By Rev. Peter M.J. Stravinskas, The Catholic Thing, Sept. 29, 2023
Father Peter Stravinskas holds doctorates in school administration and theology. He is the founding editor of The Catholic Response and publisher of Newman House Press. Most recently, he launched a graduate program in Catholic school administration through Pontifex University.
Prior to the 1970 revision of the liturgical calendar, September 29 was the exclusive preserve of the Archangel Michael. In one of the more intelligent calendar revisions, Michael has been joined to the only other two archangels named in the Bible.
In the Low Mass of the Extraordinary Form, the Leonine Prayers include the petition to St. Michael the Archangel to “defend us in battle” and “to be our safeguard against the wiles and snares of the Devil.” In recent years, that prayer has been returned to usage in many dioceses – although Cardinal Cupich of Chicago has actually forbidden praying it – before, during, or after Mass. One wonders why.
St. Michael is the great defender of the honor of God and the protector of the Church’s faithful, who find themselves under the assault of the Evil One in so many ways. Some assaults come from without, by the hands of those who hate God and His Church. Our co-religionists suffer in Communist China, many countries of the Middle East and Africa, but also from militant secularists in Western Europe and North America – yes, even in our own country. ….
