APPARITIONS OF ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
The first apparition - May 8th, 492 AD
On the 8th May 492 AD, a local nobleman, Elvio Emanuele, was pasturing his herds on the Gargano mountain in Apulia, Italy.
The thirty-third leader Commander of the Siponto armies sat on his mount in the sunshine.
As he looked around, Emanuele was dismayed to find that his most prized bull had disappeared.
He searched for the bull, and eventually found him at the top of the mountain at a cave entrance which was concealed by bushes. Intending to drive the bull out of the cave back to the herd, Commander Emanuele loosed an arrow from his quiver at him.
He was amazed when the arrow, instead of flying in the direction of the bull, turned instead on its trajectory and flew with great force back to him.
Deeply concerned by this event, he went to seek guidance from Bishop Lawrence.
Upon hearing of the strange happening, the Bishop believed there was a divine mystery underway.
He advised three days of fasting and prayer.
At the end of three days, St Michael the Archangel appeared to Bishop Lawrence.
The Archangel told the Bishop that the cave to which the bull had wandered was under his special protection.
He further desired that the cave grotto be dedicated as a Church. The Angel promised that within the cave sins would be forgiven, and what is asked for in prayer will be granted.
The Bishop wavered, as the Mount was difficult to ascend and had cultic history.
So Lawrence left the matter in abeyance and went on with his life.
The second apparition on 12th September, 492 AD
Then matters took a different turn. Two years later, the nearby city of Siponto ran into serious difficulties.
The city was besieged by troops, and found itself on the point of surrender.
Bishop Lawrence obtained a three-day truce, and prayed to Archangel Michael for assistance.
Bishop Lawrence obtained a three-day truce, and prayed to Archangel Michael for assistance.
On the third day of the truce, the Archangel visited the Bishop again and promised protection and victory for Siponto in the distressing siege.
Strengthened by the Archangel's words, the townspeople advanced boldly as a sudden and terrible storm began to severely assail the besieging troops.
The besiegers were utterly terrified and fled, never to return.
Thereafter, Bishop Lawrence [or Lorenzo] accompanied by a crowd of worshipping believers, climbed up the Gargano to thank St Michael.
During the apparition the Bishop was apprised that the grotto had already been consecrated by the Archangel himself.
They found the celestial cave, and prayed. Ongoing worship and prayer continues to this day.
Saints Francis and Padre Pio - Pilgrims
The holy shrine of Saint Michael has been for centuries the destination of thousands of pilgrimages.
Since the first apparition of the Archangel, people from the entire world have journeyed to the sacred grotto to find peace, forgiveness from God and the protection of the Highest Prince of Angels.
Among the pilgrims have been many Popes, Sovereigns, Saints and thousands of People from all nations.
Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Pio of Pietrelcina were among the pilgrims who have visited this holy site.
Other holy personages who have made pilgrimage to Gargano include St Bernard of Clairvaux, St Bridget of Sweden.
Saint Francis, upon visiting the sanctuary, felt himself unworthy to enter the grotto, stopped in prayer and meditation at the entrance. He kissed the rock at the entrance, and carved on a stone the sign of the cross in the form of 'T' [tau].
The cave was often visited by Saint Padre Pio.
NOVENA TO ST MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL
Why not pray the following Novena to the great Saint Michael?
If you are in difficulty, need assistance, require protection or enlightenment as to the making of life choices, turn to Saint Michael for support through prayer.
If you wish to express devotion to Saint Michael the Archangel, obtain a grace through his intercession or to give thanks for a grace received, this novena is most helpful indeed.
HOW TO PRAY THE NOVENA
The following Novena is to be recited for nine consecutive days.
NOVENA
Intention:
'O Archangel Michael, intercede for me for the particular intention that I humbly present to you. [Here tell him of your particular need].
Please bring my petition before the Throne of God, that it may be granted to me if it conforms to the Holy Will of God.
PRAYER
O Jesus, splendor and power of the Father! O Jesus, life of our hearts, we praise You in union with all Angels, who ceaselessly serve You and adore You.
Uncountable celestial spirits surround Your Throne. Among them You have elected Saint Michael as Prince of Princes among the celestial hosts.
Saint Michael is the Protector of the Church of God upon earth. It is Michael whom You chose as Guardian of the Blessed Sacrament.
Michael is the Glorious Prince of the heavenly armies in their triumph over the powers of hell.
Michael hurled proud lucifer into the depths and fought the evil and rebellious spirits who fled Heaven, never to return.
With deep humility and sincere love for God, let us follow the example of our invincible Prince of Angels who battles against the master of pride, so that we too may be worthy to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.
THE FIRST GRACE
O Saint Michael the Archangel, we ask you, together with the Prince of Seraphims. to light up our hearts with perfect love so that, through you, we may leave far behind the false flattery of the world's pleasures.
Our Father
Our Father Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses.
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil,
Amen.
Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the hour of battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God restrain him we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust down into hell satan and all the other wicked spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls, Amen.
THE SECOND GRACE
O Prince of the Celestial Jerusalem, you have proven victorious over satan.
We humbly ask you, together with the Prince of Cherubims, to protect us especially when we are tempted by the enemy.
The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]
Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]
THE THIRD GRACE
We beseech you, O invincible Custodian of Heaven, that, together with the Prince of Thrones, you will allow neither evil spirits nor infirmity to oppress us.
The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]
Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]
THE FOURTH GRACE
In humility, we beseech you, Leader of the Celestial Court, together with the Prince of Dominions, to defend the People of God on earth.
Grant us strength and devotion to God in our daily journey, and glory in Heaven.
The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]
Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]
THE FIFTH GRACE
O Archangel, we beseech you, together with the Prince of Virtues, that you may deliver us, your servants, from the hands of our enemies - both visible and invisible.
Deliver us, our families, our city and our nation from false witnesses, division, hunger, hate, moral decadence, war and natural disasters.
The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]
Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]
THE SIXTH GRACE
We implore you, O Glorious Prince of the Heavenly Armies, together with the Prince of Powers, to look at our necessities with love.
Pray for our nation, and in particular our city, granting that our political leaders may always work toward peace, justice and concord.
The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]
Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]
THE SEVENTH GRACE
We ask of you, O Prince of Angels, together with the Prince of Principalities, to deliver us, your servants, our city and our nation from physical and, above all, spiritual illness.
The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]
Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]
THE EIGHTH GRACE
We beseech you, O Prince of Angels, with the Archangels and all the choirs of Angels, to watch over us during our lifetime and at the hour of our death.
Assist us at our last moments, so that, under your protection, victorious over satan, we may come to the Joy of God's Presence in heaven and glorify Him with you and all the angels.
The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]
Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]
THE NINTH GRACE
Finally, we ask you, O Glorious Prince and Defender of the People of God on earth, together with all choirs of angels, to care for and assist those who are particularly devoted to you.
Assist us, our families and all those we carry in our heart, so that under your protection, we may share with you the contemplation of God forever and ever. Amen.
The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]
Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]
ACT OF CONSECRATION TO ST MICHAEL
O Saint Michael the Archangel, most noble Prince of the Angelic Hierarchies, valorous Warrior of Almighty God, and eternally loving and faithful to the Most High!
Desiring to be numbered among your devoted servants, I offer and consecrate myself to you.
I place myself, my family, my friends, my work, and all I possess under your most powerful protection.
I entreat you to gaze with favorable eye, at the heartfelt affection with which this offering is made.
From this day onward, I place myself under your holy patronage. Please grant me assistance throughout all my life, and procure for me from the Holy Throne of God the pardon of my many sins.
I ardently desire the grace to love God, Jesus our Saviour and our Mother Mary with all my heart.
Obtain for me the help necessary to arrive at my crown of glory.
Defend me always from my spiritual enemies, particularly in the last moments of my life.
Come, O Glorious Prince, to assist me in my last moments.
With your power, cast far from me into banishment that prevaricator and proud angel that you prostrated in the celestial battle.
Saint Michael, defend us in our daily battles so that we may not perish at the Last Judgement. Amen.'
The Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel was given to us by holy Pope Leo XIII.
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ST MICHAEL?
Visit this link
'Archangel Michael - Patron of Healing [One]'
With thanks to Youtube
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