Traditional litany for private devotion

Litany of Saint Michael the Archangel

For 29 September and the Lent of Saint Michael — the prince of the heavenly hosts

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Queen of angels, pray for us.
Saint Michael, pray for us.
Saint Michael, full of the wisdom of God, pray for us.
Saint Michael, most perfect prince, pray for us.
Saint Michael, conqueror of the dragon, pray for us.
Saint Michael, admirable in battle, pray for us.
Saint Michael, honour and glory of the angels, pray for us.
Saint Michael, mighty in the strength of God, pray for us.
Saint Michael, prince of the heavenly hosts, pray for us.
Saint Michael, prince of the Church of Christ, pray for us.
Saint Michael, strength of the people of God, pray for us.
Saint Michael, guardian of paradise, pray for us.
Saint Michael, defender of those who hope in God, pray for us.
Saint Michael, prince of the armies of the Lord, pray for us.
Saint Michael, protector of the Church, pray for us.
Saint Michael, help of those who fight temptation, pray for us.
Saint Michael, consolation of the dying, pray for us.
Saint Michael, who receivest souls after death, pray for us.
Saint Michael, who presentest them to God, pray for us.
Saint Michael, who deliverest them from the enemy, pray for us.
Saint Michael, guide of the faithful into the holy light, pray for us.
Saint Michael, our hope in dangers, pray for us.
Saint Michael, refuge of the afflicted, pray for us.
Saint Michael, our defender in battle, pray for us.
Saint Michael, our special protector, pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

℣ Pray for us, glorious Saint Michael, prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
℟ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

Lord Jesus Christ, sanctify us with an ever new blessing and grant us, through the intercession of Saint Michael, that wisdom which teaches us to lay up treasures in heaven and to exchange the goods of this time for those of eternity. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

Amen.

SourceTraditional litany for private devotion · For 29 September and the Lent of Saint Michael — the prince of the heavenly hosts

The history of this prayer

The Litany of St Michael is a litany for private devotion, found in prayer books since the nineteenth century. It gathers the titles Scripture and tradition give the Archangel: the one who conquered the dragon (Revelation 12:7), the prince who stands up for the people of God (Daniel 12:1), who contends for the body of Moses (Jude 9), who receives souls and presents them to God (the offertory of the Mass for the dead).

It is prayed on the feasts of St Michael, 29 September and 8 May, during the Lent of St Michael (15 August to 29 September, which St Francis kept) and together with the prayer of Leo XIII. Unlike the Chaplet of St Michael, which goes through the nine choirs of angels, the litany is addressed to him alone.

The English is our own rendering of the traditional text.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Litany of St Michael prayed?

On the feasts of St Michael (29 September and 8 May), in the Lent of St Michael (15 August to 29 September) and in times of spiritual combat, together with the prayer of Leo XIII.

What is the difference between the litany and the Chaplet of St Michael?

The Chaplet goes through the nine choirs of angels, with one Our Father and three Hail Marys for each choir; the litany is a sequence of invocations addressed to St Michael alone.

Is the Litany of St Michael approved for public worship?

No; it is for private devotion, like most litanies of the saints. It may be prayed at home or in a group outside the liturgy.

More prayers: Litanies

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