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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
St. Michael the Archangel	Patrick	Friday, August 19, 2011
Question: Hello Brother, A family member had some type of experience years ago. Was almost in a serious car accident on a dark, rainy night and was sliding and almost hit another car. However, a large, dark figure appeared between the 2 cars the instant they were ready to collide and the accident was avoided. The family member caught the profile of the large, dark figure against the lights of the other car and believes it to be St. Michael. The family member keeps a devotion to St. Michael. However, I have concerns that there may be more devotion to the Angel over Jesus. Recently, we talked about this story again when I visited and the family member wondered aloud what St. Michael was leading them to do. I said that I expected St. Michael would lead them straight to the Foot of the Cross. At which point, the response was not being worthy of Jesus or something along those lines. Have given this some thought and I go back and forth. Should I keep my mouth shut or maintain that Jesus should be followed, and St. Michael would be the first to point to Him. Or, just leave it be. As far as I can tell, this family member attends Church on Sundays so if it was St. Michael, maybe he is already busy blazing a path to Jesus for this family member. The whole thing feels a little strange. Am a bit confused on when to speak up and when to shut up on this one, what are your thoughts? Also, have you ever heard of anything like this before? Thanks, and take care.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r) Dear Patrick: There are many stories of Guardian Angels saving people's lives (as long as doing so does not violate one's free will). We should be praising and thanking God that this angel saved your family member's life. We are encouraged by the Church to have a devotion to St. Michael, and to our Guardian Angels. The Archangel Michael is called a "saint" even though he is not human, because the title "saint" means "worthy of veneration." The presence of an angel will bring anyone to understand they are not worthy because he is a heavenly being. We acknowledge this in Mass -- "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." In the Bible, people prostrated themselves on the ground in front of an angel because they were not worthy. None of us are worthy. It is only through Christ that we have any worth. It makes sense that your family member would develop a special devotion to St. Michael when he believes that St. Michael saved his life. This does not mean that his devotion to St. Michael outranks his devotion to God. We worship God alone, but we are allow to venerate the Saints. Your narrative does not give any indication that the family member is doing anything inappropriate. Has this angel lead your family member to believe in a heresy? or to disobey the Church? or to commit sin? What evidence is there that this angel has lead your family member away from God? Be careful of rash judgment, which is a grave sin. Do not jump to conclusions. Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved. --St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 22. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

St. Michael the Archangel

Patrick

Friday, August 19, 2011

Question:

Hello Brother,

A family member had some type of experience years ago. Was almost in a serious car accident on a dark, rainy night and was sliding and almost hit another car. However, a large, dark figure appeared between the 2 cars the instant they were ready to collide and the accident was avoided. The family member caught the profile of the large, dark figure against the lights of the other car and believes it to be St. Michael.

The family member keeps a devotion to St. Michael. However, I have concerns that there may be more devotion to the Angel over Jesus. Recently, we talked about this story again when I visited and the family member wondered aloud what St. Michael was leading them to do. I said that I expected St. Michael would lead them straight to the Foot of the Cross. At which point, the response was not being worthy of Jesus or something along those lines.

Have given this some thought and I go back and forth. Should I keep my mouth shut or maintain that Jesus should be followed, and St. Michael would be the first to point to Him. Or, just leave it be. As far as I can tell, this family member attends Church on Sundays so if it was St. Michael, maybe he is already busy blazing a path to Jesus for this family member. The whole thing feels a little strange.

Am a bit confused on when to speak up and when to shut up on this one, what are your thoughts?

Also, have you ever heard of anything like this before?

Thanks, and take care.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear Patrick:

There are many stories of Guardian Angels saving people's lives (as long as doing so does not violate one's free will). We should be praising and thanking God that this angel saved your family member's life.

We are encouraged by the Church to have a devotion to St. Michael, and to our Guardian Angels. The Archangel Michael is called a "saint" even though he is not human, because the title "saint" means "worthy of veneration."

The presence of an angel will bring anyone to understand they are not worthy because he is a heavenly being. We acknowledge this in Mass -- "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." In the Bible, people prostrated themselves on the ground in front of an angel because they were not worthy. None of us are worthy. It is only through Christ that we have any worth.

It makes sense that your family member would develop a special devotion to St. Michael when he believes that St. Michael saved his life. This does not mean that his devotion to St. Michael outranks his devotion to God. We worship God alone, but we are allow to venerate the Saints.

Your narrative does not give any indication that the family member is doing anything inappropriate. Has this angel lead your family member to believe in a heresy? or to disobey the Church? or to commit sin? What evidence is there that this angel has lead your family member away from God?

Be careful of rash judgment, which is a grave sin. Do not jump to conclusions.

Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved. --St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 22.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum