Fr. Hardon on St. Michael the Archangel

Over the past nine days, we’ve had the novena to St. Michael on our Facebook page, with each day posting in the mornings. St. Michael is so many things, from assistant to the Blessed Mother at Fatima, to stalwart captain of the Heavenly Army, declaring to Satan, “Who is like God?”

Given our situation today, where people themselves worship themselves as gods, St. Michael is timely for today.

Quite some time ago, Fr. Hardon was giving a lecture series on “seductions of the evil spirits” and the question was asked, “what should I pray this evening to overcome temptation or even worse?”

Fr. Hardon replied:  Well, first of all, don’t go to bed tonight without reciting the prayer to St. Michael. If you’re not saying it yet, say it. Know it by heart. By the way, over the years, first thing in the morning, last thing at night, pray to St. Michael.

Good advice. On this feast day of his, be sure to pray the St. Michael prayer.

Again, when Father gave a lecture on the Two Standards, he wrapped up with this:

I would like to close with some quotations from the saints on the subject. This is St. Catherine of Sienna, I quote, “I have sent him,” (that’s the devil) “in this life to tempt and molest my creatures that they may conquer proving their virtue and receiving from me the glory of victory.” Then the wise saying of St. John Chrysostom, “ be ever looking for the enemy, but do not breed a war, for this is not the attitude of a soldier but of a seditionary”, unquote John Chrysostom. In other words, don’t stir up trouble, rather, keep calm, do God’s will. And if the trouble, if there is any, will come to you from the evil spirit and you will cope accordingly. To all of you I recommend daily reciting the prayer to St. Michael.

One of Fr. Hardon’s spiritual tips, when he gave a list, always included daily prayer to St. Michael.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection
against the malice and snares of the devil
and do thou prince of the heavenly hosts
cast into hell Satan
and the other evil spirits
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

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