globally at the end of every "Low Mass". This practice continued until the 1960s, though many still pray it today following a revival of interest.
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
It is a prayer for strength in spiritual warfare against "principalities and powers".
Michael is recognized as a guardian of souls, a defender of the Church, and the victorious warrior who cast Lucifer out of heaven.
Pope Leo XIII also composed a much longer Exorcism Prayer that includes a detailed plea to the "invincible Prince" to assist the people of God against "the rulers of this world of darkness".
The title reflects Michael's role as the commander of God's angelic army, famously described in the Book of Revelation (12:7-9) as leading the angels to defeat the dragon.
by the power of God,
"By the power of God" refers to the belief in divine, omnipotent strength—often manifested through the Holy Spirit—that acts on behalf of believers to protect, transform, and empower them. It signifies a force greater than human limitation, used to overcome obstacles, provide spiritual security (1 Peter 1:5), and enable salvation.
who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. 1 Peter 1:5
The power of God is often synonymous with the Holy Spirit working within people to provide life, peace, and guidance.
This power is not dependent on personal strength but is a gift that enables individuals to overcome obstacles, break chains, and fulfill God's purpose.
The gospel itself is described as the power of God that brings salvation to those who believe (Romans 1:16).
For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. Romans 1:16
Ephesians 3:20, God's power working within believers can do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine"
Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us Ephesians 3:20
thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Revelation 20:10, which describes the devil being thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur.
The Devil who had led them astray was thrown into the pool of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but condemned them to the chains of Tartarus* and handed them over to be kept for judgment 2 Peter 2:4
The angels too, who did not keep to their own domain but deserted their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains, in gloom, for the judgment of the great day. Jude 6
the final, permanent casting of Satan into hell will occur in the future, as described in Revelation.
"Thrust" vs. "Cast": While many modern versions use "thrust," older translations or local variations sometimes use "cast into hell". The original Latin verb is detrude, which means to push down, drive away, or thrust.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense 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.
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 Kingand our admirable conductor,
you who shine with excellenceand superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil,who turn to you with confidenceand enable us
by your gracious protectionto serve God more and more faithfully every day.
'Saint 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, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.'
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