Angels & Dragons XVIII: St. Michael the Angel of Peace!

For centuries St. Michael the Archangel has been known as the Angel of Peace! In the pre-Vatican Roman Breviary (Liturgy of the Hours) published in 1482 and in use until Vatican II, it clearly states,

“St. Michael is the Angel of Peace because he was the leader of the heavenly hosts that fought the rebel angels and by his victory establish PEACE in heaven (Cf. Apoc. 12, 7-9).”

For Lauds the Roman Breviary has an ancient morning hymn by Rabanus Maurus (776-856) which states,

“May Michael, the Angel of Peace, descend from heaven into our homes, that he, the author of sweet peace, may banish dismal war to hell.”

A second hymn offered at Lauds in the Roman Breviary known as Christe, Sanctorum sings about St. Michael,

“Angel all peaceful, to our dwelling send us, Michael, from heaven coming to befriend us. Breathing serenest peace may he attend us, Grim war dispelling.”

Moreover, in the different centuries old Church litanies to St. Michael, we invoke him as the, “Angel of Peace,” “Most Perfect Adorer,” and “Guardian Angel of the Eucharist.” Interestingly, St. Michael brought First Holy Communion to St. Gerard Majella (1726 – 1755) and later the saint stated to a priest,

“A little child came out of the tabernacle and gave me Holy Communion!”

In modern times the Angel of Peace appeared as a teenager at Fatima in 1915 and 1916 to the three shepherd children. In the fourth visit he brought them Holy Communion and the Most Precious Blood. But first they adored Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament as the Angel of Peace suspended the Host and Chalice in mid-air teaching them in different apparitions,

“Do not be afraid. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me,” later on another day he would say, “Offer sacrifice to God in reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and in supplication for sinners. In this way you will bring peace to our country, for I am its guardian angel, the Angel of Portugal,” and finally on another day he would say, “Eat and drink the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ terribly outraged by the ingratitude of men. Offer reparation for their sakes and console God.”

Devotion to the Angel of Peace goes as far back as the appearance of Saint Michael the Archangel as the Guardian Angel of Portugal in the Battle of Ourique in 1139, where he gave victory to the Portuguese forces of Alfonso Henriques over the invading Muslims. Alfonso was made the first King of Portugal, and he along with King Louis XI of France founded two military orders dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel while St. Theotonius consecrated Portugal to the Archangel.

Having a very strong devotion to St. Michael the Archangel as the Guardian Angel of Portugal among the people and country for centuries, in 1504 by petition of King Manuel I of Portugal to Pope Julius II a special Feast to the Guardian Angel of Portugal was established. Pope Leo X further authorized the feast, and it was celebrated on the 3rd Sunday of July.

Religious fervor to the Guardian Angel of Portugal (Angel of Peace) almost vanished after the 17th century, but it was reestablished in 1952, by being inserted into the Portuguese Liturgical Calendar by Pius XII.

Do not think St. Michael is weak because he is called the Angel of Peace. At Fatima on July, 13 1917, the Archangel appeared threatening and with a flaming sword ready to do battle. Today, you still see devotion to St. Michael as the Angel of Peace in the ancient deliverance prayers used by Fr. Gabriel Amorth (Vatican’s Exorcist) to free oppressed/obsessed souls from the claws of the enemy,

“O Lord, You Who love man, we beg You to reach out Your powerful hands and Your most high and mighty arms and send the Angel of Peace over us, to protect us, body and soul. May he (Angel of Peace) keep at bay and vanquish every evil power, every poison or malice invoked against us by corrupt and envious people.” (An Exorcist Tells His Story)