Saint: San Miguel/Saint Michael

José Rafael Aragón, New Mexico, 1820-1862 Gesso, and water-soluble paint on wood 14” x 8” History Collection NMHM, 2007.32.177

The most popular archangel in northern New Spain, and signifies victory. He is always portrayed as resplendently clad in armor, wearing a breastplate, helmet, boots, or sandals with greaves (leg protectors), and a short tunic. His attributes are a sword and scales. Typically, Michael is shown either weighing the souls of humans before God’s judgment seat or casting out Lucifer, represented as the Devil or serpent being trampled underfoot. Michael is regarded as the angel of repentance, mercy, and righteousness, protector against plagues, and defender of the Church. During colonial times, he was considered the patron Christianity in New Spain