Concluding our series on the “Sword of St. Michael,” we will examine what this sacred line of monasteries means and how it impacts our lives.
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The monks who founded these seven monasteries knew one thing for certain: the spiritual battle against evil is real and they needed all the help they could get. Each separately (inspired by the Holy Spirit) chose St. Michael the Archangel, commander of the heavenly armies, to be their patron.
This is significant and reminds us of who we should call upon in our hour of need.
First of all, these ancient monks bring to mind the reality of the spiritual battle that surrounds us every day. Saint Paul puts it succinctly:
“Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground” (Ephesians 6:11-13).
This is reality, even if our physical eyes can not see it.
It calls for vigilance, as Satan is constantly pursing us as St. Peter explains, “Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Yet, we can’t fight Satan with physical weapons, we need the “armor of God” to combat him and his advances.
Furthermore, we need to remember that we are not alone in this fight, but have a whole heavenly army behind us, if we invoke their aid. St. Michael is one of those angels, who from the very beginning has been fighting against the Evil One.
Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it. (Revelation 12:7-9)
This is good news as we can rest assured that Satan need not have power over us. It is up to us to fight back, not alone, but with a whole company of saints with the Archangel leading them.
One of the most powerful ways to invoke St. Michael’s help is through the traditional St. Michael prayer, as composed by Pope Leo XIII.
Saint Michael Archangel,
defend us in battle,
be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil;
may God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God, cast into hell
Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
These monks established their monasteries during a time of turmoil in the world, the “Dark Ages,” and turned to St. Michael to keep the darkness from enveloping the world.
In our own age, we can be inspired by these monks and imitate their example, taking St. Michael as our patron as we go forth into a fierce spiritual battle that continues to rage in the world, facing an evil that only strong spiritual weapons can defeat.