St. Michael Novena — Day 8: Holy Death

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Day Eight. Tonight, Saint Michael, we pray for the grace of a holy death. This is one of the great Catholic prayers. Not because we are morbid. But because, in truth, the way we die matters. The Church teaches that the moment of death is the great turning point. What we have built our life on becomes either our salvation or our self-condemnation, in our final response to grace. Saint Michael, you have been called from earliest tradition the angel of the dying. The Church prays in the Office of the Dead, May Saint Michael, the standard-bearer, lead them into the holy light promised to Abraham and his descendants. You are at the deathbed of every Christian who calls upon you. Be at mine, when my time comes. I do not know when that will be. It could be many decades from now. It could be tomorrow. It could be tonight. The Lord alone knows the hour. But I want to be ready, and I want you near me when it happens. Saint Michael, give me a holy death. A death prepared by the sacraments. Confession. Anointing of the sick. Holy Communion as Viaticum, the Bread for the journey. Let me not die suddenly without these graces, if it is the Lord's will. A death surrounded by people who love me, if possible. My family. My friends. The ones who pray me into eternity. But if I must die alone, let me know You are with me, and that I am never truly alone. A death without despair. The enemy makes his last assault when life is ending. He whispers, You did not really matter. You are not really saved. God does not really love you. Saint Michael, drive him away in those final hours. Let me die in trust. A death without long suffering, if possible. But if suffering is part of my dying, let it be united with the Cross of Christ for the salvation of souls. Even my death can be redemptive, if I offer it with You. A death in hope. Knowing that this life is not the end. That the resurrection is real. That those I love who have died in Christ are waiting. That the Lord I have served, however imperfectly, is preparing a place for me. I pray now for everyone who will die tonight, somewhere in the world. The ones who do not know You. The ones who are afraid. The ones who are hardened. The ones who are lonely. Saint Michael, be present at every deathbed. Apply the merits of Christ's Passion to every dying soul. I pray for those who will die tomorrow. The ones who do not know it yet. Soften hearts. Bring final graces. Send messengers. I pray that, when my own death comes, I am found doing Your will. Not perfect, but trying. Not complete, but turned toward You. Loving the people in my life. Seeking holiness one small step at a time. Mary, Mother of God, pray for me now and at the hour of my death. As you stood at the foot of the Cross with your dying Son, stand by my deathbed too. Take me from this life into the next. Saint Joseph, patron of a happy death, you who died in the arms of Jesus and Mary, intercede for me. Saint Michael, archangel of the holy soul's passage, lead me, when it is time, into the holy light. 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. One more day. Day Nine tomorrow, the consummation. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.