The Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel (1962 Roman Calendar)

Q: When is the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel?

It is kept on 29 September in the calendar of the 1962 Roman Missal, as a First Class feast, under the title of the Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel. In the modern calendar 29 September is the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels.

This feast, called the Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel, takes its name from the dedication of an ancient basilica raised in his honour near Rome, and has long been kept as the chief festival of the holy Archangel and, with him, of all the angels of God. It is a feast of the first class, and it lifts the minds of the faithful from the visible world to the unseen hosts of heaven who stand before God and serve him in the work of our salvation.

Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael is named in the Sacred Scriptures as one of the chief princes of the heavenly host. The prophet Daniel calls him the great prince who stands guard over the people of God; the Epistle of Saint Jude speaks of him contending with the adversary; and the Apocalypse of Saint John shows him at the head of the angels, doing battle against the dragon, the ancient serpent who is the devil, and casting him down. His very name, which means “Who is like unto God?”, is understood by the Church as the cry of the faithful angels against the pride of the fallen, and as a banner of loyalty to the Most High.

For this reason Saint Michael has ever been venerated as the champion and protector of the Church and of the faithful, the defender against the powers of darkness, and the helper of the dying in their last conflict. Tradition also honours him as the angel who presents the prayers of the saints before God and who will sound the call at the end of the ages. The Church invokes him as her guardian and prince, and commends to him her warfare against evil.

The ministry of the holy angels

On this day the Church honours not Saint Michael alone but the whole company of the holy angels, those blessed spirits whom God created to behold his face, to praise him without ceasing, and to be sent forth, as the Apostle teaches, in ministry for the sake of those who shall inherit salvation. The angels watch over the Church and over each of the faithful; they bear God’s messages, they guard his people, and they rejoice over every sinner who repents.

The collect of the feast praises God who disposes in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and of men, and asks that those who ever stand before him to serve him in heaven may defend our life upon earth. The feast is kept on the twenty-ninth of September. In it the Church bids her children remember that they are surrounded by a great host of heavenly friends and protectors, and invites them to honour Saint Michael and all the angels, and to take courage in their unseen but unfailing help.

The Collect

O God, who dost dispose in wondrous order the ministries of angels and of men: mercifully grant that our life may be defended on earth by those who ever stand before thy face to minister unto thee in heaven.

Deus, qui miro ordine Angelórum ministéria hominúmque dispénsas: concéde propítius; ut, a quibus tibi ministántibus in cælo semper assistitur, ab his in terra vita nostra muniátur.

Patronage

Saint Michael is venerated as the prince of the heavenly host, the defender of the Church, the patron of soldiers, of the sick and the dying, and of many lands and peoples; he is invoked against the powers of evil.

In the Modern Calendar

In the modern calendar 29 September is observed as the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels, honouring the three together.

Common Questions

When is the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel?

It is kept on 29 September in the calendar of the 1962 Roman Missal, as a First Class feast, under the title of the Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel. In the modern calendar 29 September is the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels.

Who is Saint Michael the Archangel?

He is named in Sacred Scripture as one of the chief princes of the heavenly host and the guardian of the people of God. The Apocalypse shows him leading the angels against the dragon. His name means “Who is like unto God?” and he is venerated as the defender of the Church, the protector of the faithful, and the helper of the dying.

Why is the feast called a ‘Dedication’?

The title recalls the dedication of an ancient basilica built in honour of Saint Michael near Rome. Over time this anniversary became the principal feast of the Archangel and of all the holy angels, kept by the whole Church on 29 September.

See where this feast falls in the Church’s year on the liturgical calendar, or find a Traditional Latin Mass near you.

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