I made a trip to the grocery store today to get the fixings for my contribution for the Thanksgiving feast as well as foodstuffs for a few other "events" in the next week. This weekend has to be one of the busiest for grocery stores, so let's pray for grocers and grocery employees.
I was surprised to learn that St. Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of grocers. St. Michael is referenced in the Old Testament in the book of Daniel as well as in the Epistle of St. Jude and the book of Revelation in the New. The name Michael means "who is likeGod?" (A rhetoricalquestion).
St. Michael has been a part of Christian teaching since the early days of the Church. He is seen as the defender of the Church and the chief opponent of the devil. He is also one of the angels presumed to be present at the hour of death. He is charged with assisting the dying and accompanying them to their particular judgment.
In Catholic tradition, on judgment day, St. Michael weighs souls based on their deeds during their earthly life. He is often portrayed in art with scales. Because of this association, he has become the patron saint of bankers and grocers. Additionally he is the patron of police officers and military personnel. St. Michael is very popular in the Catholic Church with many devotions dedicated to him and churches around the globe named in his honor, including the church where I was baptized and the one (different parish) where I received my first communion and confirmation.
St. Michael's feast day is September 29. St. Michael, pray for us and defend us.
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