The archangel who leads God's armies against Satan — patron of police, soldiers, and protection from evil.
Saint Michael is one of the seven archangels named in Scripture and Jewish tradition. The Bible names him in Daniel 10:13 and 12:1 (described as 'one of the chief princes' and 'the great prince who protects your people'), in the Letter of Jude 1:9 (where he disputes with the devil over the body of Moses), and in Revelation 12:7 (where he leads the angels in war against Satan and his angels). The name Michael means 'Who is like God?' — itself a question challenging the prideful claim of Satan to be like God. Michael's role across these passages is consistent: he is the warrior angel, the defender of God's people, and the leader of the heavenly host in cosmic battle against evil. In Christian tradition, Michael is venerated as: the prince of the heavenly hosts (commander of the angels); the patron of the universal church (alongside Joseph); the defender of the faithful against demonic attack; the guide of souls to judgment after death; and the protector of the dying. Many Christian armies have invoked his protection, and he is the patron of police, military, and emergency responders worldwide. His feast day, September 29 (Michaelmas), was historically one of the most important days of the church year — marking the transition from harvest to winter and the beginning of the Michaelmas legal term in England. The famous 'Saint Michael Prayer' (composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886) is one of the most-recited prayers in Catholic devotion, often added to the end of low Masses for over a century.
Reports of Michael's intervention span Christian history. Among the most famous: Mont Saint-Michel (France, 8th century) — Michael reportedly appeared to Saint Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, directing him to build a sanctuary on the island that would become one of medieval Christianity's most famous pilgrimage sites; Monte Gargano (Italy, 5th century) — Michael appeared multiple times, leading to the establishment of the cave sanctuary that remains one of the oldest continuously active shrines in Europe; Michael's apparition during the Battle of Lepanto (1571) is invoked as one of the reasons for the Christian fleet's victory; in the 20th and 21st centuries, the Saint Michael Prayer has been credited with countless individual deliverances from demonic oppression, accidents, and spiritual attack.
Saint 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.
Saint Michael is the archangel named in Daniel, Jude, and Revelation as the warrior angel who leads God's armies against Satan. His name means 'Who is like God?' — a question that challenges Satan's prideful claim to be like God. Michael is venerated as the prince of the heavenly hosts, the defender of the church, and the patron of police, soldiers, and the dying.
The Saint Michael Prayer was composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 after he reportedly experienced a vision of demonic powers attacking the church. It begins 'Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle' and asks his intercession against evil. From 1886 to 1965 it was prayed at the end of every low Mass; many parishes have restored the practice. It is one of the most-recited Catholic prayers.
Saint Michael's feast day is September 29 (called Michaelmas), shared with the archangels Gabriel and Raphael in the post-Vatican II Roman calendar. Before 1969 each archangel had a separate feast (Michael on Sept 29, Gabriel on March 24, Raphael on October 24). Michaelmas was historically one of the four 'quarter days' marking the seasonal year in England.
Yes — Michael is named in Daniel 10:13 and 12:1 (as 'one of the chief princes' and 'the great prince who protects your people'), in Jude 1:9 (disputing with the devil over Moses's body), and in Revelation 12:7 (leading the angels in war against Satan). He is the only archangel called 'archangel' in the New Testament (Jude 1:9). Three other angels are named in Scripture: Gabriel (Daniel 8, Luke 1) and the angelic figure Raphael (Tobit), and tradition adds others.