Saint Michael the Archangel

Feast Day: September 29 (with St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, Archangels)

• According to Catholic doctrine, there are nine choirs of angels. Standing before the throne of the All-Powerful, they serve Him in accordance with their roles.

• The Archangels are one of these angel choirs. At pivotal moments in the history of salvation, the Archangels played a unique role as God's representatives to Israel and the nations.

• The Archangels are among the choirs of angels that are referenced most frequently in the Bible. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael stood out among these Archangels in particular significance.

• The Bible refers to St. Michael as the commander of God's army. The "most noble" of all angels who rebelled against God, Satan, is fought by him in concert with the other angels. In the battle in Heaven, St. Michael led the angels against Satan and his demons. A stark contrast of humilty against the Enemy's pride, St. Michael's very name means “who is like God?”
  As the "Prince of the Heavenly Hosts," St. Michael battles against evil and guards the Church and the faithful from the devil's attacks.

• Michael appears twice in the Book of Daniel. In Daniel 10:13, he is referred to as "one of the principal princes," and in Daniel 12:1, he is referred to as "the great prince, guardian of [the] people." His name is mentioned once again in the Epistle of Jude (1:9).

• On October 1, 1884, following the celebration of the Mass, Pope Leo XIII experienced a terrifying vision of devils invading the Church. After spending ten minutes in what seemed to be a trance, he emerged and proceeded to his office where he wrote a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. He then instructed his staff to distribute copies of the prayer so that it may be prayed all over the world.

• St. Michael the Archangel is the patron of the military and police forces.

St. Michael the Archangel, Pray for Us!