Sequence of Adam of St. Victor For Michaelmas (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)

Dignare Me Laudare Te Virgo Sacrata ^ | n/a | various

[Pyro7480]

(The following is excerpted from Dom Prosper Guéranger's entry in The Liturgical Year for 29 September, in Volume XIV of the 1983 Marian House edition of the English translation by the Benedictines of Stanbrook.)

The icon of St. Michael, the Archangel, in Sts. Cyril and Methodius and their Disciples Church in Sofia, Bulgaria

"The glorious Archangel appears today at the head of the heavenly army: 'There was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels' {Apoc. 12: 7). In the sixth century, the dedication of the churches of St. Michael on Monte Gargano [Italy] and in the Roman Circus increased the celebrity of this day, which had however been long before consecrated by Rome to the memory of all the heavenly Virtues."

"...Adam of St. Victor thus sings the fullness of today's mystery. (For the Latin text of the sequence below, go to the following link: S. Michael et Omnes Angeli.)

Sequence

"Let love break forth into praise; let our choir sing in the presence of the heavenly citizens: our praise will be pleasing and beautiful, if the purity of our hearts be in accord therewith."

"Let all praise Michael; let none deprive himself of this day's joy. O happy day! whereon the solemn victory of the holy angels is recorded. "

"The old dragon is cast out, and all his hostile legions put to flight: the disturber is himself disturbed, the accuser is hurled down from the height of heaven."

"Under Michael's protection there is peace on earth, peace in heaven, praise and exultation; for he, mighty and valorous, stands for the safety of all and triumphs in the battle."

"Banished form heaven, the originator of sin wanders through the air: he watches to lay his snares, and insinuates his poison; but the guardian band of angels reduces his power to nought."

"The three distinct hierarchies are ever occupied in contemplation and unending song; nor does their contemplation nor the ceaseless harmony interrupt their continual ministry."

"Oh! in the heavenly city how wondrous is the charity of the three tripled choirs; they love us and defend us, and hope to see their ranks filled up by us."

"As among men there are divers[e] graces upon earth, so in the heavenly reward the just will receive divers[e] degrees of glory; other is the excellence of the sun, other that of the moon, and various the brightness of stars; so shall be the resurrection."

"Let the old man be brought into conformity with the new, the earthly to the purity of the heavenly citizens; he is one day to be equal to them, and though not yet wholly pure, let him in hope look forward to the prize."

"That we may be assisted by these blessed spirits, let us devoutly venerate them and be untiring in our homage; sincere devotion reconciles to God and unites us with the angels."

"Meanwhile let us be silent as to the secrets of heaven, and lift up pure minds and spotless hands on high:"

"Thus may the most high senate recognize us as coheirs; as may the divine grace be praised alike by angels and men."

"To our divine Head be glory and among [H]is members union. Amen.

[Pyro7480]

Sante Michael Archangele, defende nos in praelio!

[Pyro7480]

Catholic ping!

[Kolokotronis]

P, the painting you posted is not an icon...even in Bulgaria! Here are a couple of +Michael the Archangel. The first is 16th century from the Monastery of +Katherine at Sinai, the second is 15th northern Russian and is called +Michael the Archangel killing the Snake at Collossae:

[Pyro7480]

Fair enough. I will change it to say “image” on the blog. ;-)

[Kolokotronis]

“Fair enough. I will change it to say “image” on the blog. ;-)”

Well, I am glad to be of some service...wouldn’t want you falling into error, P! :)

[Tax-chick]

The archangel looks like a girl in all three of those. Maybe the artists were influenced by pictures of St. Joan of Arc.