São Tomé e Príncipe · 8 min
Archangel Michael: Who He Is, the St Michael Prayer and His Chapel in Sao Tome
Luciano Baetz · 25 October 2026
Who Archangel Michael is, his symbols and what he is the patron of, the St Michael prayer of Pope Leo XIII, how to pray it, and the 1883 Chapel of St Michael in Sao Tome, reachable only by sea.
Who is Archangel Michael? St Michael the Archangel is the leader of the angels in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions, the protector who fights evil. His name in Hebrew, Mi-ka-El, means "Who is like God?". In the Bible he appears in the Book of Daniel, the Letter of Jude and the Book of Revelation, where he defeats the dragon. The Catholic Church celebrates him on 29 September (Michaelmas), together with the archangels Gabriel and Raphael, and the best-known prayer in his honour is the St Michael prayer of Pope Leo XIII.
In this article we explain who Archangel Michael is, what he symbolises, what he is the patron of, the St Michael prayer, how to pray it, and the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel, built in 1883 in the far south of Sao Tome, which we visit on our retreat.
In this article
- Who is Archangel Michael
- St Michael the Archangel in the Bible
- Symbols: sword, scales and dragon
- What he is the patron of
- The St Michael prayer
- How to pray to Archangel Michael
- Archangel Michael in holistic spirituality
- The Chapel of St Michael the Archangel in Sao Tome
- Frequently asked questions
Who is Archangel Michael
Archangels are the highest-ranking angels. Christian tradition names three: Michael; Gabriel, the messenger of the Annunciation; and Raphael, the angel of healing and of travellers. Michael is the prince of the heavenly host, who defends the people of God and confronts evil.
His name is a question: "Who is like God?". It is Michael's answer to the pride of the one who tried to take God's place, which is why he is seen as a symbol of humility and faithfulness.
St Michael the Archangel in the Bible
- Book of Daniel: Michael is described as "one of the chief princes" and the great protector of the people (Daniel 10 and 12).
- Letter of Jude: he is called "Michael the archangel" (Jude 1:9).
- Revelation: Michael and his angels fight and defeat the dragon (Revelation 12:7–9).
Symbols of Archangel Michael: sword, scales and dragon
In art, St Michael almost always appears in a soldier's armour, with wings, a raised sword or spear and the defeated dragon or devil at his feet. Many images also show him holding a pair of scales, weighing souls at the Last Judgement: the symbol of justice.
What is St Michael the Archangel the patron of?
He is invoked as a protector against evil, in times of temptation and danger, and at the hour of death. He is also the patron of several professions linked to defence, such as the police and security forces. In Britain his name is found on many churches and chapels, and even on a tidal island: St Michael's Mount in Cornwall.
The St Michael prayer (Pope Leo XIII)
This is the original prayer to St Michael the Archangel, composed by Pope Leo XIII at the end of the 19th century and said for decades at the end of Mass. It is known as the St Michael prayer for protection against evil:
St 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, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
As well as this one, there are many popular prayers to St Michael the Archangel asking for protection for the family, for children or against envy and the evil eye. Another much-searched devotion is the 21-day prayer to Archangel Michael, a recent devotion said for 21 days in a row, which is not part of the Church's liturgy.
How to pray to Archangel Michael
- Choose a calm moment, in the morning when you wake up or at night before you go to sleep.
- Be silent for a minute and breathe slowly.
- State your intention: what you are asking protection or help for.
- Say the prayer of Leo XIII or speak in your own words.
- Finish with gratitude.
Many people say it every day; others do so in difficult moments or on 29 September, the feast of St Michael.
Archangel Michael in holistic spirituality
Outside the Church, Archangel Michael is also a central figure in holistic spirituality and so-called "angelology". Here he is seen as the angel of protection and courage, associated with the colour blue, and is invoked in protection meditations and energy-cleansing practices, to "cut away" what weighs you down and restore strength. People who follow these practices often visualise Michael's sword or a cloak of blue light during meditation.
These are beliefs and wellbeing practices, not scientific truths, and everyone experiences them in their own way. It is in this spirit, open to believers and non-believers alike, that we visit the chapel on our retreat.
The Chapel of St Michael the Archangel in Sao Tome
In the far south of the island of Sao Tome stands the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel, on the old Roça de São Miguel plantation. The plantation was founded in 1883 by Jacinto Carneiro de Sousa e Almeida, later the 1st Viscount of Malanza, who took cocoa growing south from Porto Alegre as far as the São Miguel River. The chapel was built of stone and lime, at the edge of the estate, facing the Atlantic.
Featured trip
Spiritual Retreat in Sao Tome and Principe: 10 Days at the Spring Equinox, Flights Included
17 to 26 March 2027: a journey around the island of Sao Tome with daily practices to connect with Mother Earth, energy cleansing and healing meditations, the spring equinox at the Equator Marker and the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel. Vegetarian and fish menus, direct flights from Lisbon included, group of up to 20 people.
The Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, swallowed by the forest in southern São Tomé.The plantation never had a road: workers, supplies and cocoa came and went by boat. Even today the chapel can only be reached by sea, from Porto Alegre. The chapel is in ruins, its roof collapsed and the forest covering its walls, but in June 2026 a team reached it by sea and found the original statue of St Michael the Archangel intact.
The original statue of Saint Michael the Archangel, on the altar.
One of the moss-covered arched windows.The Chapel of St Michael restoration project
The restoration of the chapel is an independent, community project, with no funding from the state or the Church, founded by Luciano Baetz, founder of Jaca Voyage and Vamos Fugir. Donations go towards rebuilding the walls and roof and restoring the altar and the statue, working with local craftspeople and boatmen. Find out more and contribute at capeladesaomiguel.com.
On our spiritual retreat in Sao Tome and Principe, 17–26 March 2027, the visit to the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel is made by boat from Porto Alegre, on the free day in the south, with the group staying three nights at Ecolodge Inhame nearby. There is a moment of prayer for those who wish and a protection meditation led by Luciano Baetz. The day before, on 20 March, we celebrate the spring equinox at the Equator Marker.
To plan your trip, read our Sao Tome and Principe travel guide and the article spiritual retreat: what it is, types, cost and where to go.
Frequently asked questions about Archangel Michael
What does the name Michael mean?
It comes from the Hebrew Mi-ka-El and means "Who is like God?".
When is the feast of St Michael the Archangel?
29 September (Michaelmas), when the Catholic Church celebrates the three archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
What is the original St Michael prayer?
It is the prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII at the end of the 19th century, which begins "St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle".
What is St Michael the Archangel the patron of?
He is invoked against evil and in times of danger, and he is the patron of professions linked to defence and security.
What does Archangel Michael do?
In Christian tradition, he protects the people of God, fights evil and accompanies souls. In holistic spirituality, he is invoked for protection, courage and energy cleansing.
What colour is Archangel Michael?
In holistic spirituality he is associated with blue. In Christian art he has no fixed colour and almost always appears in armour.
Where is the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel in Sao Tome?
On the old Roça de São Miguel, in the far south of the island of Sao Tome, facing the Atlantic. It can only be reached by sea, by boat from Porto Alegre. We visit it on our spiritual retreat in March 2027.
When was the Chapel of St Michael in Sao Tome built?
In 1883, when Jacinto Carneiro de Sousa e Almeida founded the Roça de São Miguel. Today it is in ruins and there is an independent project to restore it.
Visit the Chapel of St Michael the Archangel on the equinox retreat
From 17 to 26 March 2027: a group of up to 20 people, direct flights from Lisbon included, daily practices to connect with Mother Earth, energy cleansing and healing meditations, the spring equinox at the Equator Marker and the visit to the chapel. See the full programme of the spiritual retreat in Sao Tome and Principe.