THE GREATNESSES OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL 40 Days Devotion in Honor of the Heavenly Prince of Angels by Fr. Nicola Ricci, 1869 MONTH OF SAINT MICHAEL: MEDITATIONS DAY FOUR 4th Meditation Greatnes
THE GREATNESSES OF SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL 40 Days Devotion in Honor of the Heavenly Prince of Angels by Fr. Nicola Ricci, 1869 MONTH OF SAINT MICHAEL: MEDITATIONS DAY FOUR 4th Meditation Greatness Of Saint Michael In Glory.
.
I. Let us consider that Saint Michael the Archangel is the highest Angel in glory, because God created him excellent in his nature, and provided him with various gifts of grace, but also raised him to an unequaled degree of glory in heaven. Just like an emperor’s court, where there are some princes who are more appreciated than others, and being closer to the emperor, they can talk with him in a more familiar way, so is it in the heavenly court: there are Angels who are called by Saint Clement of Alexandria the first-born princes of Angels, who live closer to God and come closer, and with more freedom, to the divine majesty. Saint Michael is one of these main princes. According to Tertullian, Saint Michael had been appointed by God to the highest of heaven, and consequently, is favored with all the glory of Angels, surpassing all other Angels. Saint Pantaleon asserts that he occupies the first place among the millions of Angels. What a sublime glory! What an incomparable highness!
.
II. How did Saint Michael deserve such a degree of glory? Through his charity and his humility. He has loved God more than all the hierarchies of Angels. He was the first one to consecrate all his affections to God, and his love for Him was so intense, that he reached the last degree that an angelical nature can reach. His actions were proportionate to the customary charity infused in him. Then, what will be his glory in heaven? If glory corresponds to love, Saint Michael, who loved God more than all Angels, enjoys a glory which is superior to all the other Angels’, that is why Saint Pantaleon calls him “The Minister of the Holy Trinity” and a prince of an ineffable glory. Moreover, Saint Michael deserved such a glory because of his deep humility. “The one who lowers himself shall be raised” says the Gospel, his raising is related to his humility. Who humbled himself more than Saint Michael in his state of viator? By his humility, he faced and confounded Lucifer. He lowered himself in his nothingness and bore testimony to the infinite majesty of God. By these words: “Who is like God?”, he led all Angels to humble themselves. Through this, he was raised to Lucifer’s throne and became superior to all the angelical choirs. No human intelligence can imagine the radiance of his face, his majesty, and all the light of his glory.
.
III. Consider, O Christian, that God has created you also for the glory of paradise. If, therefore, you want to acquire it, you must walk in the way of charity and humility. “Whomever does not love remains in death”, that is: he does not enter heaven. Is there a true love of God in your heart? Think about whom you gave your affections to until now. If you want to have a share in the kingdom of glory, start with loving God above everything else, for He alone can make you happy forever. Drive pride from your heart, for God gives His grace to the humble, but He denies it to the proud, and grants glory only according to the degree of correspondence to His grace. Lucifer lost grace and glory because he puffed up with pride. Saint Michael, on the contrary, was filled with glory because he humbled himself. Maybe your heart is filled with pride? Maybe you are looking for consideration, honors, and first places? Have enough courage to admit that until now, you have lived according to the pride of Lucifer, and that you deserved hell many a time. Drive this abject vice from your heart, and from Saint Michael, learn how to humble yourself, if you want to have your share of glory in paradise.
.
PRAYER
.
Glorious prince of paradise, Saint Michael, I praise and bless thee for having exalted God. In thy glory, grant to cast thine eyes on the sinner that I am, prostrate at thy feet and covered with confusion. Pray to God for me; then, shall blossom again in my heart the hope to be granted the grace of forgiveness, help to observe the law of God, and the heavenly glory.
.
SALUTATION
.
Hail, Saint Michael, remember us, and ever and everywhere, pray to Christ for us.
.
SPIRITUAL BOUQUET
.
You will recite the hymn to Saint Michael in honor of the Holy Trinity, who glorified this Archangel more than all the heavenly choirs.
.
HYMN IN HONOR OF ST MICHAEL.
.
O Jesus! splendour of the Father
life and virtue of the heart.
The Father’s Power and Glory bright!
Thee with Angels we extol;
from Thee they draw their life and light.
.
Thy thousand, thousand hosts are spread,
embattled o’er the azure sky;
but Michael bears Thy standard dread,
and lifts the mighty Cross on high.
.
He in that sign the rebel powers
did with their dragon prince expel:
and hurled them from heaven’s high towers.
down like a thunderbolt to hell.
.
Grant us with Michael still, O Lord,
against the Prince of Pride to fight;
so may a crown be our reward,
before the Lamb’s pure throne of light.
.
To God the Father and the Son
and Holy Paraclete to Thee,
as evermore hath been before,
be glory through eternity. Amen.