Michaelmas, the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, is observed this Sunday, September 29 and is a significant feast in the Anglican calendar. It is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church as the Dedication of St Michael the Archangel. It offers us a unique opportunity to reflect on the often-overlooked role of angels in our faith, making us think of the spiritual reality that surrounds us, and the ongoing battle between good and evil.

St. Michael is the mighty warrior of God, the one who cast Lucifer and his fallen angels out of heaven. In the book of Revelation, St. Michael leads the heavenly hosts against the forces of darkness, standing as a symbol of God’s ultimate victory over evil. When we contemplate Michaelmas, we are invited to consider not only the celestial beings who do God’s will but also the spiritual warfare that takes place beyond our physical senses.

Michaelmas also brings to mind the comforting presence of angels as God’s messengers. Throughout the Bible, angels appear at key moments—guiding, protecting, and delivering God’s messages to His people. From the angel Gabriel announcing the birth of Christ to Mary, to the angels ministering to Jesus after His temptation in the wilderness, their presence is both powerful and reassuring. Angels remind us that God is intimately involved in the details of our lives, even when we cannot see His hand at work.

Michaelmas is not only about angels, though—they point us to a deeper awareness of God’s providence and care. St. Michael’s triumph over the evil one is a reminder of Christ’s victory on the Cross, a victory that we as believers are called to participate in. This feast calls us to recognize the spiritual battle in our own lives, the struggle against sin, temptation, and the forces that seek to pull us away from God.

The liturgy for Michaelmas reflects this spiritual reality. Speaking from an Anglo-Catholic point of view, the prayers and readings for the feast focus on the angelic hosts praising God in heaven, but they also turn our attention to the need for God’s protection and strength as we steer our soul through life’s trials. We too are part of this spiritual struggle, but we don’t face it alone. As Psalm 91 assures us, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” This promise provides deep comfort as we acknowledge both the trials of this world and the unseen support we receive from the heavenly realm.

Michaelmas also marks the turning of the seasons. In many places, this feast signals the arrival of autumn, a time of harvest and reflection. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for the fruits of the earth, but it also serves as a moment to reflect on the harvest of our souls. As the days grow shorter and the year winds down, I use this time to examine my life, asking how I have lived out my faith and how I have responded to the call of Christ in the daily battles against sin. In this season of reflection, Michaelmas is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to follow Christ, to trust in His victory, and to call upon the angels and saints for guidance and protection. We are not alone in our journey. The angels are with us, unseen but ever-present, pointing us toward the glory of God and the hope of eternal life with Him.

As we celebrate Michaelmas this year, may we take comfort in the knowledge that the angels continue to do God’s will, protecting His people, and fighting the battles we cannot see. And may we, like St. Michael, stand firm in our faith, trusting that God is always with us, guiding us, and ultimately leading us to victory.