Recently I had the joy of being an active pilgrim in an interesting pilgrimage which took us to Rome, Assisi, San Giovanni, Rotondo, Cascia, Lanciano and Monte Gargano. The latter holy site has left such a lasting impression on me that I decided to put pen to paper and share with readers some intriguing reflections the Lord gave me there.

On Monte Gargano resides the most famous shrine of the Christian Latin West dedicated to St Michael the Archangel. The genesis of the shrine can be retraced back to the fifth and the beginning of the sixth century. Old documents provide ample evidence to this. For instance, a letter sent by Pope Gelasio I in 493- 494 to Giusto, the Bishop of Piacenza, another letter by the same Holy Father together with a note which bears the date of September 29 as recorded by the martyrologer Geronimiano, all three documents mention the shrine. Most of all, the eighth century work, Liber de apparitione sancti Michaelis in Monte Gargano, specifically recounts the miraculous events which initiated the cult of the Archangel Michael on the Gargano.

The well-known episodes of the bull and the dedication highlight the undoubted fact that the sacred grotto is a celestial basilica. This is so since it was not consecrated by human hand but by the Archangel himself. One day a rich lord of Siponto, Elvio Emanuele was pasturing his herd when his most beautiful bull vanished. After much search it was found on the mountain top kneeling down at the cave’s entrance.

Elvio was so infuriated at this event that he shot an arrow at the incorrigible bull. Strangely enough instead of hitting his intended target he wounded his own foot. Shocked by what had happened to him Elvio reported the event to the bishop who ordered three days of prayer and penance. At the termination of the third day, Michael the Archangel appeared to him and told him: “I am the Archangel Michael, and am always in the presence of God. The cave is sacred for me, I have chosen it; I myself am its watchful custodian … There where the rock opens wide the sins of men can be forgiven … What is asked for here will be granted. Therefore, go to the mountain and dedicate the grotto to the Christian religion”. The story concludes that the bishop was reluctant to carry out the Archangel’s wish since the mountain was too high to reach and also that in the past it had been a place of pagan cults.

When the people of Siponto defeated their enemies who besieged their town for three days, thanks to the help of the Archangel, the bishop wanted to obey the Celestial Protector’s words by consecrating the grotto to him as a sign of gratitude. But St Michael appeared to him and told him that he himself had already consecrated the grotto.

Consequently, the grotto itself is the only worship place which is not consecrated by men but by a direct divine intervention.

Among the illustrious pilgrims which visited this celestial basilica of St Michael one finds Popes like Gelasio I, St Celestino V, Cardinal Angelo Roncalli and John Paul II; sovereigns such as Ludovico II, Ottone III, Alfonso of Aragona, Vittorio Emanuele III and Umerto of Savoia; as well as saints like Francis of Assisi, Brigid of Sweden, Alfonso de Liguori and Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.

Today’s world desperately needs the protection of the Archangel Michael against the attacks of the Evil One. In order that we might obtain the necessary help against the forces of darkness and the spirit of this world, weakened as it is by the plague of sin and death, I greatly encourage everyone to recite this powerful prayer to St Michael the Archangel daily:

St Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

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