Saint George and the Dragon

  Saint George (d. c.303), patron of England. Churches were dedicated to him in Jerusalem and Antioch in the 6th century and from early times he was invoked as patron of the  Byzantine armies. Numerous icons of him portrayed him as a powerful helper against evil powers affecting individual lives.

  The name George in Spanish is ‘Jorge’ and ‘Jordi’ (Catalonia, Spain).  His Feast Day is April 23rd.

  The famous story of George and the Dragon became immensely popular in the West through the Golden Legend, translated and printed by Caxton. The dragon, a local pest which terrorized the whole country, poisoned with its breath all who approached it.  One day, the princess is offered as a victim, the monarch pleads for her life to be spared, but to no avail.

She is offered to the dragon, but there appears Saint George on his travels. He faces the dragon, protects himself with the sign of the cross, and slays the dragon in the heart.  From the dragon’s blood, out comes a rose, and he rescues the princess. The grateful citizens abandon their ancestral paganism and convert to Christianity.  George killed the dragon and 15,000 men were baptized.  George would take no reward, but asked the king to maintain churches, honour individuals, and show compassion to the poor. 

In Catalonia, it’s a custom on Saint Jordi’s day for men to gift women roses, and women gift men with a book. 

Saint George is the patron saint of various countries, among them Aragon, Catalonia, England, Ehtiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia, as well as the cities of Beirut, Caceres, Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro. As well as a wide range of professions and organizations.

 In my family, my brother’s name is  Jorge, my son is Jordi (Catalan) my nephew is Jorge Julian, and my dad is Jorge (now in heaven)!

Angel Blessings,

Linda F. Torres

Saint Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi, (Francisco d’ Assisi) 1181-1226. Born in the town of Assisi, Italy, great mystic, is known as the patron saint of animals, because of his love for animals and all nature. Feast day is October 4th.   St. Francis of Assisi is the founder of the Order of the Franciscan Friars.  

Francis, a cheeful and joyful friar who preached in the marketplace, was born the son of a successful and wealthy merchant family. Francis grew to love the teachings of Christ and gave up family and fortune to devote his life to God and the poor.   During his pilgrimage before he had any followers, Francis would tend to those who suffered from leprosy. Francis said he would not be ordained a priest, his only mission was to lead a life of poverty and teach his brothers, the friars -  love, respect and peace toward others.  To Francis  love was the truest of all  truths,  hence his deep sense of personal responsibility towards his fellows. The love of Christ permeated the whole life and character of Francis.

Francis found happiness in offering songs and poems;  he identified with elements of the Universe and found in all created things some reflection of the Divine perfection, and loved to admire in them the beauty, power and wisdom and goodness of the creator.   During a forty day fast in preparation for Michaelmas Day, Sept 29, Francis had a vision as a result of which he received the stigmata, (wounds of Christ).  In later years, being already very ill, and in one of his last visits to St. Clare of Assisi, he composed the ”Canticle to the Sun.”

Francis always yearned to be both a knight and a troubadour (poet-singer) - to do battle for God and at the same time to amuse with a song.  Saint Francis is remembered during the month of October.  The good work of Saint Francis, his genius writings, his gentle charity and compassion, his loving heart and virtuous humility, are reminded to us through his powerful prayer:    

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

…read full prayer under Prayers category.

Decrees on Archangel Michael’s Day

Archangel Michael is a very special Archangel for all of us and we love him profoundly. Archangel Michael’s Feast Day is September 29th.  In England the entire Autumn season is known as Michaelmas, and in the Middle Ages it was the occasion of harvest fairs and associated feast. 

So as we celebrate the Prince of Light and the heavenly warrior, Archangel Michael,  let us take this time to honor and appreciate Michael and his legions of Angels of light, that throughout thousands and thousands of years has been dedicated to the security, to the perfection of our souls, to our protection. Forever taking care of us, and assisting to recognize that each one of us have an original blueprint in life, that we have a divine plan.

So delicate and so present is God’s love, that God makes it known to all of us in a personal way through his Angels and Archangels.  Michael’s name means “He who is like God”.  Because Archangel Michael is the Angel of the presence of God; the presence of God is in Michael and that is why Michael works fervently to serve and support our needs, thus serve the will of God.

As mentioned in Archangel Michael’s page (Aug 5), this heavenly warrior can help us bring light into the darkness.  The following decrees are  from the book – ‘Angels By My Side’, by Rev. Jayne H. Feldman.  This decree can be used when you feel uncomfortable or uneasy about the energy around you:

Michael’s light descend, descend, descend, Michael’s light defend, defend, defend,

Michael’s light expand, expand, expand, Michael’s light command, command, command,

Michael’s light I am, I am, I am.

You repeat the decree three times, and you visualize that Archangel Michael’s light is surrounding you from head to toes. This light immediately defends us from anything attempting to attack our energy field.

For traveling, or when you are driving you can use the following decree before leaving home:

Lord Michael before me! Lord Michael behind!

Lord Michael to the right! Lord Michael to the left!

Lord Michael above! Lord Michael wherever I go!

I AM one with Lord Michael’s protection NOW!

We thank God for the support, love and protection that God gives us through Archangel Michael, the protector Angel. 

Archangel Michael, Prince of Light

Archangel Michael is the most powerful of the Archangels in the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions. Archangel Michael or Saint Michael is referred to in the Old Testament and has been part of Christian teachings since the earliest times.  Michael works  to create a world of peace and harmony.

The name “Michael”  means ”Who is like God”.  Michael is generally shown with a sword, and sometimes wearing a golden armor. He is also the Archangel of love and the healing blue flame of protection.  Archangel Michael has many important roles, the four main roles: protection, love, guardianship and peace.

Michael  is seen as the Prince of Light, the heavenly warrior who brings the light into the darkness. Michael eliminates negativity, clearing and purifying with his sword any negativity  giving us the power to live in balance, truth and integrity. You can also ask Michael to help others always asking for that person’s highest good.

Michael’s feast day is celebrated on September 29. In the fifth century, the Romans celebrated Michael during the middle ages, this feast became extremely important as Michael is the patron saint of knights.

Archangel Michael Appearances

Joan of Arc began hearing and seeing Michael at the age of thirteen.  Michael appeared to Moses in the burning bush.  Mother Mary works closely with Archangel Michael.   Mary, in her visits to the children of Garabandal in Spain, told them they needed to change their way of life;  Saint Michael reportedly delivered a message to announce the arrival of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Michael visited the children four years later, repeating Mary’s same message. 

Early in the 8th century, Saint Michael reportedly appeared three times to St. Aubert, the bishop of  Normandy, France and instructed him to build a church on the small island now known as Mont Saint Michel. Several healings were reported when the church was being built and Mont Saint Michel still remains a pilgrimage site.

Call on Archangel Michael for Clearing

You can invoke Archangel Michael at anytime - whenever you feel any dense environment or negativity around you, call on Michael and he will be ready to help purify any negative aspect.  Before you leave your home you can also be protected by Michael’s light.  Visualize a brilliant white light surrounding you or your loved ones, and ask  Michael for protection.   Know that you always have your Guardian Angel by your side to assist you, but if you are in need of greater support you can always invoke Archangel Michael for more protection.

Almighty God, give us Grace that we may cast away the darkness and put upon us the armour of Light.  Amen.