Catholics gathered at St. Michael (Than Win) Church in the Archdiocese of Mandalay on Tuesday evening, September 29, 2026, to celebrate the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel and to pray for protection, peace, and God’s grace.

The Holy Mass, celebrated at 5:00 p.m., was presided over by Fr. John Aye Kyaw. Priests, religious sisters, and lay faithful from parishes across Mandalay joined the celebration.

‘St. Michael Remained Faithfully Loyal to God’

In his homily, Fr. John Aye Kyaw reflected on St. Michael’s faithfulness to God and his spiritual battle against evil. He encouraged the faithful to imitate the archangel’s loyalty by discerning whether their daily actions are in accordance with God’s will.

“St. Michael is an archangel who remained faithfully loyal to God alone and fought against the evil spirits that rebelled against Him,” he said. “In our lives today, Satan constantly tries through various means to distance us from God.”

The priest urged the faithful to remain vigilant against forces that can cause division and disruption within families, communities, organizations, and Christian gatherings.

He also spoke about the role of angels in the Christian faith, describing them as servants who connect humanity with God, carry prayers to Him, and bring His blessings to people. Fr. John Aye Kyaw noted that human beings are repeatedly wounded by pride and greed and emphasized the need for God’s grace for spiritual healing. He reminded the faithful of the traditional Christian belief that guardian angels intercede before God on behalf of believers.

‘May You All Experience the Protection of St. Michael’

At the end of the celebration, the parish priest expressed gratitude to those who attended the feast and to donors who helped make the celebration possible.

“I would like to thank all the faithful who came to participate and pray with trust in St. Michael the Archangel,” he said. “May you all experience the protection of St. Michael.”

He also prayed that, through St. Michael’s intercession, the faithful would be protected from “the disturbances and temptations of the evil one.”

A Feast of Particular Significance for the Displaced

For some participants, the feast carried particular significance amid displacement caused by conflict.

Lucia Daw Kai, an internally displaced Catholic from the Bhamo area, said she was grateful to be able to attend the celebration in Mandalay.

“We came to Mandalay as internally displaced persons fleeing conflict from the Bhamo area,” she said. “My main prayer to St. Michael is for safety from dangers and for his protection so that harm does not enter my family.”

Daw Kai said she had regularly attended the St. Michael feast while living in Bhamo and continued praying to the archangel during her displacement.

“Since we cannot return home yet, I am truly happy to be able to participate here,” she said.

Faithful Persevere Despite Rain

Freddy Myint Zaw, a catechist at Than Win, thanked God for the successful celebration, which followed a novena leading up to the feast day. A procession had been planned for the evening but was cancelled because of rain. Despite the weather, he said, priests, religious sisters, and faithful from different parishes were able to gather for the celebration.

Myint Zaw encouraged families to place their trust in St. Michael through prayer, particularly when facing spiritual temptations and difficulties.

Elizabeth, a parishioner from St. John’s, said she initially considered staying home because of the rain but decided to attend because the feast is celebrated only once a year.

“I am so glad I came to participate and pray here,” she said.

She added that she does not limit her participation to particular saints or churches associated with answered prayers, saying she attends different feast celebrations because she believes the apostles and saints are chosen by God and can intercede for the faithful.

The celebration concluded with prayers and thanksgiving, as Catholics gathered in faith and devotion to St. Michael the Archangel, seeking his protection and intercession amid the challenges facing their communities and their nation.

By RVA Myanmar Service