Introduction to the novena

Saint Michael is the first of the angels but that was not the case in God’s plan. Lucifer was to be the first and Michael was “just” an archangel, that is to say in the penultimate position in the hierarchy of angels. He was not the boss! Yet, he is the first to react and to fight Lucifer and the other fallen angels. His name Micha-El: “Who is like God?”, which became in latin his motto “Quis ut Deus”, is the reaction of the humble and faithful servant who rises up against the pride of creatures wanted to make themselves equal to God. Despite his lowliness, Michael stands up to defend the honour of God. He thereby fulfils his vocation by holding his place in the invisible battle. Through this novena to Saint Michael, we are offering you a spiritual itinerary. Let us experience it as a pilgrimage in order to encounter the presence of God in our lives. An encounter which, let us believe it, if we experience it with faith, can transform us beyond what we can conceive or imagine (cf. Eph 3:20).

The meaning of our pilgrimage (excerpt from “The Wisdom of the Pilgrim” by Anselm GRUN)

On his journey, the pilgrim’s desire is to penetrate every more deeply in the mystery of being, the mystery of life. And with this journey, his desire is to leave behind every wound in order to come to be in harmony with himself. The act of pilgrimage exists in every type of religion and culture. To put himself visibly on a pilgrimage means that the human being is, in its very essence, a pilgrim. He lives and journeys on this earth. But this life is not definitive, it is only the way toward another life. The pilgrim is one who cannot establish himself forever on earth. As long as his lives, he is on a journey. The human being is a pilgrim.

Bible passage: Psalm 8 

1 O Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants,

you have established strength because of your foes,

to still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him,

and the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;

you have put all things under his feet,

7 all sheep and oxen,

and also the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,

whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Meditation

I am not an angel, but what we have in common is that we are creatures of God. So, with Saint Michael, I bless and I worship the Creator of heaven and earth for the gratuity of his Love made visible though his works and, foremost, in the wonder that I am. Following Saint Augustin, I can cry out: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Prayer intention for us

Today, it may happen that we find ourselves lowly indeed to accomplish the Christian vocation of our country. Yet each one of us has a mission in this battle. In fulfilling it, we are hastening the reign of Christ. Let us pray to ask the Good Lord for the grace to discern our place in this mission. And let us also ask Saint Michael to lend us some of his strength to fulfil it, and to recognise ourselves as children of God, as creatures made in his image! 

Recite one “Our Father”, one “Hail Mary” and one “Glory Be to the Father”.

Prayer intention for our country

Let us pray for our leaders, that they may participate in the reign of Christ in our country and in the world by always looking for the Common Good and the protection of all creation. 

Recite one “Our Father”, one “Hail Mary” and one “Glory Be to the Father”.

Prayer

Saint Michael, keep me under your protection until the end of my journey on this earth. When I lay down or when I rise up, when I walk of when I sit, in my thoughts, in my words, in all that I do, keep me so that I may live each instant with God. Amen.