Michael, also called Saint Michael the Archangel, Archangel Michael, and Saint Michael the Taxiarch, is an archangel in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baha'i faith. The earliest surviving mentions of his name are in 3rd and 2nd-century BC Jewish works, often but not always apocalyptic, where he is the chief of the angels and archangels, and he is the guardian prince of Israel and is responsible for the care of Israel. Christianity adopted nearly all the Jewish traditions concerning him, and he is mentioned explicitly in Revelation 12:7–12, where he does battle with Satan, and in the Epistle of Jude, where the author denounces heretics by contrasting them with Michael. 

The seven archangels (or four – the traditions differ but always include Michael) were associated with the branches of the menorah, the sacred seven-branched lampstand in the Temple as the seven spirits before the throne of God, and this is reflected in the Book of Revelation 4:5 ("From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God" – ESV). Michael is mentioned explicitly in Revelation 12:7-12, where he does battle with Satan and casts him out of heaven so that he no longer has access to God as an accuser (his formal role in the Old Testament). The fall of Satan at the coming of Jesus marks the separation of the New Testament from Judaism. In Luke 22:31, Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked God for permission to "sift" the disciples, the goal being to accuse them, but the accusation is opposed by Jesus, who thus takes on the role played by angels, and especially by Michael, in Judaism.

Michael is mentioned by name for the second time in the Epistle of Jude, a passionate plea for believers in Christ to do battle against heresy. In verses 9-10, the author denounces the heretics by contrasting them with the archangel Michael, who, disputing with Satan over the body of Moses, "did not presume to pronounce the verdict of 'slander' but said, 'The Lord punish you!'

Catholics often refer to Michael as "Holy Michael, the Archangel" or "Saint Michael," a title that does not indicate canonization. He is generally referred to in Christian litanies as "Saint Michael," as in the Litany of the Saints. In the shortened version used in the Easter Vigil, he alone of the angels and archangels is mentioned by name, with saints Gabriel and Raphael being omitted. 

In Roman Catholic teachings, Saint Michael has four leading roles or offices. His first role is the leader of the Army of God and the leader of heaven's forces in their triumph over the powers of hell. He is viewed as the angelic model for the virtues of the "spiritual warrior," his conflict with evil taken as "the battle within." 

The second and third roles of Michael in Catholic teachings deal with death. In his second role, he is the angel of death, carrying the souls of Christians to heaven. In this role, he descends at the hour of death and gives each soul a chance to redeem itself before passing, thus throwing the devil and his minions into consternation. Catholic prayers often refer to the role of Michael. In his third role, he weighs souls on his perfectly balanced scales. For this reason, he is often depicted holding scales. 

In his fourth role, Saint Michael, the special patron of the Chosen People in the Old Testament, is also the guardian of the Church. Saint Michael was revered by the military orders of knights during the Middle Ages. The names of villages around the Bay of Biscay reflect that history. Moreover, doubtless for the same motive, he was considered the patron saint of several cities and countries.

Catholic tradition also includes elements such as the Prayer to Saint Michael, which specifically asks for the faithful to be "defended" by the saint. The Chaplet of Saint Michael consists of nine salutations, one for each choir of angels.

Saint Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,

by the Divine Power of God,

cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits

who roam throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls.

ANGELS

In Judaism, angels, lit. 'messenger', are supernatural beings that appear throughout the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), rabbinic literature, Apocrypha and pseudepigrapha, and traditional Jewish liturgy as agents of the God of Israel. They are categorized in different hierarchies. Their essence is often associated with fire. The Talmud describes their essence as fire.

The Kabbalah describes angels, at length, as forces that send information and sensations between mankind and the Tetragrammaton. They are analogized to atoms, wavelengths or channels that help God in his pursuit of creation, and it is. Therefore, they should not be worshipped, prayed to, or invoked. They are not physical but spiritual beings, like spiritual atoms. Therefore, when the Kabbalah states how angels will appear in the Hebrew Bible, it reasons that their description is from the viewpoint of the person who received the vision, prophecy or occurrence, which will be anthropomorphized for them. However, they are not material beings but are likened to a single emotion, feeling, or material, controlled by God for his purpose of creation. 

Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael

The Talmud names four angels who would later be known as archangels, surrounding God's throne:

As the Holy One blessed be, He created four winds (directions) and four banners (for Israel's army), so He also made four angels to surround His throne: Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael. Michael is on its right, corresponding to the tribe of Reuben; Uriel on its left, corresponding to the tribe of Dan, which was located in the north; Gabriel in front, corresponding to the tribe of Judah as well as Moses and Aaron who were in the east; and Raphael in the rear, corresponding to the tribe of Ephraim which was in the west.

Before going to sleep, many Jews recite a traditional prayer naming four archangels, "To my right Michael and my left Gabriel, in front of me Uriel and behind me Raphael, and over my head God's Shekhinah ['the presence of God']."

On the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, it is customary to call all the boys (in some synagogues, all the children) to the Torah reading and for the whole congregation to recite a verse from Jacob's blessing to Ephraim and Manasheh (Manassas).

May the angel who redeems me from all evil bless the children, and let my name be named in them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and let them flourish like fish for multitude amid the land.

— Genesis 48:16

Les Chevaliers de l’Immaculée

The Knights of the Immaculate

May the Immaculate guide us so that the name of Jesus is forever elevated among us and around us!