Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel is honored as the chief of the angels and the great defender of God's people against the powers of evil. His name, in Hebrew, means "Who is like God?", the very cry with which, according to tradition, he cast down the rebellious angels who sought to exalt themselves against their Creator. He is named in the Scriptures as one of the chief princes and the guardian of God's people in the Book of Daniel, as the leader of the heavenly host who does battle with the dragon in the Book of Revelation, and as contending with the devil in the Letter of Jude.

The Church venerates him as protector against the assaults of Satan, guardian of the faithful in the hour of death, and patron and defender of the whole Church in her spiritual warfare. Devotion to St. Michael is ancient and widespread, expressed in famous shrines and in the prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII, "Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle," long recited by the faithful. He is honored together with the archangels Gabriel and Raphael, their feast kept on 29 September.