All Else Confusion

Today is the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Formerly this day was the feast of St. Michael, or Michaelmas (St. Gabriel was celebrated on March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24). In many countries, Michaelmas has many traditions and traditional food. In England, this was a day for hiring servants, electing magistrates, the opening of deer hunting season, and starting university. In France, they eat Gaufres, or waffles and in some parts of Europe they drink a wine called "St. Michael's Love".

A British legend says that this is the last day that blackberries can be picked. The legend goes that when St. Michael expelled Lucifer from heaven, he fell from the skies and landed in a prickly blackberry bush. Satan cursed the fruit, scorched them with his fiery breath, and stamp and spat on them, so that they would be unfit for eating. A Traditional Irish proverb says:
On Michaelmas Day the devil puts his foot on the blackberries.

Collect:
God our Father,
in a wonderful way you guide the work of angels and men.
May those who serve you constantly in heaven
keep our lives safe from all harm on earth.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Labels: Feast Day