Saint Michael in the Catholic Church

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Victory of St. Michael by Raphael, 16th century
Franz Mayer & Co. Quis ut Deus?
('Who is like God?') is on his shield.

Saint Michael the Archangel is referenced in the Old Testament and has been part of Christian teachings since the earliest times.[1] In Catholic writings and traditions he acts as the defender of the Church and chief opponent of Satan, and assists people at the hour of death.

A widely used "Prayer to Saint Michael" was brought into official use by Pope Leo XIII in 1886 and was recommended by Pope John Paul II in 1994.

In scripture

Michael is mentioned by name five times in the Bible.

  • Daniel 10:13, Gabriel says, "...but the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood in my way for twenty-one days, until finally Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me."
  • Daniel 10:21, "No one supports me against all these except Michael, your prince, standing as a reinforcement and a bulwark for me."
  • Daniel 12:1, "At that time there shall arise Michael, the great prince, guardian of your people; It shall be a time unsurpassed in distress since nations began until that time."
  • Jude 1:9, "Yet the archangel Michael, when he argued with the devil in a dispute over the body of Moses, did not venture to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him but said, 'May the Lord rebuke you!'"
  • Revelation 12:7–9, "Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and his angels were thrown down with him."

Michael and the Archangels

Archangel Michael with archangels Raphael and Gabriel, as they accompany Tobias, by Francesco Botticini, 1470

Catholic tradition calls Michael, Gabriel and Raphael archangels. The word archangel comes from the Greek words arche (prince) and angelos (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 the Bible as angels. (Roman Catholics accept as canonical the Book 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, the Eastern Catholic Churches also venerate Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, Barachiel and Jerahmeel. 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 princely seraph,[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 on

Blessed Virgin Mary
that has been the subject of widespread Catholic devotions for centuries.

Role and mission

In Roman Catholicism, Saint Michael has four distinct roles. First, he is the Enemy 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 the Christian 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 is weighing peoples' merits (hence the saint is often depicted holding scales) on Judgment Day. And finally, Saint Michael is the Guardian of the Church.[5]

Defeat of Satan and the fallen angels

Santa Maria della Concezione, Rome, 1636 is also reproduced in mosaic at the St. Michael Altar in St. Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican.[6]

Saint Michael is viewed as the commander of the

Army 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 the Antichrist will be defeated by him. Noted hagiographer Alban 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 the spiritual warrior, a paradigm extended to other

Theodore of Amasea.[9]

Archangel Michael saving persons from purgatory, by Jacopo Vignali, 17th century

At the hour of death

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.

Weighing souls on Judgment Day

Last Judgement, Antiphonale Cisterciense (15th century), Abbey Bibliotheca, Rein Abbey, Austria

In Catholic tradition, on

Judgment 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 by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine 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]

Guardian of the Church

The tradition of Michael as prince-protector of the Jewish people was adopted by the Christian Church.

guardian 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]

St. Michael

Cultus

"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 emperor Constantine built the Michaelion 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 in Gregory 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 Mausoleum Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) in honor of St. Michael.[19][20]

The Visio 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 include

Mont Saint-Michel. Several healings were reported when the church was being built and Mont Saint-Michel still remains a Catholic pilgrimage site.[22][23]

Skellig Michael

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 and

Mont Saint-Michel off the coast of Normandy, France, and Skellig Michael, off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland, dedicated to the Archangel are examples of these.[24] Another notable structure is that of St Michael's Mount, located in Mounts Bay, near Penzance, 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.

St. Michael's Lent
", a time of fasting and prayer.

Jaime Huguet
, 1456

Mentions in the Tridentine liturgy

In editions of the Roman Missal before 1970, Saint Michael was mentioned in the Confiteor as recited by the priest and again in the altar server's response at Mass. He was mentioned also in celebrations of Solemn 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]

Until Pope John XXIII revised it in 1960, the General 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.

Veneration

Patronage

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]

St. Michael's church in Hammerfest, Norway, the northernmost Catholic church in the world

A large number of Roman Catholic churches around the globe are dedicated to Saint Michael, from

Boniface IV dedicated Saint Michael's Church in Rome on that day in 610.[28]

Devotions

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 a

scapular.[29]
A number of prayers, novenas, and hymns are directed to him.

Prayers

Main article: Prayer to Saint Michael

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]

novenas to Saint Michael
are prayed on nine consecutive days.

A prayer to St. Michael for protection is found in the Carmina Gadelica, collected by Alexander Carmichael in the Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland.

A Saint Michael Chaplet using beads like a rosary

Chaplet

The

Antónia d'Astónaco in 1751. This chaplet was approved by Pope Pius IX in 1851.[34][35]

Scapular

Main article: Scapular of Saint Michael the Archangel

The Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel is a

devotional scapular associated with Saint Michael. Pope Pius IX gave to this scapular his blessing, but it was first formally approved under Pope Leo XIII who sanctioned the Archconfraternity of the Scapular of Saint Michael.[36]

St. Michael defeating Satan by Carlo Crivelli, 15th century

Exorcism

A

Vade Retro Satana was discovered in the 17th century.[37][38]

Hymns

Through the centuries, Catholic devotions to Saint Michael have resulted in a number of poems and hymns.[39][40][41]

Raphael, is found in English translation in The Hymnal 1982 (of the Episcopal Church), and was harmonized by Ralph Vaughan Williams.[42]

The hymn "Te Splendor" to Saint Michael (which derives its name from the fact that in Latin it begins with Te splendor et virtus Patris) is published in the Raccolta collection of prayers.[43]

Art and architecture

Paintings

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Archangel Michael structured art gallery.

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 phrase Quis 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 phrase Quis ut Deus? which can be seen on his artistic portrayals of Michael defeating Satan.[36]

Icons

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Archangel Michael structured art gallery#Icons.

Statues

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Archangel Michael structured art gallery#Statues.

Churches

See also: St. Michael's Church (disambiguation) and Cathedral of Saint Michael (disambiguation)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Structured gallery of churches dedicated to Archangel Michael.

Altars

See also

References

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  2. ISBN 0-87973-910-X
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  3. ISBN 0-89555-196-9
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  4. ISBN 0-87973-669-0
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  5. ISBN 1-59276-285-9
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  6. ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Basilica of Saint Peter". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  7. ^ O'Boyle 2008, p. 60.
  8. ^
    ISBN 1-60506-312-6
    p.372
  9. ISBN 1-59179-627-X
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  10. ^ Johnson 2005, p. 30.
  11. ^ Ball 2003, pp. 42, 425.
  12. ISBN 0-7112-2606-7
    p.18
  13. ^ "Sistine Chapel", Vatican Archived 2010-05-26 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ISBN 9781843831280
  15. ^ "29 September 2007: Holy Mass with Episcopal Ordinations | BENEDICT XVI". www.vatican.va. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  16. ^ Butler, Alban. The lives of the fathers, martyrs, and other principal saints, B. Dornin, 1821, p.117
  17. ^ McGrath, Michael. Patrons and Protectors, Liturgy Training, 2001,
    ISBN 1-56854-109-0
  18. ISBN 9780195354966
  19. ^ a b "Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Michael the Archangel". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  20. ISBN 0-520-23254-2
    page 418
  21. ^ Johnson, Richard Freeman. The Cult of Saint Michael the Archangel in Anglo-Saxon England, Northwestern University, 1998
  22. ^ Johnson 2005, p. 42.
  23. ISBN 0-521-84332-4
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  24. ISBN 1-57958-090-4
    , p.672
  25. ISBN 1-56548-112-7
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  26. ^ a b "Sancta Missa – Missale Romanum (Roman Missal) in PDF Format". sanctamissa.org. Archived from the original on 2020-03-01. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  27. ^ "Saint Michael the Archangel". The National Gallery. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  28. ^ Butler, Alban. The lives of the fathers, martyrs, and other principal saints, J. Duffy, 1866 p.320
  29. ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Scapular". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  30. ^ "EWTN Global Catholic Television Network: Catholic News, TV, Radio | EWTN". EWTN Global Catholic Television Network. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  31. ^ Irish Ecclesiastical Review 7 (1886), 1050
  32. ^ John Paul II, Regina Coeli address 24 April 1994.
  33. ^ Carmichael, Alexander. Carmina Gadelica, p.149, Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, 1940
  34. ISBN 0-87973-910-X
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  35. ^ EWTN The Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel
  36. ^ a b Ball 2003, p. 520.
  37. ISBN 3-8258-4854-X
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  38. ^ "Order of St. Benedict". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  39. ^ George Wither, The hymns and songs of the church Published by J. R. Smith, 1856, page 248
  40. ISBN 1-4097-1628-7
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  41. ISBN 1-4086-3323-X
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  42. ^ No. 282 in The Hymnal 1982, Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
  43. The Raccolta
    Collection of indulgenced prayers     by T. Galli, authorized translation by Ambrose Saint John, Published by Burns and Lambert, London, 1857, page 252.
  44. ISBN 0-8028-2916-3
    , p.91
  45. ^ Elven, John. 1854, The book of family crests Henry Washbourne Publisher, p. 112

Sources

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