The Feast of Michaelmas!

"Who is like unto God?!"
St. Michael statue at unknown location

At Castel San Michel, Rome, Italy

In Kiev, Russia

At the Church of St. Michael, St. Michael, Minnesota, USA
(Still trying to verify this location for sure, though)

At Hauptkirche Sankt Michaelis, in Hamburg Germany

At Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland

Basilica Santa Maria de Guadalupe, Mexico City, Mexico

On the Boulevard San Michel in Paris, France

He's everywhere, our St. Michael, the guardian of the Church, the protector of the Blessed Sacrament, our defense against the devil, his wiles and disguises.  Through the ages of the church, the Faithful have recognized his power, honoring him in statues and art, hymns and prayers.  In this day, in particular, when the Church labors so piteously under the assaults of the devil - through the heresy of modernism, the general acceptance of impurity and impiety to the rise of Islam in all its horrors throughout the world, we have to remember, more than ever, to call upon St. Michael.  Through his strength and the intercession of the Blessed Mother, we can recognize the devil and defeat him.

For coloring pages and lots of links, history, prayers, and traditions for the day, you can run over here.

But just for this post today -- here's a little tidbit I don't think I've shared before:

*  In 1817 Pope Pius VII granted an indulgence of 200 days once a day for saying the hymn, Te Splendor (including antiphon and prayer) with a contrite heart and devotion, in honor of St. Michael the Archangel in order to obtain his patronage and protection against the assaults of the enemy of man. He also provided a plenary indulgence for saying the hymn every day for a month together, after Confession and Communion, and praying for the intention of the pope.

Here's the English translation:

Te Splendor

O Jesu, lifespring of the soul,
The Father’s power, and glory bright!
Thee with the angels we extol;
From Thee they draw their life and light.

Thy thousand thousand hosts are spread
Embattled o‘er the azure sky;
But Michael bears Thy standard dread,
And lifts the mighty cries on high.

He in that sign the rebel powers
Did with their dragon prince expel;
And hurl’d them from the heaven’s high towers
Down like a thunderbolt to hell.

Grant us with Michael still, O Lord,
Against the Prince of Pride to fight;
So may a crown be our reward,
Before the Lamb’s pure throne of light.

To God the Father glory be,
And to his sole-begotten Son;
The same, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
While everlasting ages run.

Ant. Most glorious Prince, Michael the Archangel, be thou mindful of us; here, and in all places, pray for us to the Son of God most high.

V. I wilt sing praises to Thee, my God, before the Angels.
R. I will adore Thee in Thy holy temple, and praise Thy Name.

Let us pray.
O God, who in the dispensation of Thy providence dost admirably dispose the ministry of angels and of men; mercifully grant that the Holy Angels, who ever minister before Thy throne in heaven, may be the protectors also of our life on earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.