Saint Michael The Archangel

[from my parish bulletin]

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Even though the feast remembers all threearchangels, Saint Michael usually gets the spotlight.

This date is a special one for me because onSeptember 29^th 2001, I told my family for the first time I wasconsidering the priesthood. I had beenpraying the prayer to Saint Michael for some time already, and withoutrealizing it, it was on his feast that I let the cat out of the bag.

Saint Michael is best known for casting Satan out ofheaven (Revelation 20) and throughout the centuries, has been depicted as awarrior with a sword ready to slay a dragon below his feet. Devotion to Saint Michael in WesternChristianity is very ancient; in fact, one of the oldest pilgrimage sites inWestern Europe is a shrine to Saint Michael in southern Italy. Tradition has it that Saint Michael appearedto the Bishop of Gargano in the fifth century and consecrated a cave in theoutskirts of town. Over the years a beautifuland mysterious shrine has been built to enclose the cave.

As one enters the shrine, there are several ancientinscriptions. One reads “Awesome is thisplace. Here is the house of God and thegate of Heaven,” Another reads, “The place where you are now is holyground.” After going past the doors ofthe shrine, one immediately finds a long staircase which descends winding downuntil reaching the cave. One can feelthe centuries of prayers offered by pilgrims at the site. It is one of the most mysterious and mysticallocations in Western Europe.

Let us pray for the protection of Saint Michael,that he may defend us from the power of the enemy and help us remain close toGod.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us inbattle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. MayGod rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host – bythe Divine Power of God – cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, whoroam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.