Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayer
To be recited each day of the novena.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
O most glorious Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly hosts, I come before thee to begin this novena of spiritual combat. I offer it for the glory of God, the honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and for my own salvation and that of all souls. I humbly ask for the grace to fight valiantly against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to persevere in the love and service of my Creator.
(Here mention your personal intentions.)
Jour 1 : Day 1: The Reality of the Spiritual Combat
Méditation
We are soldiers of Christ, and from our Baptism until our death, we are engaged in a spiritual combat. Our enemies are threefold: the Devil, the world, and the flesh. We must not be ignorant of their devices, nor underestimate their power. The Apostle exhorts us to put on the armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Let us therefore begin this holy novena by acknowledging the reality of this battle, and resolving to fight manfully under the banner of Christ the King.
Prière du jour
O Lord God of hosts, I acknowledge that I am weak and that without Thy grace I can do nothing. Grant me the light to see the snares of my spiritual enemies, the wisdom to avoid them, and the courage to fight against them. Awaken my soul from its slumber, that I may be a vigilant soldier, ever ready for the combat. Amen.
Jour 2 : Day 2: Saint Michael, Captain of the Heavenly Host
Méditation
In this great combat, God hath not left us without a captain. He hath given us the most glorious Archangel, Saint Michael, whose very name is a war-cry: ‘Who is like unto God?’. It was this cry that cast Lucifer and his rebellious legions from Heaven. Saint Michael is the Prince of the Heavenly Host, the guardian of the Church, and the protector of souls. He it is who weighs the souls at the Last Judgment. In all our temptations and struggles, let us have recourse to this mighty warrior. He who conquered the dragon of old will not fail to assist us, who are members of the Mystical Body of Christ, against the same ancient foe.
Prière du jour
O most glorious Prince, Saint Michael, Captain of the armies of the Lord, I place myself under thy protection. Thou art a terror to the evil spirits; defend me from all their malice. When they assail my soul with temptations, when they seek to plunge me into despair, be thou my shield and my strength. By thy powerful intercession, obtain for me the grace to serve God faithfully and to persevere unto the end. Amen.
Jour 3 : Day 3: The Invincible Name of Jesus
Méditation
The most powerful weapon in our spiritual combat is the Most Holy Name of Jesus. At this Name, every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. The devils tremble when they hear it, for it reminds them of their defeat on Calvary. The Holy Name of Jesus is a tower of strength, a refuge in time of trouble, and a source of all grace. Let us cultivate a tender devotion to this sacred Name. Let us invoke it with confidence in temptation, with love in our prayers, and with reverence in our daily speech. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.
Prière du jour
O Jesus, my Saviour, grant me a profound reverence and an ardent love for Thy Most Holy Name. May it be ever in my heart and on my lips. In every temptation, may I have the strength to call upon Thee, saying, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ In every trial, may Thy Name be my consolation. In the hour of my death, may I breathe it forth as the pledge of my salvation. Amen.
Jour 4 : Day 4: The Shield of Faith
Méditation
The Apostle Saint Paul tells us to take up ‘the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one.’ Faith is the foundation of the spiritual life. It is the light that guides our steps in the darkness of this world. The devil seeks above all to destroy our faith, suggesting doubts against the truths of revelation, against the goodness of God, against His very existence. He whispers that the commandments are too hard, that sin is of little consequence. With the shield of a firm and lively faith, we can repel these assaults. Let us pray for an increase of this divine virtue, that our trust in God may be unshaken.
Prière du jour
O Lord, I believe; help Thou my unbelief! Increase my faith, that I may see all things in the light of eternity. Grant that my faith may be firm, without hesitation; that it may be strong, not fearing the contradictions of men; that it may be active, working through charity. Let this living faith be the shield that protects me from all the assaults of hell, and leads me safely to Thee, who art the author and finisher of our faith. Amen.
Jour 5 : Day 5: The Sword of the Spirit
Méditation
Our spiritual armor is not merely defensive. We are given a weapon of offense: ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ Our Lord Himself used this sword to vanquish the tempter in the desert, responding to each suggestion with the words of Holy Scripture. The word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two-edged sword. Let us arm ourselves with it through daily spiritual reading, especially of the Holy Gospels. Let us meditate upon the truths of salvation, that they may become the very substance of our thoughts. Thus, when temptation comes, we shall have at hand the divine words that put the enemy to flight.
Prière du jour
O Holy Spirit, Divine Paraclete, open my mind and heart to the sacred truths contained in the Word of God. Grant me a hunger for this heavenly manna. Illumine my understanding, that I may grasp its meaning; move my will, that I may put it into practice. May the Holy Scriptures be my guide in doubt, my comfort in sorrow, and the sword with which I conquer all my spiritual foes. Amen.
Jour 6 : Day 6: The Armor of God
Méditation
To the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, we must add the ‘breastplate of justice’ and the ‘helmet of salvation.’ The breastplate of justice, or righteousness, is a life lived in a state of grace and in the practice of virtue. Sin makes a breach in our armor, leaving us vulnerable to the enemy. A good conscience, on the other hand, is a fortress. The helmet of salvation is the virtue of hope. It is the confident expectation of heaven and the graces necessary to attain it. This hope protects our minds from the devil’s suggestions of despair and presumption, keeping our eyes fixed on the eternal prize.
Prière du jour
O God of all holiness, clothe me with the breastplate of justice. Purify my soul in the Blood of the Lamb, and grant me a horror for sin and a love for virtue. Set upon my head the helmet of salvation, that my hope in Thy promises may never waver. May I fight the good fight, keeping the faith, so that at the end of my life I may receive the crown of justice which Thou hast promised to them that love Thee. Amen.
Jour 7 : Day 7: The Power of Prayer and Penance
Méditation
Our Lord taught us that some manner of evil spirits can be cast out by nothing but by prayer and fasting. Prayer is the breath of the soul; it is our conversation with God. A soul that does not pray is a soul that is defenseless. Fasting, and mortification in general, is the discipline of the body and the will. It detaches us from the pleasures of the senses and strengthens our spirit, making it less susceptible to the temptations of the flesh. Let us resolve to be faithful to daily prayer and to practice acts of penance, especially on the days appointed by the Church, uniting our small sacrifices to the great sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.
Prière du jour
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst spend forty days in prayer and fasting in the desert, teach me the true spirit of prayer and penance. Grant me the grace of recollection, that I may converse with Thee throughout the day. Give me a generous heart, that I may deny myself and take up my cross daily. By these holy practices, may my soul be strengthened, my passions subdued, and the power of the devil over me be broken. Amen.
Jour 8 : Day 8: Our Lady, Queen of Angels
Méditation
In the spiritual combat, we have a most powerful ally in the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. From the first promise of a Redeemer in the Book of Genesis, she was foretold as the woman who would crush the serpent’s head. She is the Immaculate Conception, the one who was never under the dominion of Satan. The devils fear her more than all the angels and saints combined. She is the Queen of Angels, and Saint Michael and all the heavenly hosts are obedient to her command. Let us fly to her protection, consecrate ourselves to her, and frequently invoke her by the sweet name of Mother. She is the Terror of Demons, and under her mantle, we are safe.
Prière du jour
O Mary, my Queen and my Mother, I fly to thy patronage and I confide in thy motherly care. Thou art the terror of the infernal foe; cast thy mantle of protection over me. In my battles against sin, be thou my refuge and my strength. Obtain for me from thy Divine Son a deep hatred for sin, a perfect love for God, and the grace of final perseverance. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.
Jour 9 : Day 9: Perseverance unto Victory
Méditation
The crown of victory is promised not to those who begin the fight, but to ‘he that shall persevere unto the end.’ The spiritual combat is a lifelong engagement. There will be times of consolation and times of desolation, moments of victory and moments of apparent defeat. The key to final victory is perseverance. We must never give up, never despair of God’s mercy. After a fall, we must rise immediately, confess our sin with humility, and begin again with renewed trust in God’s grace. Let us ask for this most necessary gift of final perseverance, through the intercession of Saint Michael, who persevered in grace, and of the Blessed Virgin, who stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross.
Prière du jour
O God, who art the author of all good, I thank Thee for the graces received during this novena. Grant me, I beseech Thee, the most precious gift of final perseverance. Suffer me not to be separated from Thee. In my last agony, when the devil makes his final assault against my soul, send Thy holy Archangel Michael to defend me, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary present me to her Son. May I die in Thy grace and love, to praise Thee and enjoy Thee for all eternity. Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Daily Concluding Prayers
To be recited each day of the novena.
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Litany of Saint Michael
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Saint Michael, pray for us.
Saint Michael, abundant font of divine wisdom, pray for us.
Saint Michael, most perfect adorer of the Divine Word, pray for us.
Saint Michael, crowned with honor and glory, pray for us.
Saint Michael, most powerful Prince of the armies of the Lord, pray for us.
Saint Michael, standard-bearer of the Most Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Saint Michael, guardian of Paradise, pray for us.
Saint Michael, guide and comforter of the people of Israel, pray for us.
Saint Michael, splendor and fortress of the Church Militant, pray for us.
Saint Michael, honor and joy of the Church Triumphant, pray for us.
Saint Michael, light of Angels, pray for us.
Saint Michael, bulwark of orthodox believers, pray for us.
Saint Michael, strength of those who fight under the standard of the Cross, pray for us.
Saint Michael, light and confidence of souls at the hour of death, pray for us.
Saint Michael, our most sure aid, pray for us.
Saint Michael, our help in all adversities, pray for us.
Saint Michael, herald of the everlasting sentence, pray for us.
Saint Michael, consoler of souls detained in the flames of Purgatory, pray for us.
Saint Michael, whom the Lord hath charged to receive souls after death, pray for us.
Saint Michael, our prince, pray for us.
Saint Michael, our advocate, pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, O glorious Saint Michael, Prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R. That we may be made worthy of His promises.
Let us pray.
Sanctify us, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus, with Thy holy blessing, and grant us, by the intercession of Saint Michael, that wisdom which may teach us to lay up treasures in Heaven by exchanging the goods of this world for those of eternity, Thou Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.