Daily Catholic Prayers
Prayers to St. Michael and the Holy Angels
The Three Archangels and Tobias (c. 1470), Francesco Botticini. Uffizi Gallery, Florence. Public domain.
"Behold I will send my angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey" (Exodus 23:20). The Church has always believed that God's holy angels worship Him without ceasing and watch over His people. Scripture names three archangels: Michael, who defends us in battle against evil; Gabriel, who brought the news of the Incarnation to Mary; and Raphael, who guided and healed young Tobias. Jesus Himself said of the little ones that "their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father" (Matthew 18:10).
This page gathers the prayers on this site to St. Michael, to Sts. Gabriel and Raphael, and to your guardian angel, from the famous prayer of Pope Leo XIII to the short Angel of God that children learn first. The Church keeps the feast of the three archangels on September 29 and the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels on October 2, but every one of these prayers can be said on any day.
Prayers to St. Michael the Archangel
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Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel: Pope Leo XIII's "Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle," to pray every day, after Mass, or in any spiritual struggle. It is also prayed after Mass: see Prayers Before and After Mass and Holy Communion.
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Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel: the Angelic Crown, nine salutations honoring the nine choirs of angels, richly indulgenced by Blessed Pius IX in 1851, with the full traditional text.
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St. Michael the Archangel Prayers for Michaelmas: prayers for the September 29 feast, and for St. Michael's Lent, the forty days from August 15 kept by St. Francis of Assisi.
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Who he is: St. Michael the Archangel, whose name asks "Who is like God?", leads the angels who cast the dragon out of heaven (Revelation 12:7). He is the patron of soldiers, police officers, and all who defend others.
Prayers to St. Gabriel and St. Raphael
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Collects of the Three Archangels: the traditional opening prayers of Mass for the feasts of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael from the older Roman Missal, with the closing prayer of St. Raphael's Mass.
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Prayer to St. Gabriel the Archangel: to the angel of the Annunciation, asking that Jesus may be formed in our souls. Pray it in Advent, on March 25, or when you need to listen for God's word.
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The Angelus: "The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary," the prayer at morning, noon, and evening that recalls Gabriel's message. More in Prayers to Mary.
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Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel: to the "guide of travelers by land and sea" and "consoler of the afflicted," as he once helped young Tobias on his journey.
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Prayer for Travelers: asks God, who has commissioned His angels to guard us, to send them with us on the road, for a road trip, a flight, or the daily commute.
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Prayer of Tobias and Sarah for Married Couples: the prayer of the young couple whom St. Raphael brought together in the Book of Tobit.
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Who they are: St. Gabriel, "strength of God," is the patron of messengers and of those who work in communications. St. Raphael, "God heals," is the patron of travelers, the sick, physicians and nurses, and those seeking a good spouse. For more prayers for healing, see Prayers for the Sick.
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Prayers to Your Guardian Angel
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Angel of God: the Angele Dei, "Angel of God, my Guardian dear," in English and Latin, the first prayer to the angels most children learn.
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Guardian Angel Morning Prayer: asks your angel to "enlighten me, protect me, defend me, and govern me this day."
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Guardian Angel Evening Prayer: thanks your angel for the care of the day and asks protection "from all danger of body and soul" through the night.
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Prayer to One's Guardian Angel: a longer prayer from classic prayer books to the "most faithful companion" who never leaves your side.
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Prayer to All Guardian Angels: calls on all the holy guardian angels, for your family, a classroom, a parish, or loved ones far away.
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Prayers for the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels: the reading from Exodus, the versicle, and the old collect of the October 2 feast, short enough to pray with children at bedtime.
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Who they are: the Holy Guardian Angels watch over every person from birth to death, and especially children and all who are in danger.
The Angels in the Church's Prayer
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Psalm 91: Prayer for Protection: "For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways," for nights, travel, and danger.
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Prayer for Sleep: the closing prayer of the Church's Night Prayer, asking God to "let Thy holy Angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace."
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Te Deum: the ancient hymn of praise, "To Thee all Angels cry aloud."
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Litany of the Saints: "St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, pray for us. All ye holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us."
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Divine Praises: "Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints."
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Confiteor: the traditional form confesses our sins "to blessed Michael the Archangel" with Our Lady and the saints.
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Prayer Before Confession: asks Our Lady, your guardian angel, and "all ye Saints and Angels of Paradise" for the grace of a good confession. More in Confession Prayers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel?
It is the short prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886:
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, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
He ordered it said after every Low Mass, a practice kept until the mid-1960s, and in 1994 St. John Paul II urged the faithful not to forget it. Many parishes pray it after Mass again. See the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, and its history in the Michaelmas prayers.
Does everyone have a guardian angel?
Yes. The Catechism teaches that "from infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession," and it quotes St. Basil: "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life" (CCC 336). Jesus warned us not to despise the little ones, "for their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father" (Matthew 18:10). The Holy Guardian Angels are honored on October 2.
What is the Angel of God prayer?
It is the traditional prayer to your guardian angel, known in Latin as the Angele Dei:
Angel of God, my Guardian dear, / To whom His love commits me here, / Ever this day be at my side, / To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
Children often learn it first, but it suits every age, morning and night. See the Angel of God in English and Latin.
Who are the three archangels named in the Bible?
St. Michael appears in Daniel 12:1, the Letter of Jude, and Revelation 12:7, where he casts the dragon out of heaven. St. Gabriel explains Daniel's visions and announces the births of John the Baptist and of Jesus (Luke 1). St. Raphael guides and heals in the Book of Tobit: "I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" (Tobias 12:15). Since 1969 the three share one feast on September 29.
Do Catholics worship angels?
No. Worship belongs to God alone. Angels are His servants and messengers; the word "angel," St. Augustine explains, names their office, not their nature (CCC 329). Their existence is a truth of faith (CCC 328). In her liturgy the Church joins the angels in adoring God and asks their help, as in the funeral prayer "May the angels lead you into paradise" (CCC 335). We ask the angels to pray for us and protect us, just as we ask the saints.
