For protection

The archangel invoked under his titles.

A private devotion prayed for protection, for the Church, and at the hour of death — Michael being, by tradition, the one who receives souls at their departure. It is prayed especially on 29 September and through the St. Michael novena.

The Litany

Lord, have mercy. — Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. — Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. — Lord, have mercy.
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 Spirit, — have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, — have mercy on us.

To each of the following, respond: pray for us.

Holy Mary, Queen of Angels,
Saint Michael the Archangel,
Michael, who means Who is like God,
Michael, prince of the heavenly host,
Michael, standard-bearer of the armies of God,
Michael, defender of the Church,
Michael, guardian of souls,
Michael, terror of demons,
Michael, who cast out the dragon,
Michael, protector of the dying,
Michael, guide of souls into eternal light,
Michael, strength of those who are tempted,
Michael, comfort of the afflicted,
Michael, help of Christians,
Michael, who stands before the throne of God.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, — spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, — graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, — have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, blessed Michael, prince of the Church of Jesus Christ.
R. That we may be made worthy of His promises.

The Closing Prayer

Almighty and eternal God,
who in Your own marvellous goodness and pity
did, for the common salvation of man,
choose the glorious Archangel Michael to be the prince of Your Church:
make us worthy, we pray, to be delivered by his powerful protection
from all our enemies,
that none of them may harass us at the hour of death,
but that we may be brought into Your presence.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Note

This is a devotional litany, not one of the six approved for public recitation, and it is prayed privately or in small groups. Formal prayers of exorcism, as distinct from prayers for protection like this one, are reserved to a priest delegated by the bishop.