The name Michael signifies “Who is like to God,” and was
the war cry of the good angels in the battle fought in Heaven
against Satan and his followers. St. Michael the Archangel,
whose feast is observed September 29th, is one of the three
principal angels venerated by the Church – Michael, Gabriel,
Raphael. Holy Scripture describes him as “one of the chief
princes,” and as leader of the forces of Heaven in their triumph
over the powers of Hell. He has been especially honored and
invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of
the Apostles. Although he is always called “the Archangel,”
the Greek Fathers as well as many theologians place him over
all the angels, making him the Prince of the Seraphim.
On this same day, September 29th, the Church honors not
only St. Michael the Archangel, but also all the angels who
persevered in fidelity to God, and, with St. Michael at their
head, cast out Lucifer and his accomplices from Heaven. They
contemplate, love, and praise God in Heaven.
Some of them are frequently sent as messengers from on
high. We cannot form an image of them, as they are
incorporeal, having no body; but we are able to conceive an
idea of them in our minds. An angel is constantly united with
God in the Beatific Vision. This, however, does not interfere
with their natural activity. Accordingly, they look with
interested participation on the various events of human history,
which is the preparation for the establishment of God’s eternal
kingdom.
There is a second feast of St. Michael, that of his Apparition
(May 8th) on Monte Gargano, Italy, in the 5th century. In
France, St. Michael is venerated as patron of mariners in the
famous sanctuary of Mount Saint Michael in Brittany, and
there is not a country in which the great Archangel is not
invoked and venerated as patron by individuals, parishes, and
dioceses. Lives of the Saints, Pages 381-382