An Old Testament prophet, one of the Twelve Minor Prophets, whose short book closes the Hebrew prophetic canon before the coming of Christ.

Saint Malachi is the Old Testament prophet whose brief book concludes the collection known as the Twelve Minor Prophets, likely written in the fifth century before Christ after the Jewish exiles’ return from Babylon. His writings call the people of Israel back to covenant fidelity, right worship, and just living. The Church has long honored him among the prophets whose words prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah.

Quick Facts

• Era: circa 5th century B.C.
• Venerated as: One of the Twelve Minor Prophets
• Scriptural source: Book of Malachi (Old Testament)
• Feast day: 14 January (Roman Martyrology)

Who Was Saint Malachi the Prophet?

Saint Malachi is known to us entirely through the short Old Testament book bearing his name, the last of the Twelve Minor Prophets, likely composed in the fifth century before Christ, after the return of the Jewish people from the Babylonian exile. His name, meaning ‘my messenger,’ may be a title rather than a personal name, and almost nothing of his life outside his prophetic writing has come down to us.

Historical Setting

Malachi prophesied to a Jewish community that had returned from exile and rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem but had grown lax in worship and social justice, offering blemished sacrifices and neglecting the covenant obligations owed to God and to one another. His book addresses this spiritual decline directly, closing the era of Old Testament prophecy that the Church understands as preparing the way for Christ.

Why the Church Remembers Saint Malachi the Prophet

The Church remembers Malachi for his uncompromising call to authentic worship and covenant faithfulness, and for prophetic words, including his announcement of a coming messenger to prepare the way of the Lord, that Christian tradition has long read as pointing toward John the Baptist and the coming of Christ.

Canonization and Feast Day

Old Testament figures were never subject to the Church’s canonization process, which developed centuries after his lifetime; Malachi’s place among the saints rests on scriptural inspiration and the unbroken liturgical honor the Church has given the prophets since antiquity.

What Catholics Can Learn Today

Malachi’s insistence that God deserves our best, not our leftovers, in worship and in daily conduct remains a searching challenge for believers today. His example calls Catholics to examine whether their own worship and moral life reflect genuine devotion or mere routine.

A Prayer to Saint Malachi the Prophet

Saint Malachi, prophet who called God’s people back to true worship and justice, help us to offer God our best rather than what costs us least, in prayer, in charity, and in daily life. Amen.

Sources

• Roman Martyrology
• New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia
• Book of Malachi, Old Testament