Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel -
Today is the original feast of the leader of the heavenly armies, Saint Michael.
The captain of the heavenly armies, the angel named in the Canon of the Mass, held from early times the first place in the Liturgy among the other angels; wherefore many churches dedicated to Saint Michael in the Middle Ages were simply known as churches "of the holy angel."
Saint Michael, whose name signifies "who is like unto God" cast the evil spirit out of heaven, and overcame Satan in the struggle for possession of the body of Moses. God has intrusted our defense, in the combat with the devil, to the agels.
The reason of this is easily understood. The devil is a spirit who has lost none of the powers inherent to his nature. In order, therefore, that the struggle should not be unequal, God has placed at our side defenders of the same nature as Lucifer,that is to say pure spirits, who are, however, greater and more powerful than he is.
Pray to Saint Michael for our country, because we are in a battle against the powers of darkness, and the spirits of wickedness in high places.
"St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wiles and wickedness of the devil. Restrain him, O God, we humbly beseech Thee; and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the destruction of souls. Amen"
The captain of the heavenly armies, the angel named in the Canon of the Mass, held from early times the first place in the Liturgy among the other angels; wherefore many churches dedicated to Saint Michael in the Middle Ages were simply known as churches "of the holy angel."
Saint Michael, whose name signifies "who is like unto God" cast the evil spirit out of heaven, and overcame Satan in the struggle for possession of the body of Moses. God has intrusted our defense, in the combat with the devil, to the agels.
The reason of this is easily understood. The devil is a spirit who has lost none of the powers inherent to his nature. In order, therefore, that the struggle should not be unequal, God has placed at our side defenders of the same nature as Lucifer,that is to say pure spirits, who are, however, greater and more powerful than he is.
Pray to Saint Michael for our country, because we are in a battle against the powers of darkness, and the spirits of wickedness in high places.
"St. Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wiles and wickedness of the devil. Restrain him, O God, we humbly beseech Thee; and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God cast into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the destruction of souls. Amen"
