Prayers of the Raccolta · Prince of the heavenly host

Novena to St. Michael the Archangel

Nine days of prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, printed word for word from an old Catholic book (the source is given below). The same prayers are said on each of the nine days.

Praying all nine days? The free app tracks your nine days, remembers your intention and reminds you each day: Google Play · App Store.

How to make the novena

The Novena may be made at any time of the year, and with any form of prayers sanctioned by competent ecclesiastical authority.

The prayers (every day of the nine)

Antiphon Michael, glorious Prince, chief and champion of the heavenly host, guardian of the souls of men, conqueror of the rebel angels, who art set over the palace of God, our worthy captain under Jesus Christ, endowed with superhuman excellence and virtue; vouchsafe to free us from every evil, who with full confidence have recourse to thee; and by thy powerful protection enable us to make progress every day in the faithful service of our God. V. Pray for us, most blessed Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ. R. That we may be made worthy of his promises.

Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, who in thy own marvellous goodness and pity didst, for the common salvation of man, choose the glorious Archangel Michael to be the Prince of thy Church; make us worthy, we pray Thee, to be delivered by his beneficent protection from all our enemies, that at the hour of our death no one of them may approach to harm us, and that by the same Archangel Michael we may be introduced into the presence of thy high and heavenly Majesty. Through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St Michael Archangel, defend us in the day of battle, that we may not be lost in the dreadful judgment.

Closing prayer

Blessed Michael, Archangel, defend us in the hour of conflict; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God restrain him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust Satan down to hell, and, with him the other wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Source: The Raccolta (London: Burns & Oates, 1910), nos. 290–291, 293, pp. 261–263, 266; final prayer from A Little Treasury of Leaflets, vol. II (Dublin, 1914), p. 569 · view the page scan

When to pray it

Next: Monday, September 20 to Tuesday, September 28, 2027, ending on the eve of Sts Michael (September 29).

Every novena's start date, with a calendar file you can subscribe to →

Frequently asked

What is a novena?

A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer for a particular intention, after the pattern of the apostles who prayed for nine days between the Ascension and Pentecost.

How do I pray the Novena to St. Michael the Archangel?

Pray the prayers given here on nine days in a row, as the source book directs; the text is printed exactly as it appears there.

Can I pray a novena for any intention?

Yes. Bring whatever intention is on your heart and entrust it to the prayers of St. Michael the Archangel.

Other novenas

The app tracks your nine days, remembers your intention, and reminds you each day — free.

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