#sainst day

[edwardian-girl-next-door]

Feast Day: Michaelmas, or St. Michael and All the Angels

"The Three Archangels and Tobias" by Francesco Botticini (1470). Michael is on the far left, wearing some snazzy armour (via wikimedia commons)

Happy Michaelmas!

Michaelmas celebrates the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael; and in Anglican and Episcopalian tradition includes two other angels from apocryphal (not in Biblical canon) texts named Uriel and Jerahmeel. However, as the name suggests, most of the day is about Michael. Regarded as the warrior who drove Satan out of heaven, Michael is associated strongly with protection and military might. He is the patron saint of police officers, warriors, the sick, mariners, against lightning and windstorms, and of many places including France, Germany, Vatican City, and Ukraine and its capital Kyiv.

Michaelmas was one of the major observed saint's days in mediaeval and early modern England, Scotland, and Ireland. Keep reading to find learn about how the Devil was yeeted from heaven, if you're going to get married soon, and why you shouldn't eat blackberries after October 10th.

History

As an angel, Michael doesn't have a 'life', per se, but he is well-known and venerated in a variety of Abrahamic religions. The earliest recorded mention of his is from the Book of Enoch, a Hebrew apocalyptic text from the 3rd century BCE. The Book of Enoch contains other bits of juicy information on the origin of demons, moral justification for the great flood in Genesis, why some angels fell from heaven, and a prophecy for the thousand-year reign of the Messiah. Though it is not accepted as canon in Christian and Jewish traditions, it provides extra scholarship on canon occurrences and apocryphal traditions. Michael is not given an introduction by the Book of Enoch, implying that readers would already be familiar with him, and his legend may date back much farther. He is mentioned in the Book of Daniel, which is included in the Christian Old Testament and is one of the Jewish Talmudic writings. The Quran and Hadīth also acknowledge Michael as an archangel (often spelled Mika'il).

In the Christian Bible, Michael is explicitly mentioned in Jude 9, Daniel 7, and Revelation 12:7-12. This last passage is the most famous, and depicts Michael doing battle with the Devil and driving him out of heaven. As a result, he has very militaristic associations, often portrayed as the leader of the armies of God in the warfare between Heaven and Hell, good and evil. In the mediaeval and early modern world, people lived with these images and concepts in their everyday lives. Vivid depictions of the Last Judgement, or the end of the world, adorned church walls -- they make up a whole genre, called "doom paintings", and were often on the west wall of the church, which was most visible to the congregation. They sent powerful, unmistakable messages to those who could not read or understand the Latin service. In addition, many people lived with firsthand experiences with brutal, real world conflict; and the power of the church in law and society created overwhelming preoccupation with the afterlife. We have only to look to paintings like Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights of Hans Memling's The Last Judgement to see what nightmare fuel people truly believed in and feared. Michael was therefore an important protector figure in a serious battle against the forces of evil -- the OG Satanic Panic, 24/7.

"The Last Judgement" by Hans Memling (c.1466-1473). The right panel depicts heaven, the left panel depicts hell, and the middle panel depicts the judgement process, with Michael weighing souls in the foreground while Jesus looks on. (via wikimedia commons)

Doom painting in Salisbury's Church of St. Thomas a Beckett. Again, Heaven is depicted on the right, and hell is swallowing people on the left. I don't know about you, but seeing this every Sunday as a kid would have given me religious trauma they haven't even discovered yet. (via seeingthepast.com)

A little bit about the other angels commemorated: Gabriel is responsible for announcing God's will to humanity, and communicates the birth of Jesus to Mary and of John the Baptist to her sister Elizabeth, respectively. Raphael is not mentioned in the Bible, but tradition identifies him as a healing angel who stirred the waters at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:2-4). Uriel is also not mentioned in the Bible, but is in texts recognised as apocryphal by the Roman Catholic Church, and is also a figure in folk Catholicism. He is usually depicted as a cherub, representing repentance and holding the keys to Hell. Jerahmeel is mentioned in texts recognised as apocryphal by the Anglican Communion, and serves as a gatekeeper to Heaven with St. Peter and guides souls on their journey to the afterlife. All around pretty metal stuff.

Michaelmas and its Traditions

As Michael served as a benevolent force against darkness and evil, his commemoration asked for protection in the cold, long winter nights, where Satan's powers were supposedly more powerful.

Harvest activities, from the glorious Luttrell Psalter (c.1320-1340) (via johnclare.net)

In mediaeval England, Michaelmas marked the start of a new agricultural year, when the harvest ended and people could start preparing for the coming winter. In England, Ireland, and Wales, it was one of the quarter days, or four days during which major legal business was settled. Contracts for would begin or expire, rents and taxes were collected, school terms would start, &c. Hiring fairs were held around Michaelmas for labourers and servants looking for work. On manors, a "reeve" or estate manager would be chosen from among the peasants. Following this custom, the Lord Mayor of London is still elected on Michaelmas; and some British and Irish law courts and universities use a "Michaelmas term" to denote an autumn session or semester.

Michaelmas earned the name "Goose Day" from the tradition of eating a roast goose on this holiday. The end of September and beginning of October are naturally when geese were ready for eating, and they were also common fare for celebrations in general. Geese prepared for this time of year were referred to as a stubble-goose or an embling or rucklety goose. Goose fairs proliferated up and down the country, selling geese and other food, as well as providing entertainment. (The Nottingham Goose Fair continues in this tradition, happening around October 3rd every year.) A likely apocryphal legend provides a fun reason behind this tradition: Queen Elizabeth I was eating a goose when she heard of the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, and vowed to eat it for Michaelmas. Others followed suit, and thus goose-eating helped ensure financial security for the year to come. Geese were also a great way to bribe your landlord, as including one with your rent might gain you a little more favour. Another fun goose tidbit: if the breast bones of the goose are brown after roasting, the winter will be mild, but if they were white or of a slightly blue hue, the winter will be harsh.

Gathering blackberries after Michaelmas (old style October 10th) was deemed unlucky. Supposedly, when Michael cast Satan out of heaven, Satan landed in a blackberry bush and got tangled in its brambles. Cursing the bush, Satan either spit, stamped, scorched, or peed on it, or a combination of all of those things, making the fruit unfit to eat after that date. Blackberry pies, called Michaelmas pies, were often made to use up the last of the blackberry harvest. In Ireland, bad blackberries are also attributed to púca, a shape-shifting spirit that can bring both good and evil.

Michaelmas bannock with blackberries (via allthehousehold.com)

Scotland and Ireland also have unique celebrations from those in England and Wales. In parts of Scotland, particularly the Hebrides, the eldest daughter of the family baked Sruthan Mhìcheil, or St. Michael's bannock, on the eve of Michaelmas. Sruthan Mhìcheil is a scone-like bread or cake, consisting of equal parts barley, rye, and oats, and without using any metal implements. Some recipes are cooked in lamb skin. As the person making the Sruthan turns it on the fire, they utter a variant of this blessing over it: "Progeny and prosperity of family, Mystery of An Dagda, protection of Bride". There is also a Hebridean blessing which runs: "Là Fhéill Mìcheil nì sinn struthan, Gabhaidh sinn dheth gu cridheil cairdeil, Mar bu choir a bhith" or, in English, "On St Michael’s Day we will make a cake, we will partake of it in a joyful friendly manner, as is proper". Special Sruthans, made in memory of absent loved ones or those who have died, are blessed at Michaelmas mass and given to the poor.

Another Scottish tradition involves carrots, the last of which are supposed to be pulled up on Michaelmas day. Finding a two-pronged carrot is considered extra lucky! There's a Gaelic rhyme for this task, too, which accompanies the carrot pulling: "Torcan torrach, torrach, torrach, Sonas curran còrr orm, Michael mil a bhi dha m’chonuil, Bride gheal dha m’chonradh" or in English, "Cleft fruitful, fruitful, fruitful, Joy of carrots surpassing upon me, Michael the brave endowing me, Bride the fair be aiding me."

I found a good deal of Irish traditions relating to Michaelmas, varying region by region. One legend tells of a king who choked to death on a goose bone and was brought back to life by St. Patrick. In honour of the saint, he ordered goose to be eaten on Michaelmas. In parts of Ireland, geese were given to the poor, and in some regions slaughtered sheep were also thrown in with the donation. Many people took pilgrimages to holy wells associated with Michael to take a drink from the blessed waters. A ring would sometimes me placed in a Michaelmas pie, and the person to find it would be married soon.

Towns often implemented winter curfew on Michaelmas. The church bell would ring at 9pm, once for every day of the month that had passed, to remind everyone to get inside. Curfews usually lasted from Michaelmas (September 29th) to Shrove Tuesday or Lady Day (March 25th), another quarter day. Chertsey in Runnymeade, Surrey, still rings a curfew bell between these dates; their oldest church bell dates from 1380.

Michaelmas dasies (via butterfly-conservation.org)

Michaelmas daisies, or asters, bloom around this time of year, one of the last flowers to bloom before the onset of winter. Some say they represent a final, hearty burst of light before the darkness and barrenness of winter, just like the celebration of Michaelmas. A rhyme says: "The Michaelmas Daisies, among dede weeds, / Bloom for St Michael’s valorous deeds. / And seems the last of flowers that stood, / Till the feast of St. Simon and St. Jude." (Sts. Simon and Jude is October 28th).

And of course, no feast day would be complete without a plethora of weather wisdom! Here are a few:

"If Michaelmas bring many acorns, Christmas will cover the fields with snow."

"If the ice is strong enough to bear a man before Michaelmas, it will not bear a goose afterwards." (see Martinmas, November 11th)

"So many days old the moon is on Michaelmas Day, so many floods after."

"If St. Michael bring thunder, rough weather will follow."

Thomas Tusser also advises to pick fruit after Michaelmas if you want it to last the winter.

If You're Still Interested...

Here is a Michaelmas bannock recipe, from the picture above!

Sources

Wikipedia (Michaelmas)

Wikipedia [Michael (archangel)]

agecrofthall.org

projectbritain.com

historic-uk.com

britannica.com

nts.org

A Countryman's Daybook, ed. C. N. French

[hoonvrs]

SAINST THEYD KISSEDBFFMNKDJFKDJF

THEFY KDISS PEOPLE DIEEDSDDDDDKFJFKDJ

stop it hoon is so cute and tiny and squishy and shy and and-

HE WSAS CRYINGKFJFLDKFK HES SDODOO

the way noona hugged him and reassured him everything was fine and he did his best i dIED, they are so wholesome, they are my comfort couple I swear ynhoon make me so happy

AND NOONA REARRANGING EVERYTHING TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A PARK AND AND HOON COMPLIMENTING HER I JUST- 💔💔💔💔

saint, babe, you did one of the best and cutest smau in enhatumblr srsly, I love everything you do

another day another slay for saint👨🏻‍💼

HOON IS JUST TOO CUTE MAN i honestly was going to originally make it a really cute picnic date and he kisses her at her front door blah blah blah but thennn i rmb he’s a cry baby and i JUST HAD to make him cry😭

yn is just as in love as hoon is she’s just not as shameless as him💀 but they’re my fave💔 idk how i’m gonna move on from them

LIA BABEJ KSJSIS thank youu ily🫂

[minglana]

Bd4# :)

bizantine icons my beloveeeddsss 😩😩😩

[monggay]

4 31 post bc i missed it 20 mins ago why am i still awake anyway i keep seeing halloween posts on my dash n its so weird bc october hasnt sunk in yet for me i still thpight it was sept 30 earlier i dont undrstand the hype of halloween i guess i was just never raisedd on it?? ive never like put on a costume or trick or treated much bc my parents r p religious n says that we shouldnt be dressing up as like devils or witches or monsters or w e and had us participate instead in all souls day in the church and dressed us up as angels n sainsts instead and its so idk not rly uncomfortable but yea i mean i was a kid n i had to walk like in a parade and my costume was at least a few years old and all the other ppl there are either little kids or idk actually religious teenagers willing to put in the effort but it was nice i guess i like undas its absolutely terrible bc there always used to be so many ppl and it was always rly boring but i guess it wasnnice going around cemeteries n visiting graves of ppl i barely even knew and probly died b4 i was born i like seeingbwhere theyre buried bc i dont know much abt the layout of the cemetery n i like exploring it beyond my granpas grave which is our most frequented bc its literally like at the front of the cemerery like u dont have to go far at all its just there lemme tell u abt thebgraves ibe seen there was this one i think he was my uh grandmas aunts husband or smth n also maybe their parents so like thats on a diffedent cemetery thats more lile regulated i guess bc its all the same above ground graves over n over again but its kinda memorable bcntheres this one tree right next to it n their family was p lucky to already have a nice shade there when they visited over for undas bc in undas usually families like stay over n watch the graves for the whole day like light candles put flowers n make sure that they dont get stolen ornsmth which was rly bad for that cemetery bc there was absplutely no shade whatsoever at all aside fromt he one teee unless u had loke the whole mausolem or smrh thing built n it was nice bc i get to see family i guess or smth liek that idk i havent done it in like 2 yers bc of covid but eh how did i gdt here

[humanoid-lovers]

"People behaving badly who went on to become saints" The title is a bit deceptive. This is actually a book about people who behaved badly and then went on to achieve sainthood, normally after a significant conversion experience. As an example, it gives a nice brief biography/hagiography of St. Augustine of Hippo, who before converting to his mother's Christianity (and going on to write not just his Confessions but also the Church-changing "The City of God"), led a remarkably loose life before settling down with just a single unmarried lover. The stories are enjoyably written, and give hope to some of us that just maybe we can become better people too. [I admit I'm running out of time...] Go to Amazon

The saint is not the one that never fell,but rather the one that kept getting up I was hoping to have this book as bedside reading for awhile. However Craughwell's writing style is so engaging that I kept finding excuses to keep reading, and I finished the book over the course of just a few days. The saints featured in this book range from those that are well known such as St. Matthew and St. Francis, to those that are somewhat more obscure such as St. Genesius and St. Fabiola. The profiles are arranged chronologically. The stories vary widely, sometimes the saint's life was indeed very sinful and colorful, other times it was more a matter of small but persistent flaws which needed to be overcome. In many cases, Craughwell couched placed the saint in his or her historical context, and this really helps the reader to gain a fuller picture of the situation. Craughwell really makes these men and women come alive, and he makes them easy to relate to. Oftentimes people think that saints are rareified individuals which are scarcely human, and that sanctity is something only a select few can aspire to. This book shows just how human the saints are and gives us hope that we can all aspire to follow in their footsteps towards the life of grace. Go to Amazon

A great read Thomas Craughwell is simply one of the best authors in the U.S. Anything he writes reads so well that you can hardly put it down. He is also extremely accurate and knows his historical facts better than most historians. This book is simply fascinating. It is great to give to anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic, as it basically defines what a saint is: not someone perfect throughout their life, but one who eventually attains it with the help of God's grace and perseverance. Go to Amazon

A hoot! This book was a real hoot for me to read. I'm not Catholic, but I am Christian and enjoy learning about the Church in all ages. This book is full of stories of people who started out VERY BADLY in life and managed to end up being venerated by the Catholic church as saints. Of course, as I ponder life, I realize we all behave badly at times. That's why I'm a Christian -- I, too, need forgiveness. Go to Amazon

Saints are real people, too. So many people think of saints as people who somehow lived spiritual lives that we could never attain. This book demonstrates that many of the greatest saints were those individuals that struggled with the same problems and challenges as we do. It inspires the reader to not only examine these particular saints, but to reflect on how they overcame their challenges to be true witnesses to Christ. The chapters are concise and I found myself reading one of the narratives everytime I had a short break in my day. Go to Amazon

Sainst as Real People Thomas J. Craughwell must have enjoyed doing the research for this book, because he made the people that he told about just like you and me. He in a timely manner began to tell of those saints who in the earlier part of their lives were notorious for wrong doing such as St. Moses the Egyptian who was a Gang Leader and a Cutthroat until was befriended by monkls and began a new life. The anti-pope St. Hippolytus was unique in that he would not give up his claim to the Holy See until he was sent to hard labor in Sardinia. St. Thonmas a'Becket was shown in his original life before his troubles with Henry II as a somewhat wicked and selfish man. Saints go from the early history of the Church until the l920's with the life of the Venerable Matt Talbot who was for many years was an alcoholic. Go to Amazon

Wonderful and inspiring Educational and well written book regarding the lives of God's Saints. I've grown to appreciate and regard the Saints in this book as the honest warriors and Holy people they truly became and are still today. Wonderful and inspiring, sad this book came to an end. Great reminder of spiritual warfare and the powerful intercession of God's saints and their protection for the human race. Go to Amazon

Nice little book It is a nice little book, I had some good laughs, it shows the human side of the alleged Saints. Go to Amazon

The dividing line between saint and sinner is far fuzzier than anyone realizes! Five Stars whom he loved, because she was of a lower class and ... I actually know nothing about it because I bought it for a gift. good Five Stars Five Stars One Star Fantastic! A great way to read of the Saints ... This book makes you think and laugh at the same ...

[humanoid-lovers]

"People behaving badly who went on to become saints" The title is a bit deceptive. This is actually a book about people who behaved badly and then went on to achieve sainthood, normally after a significant conversion experience. As an example, it gives a nice brief biography/hagiography of St. Augustine of Hippo, who before converting to his mother's Christianity (and going on to write not just his Confessions but also the Church-changing "The City of God"), led a remarkably loose life before settling down with just a single unmarried lover. The stories are enjoyably written, and give hope to some of us that just maybe we can become better people too. [I admit I'm running out of time...] Go to Amazon

The saint is not the one that never fell,but rather the one that kept getting up I was hoping to have this book as bedside reading for awhile. However Craughwell's writing style is so engaging that I kept finding excuses to keep reading, and I finished the book over the course of just a few days. The saints featured in this book range from those that are well known such as St. Matthew and St. Francis, to those that are somewhat more obscure such as St. Genesius and St. Fabiola. The profiles are arranged chronologically. The stories vary widely, sometimes the saint's life was indeed very sinful and colorful, other times it was more a matter of small but persistent flaws which needed to be overcome. In many cases, Craughwell couched placed the saint in his or her historical context, and this really helps the reader to gain a fuller picture of the situation. Craughwell really makes these men and women come alive, and he makes them easy to relate to. Oftentimes people think that saints are rareified individuals which are scarcely human, and that sanctity is something only a select few can aspire to. This book shows just how human the saints are and gives us hope that we can all aspire to follow in their footsteps towards the life of grace. Go to Amazon

A hoot! This book was a real hoot for me to read. I'm not Catholic, but I am Christian and enjoy learning about the Church in all ages. This book is full of stories of people who started out VERY BADLY in life and managed to end up being venerated by the Catholic church as saints. Of course, as I ponder life, I realize we all behave badly at times. That's why I'm a Christian -- I, too, need forgiveness. Go to Amazon

Wonderful and inspiring Educational and well written book regarding the lives of God's Saints. I've grown to appreciate and regard the Saints in this book as the honest warriors and Holy people they truly became and are still today. Wonderful and inspiring, sad this book came to an end. Great reminder of spiritual warfare and the powerful intercession of God's saints and their protection for the human race. Go to Amazon

Saints are real people, too. So many people think of saints as people who somehow lived spiritual lives that we could never attain. This book demonstrates that many of the greatest saints were those individuals that struggled with the same problems and challenges as we do. It inspires the reader to not only examine these particular saints, but to reflect on how they overcame their challenges to be true witnesses to Christ. The chapters are concise and I found myself reading one of the narratives everytime I had a short break in my day. Go to Amazon

A great read Thomas Craughwell is simply one of the best authors in the U.S. Anything he writes reads so well that you can hardly put it down. He is also extremely accurate and knows his historical facts better than most historians. This book is simply fascinating. It is great to give to anyone, Catholic or non-Catholic, as it basically defines what a saint is: not someone perfect throughout their life, but one who eventually attains it with the help of God's grace and perseverance. Go to Amazon

Sainst as Real People Thomas J. Craughwell must have enjoyed doing the research for this book, because he made the people that he told about just like you and me. He in a timely manner began to tell of those saints who in the earlier part of their lives were notorious for wrong doing such as St. Moses the Egyptian who was a Gang Leader and a Cutthroat until was befriended by monkls and began a new life. The anti-pope St. Hippolytus was unique in that he would not give up his claim to the Holy See until he was sent to hard labor in Sardinia. St. Thonmas a'Becket was shown in his original life before his troubles with Henry II as a somewhat wicked and selfish man. Saints go from the early history of the Church until the l920's with the life of the Venerable Matt Talbot who was for many years was an alcoholic. Go to Amazon

Not too bad It was an interesting read if you like history or have an interest in early Catholicism. I'm not much into religion, but do enjoy most facets of history so did find this book interesting. Just a collection of brief biographies and well documented at the end. The world is made up of some interesting characters as is obvious here. Go to Amazon

The dividing line between saint and sinner is far fuzzier than anyone realizes! Five Stars whom he loved, because she was of a lower class and ... I actually know nothing about it because I bought it for a gift. good Five Stars Five Stars One Star Nice little book Fantastic! A great way to read of the Saints ...