Saint Michael the Archangel

Among all God’s angels, there are some who are especially important. They are called archangels — angels with great power and a special mission.

The mightiest of all the archangels is Michael.

His name itself is a kind of battle cry: in Hebrew, “Michael” means “Who is like God?” — a question with only one answer. No one. Only God is like God.

Michael appears in the Bible as a great warrior and protector. The prophet Daniel saw him in a vision, described as “the great prince who protects your people.” In the book of Revelation, it is Michael who leads the armies of heaven in the final battle against evil.

In art and statues, Michael is often shown in armor, with large powerful wings and a sword raised high. Sometimes he is shown standing over a dragon — a symbol of evil — with one foot on its neck.

But Michael is not only a fighter. He is also a guide. Tradition says that Michael watches over the souls of the faithful and leads them safely to God. In the Jewish tradition, he is the guardian angel of the people of Israel. In Christianity, he is the patron of the Church and its defender.

The Church gives us a beautiful prayer to Saint Michael, written in the nineteenth century:

“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, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”

We celebrate the feast of Saint Michael (along with the archangels Gabriel and Raphael) on September 29th — a day sometimes called Michaelmas.

Whenever you feel afraid — of the dark, of something that seems too big, of anything at all — you can ask Saint Michael to stand beside you. He is strong, brave, and completely faithful to God.

And he is on our side.