Dear Readers

Michael is a name that calls us to seek God

Front cover of the Sept 2023 issue

Who is like God! Michael is a name that calls us to seek God above all. St Michael is like a sermon for us. Who is like God! Each time we say the name Saint Michael, we pray and give glory to God. A short, three-word prayer is within the name of St Michael. We have another short three-word prayer ‘Jesus, I trust in You’ on the image of Divine Mercy.

Angels differ from one another more than we do. Each angel is a separate species. There can be only one angel in each species or form. That is why Saint Michael is distinct from other angels and St Michael’s mission ordered by God is unique. He is so special that no other angel can replace him. He is an exceptional defender in spiritual warfare. No one has such power as Saint Michael. Nobody is so equipped by God for these special tasks. It is a great honour for St Michel to fight for God.

Christian tradition recognizes four offices of St Michael: (1) to fight against Satan; (2) to rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death; (3) to be the champion of God’s people; and (4) to call away from earth and bring people’s souls to judgment.

The archangels have a unique role as God’s messengers to the people at critical times in history and salvation (Tb 12:6, 15; Jn 5:4; Rv 12:7-9), for example, as in the Annunciation and the Apocalypse. God chose one of the lowest groups of angels to hold the greatest honours, such as announcing the birth of Christ to Mary, of leading his army into battle against Satan.

Pray daily to St Gabriel for consolation, to St Raphael for healing and to St Michael for protection against the snares and wickedness of the Devil.

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.

God bless you.

Fr Peter Prusakiewicz CSMA