On September 29 the Church keeps the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels, long known in English as Michaelmas. For centuries the date honored St. Michael alone, recalling the dedication of a basilica in his name on the Via Salaria near Rome; since the calendar reform of 1969, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael share the feast. Scripture calls Michael "the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people" (Daniel 12:1). He disputes with the devil in the

Psalm 91 (Psalm 90 in the Douay numbering) has been called the soldier's psalm and the psalm of protection. It promises that God shelters those who trust in Him, and that He gives His angels charge over them. The Church prays it every Sunday night at Compline, and Christians have carried it into battle, through epidemics, and on dangerous journeys for centuries. Pray it when you are afraid, before travel, when someone you love is in danger, or at night before sleep. Jesus Him

The Chaplet of St. Michael, also called the Angelic Crown, honors St. Michael and the nine choirs of angels. According to tradition, St. Michael revealed it to a Portuguese Carmelite, Antonia d'Astonac, and Blessed Pope Pius IX richly indulgenced it in 1851. It is prayed on a special chaplet of nine groups of three beads, but you can also use your fingers or an ordinary rosary. For each of the nine salutations, pray one Our Father and three Hail Marys, then the invocation for

Sleep is one of God's quiet gifts, and night can also be a time of worry, loneliness, or restlessness. For centuries the Church has ended the day with Night Prayer (Compline), asking God for a peaceful night and a perfect end. This prayer comes from that tradition: it is the closing collect that asks God to visit our home and let His holy angels dwell there. Pray it at bedtime, alone or as a family, after an examination of conscience. It is a good prayer for anyone who strugg

Our guardian angels watch over us day and night. At the end of the day it is fitting to thank them for their care, for dangers avoided that we may never know about and for the good inspirations they gave us, and to ask their protection through the night. This evening prayer does exactly that, and it is simple enough for children to learn. Pray it at bedtime together with the Angel of God, an examination of conscience, and an act of contrition. It is also a comfort for those w

The Church teaches that each of us has a guardian angel, given by God to protect and guide us from the beginning of life to its end. Jesus Himself said of little ones that "their angels in heaven always behold the face of my Father" (Matthew 18:10). We celebrate the Guardian Angels on October 2. This morning prayer greets your angel at the start of the day and asks for four things: to enlighten, protect, defend, and govern you. It pairs naturally with the Morning Offering and

Give thanks for God's countless gifts with this traditional prayer. The Prayer O my God, I thank Thee for all the benefits which I have received from Thy bounty, especially for my creation, redemption, and preservation. I thank Thee for Baptism, for the Holy Eucharist, for Thy holy Mother Mary, for my Guardian Angel, and for all the means of salvation. Glory be to Thee forever. Amen. Sources: Traditional thanksgiving; classic manuals, public domain. If these prayers help you,

Christians have always asked God's protection before setting out on a journey. The old Roman Breviary contained a special set of prayers for travelers, the Itinerarium, and this prayer shares its spirit, asking God to send His angels to accompany those on the road. The Book of Tobit tells how the Archangel Raphael guided young Tobias on his long journey and brought him home safely, which is why Raphael is honored as a patron of travelers. Pray it before a road trip, a flight,

The Church teaches that every person has a guardian angel, given by God to protect and guide us from birth to death. Jesus Himself said of little ones that "their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father" (Matthew 18:10). This prayer, found in classic Catholic prayer books, addresses our angel as a faithful companion who never leaves our side, and asks for protection of body and soul. Pray it in the morning or at night, before a journey, or when you feel alone or afr

This prayer calls on all the holy Guardian Angels, not only our own, asking them to watch over us by day and by night and to bring us safely home to heaven. The Church teaches that God has given each person an angel as protector and shepherd, a truth that rests on Christ's words about the angels of little ones who always behold the face of the Father (Matthew 18:10). Psalm 90 (91) promises that God "hath given his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways." Pray i

St. Gabriel, whose name means "strength of God," is the archangel of the Annunciation. In the Old Testament he explains Daniel's visions (Daniel 8 and 9), and in the Gospel of Luke he announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah and then greets the Virgin Mary with the words "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee" (Luke 1:28). Because he brought the news of the Incarnation, he is honored as a patron of messengers and of all who communicate God's word. The Church

St. Raphael, whose name means "God heals," guided Tobias. Ask his help in travel and healing. The Prayer O glorious Archangel Saint Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, illustrious by thy gifts of wisdom and grace, guide of travelers by land and sea, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners: I beg thee to assist me in all my needs and in the sufferings of this life, as once thou didst help the young Tobias on his journey. And when my life is over, be thou my g

Saint Michael the Archangel is invoked as defender against the wickedness and snares of the devil. This short prayer asks his protection in spiritual battle. Pray it after Mass, at night, or whenever you need courage under God’s care. The Prayer 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 Sa

The Guardian Angel prayer, Angele Dei in Latin, is often the first prayer a Catholic child learns. It rests on the words of Jesus: "See that you despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 18:10). The Church teaches that from infancy to death every human life is surrounded by the watchful care and intercession of angels. Pray it each morning and night, before a journey, when fa