"He instinctively can find the shining greatness of our American culture and does a good job of highlighting it (although he also does have those rare lapses when he writes about hockey, but that is something caused by impurities in the Eastern waters or something)." Erik Keilholtz
Under the patronage of St. Tammany
Mark C. N. Sullivan is an editor at a Massachusetts university. He is married and the father of three children. Email
In re college statuary: John Harvard and Father Carroll are fine in their ex cathedra way, but for sheer foe-thumping vigor it's hard to top St Michael the Archangel at Boston College.
St Michael doesn't negotiate without preconditions.
Today is the feast day of the patron saint of soldiers, sailors and policemen, not to mention haberdashers, greengrocers and many others.
Angels were present at the beginning of time when they engaged in a great battle in heaven. As told in the Bible, the powerful angel Satan fancying himself to be like unto God had rebelled against the Creator. "Who is like God?" was the war cry of the host of good angels led by the archangel Michael, who overcame Satan and his followers and cast them out of heaven. "Who is like God?" is the English translation of the Hebrew "Mikha El," the source of the name Michael. In paintings and statues, the Latin equivalent "Quis ut Deus" is often inscribed on Saint Michael's shield.
Michael is considered a principal angel and guardian of the Church. In the Prophecy of Daniel, Chapter 10, the angel Gabriel, appearing to Daniel, refers to Michael as a chief prince called upon to settle a dispute between angels. At the end of the same chapter Gabriel refers to "Michael your prince," in the sense of a guardian of God's people.
Michael continues the fight against evil. According to an ancient Jewish tradition, which is referred to in the Epistle of St. Jude the Apostle (Jude 1: 9), Michael protected the dead body of Moses from the devil, who wished to use it to tempt the Jewish people into the sin of hero worship. The Dead Sea Scroll "The War of The Sons of Light and The Sons of Darkness," describes Michael as the prince of light leading the forces of good against the darkness of evil. Other evidence to the continuing battle fills tradition down through the ages.
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. #
![[SMMMHDH]](http://www.mgilleland.com/music/smmmhdh.png){kind=small}
