A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path in a first direction in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, and an anti-backup mechanism associated with the needle for preventing movement of the needle in a second direction opposite to the first direction.