His is still one of the most popular names for boys, even in this era of innovation in naming children. But otherwise, Saint Michael seems to have come into hard times over the last half-century.
Everybody knows Saint Michael the Archangel – or at least they should know him. He wields the flaming sword and drives Lucifer and his rebel angels out of heaven and away from the presene of God because of their refusal to serve. He appears at various junctures (e.g., the Book of Daniel) 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. Even Muslims know who he is. Because of his unique talents and responsibilities, he is the patron saint of law enforcement and paratroopers, among others.
I bring him to your attention because this Monday, September 29, is his feast day. Since the revision of the liturgical calendar in 1970, he has to share his day with Saints Gabriel and Raphael, the other two Archangels, who themselves have distinctive missions and characters, though no longer their own feast days. This day customarily designated the beginning of 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.” And I can’t get our own school to wait even until after Labor Day to begin the term! You can see why St. Michael’s Feast would be prominent in people’s minds then – and not so much anymore.
Saint Michael has a great prayer, too, which is enjoying a merited resurgence these days. It was recited together by the priest and congregation after all Low (spoken, not sung) Masses until the liturgical reforms after the Second Vatican Council, one of the few elements of Sunday worship that was is English, rather than Latin. Everybody knew it!
I commend the prayer 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, or live in that bubble? 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 when you are afraid or in danger, or when you confront temptation to sin. Pray it 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.
Saint Michael defends all who are willing and eager to recognize and respond to Him who alone made us and saves us, not as Lucifer did (Non serviam!) in rebellion and rejection, but as God’s own Son did, in obedience: Not my will, Father, but your will be done. I will serve. This is the profession we can make to unite ourselves to this great Archangel, and moreover, to Christ Himself.
“Hard times” are precisely where he is best deployed. Remember, the first we know of him was when the very courts of heaven were under attack from rebel angels, rumored to have been one quarter of the total. He is good when the odds are bad! Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!
Monsignor Smith
