The Feast of the Archangels
Today we honor the feast day of the three archangels mentioned by name in sacred scripture: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. St. Michael is the head of the heavenly army, the angel that thrust the devil into hell and mentioned in the Book of Revelation as having a special role in Christ’s Second Coming. St. Gabriel announced to Mary the Incarnation of Christ, that She would be His mother. St. Raphael assisted the prophet Tobias in the Old Testament and Christian tradition believes him to be one of the angels who stirs the healing waters of Bethesda. Today's feast used to be called Michaelmas (pronounced mickel-miss) before Saints Gabriel and Raphael were added to the feast of St. Michael. Just as Christmas gets it's name for the Mass of Christ today is for the Mass of Michael.
In Scotland, nuts are broken on the eve of today's feast. Bread is also blessed at Mass in honor of the deceased and given to the poor.
A plenary indulgence can be gained under the normal conditions (see indulgences section) by visiting a church named for St. Michael, Raphael or Gabriel today and praying the Apostle's Creed and Lord's Prayer.
Today's liturgical color is white or gold for the glory, holiness and purity of the archangels.
As an Autumn holiday, today's feast is a foreshadowing of Halloween and is a feast of the triumph of good over evil, just as Halloween and Easter are. Therefore today would be good to make Halloween preparations, and watch horror films especially those which recall the power of St. Michael in movies about exorcism.
Michaelmas Folklore (from "Project Britain")
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The Michaelmas Daisies, among dede weeds, Bloom for St Michael's valorous deeds. And seems the last of flowers that stood, Till the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude.(October 28th). 'If St Michael brings many acorns, Christmas will cover the fields with snow.' 'A dark Michaelmas, a light Christmas.' Folklore in England holds that the devil stamps on bramble bushes or as they say in some areas, spits on them. Therefore one must not pick blackberries after Michaelmas. The reason for this belief has ancient origins. It was said that the devil was kicked out of heaven on St Michael's Feast Day, but as he fell from the skies, he landed in a bramble bush! He cursed the fruit of that prickly plant, scorching them with his fiery breath, stamping on them, spitting on them and generally making them unsuitable for human consumption. Legend suggests he renews his curse annually on Michaelmas Day and therefore it is very unlucky to gather blackberries after this date. The Victorians believed that trees planted on this day would grow especially well. In Ireland, finding a ring hidden in a Michaelmas pie meant that one would soon be married. |
St. Gertrude and the Feast of St. Michael
Vegan Bannock (Traditional Michaelmas dish)Vegan Carrot Recipes Carrots are a traditional part of today's feast because in Ireland and Scotland they were harvested with tools to represent the tools of St. Michael in battle. These carrots were tied with red ribbon and given to guests, bringing good look if they had forked roots.
Vegan Blackberry Recipes (See above for the legend between St. Michael and blackberries, some places also harvest apples today).
Vegan Goose Recipe (There are many options at grocery stores for vegan meat substitutes like vegan chicken and turkey where Goose isn't popular. The Miracle of the King’s Son choking on a goose bone and being saved is more of a reason to not eat meat rather than a cause to do so.)
Note: In a few short days on October 2nd we celebrate the feast of our guardian angels.
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