Michaelmas: Sept. 29 - 2nd Blogiversary - Feast of the Archangels

Today is a very special day around here!

It is Michaelmas, or the Feast of St. Michael in the Traditional Calendar (further explanation of the older Feast), and the Feast of the Archangels in the Modern Calendar.  As you all know, or can tell, this blog is protected, and under patronage of St. Michael especially, but all the Holy Angels. So it is one of the most celebrated Feasts around here, hopefully I will get to go to Mass somewhere special today.

Blog Novena

Today also ends the "Blog Novena to the Holy Angels". I was hoping that I would be getting more posts done, but the fact that we travelled 4300 miles right in the middle of it sort of quieted some of its thunder. I still got a few posts out, but I am glad I highlighted the Angels, a topic that is sometimes "under-treated" by the Catholic blogosphere except in certain circles. I really wish I would have planned better and pre-written some stuff and scheduled them to post, but I honestly have been quite busy with travels, and the like. I will of course continue to make it a main focus on this blog, but I am glad in the very least I was able to get some info and resources to the readers.

Blogiversary

It is also the 2nd Blogiversary of this little blog adventure. I started it on this date for a reason, 2 years ago. A lot has changed in my life, in my spiritual life, and my understanding of the faith. Much of that is due to blogging and even more so to the people that I have met along the way. I don't want to make this day about me in anyway, so just know this fact.

So thank you to all my readers for their comments, emails, Tweets, and other forms of communication. I plan to continue this blog and my spiritual warfare. We need each other in the battles of everyday life, we cannot do it alone. I look forward to walking with many of you on our journeys.

A Very Special Announcement

Finally, later today I will be making the Very Special Announcement that I have been "teasing" since before the "Blog Novena" began. It is a project that is in the early stages of development and thought, but that I have been contemplating for a while. It is a culmination of the "Blog Novena" and of two years of blogging. It is something of a "new focus", at least in part, of what I want to do with this blog and my spirituality. It will be a "Blog Project" and not the focus of this blog, so we will see where it all goes. That announcement will be coming later today... so stay tuned.

"Then war broke out in Heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but the could not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in Heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, which is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it." - Apocalypse 12:7-9

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Novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 8

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

Eight Day:

Most noble Archangels, you who, under the comman of St. Michael, guard and protect the Holy Church, deign to deliver her from internal and external enemies. Watch over the Holy Fathe, as well as over all the children of the Immaculate Spouse of Christ, and in virtue of the Divine Blood, obtain for us the grace to live and die in the Faith, Hope and Charity of Holy Church, so that we may be eternally united with its august Head, Jesus Christ Our Lord.

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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Novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 6

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

Sixth Day:

Heavenly Virtues, who watch over the harmony of the material creation, you whose name signifies "Strength," have pity on our weakness, and obtain for us in virtue of the Divine Blood, the greace to bear with patience the trials of this life.

Saint Michael, the Archangel Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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Novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 3

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

Third Day:

Sublime Thrones, dazzling in your beauty, upon whom rests the Almighty and who convey His commands to the inferior Angels, obtain for us in virtue of the Divine Blood, peace with God, with our neighbor and with ourselves.

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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Welcome to The Blog Novena to St. Michael and the Holy Angels

Today begins our Nine (9) Day exploration of The Angels, Spiritual Warfare, and the Ecclesia Militans. A Blog Novena to the Holy Angels. What that means is that for the next nine days, we will be praying, discussing, and learning about these various areas of our faith in honor of them as a gift from God. This will all culminate on the 9th day, September 29th - The Feast of the Archangels, with a very special announcement.

Promotional Video for the Blog Novena

I know that the St. Michael Novena traditionally starts on the 20th (yesterday) because the last day for the Novena is the 28th, the day upon which the Michaelmas Vigil occurs. So please don't think you have it wrong, I am actually the one taking the less traditional route here and having this "Blog Novena" run on a slightly different path. Since it isn't only a prayer novena, but more of a blog series and catechetical event, I figured that slightly altering the timing would help make this distinct from the St. Michael Novena itself. (I am leading that Novena as part of this series starting today.)

What this Blog Event is All About!

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St. Michael, the Archangel

So what is this special event, this Nine Day Blog Novena to the Holy Angels all about? Well, I started this blog in patronage to St. Michael and the other Holy Angels, 2 years ago on the feast of St. Michael and the Archangels. Through that time a lot of ups and downs have occurred on this blog, in my spiritual life, in the world, and in my family life. Since that time I believe I have become a more devoted Catholic, and I am also more aware of how much wonder and awesomeness exists in our faith that sometimes goes unknown because there is so much to learn and it can be a little overwhelming. I figured I would celebrate the blog's second anniversary with this catechetical series, if you will, on the Holy Angels.

Therefore, over the next nine days there will be all sorts of posts about angels, spiritual warfare, and the Ecclesia Militans (the Church Militant). Art, prayers, reflections, opinions, questions, etc... will be used to explore the world of spiritual protection which has been given to us by God as a guide and guardian to the gates of Heaven. I look forward to good comments and discussions in the comment boxes, and hope that if you have any questions, comments, or concerns you will let me know. Realize that I have neither the knowledge or time to write everything there is to know about these subjects in nine days, but I hope that each day you take something new.

A Very Special Announcement - September 29th: The Feast of the Archangels

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Finally, this nine day period, this series and novena are also meant to be a time of preparation. They are a run up not only to the 2nd anniversary of this blog, but also to a very special announcement I will be making on September 29th, the Feast of the Archangels. On that date, I will announce a new "project", of sorts, that I will be undertaking and asking all of you to join in on. So please stay tuned for that. It really will be an opportunity for this blog community to live out its namesake.

So enjoy the next nine days, and I look forward to all the wonder and splendor that is the world of:

Angels,

Spiritual Warfare,

&

the Ecclesia Militans

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'Profound Depths' of Spiritual Warfare

Arn, Knight Templar | Photo

We all need a reality check. We all need moments of 'reset' where we evaluate the way we think, believe, and conduct ourselves. The past two days I have blogged about Michael Voris and NFP. I can't think of more hot-button issues than that except for maybe Chapel Veils/Mass Attire and The New Missal Translation. In doing so I have tried to be objective as possible, which as a human is of course colored with bias and opinion. Yet, I think that the spiritual battles we are in require us to seek truth and justice in anything that we do concerning the Faith and Holy Mother Church.

In over our heads...

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So, when I came across a post over at Abbey-Roads, it made me realize that sometimes we are in over our heads, regardless of how sincere and objective we attempt to be. Terry was talking about Anders Breivik, the Norwegian 'terrorist', but was addressing Spiritual Warfare in general. A statement he made really struck me:

Many aspire to be knight Crusaders in the spiritual battle, and many take up arms of their own making - completely on their own - and with misplaced zeal claim to be serving Our Lady, even proclaiming that the Blessed Virgin wears 'combat boots' amongst other types of war mongering analogies. Few of us living in the world really understand the profound depths of spiritual warfare however, and the humility and fidelity it takes to persevere in and through it - often amidst much tribulation and even through defeat after defeat.

How true is this? I don't think he was posting about me, or even bloggers like me... but he could have been. I discuss things like Voris, NFP, Spiritual Warfare, the Liturgy, things of the Faith that are of a very profound and important nature on my own accord. I, of course, hope to be serving Our Lady, and often make war-like analogies. Yet, as Terry says - do I have any understanding of the profound depths of spiritual warfare? I doubt it. Even if I do, I can't possibly possess the humility and fidelity it takes to persevere through it. I just can't - I am human and I am without much spiritual direction.

A sheep in ram's clothing...

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Dall Sheep

I am a sheep who purports to be a ram. I rush into battle with fellow sheep, from behind my screen, bashing my imaginary horns into other little sheep, in a state of delusion that I am somehow combating on the fields of war. Yet, although I may be sadly mistaken that I am some great warrior I am nonetheless locked in the throws of melee with something.

Terry quotes Fr. Angelo Mary:

This battle is not of flesh and blood but of principalities and powers. Catholics need their fortitude back, but we can do without the romantic pieties of externalist chivalry.

He is right, a sword and shield makes not a knight. It isn't the external but the internal. We need fortitude, we need to battle, but it isn't about blogs and words, it is about prayer and beliefs. Our Holy Mother said Yes and was obedient, she served her Son as both a Mother and follower. Our battles must be done not to externally prove our worth or belief, but we must battle internally so that we are drawn closer to her and God. Terry talks about the idea of Mary 'wearing combat boots' - I don't want to tangent and talk about where that quote comes from, but if you read my blog you might get the sense that I would say the same thing. Maybe I would have, maybe I do or did at some point. I would be wrong regardless. Our Lady wears a Crown of 12 Stars, and she had the moon under her feet and she was clothed with the sun. Marching into battle with the wrong idea is not only misguided, but possibly fatal in the worst sort of way.

Authenticity

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Fr. Angelo Mary says further:

What we need is Our Lady of Victory. We had better be careful about what crusades we call and the drums we beat and the pseudo-elites we try to create. Marian chivalry is a thing altogether different.

It is different. It isn't combat boots, it isn't ostentatious comments about war, battle, or fighting. Instead it is about humility, sacrifice, and love. Chivalry is about submission to love and beauty. Is all spiritual warfare or battle language bad or wrong? No, I dont think so or otherwise I would have to close my blog down this instant. (But what if it is?) People don't always appreciate Voris, myself, Shea, apologetics, etc... because of the strong tones we take. Sometimes they are right. Sometimes we wage and rage so hard against something that we miss the point entirely. Sometimes what is called for is a kiss and not a sword. Yet, sometimes a kiss is what deceives and kills. Hence, the profound depths of spiritual warfare. This isn't an easy thing in which to deal. This is serious and complex stuff. We cannot go it alone, and it is not for the weak of heart or spirit. I don't pretend to think I am anywhere near capable, but I have thrust myself in and now must 'swim or sink.' Therefore I must be honest with myself and my goals.

This is not to say that some of us can't play a vital role in the spiritual warfare that the Church, the Bride of Christ, faces. But, we must be authentic, we must be real. The strongest warriors, athletes, intellectuals all have one thing in common - they know and accept their limits and more importantly their weaknesses. By accepting those things that pull us away from the truth and our mission, we can compensate for those weaknesses. Hence, we must repent and reconcile our sins - The Church gives us a Sacrament and thereby grace to compensate and correct that which pulls us away from our Goal: Christ. When we are in need of Salvation we have a Sacrament - the Eucharist, to guide us on our path to Christ and Heaven. So you see, to be a knight, a warrior, a spiritual militant, we must accept our weaknesses and utilize our allies. This isn't about us, we don't do it alone, and rushing into battle waving a flag and a sword doesn't make us a spiritual warrior. Blogs, Tweets, and the such don't prove our humility or fidelity to the Church, all they do is shout out loud - all bark and no bite.

...but the Maiden...

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So let us who claim to be spiritual warriors do it authentically. If we blog about it, it rings hollow unless we actually do it. Attend Mass, receive the Sacraments, pray, fast, give alms, die to self, feed the hungry, clothe the poor, spread charity, defend the Church, humble our selves, and walk the path of the Cross. A knight is brave not because he slays the dragon, but because the dragon can so easily slay him. It isn't about the sword, but the sacrifice. Chivalry is not about the armor, but the maiden. The depths of spiritual warfare are profound, we cannot do it alone and if we try... well, we shouldn't. We must trust in God, appeal to Mary, seek protection of St. Michael and humble ourselves. We shouldn't pick up a sword expecting victory, but as a sign of our commitment to die for our cause. Those that live by the sword, die by the sword - it isn't a warning but a rule.

Our Lady of Victory - Ora Pro Nobis. 

Our Lady of Victory| MaryVictrix.com

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Blog Song?: The Archangel Song - by: The Studio JB

Here is a video done by some very creative, and awesome Seminarians! Maybe it should be the Blog theme song?

In any event, it's fantastic!

A Note from Joe:
It is nice to see Brian finally post again, and what a good post to come back on! Brian informed me that one of the guys involved in this little diddy is a family friend and will be ordained a priest this year(?) and informed him of the video. I think he is right... it shall be our theme song!

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The Battle for Heaven...

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by FORCE!" -Matthew 11:12 (NAB)

"Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven." -Apocalypse 12:7-8 (NAB)

“Is – is he a man?” asked Lucy.

“Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly. “Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the-Sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion – the Lion, the great Lion.”

“Ooh!” said Susan, “I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver; “if there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King I tell you.”
                   -The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - by: C.S. Lewis

Saint Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -

by the Divine Power of God -

cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,

who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

None of these quotations are very "Peaceful." This past Sunday, if you went to a Norvus Ordo Mass (Post Vatican II style Mass) you heard the Gospel of the Beatitudes. "Blessed are the peacemakers." Yet, why then are all these passages talking about war, battle, and strength? Isn't the way to heaven "peaceful?" Are we not supposed to turn the other cheek?

I think too often we take one phrase from the Bible or theological teaching and apply it to things and contexts for which it was never intended. Heaven may be a peaceful place, and as I described in the last post Jesus says we must become like children to enter into Heaven. Why then do these images exist? I think that for a long time the idea that we must become meek and lamb-like have been pushed at us, especially us men. I think we need to get a ferocity back, that of a lion or eagle so that we may enter the Kingdom of God.

I am not saying that we as men, or as people should become violent, mean, or abrasive simply to take on a persona of strength. True strength is witnessed many time through in-action as opposed to action but there is something to the idea of having a "Strong Persona." There is also something to the idea that we are currently "...in battle." We should not pretend as if the Devil does not exist or that evil is not a real and tangible thing. We must recognize that our souls are in a battle for salvation and eternal life. The best way to prepare for this battle is to believe in Christ, to live in his way and of course to go to Church and receive the Sacraments.

Men play a vital role in this. We are protectors of the family, of our society, and of ourselves. This does not mean that women have no place in this fight. Much as the women and children stood amongst the ranks of the men and the adults in the "Chronicles of Narnia" movie, here to on Earth they must battle against evil in whatever way they can. Yet, men possess the role on earth that more readily places them "in the line of fire."

We cannot fool ourselves into thinking that if we are quite, mild, meek, and peaceful that it somehow will ensure our ticket to Heaven. We are called to speak out, act out, and protect the virtues and principles of God. Whether we do this in politics, our careers, or even while raising our children, we must be vigilant and strong in our role. Predators prey on the weak. Think about the nature shows you have seen, and think about which gazelle or wildebeest get eaten? It isn't the aggressive or the fast, but instead it is frail and the weak. We cannot become those frail and weak animals, and we cannot allow our children to model themselves after such a person. So take up your arms, go to Church, receive the Sacraments, and take the Kingdom of heaven by force!!

**UPDATE**:
In light of what happened at Ft. Hood today... I thought about taking this post down, but I think that it actually is even more vital that this message be read. Evil does not hide, it does not lay in wait, and it strikes when we are most vulnerable. Fighting force with force isn't always the answer, and I am not promoting violence. What I am trying to say is that when evil attacks, turning the other cheek doesn't always work... sometimes it only gives them a second target. We must put on the armor of God and secure our place in his Kingdom.

Feast of the Archangels

Sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in praelio. Contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium. Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur. Tuque princeps militiae caelestis, Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos, qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo divina virtute in infernum detrude. Amen.

Today is one of my favorite feast days. It is also the feast-day of my confirmation saint: Michael. So today is a fitting day to start this blog. Although, I do start it with a heavy heart; I received difficult news earlier that my father suffered a stroke today. His second in the past 4 months. So I do pray today with a heavy heart - asking God for quite a bit. Mostly I ask the angels to fly to my father, and my mother, and comfort their hearts and bring them the Peace of God.

Angels are a very real thing.

One of the best books I have read on this subject is: "St. Michael and the Angels"

This blog will not always be this serious... but today is important to pay attention to our angels. St. Augustine said, "The angels have care of us poor pilgrims, they have compassion on us and at God's command they hasten to our aid, so that we, too, may eventually arrive at our common fatherland."

St. Hilary says, "Our weakness could not resist the malice of the evil spirits without the assistance of our Guardian Angels!"

Angelic Spiritual study, is not a safe thing. It is like slide, once you begin you cannot easily stop your descent. Angelic study reminds me of the quote from the "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by: C.S. Lewis, said by Mr. Beaver:

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."
— C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia)

So it isn't for everyone... in fact I recommend that you don't jump into it lightheartedly, or thinking that you are indestructible, because you are not, at least not in an earthly and temporal way. Certainly if you are a Christian, your soul is sealed by God, but there are no promises about your body here on earth. This is not an exaggeration or some dramatic warning. It is very...VERY real. St. Peter warns us, "Be sober. be watchful, for your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking someone to devour." I Peter, 5:8.

So we must pray to our Archangels today... pray for their protection, and to give them Thanksgiving... for God entrusted them to protect heaven once, and he constantly entrusts them to protect his most precious people.

"Then war broke out in Heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but the could not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in Heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, which is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it." - Apocalypse 12:7-9

The Beginning...

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent are taking it by FORCE!" -Matthew 11:12 (NAB)

This blog is for one thing and one thing only:

Ad Maiorem Dei Gloriam!

I believe that we are all involved in a Spiritual War - one that exists between Heaven and hell. The War is real, the battles create heroes, legends, and villains. The battles also cause pain, joy, love, hate, remorse, fear, anguish, and hope. Some choose to ignore this war; some choose to pretend the battles are simply 'bad luck,' 'coincidence,' or 'fate.' I think such thoughts are misguided. Angels are real, the devil is unfortunately real, and the salvation or damnation of our souls is VERY real. Heaven is attacked daily by the spirits of evil - and the violent choose to defend Heaven and enter it by force!

That is why I titled this blog: 'Defend Us In Battle... because we need as much help as we can get and who better to seek out for such help than the Archangels and all the choirs of angels.

Disclaimer:

I don't promise to be the greatest blogger or the greatest Catholic... I just hope that my blog might bring Glory to God.

There are plenty of better blogs to read - blogs that are much more deeply rooted in the Faith, more true to doctrine, and more intellectually nourishing. I can promise to do nothing more than try each day to fight my way into Heaven by force; against evil and lies.

St. Michael - St. Gabriel - St. Raphael-- ORA PRO NOBIS!