In both the Old and New Testaments, the holy Archangel Michael is led
the guardian angel of the people of
God. He is also honored as the herald of the general judgment and the
guardian of paradise. With an act of
profound adoration, St. Michael opposed the cry of the rebellious angels
with his own battle cry of love and
loyalty. The fearlessness and fidelity that is described in Revelation: “Now
war arose in heaven, Michael and his
angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought
but they were defeated and there
was no longer any place for them in heaven.
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called
the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of
the whole world – he was thrown down to earth, and his angels were
thrown down with him” (12:7-9). In reward
for his zeal and fidelity, Michael the Archangel was made prince and
commander-in-chief of all the heavenly
angels. Thus, St. Michael receives highest honor in the heavenly court.
On our part, also, he deserves highest
honor.
Pope Leo XIII, realizing by divine enlightenment the present and future struggles of the Church against the powers of hell, composed a prayer in honor of the heavenly warrior. Let us, then, with confident trust, invoke our patron saint’s aid and protection.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
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,
thrust into hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl about the
world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.