St. Michael the Archangel is usually depicted in Christian iconography with a sword and banner
or with a scale weighing the souls of the dead. This sword is double edged: truth and justice.
The Angelic logo depicts this sword guarding and showing us the way to Heaven on Earth,
otherwise known as the Garden of Eden. He is the protector of the Christian Church, guardian
angel of Israel, and commander-in-chief of God's angel armies. St. Michael embodies the ideals
of chivalry and service to the light. His name means, "who is as God," which can be
thought of as a question for us to answer. His feast day is September 29.
The Archangel Michael, who ranks among the seven archangels, is also one of the three angels mentioned by name in the Bible. St Michael is spoken of four times in the Scriptures: One such reference occurs in Daniel where Michael comes to comfort Daniel after he has had a vision, and promises to be his helper in all things. Michael is represented as Israel's great support during the 70 years of the Babylonian captivity. In the Letter of St Jude, we are told that Michael disputed with Satan over the body of Moses.
In the Book of Revelation, St John recounts his vision of the great battle in Heaven, when the wicked angels under Lucifer revolt against God, and how Michael, leading the faithful angels, defeats the hosts of evil and drives them out. Because of the victory, St Michael is revered in Catholic tradition and liturgy as the protector of the Church, as once he was regarded as the protector of the Israelites. In the Eastern Church, St Michael is placed over all the angels, as prince of the Seraphim.
Archangel Michael is believed to have appeared to Moses as the fire in the burning bush, and to have rescued Daniel from the lions' den. To Christians, he's the angel who informed Mary of her approaching death. He was the angel who communicated with Joan of Arc. In spite ofher efforts to save her king and country with the help of God, Joan was betrayed by her own people to the English who tried her as a witch and burned her at the stake.
The Archangel Michael is generally considered to be the foremost of the seven archangels and the leader of the Host of Heaven. He derives originally from the Chaldeans by who he was worshiped as something of a god. He is the chief of the order of virtues, Prince of the presence, angel of repentance, righteousness, mercy and sanctification: also ruler of the 4th Heaven, tutelary sar (angelic prince). He is the prince who defended the Israelites and later, it was claimed, the Christian Church, when as guardian he may be called on (sometimes with Gabriel) to defend church doors against the evil angels. According to the Book of Revelations, Michael and his angels' are described as fighting the dragon and his angels. Hence Michael is often shown fighting or overcoming a dragon armed with spear or sword as God's Warrior.
Pope Leo XIII decreed that after all masses the following prayer should be recited to protect the Church from the sins of Modernism. This requirement was made optional in the 1960s. Many continue to recite this prayer at the conclusion of the Rosary, and in times of great temptation.
"Saint Michael, the Archangel, Defend us in the hour of battle, keep us safe from 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, cast Satan down into Hell, and with him all the evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen."
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