Defend Us In Battle…

As today is a busy, busy day filled with errands, ob-gyn appointment, ultrasound, and lamaze class, I am re-posting (with a few updates!) this post on the feast of the angels from last fall. Enjoy!

So tomorrow is one of my favorite feast days in all the Church — the feasts of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael!

Gabriel and Raphael are cool, for sure, but I have a soft spot in my heart for St. Michael. Of course, Atticus and I planned to name our son Michael, and so we did just that during the spiritual baptism for the child we lost through miscarriage.

Both Atticus and myself have petitioned for the intercession of St. Michael on more than one occasion, and as he is the “Prince of the Heavenly Hosts”, we like our odds when Michael is on our side!

Some information about St. Michael, taken from “The Catholic Home”, which I blogged about previously (you really must get this book!).

“Archangel Michael is the guardian of Israel as well as ‘Defender of the Catholic Church’. Archangel Michael reigns supreme among angelic warriors; charged with rescuing souls from evil, and leading the principalities and powers into battle against Satan…finally, St. Michael escorts all souls to eternity. The old funeral liturgy contained this prayer: ‘May the standard-bearer Michael conduct the departed into the holy light which was promised to Abraham and his seed.’

Is it any wonder his name means “who is like God” and he’s the first angel to rate a feast day?” -The Catholic Home

How to Celebrate at Home:

If you’re interested in celebrating the angels feast day, also known as Michaelmas, you can do so in a few ways. One of the oldest traditions is so cook a goose on Michaelmas.

We are not cooking a goose, mostly because neither Atticus nor I like goose. But if your family likes goose, or you’d like to give it a try, St. Michael’s feast day is an excellent time to make one!

Another way of celebrating is with a bread known as St. Michael’s Bannock. It’s an old fashioned Scots-Irish bread usually served for breakfast. Here’s a recipe, also from The Catholic Home.

St. Michael’s Bannock

Preheat over to 375.

Mix together 2 cups flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Cut in 2 tablespoons of butter (not margarine) and add 1 cup buttermilk or yogurt to make a soft dough. Toss in a handful or two of raisins or dried cranberries.

Knead the dough until smooth, then pat into an 8-inch round loaf and bake on a cookie sheet 40 minutes. For full effect, score the dough with crosses.

Cool on wire rack.

Yum!

Another traditional food for Michaelmas, is apples. We picked about 50 apples over the weekend, so I will be spending a few hours tomorrow baking apple pies! Of course we’ll enjoy one tomorrow evening after dinner, but I will also be making some pies for friends. My lucky, lucky friends. 🙂

For petitions to St. Michael on his feast day, Orange, Gold, or White candles may be used.

Happy Michaelmas!