The Prince of the Heavenly Hosts
St. Michael with Our Lady's banner fighting the devil
The Cave of St. Michael the Archangel in Monte San't Angelo
Italy has an endless list of interesting places to visit due to its Faith, history, beautiful countryside and the Italians' love of art. One such place in Monte Sant’ Angelo is only a forty minute drive from San Giovanni Rotondo.
The town of Monte Sant’ Angelo was built on a spur 850 meters above sea level which overlooks both Gargano Massif and the sea. Dominated by the ruins of Norman Castle it has kept its ancestral customs and its ancient appearance with whitewashed houses squeezed together onto a rapidly sloping mountainside. The surrounding land is all rock and could easily be mistaken for the West of Ireland.
A relic of the original stone from the cave of St. Michael in Monte Sant'Angelo
Interest in this lovely spot is due to the apparitions of St. Michael The Archangel. The Prince of the Heavenly Hosts was prefigured in the Old Testament: Michael in Hebrew means "one who is like God." There was devotion to him in the Eastern Church but not in the Western Church until after these Apparitions took place; it is from here that St. Michael became known throughout Europe and the new world.
THE FIRST APPARITION
"The story of the first apparition blends with legend. It was in 490 during the pontificate of Gelasio I the Bishop of Siponto under whose jurisdiction Monte San’ Angel lies was the Greek, Laurence Maiorano, who was later canonized.
"One day Elvio Emanuele, a nobleman of the area, lost the best bull of his herd. After days of searching, he found it, kneeling in an inaccessible cave. Not being able to get near it he shot an arrow but the arrow turned around and struck him. Surprised by the novelty of the happening he went straight to the Bishop who ordered three days of prayer and fasting.
"Three days later, the Archangel appeared to the Bishop and said: "I am Michael The Archangel and am always in the presence of God. I chose the cave which is sacred to me. There will be no more shedding of bull’s blood (a reference to the fact that among the mountain pagan cult was still thriving. Where the rocks open widely the sins of man may be pardoned. What is asked here in prayer will be granted. Therefore, go up to the mountain cave and dedicate it to the Christian cult!" The Bishop, undecided, deferred the execution of the angelic order.
THE SECOND APPARITION
"Two years later, in 492, the Christian City of Siponoto at the foot of the mountain was besieged by pagan hordes of Odoacre. The city was desperate. Bishop Laurence obtained a three day truce from Odoacre and ordered prayer and penance.
"The Archangel appeared to him and promised his help to the townspeople if they would attack the enemy. They trustfully dared. Suddenly a storm broke out, sand and hail rained upon the formations of Odoacre which were terrorized and irretrievably escaped. Siponoto was saved! The Bishop announced a thanksgiving procession and went up with the people atop the Archangel’s mountain but he did not venture into the grotto.
"In 492, on the third anniversary of the first apparition, still uncertain if he should follow the Archangel’s order, the Bishop asked counsel of the Pontiff who ordered him to go there with other bishops of the region after a three day fast.
THE THIRD APPARITION
"For the third time St. Michael appeared and ordered him to enter the grotto: "It is not necessary that you dedicate this church that I have consecrated with my presence. Enter and pray with my assistance and celebrate the Sacrifice. I will show you how I have consecrated this place." The Bishop finally obeyed. Upon entering the grotto he found an altar covered with a red cloth and a crystal cross upon it while at the entrance the imprint of an infantile foot confirmed the presence of the Archangel Michael.
"The Bishop had a chapel built at the entrance to the grotto and dedicated it on the 29th of September, now kept as the feast of the Archangel Michael, Raphael and Gabriel. The grotto is the only place of cult which is not consecrated by the hand of man. The title of ‘celestial Basilica’ was conferred during the centuries."
THE FOURTH APPARITION
The last apparition of St. Michael was in answer to prayer as the terrible plague of 1656 had hit the area. The local bishop with his people invoked the Archangel and the plague ceased. It was at this time that the use of stone chips from the cave began to be used by the faithful much as medals or scupulars are used today. This custom is carried on even now by the local people who take small stones and place them around their homes and in the fields.
(Taken from Fr. Joseph Pius, "Tourist Guide of the Shine, Monte Sant’Angelo" in St. Michael Fighting)
Police Officer's Prayer to Saint Michael
Saint Michael, heaven's glorious commissioner of police,who once so neatly and successfully cleared God's premisesof all its undesirables, look with kindly and professionaleyes on your earthly force. Give us cool heads, stout hearts, and uncanny flair for investigation and wise judgment.
Make us the terror of burglars, the friend of children and law-abiding citizens, kind to strangers, polite to bores, strict with law-breakers and impervious to temptations. You know, Saint Michael, from your own experiences with the devil, that the police officer's lot on earth is not always a happy one; but your sense of duty that so pleased God, your hard knocks that so surprised the devil, and your angelic self-control give us inspiration. And when we lay down our night sticks, enroll us in your heavenly force, where we will be as proud to guard the throne of God as we have been to guard the city of all the people. Amen.
2 Comments:
"Michael in Hebrew means 'one who is like God.'"
Hello,
As a note on the name Michael: The "Mi-" in Michael is an interrogative, and can only be a part of a question. "Michael" means, "Who is like God?" It is a rhetorical question, expecting the answer, "Nobody is like God."
In English, "Who is like God" can be understood either as a question or as a relative clause, but in Hebrew there is not this ambiguity.
Thank you Brooke! I have been wondering about this meaning which comes in the form of a question, which you have explained, as a rhetorical question. It's interesting that in Hebrew there is no ambiguity in this meaning. We find such richness in the Hebrew tradition and language.
Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
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