Today is Michaelmas Day, the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel on the site of the Roman Circus. In Hebrew, Saint Michael's name means, "Who is like unto God?". He is mentioned several times in Holy Scripture; here are two quotations:
"At that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people." --The prophet Daniel in his twelfth book, speaking of the end of the world
"And there was a great battle in heaven; Michael and his angels fought with the devil."--Apocalypse, 12:7
For those who would like to learn more about angels, please follow this link:
http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2009/09/the-12-most-important-things-to-know-about-angels.html (Thanks to Carl Olson at Ignatius Inside Scoop.)
One more link will take you to Human Life International's pro-life site and its excellent "Saint Michael the Archangel Prayer Campaign" for the conversion of abortionists. It is : http://hli.org/st_michael_prayer.html/
Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio,
contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.
Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur: tuque, Princeps
militiae coelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos,
qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo,
divina virtute, in infernum detrude. Amen.
Saint Michael the Archangel , defend us in the day of battle:
be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, Prince
of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust down to hell Satan
and all wicked spirits who wander through the world for the
ruin of souls. Amen.
