Biographical note

One of the three angels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael) liturgically venerated by the Catholic Church, and also described as one of the Seven Angels who stand before the throne of God. Michael is described in the Bible as "one of the chief princes" (Daniel 10:13), and as the leader of the heavenly armies in their battle against the forces of hell (Revelation 12:7). His feast on September 29 is probably the anniversary of the dedication of a church of Saint Michael and All Angels on the Salarian Way at Rome in the sixth century; that of May 8 commemorates his apparition on Mount Gargano in southern Italy (also sixth century). Another apparition in France (eighth century) led to the foundation of the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel in Brittany.

(paraphrased from The Book of Saints : A Dictionary of Persons Canonized or Beatified by the Catholic Church. 5th edition. New York: Crowell, 1966.)

Alternate names

Michael the Taxiarch, Archangel Michael