Saint Michael Defend Us In Battle Comic Book

The Saint Michael Sword Strike Series

The Saint Michael Sword Strike is a straight line created by seven apparitions of Saint Michael. The line begins in Ireland and ends in Israel. Each of the sites in the strike were once pagan shrines. One by one each site was converted to a shrine to Saint Michael. This book is how I imagine Saint Michael interceded for the people dealing with paganism in those times and places. This first book in the series builds on the oral history about an apparition of Saint Michael in what is now the Basilica Santuario San Michele. There is actually an extensive history of Saint Michael's presence there but the basic story is that a rancher's bull was in the cave and would not get out. So, the rancher got angry and shot an arrow into the cave at the bull. The arrow turned 180 degrees and shot the rancher in the foot. Then St. Michael appeared and said

I am the Archangel Michael and I am always in the presence of God. This cave is sacred to me. There will be no killing of bulls here.  And because I have decided to protect this place on earth and its inhabitants, I have decided to attest in this way that I am the patron and guardian of this place and of everything that happens here. At the opening in the rocks, people’s sins can be forgiven. Whatever is requested here in prayer, will be heard.

I'm an American so I like to think he said this in English but it was probably Italian. Anyways, I thought it was strange that he would shoot some poor rancher in the foot. Looking deeper I have found out some more details about the problems with the pagan Cult of Mithras in Italy at the time. I hash out some of these issues in this section of the series. I am sure it sounds a little heavy but I am confident well formed Catholic Children will totally dig it.

Author: Shanti Guy

Synopsis of Book One: St. Michael Defend Us In Battle

Early 4th Century Italy. The Roman Empire was blessed with the 1st Christian Emperor Constantine who influenced The Edict of Milan, called the First Council of Nicaea and built the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Many Roman’s were still under the influence of heretical Pagan cults that worshiped idols and sacrificed animals and humans to demons and Satan himself. Mithraism was one of these cults and was highly influential in the Roman Army causing Roman society to decay from the inside out.

In the early 5th Century, The Roman Empire began to steadily decline following several barbarian invasions.  The Empire’s defense had largely been turned over to Herulian foederati mercenaries who now wanted one third of Italian lands as payment. The Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, had little respect, control or influence outside of Italy. When the Emperor refused the requests of the foederati, they organized under the standard of their king Odoacer in revolt. Odoacer and the foederati were mostly Arians. While Arianism is a terrible heresy, it was more Christian than the pagan cults of the Wester Roman Empires ruling class. The decisive battle for power was waged September 2, 476 in Ravenna Italy-the heart of the Western Roman Empire. This conflict marks the time that God allowed the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Defend Us In Battle is the 1st book in the St. Michael Sword Strike Series. Set in 476 a.d. during The Battle of Ravena, Italy, Saint Michael Defend us in Battle, tells the story of two Roman foot soldiers (Michaelius and Gargano) and a Roman general (Elivo). Elivo calls on the demonic power of Mithras while Michaelius prays for God's assistance and protection. Mithras shows up in force but so does the Archangel Saint Michael.

Author: Shanti Guy