From our reading in class, one name (other than Joan) seems to come up often; St. Michael. According to Joan's testimony found in Joan our text, she recalls seeing St. Michael before any of the other Angels. It was St. Michael that told Joan that she would be visited by St. Catherine and St. Margaret and that she should do as they say. Joan also explained that he revealed her mission. In Christian culture, St. Michael is seen as one of the highest ranked angels that fought in the battle for Heaven against Satan and his followers. In several denominations teachings about him vary but for the most part he is seen as the "top" commanding angel.
In the show Supernatural, St. Michael is simply referred to as Michael. In the show, Michael is characterized as a strict leader who has established a strong hierarchy in heaven in God's absence (God apparently leaves during the show). Now Michael is the commander of the angels that fight Lucifer and his demons which are often found to be possessing people. Despite Michael being the leader in this angel army to defeat Lucifer and his demons once again, he still loves Lucifer. Lucifer is the brother of Michael because Lucifer was once an angel too (both in TV show and Bible). Michael recognizes that Lucifer is his brother and doesn't want to hurt him.
After looking at both St. Michael from the Bible and Michael from Supernatural, they have proven to be much the same. Since the Michael from the Supernatural was inspired by the actual St. Michael their similarity makes sense. Just in case God decides to leave randomly, we know that Michael will be there for us.
Work Cited
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=308
http://supernatural.wikia.com/wiki/Michael
Pernoud, Re. Joan of Arc, by Herself and Her Witness. London: Macdonald, 1964. 30-31.
Thanks--I've had students whom I know loved the show, but I didn't realize there was a connection to head honcho angel, Michael. Nice popular culture comparison.
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