Patron Saint of Police Officers and Prayers for Police

The patron saint of police officers and of everyone in law enforcement is St. Michael the Archangel, the leader of the armies of heaven who defends the innocent and casts down evil. Police officers around the world wear his medal, often with the words “St. Michael, protect us,” and many police chaplains and Catholic police guilds are named for him. Below is why St. Michael is the patron of police, other saints police officers invoke, the Blue Mass, Scripture for officers, and prayers for police officers and their families.

A short prayer for police officers, written for this page:

St. Michael the Archangel, protect all police officers on duty today.
Give them courage, good judgment and self-control,
shield them from every danger, and bring them home safely. Amen.

Why St. Michael is the patron of police

In the Book of the Apocalypse, St. Michael leads the angels who fight against the dragon and drive him out of heaven (Apocalypse 12:7–9). In the Book of Daniel he is “the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people” (Daniel 12:1). He is the protector who stands between the innocent and those who would harm them, and that is the calling of every good police officer.

Pope Pius XII named St. Michael patron of the Italian police in 1949, and police forces, officers and their families around the world have taken him as their patron. His feast, with the archangels Gabriel and Raphael, is September 29.

The prayer to St. Michael composed by Pope Leo XIII is the police officer’s prayer above all:

Holy Michael, Archangel, defend us in the day of battle;
be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do thou, prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God, thrust down to hell Satan
and all wicked spirits, who roam through the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

See the St. Michael prayer, the Chaplet of St. Michael and the novena to St. Michael.

Other patron saints of police officers

St. Sebastian (January 20), an officer of the imperial guard and martyr, patron of local police in Italy and of soldiers. See the St. Sebastian prayer.
St. George (April 23), the soldier-martyr who defended the weak. See the St. George prayer.
St. Matthew (September 21), the tax collector called by Christ, invoked by customs and security officers. See the St. Matthew prayer.
St. Ivo of Kermartin (May 19), the honest judge and “advocate of the poor,” for those who work in the justice system. See the patron saint of lawyers.

For soldiers and firefighters, see the patron saint of soldiers and St. Florian, patron of firefighters.

Prayers for police officers

Written for this page.

A police officer’s prayer

Lord God, you have called me to protect and serve.
Through the prayers of St. Michael, give me courage in danger and calm in confusion,
wisdom to know when to act and when to wait,
self-control when I am provoked, and compassion for victims and for those I arrest.
Keep me honest and fair, protect my partner and me,
and bring us home safely at the end of every shift. Amen.

For police officers

Heavenly Father, watch over the men and women of our police.
Protect them from violence and accidents, give them sound judgment,
heal those who are wounded, comfort those who carry hard memories,
and let them always use their authority with justice and respect for every person. Amen.

For a police officer’s family

Lord, every time my officer goes on duty, I give them to you.
Surround them with your angels, keep them safe, and give me peace while I wait.
St. Michael, guard them. Amen.

For police officers who died in the line of duty

Lord Jesus, receive into your peace the officers who gave their lives protecting others.
Comfort their families and fellow officers, and grant them eternal rest. Amen.

Scripture for police officers

St. Paul on the authority that serves the common good (Romans 13:3–4, Douay-Rheims):

For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same.
For he is God’s minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God’s minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

And Christ’s blessing on those who make peace (Matthew 5:9):

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God.

The Blue Mass

Many dioceses celebrate a Blue Mass each year to pray for police officers, firefighters and other first responders and to remember those who died in the line of duty. The name comes from the blue uniforms of police. The custom began in Washington, D.C., in 1934, and today Blue Masses are often celebrated in September, near the anniversary of September 11 or the feast of St. Michael.

What the Church teaches

The Catechism teaches that “legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others,” and that those who hold legitimate authority may use force, but only what is necessary, to protect the community from those who would harm it (CCC 2265). Police officers serve the common good when they protect life, uphold the law justly, and respect the dignity of every person.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the patron saint of police officers?

St. Michael the Archangel.

Who is the patron saint of law enforcement?

St. Michael the Archangel is the patron of all law enforcement officers.

What does the St. Michael medal mean for police?

It asks the protection of the archangel who defends against evil. Many officers carry it on duty or receive it at graduation from the police academy.

Patron Saint of Police Officers: St. Michael the Archangel and Prayers for Police