Devotion to St. Michael: the prayer to be done today 12 February

I. Consider how the greatness of the glorious St. Michael is manifested in having been the Apostle of the Angels in heaven. St. Thomas and St. Bonaventure think, following the Areopagite, which in heaven the higher order Angels instruct, illuminate and perfect the lower order Angels: they instruct them, making them know what they did not know; they illuminate it, giving them a more perfect way of knowing; they perfect them, making them deeper in cognition. As in the Church there are the Apostles, the Prophets, the Doctors to illuminate and perfect the faithful, so - says the Areopagite - in heaven God distinguished the Angels in various orders, so that the supreme ones could be the guide and light of the inferior. Although God can do this directly, it pleased his infinite wisdom to do so through the supreme Spirits. The Psalmist alluded to this when he said that God admirably illuminates through the great mountains: the great illuminating mountains - interprets St. Augustine - are the great preachers of heaven, that is, the higher Angels who illuminate the lower Angels.

II. Consider how the characteristic of St. Michael is to illuminate all the Angels. He enlightened two third parts of the Angels, when Lucifer wanted all to confuse them with the error, which he had already managed to impose on many, to attribute not to God, but to themselves the greatness and magnificence of their nature, and to be able to earn from only bliss without divine help. Archangel Michael, saying: - Quis ut Deus? - Who like God? he made known to the Angels that their being was created, that is, received from the hands of God, and that only God had to pay honor and thanks. They also knew from those words the Angels who could not reach bliss without grace, or see the beautiful face of God without being raised with the light of glory. The exhortation of this heavenly teacher and doctor was so effective that all those millions of blessed spirits prostrated themselves before God and worshiped Him. For this Magisterium of St. Michael, the Angels were, are, and will always be faithful to God, and eternally blessed and happy.

III. Now consider, o Christian, how great the glory of St. Michael the Archangel must be in heaven. He who teaches others the ways of the Lord will shine with the light of the firmament itself - says the writing. What will be the glory of the celestial prince, who illuminated not a few angels, but innumerable hosts of angels! What will be the reward with which he was rewarded by God? His charity towards the Angels sublimated Him over all the Choirs and made him truly great with God. Why don't you too turn to Archangel Michael to empty yourself of that ignorance in which you find yourself miserably? Why don't you pray to David to illuminate your eyes, lest they fall asleep in the death of mistakes? Pray to the heavenly Apostle to make you understand that he must always be faithful and respectful to God in life, and then enjoy him together with him in eternity.

APPARITION OF S. MICHELE IN SPAIN
Everywhere the Prince of Angels has delivered favors and benefits in the greatest calamities. The city of Zaragoza had been occupied by the Moors, who for four hundred years had barbarously tyrannized it. King Alfonso thought he would free this city from the barbarity of the Moors, and already had his army ready to take the city by storm, and had entrusted that part of the city that looks towards the Guerba river to the Navarrini, who had come to the rescue. While the battle was unfolding, the Sovereign Captain of the Angels in the midst of celestial splendors appeared to the King, and made him known that the city was under his defense, and that he had come to the aid of the army. And in fact he favored it with a splendid victory, so as soon as the city surrendered, a Temple was built, right there where the Seraphic Prince appeared, which became one of the main parishes of Zaragoza, and to this day is called S. Michele dei Navarrini .

PRAYER
O apostle of Heaven, or amiable St. Michael, I praise and bless God who enriched you with so much wisdom to illuminate and save the Angels. Please, please, also illuminate my soul through my S. Guardian Angel, in. so that you always walk the path of divine precepts.

Salutation
I greet you, O St. Michael, Doctor of the Angelic hosts, enlighten me.

FOIL
Try to teach an ignorant person the mysteries of faith.

Let us pray to the Guardian Angel: Angel of God, who you are my guardian, illuminate, guard, rule and govern me, who was entrusted to you by heavenly piety. Amen.