Dear Readers
St Michael's care is extraordinary because this is his mission given to him by God himself
The most brilliant of the angels mentioned in the Bible is St Michael. The Holy Church gives him the highest place among the angels. She refers to him as 'Prince of the heavenly hosts'. He is considered the guardian angel of Jesus Christ and the national guardian of the Israelites. We hear his praises from St Gabriel who speaking to the prophet Daniel says “Michael one of the chief princes” (Dan. 10,13), “At that time Michael will arise, the great Prince, defender of your people” (Dan. 12,1).
Because of his outstanding zeal for the glory of God at the time of Satan's rebellion he merited such glory and power he excelled through grace the angels that belong to the much higher choir of angels. We find St Michael in many books in the Bible and in the lives of many saints. They encourage us to pray to him and be under his protection. So when we feel strong temptations and we tend to give into them, we should turn to St Michael and ask for his assistance. He is an exceptional helper in our spiritual battle, he encourages us to call on him daily.
He was the protector and the defender of God's chosen people. Now he is the defender of the Church. He is invoked in sickness and most especially in the hour of death. He appeared at different times to those who needed help and invoked his aid.
St Michael reveals himself today as a gift of the Merciful Father for the salvation of the whole of mankind.
Saints remind us of the angels. St Bernard says, “The angels constantly surround the souls of the faithful in their charge with the most tender care and love. They protect both our spiritual and our corporal life. They shield us from sudden dangers that threaten our lives, or come to our rescue when some harm has befallen us. They cause in our hearts pious and salutary thoughts and desires. They pray for and with us and offer our prayers of suffering and our good desires to the throne of God.”
St Michael, St Gabriel, St Raphael, our guardian angels and all the choirs of angels pray for us. Pray for us now and forever. Amen.
I assure you of the constant daily prayers of the priests of the Congregation of St Michael the Archangel for all our readers and their families.
Fr Peter Prusakiewicz CSMA