The sixteenth Franciscan mission to be founded in Alta California is named after St. Michael, the captain if the armies of God, who is regarded traditionally as the chief of the archangels, a special protector against Satan’s influences and attacks. In the East, Michael is a patron of the sick. The feast is celebrated on September 29.

Saint Michael, The Archangel

Declared patron of the California missions in 1779, Saint Michael was already the archangelic patron of the Christian Church and of all Christians, especially for their spiritual growth. He was also a saint particularly loved by St. Francis of Assis. Viceroy Branciforte chose Michael the Archangel for the 16th mission, founded July 25,1797. In his account of the ceremonies held that day under the wide spreading branches of an old oak tree, Fr. Lasuen says that “a great multitude of Indians gathered about with pleasure and fifteen Indian children were baptized.” The unretouched interior decorations, completed by Spanish artist Estevan Munras in 1821, are of precious historical value.