Novena to St. Michael the Archangel

protection against evil, spiritual warfare, soldiers, police, the sick, the dying, and the Church

Tradition: Protection; devotion to the Prince of the heavenly host

Associated feast: Feast of the Archangels (Michaelmas) — September 29

When to pray: Traditionally prayed September 21–29, concluding on the Feast of St. Michael (Michaelmas). May also be prayed at any time of year when spiritual protection is especially sought, or in preparation for any feast honoring the Archangels.

About this devotion

St. Michael the Archangel is the great Prince of the heavenly host, whose name means 'Who is like God?' — a battle cry hurled against the pride of Lucifer at the dawn of creation. Sacred Scripture names him in Daniel (10:13, 12:1), in the letter of Jude (v. 9), and in Revelation (12:7–9), where he leads the angelic armies that cast Satan and his rebel angels out of heaven. From the earliest centuries, the Church has invoked him as defender of God's people, guardian of souls, and escort of the faithful at the hour of death.

Devotion to St. Michael deepened profoundly in the Latin Church after Pope Leo XIII, in 1886, composed the famous prayer to St. Michael — still prayed after Low Mass for many generations. The novena honors him across nine days corresponding to the nine choirs of angels, drawing on an ancient tradition rooted in the Chaplet of St. Michael, which dates to an apparition reported by the Servant of God Antonia d'Astonac, in which St. Michael himself asked to be honored by nine salutations to the nine celestial choirs.

This nine-day novena is most fittingly begun on September 21 and concluded on September 29, the Feast of the Archangels (Michaelmas), though it may be prayed at any time of year. Each day takes up one of the nine choirs of angels, inviting the faithful to join their prayer to the intercession of the entire heavenly host and to ask St. Michael's protection against every spiritual danger.

The Nine Days

1. Day 1: The grace to burn with the fire of perfect charity

   Scripture: Revelation 12:7-9

2. Day 2: The grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection

   Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

3. Day 3: A true and sincere spirit of humility

   Scripture: Daniel 10:13

4. Day 4: Grace to govern our senses and overcome unruly passions

   Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9

5. Day 5: To be preserved from evil and from falling into temptation

   Scripture: Matthew 6:13

6. Day 6: Protection of our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil

   Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-12

7. Day 7: A true spirit of obedience to God and to the Church

   Scripture: Jude 1:9

8. Day 8: Perseverance in faith and in all good works until the end

   Scripture: Daniel 12:1

9. Day 9: Protection in this life and to be conducted to the presence of God in Heaven

   Scripture: Revelation 12:7-12

Daily Novena Prayer

Closing Prayer

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. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ, that we may be made worthy of His promises. Almighty and Everlasting God, Who, by a prodigy of goodness and a merciful desire for the salvation of all men, has appointed the most glorious Archangel St. Michael Prince of Your Church, make us worthy, we ask You, to be delivered from all our enemies, that none of them may harass us at the hour of death, but that we may be conducted by him into Your Presence. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

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