St. Michael the Archangel: his greatness in charity

I. Consider how God created the Angels and adorned them with grace, because - as St. Augustine teaches - he gave everyone the sanctifying grace with which he made them his friends, and also the current graces with which they could acquire possession of the blessed vision of God. This grace was not equal in all Angels. According to the doctrine of SS. Fathers, taught by the Angelic Doctor, grace was proportionate to their nature, so that who had a more noble nature, had a more sublime grace: nor was Angels given grace in a small quantity, but according to Damascene, they had all the perfection of grace in terms of dignity and order. Hence the angels of a more sublime order and of a more perfect nature had greater gifts of virtue and grace.

The. Consider how great was the grace with which God wanted to enrich the glorious St. Michael, having placed Him first after Lucifer in the order of nature! If grace was conferred in proportion to nature, who could ever measure and fathom the height and perfection of grace that St. Michael had? Since his nature is most perfect, superior to that of all the Angels, it must be said that he had gifts of grace and virtue, superior to those of 'all the Angels, and so much superior, than he exceeds them in the perfection of nature. St. Basil says He excels above all for dignity and honors. Immense faith that does not waver, firm hope without pusillanimity, love so fervent as to inflame others, profound humility that confuses the proud Lucifer, ardent zeal for the honor of God, male strength, extended power: in short, the most perfect virtues, a holiness singular had Michele. Indeed, it can be said that He is a perfect example of holiness, an expressed image of the Divinity, a very lucid mirror filled with divine beauty. Rejoice, or devotee of St. Michael for so much grace and holiness with which your patron saint is rich, rejoice and try to love him wholeheartedly.

III. Consider, O Christian, that in Holy Baptism you too were dressed in the precious stole of innocence, declared an adopted son of God, a member of the mystical body of Jesus Christ, entrusted to the protection and custody of the Angels. Your fate is also great: covered with so much grace, what use have you made of it? St. Michael made use of his grace and holiness to glorify God, glorified Him, and made Him also loved by the other Angels: instead, who knows how many times you profaned the temple of your heart, casting out grace, and introducing sin into it. How many times as Lucifer have you rebelled against God, satisfying your passion and trampling on his Holy Law. Of so many favors you did not really use yourself to love God, but to offend Him. Now turn to Divine Clemency, repent of your mistakes: seek Archangel Michael as your intercessor, to regain grace and maintain God's friendship.

APPARITION OF S. MICHELE ON THE GARGANO (continuation of the previous one)
Great and unspeakable was the consolation and joy of S. Lorenzo Bishop for such a singular favor of S. Michele. Full of joy, he rose from the ground, summoned the people and ordered a solemn procession to the place, where the wonderful event had happened. Here arrived processionally, the bull was seen kneeling in deference of the celestial Liberator, and a large and spacious cave in the shape of a temple was found dug in the living stone by nature itself with a vault very comfortably elevated and with a comfortable entrance. Such a sight filled all with great tenderness and terror, since wanting the people in there to go forward, he was taken with sacred fear at hearing an angelic song with these words "Here we worship God, here we honor the Lord, here we glorify the Most High ». So much was the sacred fear, that the people no longer dared to go further, and established the place for the sacrifice of the Holy Mass and for prayers in front of the entrance of the sacred place. This event sparked devotion throughout Europe. Team pilgrims were seen climbing the Gargano every day. Pontiffs, Bishops, Emperors and Princes from all over Europe ran to visit the heavenly cave. The Gargano became a source of sensational graces for the Christians of the Gargano, as Baronio writes. Fortunate are those who rely on such a powerful benefactor of the Christian people; lucky are those who make themselves the very loving Prince of the Angels St. Michael the Archangel.

PRAYER
O Archangel St. Michael, the abundance of Divine grace with which I see you enriched by the almighty hand of God, rejoices me immensely, but at the same time it confuses me, because I have not been able to keep the sanctifying scratch in me. I sincerely regret having been readmitted so many times by God in his friendship and having nevertheless always returned to sin. However, trusting in your powerful intercession, I appeal to you: deign yourselves to implore from God the grace of sincere repentance, and of final perseverance. Deh! Most powerful prince, pray for me, ask for forgiveness for the sins.

Salutation
I greet you, O Michael the Archangel, who have been placed in the heavenly sublimity, full of all the glory of the Angels. Since you are the most eminent of the Angels, please be gracious to intercede for me.

FOIL
During the day you will do an act of sincere contrition three times, asking the SS. Trinity forgive the loss of grace through mortal sin and you will try to confess as soon as possible.

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.