The Order of Saint Michael is an ecumenical Christian community oriented toward self-knowledge and spiritual growth, including clergy as well as lay members.
It is sacramental and liturgical in orientation, but non-dogmatic and non-denominational. The Order is not intended as a substitute for an individual's affiliation with any institutional church or denomination, but as an adjunct to and enrichment of his or her understanding of God. Members seek a mystical expression of Christianity in its universal or catholic sense, bringing the rich traditions of the past into a form meaningful for men and women on the brink of the twenty-first century.
The Order of Saint Michael offers those living in the world an opportunity to experience the support of a like-minded community in developing a personal, mystically oriented spiritual life without necessitating a break with family or worldly ties.
Members aspire to the traditional Benedictine vows of STABILITY, seen as a personal commitment to the path the individual has chosen to follow; CONVERSION OF LIFE, which is the constant turning of the individual to God; and OBEDIENCE, form the Latin root audire, to hear, which means to listen and hear with the ears of the heart and to respond eagerly to the will of God as it becomes known in one's daily life. In a general sense, it is obedience to the foundation of a committed Christian life.
Within a Christian Trinitarian framework, the Order recognizes both the masculine and feminine attributes of God. Hence, the Order's liturgies and devotions seek to reflect this balance, incorporating reinterpretations of familiar Christian sources with restorations of previously "lost" or "hidden" Christian traditions. For example, the Holy Spirit may be addressed in certain contexts as the Paraclete or Comforter, the Holy Sophia or Divine Wisdom, and the Ruach that brooded upon the face of the waters in the beginning and brought forth life.
As a working basis of fellowship and a reflection of the nature of the Christian church, the Order of Saint Michael recognizes the central value of shared community worship and other common devotions performed in unity of spirit and intention, even when separated by time and space. The community believes that every man and woman must also be free to seek the most appropriate individual expression of his or her relationship with the Divine. Therefore, the Order combines traditional forms of liturgical worship and a deep mystical awareness of the reality of sacramental grace with utmost respect for intellectual liberty and individual conscience.
The Order regards the Holy Eucharist as Jesus Christ's supreme gift of Himself to the Church and to the world--continued in the Church as the centerpoint of communal worship and making present the sacred work of the eternal High Priest, Who offered Himself to be the eternal sacrifice for all and to bring the entire universe to its divine fulfillment. Clergy in the Order offer the Sacrament of Holy Communion to any who reverently desire it, who turn to Christ and are prompted by the Holy Spirit so to seek God.
The patron saint of the Order is the holy Archangel Michael who, as Prince of Heaven and commander of the Legions of Light, embodies the ideals of chivalry and service to the Light. In addition, the Order holds a particular devotion to Our Lady, and commends its members to work to her special protection and favor.
For further information, contact:
Order.St-Michael@mailcity.com
Please include a postal address, to assist in referring you to members in your region.
And Michael answered and said: Hearken when Michael speaketh: I am he that stands in the presence of God alway. As the Lord liveth, before whose face I stand, I cease not for one day nor one night to pray continually for the race of men; and I indeed pray for them that are upon earth: but they cease not from committing wickednesses and fornication. And they bring not forth aught of good while they are upon earth; and ye have wasted in vanity the time wherein ye ought to have repented. But I have prayed alway, and now do I entreat that God would send dew and that rain may be sent upon the earth, and still pray I until the earth yield her fruits: and I say that if any man doeth but a little good I will strive for him and protect him until he escape the judgement of torment. --Apocalypse of Paul 42
The folds of a mighty scarlet cloak boomed in the wind. The shelter of a mighty shield was over him.... Awe and wonder filled him again, but no terror. He knew himself safe, for this could only be Marenkalion, the Defender.He stood above them, straight-backed, with a soldier's stance. On his right arm was the great shield, in his left hand he grasped a colossal spear. A helmet shadowed his grave face, crested with a plume of white light. His face was fair and stern, his brown hair blew out from his helm, and his shining grey eyes held his adversary with a gaze of rejoicing and challenge. Li'vanh saw the command in the grey eyes, and felt it flow in the air about him, though he heard no words... Do not touch him. He belongs to Him against Whom you cannot prevail.
Joy Chant, RED MOON AND BLACK MOUNTAIN
It has been found that people with an affinity to the Michaelines may also be interested in the Order of Julian of Norwich,an association of Anglican contemplatives. Here is their page, with some articles from Julian Jottings. Julian's Revelations of Divine Love are also available from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, and more Julian links available here.
A strong influence on us has been the ecumenical community of Taizé. See the Taizé home page, or write to listserv@rz.uni-karlsruhe.de to subscribe to the Johannine Hours mailing list, with the message "SUB TAIZE-L <firstname> <lastname>.
Another source of material has been the celebrated Gaelic collection Carmina Gadelica.
And here is its account of Michaelmas in the Hebrides.
Other links of possible interest to Michaelines and friends are:
Members' section (Requires username+password)
It so happened one morning that Thangbrand was out early and made them pitch a tent on land, and sang mass in it, and took much pains with it, for it was a great high day.
Hall spoke to Thangbrand and asked, "In memory of whom keepest thou this day?"
"In memory of Michael the archangel," says Thangbrand.
"What follows that angel?" asks Hall.
"Much good," says Thangbrand. "He will weigh all the good that thou doest, and he is so merciful, that whenever any one pleases him, he makes his good deeds weigh more."
"I would like to have him for my friend," says Hall.
"That thou mayest well have," says Thangbrand, "only give thyself over to him by God's help this very day."
"I only make this condition," says Hall, "that thou givest thy word for him that he will then become my guardian angel."
"That I will promise," says Thangbrand.
Then Hall was baptized, and all his household.
--Njal's Saga 96
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