Prayers to the Saints & Angels
Traditional Catholic invocations asking for the protection and powerful intercession of the saints and the heavenly host before God.
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
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, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Composed by Pope Leo XIII in 1884, this invocation asks Saint Michael the Archangel to defend Christians in spiritual battle and cast out the forces of darkness through divine power.
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Popularized by Father Claude Bernard in the seventeenth century and traditionally attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the Memorare reminds us that no one who fled to Mary’s protection was ever left unaided.
The Angelus
V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. (Hail Mary...)
V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word. (Hail Mary...)
V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us. (Hail Mary...)
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Accompanied by the tolling of church bells, the Angelus pauses daily routine three times a day to recall the Angel Gabriel’s message to Mary and the mystery of the Word made flesh.
Canonical English doxology prayer text used in liturgical and private devotion across the United States.