Meet the Saints: St. Michael the Archangel

He’s the defender of Heaven, the prince of the angels, and the go-to spiritual warrior when you need protection from evil.

He’s St. Michael the Archangel—and while he isn’t a saint in the human sense, the Church honors him as a powerful heavenly protector and intercessor.

Quick Biography: St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel is one of the most revered heavenly beings in Christian tradition, honored as the leader of the heavenly hosts and the defender of God’s people. His name means “Who is like God?”—a battle cry of humility and faithfulness that reflects his role in the defeat of Satan and the fallen angels.

Michael appears in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Book of Daniel, he is described as the great prince who protects God’s people (Daniel 10:13, 12:1). In the Book of Revelation, he leads the armies of heaven in the final battle against the dragon (Satan), casting him and his angels down from heaven (Revelation 12:7–9). Tradition also holds that he was present at key moments of salvation history, serving as protector of Israel, guardian of the Church, and guide of souls at the hour of death.

The Church venerates St. Michael as one of the chief archangels, along with Gabriel and Raphael. Devotion to him has been widespread since the early centuries of Christianity, especially as a defender against evil. He is invoked in spiritual warfare, and Pope Leo XIII composed the famous Prayer to St. Michael in the 19th century, still prayed by Catholics worldwide.

Unlike saints who lived earthly lives, St. Michael is an angelic being—pure spirit, created by God to serve and worship Him. His mission is to protect, defend, and guide, making him a powerful intercessor for the faithful.

Feast Day: September 29 (Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael)
Patronage: Soldiers, police officers, paramedics, the Church, and those facing spiritual battles
Symbols: Sword, scales, and armor (representing his role as protector and judge)
Legacy: Defender of heaven, guardian of the Church, and intercessor in spiritual warfare

The Warrior of Heaven

St. Michael appears throughout Scripture as the leader of the heavenly armies. In Revelation 12, he leads the charge against the devil and his angels, casting them out of heaven.

His name means “Who is like God?”—a battle cry of truth against pride, echoing through spiritual warfare even today.

Protector of God’s People

Michael doesn’t just defend heaven. In the Book of Daniel, he is called “the great prince who protects your people.” The Church has long recognized him as a guardian of souls and nations, especially in times of danger.

The St. Michael Prayer, written by Pope Leo XIII in the 19th century, is still widely prayed today for protection from evil.

Why He Still Matters

We live in a world where spiritual battles are real—temptation, confusion, fear, and evil are part of our daily experience. St. Michael reminds us that we don’t fight alone.

He stands ready to defend us—if we call on him.

Did you know there have been apparitions of St. Michael through history? Here are some of them:

1. The Apparitions of Monte Sant’Angelo (Italy, 5th Century)

• Location: Gargano, southern Italy
• Details: Around 490 A.D., St. Michael is said to have appeared to a bishop in the region, designating a cave as a sacred place of prayer and promising his protection. This became the famous Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo, one of the oldest and most important pilgrimage sites dedicated to St. Michael.
• Status: Strong tradition in the Church, the site has papal approval and centuries of continuous veneration.

2. The Apparition at Castel Sant’Angelo (Rome, 590 A.D.)

• Location: Rome, Italy
• Details: During a devastating plague, Pope St. Gregory the Great led a procession through Rome. As they reached Hadrian’s Mausoleum, St. Michael appeared atop the structure, sheathing his sword as a sign that the plague was ending. The mausoleum was renamed Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) in his honor.
• Status: A firmly established tradition commemorated by the Church.

3. The Apparitions on Mont-Saint-Michel (France, 8th Century)

• Location: Normandy, France
• Details: In 708, St. Michael reportedly appeared to St. Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, instructing him to build a church on the rocky tidal island. After initial hesitation, the bishop obeyed, and Mont-Saint-Michel became one of Europe’s most iconic shrines.
• Status: A recognized and long-standing site of pilgrimage.

4. The Cave of St. Michael in Tlaxcala (Mexico, 17th Century)

• Location: Tlaxcala, Mexico
• Details: In 1631, St. Michael is said to have appeared to Diego Lázaro, a humble man, revealing a miraculous spring of healing water. The apparition site—San Miguel del Milagro—remains a place of devotion.
• Status: Not an officially Vatican-approved apparition like Lourdes or Fatima, but has strong local and traditional devotion with Church recognition at the diocesan level.

Want to Imitate St. Michael?

• Pray the St. Michael Prayer each day for protection
• Stand up for truth and justice, even when it’s hard
• Trust that God’s power always overcomes darkness

FAQ: St. Michael the Archangel

• Q: Is St. Michael a saint or an angel?
  A: He is an archangel, not a human. The title “saint” is given to him as a sign of honor and holiness. The word saint means, more or less, holy. Therefore, by calling him a saint we recognize that he is holy and with God in heaven.
• Q: What is St. Michael the patron of?
  A: He’s the patron of police officers, soldiers, EMTs, and spiritual warriors.

Q: Why do we pray to him?
A: He’s a powerful intercessor in spiritual warfare, helping protect us from evil and temptation.

Additional Resources

Read more of our new series, Meet the Saints, on our blog! Here’s one on St. Peter, and one on St. Anthony of Padua.

Want more resources on St. Joseph? Check out this page full of resources from the USCCB.

Here’s more on the saints from the blog:

• A Guide to Patron Saints for Every Situation
• Do Catholics Pray to Saints?
• Who Are the Most Popular Catholic Saints?
• Welcoming 2024 and 2025’s Newest Catholic Saints
• Your Favorite Saints’ Favorite Saints
• 25 Patron Saints of Really Random Things
• How to Choose a Confirmation Saint (With Saint Suggestions!)