NV-St Michael Archangel

NOVENA IN HONOR OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
Feast Day September 29th

SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR THE
CONSECRATION TO ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

What is a Novena?
A novena is a traditional devotion consisting of specific prayers recited on nine successive days. Besides being a form of praise, a novena is frequently offered for a particular intention. The first novena took place in the Cenacle, during the nine days preceding Pentecost, or the coming of the Holy Ghost. As a regular popular custom, this practice began in 12th century Christianity and continues to be beneficial today as a way of praying for healing, protection or other blessings for ourselves or others.

This particular novena is prayed to God in honor of and thanksgiving for the role Our Lady played in our redemption through her sufferings. Though we speak of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady, we must not imagine that she only experienced seven sorrows in her entire life! Her whole life was a life of suffering, from which we merely take seven notable sufferings as indicators of that suffering-filled life!

In praying this Novena, as in the case of all prayer, it is good to begin by opening ourselves wholeheartedly to God's will, offering a simple act of trust in God's wisdom and in His providential love for us all, that disposes all things for the ultimate benefit of our souls and their salvation.

How to Pray This Novena
This novena is based on the teaching of the Church on St. Michael the Archangel, including accounts of various apparitions of St. Michael and the help he has given to both Church and the faithful. Each day of the novena is divided into the following parts: (1) a look at come aspect of teaching on St. Michael; (2) an short meditation on St. Michael; (3) the Prayer to St, Michael composed by Pope Leo XIII; (4) after mentioning your intention, pray the Our Father and the Hail Mary; (5) a Closing Prayer.

FIRST DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted each day)
Theme: The Faithful Warrior of God

Spiritual Reading:
St. Michael is one of the principal angels; his name was the war-cry of the good angels in the battle fought in Heaven against the enemy and his followers. His name in Hebrew means “Who is like God?” Four times his name is recorded in Scripture:

(1) In the Book of Daniel 10:13 sqq., Gabriel says to Daniel, when he asks God to permit the Jews to return to Jerusalem: “The Angel [the prince of the kingdom of the Persians] resisted me one and twenty days: and behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me . . . and none is my helper in all these things, but Michael your prince.”

(2) Daniel chapter 12, sees the Angel speaking of the end of the world and the Antichrist says: “At that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people.”

(3) In the Catholic Epistle of St. Jude: “When Michael the Archangel, disputing with the devil, contended about the body of Moses”, etc. St. Jude alludes to an ancient Jewish tradition of a dispute between Michael and Satan over the body of Moses, an account of which is also found in the apocryphal book on the assumption of Moses (Origen, De Principiis III.2.2). St. Michael concealed the tomb of Moses; Satan, however, by disclosing it, tried to seduce the Jewish people to the sin of hero-worship. St. Michael also guards the body of Eve, according to the “Revelation of Moses” (“Apocryphal Gospels”, etc., ed. A. Walker, Edinburgh, p. 647).

(4) Apocalypse 12:7, “And there was a great battle in Heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon.” St. John speaks of the great conflict at the end of time, which reflects also the battle in Heaven at the beginning of time. According to the Fathers, there is often question of St. Michael in Scripture, where his name is not mentioned. They say he was the cherub who stood at the gate of paradise, “to keep the way of the tree of life” (Genesis 3:24), the angel through whom God published the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments, to His Chosen People, the angel who stood in the way against Balaam (Numbers 22:22 sqq.), the angel who routed the army of Sennacherib (4 Kings 19:35).

Meditation:
It is unknown how much Jesus talked to the Apostles about angels, but in the Garden of Gethsemane Peter certainly forgot whatever he may have learned, when he lashed out with his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting-off his ear. Jesus said He could call upon Twelve legions of angels if He needed any help: “Then Jesus said to Peter: ‘Put up again thy sword into its place! For all that take the sword shall perish with the sword! Thinkest thou that I cannot ask My Father, and He will give Me presently more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:52-52).

Twelve legions? It makes you wonder why Jesus bothered to ask, before they left for the garden: “How many swords do we have?” “But they said: ‘Lord, behold here are two swords!’ And he said to them: ‘It is enough!’” (Luke 22:37-38). Why did he say two were enough? What is a sword in comparison to an angel? What is a nuclear bomb in compared to an angel? One single angel could destroy the entire universe if God wanted it done!

Just as Jesus battled in prayer to prepare Himself for the ordeal of Good Friday and was strengthened by an angel--“And there appeared to Him an angel from Heaven, strengthening Him” (Luke 22:43)—so too will angels be available for the massive battles to come, but it will take much prayer to mobilize them! The angels were the support troops that God sent to Jesus during the Passion, where the battle was “not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places” (Ephesians 6:1). They helped secure the cross's victory against sin, the devil, evil and death. To fight the fallen angels, we need the help of the faithful and victorious angels—whom St. Michael led successfully in battle against the devil and his cohort.

Like St. Peter, we sometimes forget that the purpose of the angels is not just to be God's messengers on special occasions, but help God’s people—for example to Elias in 3 Kings 19:5-9; or to guard or rescue—as in the case of St. Peter in Acts 12); or waging war against enemies—as in the case of Elias and the Syrians as seen in 4 Kings 6:17; or as seen in the battle of St. Michael against Satan in Apocalypse 12:7-9. The night Jesus and the Apostles were in Gethsemane, it is unlikely that St. Michael was much impressed with Peter’s swordsmanship! Wrong action; wrong victim; lousy swordsmanship. That’s what happens when you lash out in your own strength, forgetting the angels.

If we are to believe that God relies on angels, we might recall the image Jacob saw in his dream: the heavenly ladder with “angels ascending and descending” (Genesis 28:12); or Jesus’ promise to Nathaniel that he will see “the angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” What the angels do is serve as God’s emissaries between Earth and Heaven—they are what make the world go round and the universe tick. They make God’s presence known, His power felt, and His purposes clear. Angels are God’s pure witnesses, they add clarity to God's revelation, and they give assurance of God’s heavenly power. That power is ours to ‘tap-into’ if we have Faith and confidence!

Our Prayer:
This is original version of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil, or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy, and slayer of men, has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the Earth, in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated, with gall and bitterness, the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up, as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that, when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered, that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered ye hostile powers!
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and, as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that, by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
Say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend me in battle.
Be my safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil and evil people.

SECOND DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted each day)
Theme: The Roles of St. Michael the Archangel

Spiritual Reading:
Following these Scriptural passages, Christian tradition gives to St. Michael four offices:

► To fight against Satan.

► To rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death.

► To be the champion of God’s people, the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament; therefore he was the patron of the Church, and of the orders of knights during the Middle Ages.

► To call away from earth and bring men’s souls to judgment .

Regarding his rank in the celestial hierarchy opinions vary; St. Basil (Homily on the Angels) and other Greek Fathers, also Salmeron, Bellarmine, etc., place St. Michael over all the angels; they say he is called “Archangel” because he is the prince of the other angels; others (such as Bonaventura) believe that he is the prince of the Seraphim, the first of the nine angelic orders. But, according to St. Thomas (Summa Ia. q.113, art. 3) he is the prince of the last and lowest choir, the angels. The Roman Liturgy seems to follow the Greek Fathers; it calls him “the Prince of the heavenly host.” The hymn of the Mozarabic Breviary places St. Michael even above the Twenty-four Elders. The Greek Liturgy styles him Archistrategos, “highest general” (cf. Menaea, November 8th and September 6th).

Theologians are of the opinion that St. Michael surpasses in glory and power all the other Angels in Heaven, and “possesses in the highest and most perfect degree the zeal and the love peculiar to the highest Seraphim. The title Archangel does not, according to the words of St. Peter and St. Jude Thaddeus, signify that St. Michael belongs to the choir of Angels designated by that name, but that he is an Angel of superior rank. The Church also invokes him as the Prince of the Angels, who has supreme command over all the heavenly hierarchies.

Meditation:
This position of honor was merited by St. Michael in the battle which he waged, against Lucifer and the rebellious Angels, before the creation of the world. When God created the Angels as magnificent spirits of light and love, which in countless hosts surround His Heavenly throne, He bestowed upon them most eminent gifts of nature and of grace. But before admitting them to the unveiled vision of His glory in Heaven, He placed them under probation, just as later He subjected mankind to a trial of obedience in the persons of Adam and Eve. The nature of the trial is not known with certainty. Learned and saintly theologians hold that the Heavenly Father revealed to the Angels the future Incarnation of His Divine Son, whom they were to adore in His sacred humanity. At the same time He revealed to them the surpassing dignity and glory of Mary, whom, as the Mother of God, they were to venerate as their Queen.

Lucifer, one of the most glorious and exalted princes of the Heavenly court, dazzled by the splendor of his own gifts, rebelled at the thought that human nature should be preferred to his own Angelic nature. He would not acknowledge that a woman inferior to him in nature should at some future time be made his queen, and that the seed of that woman should be preferred to himself for the honor of the hypostatic union. Desiring for himself the prerogatives of the God-man, he raised his great battle-cry of rebellion: “I will be like unto the Most High!” (Isaias 14:14).

Some have held that in their pride, a third of the Angels took up Lucifer’s rebellious cry. At the same instant another great Archangel, equal in beauty and grace to the proud Lucifer, prostrated himself before the throne of God. With an act of profound adoration, he opposed the cry of the rebellious Angels with his own battle-cry of love and loyalty: “Michael”—Who is like unto God?

The fearlessness and fidelity of this mighty champion roused the faithful Angels, who rallied to his standard, repeating with one accord: “Who is like unto God?” Then followed that tremendous battle between the good and the bad Angels which St. John describes in the Book of the Apocalypse: “And there was a battle in Heaven: Michael and his Angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his Angels. And they did not prevail, neither was their place found any more in Heaven. And that great dragon was cast down, the ancient serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, who led astray the whole world” (Apocalypse 12: 7-9).

Thus, St. Michael and his faithful followers won a glorious victory. With the swiftness of lightning, Lucifer and his companions were transformed into hideous demons and cast into the abyss of eternal torment and darkness which God created for them. In reward for his zeal and fidelity, the holy Archangel Michael was made Prince and commander-in-chief of all the Heavenly legions. The Angels most willingly and gratefully recognize his supremacy, for, after God, they owe to him their perseverance in grace and their eternal happiness. With loving submission they receive from him their various offices. They are attentive to his slightest wish, seeing in his commands and regulations the will of God, the sovereign Lord and King of all. Thus St. Michael receives highest honor in the Heavenly court.

On our part, also, he deserves high honor. Since he was the first to recognize and adore the Word-made-flesh, and the first to be illumined by His grace, he is the “first Christian.” He is also the “first Apostle,” because he was the first to announce the Savior to the Angelic choirs. He is the “first lieutenant” of Jesus Christ, for he was the first to lead the faithful servants of God to victory against the enemy.

Our Prayer:
This is original version of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil, or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy, and slayer of men, has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the Earth, in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated, with gall and bitterness, the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up, as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that, when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered, that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered ye hostile powers!
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and, as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that, by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
Say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend me in battle.
Be my safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil and evil people.

THIRD DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted each day)
Theme: The Defender of God's People

Spiritual Reading:
Both in the Old and the New Testament, the holy Archangel Michael is called the guardian Angel of the faithful of God, the Catholic Church in the New Testament, and the Chosen People in the Old Testament. He is also honored as the herald of the general judgment and the guardian of Paradise. It is his office to lead all the elect into the kingdom of eternal glory.

The world’s history is replete with instances of St. Michael’s solicitude for the children of men during the time of their earthly pilgrimage. He began to fulfill his office as defender and leader of God’s faithful in the garden of paradise. St. Ambrose says that God commissioned St. Michael to lead Adam into paradise, to explain to him the purpose of his creation, to guide him and to associate with him in visible form. After the fall of Adam and Eve, this same glorious Archangel stood guard at the gate of paradise with flaming sword, “to keep the way of the tree of life” (Genesis 3: 24).

Meditation:

The Fathers of the Church tell us that, even though in many instances the name of St. Michael is not mentioned in Holy Scripture, when reference is made to the services of an Angel, we may confidently believe that it was either St. Michael himself who rendered assistance, or his Angelic subjects, who did so at his command.

They speculate that it may have been St. Michael who warned Noe, and that, through St. Michael, Abraham was named the father of the Chosen People and received that wonderful promise, which Holy Church has immortalized in her prayers for the dead: “May the holy standard-bearer, Michael, introduce them into that holy light which You promised of old to Abraham and his descendants.”

The Angel who appeared to Moses in the burning bush was St. Michael, according to the teaching of St. Gregory Nazianzen, a Father of the Church.

It was this mighty angel who performed the wonders which took place at the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and through whom God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites on Mount Sinai.

Likewise, the angel who routed the army of Sennacherib (4 Kings 19: 35) was the holy Archangel Michael.

After the death of Moses. according to an ancient Jewish tradition to which St. Jude refers in his Epistle (1:9). St. Michael concealed the tomb of Moses from the people, and also from Satan who wished to disclose it to the Israelites to seduce them thereby to the sin of false worship.

God revealed to St. Michael the designs of His justice and mercy regarding His Chosen People. Of this the prophecies of Daniel and Zechariah bear witness. Finally, it was this great celestial prince who aided the Israelites and rendered the army of Judas Machabeus victorious over their enemies.

Even to this day the Jews invoke the holy Archangel Michael as the principal defender of the Synagogue and their protector against enemies. On the Feast of the Atonement they conclude their prayers with this beautiful invocation: “Michael, prince of mercy, pray for Israel, that it may reign in heaven, in that light which streams forth from the face of the King who sits upon the throne of mercy.”

Our Prayer:
This is original version of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil, or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy, and slayer of men, has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the Earth, in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated, with gall and bitterness, the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up, as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that, when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered, that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered ye hostile powers!
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and, as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that, by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
Say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend me in battle.
Be my safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil and evil people.

FOURTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted each day)
Theme: The Protector of Church and the Faithful

Spiritual Reading:
Just as the Chosen People of the Old Law were marvelously protected by St. Michael, so we may believe this same prince of Heaven protects the Church of God even more wonderfully. Under the New Law, as under the Old, St. Michael is the “Vicar of the Most High and the Prince of His people,” ever prepared to render assistance. The Fathers of the Church are of one mind in teaching that St. Michael is the Guardian Angel and the protector of the Catholic Church.

Time and again, in centuries past, St. Michael came to the rescue when dreadful wars and persecutions threatened to destroy Christianity. He it was who, at the command of Mary, Queen of Angels, came to the assistance of Constantine the Great in the fourth century and helped his forces to gain a brilliant victory over the pagan Emperor Maxentius. The Archangel himself revealed his identity in this instance. Appearing to Constantine after the completion of a beautiful church which the latter had erected to his honor in gratitude, he said: “I am Michael, the chief of the Angelic legions of the Lord of hosts, the protector of the Christian Religion, who, while you were battling against godless tyrants, placed the weapons in your hands.” This famous edifice, generally known as the Michaelion, has been the scene of many miracles wrought through the great Archangel.

Later, St. Michael proved himself a powerful protector against the invasions of barbarian hordes. The Greek Emperor Justinian I erected six churches in his honor, in grateful recognition of this assistance. In the fifteenth century when it seemed that the Turks would conquer all Europe, St. Michael, at the command of the Blessed Virgin, again championed the cause of Christianity, and a glorious victory was gained over the infidels. St. Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, who in the fifteenth century saved France, ascribed her vocation and her victories to St. Michael. Three times he appeared to her and informed her that she was called to deliver her country.

Meditation:

Thus has St. Michael proved himself a valiant warrior for the honor of God both in Heaven and on Earth. And he still wages incessant war with the archfiend Satan, in the great kingdom of God upon earth, the Church.

Pope Leo XIII, realizing by Divine enlightenment the present and future struggles of the Church against the powers of hell, felt convinced that through the intervention of St. Michael, Hell would be conquered, and the Church restored to peace and liberty. He therefore composed a prayer in honor of the warrior Archangel.

It is said that one day, having celebrated the Holy Sacrifice, the aged Pontiff was in conference with the Cardinals. Suddenly he sank to the floor in a deep swoon. Physicians who hastened to his side feared that he had already expired, for they could find no trace of his pulse. However, after a short interval the Holy Father rallied, and opening his eyes, exclaimed with great emotion: “Oh, what a horrible picture I was permitted to see!”—He had been shown, in spirit, the tremendous activities of the evil spirits and their ravings against the Church. But in the midst of this vision of horror he had also beheld consoling visions of the glorious Archangel Michael, who had appeared and cast Satan and his legions back into the abyss of Hell.

Likewise, whether we realize it or not, the devil is in constant war against our soul. In fact, he prefers us not to realize this, so that he can work freely and unhindered by any counter measures we might take. St. Michael is one of our most powerful weapons in hindering and destroying the work of the enemy, but WE HAVE TO USE THAT WEAPON and not leave aside, unused, forgotten or ignored.

Our Prayer:
This is original version of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil, or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy, and slayer of men, has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the Earth, in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated, with gall and bitterness, the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up, as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that, when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered, that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered ye hostile powers!
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and, as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that, by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
Say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend me in battle.
Be my safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil and evil people.

FIFTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted each day)
Theme: The Prayer to St. Michael

Spiritual Reading:
THE VISION OF POPE LEO XIII, OCTOBER 13TH, 1884

After Pope Leo XIII had finished saying Mass in the Vatican Chapel, on the date mentioned, where he was attended by some Cardinals and other members of the Vatican staff, he suddenly stopped at the foot of the altar, where he stood for about ten minutes, as if in a trance, his face ashen white. The, going immediately from the Chapel to his office, he composed the prayer to St. Michael, with instructions that it be said after all the Low Masses everywhere, which it was until Vatican II.

When asked what happened, the Pontiff explained that as he was about to leave the foot of the altar, he suddenly heard voices—two voices, one kind and gentle, the other guttural and harsh. They seemed to be coming from near the tabernacle. As he listened, he heard the following conversation:

The guttural voice of Satan, in his pride, boasted to Our Lord:
“I can destroy Your Church.”
The gentle voice of Our Lord:
“You can? Then go ahead and do so.”
Satan: “To do so, I need more time and power.”
Our Lord: “How much time? How much power?”
Satan: “75 to 100 years, and a greater power over those who will give themselves over to my service.”
Our Lord: “You have the time, you will have the power. Do with them what you will.”

Pope Leo XIII understood that Satan was to be given a certain amount of time in order to accomplish his purpose; and a greater power to spread evil, through those human agents who would dedicate themselves to his cause. He was given further to understand that, if the devil had not accomplished his purpose at the end of the time limit given, he would suffer a most crushing and humiliating defeat. Furthermore, the forces of good would not be helpless in the face of the onslaught of Satan and his legions. They, too, were given a greater power for good, if only they would use it. Through their prayers and sacrifices and good Catholic lives, they could offset the power of the devil and his human agents.

It was then that he saw the great role St. Michael was to play in this conflict, and that we should call upon his powerful intercession. As he had hurled Lucifer and the fallen Angels out of Heaven, after the “first revolt against God,” so, too, he would play a great part in the battle to come, and would eventually cast Satan again into Hell.
Soon afterwards, he composed a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, which was much longer than the short, well-known version of the prayer: “St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in the battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil ...”

We know what happened, of course, the Church modernized into near collapse in most countries, and, by the loss of the Roman Rite, almost it almost completely collapsed, when it abolished this Prayer of St. Michael’s Protection after every Low Mass. Exactly 100 years to the very day of the Vision, Pope John Paul II issued “Quattuor abhinc annis,” restoring the Roman Rite to the Church. Today, whenever a Low Mass of the Traditional Roman Rite (the “Latin Mass” as it is popularly called) is offered, this prayer is recited immediately after the Mass concludes.

Meditation:

The Church has special need of St. Michael’s powerful protection in our times. On all sides she is assailed by strong and bitter enemies. In one country after another, religious persecution rises to an ever higher pitch of hatred and insolence. The terrible crimes, which have been committed in recent times and are still being committed against the Church, both in her sanctuaries and her members, surely are instigated by the devil. No human mind could be base enough to conceive and put them into execution.

We know that the gates of Hell shall never prevail against the Church, for our Lord has promised to be with her till the end of time, but we must do our part in defending her cause. God might have cast the rebel Angels down to Hell by a single act of His will, but He chose rather to send against them His armies of loyal spirits, under the leadership of the great St. Michael. So, too, in the present critical times, He could confound the enemies of the Church by merely willing to do so. But He wills, rather, that we should cooperate in her defense, under the leadership of the great captain of the Heavenly hosts.

Our Prayer:
This is original version of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil, or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy, and slayer of men, has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the Earth, in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated, with gall and bitterness, the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up, as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that, when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered, that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered ye hostile powers!
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and, as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that, by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
Say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend me in battle.
Be my safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil and evil people.

SIXTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted each day)
Theme: The Heavenly Physician

Spiritual Reading:

In the early ages of the Church, devotion to St. Michael was very popular. The early Christians invoked him especially for the cure of the sick. Tradition relates that in the earliest ages, St. Michael caused a medicinal spring to spout at Chairotopa near Colossae, and all the sick who bathed there, invoking the Blessed Trinity and St. Michael, were cured. Still more famous are the springs which St. Michael is said to have drawn from the rock at Colossae itself. The pagans directed a stream against the sanctuary of St. Michael to destroy it, but the Archangel split the rock by lightning to give a new bed to the stream and sanctified forever the waters which came from the gorge.

At Constantinople, likewise, St. Michael was the great Heavenly physician. The Christians of Egypt placed their life-giving river, the Nile, under the protection of St. Michael.

In Rome, also the role of heavenly physician was assigned to St. Michael. During the pontificate of St. Gregory the Great, a terrible pestilence depopulated the city of Rome. The Sovereign Pontiff ordered a penitential procession during which he himself carried a statue of the Blessed Virgin. Eighty persons died in the ranks of the procession itself. Still the Pope continued the prayers. When they arrived at the bridge crossing the Tiber, they heard the song of angels in the skies. Suddenly above the castle of St. Angelo, St. Michael appeared in gigantic size. In his right hand he held a sword which he thrust into the scabbard. At the same moment the pestilence ceased.

The celebrated sanctuary of Mont-St. Michel in Normandy, France, has likewise been the scene of many marvelous cures wrought through the intercession of the great Archangel. During the Middle Ages, this mount was one of Europe’s most renowned places of pilgrimage. This sanctuary owes its origin to an apparition of St. Michael to St. Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, during the eighth century. Appearing to the holy Bishop, the Archangel pointed out to him a tall cliff extending out into the sea, telling him that this spot was under his special protection and requesting that a church be built there to his honor. An imposing church was erected on a rocky mount, at the cost of great hardships and difficulties. Here the glorious Archangel testified to the truth of the apparition by effecting many and wonderful cures. Twelve blind persons had their sight restored and many sick were cured of their diseases. From that time forward the Archangel Michael has been highly venerated throughout France.

Up to the time of Charles XI, every Frankish king made a pilgrimage to this mount. Here Charlemagne dedicated his mighty kingdom to the Archangel. The church, with a Benedictine monastery adjoining, has a view far out over the sea. Its many steeples give it the appearance of a fortress. During the French revolution the monastery was converted into a central prison, and pilgrimages ceased. During the past few decades, however, the veneration of St. Michael at this sanctuary has been given a new impetus, and large pilgrimages are once more ascending the holy mount to honor God through His glorious Archangel.

From the history of Mont-St. Michel and Monte Gargano it is evident that pilgrimages are pleasing to the great Archangel, and that special graces are obtained in this manner. However, since few persons are in a position to make pilgrimages to such celebrated shrines, one may instead visit any church or chapel, or even a picture of the Archangel. If such visits are repeated several times, or even nine times as a novena, and are united with assistance at Holy Mass and the reception of Holy Communion, one may trustfully expect the aid of the holy Archangel even in the gravest necessities.

Meditation:

Try to cultivate a personal devotion to St. Michael in your daily life. St. Michael was created to glorify God. He does so personally, but he also helps others to know, love, and serve God through his patronage. Angels are given you by Divine Providence to help you, especially spiritually, but you must be willing to let them work their good in you.

You constantly need heavenly assistance to grow in spiritual life, in grace, in the love of God, and your neighbor. Invoke the Archangel Michael as your Patron. Let him be the guardian of your soul and body. Call upon him especially when the temptations of the world, or the flesh, or the devil trouble you. He will protect you from danger and obtain the grace of God for you, through his prayers, that your mind may be enlightened and your will strengthened to do good and to avoid evil.

St. Michael is invoked for growth in virtue, especially the virtues of obedience, charity, and humility, for he shows an excellence in practicing these virtues. St. Michael is obedient to Jesus Christ, the Word, Who was obedient to His Father, even to the death of the Cross. The fact that he is mentioned as a Guardian Angel of the Eucharist, indicates that he possesses qualities—sanctifying grace, virtues, and powers—to exercise guardianship over this Sacrament.

Those who stand closest to God in love and perfection, stand very near also to Mary, the Mother of God. St. Michael must exert great influence upon Mary, the Queen of Angels, through his prayers, since he is one of the most excellent of Angelic spirits who occupy a place near the Throne of God. You may go to Mary through St. Michael, and through Mary to Jesus. He is Mary's loyal subject.

You may confidently appeal to St. Michael in your own personal struggles with the powers of evil, and still more in behalf of the Church in that bitter warfare which the spirits of darkness continually waged against her.

St. Michael wants to be your friend during your lifetime. He understands your needs and problems and those of your dear ones. Entrust yourself and your family to his care, and invoke his help frequently. Especially at the hour of death you will find him your support and consolation and your defense against the enemies of your soul. If you are devoted to him in life, he will come to receive your soul in death and admit you to your heavenly home, for God has delivered to him the Souls of all the faithful that he may conduct them to Heaven. He is God's Ambassador for the Souls of the just, as the Church prays: “Michael, Ambassador of paradise, whom the fellow citizens of the Angels honor.” Or as Pope Pius XII exhorted us (February 11th, 1949): “If God is with us, who is there that could overcome us? In the final hour we shall stand victorious with St. Michael, the Archangel, and share in the triumph of the heavenly Jerusalem!”

Our Prayer:
This is original version of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil, or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy, and slayer of men, has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the Earth, in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated, with gall and bitterness, the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up, as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that, when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered, that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered ye hostile powers!
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and, as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that, by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
Say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend me in battle.
Be my safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil and evil people.

SEVENTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted each day)
Theme: Our Advocate at Death

Spiritual Reading:
Not only during life does the glorious Archangel Michael defend and protect souls, but he is their special advocate and consoler at the hour of death. When the last hour of our earthly career draws near, and we are confronted by that awful moment when our soul must leave the body which it has loved so much, satanic hosts, like ravening lions, will make a last attack upon us. But we need not fear if during life we have been faithful in venerating St. Michael and in imploring his aid for the hour of death. In that hour of supreme need, this invincible Archangel, ever ready to assist the faithful soul, will come to our aid with his hosts and do battle in our be- half. He will cover us with his strong shield and lead us safely through the midst of our enemies.

And when at length our soul has been freed from its earthly bonds, he will conduct us to the judgment seat of Christ, where he will undertake our defense and implore the forgiveness of our sins. Finally, if we have merited to be numbered among the elect, he will take us beneath his glorious banner and conduct us to the blessed home of light, where all the Angels and Elect children of God glory in the eternal praise of their Creator. It is therefore a commendable practice daily to invoke St. Michael to lend his assistance at the critical hour of death. Many are the faithful clients of St. Michael who have experienced his help in that hour.

Among the writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori we find the following account of St. Michael’s assistance at the hour of death: A certain Polish gentleman had for many years led a wicked life, When the hour of death approached, he was filled with terror and tortured by remorse of conscience over his former recklessness, so that he was reduced to a state of utter despair. No amount of exhortation or encouragement had any effect upon him; he refused every spiritual consolation.

This unhappy man, however, still had some veneration for St. Michael, and God in His mercy permitted the holy Archangel to appear to him in his last struggle. St. Michael encouraged him to repentance and said that he had prayed and obtained for him sufficient time to regulate the affairs of his soul. Shortly afterwards, two Dominican priests came to the house, saying that a stranger had sent them. The sick man recognized this as the work of St. Michael. He confessed his sins amid tears of repentance, received Holy Communion with touching devotion, and breathed forth his soul with every indication of being truly reconciled with God.

Meditation:

It cannot be stressed enough that as we sow, so shall we reap: “Be not deceived! God is not mocked! For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7-8).

If we are neglectful of God, then God will be neglectful of us. As Our Lord says: “Everyone therefore that shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father Who is in Heaven. But he that shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father Who is in Heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). In a similar way, we could apply this to St. Michael the Archangel, and say: “Whoever seeks out and prays to St. Michael the Archangel in this life, will be sought out and prayed for by St. Michael as they pass from life to death and to judgment.”

We lose time on so many trivialities and inconsequentials every single day—time that could be better spent in preparing for our inevitable death and judgement. If we lived each day with the attitude that we will have when dying, then there would be no worry about our fate! Yet we live each day as if we were never going to die—and that is cause for worry!

Our Prayer:
This is original version of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil, or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy, and slayer of men, has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the Earth, in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated, with gall and bitterness, the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up, as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that, when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered, that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered ye hostile powers!
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and, as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that, by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
Say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend me in battle.
Be my safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil and evil people.

EIGHTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted each day)
Theme: A Spiritual Angel Helps With the Concrete Things in Life

Spiritual Reading:
The history of the former feast of the Apparition of St. Michael is very remarkable. In the year 404, a wealthy man had a large herd of cattle grazing on Monte Gargano in Italy, not far from the once famous city of Siponto. One day a steer went astray from the herd and did not return with the rest of the cattle at the usual time. The owner and his hired men went in search of the steer, and finally found him on the summit of the mountain, lying at the entrance of a cave. The animal refused to leave the spot. At length the owner, exasperated by its stubbornness, took up his bow and sent an arrow toward it. However, the arrow whirled about in the air, and, coming directly toward the archer, wounded him.

All were frightened at this strange incident, and no one ventured to approach the place. They went directly to the Bishop of Siponto and related the incident to him. The holy prelate, after serious reflection, decided that there must be some mystery connected with it. He therefore prayed fervently that God's holy will might be revealed. Thereupon St. Michael appeared to him in great splendor and said: I am Michael, the Archangel, who ever stand before the Lord. I am keeping this place under my special protection. By this strange occurrence, I wish to remind men to celebrate the Divine service in my honor and that of all the Angels."

After this revelation, the Bishop and all the inhabitants of the place went up the mountain in solemn procession, and prayed to the Lord through the intercession of St. Michael. When they arrived at the cave, they found an entrance which led down a stairway. No one, however, ventured to enter, and they performed their devotions at the opening. After that many pilgrimages were made to this spot.

Meantime, the Neapolitans decided to make war upon the inhabitants of Siponto and Benevento. The latter, at the advice of their Bishop, kept a three days' fast and called upon the assistance of the holy Archangel. During the night preceding the attack, the Archangel again appeared to the Bishop and told him that God had listened to their petitions, that in the fourth hour of the day they should courageously meet the enemy, and they would gain the victory.

As soon as the attack began, all Monte Gargano was violently shaken. The entire summit was enveloped in dark clouds, from which flashes of lightning, like fiery arrows, flew toward the enemy, who, in consequence, took to flight. In joy and gratitude, and amid devout prayer, the conquerors entered the sacred spot. They found the cavern to be perfectly formed for a church, which could hold about five hundred persons.

This cave had evidently been a place of refuge in which the early Christians had secretly held their services during times of persecution. From a crevice in the rock, which formed the ceiling of this sanctuary, water dripped down upon the rocks. This water was very refreshing and most pleasant to the taste, and possessed healing properties. Many sick persons were instantly cured after drinking this water; others found health through the intercession of St. Michael. Many other miracles proved this place to be under the special protection of Heaven. Besides this subterranean church the Bishop erected another, in which the services were conducted by Canons Regular. This church still exists.

Meditation:

We have seen time and time again, angels come to the rescue of those in physical or material need. We see, in the Old Testament, in the time of Mose,s the avenging angel that slew all the fist born in Egypt. Later we see the three young men preserved from being burnt to death in the fire. We see Daniel being brought food by someone carried through the air by an angel. We see Judas Machabeus protected in battle by angels. Closer to our own day, we seen St. John Bosco saved from assassins by an angel that took on the form of threatening dog.

There are literally thousands upon thousands of stories―some authenticated, others not―where the angels of God have helped persons in some material or physical way. What prevents more of these happenings Is our lack of Faith. So many times we read of Our Lord saying in the Gospels: “As you have believed, so be it done unto thee!” Let us beg for a greater Faith in the angels!

Our Prayer:
This is original version of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil, or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy, and slayer of men, has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the Earth, in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated, with gall and bitterness, the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up, as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that, when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered, that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered ye hostile powers!
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and, as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that, by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
Say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend me in battle.
Be my safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil and evil people.

NINTH DAY OF THE NOVENA (new meditations posted each day)
Theme: A Defender in Physical Battles

Spiritual Reading:
Below you will find a letter written by a young marine to his mother after being wounded on a Korean battlefield in 1950. The Navy chaplain, Father Walter Muddy, to whom the letter was shown, thoroughly checked the facts with the young Marine and the sergeant in whose patrol he had served. Having concluded that that the facts mentioned in the letter had actually occurred, Father Muddy made the letter public in 1951 before a gathering of 5,000 Marines at the Naval base in San Diego, California. Since then the letter has been published in newspapers and magazines, read on the radio and television, all over the world:

Dear Mom,

I wouldn’t dare write this letter to anyone but you, because no one else would believe it. Maybe even you will find it hard, but I have got to tell somebody.

First off, I am in a hospital. Now don’t worry, ya hear me, don’t worry. I was wounded, but I am okay you understand. Okay. The doctor says that I will be up and around in a month. But that is not what I want to tell you.

Remember when I joined the Marines last year; remember when I left, how you told me to say a prayer to St. Michael every day. You really didn’t have to tell me that. Ever since I can remember you always told me to pray to St. Michael the Archangel. You even named me after him. Well I always have.

When I got to Korea, I prayed even harder. Remember the prayer that you taught me? “Michael, Michael of the morning fresh crop of Heaven adorning…” you know the rest of it. Well I said it everyday. Sometimes when I was marching or sometimes resting. But always before I went to sleep. I even got some of the other fellas to say it.

Well, one day I was with an advance detail way up over the front lines. We were scouting for the Commies. I was plodding along in the bitter cold, my breath was like cigar smoke. I thought I knew every guy in the patrol, when along side of me comes another Marine I never met before. He was bigger than any other Marine I’d ever seen. He must have been 6’ 4” and built in proportion. It gave me a feeling of security to have such a body near.

Anyway, there we were trudging along. The rest of the patrol spread out. Just to start a conversation I said: “Cold ain’t it” And then I laughed. Here I was with a good chance of getting killed any minute and I am talking about the weather.

My companion seemed to understand. I heard him laugh softly.
I looked at him: “I have never seen you before, I thought I knew every man in the outfit!”
“I just joined at the last minute”, he replied. “The name is Michael.”
“Is that so?” I said surprised. “That is my name too!”
“I know,” he said and then went on, “Michael, Michael of the morning . . .”

I was too amazed to say anything for a minute. How did he know my name, and a prayer that you had taught me? Then I smiled to myself, every guy in the outfit knew about me. Hadn’t I taught the prayer to anybody who would listen. Why now and then, they even referred to me as St. Michael.

Neither of us spoke for a time and then he broke the silence: “We are going to have some trouble up ahead.”

He must have been in fine physical shape, or he was breathing so lightly, I couldn’t see his breath. Mine poured out in great clouds. There was no smile on his face now. Trouble ahead, I thought to myself, well with the Commies all around us, that is no great revelation.

Snow began to fall in great thick globs. In a brief moment the whole countryside was blotted out. And I was marching in a white fog of wet sticky particles. My companion disappeared.

“Michael!“ I shouted in sudden alarm.
I felt his hand on my arm, his voice was rich and strong: “This will stop shortly.”

His prophecy proved to be correct. In a few minutes the snow stopped as abruptly as it had begun. The sun was a hard shining disc. I looked back for the rest of the patrol, there was no one in sight. We lost them in that heavy fall of snow. I looked ahead as we came over a little rise.

Mom, my heart stopped. There were seven of them. Seven Commies in their padded pants and jackets and their funny hats. Only there wasn’t anything funny about them now. Seven rifles were aimed at us.

“Down Michael!“ I screamed and hit the frozen earth.

I heard those rifles fire almost as one. I heard the bullets. There was Michael still standing. Mom, those guys couldn’t have missed, not at that range. I expected to see him literally blown to bits. But there he stood, making no effort to fire himself. He was paralyzed with fear. It happens sometimes, Mom, even to the bravest. He was like a bird fascinated by a snake.

At least, that was what I thought then. I jumped up to pull him down and that was when I got mine. I felt a sudden flame in my chest. I often wondered what it felt like to be hit, now I know. I remember feeling strong arms about me, arms that laid me ever so gently on a pillow of snow. I opened my eyes, for one last look. I was dying. Maybe I was even dead, I remember thinking well, this is not so bad.

Maybe I was looking into the sun. Maybe I was in shock. But it seemed I saw Michael standing erect again only this time his face was shining with a terrible splendor. As I say, maybe it was the sun in my eyes, but he seemed to change as I watched him. He grew bigger, his arms stretched out wide, maybe it was the snow falling again, but there was a brightness around him like the wings of an Angel. In his hand was a sword. A sword that flashed with a million lights.

Well, that is the last thing I remember until the rest of the fellas came up and found me. I do not know how much time had passed. Now and then I had but a moment’s rest from the pain and fever. I remember telling them of the enemy just ahead.

“Where is Michael?” I asked.
I saw them look at one another. “Where’s who?” asked one.
I said: “Michael, Michael that big Marine I was walking with just before the snow squall hit us.”
“Kid,” said the sergeant, “You weren’t walking with anyone. I had my eyes on you the whole time. You were getting too far out. I was just going to call you in when you disappeared in the snow.”
He looked at me, curiously. “How did you do it kid?”
“How’d I do what?” I asked half angry despite my wound. “This Marine named Michael and I were just . . .”
“Son,” said the sergeant kindly, “I picked this outfit myself and there just ain’t another Michael in it. You are the only Mike in it.”
He paused for a minute, and said: “Just how did you do it kid? We heard shots. There hasn’t been a shot fired from your rifle. And there isn’t a bit of lead in them seven bodies over the hill there.”

I didn’t say anything, what could I say. I could only look open-mouthed with amazement. It was then the sergeant spoke again, “Kid,” he said gently, “everyone of those seven Commies was killed by a sword stroke.”

That is all I can tell you Mom. As I say, it may have been the sun in my eyes, it may have been the cold or the pain. But that is what happened.

Love, Michael

Meditation:
You reap what you sow. You get out of something what you put into it. Holy Scripture says: “He who soweth sparingly, shall also reap sparingly: and he who soweth in blessings, shall also reap blessings” (2 Corinthians 9:6). Michael the earthly Marine put in a lot of time on spiritual matters. He prayed much and tried to get others to pray. He had an especial devotion to St. Michael the Archangel—which was rewarded greatly, even miraculously, in danger and in time of need. The consoling thought is that this incident did not occur hundreds of years ago, but in 1950. Another consoling thought is that St. Michael was not afraid of the fight and really did “defend us battle”—even against the Communists, who must be a “pushover” compared to Lucifer and his apostate angels.

Will you get a miracle from St. Michael in the battles that are coming against the evil ones of this world? You won’t if you ignore or neglect St. Michael. As St. Augustine says: “He who prays most, gets most!” Why not pray this long prayer to St. Michael for the rest of your short life? It certainly won’t do you any harm, and it may well end up protecting you from great harm! As you sow, so shall you reap. He who sows sparingly, reaps sparingly.

Our Prayer:
This is original version of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil, or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy, and slayer of men, has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the Earth, in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated, with gall and bitterness, the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up, as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that, when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered, that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered ye hostile powers!
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and, as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that, by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.

[Mention Intention]

Pray:
Say the Our Father and the Hail Mary.

Final Invocation:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend me in battle.
Be my safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil and evil people.

AN ACT OF CONSECRATION TO SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
to be made at the conclusion of the Novena in honor of St. Michael

Saint Michael the Archangel, invincible Prince of the Angelic hosts; glorious protector of the universal Church; noblest Prince of the Angelic Hierarchy; valiant warrior of the most High; zealous lover of the glory of the Lord; terror of the rebellious angels; love and delight of all the good Angels; and my most delightful and beloved Archangel, St Michael.

I greet thee and praise thee for that splendor with which God has adorned thee so richly. I thank God for the great graces He hast bestowed upon thee, especially to remain faithful when Lucifer and his followers rebelled, and to battle victoriously for the honor of God and the Divinity of the Son of Man.

Desiring to belong to the number of thy devoted servants, I consecrate to thee, Saint Michael, my soul and body. I place under thy protection, all that I am, all my interests, my house, family and everything I have. I choose thee as my patron and protector and entrust the salvation of my soul to thy care. Be the guardian of my obligation as a child of God and of the Catholic Church as again I renounce Satan, his works and his pomps.

I beg thee not to look at how little, I, as thy servant, have to offer, since I am only a wretched sinner, but, rather, I beg thee to gaze with a favorable eye at the heartfelt affection and great need with which this offering is made, and remember from this day onward, that I am under thy protection and thou art committed to help me for the rest of my life. Obtain for me the forgiveness of my many sins; and the grace to love with all my heart, my God, my beloved Savior Jesus Christ and my most Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Obtain for me all that I need to be able to reach the crown of glory.

Always defend me from the enemies of my soul, especially at the last moment of my life. Therefore, come, most glorious prince, help me in my final battle and with thy powerful weapons cast far from me into the infernal abyss that prevaricating and arrogant angel, whom thou didst defeat on the day of that battle in Heaven.

Assist me by thy powerful intercession in the fulfillment of these sacred promises, so that imitating thy courage and loyalty to God, and trusting in thy kind help and protection, I may be victorious over the enemies of my soul and be united with God in Heaven forever. Amen.

Some Additional Optional Prayers for his feastday:

Michael the U.S. Marine's Prayer to St. Michael
Michael, Michael, of the morning,
Fresh chord of Heaven adorning,
Keep me safe today
And in time of temptation,
Drive the devil away.

For Help Against Spiritual Enemies
Glorious St. Michael. Prince of the heavenly hosts, thou art ever ready to assist the people of God. Thou fought with the dragon, the old serpent. and cast him out of Heaven, and now thou dost valiantly defend the Church of God so the gates of Hell may never prevail against her. I earnestly entreat thee to assist me also in the painful and dangerous conflict I must sustain against the same formidable foe. Be with me, O mighty Prince, that I may courageously fight and wholly vanquish that proud spirit, whom thou, by the Divine power, hast overthrown, and whom our powerful King, Jesus Christ, in our nature, so completely overcame. Then, triumphing over the enemy of my salvation, I may, with thee and the holy Angels, praise the clemency of God, Who, though refusing mercy to the rebellious Angels after their fall, has granted repentance and forgiveness to fallen man.

Prayer for Perseverance
O God, Thou hast made blessed Michael, Thy Archangel, victorious over the proud Lucifer and all the wicked spirits. We beseech Thee that, combating under the Cross and ever adopting his maxim, “Who is like unto God,” we may be victorious over all our enemies, and be delivered from all evils. Regulate our lives according to Thy will and Commandments. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

For Assistance at the Hour of Death
Glorious Archangel St. Michael, by thy protection, enable my soul to be so enriched by grace as to be worthy to be presented by thee to Jesus Christ, my Judge, at the hour of my death. As thou hast conquered Satan and expelled him from Heaven, conquer him again, and drive him far away from me at the hour of my death.
O Mary, Queen of Heaven, procure for me the assistance of St. Michael at the hour of my death!

Spiritual Reading:

To St. Michael in Time of Peace by Gilbert K. Chesterton
This poem was first published in The Legion Book (London 1929), and again in G.K.'s Weekly of September 24, 1936. The poem also appeared in the Chesterton Review, May 1990: Vol. 16 No. 2.

Michael of the Morning,
Michael of the Army of the Lord,
Stiffen thou the hand upon the still sword, Michael,
Folded and shut upon the sheathed sword, Michael,
Under the fullness of the white robes falling,
Gird us with the secret of the sword.
When the world cracked because of a sneer in Heaven,
Leaving out for all time a scar upon the sky,
Thou didst rise up against the Horror in the highest,
Dragging down the highest that looked down on the Most High:
Rending from the seventh Heaven the Hell of exaltation
Down the seven Heavens till the dark seas burn:
Thou that in thunder threwest down the Dragon
Knowest in what silence the Serpent can return.

Down through the universe the vast night falling
(Michael, Michael: Michael of the Morning!)
Far down the universe the deep calms calling
(Michael, Michael: Michael of the Sword!)
Bid us not forget in the baths of all forgetfulness,
In the sigh long drawn from the frenzy and the fretfulness
In the huge holy sempiternal silence
In the beginning was the Word.

When from the deeps of dying God astounded
Angels and devils who do all but die
Seeing Him fallen where thou couldst not follow,
Seeing Him mounted where thou couldst not fly,
Hand on the hilt, thou hast halted all thy legions
Waiting the Tetelestai and the acclaim,
Swords that salute Him dead and everlasting
God beyond God and greater than His Name.
Round us and over us the cold thoughts creeping
(Michael, Michael: Michael of the battle-cry!)

Round us and under us the thronged world sleeping
(Michael, Michael: Michael of the Charge!)
Guard us the Word; the trysting and the trusting
Edge upon the honour and the blade unrusting
Fine as the hair and tauter than the harpstring
Ready as when it rang upon the targe.

He that giveth peace unto us; not as the world giveth:
He that giveth law unto us; not as the scribes:
Shall he be softened for the softening of the cities
Patient in usury; delicate in bribes?
They that come to quiet us, saying the sword is broken,
Break man with famine, fetter them with gold,
Sell them as sheep; and He shall know the selling
For He was more than murdered. He was sold.

Michael, Michael: Michael of the Mustering,
Michael of the marching on the mountains of the Lord,
Marshal the world and purge of rot and riot
Rule through the world till all the world be quiet:
Only establish when the world is broken
What is unbroken is the Word.

Our Prayer:
This is original version of the St. Michael the Archangel prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII

O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan.

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil, or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy, and slayer of men, has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the Earth, in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ; to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated, with gall and bitterness, the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up, as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that, when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help―against the attacks of the lost spirits―to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of Hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace, that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered, that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Be scattered ye hostile powers!
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David!
V. Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R. As we have hoped in Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy Holy Name, and, as supplicants, we implore Thy clemency, that, by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin Immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious St. Michael the Archangel, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all the other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls. Amen.