The Dedication of St. Michaels Church (29 September): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

On September 29, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Michael and All Holy Angels—also known as Michaelmas. Today’s reading from Butler’s Lives of the Saints recalls the ancient dedication of St. Michael’s shrine on Mount Gargano (Apulia, 493) and the wide devotion that grew in both East and West, including the church on Hadrian’s Mausoleum (Castel Sant’Angelo) in Rome consecrated by Pope Boniface IV (610). We reflect on St. Michael the Archangel—Prince of the Heavenly Host, defender of God’s people—and on the ministry of the good angels: their intercession, protection, and their ceaseless praise of God. The reading highlights scriptural episodes (Tobit, Daniel, Revelation), the angels’ role in salvation history, and the right honor due to angels (distinct from latria, the worship due to God alone). May this feast stir us to imitate the angels’ fidelity, purity, humility, and zeal for God’s glory. 00:00 Intro 00:11 Feast overview & date (Sept 29) 00:31 Mount Gargano (Apulia, 493) & origin of the feast 01:00 Eastern & Western devotion; Constantine’s churches 02:01 The feast honors all good angels with St. Michael 02:14 Why we give thanks for the angels 02:56 Honor due to angels vs. worship due to God (latria) 04:45 Scriptural reverence for angels (Abraham, Daniel, Exodus) 05:02 Excellence of angelic nature & grace 06:06 Angels as courtiers of Heaven; Incarnation dignity 06:23 Angelic fidelity, praise, and worship of God 08:35 “Holy, holy, holy” — heavenly praise 10:11 Our communion and kinship with the angels 11:10 Angelic ministry & intercession in Scripture 13:34 St. Michael’s battles; concern for human salvation 14:03 Angels at death and at the Last Judgment 15:00 Guardian angels & their prayer for us 16:32 Michael the protector; the Maccabees 18:20 Angels praying for Jerusalem (Zechariah) 19:25 Angels presenting our prayers to God 21:00 Early Church witness & Christian practice 22:23 Living the “life of angels” on earth 23:59 Call to holiness: purity, humility, zeal https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/september/the-dedication-of-saint-michaels-church-or-the-festival-of-st-michael-and-all-the-holy-angels/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 #StMichael #Michaelmas #ArchangelMichael #FeastDay #LivesOfTheSaints #ButlersLives #GuardianAngels #Catholic #CatholicSaints #Angels #StMichaelTheArchangel #FeastOfSaintMichael #Sept29 #MountGargano #CastelSantAngelo 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

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