10/09/2026
Herbert Howells' A Sequence for St.Michael
Michael, Archangel of the King of kings,
give ear to our voices.
We acknowledge thee to be the Prince of the citizens of heaven:
and at thy prayer God sends his angels unto men,
that the enemy with cunning craft shall not prevail
to do the hurt he craves to weary men.
Yea, thou has the dominion of perpetual Paradise
and ever do the holy angels honour thee.
Thou wast seen in the Temple of God,
a censer of gold in thy hands,
and the smoke of it fragrant with spices
rose up till it came before God.
Thou with strong hand didst smite the cruel dragon,
and many souls didst rescue from his jaws.
Then was there a great silence in heav’n,
and a thousand thousand saying “Glory to the Lord King.”
Hear us, Michael, hear us greatest angel,
come down a little from thy high seat,
to bring us the strength of God
and the lightening of his mercy.
And do thou, Gabriel, lay low our foes,
and thou, Raphael, heal our sick,
purge our disease, heal our sick, ease our pain,
and give us to share in the joys of the blessed.
