Saint Michael the Archangel
Painting Archangel Michael
by Guido Reni
"The Voice was sent to me by God and, after I had thrice heard this Voice, I knew that it was the voice of an angel. This Voice has always guarded me well and I have always understood it clearly." Saint Joan speaking at her trial
"Saint Michael, when he came to me, told me that Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret would come to me and that I should act by their advice,
that they were bidden to lead me in what I had to do and that I should believe in what they would say to me and that it was by God's order." Saint Joan of Arc speaking at her trial
One of the Voices that spoke to and guided Joan of Arc was Saint Michael the archangel. Saint Michael was the first voice that Joan of Arc heard on that summer day in her fathers garden:
"From when I was thirteen I had a Voice from God to help me govern my conduct. And the first time I was very fearful. And came this Voice, about the hour of noon, in the summer-time, in my father's garden"
Saint Michael, according to Christian teaching, is an archangel and the commander of the army of Heaven. In Revelation 12:7 St. Michael is described leading his angels against Satan in a war that took place in Heaven. The name Michael means "Who is like God?" and the legend is that this was the war cry of the angels of Heaven as they fought and defeated Satan and his followers expelling them from Heaven. Prophecy in Daniel 12 predicts that St. Michael will "arise" to aid God's people in the last days of the World. Because of St. Michael's power to defeat Satan he is especially venerated as the protector of God's church.
Saint Michael's feast day is celebrated on September 29th
To learn more about Joan of Arc's other Voices go to:
St. Catherine of Alexandria
St. Margaret of Antioch
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