Born in a village in Goggiam, Ethiopia, in the year 1791, and blessed with keen intelligence, he devoted himself to the pursuit of truth and found it in all its fullness with the aid of saint Justin de Jacobis, who welcomed him into the Catholic communion. Despite persecution, he stood firm in his faith and was ordained a priest by Justin de Jacobis on the 1st of January 1851. Subjected to further persecutions, he departed this life on the 13th of July 1855. He was beatified on the 3rd of October 1926.
Invitatory Antiphon: The Lord is the King of martyrs; come let us adore Him.
Hymn
The martyrs living now with Christ
In suffering were tried,
Their anguish overcome by love
When on his cross he died.
Across the centuries they come,
In constancy unmoved,
Their loving hearts make no complaint,
In silence they are proved.
No man has ever measured love,
Or weighed it in his hand,
But God who knows the inmost heart
Gives them the promised land.
Praise Father, Son and Spirit blest,
Who guides us through the night
In ways that reach beyond the stars
To everlasting light.
Antiphon 1: Abba Ghebre Michael sought through deep study the knowledge of the true faith.
Antiphon 2: He was judged worthy to confess the faith, in chains and in prisons.
Antiphon 3: Abba Ghebre Michael cried: 'come, then, good Jesus, O Bread of life, Come, then, O Jesus.'
Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians 1:3-5.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Short Responsory
V. Our God is a stronghold for the oppressed, a strength in times of trouble.
R. Our God is a stronghold for the oppressed, a strength in times of trouble.
V. Those who know Your name put their trust in You.
R. Our God is a stronghold for the oppressed, a strength in times of trouble.
V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Our God is a stronghold for the oppressed, a strength in times of trouble.
Benedictus Antiphon: Blessed are you if you are reviled for the name of Christ.
Intercessions
Let us bless our Redeemer, who inspired Ghebre Michael with such faith and devotion:
R. Direct us, Lord, in the path of life.
Following the example of Ghebre Michael, may your name, Jesus, be on our lips and
in our hearts as we begin this new day. R.
Grant that, in imitation of Ghebre Michael, we may always search for the deeper truths in our lives. R.
Inspired by the perseverance of Ghebre Michael, may we be willing to accept the cross in our lives. R.
Bless the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea. May Ghebre Michael intercede for them.R.
Our Father
Concluding Prayer
O God, Who in Your goodness led blessed Ghebre Michael
to recognize and embrace the True Faith,
and admirably strengthened him in bearing witness to it;
grant us all through his merits and his prayers
to recognize You as the true God,
and Him whom You sent, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
Hymn
Our Lord the path of suffering trod
And since His blood for man hath flowed,
’Tis meet that man should yield to God
The life he owed. Alleluia, Alleluia.
No shame to own the Crucified -
Nay, ’tis our immortality
That we confess our God who died,
And for Him die. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Filled with this thought, with patient smile
All threats the martyr doth withstand,
Fights, Lord, Thy cause, and leans the while
Upon Thine hand. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Beholding his predestined crown,
Into death’s arms he willing goes;
Dying, he conquers death; overthrown,
Overthrows his foes. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Lord, make us Thine own soldiers true
Grant us brave faith, a spirit pure
That for Thy name, Thy cross in view,
We may endure. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Eternal Father of the Word,
Eternal Word, we Thee adore,
Eternal Spirit, God and Lord,
For evermore. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Antiphon 1: Abba Ghebre Michael sought through deep study the knowledge of the true faith.
Antiphon 2: He was judged worthy to confess the faith, in chains and in prisons.
Antiphon 3: Abba Ghebre Michael cried: 'come, then, good Jesus, O Bread of life, Come, then, O Jesus.'
Scripture Reading
1 Peter 4:12-14.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Short Responsory
V. Let us be glad when we share in the sufferings of Christ.
R. Let us be glad when we share in the sufferings of Christ.
V. It means the Spirit of God is resting on you.
R. Let us be glad when we share in the sufferings of Christ.
V. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Let us be glad when we share in the sufferings of Christ.
Magnificat Antiphon: Abba Ghebre Michael will dwell in the Kingdom; his peace will last forever.
Intercessions
Christ desires all people to believe in Him and be saved. Let us pray that His plan of mercy may be fulfilled:
R. Gather Your people in unity, Lord.
Sanctify the holy Catholic Church in truth, may She spread Your kingdom among all the people. R.
Be a source of reconciliation and peace for everyone; may Christians unite in communion of faith and charity. R.
Send workers into Your Church to continue the work of salvation, just as You transformed the fishermen of Galilee into apostles of Your kingdom. R.
Comfort those who suffer from oppression, poverty, and hunger; grant them relief and help through our charity. R.
May our deceased find glory in the resurrection, and may we also share in their bliss. R.
Our Father
Concluding Prayer
O God, Who in Your goodness led blessed Ghebre Michael
to recognize and embrace the True Faith,
and admirably strengthened him in bearing witness to it;
grant us all through his merits and his prayers
to recognize You as the true God,
and Him whom You sent, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.
Copyright © 2007 - 2025. All Rights Reserved