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 SEVEN 7th Meditation Greatne
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 SEVEN 7th Meditation Greatness Of Saint Michael In His Charity Towards God.
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I. Saint Michael kept a great love for God. Angels are the world’s perfection, for God has given them perfect gifts. They are perfect beings in science, for in every cause, they see effects; perfect in their nature, because without stain, without fault, and without defect; perfect in their power, for they can destroy the world in one single instant; perfect in their will, for they long unceasingly towards the sovereign good; so much to say that they are very rich in charity. Such appeared Saint Michael, whose name means: “Who is like God”! As soon as he came out of God’s hands, he turned towards his Creator, and said in his heart: “My God, I love thee, for thou art my strength, my support and my shelter. Whom could I give my love to, but Thee alone? Who, more than Thou, must be honored, blindly obeyed, and sincerely loved? No one”. Saint Michael’s love for God surpassed the Angels’. Love is always related to knowledge: the greater the knowledge of the object, the greater also your love for it. Now, Saint Michael had a greater knowledge of God and His perfections than any other Angel, greater than you can even imagine. As soon as the first moment of his existence, he started loving God, foreseen in a great light.
And what must be his charity, as soon as he was admitted to the beatific vision of the divine nature. He is to God the closest one; he occupies the place of fallen Lucifer; he is a seraph of love; his love cannot be surpassed.
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II. Works are the proof of charity; and Saint Michael’s works show his charity towards God. Lucifer set a war in heaven to dethrone God. It was the time of danger and trial. Then, Saint Michael showed all the ardor he was consumed with. He heard the battle cry, watched the revolt, and observed Lucifer, who attempted on God’s honor; though he was still inferior to Lucifer, his heart was consumed with love, and transported by his charity, he attacked him with courage, telling him: “Who is like God!” God is the principle with no beginning; thou, on the contrary, thou hast just come to light. He is infinite in His attributes: simplicity, immensity, eternity. He is infinite in His intelligence, in His will, and in His perfections. Thou, O Lucifer, and those who have served thee, you have a finite and limited spirit, and never will you be able to resemble God. God is all-powerful, with an infinite goodness, with no weakness, righteous without any severity, a merciful and sovereign Master, knowing all things in light and possessing all goods. Thou hast raised against the All-Mighty, but thou wilt not be able to defeat Him, no one being superior to Him. Then, he turned to the Angels: “Whoever loves me follows me”, he said; and he attacked Lucifer and his followers, defeated him, and drove him from heaven. Immediately, peace and serenity reappeared in paradise. God’s honor was defended, the Creator glorified, and a great part of Angels were saved. What a great love! The Archangel worked for God, won and triumphed.
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III. And you, the Christian, what is your love for God? A soul who loves God, says St Augustine, thinks but of God, despises everything, has a horror of everything, is looking but for God. Are your thoughts for God? Maybe, God is the least of your thoughts? The soul that loves God despises whatever does not lead to God; does not it happen to you to take God into little account, and appreciate what makes you lose God? A loving soul is disgusted with all things and takes delight in God alone. In your heart, on the contrary, does not prayer bother you? The loving soul provides honor to God, cries when she sees an offence is being made to Him, and has zeal to avenge His honor. O Christian, your heart is consuming with love, but an earthly love, not a divine love. Humble yourself, prostrate at the feet of Jesus Christ, ask for forgiveness through the intercession of the first seraph of heaven, and in the future, preoccupy yourself with loving God with all your heart.
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PRAYER
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My God, I have not loved Thee. I have loved creatures and I have despised Thee, my creator and master, Who happen to be more inclined to forgiveness than punishment. Raise Thy merciful Hand upon me and deign forgive me in my repent, for having loved Thee so little, and in my resolution to consecrate all my thoughts and affections to Thee. And thou, Saint Michael the Archangel, intercede for me with God and put in my heart the same love as thine; teach me to despise the goods that will pass and love the sovereign and eternal good.
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SALUTATION
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Hail, Saint Michael, thou art the first among the seraphim.
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SPIRITUAL BOUQUET
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At every hour of the day, you will say: “My God and my All”.
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HYMN IN HONOR OF ST MICHAEL.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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To God the Father and the Son
and Holy Paraclete to Thee,
as evermore hath been before,
be glory through eternity. Amen.