A powerful advocate and chief of the heavenly hosts. Novelna to St. Michael the Archangel
date:23 September 2024 Editor: Anna
“In these hard times, we should not despair, but put all assurance in the saving power of Christ’s Cross. With St. Michael as our leader and defender, let us march forward under his banner, knowing that triumph belongs to God," writes the nuns of St. Michael the Archangel Abbey in the United States.
The LifeSiteNews portal featured a text written by the prior of the Norbertan priests of St Michael's Abbey in Orange, alongside Los Angeles, encouraging them to take part in a nine-day novena before the memory of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael's holy archangels, which falls on September 29.
Current situation
“Over the course of history, in times of large darkness and anguish, the faithful asked for intercession with St. Michael the Archangel, the Prince of the Blue hosts, the protector of the Church and the guardian of souls. present we are surviving in an unprecedented crisis. The fact is distorted, there is moral confusion, and the foundations of our society are crumbling. Our Church, our country and our families are ruthlessly attacked by forces wishing to divide and destroy. The fall of faith, the increase of unholyness and the spread of evil endanger to overwhelm the world. In the face of this urgent crisis, we must one more time turn to the powerful aid of St. Michael, so that we may stand firm in the religion and defy the darkness around us," is the appeal of the friar, who as well reflects our Polish current reality as well as everyday life behind the ocean.
Prayer as an Answer
As a prescription for these difficulties, Norbertan fathers give a 9-day novena to St. Michael the Archangel, whose memory falls in the Church on 29 September. The nuns call on all believers to join in prayer. "Since the forces of darkness are trying to undermine the very structure of our Church, our nation and our families, we must unite as soldiers of Christ, raising our hearts in prayer and penance. In the care of St. Michael, with unwavering faith, we will face the evil that threatens our society and the future of our children," they stress.
Priests ask us to unite our prayers and sacrifices with those which they bring to God in their abbey, believing that united in God in the fight against the forces of evil we can do more. "Whether it is fasting, abstinence or acts of mercy, all individual sacrifice becomes a powerful weapon in this spiritual struggle," they point out.
"For 9 days this novena members of our community will present reflections on the importance of spiritual conflict and the real, extraordinary impact of prayer and fasting on our lives and on the world. These reflections will include brief speeches by the Norbertan fellow-brothers, broadcast live from our church," the Norbertans announce and remind us that their abbey is the place of pilgrimages of those seeking St. Michael the Archangel's intercession. “As a center of worship, the abbey continues to bear witness to the permanent power of St. Michael’s intercession, reminding us that the forces of darkness can be overcome by prayer, religion and sacrifice,” the nuns believe.
“The forces of darkness cannot prevail due to the fact that Christ has already triumphed over sin and death. Let us be encouraged, knowing that we are assured of God's care and grace by fighting under the banner of St Michael. Together, as 1 Church, we will stay steadfast in the faith, trusting the intercession of Saint Michael, who will defender our Church, our country and our families.” encourage the norbertans.
The Polish novena text can be found, among others, on the website of the parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Sopot:
http://www.sw-michal.pl/updates/updates/50474/newna-do-sw-michala-archaniola
Source: whiteycruk.pl
