Last week my partner David and I visited the very special island in France where it is said that Archangel Michael, who is regarded as the Prince of God’s army and the leader of God’s army against Satan, appeared to the Bishop of Avranches in the 7th century to build a sanctuary on the island in his name.  It is said that the Bishop ignored his dreams so the Archangel gave him proof that his dreams were a reality by reaching over and pressing a finger on the bishop’s skull.  When the Bishop awoke he found that he had a hole in his head (and not a small one either).  The Bishop then took notice, then designed and built the sanctuary in 709 which was devoted to St Michael.

 

The island is surrounded by tidal waters and quick sand and today the island is accessed only via bus.  Monks and nuns from Jerusalem now live on the island.

 

There are several chapels within the walls and the top one contains statues of Archangel Michael along with the remains of the Bishop’s skull which were excavated and confirmed to be the Bishop’s skull with time dating which are now displayed in a beautiful golden case.

 

Interestingly it is claimed that St. Michael chose this location for the church as it was on this very mount that St. Michael won his mighty victory over the dragon, described in the New Testament’s Book of Revelations (12:7-9):

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not… the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him”.

Le Mont Saint Michel is literally on the Normandy border with Brittany and we certainly recommend visiting it.  So very unique and so very special indeed.

 

Lisa