Editor's Note: Beliefnet featured a Doreen Virtue book contest with the question, 'How has an angel or archangel helped you?' We share two of the amazing stories below.
I have a 6'3” physically abusive husband who drinks heavily at times. When this occurs, it is best for me not to be anywhere around him. I try to hide somewhere until he passes out or falls asleep in bed. However, sometimes he gets mad when he drinks and he won’t go to bed early.
One night, I had a bad migraine and decided to go to bed early. I knew he was drinking heavily and I was worried about the consequences of falling asleep before him. I prayed for an angel to protect me before falling asleep. Since I was in such extreme pain, I knew I would be helpless to defend myself in bed that evening.
I fell asleep pretty fast after that. I dreamed (and actually felt) someone standing next to my bed. I was scared to death that it was my husband so I turned over very quickly. When I did look, there was a very tall and large angel, with huge wings on his back. He was standing and holding my little dog and petting him. I asked him who he was and, without actually talking to me with his mouth, he said his name was Michael and that I could go back to sleep because I was safe. (Obviously, he was protecting my little dog too.) I slept peacefully the whole night and woke up feeling wonderful the next day.
I can honestly tell the world that Archangel Michael is real because I personally met him!
- Tina P. of Maryland
I believe that I met St. Michael in physical form back in December 1996. I was grocery shopping at a supermarket in Philadelphia and, upon exiting the store, rain started pouring. At the time, the supermarkets did not allow shoppers to remove the carts from the front of the store. There were gates up and I had to pull my car up to the front of the gates and unload my groceries into my trunk.
I had an umbrella over my head and, as I was exiting my car to get my groceries, a man dressed in a long coat and a hat helped me with the groceries. He said, "I don't want to take your bags. I'm just helping you put them in the trunk of your car." I replied , “I believe that you won't take my groceries.” He said again, "I don't want to steal you groceries." Again I said, “I believe you.”
After all the bags were in the trunk, he asked me if I was a Catholic girl, and I replied that I was. He asked if I could do him a favor and say one Hail Mary for Michael. I said that I would. Then, as I got into my car, he came over again and said, "Remember, one Hail Mary for Michael." He didn't go into the supermarket and I saw him walking away.
Afterwards, I looked for him, but I didn't see him again. When I got home, I immediately called a friend who loved angels and explained what had happened to me. She said the man was St. Michael and that I should show devotion to him. I asked her why and she said I worked for a law enforcement agency. Since St. Michael is the patron saint of law enforcement, I probably need his protection.
Since 1996, I have found a prayer card to St. Michael and I pray and say one Hail Mary every day.
- Joanne B. of Massachusetts
Read more stories from winners of the book contest:
• The Angel That Saved Me
• Heaven's High Priestess
