‘Twas the Night Before Michaelmas

Last updated on: September 29, 2016 at 8:18 am by Matt Lafleur

‘Twas the Night Before Michaelmas 2016-09-29T08:18:38-05:00 Matt Lafleur

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Apologies to Clement Clark Moore

‘Twas the night before Michaelmas, when all through the blog
All the creatures were hoping to see a Balrog;
The Dark Devotional was ready for Friday, so bleak,
(That is if we remember to post it this week);

Good Christians were nestled, all holy and snug,
While we the Sick Pilgrims were cutting a rug;
Jess in her witch hat, and JR with his grin,
Got ready for our favorite season to begin,

But before All Hallow’s and the Month of the Dead,
Before fall leaves and cider and a carved pumpkin head.
The Church hosts a feast forgotten by most,
Celebrating the general of the heavenly host.

An elusive saint, with incredulous fame,
Is mostly unknown, but Michael’s his name.
And if you picture angels as just people with wings,
Then allow the Sick Pilgrims to set straight some things,

Angels are terrifying, not like Botticelli made,
There’s good reason they always said, “Be not afraid.”
And Michael, the Archangel, whose feast tomorrow looms,
Is likely most terrifying, as his battle cry booms;

“Now, Gabriel! now, Raphael! now, Uriel (and the other Seven)!
Down, Lucifer! down Satan! GET THE HELL OUT OF HEAVEN!
Have a nice fall–to the bottomless pit!
Now say adios! Good-bye! You’re gone, piece of shit!”

When remembering angels, our imaginings
Often lead us to models with fluffy white wings,
Scarier than nightmares were the angelic crew,
And you can bet your ass St. Michael was too.

As the angels and other monsters in heaven may hide,
We thank the Father Above that they’re on our side.
And as we all get excited for an autumn-shaded reason,
HAPPY MICHAELMAS SICK PILGRIMS, AND ENJOY YOUR SEASON!

Matt Lafleur is Sick Pilgrim’s resident Cajun and beloved composer of doggerel.

Sick Pilgrims

Spooky October

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Michaelmas

Saint Michael

St. Michael the Arcangel

Previous Post

September 28, 2016

Things Keeping Us Alive, Sep. '16

Next Post

September 30, 2016 Dark Devotional: Out of the Dust

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advent Approaching Mystery art Book Reviews Catholic Ghost Story Catholicism community Confession Current Events Dark Devotional Deconstruction Deconstruction Fellow Travelers I Want To Believe Interview Laudato Si Lent Mary Matthew's Letters Movie Reviews Music Reviews Our Charism Personal Essay Pilgrims Pope Francis Popular Piety Prayer Publishing Richard Beck Saints Satan Sheed and Ward Sick Pilgrim Charism Sick Pilgrim Chats Sick Pilgrim Events Sick Pilgrim Travelin' Medicine Show Sick Pilgrimage to The West Sick Pilgrims Small Joys Spiritual Autobiography Spooky Files of Ave Maria Magazine Spooky October Spooky Pilgrim Spooky Pilgrimage Strange Journey The Inklings Things Keeping Us Going Trying to Say God TV Reviews Uncategorized women in the Catholic Church Wonder Podcast Write the Vision

Select a Month February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 October 2019 September 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What language was the New Testament originally written in?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Syriac Hebrew Greek Latin