His is still one of the most popular
names for boys, even in this era of innovation in naming children. But otherwise, Saint Michael has fallen on
some hard times lately.
Everybody knows Saint Michael the
Archangel. He wields the flaming sword,
and drives Lucifer and his rebel angels out of heaven and away from the
presence of God because of their refusal to serve. He
appears at various junctures to bring the help of the Host of God to the
assistance of those who do serve him. For
this prominent and recurring role in salvation history, he is known not only to
Christians, but also to Jews and even Muslims. He is the patron saint of law enforcement and
paratroopers, among others, for obvious reasons.
I bring him to your attention
because this weekend, Sunday takes place on his feast day. For that, it is “suppressed,” or not
celebrated, this year; but I do not want it to pass unobserved. Since the liturgical revisions of 1970, he
shares his day with Saints Gabriel and Raphael, the other two Archangels, who have distinctive missions and characters
of their own. This day customarily
initiated the fall academic semester at the ancient universities of Europe,
which is why in England it was (and may still be) known as “Michaelmas
Term.” You can see why it would be
prominent in people’s minds then – but not so much any more.
Saint Michael has a great prayer,
too, which also has fallen into desuetude.
It was recited together by the priest and congregation after all Low
(said) Masses until the liturgical reforms after the Second Vatican Council,
one of the few elements of Sunday worship that was in English, rather than
Latin. I commend it to you all now. The only folks who have no need of it are the
ones who do not confront evil. Who of us
can claim that privilege? Learn it and, as
the saying goes, use it early and often:
Prayer to Saint Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan
and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world
seeking
the ruin of souls. Amen
Offer this prayer for yourselves in
your desire for salvation, that you be defended against anything or anyone, any
sin or any sabotage, that would separate you from the service of the saving
God. Offer this prayer also for all
those who daily choose to serve, often in one uniform or another, who protect
you from evil in this world: evil in nature, and evil in the hearts of men;
evil abroad, and evil at home. Offer
this prayer for our brothers and sisters in the Christian faith, who confront
evil daily in their lives because of their loyalty to Christ.
This
is the charge of this great Archangel, who has demonstrated his willingness to
fulfill it throughout the ages in response to the needs of those who call upon
him, all who are willing and eager to recognize and respond to Him who alone
made us and saves us, not as Lucifer did in his rebellion and rejection, but as
God’s own Son did: Not my will, Father,
but your will be done. I will serve. This is the profession we are able to make
that unites us to this great Archangel, and moreover, to Christ Himself.
“Hard times” are precisely where he
is most at home. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in
battle!
Monsignor Smith
