In the 8th century, a strange animal spread terror in Ireland. The Bishop ordered a fast of three days and then summoned his people to attack the monster and put it to death. They discovered the beast at the summit of a mountain and decided to shout loudly to excite it. As it remained immobile, they approached it. To their great astonishment, they found that it had been killed!
Near the dragon they found a small shield and a sword. Where did these weapons come from, which seemed rather like children's toys than soldier's weapons? That night, Saint Michael appeared to the Bishop: “I am the Archangel Michael,” he said, “always present before the throne of God where I love to defend and to protect you. It is me who has destroyed this monster that you could not defeat. The arms that you found are mine. I have left them with you in remembrance of what I have done for you. But I wish these weapons to be brought to the Mount dedicated to me beyond the seas.”
Through the centuries, one could see in the treasury of the Abbey of Mount Saint Michael this sword and shield.
Saint Michael -- if we pray to him, he will fight the dragon and prevent it from injuring us.
Prayer :
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our help against the malice and the snares of the devil. God, rebuke him, we humbly pray. And you, Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, by the Divine power with which you are vested, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who wander in the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
