Can Catholics Pray to the Archangel Uriel? Why an EWTN Priest Warns Against It
The New Age and the esoteric currents accompanying it brought a renewed interest in angels.
However, there is a dangerous tendency to request the intercession of angelic spirits not in the Bible, as in the case of Uriel.
On the EWTN show Scripture and Tradition, host Father Mitch Pacwa answers a question about requesting the intercession of the supposed archangel Uriel.
Priest explains what every Catholic should know about Archangel Uriel
“We know of Uriel from an apocryphal book. We do not accept this book – the fourth book of Esdras - this is not a book that is in the Bible,” Father Pacwa says.
“As such,” he continues, “nothing from Revelation is known for sure. And so, we do not accept [the fourth book of Esdras].”
The priest adds that Catholics “do not name angels and do not take angels who are not mentioned in Scripture.”
“It is good for us to stay with what God has given us–with what the Holy Spirit has inspired in the writings of Sacred Scripture, and we just do not know about the inspiration of these other books like Esdras," Father Pacwa explains.
“So we will stick with the angels we do know – Saint Raphael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Michael.”
However, he says if we desire to pray to an angel, he encourages the Saint Michael prayer.
“Unlike Uriel, who was told we can’t seek his intercession, Pope Leo XIII urged us – especially at this time when there is much evil – to seek the intercession of St. Michael the Archangel. Use that prayer and do so with great confidence.”
Watch the video below:
Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
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 hosts,
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. .
O glorious prince St. Michael,
chief and commander of the heavenly hosts,
guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits,
servant in the house of the Divine King
and our admirable conductor,
you who shine with excellence
and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil,
who turn to you with confidence
and enable us by your gracious protection
to serve God more and more faithfully every day.