My affinity for angels ebbs and flows. Sometimes, I’m too busy to think about them. Other times, like when the boys fail to break their legs from jumping off the top of the playground equipment …. I’m aware of their presence.
Beside my own guardian angel, and those protecting my immediate family, my all time favorite is Saint Michael. His feast day is up this week, on September 29th.
You’ll see him mentioned in Scripture in Daniel, as well as Revelation. Our Divine Tradition gives Saint Michael four roles:
- to fight against Satan
- to rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death
- to be the champion of God’s people, the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament, and the orders of knights in the Middle Ages,serving as the patron of the Church
- to call away from earth and bring men’s souls to judgement
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection 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 Divine Power of God –
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Another great reason to learn the Saint Michael prayer? It was recommended by Blessed John Paul II as a prayer for our Church.
Ready to teach your small ones about my favorite angel? Head over to Paper Dali, for a printable St. Michael paper doll. Don’t forget to stop by Catholic Online for St. Michael’s Fun Facts card.
Have a teenage boy preparing for Confirmation? Learning about Saint Michael would keep any young man’s interest. I’m bookmarking these Saint Michael medals for when my boys get older.
What about you? Do you have a devotion to Saint Michael, or some of the other angels?
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I love the images of St Michael with Satan underfoot and about to stab him in the face.
On a less violent note, I also really like the name Michael. It means “Who is like God?” It was the rallying cry of those angels loyal to the Lord of Hosts against Satan and his followers. Who is like God? How dare they, in their pride and arrogance, claim to be like God and dare to try establish themselves as rival gods. They are after all created beings and as such lesser to their Creator.
It IS a bit graphic, isn’t it? Reminds me a bit of the image of Mary, standing on the serpent.
I’m a boy mom, what can I say? This would certainly catch their attention. I told my husband that St Michael is like an ancient Rambo – I’d much rather my boys look up to him! 🙂
It is a beautiful, masculine name for a boy — we may have to put it on the reserve list!
My Mother and Aunt both loved angels…and I have some of my mother’s old books…I may pull them out one day….Thank you for sharing this and linking up today!
So glad this post reminded you of a happy memory! Thanks for stopping by!
I just finished reading the Bible from cover to cover, and I do remember reading about Michael the archangel and his roles. It was a good reminder to me too—that we’re in a battle, and the main enemy isn’t the one right in front of us, wrapped in a robe of flesh. Thanks for reminding me to stand strong in the faith against the enemy of our souls today!
Spiritual warfare isn’t a topic many people tackle — but it is here, and for real. I love it that you thought of it immediately with this mention of St Michael.
Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer!
I have always loved the name Michael and will certainly say a prayer.
Michael is on my ‘reserve list’ for potential boy names. It’s strong, masculine, and very Christian.
Thanks for stopping by!