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St. Michael, the Archangel
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Michael is surely the best known of the archangels. Michael is acknowledged by all three Western sacred traditions.
He is believed to have appeared to Moses as the fire in the burning bush, and to have rescued Daniel and his friends from the lions' den.
To Christians, he's the angel who informed Mary of her approaching death. Islamic lore tells us that his wings are the color of 'green emerald and are covered with saffron hairs, each of them containing a million faces and mouths and as many tongues which, in a million dialects, implore the pardon of Allah.' In the Dead Sea Scrolls Michael emerges as the 'Prince of Light' fighting a war against the Sons of Darkness in which he leads the angelic battle against the legion of the fallen angel, Belial.
Michael is the protector of the Christian Church, guardian angel of Israel, and commander-in-chief of God's angel armies. He led them during a war in heaven in which Satan and his fallen angels were driven out of the clouds.
Even though he lives in the seventh heaven. Christian art and iconography shows Michael with a sword or with a scale weighing the souls of the dead.
~~ To follow is a powerful prayer of exorcism composed by
Pope Leo XIII after a vision.
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 Host
by the Divine Power of God
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who wander throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen
Most glorious Prince of the Heavenly armies,
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in our battle against principalities and powers,
against the rulers of darkness, against the spirit of wickedness
in high places. Come to the assistance of men whom God has created in His likeness and whom He has redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil.
Guardian and protector, to thee the Lord has entrusted the souls of the redeemed. Pray therefore the God of Peace to crush Satan beneath our feet, that he may no longer retain men captive and do injury. Offer our prayers to the most High, that without delay they may draw His mercy down upon us. Take hold of the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, bind him, and cast him into the bottomless pit so that he should no more seduce the nations.
Amen
Glorious prince St. Michael,chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls,
vanquisher of rebel spirits,
servant in the house of the Divine King
and our admirable conductor,
you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver from evil those who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection
to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
Amen
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