When the powers of hell are unchained, there is one name the Church calls. Not a saint. Not a pope. An archangel — the commander of the armies of heaven, the one who cast Lucifer out, the one who stands between the Church and the darkness that would devour her.

Glorious Saint Michael, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of His followers.

This beautifully laminated St. Michael Guardian & Defender card carries the longer, more ancient prayer to St. Michael — the prayer that names him explicitly as the protector of the Church, and calls on him to come to our assistance against the powers of hell.

Card Details:

• Laminated cardstock with gold colour accents
• 2.5" × 4.5" — fits perfectly in a wallet, Bible, or pocket
• Classic St. Michael sacred art image on the front
• Full prayer text on the back
• Available in packs of 3, 10, 25, 50, and 100

Prayer to St. Michael — Guardian and Defender

Glorious Saint Michael,
guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ,
come to the assistance of His followers,
against whom the powers of hell are unchained.

Guard with special care our Holy Father the Pope
and our bishops, priests, and all our clergy.
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.

Patron Saint Of:

• ⚔️ Police officers and law enforcement
• ⚔️ Military personnel and soldiers
• ⚔️ Paramedics and first responders
• ⚔️ The sick and the dying
• ⚔️ The Church universal
• ⚔️ Germany, France, and many nations

Feast Day: September 29th (Michaelmas)

The Guardian of the Church

St. Michael is one of only three angels named in Scripture — alongside Gabriel and Raphael. His name in Hebrew means "Who is like God?" — the battle cry he shouted as he led the heavenly armies against Lucifer. He appears in Daniel as the protector of Israel, in Jude disputing with the devil over the body of Moses, and in Revelation leading the final battle against the dragon.

This longer prayer specifically names Michael as the guardian and defender of the Church — the protector of the Pope, the bishops, the priests, and all the faithful. It is the prayer for those who understand that the battle is not just personal but cosmic — that the Church herself is under assault, and that heaven has appointed a warrior to defend her.

My grandmother Irene Forte Pollert taught me the Prayer to St. Michael when I was a little girl, pulling monkey grass in her yard for 25 cents a day. My son Cody chose St. Michael as his favorite saint. MawMaw Irene knew what she was doing. ⚔️

A Personal Note from Shawn

I'm Shawn Kilgarlin — wife, mother of four, mental health clinician, and Life Coach. As someone who works in mental health and addiction recovery, I know that some battles are spiritual before they are anything else. St. Michael is the patron of those battles. Every ShopCatholic card is part of my mission of giving, funding Christmas gifts for those in need through Holy Angels and serving those in addiction recovery. Thank you. 🙏⚔️

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this prayer different from the short Prayer to St. Michael?
The short Prayer to St. Michael (KE24-330) is the version Pope Leo XIII composed in 1884 and ordered said after every Low Mass — brief, powerful, and universally known. This Guardian & Defender prayer is the longer, more ancient version that explicitly names Michael as the protector of the Pope, bishops, and clergy, and calls on him to guard the whole Church. Both are powerful. The short prayer is the battle cry; this one is the full commission.

Are there churches and shrines dedicated to St. Michael?
• Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy, France — a medieval abbey on a tidal island, one of the most iconic pilgrimage sites in the world. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, Gargano, Italy — the oldest Christian shrine in Western Europe, where St. Michael appeared in 490 AD. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• St. Michael's Cathedral, Brussels, Belgium — the magnificent Gothic cathedral dedicated to St. Michael and St. Gudula.
• St. Michael Parish, Chicago, Illinois, USA — one of many beloved American parishes bearing his name.
• St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Findlay, Ohio, USA — a vibrant parish in the Diocese of Toledo.
• St. Michael Parish, Bedford, Texas, USA — a thriving parish in the Diocese of Fort Worth.

Can I order these in bulk for my parish, diocese, or prayer group?
Absolutely! Cards are available in packs up to 100 for standard orders. For larger needs, our custom print option starts at 1,000 cards, takes approximately 5 days, and can be ordered in any quantity. When Pope Francis visited the United States, he ordered 15,000 "Praying with Five Fingers" cards — a reminder of just how powerful a simple prayer card can be. Contact us to discuss your custom order. 🙏⚔️