The St. Michael novena is nine days of prayer to the archangel, traditionally prayed from September 20 to 28 so that it ends on the eve of his feast, September 29. Like every novena, it can also be prayed at any time of the year, whenever a serious intention calls for persistent prayer.
This page gives you everything in one place: how to pray the novena, the daily novena prayer, a short meditation and intention for each of the nine days, and a prayer card to print and keep beside you.
How to Pray the St. Michael Novena
A novena is simple. Each day, for nine consecutive days:
Say the novena prayer below, entrusting your personal intention to St. Michael.
Read the day’s short meditation and add its intention to yours.
Close with the St. Michael prayer of Pope Leo XIII, given at the end of this page.
Morning or evening, alone or as a family: what matters is the perseverance, nine days in a row, in the same trusting request.
The Novena Prayer (Said Each Day)
St. Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. For the love of God, who made you 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. You know 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 that tempts me. I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church, and your great love for God and people. And since you are God’s messenger for the care of His people, I entrust to you this special request: (mention your intention here). St. Michael, since you are, by the will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God’s will, my petition will be granted. Pray for me, St. Michael, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through your powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach heaven where we may praise and love God with you forever. Amen.
The Nine Days: Meditations and Intentions
Day 1: For the Protection of Our Homes and Families
Michael’s name means “Who is like God?”, the cry with which he resists the enemy. Begin the novena by placing your home and everyone who lives in it under his guard.
Day 2: For Strength Against Temptation
The battle of Revelation 12 is fought again, quietly, in every soul. Ask for strength exactly where you know you are weakest.
Day 3: For the Church and Her Shepherds
Pope Leo XIII wrote the St. Michael prayer for the protection of the whole Church. Pray today for your parish, your priests, and the pope.
Day 4: For Those Who Protect and Serve
Michael is the patron of police officers, soldiers and first responders. Pray for their courage on duty and their safe return home.
Day 5: For the Sick and the Suffering
The prince of the heavenly hosts is also the strength of the weak. Ask him to defend those worn down by illness or pain, in body or in mind.
Day 6: Against Fear and Anxiety
“Defend us in battle” also means the battles nobody sees. Hand St. Michael the fear you have been carrying alone.
Day 7: For the Dying and the Faithful Departed
Ancient tradition gives Michael the care of souls at the hour of death. Pray for the dying, and name your own departed.
Day 8: For Peace in the World
The leader of the heavenly armies is a guardian of peace, not of war. Pray for nations in conflict and for those who work for peace.
Day 9: For Perseverance and a Holy Death
End the novena asking what the saints asked: to stay faithful to the end, and to be led by Michael into the presence of God.
The St. Michael Prayer (To Close Each Day)
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, cast into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
The traditional dates are September 20 to 28, ending on the eve of the feast of St. Michael on September 29. A novena can also be started on any date, for any serious intention.
What if I miss a day?
Pick it up the next day and continue, adding the missed day at the end if you wish. A novena is a school of perseverance, not a test you fail. God is not counting days against you.
Do I have to pray it in September?
No. September links the novena to the feast, but Catholics pray the St. Michael novena all year round, especially in times of trial or spiritual struggle.
Where can I buy a St. Michael novena poster?
The medieval illuminated design shown on this page is available as a large poster, printed on high quality matte paper, from our own shop, jesuschrist.pictures: see the St. Michael novena prayer poster. The shop also offers the St. Michael prayer and the prayers of the other archangels as posters, alongside canvas reproductions of the great angel paintings.
The Hail Mary prayer in English and Latin, its meaning, and the paintings that show it line by line, from Fra Angelico and Simone Martini to Raphael and Caravaggio.
