Michael the Archangel

Patron ofSoldiers, Police Officers, Paratroopers, Germany

SituationsDanger, Protection, Spiritual Warfare

ProfessionsGrocers, Paramedics, Police Officers, Soldiers

Why this patronage

Saint Michael the Archangel is the patron of soldiers, police officers, and paratroopers because Scripture and tradition show him as the warrior-prince of the heavenly host who casts Satan and his angels out of heaven: “there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon” (Revelation 12:7). All who do battle against evil and disorder — soldiers, the police who guard the peace, paratroopers who descend from the sky as he is shown descending upon the dragon — take the captain of the angels as their patron. As the weigher of souls at the judgment he is also invoked by the dying and against danger, and he is honored as a protector of Germany.

Life

Saint Michael the Archangel is one of the principal angels in Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions. In Catholic teaching, he is the leader of the heavenly host who defeated Satan and his rebellious angels. He is venerated as the protector of the Church and the patron of soldiers and police officers.

Prayer

Prayer to Saint Michael (Oratio ad Sanctum Michaelem)

Sancte Míchael Archángele,

Saint Michael the Archangel,

Heiliger Erzengel Michael,

San Miguel Arcángel,

Saint Michel Archange,

defénde nos in proélio;

defend us in battle;

verteidige uns im Kampfe;

defiéndenos en la batalla;

défendez-nous dans le combat ;

contra nequítiam et insídias diáboli esto praesídium.

be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

gegen die Bosheit und die Nachstellungen des Teufels sei unser Schutz.

sé nuestro amparo contra la perversidad y asechanzas del demonio.

soyez notre protecteur contre la méchanceté et les embûches du démon.

Imperet illi Deus, súpplices deprecámur:

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:

u00ABGott gebiete ihmu00BB, so bitten wir flehentlich;

Reprímale Dios, pedimos suplicantes;

Que Dieu lui commande, nous vous en supplions ;

tuque, Princeps milítiae caeléstis,

and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,

und du, Fürst der himmlischen Heerscharen,

y tú, Príncipe de la milicia celestial,

et vous, Prince de la milice céleste,

Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos,

by the power of God,

stoße den Satan und die anderen bösen Geister,

arroja al infierno, con el divino poder,

par la puissance divine,

qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in mundo,

thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits

die in der Welt umhergehen, um die Seelen zu verderben,

a Satanás y a los otros espíritus malignos

repoussez en enfer Satan et les autres esprits mauvais

divína virtúte in inférnum detrúde.

who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

durch die Kraft Gottes in die Hölle.

que andan dispersos por el mundo para la perdición de las almas.

qui errent dans le monde pour la perte des âmes.

Amen.

Amén.

Amen.

— Pope Leo XIII, 1886