There was a war in heaven:
Michael and his angels faught against the dragon;
and the dragon faught and his angels, and prevailed not;
neither was their place found any more in heaven.
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent,
called the Devil, and Satan,
which decieveth the whole world he was cast out into the earth,
and his angels were cast out with him...
Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them.
Woe to the inhabitors of the earth and of the sea
for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,
because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Revelation 12:7-9, 12

ST. JOHN THE DIVINE in his Revelation pictures the conflict between
the Archangel Michael and the fallen angel called Satan.
This is the continuing conflict between
Christians and the very real power of evil.
Real Christianity is symbolized by Michael.
It is not soft religion.
It is quite the opposite
--
dangerous, challenging, exciting, and joyful.

St. Michael's Conference is a group of young people and leaders
who come together to form a community.
Through worship, study, discussion, recreation, and relaxation,
the community seeks both a clearer vision of God in Christ,
and strength and power to fight evil and serve God.
For most, it is such a joyful experience
that they want it to continue, and many do continue by returning year after year.
Michael is a good patron Saint.
He symbolizes a strong religion, the kind of religion where true joy is to be found.

Visit the website of one of the St. Michael's Youth Conferences:

St. Michael's Youth Conference (Maritime Provinces)

St. Michael's Youth Conference (Ontario)

St. Michael's Youth Conference (Saskatchewan)

St. Michael's Youth Conference (Massachusetts)

St. Michael's Youth Conference (Midwest, US)

Tradition gives to St. Michael four offices:

• To fight against Satan and his host of fallen angels
• To rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy,
  especially at the hour of death
• To be the champion of God's people,
  the Jews in the Old Law, the Christians in the New Testament
• To call away to heaven those who have died,
  and bring their souls to Judgement

Christ, the Fair Glory of the Holy Angels

Ascribed to Archbishiop Rabanus Maurus, 9th Century

Christ, the fair glory of the holy Angels,
Thou who hast made us, thou who o'er us rulest,
Grant of thy mercy unto us thy servants
Steps up to heaven.

Send thy Archangel, Michael, to our succour;
Peacemaker blessed, may he banish from us
Striving and hatred, so that for the peaceful
All things may prosper.

Send thy Archangel, Gabriel, the mighty;
Herald of heaven, may he from us mortals
Spurn the old serpent, watching o'er the temples
Where thou art worshipped.

Send thy Archangel, Raphael, the restorer
Of the misguided ways of men who wander,
Who at thy bidding strengthens soul and body
With thine annointing.

May the blest Mother of our God and Saviour,
May the assembly of the Saints in glory,
May the celestial companies of Angels
Ever assist us.

Father almighty, Son and Holy Spirit,
God ever blessed, be thou our preserver;
Thine is the glory which the Angels worship,
Veiling their faces.

~ Amen ~