Have you ever read about the Apparitions of Saint Michael?
Did you know he’s personally appeared on earth to defend the Church in her darkest hours?
The best part? He left miraculous signs that still endure.
The apparitions of Saint Michael the Archangel - a 🧵✝️
1) Monte Gargano, Italy 490 A.D
The Cave of the Archangel
The story begins in the late 5th century in southern Italy.
A rich landowner named Garganus lost his prize bull. Searching, he found it kneeling inside a dark cave on Mount Gargano. Frustrated, he shot an arrow, but it mysteriously turned back on him. He then went to Lorenzo Maiorano, holy bishop of Siponto, to tell what had happened.
After listening to him, the bishop called for three days of prayer and penance at the end of which St. Michael the Archangel appeared to him in a dream to ask him to dedicate the cave to Christian worship, which happened on 29 September 493, after 2 other appearances. A fourth apparition took place in 1656 when the city of Monte Sant'Angelo defeated the plague.
The cave became the Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo, still a major pilgrimage site visited by saints and popes (including St. Francis of Assisi and Pope John Paul II).
2) Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome 590 AD
The Angel of the Plague
In 590 AD, Rome was ravaged by plague. Corpses filled the streets. Pope Saint Gregory the Great organized penitential processions, imploring God’s mercy.
As the people processed by the Tiber River, something extraordinary happened. Above Hadrian’s Mausoleum, St. Michael appeared, sword drawn and fiery, then sheathed it, signaling the end of the plague.
The Pope saw it with his own eyes and gave thanks.
From that day, the mausoleum became known as Castel Sant’Angelo ("Castle of the Holy Angel"), and a statue of St. Michael was later erected on top.
The plague ended soon after, attributed to the Archangel's intercession.
3) Tlaxcala, Mexico 1631
The Miracle Spring of San Miguel del Milagro
In 1631, in the hills of Tlaxcala, Mexico, a young indigenous convert named Diego Lázaro de San Francisco, about 17 years old, was taking part in a procession for the Feast of Saint Mark when something extraordinary happened.
Suddenly, Saint Michael the Archangel appeared to him, radiant and commanding:
"Know, my son, that I am Saint Michael the Archangel. It is God’s will and mine that you tell the people of this town and the surrounding areas: in the ravine before you, beneath a great rock, they will find a miraculous spring of water to heal all kinds of sickness."
But Diego, afraid people would mock him, kept silent.
That night, however, he was struck with a terrible illness, tradition says it was a burning fever in his very entrails, as a punishment for his disobedience.
On the night of May 7-8, St. Michael appeared again. This time, he healed Diego and led him personally to the spot where the spring was hidden. The water began to flow, and its miraculous healings soon became known.
The Archangel would appear once more later that year, on November 13, confirming his message.
Diego brought water from the spring to the local bishop, who carefully investigated the event. He distributed the water among the sick, and according to the accounts, those who drank were cured.
A few years later, Blessed Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, Bishop of Tlaxcala, ordered the construction of the Shrine of Saint Michael the Archangel at the site.
Today, in San Miguel del Milagro, about 12 miles from Tlaxcala City, pilgrims still visit the miraculous spring, seeking healing and protection from the great Prince of the Heavenly Host.
Why are these apparitions significant?
They show St. Michael not only defends heaven but personally defends the Church on earth.
>In war and plague (Monte Gargano, Rome)
>Among the poor and faithful (Mexico)
>Through physical signs, caves, springs, and healings
These are not just pious stories but historical events with physical places and written testimonies.
Where you can still visit today:
>🇮🇹 Monte Sant’Angelo, Italy: A sacred cave visited by saints and pilgrims for 1500 years.
>🇻🇦 Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome: A Roman fortress topped by the statue of the Archangel.
>🇲🇽 San Miguel del Milagro, Tlaxcala: A shrine built over the miraculous spring where healings still occur.
And to this day he still fights for the Church, defends souls in battle & intercedes in crisis.
>As Pope Leo XIII taught:
"Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil."
Invoke him often. He answers.
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