St. Michael Novena — Day 9: Eternal Glory

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Day Nine. The final day of the Saint Michael Novena. For nine days we have prayed. For defense. For healing. For guidance. For family. For the holy souls. For the Church. For conversion. For a holy death. Tonight we look beyond death, to the goal of every Christian life. Eternal glory. The Book of Revelation gives us a glimpse, in chapter seven. After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb. Saint Michael, you are part of that great worship in heaven right now. The angels and saints around the throne. The eternal liturgy that never ceases. The light that never dims. The joy that never fades. Tonight I lift my eyes to that promise. Beyond all the trials of this short life. Beyond all the battles I am fighting. Beyond all the wounds I am carrying. There is a city not made by human hands. There is a wedding feast that goes on forever. There is a face I have not yet seen but will know instantly when I see it. The face of the Lord I have loved through faith. Saint Michael, lead me there. When my pilgrimage is done. When my trials are complete. When my purification, however much I need, is finished. Lead me to the throne. And let me not journey alone. Let me bring with me the souls I have loved. My family, by name in my heart. My friends. The neighbors and coworkers and strangers I have prayed for. May we all, by the mercy of God and by your faithful intercession, arrive together. Let me bring with me, in some mysterious way I cannot fully understand, the fruit of every act of love I have done in this life. Every kindness. Every prayer. Every act of service. Every cross carried. Every temptation resisted. Every confession made. Every Mass attended. Every Communion received. Saint Paul writes in First Corinthians fifteen that nothing done for the Lord is in vain. Let nothing be in vain. Saint Michael, you saw the original rebellion. You saw what creatures look like when they refuse the love of God. You also see, every moment, what creatures look like when they receive that love and become saints. Help me become one of those saints. Not for my glory, but for His. Tonight I close this novena with thanksgiving. Thank You, Lord, for sending Saint Michael as a friend and protector. Thank You for the angels in general, the entire heavenly host that surrounds us with love. Thank You for the communion of saints, where I belong even now, before I see it. I do not know how the prayers of these nine days have been answered. Some of them I will see in time. Some of them only in eternity. But I trust You, Lord. The God who instructed me to pray is the God who hears every prayer. Saint Michael, my friend across the bridge of nine days, do not stop interceding. The novena is over, but our friendship is not. Stand with me tomorrow, the day after, and every day until I see you face to face. I pray the Saint Michael prayer one final time, with all the love that nine days of prayer has built up in me. 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. Saint Michael, pray for us. Saint Michael, defend us. Saint Michael, lead us home. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.