On the September 29, the Catholic community across the world, specially many European countries would have celebrated Michelmas or the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael who are considered as Protectors of the Church and Defenders of Evil. The devotion is stated to have commenced in the ancient world, mainly in Europe, around the 5th century AD.
St Michael, being the most revered and prominent, the Feast day is often celebrated as St Michael's Feast. The Archangel is designated as Patron Saint and Guardian of countries like the Vatican City, Rome, Germany, Normandy, France, Kyiv, Ukraine, and others.
Also known as the Patron Saint of bankers, police, first responders, military officers and personnel, paratroopers, grocers and sick people, defender of the faith and soul escort.
Many are the famous shrines across the world built in honour of the Archangel, among them, Mt Gargano and Turin in Italy, Skellig in Ireland, Normandy in France, Ortino in Greece, Cornwall in England and Haifa in Israel. Others well known are at Romania, Phillipines, Mexico, USA, Valencia in Spain, Toronto, Basilica of St Michael the Archangel at Tayabas City in Phillipines, at Venice, St Michael's Jesuit Church in Munich, Cluj- Napoca in Romania, as well as Mumbai, which has the popular St Michael's Church at Mahim. And then, there is Goa.
St Michael is also featured on religious medals, stamps and special covers of many countries like Sri Lanka. India Posts had Special cover in 2016 of St Michaels High School, Patna, and on the occasion of the Consecration of St Michael’s Cathedral in Coimbatore in 2016. The Archangel features on the Coat of Arms of some countries like Kyiv, Croatia, Brussels and also appears in many art works of great painters such as Rapheal, Reubens, Botticini, Andrei Rublev, Bartolome Bermejo, Michelangelo, Guido Reni, Jacob Epstein and others. In Goa we also have Schools dedicated to the Guardian Angel at Sanvordem, and St Michael's at Taleigao and Anjuna.
From the respective Churches in Goa dedicated to St Michael the Archangel, a schedule of the Vespers and feast day services.
Taleigao
Vespers on the October 4 at 6.00 pm
Feast day, October 5, Masses at 6.00 am and 7.15 am in Konkani, 8.30 a.m in English and 10.00 a.m Concelebrated feast Mass in Konkani.
Anjuna
Vespers on October 4 at 5.00 pm
Feast day Masses on October 5 at 6.30 am in Konkani, 8.00 a.m in English and feast High Mass at 9.30 a.m in Konkani.
Orlim
Vespers on October 11, Saturday at 5.15 p.m
Feast celebrated on 12th October, Feast /High Mass at 8.00 a.m. in Konkani. Next Mass at 11.00 a.m in Konkani.
In the village of Assonora, the Feast of the Archangels was celebrated on the September 29, at the Chapel near the Ambeshi Spring hilltop, dedicated to St Michael, whom locals consider to be their village Protector. The recitation of the Rosary was at 4.30 pm followed by the High Mass. Like every year, a complimentary bus service was arranged to take the large number of devotees to the Chapel and back. Rev Pe Americo Orlando Marquis, Parish Priest of the Assonora Church conducted the service.
