Saint Michael the Archangel
Feast day: September 29
Prince of the heavenly hosts, defender against evil and guardian of God's people.
Saint Michael is the archangel whose name means 'Who is like God?' Sacred Scripture presents him as a heavenly warrior who fights the forces of evil and defeats the dragon, as in the book of Revelation.
In the book of Daniel, Michael appears as protector of the people of Israel. In Jewish-Christian tradition, he is the angel who guides souls and defends the Church in spiritual battles.
Devotion to St. Michael grew in Benedictine monasteries and at Mont-Saint-Michel in France, one of the most visited shrines of medieval Christendom.
In 1886 Pope Leo XIII composed the famous prayer to St. Michael, spread after visions he reportedly had about the Church's struggles against the powers of evil.
The liturgy celebrates St. Michael together with archangels Gabriel and Raphael on September 29, feast of the Archangels, formerly 'Michaelmas' in many countries.
He is invoked as protector of the Church, soldiers, those facing temptation, and all who seek spiritual defense against the devil.
Dedicated prayer
To the prince of the heavenly hosts, we ask protection against evil and defense in spiritual battles.
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