Saint Michael the Archangel (Feast Day - September 29th)

Saint Michael has four main roles in the Church. His first major role is the leader of Heaven’s forces in the triumph over Satan. He is viewed as the angelic model for spiritual warfare - our interior battle. In the medieval period, military orders of knights especially looked to Saint Michael as the model for chivalry. His second and third roles are at the hour of our death. Saint Michael comes to us one last time to beseech us to repent from our wicked ways and to turn to God. He also weighs souls in God’s scale. The fourth role is as Prince of the Roman Catholic Church and guardian of the Jewish people and the Church. Michael’s name in Hebrew means “Who is like God”. This was the war cry of the angels during the battle with Satan and the fallen. His name is really a question - who is like God? Satan thought he was equal to God.

Following the example of Saint Michael, the Guardsman response is “I will serve”. He is the powerful protector the Guardsman calls on in his spiritual battle. Saint Michael is the example by which the Guardsman models himself in chivalry, fidelity and spiritual warfare. The Guardsman, like Saint Michael , views himself as a servant in the house of the Devine King.