Novena to St. Michael
September 29th is the Feast of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. However, in the 1962 Missal of Pope John XXIII – the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite – it is the feast of St. Michael.
St. Michael, whose name means, “who is like unto God,” led the heavenly armies against Satan and the fallen angels, casting them out of Heaven forever. He is both the prince of angels and our defense against the devil. As such, we should call upon him whenever we are attacked by the evil one through temptation or spiritual hardship.
Novena to St. Michael (Sept. 20 – 28)
(via Sensus Fidelium)
Prayer (to be said each day)
Saint Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His Catholic people, I turn to thee with confidence and seek thy powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who hast made thee so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer.
Thou knowest the value of my soul in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me. I desire to imitate thy loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and thy great love for God and men. And since thou art God’s messenger for the care of His people, I entrust to thee this special request:
(Mention your intentions here)
Saint Michael, since thou art, by the will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in thy prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God’s holy will, my petition will be granted.
Pray for me, Saint Michael, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through thy powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death and reach Heaven where we may praise and love God with thee forever. Amen.
September 29
Feast of St. Michael
CHAPLET OF ST. MICHAEL
The Chaplet of St. Michael (or Rosary of the Angels) was given to a Portuguese Carmelite nun, Antónia d’Astónaco, in the 18th century. St. Michael appeared to her in a vision and asked that she honor him with nine salutations for the nine Choirs of Angels. Scripture reveals the nine Choirs of Angels to be: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels and Angels (Isa. 6: 2; Gen. 3: 24; Col. 1: 16; Eph. 1: 21; Rom. 8: 38). He promised that whoever practiced this devotion would have, when approaching Holy Communion, an escort of nine angels from the nine Choirs. He also promised that he and the holy angels would assist those who recited the chaplet during their life.
In 1851, Pope St. Pius IX approved and indulgenced the Chaplet of St. Michael. The indulgences are:
An indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines every time the Chaplet is said.
An indulgence of 100 days daily to any one who carries this Chaplet about him, or kisses the medal with the representation of the holy angels appended to the said Chaplet.
A plenary indulgence once a month to every one who says daily this Chaplet, on any one day when, after Confession and Communion, he shall pray for the exaltation of our holy Mother the Church and the safety of the Sovereign Pontiff.
A plenary indulgence, with the conditions above named, on:
– The Feast of the Apparition of St. Michael, May 18
– The Dedication of St. Michael, September 29
– St. Gabriel the Archangel, March 18
– St. Raphael the Archangel, October 24
– Holy Angel Guardians, October 2
The chaplet consists of nine Our Fathers followed by three Hail Marys. These groups comprise the nine salutations for the nine Choirs of Angels. A prayer is said before each salutation and four Our Fathers are said at the end. It is recommended to kneel (if one is able) in front of a representation of St. Michael while praying this devotion.
V: O God, come to my assistance
R. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be…
FIRST SALUTATION
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Seraphim, may the Lord make us worthy to burn with the fire of perfect charity. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary x3
SECOND SALUTATION
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Cherubim, may the Lord grant us the grace to leave the ways of sin and run in the paths of Christian perfection.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary x3
THIRD SALUTATION
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Thrones, may the Lord infuse into our hearts a true and sincere spirit of humility.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary x3
FOURTH SALUTATION
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Dominations, may the Lord give us grace to govern our senses and overcome any unruly passions.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary x3
FIFTH SALUTATION
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Virtues, may the Lord preserve us from evil and falling into temptation.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary x3
SIXTH SALUTATION
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Powers, may the Lord protect our souls against the snares and temptations of the devil.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary x3
SEVENTH SALUTATION
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Principalities, may God fill our souls with a true spirit of obedience.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary x3
EIGHTH SALUTATION
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels, may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary x3
NINTH SALUTATION
By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Angels, may the Lord grant us to be protected by them in this mortal life and conducted in the life to come to Heaven.
Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary x3
In honor of St. Michael: Our Father …
In honor of St. Gabriel: Our Father …
In honor of St. Raphael: Our Father …
In honor of our Guardian Angel: Our Father …
ANTIPHON
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 thy gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
V. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ,
R. That we may be made worthy of His promises.
PRAYER
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 Thy Church, make us worthy, we ask Thee, 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 Thy Presence. This we ask through the merits of Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Litany of St. Michael the Archangel
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
[Repeat pray for us after each invocation]
Holy Mary, Queen of the Angels, pray for us
St. Michael, the Archangel,
Most glorious attendant of the Triune Divinity,
Standing at the right of the altar of Incense,
Ambassador of Paradise,
Glorious Prince of the Heavenly armies,
Leader of the Angelic hosts,
The standard-bearer of God’s armies,
Defender of Divine glory,
First defender of the Kingship of Christ,
Strength of God,
Invincible Prince and warrior,
Angel of Peace,
Guide of Christ,
Guardian of the Catholic Faith,
Champion of God’s people,
Guardian Angel of the Eucharist,
Defender of the Church,
Protector of the Sovereign Pontiff,
Angel of Catholic action,
Powerful intercessor of Christians,
Bravest defender of those who hope in God,
Guardian of our souls and bodies,
Healer of the sick,
Help of those in their agony,
Consoler of the Souls in Purgatory,
God’s messenger for the souls of the just,
Terror of the evil spirits,
Victorious in the battle against evil,
Guardian and Patron of the universal Church,
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O glorious St. Michael,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Prayer of St. Michael the Archangel
St. 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.