St. Michael the Archangel COLLECTION (M 009)

Look closely! Clad in draped armor and shouldering a sword, St. Michael the Archangel is actually depicted by the engraver here holding a balance scale in his right hand. (Cf. M 010). The scale is an allusion to St. Michael's role as weigher of souls at the Last Judgment. The scale, however, has been obscured by the colorist who painted his military cloak red. The result is an image that appears to look down from heaven with loving concern rather than judgment. It has been used as such throughout this COLLECTION. + Not widely known today as a healing saint, St. Michael's association with EMTs is considerably less obvious than his association with the police except for his being present at potentially life-threatening situations. Today, few people recall--if they ever knew--that, in Early Christian times, shrines and sanctuaries dedicated to St. Michael primarily functioned as pilgrimage destinations for those seeking the healing of their physical ailments. And, St. Michael's intercession has been credited with ending two great plagues: one in Rome, Italy, in 590; and, another in Tlaxcala, Mexico, in 1631. Since the late fifth-early sixth century, however, St. Michael's caring side has gradually been eclipsed by his warrior persona. It is that warrior persona that is emphasized in Pope Leo XII's famous and popular prayer of 1886: "St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle...." + Feast: September 29