In the year 492 a man named Gargan was pasturing his large herds
in the countryside. One day a bull fled to the mountain, where it could not be
found. When its refuge in a cave was discovered, an arrow was shot into the cave,
but the arrow returned to wound the one who had sent it. Faced with this
mysterious occurrence, the persons concerned decided to consult the bishop of
the region. He ordered three days of fasting and prayers. After three days, the
Archangel Michael appeared to the bishop and declared that the cavern
where the bull had taken refuge was under his protection, and that God wanted
it to be consecrated under his name and in honor of all the Holy Angels.
Accompanied by his clergy and people, the pontiff went to that
cavern, which he found already disposed in the form of a church. The divine
mysteries were celebrated there, and there arose in this same place a
magnificent temple where the divine Power has wrought great miracles. To thank
God’s adorable goodness for the protection of the holy Archangel, the effect of
His merciful Providence, this feast day was instituted by the Church in his
honor.
It is said of this special guardian and protector of the Church
that, during the final persecution of Antichrist, he will powerfully defend it: “At that time shall Michael rise up,
the great prince who protects the children of thy people.”
— Excerpted from Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints,
a compilation based on Butler’s Lives of the Saints and other sources by John Gilmary Shea
(Benziger Brothers: New York, 1894); Vie des Saints pour tous les jours de
l’année, by Abbé L. Jaud (Mame: Tours, 1950).
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