Every day, we face uncertain and challenging moments, and we frequently feel overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. However, 2 Thessalonians 3:3 reassures us that “the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil.” This tells us that God is trustworthy and that even if a situation appears dire, He will be there to bring good out of that situation.
St. Michael the Archangel is a mighty archangel, a defender and protector against evil. In 1940 in a homily to newlyweds, Pope Pius XII (now Venerable) had this to say about Saint Michael:
“You must not think that [Michael]…waits until the hour of death to manifest his goodness to mankind. How dear, then, his patronage ought to be to you, husbands and wives, in order to help you receive into this world the souls for which you will prepare a physical abode in obedience to the law of the Creator! And after this, Holy Michael will continue to assist you in your mission, taking care of you and your children.”
“Ask Holy Michael to keep from your homes the anxieties which children’s ill health, threats of epidemics, or actual crises cause to the hearts of parents. But the Church invokes the Archangel above all as protector of the health of souls, far more precious than bodily health, and always threatened by the contagion of evil.” What beautiful words!
“The powers of hell will assail the dying Christian; but his angel guardian will come to console him. His patrons, and St. Michael, who has been appointed by God to defend his faithful servants in their last combat with the devils, will come to his aid” (St. Alphonsus Liguori).
In 2013, Pope Francis spoke about the Archangel during the blessing of a statue of St Michael the Archangel. “Michael fights to re-establish divine justice; he defends the People of God from their enemies and above all from the arch-enemy par excellence, the devil. And St Michael triumphs because in him it is God who acts.”
Mary, the mother of Jesus, also offers us help and protection through her intercession with her Son Jesus.. We can always turn to Mary for help. St. Bonaventure said, “”Men do not fear a powerful hostile army as the powers of hell fear the name and protection of Mary.” Mary is a mother, and she wants to help us in our struggles, and to help us reach heaven.
St. Josemaria Escriva once said, “When we were little, we kept close to our mother in a dark alley or if dogs barked at us. Now, when we feel temptations of the flesh, we should run to the side of our Mother in Heaven, by realizing how she is to us, and by means of aspirations. She will defend us and lead us to the light.”
Below we offer you several prayers for protection and help, including Ephesians 6, the “armor of God prayer.”
Prayer for Protection and Help
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 judgement seat of Christ; and may Our Lord and Master bid thee bear us speedily to the kingdom of eternal bliss. Amen.
Another Prayer to St. Michael
Glorious Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly hosts, who stands always ready to give assistance to the people of God, who fought with the dragon, the old serpent, and cast him out of heaven, and now valiantly defends the Church of God that the gates of hell may never prevail against her, I earnestly entreat you to assist me also in the painful and dangerous conflict which I sustain against the same formidable foe.
Be with me, O mighty Prince, that I may courageously fight and vanquish that proud spirit, whom you, by the Divine Power, gloriously overthrew, and whom our powerful King, Jesus Christ, has, in our nature, completely overcome; so having triumphed over the enemy of my salvation, I may, with you and the holy angels, praise the clemency of God. Amen.
Mary, Mother of Grace (Maria Mater Gratiae)
Mary, Mother of grace,
Mother of mercy,
Shield me from the enemy,
And receive me at the hour of my death. Amen.
Holy Mary, Help the Helpless (Sancta Maria, Succurre Miseris)
Holy Mary, help the helpless, strengthen the faithful,
comfort the sorrowful, pray for the people,
plead for the clergy, intercede for all women
consecrated to God; may all who keep thy
sacred commemoration experience the
might of thine assurance. Amen.
Praying for Protection: Ephesians 6:11-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace;
besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…
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