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Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 139

CHAPTER 24 THE PATRONS OF THE LEGION 139
and silence of a coffer, that it might not appear. They will even attack
and persecute those who read it and put it into practice. But what
matter? So much the better! This vision encourages me and makes me
hope for great success, that is to say, for a mighty legion of brave and
valiant soldiers of Jesus and Mary, of both sexes, to fight the devil, the
world, and corrupt nature in those more than ever perilous times that
are to come!” (St. Louis-Marie de Montfort (died 1716): True Devotion
to the Blessed Virgin Mary)

4. ST. MICHAEL ARCHANGEL
“Although the prince of all the heavenly court, St. Michael
is the most zealous in honouring Mary and causing her to be
honoured, while he waits always in expectation that he may
have the honour to go at her bidding to render service to
some one of her servants.” (St. Augustine)
St. Michael has always been the patron of the chosen
people, first of the Old Law and then of the New. He remains
the loyal defender of the Church, but his guardianship of the
Jews did not lapse because they turned away. Rather it was
intensified because of their need and because they are the
blood-kindred of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The Legion serves
under St. Michael. Under his inspiration it must strive
lovingly towards the restoration of that people with whom
the Lord made an everlasting covenant of love.
The feast of the “commander of the army of the Lord” (Josh
5:14) occurs on 29 September.

“According to Revelation, the angels who participate in the life of
the Trinity in the light of glory, are called to play their part in the
history of the salvation of man, in the moments established by
Divine Providence.
‘Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake
of those who possess salvation?’ asks the author of the Letter to the
Hebrews. (1:14) This is believed and taught by the Church, on the
basis of Sacred Scripture, from which we learn that the task of the
good angels is the protection of people and solicitude for their
salvation.” (Bl. John Paul II, General Audience, 6 August 1986)

5. ST. GABRIEL ARCHANGEL
In some of the liturgies St. Gabriel and St. Michael are
jointly hailed as: champions and princes, leaders of the
heavenly army; captains of the angels; servants of the divine
glory; guardians and guides of human creatures.