Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. Everyone should be familiar with these opening lines from the Saint Michael prayer now that many parishes have reinstated it’s use during the Mass. But what do you know about this angelic warrior of God? James F. Day has written a fantastic book that gives a complete summary of who Saint Michael is, his role throughout Church history, and a complete section on various prayers and devotions to this great saint. The book is simply titled Saint Michael the Archangel.

Saint Michael is the saint you our times. There is little doubt that our Church is a Church in crisis. From the fallout from the sexual abuse crisis to diminishing attendance numbers, it has become obvious that we need help. Factor in the civil unrest we are witnessing in our country today, we now see a twofold problem. A spiritual battle is raging around us, and it has spilled over to the earthly realm.

Saint Michael holds the key. We know from Scripture that Michael was leash of God’s angelic army. That assignment has never changed. Saint Michael has three primary duties. The first is to do battle against Satan and his minions. The second is to defend the faithful from Satan’s temptations. The third is to serve as the chief protector of the people of God. Point number three is precisely why we should have a devotion to Saint Michael.

Throughout the ages, Saint Michael has been held in high regard. Devotion to him spread throughout the ages, and James walks readers through the timeline of how these devotions developed. From Constantine to Rome, devotion to Saint Michael runs deep. This devotion also shows up in some unlikely places. The most surprising to me was France. James includes an entire chapter, Protector of France, that covers the history of Michael and France in detail.
There’s more. An entire chapter is spent covering Saint Michael in the nineteenth century. Readers encounter Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, Pope Plus X, Pope Leo III, and the various visions they received relative to Saint Michael. These visions were very impactful on how devotion to Saint Michael grew. Readers also encounter the multiple sanctuaries that comprise what is known as the Sword of Saint Michael.

In addition to all of the above info and more, the book contains an Appendix filled with various prayers, litanies, a novena, and the Chaplet of Saint Michael. This section is a welcome addition to the book and serves as a great foundation for establishing a personal devotion to Saint Michael.
If there is one thing our upside-down world needs right now, it’s Saint Michael. Get yourself a copy of this book and explore the warrior angel Saint Michael. Deepen your devotion to him. Turn to Saint Michael and seek his protection. He is waiting. All you have to do is ask.

Where to Find

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Read my complete archives at www.catholicbookblogger.com.