Saint Michael, patron saint of parachutists

“There was then a battle in heaven: Michael, with his angels, had to fight the Dragon. The Dragon, too, fought with his angels, but he was not the strongest; for them from now on, no place in heaven.” These verses, taken from the book of Revelation (Rev 12, 7-8) show the archangel Saint Michael fighting from heaven, winning over the demon. It is quite natural that the paratroopers, these airborne soldiers, chose him as their patron saint.

The tradition comes from the Second World War: in England, a military chaplain distributed Saint Michael medals to paratroopers on the eve of the landing in France. A few months later, the chaplain of the French “para” proposed that Saint Michael become their patron saint. The decision was ratified by Father Jégo, who organized the first celebrations of Saint Michael in Indochina in 1948. Since then, all the parachute regiments meet around September 29 to celebrate their patron saint.

“The paratroopers are very attached to this figure, he is the angel who gives strength in combat, spiritual and physical” confides Father Bertrand, Catholic military chaplain of a parachute regiment. “Michel is a figure common to the three great monotheistic religions, he is unanimously appreciated by the soldiers, including those who are not believers,” he adds. The Saint Michael’s Day celebrations include games, parachute jumping exercises, taking up arms, a big meal and a mass which largely brings together paratroopers whatever their faith. “It’s a celebration that brings everyone together,” underlines the priest.

Apart from this special occasion, Saint Michael is present with these air soldiers throughout the year. All paratroopers receive a Saint Michael medal to be sewn into their beret, on which is inscribed “Saint Michael, defend us in combat”. “He is invoked at all masses,” explains Father Bertrand. “We ask him to give the courage and strength that the soldiers need in the very difficult operations they carry out, and to grant us his protection. It often happens that soldiers tell me that they prayed to him and were saved of death in extremis. And the priest concluded: “I really believe that Saint Michael intercedes particularly for the paratroopers.”