NOVENA TO SAINT MICHAEL
O GLORIOUS Prince of the
heavenly host, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and fearful
warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the
rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come thou to the
assistance of men, whom Almighty God created immortal, making them in His own
image and likeness and redeeming them at a great price from the tyranny of
Satan. Fight this day the battle of the Lord with thy legions of holy Angels,
even as of old thou didst fight against Lucifer, the leader of the proud
spirits and all his rebel angels, who were powerless to stand against thee,
neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was
cast forth, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and satan, who seduces
the whole world; and he was cast forth upon Earth, and his angels were sent with
him.
But behold! the ancient
enemy of mankind and a murderer from the beginning has been fiercely aroused.
Changing himself into an angel of light, he goes about with the whole multitude
of the wicked spirits to invade the earth and blot out the Name of God and of
His Christ, to plunder, to slay, and to consign to eternal damnation the souls
that have been destined for a crown of everlasting life. This wicked serpent,
like an unclean torrent, pours into men of depraved minds and corrupt hearts
the poison of his malice, the spirit of lying, impiety and blasphemy, and the
deadly breath of impurity and every form of vice and iniquity.
Be favorable to Thy
Church, the Bride of the Lamb without spot, whose enemies have filled to
overflowing with gall and inebriated with wormwood. They have laid profane
hands upon Her most sacred treasures. Where the See of the most blessed Peter
and the Chair of Truth has been constituted as a light to the nations, there
they have placed a throne of their abomination and impiety; so that with the
Pastor struck, they may prevail to disperse the flock.
Therefore, most
invincible Leader, be with the people of God against this spiritual wickedness
and bring about victory. Thou art venerated by Holy Church as Her guard and
patron; Thou art glorified as our defender against the impious powers of earth
and of hell. Unto thee the Lord hath handed over the souls of the redeemed to
be placed in happiness above. Entreat the God of peace, to obliterate satan
beneath our feet, lest he prevail further to hold men captive, and to injure
the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that the mercy
of the Lord may swiftly overtake us, and apprehend the dragon, the ancient
serpent, who is the devil and satan, and send him bound into the abyss, so that
he may seduce the nations no more. Henceforth having been confided to thy
escort and protection, we sacred ministers by our authority [if recited by a
layman, or cleric who has not yet taken up the order of exorcist, say instead, "by
the authority of Holy Mother Church ], do undertake to repel the infestations
of diabolical deceit in the Name of Jesus Christ, Our God and Lord.
V. Behold the Cross of
the Lord, depart from us, our adversaries.
R. The Lion of the tribe
of Juda, root of David, has conquered.
V. Let Thy mercy be upon
us Lord.
R. As much as we hope in
Thee.
V. O Lord, hear my
prayer.
R. And let my cry come
unto Thee.
Let us pray
O God, and Father of Our
Lord Jesus Christ, we invoke Thy Holy Name, and we humbly implore Thy clemency
so that, through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate ever-Virgin Mother of
God, of blessed Michael the Archangel, of blessed Joseph, the Spouse of the
same blessed Virgin, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the
Saints, Thou may deign to offer us aid against satan, and all the other unclean
spirits, who wander through the world to injure the human race and to destroy
souls. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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