Prayers to Angels and Saints

Intercessory prayer is an integral part of Catholic life. For more information, see “Why Do Catholics Pray to the Saints?




Oratio in honorem Sanctæ Familiæ/Prayer in Honor of the Holy Family
Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis, plenum gratiæ et veritatis; de cuius plentitudine omnes nos accepimus, et gratiam pro gratia, alleluia.

The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; of whose fullness we have all recieved, and grace for grace, alleluia.
℣. Beati qui habitabant in domo tua, Domine.

℣. Blessed are they who dwell in Thy House.
℟. In sæcula sæculorum laudabunt te.

℟. They shall praise Thee forever and ever.
Domine Iesu Christe, qui Mariæ et Ioseph subditus, domesticam vitam ineffabilibus virtutibus consecrasti: fac nos, utriusque auxilio, Familiæ sanctæ tuæ exemplis instrui et consortium consequi sempiternum: Qui vivis et regnas in sæcula sæculorum. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, who, being made subject to Mary and Joseph, didst consecrate domestic life by Thine ineffable virtues; grant that we, with the assistance of both, may be taught by the example of Thy Holy Family and may attain to its everlasting fellowship. Who livest and reignest forever. Amen.



The Memorare/The Memorare—”Remember”
Memorare, O piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a sæculo, quemquam ad tua currentem præsidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro, ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.

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 with this confidence, I fly to 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.



Memorare, O Purissime Sponse/Remember, O Most Chaste Spouse
Memorare, o purissime Sponse Virginis Mariæ, o dulcis Protector mi, sancte Ioseph, non esse auditum a sæculo, quemquem ad tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia ad te venio, tibique fervide me commendo. Noli, quæso, o Pater putative Redemptoris, verba mea despicere, sed audi propitius. Amen.

Remember, o most pure Spouse of the Virgin Mary, my sweet Protector Saint Joseph, never was it heard that anyone who implored thy help nor sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence I come to thee and to thee do I fervently commend myself. Despise not my petitions, I beseech thee, foster Father of the Redeemer, but graciously hear them. Amen.



Oratio ad Sanctum Michæl/Prayer to Saint Michael
Sancte Michæl Archangele, defende nos in proelio, contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto præsidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps militiæ cælestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo, divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen. 
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense 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 thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.



O fortitudo Dei/O Strength of God (Prayer to Archangel Gabriel)
O fortitudo Dei, sancte Gabriel, qui virgini Mariæ incarnationem unigeniti Filii Dei annuntiasti, laudo et veneror te, o electe Spiritus, et supplex oro, ut meus apud Iesum Christum, Salvatorem nostrum, et eius benedictam matrem advocatus esse, atque in omnibus angustiis me solari et corroborare velis, ne ullis unquam tentationibus superatus, Deum meum peccato offendam. Amen.
O strength of God, Saint Gabriel, thou who announcedst to the Virgin Mary the incarnation of the only-begotten Son of God, I praise thee and honor thee, O elect spirit. I humbly beg thee, with Jesus Christ our Savior and with His Blessed Mother, to be my advocate. I also pray that thou wouldst comfort me and strengthen me in all my difficulties, lest at any time I may be overcome by temptation and I might offend God by sinning. Amen.



O cælestis medice/O Heavenly Doctor (Prayer to Archangel Raphael)
O cælestis medice et comes fidelissime, sancte Raphæl, qui Tobiæ seniori visum restituisti, iuniorem per omnes suscepti itineris vias deduxisti et incolumem conservasti: esto corporis et animæ meæ medicus, pelle ignorantiæ tenebras, mihique in periculosa huius vitæ peregrinatione constanter assiste, donec me ad cælestem patriam perducas. Amen.
O heavenly doctor and most faithful companion, saint Raphael, thou who didst restore sight to the elder Tobit, and didst escort the younger Tobias throughout his appointed journey and kept him safe and sound, be the doctor of my body and soul. Dispel the darkness of my ignorance, and assist me in the dangerous journey of this life always, until thou leadeth me to my heavenly homeland. Amen.



Oratio de Angele Proprio/Prayer to One’s Guardian Angel
O sancte angele Dei, minister cælestis imperii, cui Deus omnipotens mei custodiam deputavit: per maiestatem eius et pietatem te humiliter deprecor, ut custodias animam meam et corpus meum: et omnes sensus meos a pravis et illicitis desideriis: a noxiis, vanis, et immundis cogitationibus, et ab illusionibus malignorum spirituum: a pollutione mentis et corporis: et ab insidiis inimicorum meum visibilium et invisibilium quærentium animam meam: et sis mihi protector tutus, ubicumque iero diebus ac noctibus, horis atque momentis, et conserva me in mundo opere: et confirma me in timore et amore Iesu Christi cum sanctis desideriis: et post hanc miseram et caducam vitam perduc animam meam ad æternam felicitatem: ubi cum Deo et omnibus sanctis gaudeat sine fine: præstante Domino nostro Iesu Christo: cui est honor et gloria in sæculorum sæcula. Amen
O holy angel of God, minister of heavenly power, whom almighty God appointed as my guardian, through His majesty and devotion I humbly beg thee to guard my body, soul, and all my senses from perverse and illicit desires, from hurtful, vain, and impure thoughts, from the illusions of evil spirits, from the pollution of mind and body, and from the snares of my visible and invisible enemies seeking my soul. Be my watchful protector wherever I may go, night and day, every hour and every moment, and preserve me in clean works. Strengthen me with holy desires in the fear and love of Jesus Christ. And after this wretched and perishable life, lead my soul to eternal happiness; where with God and all His saints it may rejoice without end; especially with our Lord Jesus Christ: to whom be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen