SAINT MICHAEL ARCHANGEL 6 CM ROUND BADGE

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL Saint Michael the Archangel is referred to in the Old Testament and has been part of Christian teachings since the earliest times.[1] Throughout the centuries specific Roman Catholic traditions and views on St. Michael have taken shape, as recently as the 19th and 20th centuries. A specific "Prayer to Saint Michael" was promoted by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 and as recently as 1994 was reinforced by Pope John Paul II who encouraged the Catholic faithful to continue to pray it, saying: "I ask everyone not to forget it and to recite it to obtain help in the battle against forces of darkness."[2][3][4] Saint Michael has specific roles within Roman Catholic teachings that range from acting as the chief opponent of Satan to saving souls at the hour of death. Roman Catholic literature and traditions continue to point to Saint Michael in contexts as varied as the protection of the Catholic Church to the Consecration of Russia by popes Pius XII and John Paul II regarding the messages reported of Our Lady of Fatima. This article reviews these Roman Catholic teachings and traditions.