The Mass of the XVIII Sunday After Pentecost was used for the dedication.
St. Michael fought the fallen angels who followed Lucifer, expelled them to hell, but St. Michael continues to fight against Satan, and the prayer at the end of Low Mass asks for his assistance.
St. Michael is the Angel near the Altar of God in Heaven, seen by St. John, with the golden censer fragrant with the prayers of the Saints. St. Michael is mentioned in the Confietor, and is the Angel who protects the Holy Catholic Church.
The XVI Sunday After Pentecost is commemorated in the Mass.
The hymn from the Breviarium Romanum at Matins for the feast is quite beautiful:
Te, splendor et virtus Patris, Te vita, Iesu, córdium, Ab ore qui pendent tuo, Laudámus inter Angelos. Tibi mille densa míllium Ducum coróna mílitat; Sed éxplicat victor Crucem Míchaël salútis sígnifer. Dracónis hic dirum caput In ima pellit tártara, Ducémque cum rebéllibus Cælésti ab arce fúlminat. Contra ducem supérbiæ Sequámur hunc nos príncipem, Ut detur ex Agni throno Nobis coróna glóriæ. Deo Patri sit glória, Qui, quos redémit Fílius, Et Sanctus unxit Spíritus, Per Angelos custódiat. Amen | O Jesu Life, spring of the soul! The Father's power and glory bright! thee with the Angels we extol; From thee they draw their life and light. thy thousand thousand hosts are spread Embattled o'er the azure sky; But Michael bears thy standard dread, And lifts the mighty Cross on high. He in that Sign the rebel power. Did with their Dragon Prince expel; And hurled them from the heaven.' high towers, Down like a thunderbolt to hell. Grant us, with Michael, still, O Lord, Against the prince of pride to fight; So may a crown be our reward, Before the Lamb's pure throne of light. To God the Father, with the Son And Holy Paraclete, with thee, As evermore hath been before, Be glory through eternity. Amen. |