The St. Michael Novena: A 9-Day Prayer for Protection

In our daily walk of faith, the Church reminds us that we do not fight our spiritual battles alone. A novena—a traditional nine-day prayer of petition or preparation—is a profound way to seek heavenly intercession.

The St. Michael Novena is specifically designed to ask the Prince of the Heavenly Host to defend us against evil, protect our families, and present our most urgent petitions before the throne of God.

You can pray the St. Michael Novena at any time of the year when you are facing heavy temptation, spiritual warfare, or seeking protection for yourself or a loved one.

However, it is a widespread Catholic tradition to pray this novena in preparation for Michaelmas (the Feast of the Archangels). To do this, you begin the novena on September 20th and conclude it on September 28th, the eve of the feast day.

While the traditional prayer to St. Michael remains the same for all nine days, it is a powerful practice to begin each day with a specific spiritual focus. Read the daily focus below, hold your personal intention in your heart, and then proceed to the Traditional Novena prayer.

• Day 1: For the Universal Church
  Focus: Today, we ask St. Michael to protect the Holy Father, the bishops, and the entire Church from all internal division and external attacks of the enemy.
• Day 2: For Protection Against Temptation
  Focus: Today, we invoke the Prince of the Heavenly Host to guard us against our personal vices, granting us the strength to reject the snares of the devil and grow in holiness.
• Day 3: For the Grace of a Holy Death
  Focus: St. Michael is the traditional weigher of souls. Today, we pray for his presence at the hour of our death, that he may defend us in our final struggle and lead us safely to God.
• Day 4: For Law Enforcement and the Military
  Focus: Today, we pray for all police officers, soldiers, and first responders. May their patron saint shield them from physical harm and guide them in justice and courage.
• Day 5: For Our Families and Homes
  Focus: Today, we ask St. Michael to stand guard over our domestic church. We pray that he drives away all spirits of division, anger, and impurity from our households.
• Day 6: For Courage in the Faith
  Focus: St. Michael's name means "Who is like God?" Today, we pray for the bold humility to publicly defend the Catholic faith in a world that so often rejects the Gospel.
• Day 7: For the Sick and Suffering
  Focus: Recognized also as a healer, we ask St. Michael today to intercede for those battling grave physical, mental, or spiritual illnesses, bringing them divine comfort.
• Day 8: For the Holy Souls in Purgatory
  Focus: Today, we ask St. Michael to comfort the suffering souls in Purgatory and hasten their journey into the eternal light of the Most Holy Trinity.
• Day 9: In Thanksgiving for the Holy Angels
  Focus: On our final day, we thank God for the fierce protection of St. Michael and the constant, unseen ministry of our Guardian Angels and all the heavenly choirs.

After meditating on the daily focus, recite the Novena prayers below, followed by an Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be and the St Michael Prayer.

Glorious Saint Michael, guardian and defender of the Church of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of His followers, against whom the powers of hell are unchained. Guard with special care our Holy Father the Pope, our bishops, priests, all our religious and lay people, and especially the children.

Saint Michael, watch over us during life, defend us against the assaults of the demon, and assist us especially at the hour of our death. Help us achieve the happiness of beholding God face to face for all eternity.

Saint Michael, intercede for me with God in all my necessities, especially:

(State your intention here)

Obtain for me a favorable outcome in the matter I recommend to you. Mighty Prince of the heavenly host, and victor over rebellious spirits, remember me, for I am weak and sinful and so prone to pride and ambition. Be for me, I pray, my powerful aid in temptation and difficulty, and above all do not forsake me in my last struggle with the powers of evil.

The Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The St. Michael Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.