Vatican City, Sep 28, 2020 / 04:30 am
Pope Francis encouraged a religious order Sunday to continue promoting devotion to St. Michael the Archangel.
In a message released Sept. 27, the pope congratulated members of the Congregation of St. Michael the Archangel on the forthcoming centenary of their approval by Church authorities.
"I hope that your Religious Family can continue to spread the apostolate of St. Michael the Archangel, mighty victor over the powers of evil, seeing in this a great work of mercy for the soul and body," he said in a message dated July 29 and addressed to Fr. Dariusz Wilk, the congregation's superior general.
The Polish Blessed Bronisław Markiewicz founded the congregation, also known as the Michaelite Fathers, in 1897. He wanted to spread devotion to the archangel, while following the teachings of St. John Bosco, founder of the Salesians, which he had joined 10 years earlier.