1. The Archangel St. Michael occupies a prominent place in the liturgy. In the struggle of God and the Church against Satan he plays an important role. The battle between God and his enemies, begun when Lucifer fell, still continues. The Son of God Himself came upon this earth as the armed warrior-hero, in order to strike down the enemies and to restore to the Father the honor that had been stolen from Him. In this warfare no creature can be neutral. Those sworn to Christ are St. Michael and his angels, the Church, and the saints; and St. Michael is their standard-bearer, sounding the battle cry, “Who is like to God?” On the side of God’s enemies are Satan, his angels, and his companions among men. Today’s feast was originally the anniversary of the dedication of the Church of St. Michael, on the Via Salaria, near Rome. The liturgy does not deal with St. Michael alone; rather it has in mind all the holy angels who have been assigned to protect us Christians and to assist us in the struggle toward what is good.

2. “Fierce war broke out in heaven, where Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought on their part, but could not win the day, or stand their ground in heaven any longer; the great dragon, serpent of the primal age, was flung down to earth; he whom we call the devil, or Satan, the whole world’s seducer” (Apoc. 12:7-9). The dragon had undertaken a direct assault upon heaven with all his forces, to thwart God’s plan. A fateful decision hung in the balance: Would God’s kingdom endure or not? Commander in chief of the faithful angels was Michael; his name was the watchword against the besiegers of heaven. There could never have been any doubt as to the outcome: the enemies of God were defeated and routed by Michael’s victory with the host under his standard. Ever since, Michael has been looked upon as the protecting Patron of the Church, as he formerly was of the Chosen People. It is true that we children of the Church will always be molested by Satan, but the Church knows that St. Michael stands always at our side in the struggle. We joyfully repeat the battle cry, “Who is like to God?” We venerate the archangel Michael, leader of the angel army. Honoring him brings blessings to nations, and his intercession opens heaven (Fifth Response at Matins).

“They have angels of their own in heaven, that behold the face of my heavenly Father continually” (Gospel). And, “Woe to the world, for the hurt done to consciences.” God takes care of the little ones, those who count for nothing in the eyes of the world. To each of them He assigns an angel to care for him, to guide and protect him, even as a man protects his own eye. God honors us to the extent of entrusting us to one of the princes of heaven, who will represent us before His throne. These princes stand at the throne of God and always behold His glory. They are the intimates and adorers of Him for whom they glow with love; in the hour of testing they kept faith and fought for His interests with sacrificial zeal. How encouraging it is to remember that God has given His Church this holy intercessor, this mighty conqueror of Satan, as her protector. She now has nothing to fear from the evil one’s attacks, nor from his world, no matter how many despise her.

3. “An angel stood by the altar of the temple, holding a golden censer, and incense was given him in plenty; and the smoke of the perfume went up in God’s presence” (Offertory). One of the “seven spirits who stand before God” took the censer and brought it to the altar before the throne of God, so that he might light it there. In fragrant clouds the incense rose to God, representing “the prayers of the saints,” that is, of members of the Church Militant praying on earth. The cloud of incense created by the angel carries the Church’s prayer aloft to the throne of God, where we hope to be heard. The feast of today brings us the consoling thought that God’s holy angels unite their prayers and adoration with ours, and so with them we pronounce our “Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus!”

The Communion antiphon calls attention to the holy fellowship that we shall enjoy forever with the angels, as a fruit of Holy Mass and Communion: “Bless the Lord, all you the Lord’s angels: praise him and extol his name forever!”

“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 for the ruin of souls. Amen” (Prayer after Mass).

Collect: God, who ordainest the services of angels and men in a wonderful order, be pleased to grant that our life on earth may be guarded by those who stand always ready to serve Thee in heaven. Amen.