President Donald Trump marked the Feast of the Archangels, traditionally known as Michaelmas, celebrating the holy day in an official White House statement and posting the Catholic Prayer to Saint Michael.
“Today, I salute the millions of Christian believers in the United States and around the world observing the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel,” read a Presidential Statement issued by the White House Sept. 29.
The statement went on to briefly explain the Church’s tradition of honoring St. Michael, beginning with the account in “sacred Scripture” of the archangel “triumphantly reasserting God’s sovereignty over all creation” by casting Satan and his followers from Heaven.
“For 2,000 years, Christians have looked to Saint Michael the Archangel for protection, strength, and courage in times of conflict, distress, and doubt,” the statement continued.
Finally, Trump explained and fully quoted the common version of the St. Michael prayer that many Catholics regularly recite by heart.
“In 1886, nearly 140 years ago, Pope Leo XIII, leader of the Roman Catholic Church, fearing for the future of the western world, introduced the legendary Prayer to Saint Michael, which is still recited to this day in churches and homes all across our Nation and throughout the world,” Trump concluded:
“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”
Trump’s statement on Michaelmas Day came at the conclusion of a St. Michael novena led by CatholicVote for the “renewal of America.”
“Jesus himself told us, some demons ‘can only be driven out by prayer and fasting,’” CatholicVote stated in a message asking followers to join the novena. “And so, we’re calling on all American Catholics to gather in prayer, September 20-29, asking the intercession and aid of St. Michael the Archangel in bringing about the grace that will renew this great nation. Preserving America’s future depends on each of us.”
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