St. Michael is not far from us. Each day, when temptations arise, when shadows threaten, when discouragement presses upon our hearts, he is present—shield in hand, sword raised, ready to defend the children of God.

“Who is like to God ?”

On the morrow is made the worshipful Commemoration of the Blessed Archangel Michael on the which day was consecrated in his name the church upon Mount Gargano, mean as to building, but filled with power from heaven. Upon the same 29th day of September, were born into the better life: _ In Thrace, the holy martyrs Eutychius, Plautus, and Heraclea. In Persia, the holy martyr Gudelia, who had turned many to Christ. Forasmuch as she would not worship the sun and the fire, Sapor

“O fire which burneth always, inflame me, that I may love thee with my whole heart !”

Ninth Supplication: Oh, Glorious Model of Obedience...

Upon the 28th day of September, was born into the better life: _ In Bohemia, the holy martyr Wenceslaus, Duke of that country, glorious for his holiness and his miracles, who was murdered in the house of his brother, and thus gained the palm of victory. At Rome, the holy martyr Privatus. He had been full of sores, whereof he had been healed by the blessed Pope Callistus. Under the Emperor Alexander, for Christ's faith's sake, he was flogged to death with scourges loaded with

“Leave all, and you will find all ; relinquish your attachments, and you will have peace”

Upon the 27th day of September, were born into the better life: _ At Aegae, in Cilicia, the holy brethren Cosmas and Damian, both martyrs. They were beheaded in the persecution under the Emperor Diocletian, after they had suffered many torments, bonds, and imprisonment, and after God had enabled them to overcome, in the sea and in the fire, crucifixion, stoning, and arrows. Along with them it is stated that there suffered also three more, who were brethren unto them, namely

“Lord, to whom shall we go ? Thou hast the words of eternal life”

Seventh Supplication: Oh, Glorious Victor of the infernal hosts...

Upon the morrow we keep the feast of holy Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was sent into England by Pope Vitalian, and was a burning and a shining light for teaching and holiness of whom mention is made upon the 19th day of this present month of September. Upon the same 26th day of September, were born into the better life: _ At Nicomedia, the holy martyrs Cyprian and Justina the Virgin. Justina suffered much for Christ's sake under Diocletian the Emperor and Eutholmi

“I exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulations”

Sixth Supplication: Oh, Glorious Warrior of the Most High...

On the morrow we keep the feast of the holy Confessor Ninian, Bishop of Galloway in Scotland, of whom mention is made upon the 16th day of this present month of September. Upon the same 25th day of September, were born into the better life: At the village of Emmaus, blessed Cleophas, the disciple of Christ, of whom it is said that he was slain by the Jews for confessing the Lord, and thereafter buried with glorious memory within the same house wherein he had prepared a table

“I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection : lest perhaps I myself should become a castaway”

Fifth Supplication: Oh, Glorious General of the Celestial Army...

Tomorrow is the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, styled of Ransom. Upon the same 24th day of September, were born into the better life: _ At Autun, the holy martyrs Andochius a Priest, Thyrsus a Deacon, and Felix. Blessed Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, sent Andochius and Thyrsus from the east to teach in Gaul, where they were (received as guests by the noble Felix. In the end they and he were) most heavily scourged, and hung up all day by the hands, then cast into the fire, bu

“The eye is not filled with seeing, neither is the ear filled with hearing”

"Let us persevere with charity, dedication, and joy in these next nine days." - Fr Withoos

"I invite each of you to embrace St. Michael’s Lent with a hopeful and generous heart." - Fr Withoos