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 ELEVEN 11th Meditation Gre
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 ELEVEN 11th Meditation Greatness Of Saint Michael In His Love For Angels.
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I. The love of Saint Michael for Angels made him deserve the beautiful title of “Father of Angels”, for, in heaven, the Angels who take care of other Angels are called Fathers of Angels (Saint Jerome). If we can assure this of the angelical choirs’ princes, how much more of Saint Michael, prince of the princes, greater than them, taking precedence of them, and extending over them all his authority and prestige. A father’s duty is to feed his children. The famous Archangel, by taking care of God’s honor and the salvation of Angels, fed them with the milk of charity, and protected them from the venom of pride. That is why Angels venerate and honor him as their father.
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II. Let us consider how great is the glory of Saint Michael, in the fact that he is the beloved father of Angels. If Saint Paul the apostle calls the Philippians his joy and his crown, whom he instructed and converted to the faith, what must be the joy and glory of this Archangel, for having supported the other Angels and saved them from perdition! Like an affectionate father, he warned the Angels not to let themselves be blinded by the idea of a revolt, and he confirmed them in their faithfulness to God. He can tell them what Saint Paul told the first Christians: “I have begotten you in faithfulness and gratefulness towards the Creator, in firmness of faith in the revealed mysteries, and in courage to resist the temptation of Lucifer. I have begotten you to a humble obedience and the respect of the divine convenience. I have loved your salvation, I have fought for your happiness, you have followed me, blessed be God!
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III. O Christian, what love do you have for your neighbor who is in difficulty, in ignorance or in the perils of perdition? How many children do not even know the basics of the faith? Do you care to teach them the mysteries of the faith and the commandments of God and the Church? Religious ignorance increases more and more every day, perhaps there is no one to teach them that, for it is not the duty of the priests alone; this duty is also the father and mother of the family’s: do they teach Christian doctrine to their children at an early age? Every Christian has the duty of instructing his neighbor; how many sins would not be committed, if we cared about teaching the ignorant on the things of religion! Everyone is content with himself. Now, God has commissioned each one to care for his neighbor. Blessed is the one who saved a soul; he has already saved his own. Think about it, O Christian and you will see that you do not love your neighbor. Have recourse to Saint Michael and pray to him to give you the love for your brothers, and use all your strength to care for their eternal salvation.
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PRAYER
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O heavenly apostle, so filled with zeal, through the zeal thou didst show for the salvation of Angels and men, grant me from the Holy Trinity the desire of my salvation, and zeal to cooperate to the sanctification and salvation of my neighbor; filled in this way with merits, I shall be able to enjoy God forever.
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SALUTATION
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Hail, Saint Michael, prince of the heavenly hosts, guide me.
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SPIRITUAL BOUQUET
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You will try to approach someone who lives far from the Faith, and convince him to come close to the sacraments.
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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.