The Archangel looks upwards towards God His Creator and Lord.
From God he receives instructions that he readily executes.

His right wing, pointing upwards, indicates his power comes from God, who is absolutely Holy: there is none like him, “Who is like God” is the meaning of the name Michael.

His left wing demonstrates that he has been sent to earth for the salvation of Gods children. The edges of the wing are softly touching the globe, which is the sign of the goodness of God reaching the limits of all His creation.

In this left wing you can see the figure of the Mother of God, Queen of the Universe and of The Poor Souls. The blessing, which comes from Jesus and Mary, is emphasized by the gentle position of the archangel’s left hand. We remember now the hand of the Madonna of Heede placed motherly over all Her children on the earth (picture on page 17).

St. Michael lance is thrust into the globe, declaring: “This is a Holy place! All evil spirits must depart. As a servant of Almighty God, I too make room for Him and His Holy plans.” And as Jesus redeemed us through his death and resurrection, the top of the lance of St. Michael also changes from a blade to a cross.

While statues usually depict St. Michael wearing his armour, in Heede we see him wearing a plain gown, similar to one worn during a liturgical ceremony by the priest.

The Archangel is standing on a globe, which seems to be very small in comparison to his powerful figure. This image represents his celestial power on earth as messenger of The Almighty. In the Bible you can find a description of a mighty angel wrapped in a cloud with a rainbow over his head. “He sets his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land” (Revelation 10:1). This is a description of the Archangel Michael.

The serpent is depicted wriggling around the globe demonstrating that Gods faithful children must always fight against evil while on earth. Revelation 12:7–9, the fight between Good and Evil has already begun before the creation of the world.

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and the angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil or Satan, the deceiver of the whole world – he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”

Evil spirits try to pull the children of God into joining with their break from God. God allows these temptations to help us recognise our individual sinful intentions and thoughts. In this way our loving God teaches us through temptations (not to hurt but to help us) to decide for His Holy Will during our lifetime. St. Michael helps in our battle by his humble example of serving God, showing us that his name not only destroys temptation but also sends Satan down to Hell.

Wherever St. Michael appears; the evil spirits are forced to depart in the presence of his powerful humility. Therefore, the snake is depicted turning away from the Archangel and wriggling away from this power.

Praying to St. Michael and becoming his friend is the prayers wisest choice!

Song translated from German

1. Holy God, Lord of all creation.
You assigned particular angels to important missions
for the greater glory and the honour of your kingdom.

2. Angels surround your throne like a crown.
You are their heavenly joy as powerfully they proclaim:
“Who is like God?”

3. Seeing your face at all times oh God,
the angels rejoice in the brilliance of your illumination,
your Holy breath thus envelops them
and from this eternal gaze they are blessed with the strength of pure humility.

We read in the Epistle to the Colossians: “He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col 1:15–17).

The visible things are the world and the people, while the invisible world is the domain of the angels. For St. Paul, the Son of God is the spiritual place where all creation originates and stays in existence, which is the destination where people and angels find their completion. The angels have chosen their degree of perfection, while we are still on our way and need their help. A person who becomes a friend of the angels has an invisible but real companion who presently resides with the Father, who’s Will we seek. He supports our innermost nature, which longs for God. “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in thee” – St. Augustine.

Song translated from German

1. Angels are full of wisdom,
burning with the illumination of humble worship.
As a choir, they are singing and praising:
“Holy, Holy, Holy!”

2. Lord you send your angels as messengers
so that your word is heard throughout the world.
Graced with your humility
they are your arms to perform your wondrous deeds.

3. Angels fight against pride and deception,
humbly helping us when there are no solutions in sight.
They save us when we are weak and defend us in danger.

4. Oh Lord, may there always be angels around us,
to lead us to your light
so that one day we will kneel together
with the angels before your glorious face.

“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:
‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke” (Isaiah 6:1–4).

The angles who live always before the face of God have six wings to maintain their deep humility: neither do they feel worthy to see or be seen by God. Therefore, they hide their faces and their feet with their wings. They are enraptured by the glory of the Lord and worship His holiness day and night. “At the Angels voice the threshold began to shake.” Angels, though greater in might and power, never pronounce judgement upon the children of God.

St. Peter explains that the “angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a reviling judgement upon [the bold and willful] before the Lord” (2 Peter 2:11). This expresses their pure humility, even towards us, who are inferior creatures.

Song translated from German

1. Angel of God my dear guardian,
please do not leave me.
Lead me through the valley of tears
to reside with you heaven.

2. As long as I am living on earth,
let me be worthy of your guidance dear angel
and help me to become ever closer to God
through self-knowledge, humility, and regret of all my sins.

3. Please help me
when I am fighting against temptations
and stand beside me
at the hour of my death.

4. Be my friend and teacher
in this valley of tears dear guardian,
and please be my earthly guide
and eternal companion.

For the people who say to the Lord with all their hearts “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”, these will find solace in Psalm 91.

“No evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot” (Psalm 91:10–13).

The window illuminates how God sends angels for the protection of His children. Angels, superior to children, serve this weakness joyfully through their humility. It is for us to ask and accept their service as a gift from our Heavenly Father. Angels are role models of humility that we must learn to imitate in order to humbly serve each other. If someone thanks you by noting, “You are an angel”, this person is referring to the angelic humility of your actions.

Song translated from German:

1. “Ave Maria, gratia plena.”
This is how the angel Gabriel greeted
the Virgin Mary when he spoke to her.

2. “Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb,
and shalt bare a son; and thou shalt call him Jesus.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High.“

3. Mary pondered these words in Her Heart and said:
“Behold the Handmaid of the Lord;
let it be done unto me according to thy word.”

4. Let us thank and praise our Lord for having redeemed us.

The love and deep respect of the angels for Mary, their Queen, is visibly indicated when the Archangel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus.

“In the 6th month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!’” (Luke 1:26–29).

The Archangel Gabriel appears peacefully to Mary, unlike when he abruptly appeared to Zechariah announcing the birth of John the Baptist. Appearing to Mary, the angel enters through the door, as one always does when meeting a superior. Gabriel greets Mary with the utmost humility: “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” You can hear and almost feel Gabriel’s awe of being before Mary as he venerates God’s perfection.

Archangel Gabriel knows that he will greet his future Queen and is chosen to deliver to Her the most wonderful message that has ever been announced: -the Son of God will become one with us. Together with the angels in heaven we sinners pray to the Holy Virgin: “Hail Mary, full of grace ...”

Song translated from German

John saw two signs appearing in heaven: “And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars” (Revelation 12:1). “And another portent appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with 7 heads and 10 horns, and 7 diadems upon his heads” (Revelation 12:3).

One portent reveals Mary as the Mother and protectress of Gods children, whilst the other depicts the devil persecuting Her children. This clash between them is carried out on earth as a continuation of the fight that once took place in heaven.

“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and satan, the deceiver of the whole world – he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:7–9).

Due to his superior nature, Satan possesses greater intellect and is therefore mightier than human beings. Without heavenly support, we are inferior to Satan, so God sends the Archangel Michael and his angels to help us.

Grete Ganseforth saw the Archangel Michael wearing a stole in this design. He then helped her to memorize the design and she embroidered this stole and gifted it to the parish of Heede. Grete asked the angels to display a cross when appearing to her, in order that she may be able to determine between the appearance of the angels and evil deceptions. The lilies you can see on the stole indicate the purity and the glory of the angels. The “flaming swords” on the stole are also described in Genesis 3:24. Here you can find “flaming swords” mentioned beside the Cherubim who guard the way to the tree of life. On the stole this symbol shows that St. Michael protects everything Holy and that he is more powerful than the devil and his followers.

On a priest’s stole these symbols illustrate that a priest takes part in the mighty blessing Jesus Christ gained for us through His Cross. The priest has power over the demons and takes part in the humility of God’s glory. With the help of these divine gifts, the priest is able to assist receptive people with the mercies of the priesthood.

Song translated from German

1. The Church is entrusted to you, St. Michael! You protect it as its patron.
St. Michael, help us in battle and lead us to victory.

2. St. Michael, protect the Church, the Shepherds and the sheep through your shield and sword.
St. Michael, help us in battle and lead us to victory.

“So when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she could fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to her place where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Then from his mouth the serpent poured water like a river after the woman, to sweep her away with the flood. But the earth came to the help of the woman; it opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her children, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:13–17).

Lucifer, the most splendid of all Gods angels, desired to be greater than God. Through this desire, the fall from grace and creation of sin instantaneously took place. Thus, Lucifer became the devil, Satan, (without light), who loathes Gods perfect creature Mary. From that moment on, by God’s permission, in order to help His children create pure hearts, Satan has been able to tempt and torment the children of God. No Christian can avoid the attacks of Satan without God’s direct intervention. Therefore, St. Paul says: “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

The Lord our God is also Lord over Satan. God protects His people throughout the ages. He gives us “wings” and entrusts us to Mary, the Mother of Christ, for our protection.

Song translated from German

Hymn from German Book of Hours:
Michael, fight for the glory of God, angel of peace,
banish war and disaster.
Protect the Church and the people of God against all evil.

Jesus Christ, delight of all Holy angels,
Saviour of all humble children of God, King of the people of God,
let us sing together with the angels forever:
“All Praise the Blessed Trinity!”

God’s words to his people Israel are the same for us today: “Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Give heed to him and hearken to his voice, do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression; for my name is in him. But if you hearken attentively to his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries” (Ex 23:20–23).

The angel recorded in the Holy Bible leads the Israelites through the desert to the Promised Land. The people did not always listen to the angel and even grumbled against Moses, asking to return to Egypt. Their rebellion was disobedience to God, who punished them and led them back to the true faith. In this way, the Israelites finally reach the Promised Land God had prepared for them.
Our life on earth is our own journey through the desert. The reward God has prepared for us is eternal communion with Him, the Triune God.

St. Michael is the great prince (cf. Dan 10:13). “He has charge of your people” (Dan 12:1). He is their patron.

Holy Archangel Michael!
“Who is like God!” - Your name unequivocally reflects the Holy Incomparable God, as well as the deep reverence that every creature owes to God. You look to The Father in humility and having received a sign from Him, you obey to fulfil His commands. All demons flee from your power when you appear, to make room for God who is pure love, heals our wounds and cures the pure of heart. God sanctifies us through his Holy Spirit and whoever trusts in Him is never afraid. He gives us His Son Jesus, His Mother Mary, and their trusted servant St. Michael to guide and protect us. St. Michael, your wings are extended unto the ends of the earth, as you fight against unbelief, confusion, sloth, and paralyzing fear. You help us to be open to the callings of the Holy Spirit and are the humble patron of the Universal Church, please help us to restore our country to God's holy land and let there be unity regarding faith and love. Lead the souls of the dying to see the merciful God who is praised by the angels and saints forever and ever. Amen.

Or

Holy Archangel Michael, “Who is like unto God,” that is the meaning of your name. Your humility is your power and evil spirits flee whenever you appear. We who are fighting know that we cannot do anything on our own. Please come and help us together with the choirs of angels! Strengthen us who are weak and protect us against all evil deceptions. Grant that God be the first and last for us, just as He is for you dear Archangel Michael. Amen.

Or

“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 other evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen” (Pope Leo XIII).

Let us pray just like Our Lord taught us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven...

Blessing:
By the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Universe and of Pour Souls, may Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer at the end of the novena

Archangel Michael, Great Prince in the Legion of Angels, our merciful God sent you to us, His people, to help us in our needs by your heavenly intersession.

In accordance with the Will of our Lord, I choose you, St. Michael, to be my friend and escort during my pilgrimage on earth. I give myself to you, body and soul, and entrust to you my work, leisure, thoughts and prayers.

Illuminate and guide me dear St. Michael to choose the correct path that God has provided.

Assist me in following God’s mission for my life.

Be my strength in my unsteadiness. Help me to be humble and to recognize the will of God in words that people say to me.

You led the good angels against the angels who revolted pridefully against God. Grant me the grace to identify the devil’s deceit and to run from it.

You, along with all humble angels are servants of Mary, the Mother of our Lord. I beseech you to bring me to an intensive love for Mary and inspire me to always remain faithful to her: Queen of the Universe and of The Poor Souls.

Dear St. Michael, guide me throughout my live on earth and when I leave this world, please take my soul in your hands and accompany me into the presence of Almighty God.

Together with Mary we entrust Germany and all people on earth to you. With all the angels and saints, we kneel before the Trinity in thanksgiving of God’s unfathomable Mercy.

Glory alone to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sancte Raphael cum Tobia,
Sancte Gabriel cum Maria,
Sancte Michael cum coelesti hierarchia,
custodite nos in via.

St. Raphael and Tobias,
St. Gabriel and Mary,
St. Michael with all angels,
protect us forever and ever.

Dear Guardian Angel, you are my truest friend, entrusted to me by our gracious Father in heaven to accompanying me on my way. Messenger of God, who knows me and cares for me: I invite you to be actively present in my life. Open my spirit to Godly thoughts and prepare my heart for eternal Love. Let the breath of the Holy Spirit fill my mind and help me so that every difficult situation in my life unites me ever more fully with our Lord Jesus Christ and His bride, the Holy Church. On the day God calls me to come before him be my companion on the way, together giving praise and thanks to the Trinity along with all the angels and saints, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the place of prayers in Heede

Jesus, our Lord and Saviour!

We give thanks for the place of prayers in Heede, and all graces that come to us through Mary from your providence and mercy.

Mary, you revealed yourself as “Queen of the Universe” and “Queen of The Poor Souls,” to you we entrust Germany and all people on earth. We ask that you place all Gods children under your Mantle, especially during difficulties, and that you continually comfort The Poor Souls in Purgatory.

We rejoice, giving thanks to you Mary our Mother and Queen. Increasingly enlighten us Jesus, to see how praying brings endless joy to our lives. May living the Father’s Will become ever more important to us. Edify those responsible so that everything you establish in Heede finds church approval, so that your plans for salvation in this place will be fulfilled.

All the angels and saints in heaven: for the benefit of the whole world, for the poor souls, and for the greater glory of the triune God we implore you to help us so that our Mother Mary, Queen of the Universe and of The Poor Souls, be loved and honoured for ever and ever. Amen.

Rosary of the Queen of the Universe and of The Poor Souls

Hail Mary, full of grace ... Jesus, who sacrificed Himself for the salvation of the world.
Hail Mary, full of grace ... Jesus, who has mercy on those in most need.
Hail Mary, full of grace ... Jesus, who grants peace and forgiveness to poor souls.
Hail Mary, full of grace ... Jesus, who willed Mary to be Queen of the Universe.
Hail Mary, full of grace ... Jesus, who appointed Mary to be Queen of Poor Souls.

Dearest Mother of God

Our Saviour, your son Jesus wanted you to be our Mother too. We thank Jesus and we thank you Mother for having accepted us as precious gifts from your dear Jesus. He appointed you to be the Queen of the Universe and of The Poor Souls. As a true mother you place your protective hand over the whole world, covering your children on earth and the poor souls with your motherly mantle. In order to fulfil your mission, you call people to trust in you and remain faithful to you. We come to you dear loving Mother and dedicate ourselves to you body and soul, giving you our joys and sorrows. Help us to become servants of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, for the salvation of the world and the greater glory of our Father in heaven. Amen.

St. Michael’s most important sanctum is located on the east coast of Southern Italy at Monte Gargano. Popes, bishops, emperors, and kings came and still come to this holy place together with the faithful. St. Padre Pio, who lived nearby, often visited this cave. St. Francis of Assisi also visited. However, as a penitent he chose not to enter the cave out of deep humility.

St. Michael chose this cave in the following manner:

On May 8th 492 a wealthy man was grazing his cattle on the Gargano Mountain Range. A restless bull wandered from the herd, forcing the owner and his farmhands to search for him. Finally, they found the bull sheltering in a cave. An arrow was shot into the cave to scare the bull to leave his shelter. Miraculously the arrow turned and flew out of the cave, returning to injure the shooter. Shocked at this extraordinary event, the witnesses went to ask the bishop of Siponto (today called Manfredonia) to explain what they had witnessed. The bishop invited the town to pray and fast for three days. At the end of these three days, St. Michael appeared to the bishop and explained to him: “You did well asking God why these things have happened at Monte Gargano. I am the Archangel Michael who is always present before God's throne. God wishes that this place be venerated in honour of the angels. I am the guardian and protector of everything that happens at this place.”

The Holy Archangel appeared a second and third time to the bishop of Siponto. On the 3rd anniversary of the 1st apparition, the people went on pilgrimage to the Holy cave with the bishop. Due to their reverence, they did not dare to enter the cave, sanctuary of St. Michael. According to an 8th century manuscript, everyone prayed in front of the cave.

However, the faithful were not satisfied with this veneration and asked that Holy Mass be celebrated inside the cave. For this to happen the cave would need to be consecrated according to the Tradition of the Church. The Bishop wrote to the pope: “If we are allowed to move forward with this request, the consecration of the cave will take place on 29th September. We await the instructions of your celestial sovereign.”

Again, the townspeople prayed and fasted for three days. At the end of these three days, St. Michael appeared to the bishop once again and explained: “I have chosen this place and I have consecrated it already.” The bishop informed the people about this answer. Barefoot, the Bishop of Siponto, some further Bishops and the faithful made a procession and pilgrimage to the consecrated cave. According to historical sources, the bishop then celebrated the first Holy Mass in the cave.

Henry II. the first German emperor to be venerated as a saint, visited the sanctum of St. Michael at Monte S. Angelo on the east coast of Italy during his reign from 1002 to 1024; the emperor spent a night in the cave. Historical sources report that St. Michael appeared to the emperor, who asked the archangel to protect Germany in a special way. St. Michael smiled at the emperor and replied: “I will certainly do this, provided Germany is worthy of it.” Before the angels can operate on earth as defined by God, they need people who are open to living according to Gods Will. Pride and unbelief lead to the inability to receive the mercy and graces that God wants to give to the people through the angels. It is worth noting that the surrender of Germany at the end of the World War II took place on May 8th 1945, the anniversary of St. Michael’s apparition to Henry II. Had Germany’s 1939 government been “worthy” of St. Michael’s protection, the catastrophic years for the world may not have taken place.

It is a gift of Mercy to have a patron as powerful as St. Michael. Every generation that accepts this gift humbly and prays to him with great trust will be worthy of his continued protection.

On the feast of St. Michael (29th September) 2008, the statue of St. Michael’s behind St. Mary’s Church in Heede was consecrated. This statue depicts the archangel thrusting his lance at the globe, landing at Heede in Germany. As the Queen of the Universe, Mary is also the Queen of the Angels, so we pray to “Mary, to lead us in unity with the holy angels of God.” This unity corresponds to the plan of our heavenly Father, who created His children and His angels to be with each other.

In the year 590 when Gregory the Great is Pope, the population of Rome was beset by the plague. Each day hundreds of inhabitants died. The Holy Father invited the people of Rome to join in public prayers and processions. During one of the processions, a picture of the Mother of God was carried venerably from the basilica of St. Maria Maggiore to St. Peter's Basilica. St. Michael appeared at a merlon of the mausoleum of emperor Hadrian, near St. Peter's Basilica. In his hand he had a big sword covered with blood. Those present saw St. Michael put the sword back into its scabbard. For the pope and for the inhabitants of Rome, it was a sign that the plague would end soon. The pope, carrying the picture of the Mother of God, began to sing “Regina Coeli.” “Rejoice, Queen of Heaven, hallelujah!”, a song that honours Mary, expressing the joy that Jesus, her son, rose from the grave. According to historical sources, angels joined in the singing and the inhabitants confirmed that their liberation from the plague was due to the intervention of the Mother of God and the Archangel Michael.

As a remembrance of this event, the Church “Regina Coeli” was built on this site. The mausoleum in Rome where St. Michael appeared is called “Castel Sant Angelo” – “angel's castle.”