St. Michael Novena — Day 6: Church

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Day Six. Tonight, Saint Michael, we pray for the Church. The Church is not just an institution. She is the Bride of Christ. The Body of Christ. The mother who has given me, through the sacraments, every grace I have received. And she is, right now, under attack. Saint Michael, you are her ancient defender. The early Christians built shrines to you on hilltops and called you guardian of the Church. Tonight I ask you to defend her again, in the unique trials of our time. Defend the Holy Father, the Pope, who carries the weight of the universal Church on his shoulders. Strengthen him in body and mind. Surround him with wise advisors. Protect him from those who would harm him, physically or spiritually. Defend the bishops, our successors of the apostles. Where they are faithful, strengthen them. Where they are weak or compromised, convert them or replace them. Give us shepherds after Your heart. Defend the priests, especially those who labor in difficult places. Parishes that are dying. Countries where Christianity is persecuted. Confessionals where they sit hour after hour, hearing the wounds of the world. Give them holiness. Give them perseverance. Protect them from the spiritual attacks that target them more intensely because of their vocation. Defend the deacons, the seminarians, the religious sisters and brothers. All who have given their lives to direct service of the Lord. They have placed targets on their backs by their consecration. Defend them. Defend the laity. The men and women who do most of the actual work of the Church. The catechists. The musicians. The volunteers. The parents teaching their children to pray. The neighbors quietly evangelizing. The professionals trying to live their faith in hostile workplaces. Defend our parishes, our schools, our hospitals, our every Catholic ministry. From financial collapse. From scandal. From division. From mission drift. Keep us anchored in the truth handed down from the apostles. Defend the persecuted Church. Our brothers and sisters in countries where being Christian is dangerous. Where churches are bombed. Where conversion costs everything. Where worship happens in secret. Saint Michael, stand with them in their courage. Defend the unity of the Church. Heal the divisions between East and West. Bring back our separated brethren. Let the prayer of Jesus, that they may all be one, find its fulfillment in our generation. I pray for one specific person in the Church who is on my heart tonight. A priest I love. A friend who is struggling with a doctrinal teaching. A bishop in difficulty. (Name them.) Saint Michael, intercede for them. I pray the Saint Michael prayer. 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 hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Day Seven tomorrow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.