This marvelous rocky island off the coast of France is where Saint Michael appeared to Saint Aubert, Bishop of Avranches, in 708. Like no other location, the angelic presence of Saint Michael is keenly felt at Mont Saint Michel.
The medieval abbey-fortress was built to honor Saint Michael. And today, pilgrims still flock to admire the dazzling Catholic monument, which symbolizes the sublime virtues of the warrior-monk.
Its lofty steeple speaks of the monastic life and of sacrality; of something higher, something heavenly. Its beauty transcends stone and mortar and lifts your soul to a higher plain. What is this spirit?
Somehow, the monument gives us a supernatural glimpse of Saint Michael. There is something spiritual, something sublime, that transcends art.
The chapel sets the tone for everything else. What unites the buildings and gives the island unity is the Church steeple. It is like a paperweight resting on other papers and seems to say: “the wind will not blow these buildings away. They will stay right where they are.”
The Church steeple points to Heaven, beckoning the faithful to think about God.
In the Middle Ages, men had a great devotion to Angels, especially the warrior Angels. They understood how the Angels waged the first battle against evil in history. The chief knight was Saint Michael. Therefore, the spirit of the Crusades, the spirit of Chivalry, and the spirit of this mount reflect Saint Michael.
The abbey is a fortress-Church. You can imagine monks chanting the office, and you can also imagine knights in full armor.
If you can, picture magnificent libraries… monks studying; in another hall, artisans write gold-leaf letters on parchment or cut stones to decorate an unfinished pillar. Suddenly, you hear a trumpet blast. At once, the order of Chivalry that resides here responds. Knights rush to the gates, repel the enemy, and defend the monks.
The island is a harmonic synthesis of prayer, study, recollection, art and combat. All of these qualities stem from a rich spiritual life.
Pray the Saint Michael prayer:
Saint 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.
Editor’s note: This commentary is based on a talk given by Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira.
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