St. Michael the Archangel is an angel who is clearly associated in the Bible with protection and spiritual warfare. He is one who leads the heavenly army to defeat Satan in the book of Revelation, and he is traditionally believed to be the angel who guided the Hebrew people out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and into the Promised Land.
Throughout the centuries the Church has confirmed this special role appointed to St. Michael by God, most clearly in the St. Michael Prayer that was composed by Pope Leo XIII.
There are also many other prayers in the spiritual treasury of the Church that invoke St. Michael’s protection, including the following prayer that invokes his spiritual aid. It is a powerful prayer, one that can also be prayed in addition to the traditional prayer of Leo XIII.
Saint Michael, the Archangel, Glorious Prince, chief and champion of the heavenly hosts; guardian of the souls of men; conqueror of the rebel angels! How beautiful art thou, in thy heaven-made armor. We love thee, dear Prince of Heaven! We, thy happy clients, yearn to enjoy thy special protection. Obtain for us from God a share of thy sturdy courage; pray that we may have a strong and tender love for our Redeemer and, in every danger or temptation, be invincible against the enemy of our souls. O standard-bearer of our salvation! Be with us in our last moments and when our souls quit this earthly exile, carry them safely to the judgment seat of Christ, and may Our Lord and Master bid thee bear us speedily to the kingdom of eternal bliss. Teach us ever to repeat the sublime cry: “Who is like unto God?” Amen.
