The President of the United States sent greetings to Christians in the country and around the world on the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel. The statement noted Saint Michael as a figure of protection and moral strength, according to the White House.
The White House released a statement recognizing Saint Michael as a figure who combats evil and represents good. "For 2,000 years, Christians have looked to Saint Michael the Archangel for protection, strength, and courage in times of conflict, distress, and doubt," the statement said.
In 1886, Pope Leo XIII composed the Prayer to Saint Michael, asking the archangel for protection against evil. The prayer—"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil,"—is still recited in churches and homes across the United States. Presidential messages noting this observance recognize the country’s religious diversity and freedom, and the prayer continues to be part of religious practice and tradition, as reported by the White House.
