In Catholic popular piety, few prayers possess the urgency and spiritual intensity of the St. Michael prayer. It is a warrior’s prayer, a shield against spiritual darkness, and a plea for divine protection.
Whether you are looking to recite this prayer for immediate protection, learn the traditional Latin, or understand the intense vision of Pope Leo XIII that inspired it, this guide covers everything you need to know to deepen your devotion to the Prince of the Heavenly Host.
The St. Michael Prayer in English
For immediate spiritual protection, here is the classic short version of the prayer commonly recited after the Rosary, after Low Mass, or in moments of temptation.
“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.”
History: Pope Leo XIII and the Vision of 1884
Why was this prayer written? The origin story is one of the most chilling and profound in modern Church history.
On October 13, 1884, Pope Leo XIII had just finished celebrating Mass in the Vatican. As he was leaving the altar, he suddenly stopped. He stood immobile for about ten minutes, his face turning ashen white. He then rushed to his office and composed the prayer to St. Michael.
The Conversation Between God and Satan
When asked what happened, the Holy Father reported that he had heard a guttural voice and a gentle voice coming from near the tabernacle. He heard a conversation that terrified him—a challenge from Satan to destroy the Church if given enough time and power (often cited as a period of 100 years), and God allowing him this time of testing.
Deeply shaken by the reality of the spiritual battle that would be facing the Church in the 20th century, Pope Leo XIII mandated that this prayer be recited at the end of every Low Mass throughout the universal Church. These became known as the Leonine Prayers. Although this mandate was suppressed in the 1960s, recent popes have strongly urged the faithful to return to the daily recitation of this prayer.
When and Why to Pray the St. Michael Prayer
While originally mandated for the end of Mass, today, the St. Michael prayer is a vital spiritual weapon for the daily life of the laity. It is a direct response to St. Paul’s call to put on the armor of God, reminding us that
“Our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness” (Ephesians 6:12).
Catholics frequently rely on this powerful intercessory prayer for:
- Daily Spiritual Warfare and Temptation: Because St. Michael cast Lucifer out of heaven, he is the specific patron against the snares of the devil. The prayer is highly efficacious when battling habitual sin, overcoming vice, or facing sudden temptations to pride and despair.
- Protecting the Family: Many parents make it a daily habit to pray the St. Michael prayer over their children before they leave for school, or to recite it as a family to guard the peace and sanctity of the home. Learn more prayers of protection.
- After the Rosary and Mass: It remains a widespread and highly encouraged tradition to recite this prayer immediately following the conclusion of the Rosary or a private daily Mass.
The Short Version vs. The Long Version: What is the Difference?
A common question among the faithful is whether they should be praying the “short” or “long” version of the St. Michael prayer.
The text featured in this article—the version most Catholics know by heart—is the Short Version (also known as the Leonine Prayer). This is the prayer that the laity are encouraged to pray daily.
However, in 1890, Pope Leo XIII also published a Long Version of the prayer to St. Michael as part of the Exorcism against Satan and the apostate angels.
A Crucial Warning for the Laity: The Long Version is an official prayer of exorcism. The Catholic Church strictly reserves the recitation of this long version for ordained priests only, and typically only those who have explicit permission from their bishop. Laypeople should never attempt to pray the Long Version or directly command demonic forces, as doing so outside the protective authority of the Church is spiritually dangerous. For daily spiritual warfare, the laity should always rely on the profound safety and power of the standard, short St. Michael prayer.
The St. Michael Prayer in Latin
For centuries, the Church has prayed in Latin, the universal language of the Western rite. Praying the St. Michael prayer in Latin connects you to the history of the Church and is often considered particularly efficacious in spiritual warfare.
“Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio, contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiae caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen.”
Understanding the Latin: A Phrase-by-Phrase Guide
To help you pray the St. Michael prayer in Latin with devotion and proper pronunciation (Ecclesiastical Latin), we have broken the text down below.
| Latin Phrase | English Translation |
| Sancte Michael Archangele, | St. Michael the Archangel, |
| defende nos in proelio, | defend us in battle, |
| contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. | be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. |
| Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: | May God rebuke him we humbly pray; |
| tuque, Princeps militiae caelestis, | and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, |
| Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, | Satan and all the evil spirits |
| qui ad perditionem animarum | who seeking the ruin of souls |
| pervagantur in mundo, | prowl about the world, |
| divina virtute, | by the power of God, |
| in infernum detrude. | cast into hell. |
| Amen. | Amen. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is St. Michael called the “Prince of the Heavenly Host”?
In Catholic theology, angels are organized into hierarchies or choirs. While Michael is an Archangel (technically, the second lowest choir), he is given the title of “Prince” because he was the one who rose up against Lucifer’s rebellion. When Lucifer said Non serviam (“I will not serve”), Michael replied with Quis ut Deus? (“Who is like God?”). His humility and zeal for God’s honor placed him at the head of God’s army, making him the supreme protector of the Church.
Why do some parishes say the St. Michael prayer after Mass, but not others?
In 1886, Pope Leo XIII mandated that this prayer be recited at the end of every Low Mass (known as the “Leonine Prayers”). However, during the liturgical reforms of the 1960s following Vatican II, this universal mandate was suppressed to simplify the concluding rites of the Mass. While it is no longer strictly required by the rubrics, it was never forbidden. In recent years, Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Francis, along with many local bishops and pastors, have strongly encouraged parishes to voluntarily bring back the practice of reciting it together after the final blessing to combat spiritual evils in the modern world.
Can I pray the St. Michael prayer for someone else?
Yes, absolutely. The St. Michael prayer is a powerful intercessory tool. You can—and should—pray it on behalf of your spouse, your children, or anyone you know who is struggling with addiction, spiritual darkness, or heavy temptation. Because it is a prayer asking for God’s protection and angelic intervention, it acts as a spiritual shield for those you lift up in your daily intentions.
Further St. Michael Devotions
While reciting the St. Michael prayer daily is a powerful practice, the Church offers several other beautiful ways to ask for this Archangel’s intercession. Consider incorporating these into your prayer life:
- The Chaplet of St. Michael: A beautiful, meditative prayer honoring the nine choirs of angels. It is an excellent devotion for those looking to immerse themselves deeper into spiritual warfare and angelic intercession.
- The St. Michael Novena: A structured, 9-day devotion often prayed leading up to the Feast of the Archangels (Michaelmas) on September 29th, designed for specific petitions and profound spiritual protection.
