Out of curiosity, I asked ChatGPT the following question: “In traditional Catholic spirituality, what connections does St. Michael the Archangel have to illness, mental health and addictions?”

The answer is actually rather good, and continues below interspersed with my commentary or observations. ChatGPT’s answer

is contained within the block quotes and any boldface text is mine…

…while my words are in regular body paragraphs.

ChatGPT began with:

In traditional Catholic spirituality, St. Michael the Archangel is primarily known as the protector against evil, the leader of God’s armies in the battle against Satan, and the guardian of souls at the moment of death. His role as a defender from spiritual harm has made him a popular intercessor for those battling not just physical enemies but also internal struggles, including illness, mental health issues, and addictions.

Again, the boldface parts were mine and reflect precisely why I felt drawn to him in the early days of my reversion and sobriety. My early sobriety was not easy, replete with “internal struggles” of recovery and family relationships and mortality. 

I recall after my reversion to the Church I explored as many aspects of Catholic spirituality and devotions I could find online; and I discovered chaplets. I found the Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel. I was hooked and since then I developed the practice of reciting the chaplet during periods of intense spiritual duress. 

1. Protector Against Evil

St. Michael is often invoked by those facing challenges that they attribute to spiritual warfare, which includes mental and emotional struggles. Addictions, particularly, are often seen through a spiritual lens in Catholic theology as forms of enslavement to vice. St. Michael is invoked to defend against the temptations and attacks of the devil, which can manifest in various forms, including addiction and mental health difficulties.

Given that Satan will exploit any means to trap souls, it is not surprising that addiction would be a vector through which he’d gain access. I discerned that St. Michael would be a powerful ally given that he is Satan’s chief adversary.

2. Liberation from Oppression

The connection to addiction and mental health lies in the belief that St. Michael can provide strength and deliverance from the oppression of harmful habits or destructive spiritual influences. In Catholic thought, addiction is often seen as a form of spiritual bondage, and St. Michael’s role as a liberator makes him an important figure in prayers for freedom from these afflictions.

Continuing along the theme of St. Micahel being Satan’s chief adversary, it is natural to associate St. Michael with being a liberator from oppression. Addictions are bondage; given that St. Michael is the commander of God’s angelic armies, you can assume that a warrior and his troops must be summoned to liberate the conquered! Dwell on this if you may have some reservations about becoming a devotee of St. Michael. Who says that he works alone? Just like he lead the angels of light against those of darkness in that mysterious time when God subjected the angels to a test and a third rebelled under Satan’s leadership: St. Michael can lead a cohort of angels to your aid when you are in really dire straits.

3. Prayer for Strength

People battling addiction or illness often seek St. Michael’s intercession for courage, fortitude, and strength. The famous Prayer to St. Michael asks for his protection against “the wickedness and snares of the devil.” This is relevant for those struggling with conditions like addiction, where the individual may feel trapped or powerless.

The prayer referenced here goes: “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. 

You can read about it here: The popular St. Michael Prayer (short and long version)

4. Mental Health

While St. Dymphna is the primary patron saint of those with mental health issues, St. Michael is still invoked as a powerful protector and guide for people battling psychological or emotional turmoil. The overarching theme of St. Michael’s role as a defender against all forms of evil extends to emotional and psychological battles that people may face, including those related to mental health.

In the broader tradition of Catholic addiction recovery, such as the programs promoted by organizations like sobercatholic.com, St. Michael may be seen as a patron for those seeking spiritual aid and strength to overcome the grip of addiction.

This integration of spiritual protection with the pursuit of mental and emotional healing aligns with the Church’s holistic understanding of human suffering and the need for both divine grace and human cooperation in the healing process.

And there is a nice summary of the battle. Evil extends to emotional and psychological battles. While mental illness usually has a medical (clinical) origin, it is foolish to assume that Satan has nothing to do with psychological illnesses. Therefore it is reasonable, as well and encouraged, for you to develop a relationship with St. Michael. That being said, if you think you suffer from mental illness, it is stongly advisable to seek out a qualified mental health professional.

I’m glad ChatGPT referenced me. Of course, I had something to do with that. 😉

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)