Day 9: The choir of the Angels

The ninth and final day of the Saint Michael Novena petitions through the choir of the Angels, the ninth and lowest choir, the one most directly engaged with the daily protection of human beings.

The Angels

The Angels in the narrow sense (Greek angeloi, "messengers") are the ninth and last choir of the angelic hierarchy. Christ himself spoke of this choir when He said: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of My heavenly Father" (Matthew 18:10). From this passage and the consistent witness of Catholic tradition comes the doctrine of the Guardian Angel: that every Catholic, indeed every human being, has an angel assigned to particular guardianship.

The Angels of this ninth choir are characterized by their direct mission to human persons. They are the closest of the angelic powers to us, the daily companions of our spiritual journey.

The grace of Day 9

Today we ask through the intercession of Saint Michael and the choir of the Angels for the grace of guardian protection: that we may walk under the watchful care of our own guardian angels, that we may listen to their counsel, and that we may finally be welcomed by them at the hour of our death into the company of all the saints.

Prayer

Saint Michael the Archangel, by your intercession and that of the choir of the Guardian Angels, watch over us all the days of our life. May our guardian angels protect us from spiritual and bodily harm. May they guide us in moments of decision. May they receive us at the hour of our death and lead us into the presence of God.

O Lord God, who in Your providence assigns to each one of us an angelic guardian, increase in us the awareness and the reverence due to these heavenly companions. Amen.

Conclude with one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be. The novena is now complete; offer thanksgiving for the intercession of Saint Michael and the nine choirs of angels.