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Saint Michael the Archangel is referenced in theOld Testament and has been part of Christian teachings since the earliest times.[1] InCatholic writings and traditions, he acts as the defender of the Church and the opponent ofSatan. He also assists people at the hour of death.
A widely used "Prayer to Saint Michael" was brought into official use byPope Leo XIII in 1886 and was recommended byPope John Paul II in 1994.
Michael is mentioned by name five times in the Bible.
Catholic tradition calls Michael,Gabriel andRaphaelarchangels. The word archangel comes from the Greek wordsarche (prince) andangelos (messenger). Michael means "Who is like God?" (a rhetorical question), Gabriel means "Power of God" or "Strong One of God" and Raphael means "God has healed".[2] Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are named in theBible as angels. (Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians accept as canonical theBook of Tobit, in which Raphael is named.) Only Michael is called an archangel in the Bible. The feast of these angels is celebrated on September 29. In addition to these three Archangels, theEastern Catholic Churches also venerateUriel,Selaphiel,Jegudiel,Barachiel andJerahmeel. The Synaxis of the Holy Archangels is on November 8.
Traditionally, seven Angels were considered to be of special significance, who stand before the Throne of God.[3] Within the hierarchy of the angels, at the highest level, St. Michael is a princelyseraph,[4] an angel of supreme power and the leader of God's army.
Christian art often portrays archangels together. Archangels Michael and Gabriel are jointly depicted onOur Lady of Perpetual Help, aByzantine icon of theBlessed Virgin Mary that has been the subject of widespread Catholic devotions for centuries.
In Roman Catholicism, Saint Michael has four distinct roles. First, he is theEnemy of Satan and the fallen angels. He defeated Satan and ejected him from Paradise and will achieve victory at the hour of the final battle with Satan. Secondly, he is theChristian angel of death: at the hour of death, Saint Michael descends and gives each person the chance to redeem oneself before passing. Saint Michael's third role isweighing peoples' merits (hence the saint is often depicted holding scales) on Judgment Day. And finally, Saint Michael is theGuardian of the Church.[5]
Saint Michael is viewed as the commander of theArmy of God. From the time of the apostles, he has been invoked and honored as the protector of the Church. Scripture describes him as "one of the chief princes" and the leader of heaven's forces in their triumph over the powers of hell.[7]
Saint Michael defeats Satan on two occasions, first when he ejects him from Paradise, and secondly in the final battle of the end times when theAntichrist will be defeated by him. Noted hagiographerAlban Butler, defined the role of Saint Michael: "Who is like God?" was the cry of Archangel Michael when he smote the rebel Lucifer in the conflict of the heavenly hosts. And when Antichrist shall have set up his kingdom on earth, it is St Michael who will unfurl once more the standard of the cross, sound the last trumpet, bind together the false prophet and the beast and hurl them for all eternity into the burning pool.[8]
Saint Michael is the traditional prototype of thespiritual warrior, a paradigm extended to otherwarrior saints. This conflict against evil may at times be viewed as an interior battle. The concept of the warrior saint has extended to other Catholic saints, beginning with examples such asSaint George and SaintTheodore of Amasea.[9]
Saint Michael is one of the angels presumed present at the hour of death. Traditionally, he is charged to assist the dying and accompany them to their particular judgment, where he serves as an advocate.[10] Cemetery chapels are often dedicated to him, where Masses are offered in his honor on behalf of the departed.[11]Saint Michael also was God's favorite angel.
In Catholic tradition, onJudgment Day Saint Michael weighs souls based on their deeds during their life on earth. Saint Michael is often portrayed in art with scales.[12] This role of Saint Michael was depicted byMichelangelo on the ceiling of theSistine Chapel. In this depiction, angels hold up two books: the smaller book held by Saint Michael records the names of the blessed, while the larger book is a list of the damned.[13]
The tradition of Michael as prince-protector of the Jewish people was adopted by the Christian Church.[14] Saint Michael has long been recognized as the protector and guardian of the Church itself and the angel of theBlessed Sacrament. In a 2007 addressPope Benedict XVI urged the bishops he was ordaining to take Michael as a model in making room in the world for God, countering denials of him and thus defending humankind's greatness, and in acting as "trueguardian angels" of the Church.[15] Saint Michael is also the guardian angel of the pope and has been invoked as the patron and guardian angel of many countries as well as specific professions.[16][17]
"Of all the angels, Michael was by far the most important in the Middle Ages."[18] The earliest indications of a cult of St. Michael occur in the Near East. The emperorConstantine built theMichaelion at Chalcedon on the site of an earlier temple. Other sanctuaries were located at healing springs in Anatolia, Antioch, and Egypt. Identification of St Michael with the gift of healing can be seen inGregory the Great leading a devotional procession in 590 when the city of Rome was afflicted with a plague that killed his predecessor. Gregory reportedly saw a vision of Saint Michael atop the Mausoleum of Hadrian. The archangel sheathed his sword, suggesting to the pope that the peril was ended. He subsequently renamed the MausoleumCastel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) in honor of St. Michael.[19][20]
TheVisio Sancti Pauli, written in the late fourth or early fifth century, presents St Michael as an advocate for sinners, guarantor of rain, and thus a patron of agriculture. The Greek, Syrian, and Coptic Churches had venerated St. Michael since at least the early sixth century. The cult of St. Michael was widespread in the British Isles during the Middle Ages.[21]
Legends include a number of reported appearances of Saint Michael, where sanctuaries or churches were later built or dedicated to him. These includeMonte Gargano in Italy early in the 6th century where theSanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo, the oldest shrine in Western Europe, is dedicated to Saint Michael. Early in the 8th century, Saint Michael reportedly appeared three times toSaint Aubert, the bishop ofAvranches inNormandy, France, and instructed him to build a church on the small island now known asMont Saint-Michel. Several healings were reported when the church was being built and Mont Saint-Michel still remains a Catholic pilgrimage site.[22][23]
The role of Saint Michael as protector and guardian has also led to the design of statues that depict him, and the construction of Churches andmonasteries at specific locations. Because most monastic islands lie close to land, they were viewed as forts holding demons at a distance against attacks on the Church. Monasteries such asMont Saint-Michel off the coast ofNormandy, France, andSkellig Michael, off the coast ofCounty Kerry, Ireland, dedicated to the Archangel are examples of these.[24] Another notable structure is that ofSt Michael's Mount, located in Mounts Bay, nearPenzance,Cornwall – a stunning island castle that resembles Mont Saint-Michel, and can only be reached on foot at low tide.
St.Bernard of Clairvaux recommended the invocation of Saint Michael at times of temptation and sorrow: "Whenever any grievous temptation or vehement sorrow oppresses thee, invoke thy guardian, thy leader, cry out to him, and say, 'Lord, save us, lest we perish!'"[8]
St.Francis of Assisi was especially devoted to Saint Michael and would fast for about forty days from thefeast of the Assumption (August 15) to Saint Michael's feast day on September 29.[25] Some Franciscan communities continue to observe the period from August 15 to September 29 as "St. Michael's Lent", a time of fasting and prayer.
In editions of theRoman Missal before 1970, Saint Michael was mentioned in theConfiteor as recited by the priest and again in thealtar server's response atMass. He was mentioned also in celebrations ofSolemn Mass when the priest put incense in the thurible, reciting the prayer:Per intercessionem beati Michaelis Archangeli, stantis a dextris altaris incensi, et omnium electorum suorum, incensum istud dignetur Dominus benedicere, et in odorem suavitatis accipere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. (Through the intercession of Blessed Michael the Archangel, standing at the right hand of the altar of incense, and of all his elect, may the Lord kindly bless this incense and accept it as a savour of sweetness).[26]
UntilPope John XXIII revised it in 1960, theGeneral Roman Calendar had not one but two feasts of Saint Michael, one on 29 September, the other on 8 May, each commemorating distinct events.[26] The May 8th feast commemorates the Apparition of Saint Michael at Mount Gargano, while the September 29th feast commemorates the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Michael in Rome.
Because of his association with scales to judge the souls of the dead, Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of bankers and grocers. Additionally, because of his role in leading the angels to expel Satan from heaven, Saint Michael is also the patron saint of police officers and military personnel.[27]
A large number of Roman Catholic churches around the globe are dedicated to Saint Michael, fromHammerfest, Norway, toOeste Catarinense in Brazil. Saint Michael's feast day of September 29 has been solemnly celebrated in many locations since the fifth century. And many churches that honor Saint Michael are dedicated on the 29th of September, e.g., PopeBoniface IV dedicated Saint Michael's Church in Rome on that day in 610.[28]
Devotions to Saint Michael have a large Catholic following, and a number of churches are dedicated to him worldwide. Roman Catholic devotions to Saint Michael have been expressed in a variety of forms, including achaplet andscapular.[29] A number of prayers, novenas, and hymns are directed to him.
The familiar Prayer to Saint Michael reads:
"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 hosts, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan, and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."[30]
Pope Leo XIII added aPrayer to Saint Michael to theLeonine Prayers in 1886.[31] Although these prayers are no longer recited afterMass, as they were until 1964,Pope John Paul II encouraged the Catholic faithful to continue to pray it, saying: "I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against forces of darkness."[32] Like any othernovena, thenovenas to Saint Michael are prayed on nine consecutive days.
A prayer to St. Michael for protection is found in theCarmina Gadelica, collected byAlexander Carmichael in the Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland.
O Michael of the Angels | From foes upon earth,
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TheChaplet of Saint Michael is achaplet attributed to aprivate revelation by Saint Michael to thePortugueseCarmelite nunAntónia d'Astónaco in 1751. This chaplet was approved byPope Pius IX in 1851.[34][35]
TheScapular of St. Michael the Archangel is aRoman Catholicdevotional scapular associated withSaint Michael.Pope Pius IX gave to this scapular his blessing, but it was first formally approved underPope Leo XIII who sanctioned the Archconfraternity of the Scapular of Saint Michael.[36]
Aprayer to Saint Michael is included in the Rite ofExorcism in theRoman Ritual, and was retained, in edited form, in the1999 revision of the rite. At theBenedictineMetten Abbey dedicated to Saint Michael the exorcism formulaVade Retro Satana was discovered in the 17th century.[37][38]
Through the centuries, Catholic devotions to Saint Michael have resulted in a number of poems and hymns.[39][40][41]
Rabanus' hymn,Christ, the fair glory of the holy angels (Christe, sanctorum decus Angelorum), sung for the commemoration ofSaint Michael and All Angels, and to include thearchangelsGabriel andRaphael, is found in English translation inThe Hymnal 1982 (of theEpiscopal Church), and was harmonized byRalph Vaughan Williams.[42]
The hymn "Te Splendor" to Saint Michael (which derives its name from the fact that in Latin it begins withTe splendor et virtus Patris) is published in theRaccolta collection of prayers.[43]
Saint Michael symbolizes the victory of good over evil, and he has been widely represented in art through the ages.Depictions of Saint Michael often portray the scene where Satan, or the fallen angels, are helpless below the sword or spear of a triumphant Saint Michael.[44] In some depictions, the Latin phraseQuis ut Deus? can be seen on the shield of Saint Michael. The phrase means "Who is like God?" and Saint Michael asks it scornfully as he slays Satan, represented as a dragon, or a man-like figure, at times with wings.[19][45]
The original meaning of the name Michael gave rise to the Latin phraseQuis ut Deus? which can be seen on his artistic portrayals of Michael defeating Satan.[36]
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