How to Pray the Novena During the Lent of St Michael the Archangel

Known as the great defender of the faith, St Michael the Archangel holds a special place in Catholic tradition. His name derives from the Hebrew Mi-ka-El, meaning “Who is like God?”, and expresses a profession of faith in divine sovereignty. In Scripture and Church tradition, Michael is portrayed as an archangel connected with defending God’s people and fighting evil.

Devotion to St Michael is also associated with times of prayer, penance and the search for divine protection. In this setting, St Francis of Assisi, renowned for his profound devotion to the angels, began observing forty days of prayer and penance in honour of the archangel. This practice gave rise to the tradition known as the Lent of St Michael the Archangel.

Traditionally observed from 15 August to 29 September, it concludes on the day when the Church celebrates the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Throughout this period, the faithful are invited to deepen their prayer and undertake a time of spiritual preparation, bringing their petitions and intentions before God.

To accompany this time of prayer, you may also pray the novena with nine intentions devoted to St Michael the Archangel. Each day has a particular petition, covering themes such as love for God, spiritual protection, defence of the Church, peace, health and protection for the family.

Below is how to pray the novena during the Lent of St Michael the Archangel.

Opening prayer

For every day:

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Opening invocation: O God, come to my assistance.

Response: O Lord, make haste to help me.

Intentions for each day

First day: love for God

We ask you, O St Michael, in union with the holy Seraphim, to kindle the Holy Love of God in our hearts and grant us contempt and distaste for the false pleasures of the world.

Second day: protection against evil

We humbly ask you, O Prince of the Heavenly Jerusalem and Chief of the Cherubim, to remember us, especially when we are assailed by the suggestions of the infernal enemy. Victorious over Satan, come to our aid and make us an offering of sacrifice to the Lord.

Third day: spiritual protection and health

We devoutly beseech you, O Glorious Champion of Paradise and Chief of the Thrones, never to allow us, your faithful servants, to be oppressed by the evil spirits of hell or by illness.

Fourth day: protection of the Church

Humbly prostrate before you, we implore you, O Great Minister of God, in union with the Dominations, to defend Christendom on every occasion, and especially the Sovereign Pontiff, increasing both his happiness and the graces granted to him in this life, as well as his glory in the next.

Fifth day: protection and peace

We beg you, O Holy Archangel, in union with the Virtues, to free your servants from the hands of their enemies, known and unknown; from false witness and discord; and to deliver our country, and especially our city, from famine, epidemics, war, unrest, earthquakes and storms, which the infernal dragon is accustomed to stir up in order to harm us.

Sixth day: peace and harmony

We call upon you, O Chief of the Angelic Hosts, and together with the Powers we ask you to provide for our needs and those of our city, granting fruitfulness to the land, and harmony and peace to Christian leaders.

Seventh day: health of body and soul

We ask you, O Prince of the Archangels, in union with the Principalities, to deign to free us, your servants, as well as our country and our city, from bodily illnesses and, above all, spiritual ones.

Eighth day: protection at the hour of death

We ask you, O St Michael, in union with the Choir of Angels, to watch over us in this life and, at the moment of death, to assist us in our final agony, especially at the instant when we surrender our soul, so that, victorious over Satan, we may enjoy with you the Divine goodness in holy Paradise.

Ninth day: protection of the family and salvation

Finally, we beseech you, O Glorious Chief and defender of the Church militant and triumphant, to deign, together with the Choirs of Angels, to keep and defend your faithful servants, our families and those who have commended themselves to our prayers. May we, with your assistance, lead pure lives and eternally enjoy the contemplation of God with you and all the Holy Angels.

Final prayers

O almighty and eternal God, who, for the salvation of the human race, miraculously sent to Your Church Your most glorious Prince, St Michael the Archangel, grant us his saving support and effective help against all our enemies, so that, when we depart from this world, we may be granted to stand in the presence of Your Divine and Holy Majesty.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, so that we may not perish on the day of Judgement.

Then pray: One Our Father to St Michael, one Our Father to St Gabriel, one Our Father to St Raphael, and one Our Father to our Guardian Angel.