Devotion to Angels: why is Saint Michael the head of all Angels?
I. Consider how the love that St. Michael brought to the Angels earned him the title of Father of the Angels. In fact, St. Jerome writes that in heaven, those Angels who preside over others, taking care of them, are called Fathers.
If this can be said of all the Princes of the Choirs, it is much more convenient to St. Michael who is, the Prince of Princes. He is the greatest of them; he presides over all the Angelic Choirs, extending his authority and prestige to all: he must therefore consider himself Father of all the Angels. The duty of the father is to feed the children: the heavenly Archangel, caring for the honor of God, and the salvation of the Angels, nourished them with the milk of charity, protected them from the poison of pride: for this, all the Angels reverence and honor Him as their Father in glory.
II. Consider how great the glory of St. Michael is in being a loved Father of the Angels. If the Apostle St. Paul calls the Filiggesi whom he instructed and converted to the Faith his joy and crown, what must be the joy and glory of the glorious Archangel for having supported and freed all the Angels from eternal perdition? He, like an affectionate father, warned the Angels not to be blinded by the idea of rebellion and with his zeal confirmed them in fidelity to the highest God. He can rightly tell them with the Apostle: "I begot you for the gospel of the my word ». I generated you in fidelity and gratitude to our Supreme Creator; I begot you in the firmness of faith in the revealed mysteries: I begat you in courage to resist the temptation of Lucifer: I begat you in humble obedience and respect for divine wills. You are my joy and my crown. I loved your salvation and fought for your bliss: you followed me faithfully, blessed be God!
III. Now consider what is your love for neighbor who is in a state of ignorance or in danger of perdition. There is no shortage of boys who do not know the first notions of faith: what is your concern to teach them the mysteries of faith, the precepts of God and the Church? Ignorance of religion grows more every day: yet there is no one who takes care of teaching it. We must not think that this is the office of priests only: this duty also belongs to fathers and mothers of the family: well, they teach there. Christian doctrine to children? Furthermore, it is the duty of every Christian to teach others: how many less sins would be committed, if care was taken to instruct the ignorant of the things of Religion! Each one looks after himself alone: instead God has entrusted to each one the care of his neighbor (6). Blessed is he who saves a soul: he has already saved his soul.
Enter yourself, or Christian, and then you will see that you are deficient in love of neighbor; go to the Holy Archangel and pray that He will light you with love for others and encourage you to commit yourself with all your might to cure eternal salvation.
APPARITION OF S. MICHELE IN NAPLES
In the year 574 the Lombards who were still without faith at the time tried to destroy the flourishing Christian faith of the city of Parthenopea. But this was not allowed by S. Michele Arcangelo, since S. Agnello having been returning from Naples for some years since Gargano, while he was in charge of the government of the hospital of S. Gaudisio, praying in the cave, S. Michele Arcangelo appeared to him who he sent it to Giacomo della Marra, assuring him of the victory, and was then seen with the banner of the Cross dispel the Saracens. In that same place a church was erected in his honor, which now with the name of S. Angelo a Segno is one of the oldest parishes, and the memory of the fact is preserved in a marble placed in it. For this fact the Neapolitans always grateful to the Celestial Benefactor, honored him as a special Protector. At the expense of Cardinal Errico Minutolo a statue of St. Michael was erected which was placed on the ancient main door of the Cathedral. This during the earthquake of 1688 remained unharmed.
PRAYER
O most zealous apostle of heaven, undefeated St. Michael, for that zeal you had for the salvation of Angels and men, obtain from the SS. Trinity, desire for my eternal health and zeal to cooperate in the sanctification of my neighbor. Loaded with merit, I can come one day to enjoy God for all eternity.
Salutation
I greet you, O St. Michael, you who are leaders of the heavenly armies, govern me.
FOIL
You will try to approach some person who is far from faith to convince them to approach the sacraments.
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.