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Second Sunday after Easter
J.M.J. APPARITION OF ST. MICHAEL (May 8)
From the booklet "St. Michael the Archangel" The history of the feast of the Apparition of St. Michael is very
remarkable. In the year 492, a wealthy man had a large herd of cattle
grazing on Monte Gargano in Italy, not far from the once famous city
of Siponto. One day a steer went astray from the herd and did not
return with the rest of the cattle at the usual time. The owner and
his hired men went in search of the steer and finally found him on
the summit of a mountain, lying at the entrance of a cave. The animal
refused to leave the spot. At length the owner, exasperated by its
stubbornness, took up his bow and sent an arrow toward it. However,
the arrow whirled about in the air and, coming directly toward the
archer, wounded him. All were frightened at this strange incident, and no one ventured to
approach the place. They went directly to the Bishop of Siponto and
related the incident to him. The holy prelate, after serious
reflection, decided that there must be some mystery connected with
it. He therefore prayed fervently that God's Holy Will might be
revealed. Thereupon, St. Michael appeared to him in great splendor
and said: "I am Michael the Archangel, who ever stand before the
Lord. I am keeping this place under my special protection. By this
strange occurrence, I wish to remind men to celebrate the divine
service in my honor and that of all the Angels." After this revelation, the Bishop and all the inhabitants of the
place went up the mountain in solemn procession and prayed to the
Lord through the intercession of St. Michael. When they arrived at
the cave, they found an entrance which led down a stairway. No one,
however, ventured to enter, and they performed their devotions at the
opening. After that, many pilgrimages were made to this spot. 
Much later, around the year 663, the Neapolitans decided to make war
upon the inhabitants of Siponto and Benevento. The latter, at the
advice of their bishop, kept a three days' fast and called upon the
assistance of the holy Archangel. During the night preceding the
attack, the Archangel again appeared to the Bishop and told him that
God had listened to their petitions and that in the fourth hour of
the day they should courageously meet the enemy, and they would gain
the victory. As soon as the attack began, all Monte Gargano was violently shaken.
The entire summit was enveloped in dark clouds, from which flashes of
lightning, like fiery arrows, flew toward the enemy - who in
consequence took to flight. In joy and gratitude and amidst devout
prayer, the conquerors entered the sacred spot. They found the cavern
to be perfectly formed for a church which could hold about five
hundred persons. This cave had evidently been a place of refuge in which the early
Christians had secretly held their services during times of
persecution. From a crevice in the rock, which formed the ceiling of
this sanctuary, water dripped down upon the rocks. This water was
very refreshing and most pleasant to the taste, and it possessed
healing properties. Many sick persons were instantly cured after
drinking this water; others found health through the intercession of
St. Michael. Many other miracles proved this place to be under the
special protection of Heaven. Alongside of this subterranean church
the bishop erected another, in which the services were conducted by
cannons regular (priests who belong to a religious order). This
church still exist. --------------------------------- "St. Michael the Archangel" booklet
http://olrl.org/books/stmichael.shtml
is available in our Store at http://www.olrl.org/mm5/merchant.mvc
for only $1.25.
J.M.J. APPARITION OF ST. MICHAEL (May 8)
From the booklet "St. Michael the Archangel" The history of the feast of the Apparition of St. Michael is very
remarkable. In the year 492, a wealthy man had a large herd of cattle
grazing on Monte Gargano in Italy, not far from the once famous city
of Siponto. One day a steer went astray from the herd and did not
return with the rest of the cattle at the usual time. The owner and
his hired men went in search of the steer and finally found him on
the summit of a mountain, lying at the entrance of a cave. The animal
refused to leave the spot. At length the owner, exasperated by its
stubbornness, took up his bow and sent an arrow toward it. However,
the arrow whirled about in the air and, coming directly toward the
archer, wounded him. All were frightened at this strange incident, and no one ventured to
approach the place. They went directly to the Bishop of Siponto and
related the incident to him. The holy prelate, after serious
reflection, decided that there must be some mystery connected with
it. He therefore prayed fervently that God's Holy Will might be
revealed. Thereupon, St. Michael appeared to him in great splendor
and said: "I am Michael the Archangel, who ever stand before the
Lord. I am keeping this place under my special protection. By this
strange occurrence, I wish to remind men to celebrate the divine
service in my honor and that of all the Angels." After this revelation, the Bishop and all the inhabitants of the
place went up the mountain in solemn procession and prayed to the
Lord through the intercession of St. Michael. When they arrived at
the cave, they found an entrance which led down a stairway. No one,
however, ventured to enter, and they performed their devotions at the
opening. After that, many pilgrimages were made to this spot.
Monte Sant' Angelo Gargano Image by pizzodisevo (therapy - terapia - Therapie ) via Flickr
Much later, around the year 663, the Neapolitans decided to make war
upon the inhabitants of Siponto and Benevento. The latter, at the
advice of their bishop, kept a three days' fast and called upon the
assistance of the holy Archangel. During the night preceding the
attack, the Archangel again appeared to the Bishop and told him that
God had listened to their petitions and that in the fourth hour of
the day they should courageously meet the enemy, and they would gain
the victory. As soon as the attack began, all Monte Gargano was violently shaken.
The entire summit was enveloped in dark clouds, from which flashes of
lightning, like fiery arrows, flew toward the enemy - who in
consequence took to flight. In joy and gratitude and amidst devout
prayer, the conquerors entered the sacred spot. They found the cavern
to be perfectly formed for a church which could hold about five
hundred persons. This cave had evidently been a place of refuge in which the early
Christians had secretly held their services during times of
persecution. From a crevice in the rock, which formed the ceiling of
this sanctuary, water dripped down upon the rocks. This water was
very refreshing and most pleasant to the taste, and it possessed
healing properties. Many sick persons were instantly cured after
drinking this water; others found health through the intercession of
St. Michael. Many other miracles proved this place to be under the
special protection of Heaven. Alongside of this subterranean church
the bishop erected another, in which the services were conducted by
cannons regular (priests who belong to a religious order). This
church still exist. --------------------------------- "St. Michael the Archangel" booklet
http://olrl.org/books/stmichael.shtml
is available in our Store at http://www.olrl.org/mm5/merchant.mvc
for only $1.25.
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