Saint Michael

Now, Catholics are not iconophobes and iconoclasts. It is not unusual to see statues in a Catholic cemetery. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are prominent. Anonymous angels appear too. Supra, is a statue of Michael the Archangel defeating the dragon (the devil). Now, Calvary is the largest graveyard around Cleveland; Lake View is far more celebrated. There is a St. Michael by James Earle Fraser. It is often photographed and sketched. It is not a Catholic Michael, it is not a Christian Michael at all. It is a pagan, martial, imperial, and perhaps worse. It has a biblical quotation to propagandise the deceased US Secretary of State as an instrument of peace. This statue's sculptor may not be known by the public; this Saint Michael may not be a celebrated creation; but it is a proper St. Michael. The inscription is, the humble plaint and plea, 'My Jesus Mercy',which is repeated in the Memorial Prayer for Suffering Souls in Purgatory.

Almighty God, Father of goodness and love,
have mercy on the poor suffering souls, and grant Thine aid:

To my dear parents and ancestors;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To my brothers and sisters and other near relatives;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To my benefactors, spiritual and temporal;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To my former friends and subjects;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To all for whom love or duty bids me pray;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who have suffered disadvantage or harm through me;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who have offended me;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To all those who are especially beloved by Thee;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those whose release is at hand;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who desire most to be united with Thee;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who endure the greatest suffering;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those whose release is most remote;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who are least remembered;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the rich, who now are the most destitute;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the mighty, who now are as lowly servants;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the blind, who now see their folly;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the frivolous, who spent their time in idleness;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the poor, who did not seek the treasures of Heaven;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the tepid, who devoted little time to prayer;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the indolent, who were negligent in performing good works;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To parents who failed to watch over their children;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the souls of those who strove for hardly anything but riches and pleasures;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the worldly-minded, who failed to use their wealthand talents in the service of God;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who did not provide for the great journey beyond, and the days of tribulation;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those whose judgment is so severe because of the great things entrusted to them;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the popes, rulers, kings and princes;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the bishops and their counselors;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To my teachers and spiritual advisors;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the deceased priests of this diocese;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To all the priests and religious of the whole Catholic Church;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the defenders of the Holy Faith;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who died on the battlefield;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who are buried in the sea;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who died of stroke or heart attack;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who died without the last rites of the Church;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To my own poor soul when I shall have to appear before Thy judgment seat;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

℣. O Lord, grant eternal rest to all the souls of the faithful departed,
℟. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

℣. May they rest in peace.
℟. Amen.