If you have searched for a prayer to the Archangel Uriel, you have likely found dozens of versions online, many of them with a tone that blends Christianity with esotericism. In all honesty, it is helpful to clearly answer a preliminary question: does the Catholic Church recognize and venerate an archangel named Uriel? The answer, which surprises many people, is no—not in the way he is usually presented. And understanding why is, in itself, a brief catechesis on the angels.
Historical context: who is Uriel?
The name "Uriel" means "Fire of God" or "Light of God." He appears in ancient Jewish writings that DO NOT form part of the Catholic Bible: the Book of Enoch and the so-called 4th (or 2nd) Book of Esdras, which are apocryphal texts—meaning they are neither inspired nor included in the canon of Scripture. In that literature, Uriel is listed among the angels who stand in the presence of God; from there, over time, he passed into popular traditions and, above all, into modern "angelology" systems of an esoteric and "New Age" nature, where he is assigned colors, energies, or functions that have nothing to do with the Christian faith.
The Bible does speak of "seven angels who stand before the Lord"—the Archangel Raphael says this in the Book of Tobit (12:15). The number seven is, therefore, biblical. But—and this is the key point—Scripture only NAMES three of them: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The others remain unnamed. Giving names to the other four (Uriel among them) comes from non-canonical sources, not from Revelation.
Is there a Catholic prayer to the Archangel Uriel?
No. The Catholic Church venerates by name only the three archangels named in Scripture—Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael—whose common feast is celebrated on September 29. The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (2002) is explicit in this regard: it discourages giving angels names other than the three revealed and warns against practices that associate angels with elements outside the faith (cf. nos. 216-217). Therefore, there is no liturgical prayer or official devotion to the "Archangel Uriel."
This is not a restrictive whim, but rather pastoral prudence: it protects the faith from being mixed with superstition and the New Age movement, which often present angels as manipulable "energies" rather than creatures of God. What is fully Catholic is turning to God, to the three archangels, or to one's guardian angel. If you are looking for a solid angelic prayer, this is the traditional one:
Ángel de mi guarda, dulce compañía, no me desampares ni de noche ni de día. No me dejes solo, que me perdería. Ángel de Dios, que eres mi custodio, pues la bondad divina me ha encomendado a ti, ilumíname, guárdame, rígeme y gobiérname. Amén.
We do not reproduce the official version of this prayer in your language here because we are not certain of it; this is the Spanish text. The Latin original, which is common to all languages, appears below.
Reflection and meaning: angels yes, esotericism no
The fact that the Church does not venerate Uriel does not mean it denies the existence of many angels—"thousands of thousands," as Scripture calls them (Daniel 7:10). It means it exercises prudence regarding what has not been revealed.
Why only three names?
Because only those three appear in the Word of God, each with a clear mission: Michael defends (Revelation 12), Gabriel announces (Luke 1), and Raphael accompanies and heals (Tobit). In the Bible, the name expresses the mission. We know that the other angels exist and serve God, but their names have not been revealed to us; to invent them is to go beyond what God has chosen to tell us.
The risk of New Age "angelology"
Much of what circulates about Uriel—and other supposed archangels—comes from currents that treat angels as forces to be invoked for results: prosperity, energy, "automatic" protection. That is not Christian faith, but a subtle form of superstition. The Catholic angel is not an energy at our service: he is a servant of God who helps us move toward Him (cf. Catechism, nos. 328-336). The difference is enormous: in one case, the center is me and my desires; in the other, the center is God.
What you can pray with full confidence
If you are drawn to devotion to the angels, the Church offers you a safe and beautiful path: the prayer to the Guardian Angel, the prayer to Saint Michael for protection, to Saint Raphael for health and the journey, and to Saint Gabriel for listening to God. All of them, faithful to Revelation, put you in contact with the angelic world without the risk of straying. You do not need names taken from apocryphal books: by your side, ever since your baptism, you have a guardian angel given to you by God.
An honest conclusion
Stating this clearly is a service: there is no Catholic prayer to the Archangel Uriel, because the Church only names Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. If what you are seeking is the closeness of the angels, the faith provides you with tried-and-true, safe prayers. And if what you were looking for was "energy" or formulas, perhaps this is a good opportunity to discover something better: a God who loves you and has placed angels at your service to lead you to Him.
What the Church says, exactly
It is best to answer directly, because that is the question that brings people here. The Catholic Church only recognizes three archangels by name: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, who are the only ones named in the canonical books of Scripture. Uriel is not among them.
Uriel appears in the Book of Enoch and the Fourth Book of Esdras, writings that do not form part of the Catholic canon. Furthermore, there is a specific ruling: a Roman synod in the year 745, under Pope Zachary, rejected the veneration of angels with names other than those three, precisely to curb the proliferation of angelic names.
This does not deny the existence of other angels—the Catechism affirms that they are innumerable—rather, it means the Church does not approve of addressing them by names taken from non-canonical sources. Anyone wishing to entrust themselves to the angels has an open path through the three recognized ones and their guardian angel.
What to do if someone has told you about Uriel
- If you were looking for a liturgical prayer to Uriel, it does not exist: there is none approved by the Church.
- If you are seeking angelic intercession, the Church proposes Saint Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, as well as the guardian angel.
- Be wary of devotions to Uriel that appear in esoteric or New Age contexts: they usually have nothing to do with the Christian faith.
You may also be interested in Saint Michael, the Archangel Gabriel, the Archangel Raphael.
In the store: religious keychains.
Frequently asked questions
Is Uriel an archangel recognized by the Catholic Church?
No. The Church only recognizes Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael by name, as they are the only ones named in the canonical books. Uriel appears in the Book of Enoch and the Fourth Book of Esdras, which are non-canonical.
Is it forbidden to pray to him?
A Roman synod in the year 745 rejected the veneration of angels with names other than the three recognized ones. This is not about denying the existence of other angels, but rather about not invoking them with names taken from non-canonical sources.
Is there a liturgical prayer to Uriel?
There is none approved by the Church. Those in circulation come from private devotional sources or esoteric contexts.
Which angels can I pray to then?
To Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, whose feast day is September 29, and to the Guardian Angel, celebrated on October 2.
Sources
- Sacred Scripture: Tobit 12:15; Daniel 7:10; Revelation 12; Luke 1:26-38.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 328-336 (the angels).
- Congregation for Divine Worship, Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (2002), nos. 213-217.
- Roman Calendar: Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (September 29); Guardian Angels (October 2).
About the author
This article is part of "Christian Prayers and Devotions" (Oraciones y rezos cristianos), a series by Productos Religiosos dedicated to rediscovering the treasure of Catholic prayer. We write from faith and with rigor, always turning to Scripture, the Catechism, and the living tradition of the Church, so that every prayer may once again be what it has always been: an encounter with God.
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