Today we come to celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel.
If you were to put a dot at each of the seven sanctuaries of Saint Michael which stretch from Ireland to Israel you would end up with a straight line. This straight line is known as the sword of Saint Michael. This sword represents the final blow that Saint Michael inflicted upon the devil which sent him to Hell.
The Sanctuary of Monte San’Angelo sul Gargano is located in Italy. It is said if you are to make a pilgrimage to the shrine of Padre Pio that you are to complete your pilgrimage with a visit here. This cave is said to be so holy that Saint Francis felt unworthy to enter and so stayed on the outside in order to pray. The dedication that we celebrate today concerns itself with this location.
Saint Michael appeared to the local bishop and asked him to consecrate this cave as a church. Repeatably the bishop did not heed Saint Michael’s request. Eventually Saint Michael dedicated this basilica for himself. If you were travel here you can still see the footprint of Saint Michael which was left behind in the rock of this cave which now stands as a basilica.
This takes us to 1656 when a plague broke out in Italy. The local bishop petitioned for the aid of Saint Michael and his prayers came to be answered. During his morning prayers a great earthquake broke out and Saint Michael appeared to him. Saint Michael commanded that he go to this cave and bless the stones found therein. Saint Michael promised that those who possessed a stone and kept it with great devotion would be preserved from sickness. Following this miracle a monument was erected to Saint Michael which reads: “This monument is erected in eternal gratitude to the Prince of Angels, Vanquisher of disease, our Patron and Protector.” To this day these rocks are still collected at this shrine and many of the faithful take them with them from here to invoke Saint Michael’s protection.
So too we are in need of the protection of Saint Michael. Thankfully, following every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that is offered within this diocese we have the opportunity to recite the prayer which is offered to his intercession.
We know from Sacred Scripture that a war broke out in Heaven and Satan was cast off from its midst. So too around us Satan continues to tempt and lead us astray from the straight path which leads to God. So awful is the soul which allow themself to give into these temptations. Rather, we must remember that we have this great patron which we can invoke to come to our aid in order that we may be delivered from the attacks of the devil.
As this great church was dedicated to the honor of Saint Michael, so too must our world and our life. The devil truly prowls about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. We must come to resist him solid in our faith by calling upon the protection of Saint Michael and all of the Heavenly host.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!
