Seven Monasteries Devoted To Archangel Saint Michael Part IV - Monastery Sacra di San Michele - Piedmont - Italy

 

Our Q & A Continues With Peter Arnold, Christian Angelic Mystical Suspense Thriller Author, "Armor of Light: A Trilogy Story" (eBook series)

Heaven's Doorway Press - Q & A with author, Peter Arnold:

Question: Peter, we continue today with our conversation on the seven monasteries devoted to the Archangel Saint Michael.  What insight can you share with us about the fourth stop, "Sacra di San Michele" in the Piedmont area of Italy?

"As you can see above, the ancient monastery, 'Sacra di San Michele' is reminiscent of a scene from 'Lord of the Rings,' an ethereal, enigmatic towering sacred citadel.  Not only for J.R.R. Tolkien fans, but for Umberto Eco aficionados, (author of 'The Name of the Rose),' reportedly based the setting of his novel's monastery after a visit to "Sacra di San Michele.'"

Question: Peter, is it true the pinnacle of 'Sacra di San Michele," is a miracle by its nature according to legend?

"Similar to other famous edifices motivated by divinely inspired visions, Saint John Vincent whose devotion to Archangel Saint Michael, urged him to build on the mountain.  Miraculously, even the building materials he collected were somehow mystically transported to the top of Mount Pirchiriano.  The edifice monumentally expanded under the Benedictine Order for hundreds of years."

Question: What other 'secrets' does the "Sacra di San Michele" hold?

"The secrets are hidden eternally within its sacred walls.  However, there are beautiful treasures to behold.  There was a notable scriptorium which produced magnificent rare sacred manuscripts.  One of the most famous, was created in 1315, 'The Breviary of San Michele della Chiusa.' 

PART XXIV of our interview with author, Peter Arnold to be continued . . .

IF YOU WERE SUMMONED BY AN ANGEL TO A DISTANT LAND, 

WOULD YOU GO?

"Armor of Light: A Trilogy Story" 

By Peter Arnold

Now available on Apple Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever eBooks are sold.

eBook debuted, July 2, 2024 (USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, 

The Netherlands, Portugal and other European territories)

ISBN: 979-8-9903783-0-8

©2024 Library of Congress Registration # TXu 2-422-111

USA PCIP Classification: LCC PS3601.R56 2024 | DDC 813 A-dc23

IngramSpark, LLC

heavensdoorway@icloud.com

heavensdoorwaypress@gmail.com

instagram.com/heavensdoorwaypress

amazon.com/author/peterarnold

Read the first two installments available on your favorite e-reader.  Download them now worldwide wherever ebooks are sold.  Also available at your local library (ask your librarian) or on hoopla, where you can borrow ebooks online. 

COMING SOON, November 3, 2026: "Armor of Light III," by author, Peter Arnold, the triumphant ending to the Christian angelic mystical suspense ebook trilogy series! Keep watching for more details! Pre-Order now on Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble Also worldwide: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany (TBD), India (TBD), Italy, Japan, Mexico (TBD), UK (TBD) and more!

Roses And The Mystical Connection To The Catholic Church - Sacred Rose Window - Mystic Rose Blessed Mother Mary Rosa Mystica

Our Q & A Continues With Peter Arnold, Christian Angelic Mystical Suspense Thriller Author, "Armor of Light: A Trilogy Story" (eBook series)

Heaven's Doorway Press - Q & A with author, Peter Arnold:

Question: Peter, the "Rose" has a special place as a symbol in the heart of the church.  What does the "Rose"signify to you?

"It is the 'Mystic Rose,' true beauty!  Blessed Mother Mary is called, 'Rosa Mystica.' 

Many Cathedrals and churches throughout the world feature elaborate rose-shaped stained glass windows at the entrance of the church.  The most famous rose window is found at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.  Thank goodness, it survived the fire and is now being cleaned, for the re-opening later this year.  Below is a pic before the fire.

"The above pic shows a smaller rose window which graces Saint Monica's Catholic Community Church in Santa Monica, California."

"The rose also has been associated with some amazing miracles throughout history.  

Saint Juan Diego was surprised when his tilma filled with roses convincing the authorities to approve a church to be built at the sight of his vision of the Blessed Mother Mary." 

Saint Dominic had a powerful mystical vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary giving him a rosary depicted in the painting below by the artist Bernardon Cavallino. The rosary is akin to sending five garlands of 'prayer roses' to heaven."

Question: The red rose is also a symbol of martyrdom. Have you found a common 'golden thread 'uniting all martyrs?

"Yes, fierce Christian faith as 'witness' and determination for their mission despite the threat of oppression and persecution to the point of shedding blood. The 'King of the Martyrs' is our Lord Jesus Christ.  I was astounded to find an apparition of blooming roses in the marble at the foot of the tabernacle. It looks like a carpet of roses among other images."

In contemporary times, I love the deeper spiritual meaning to the classic pop-song, "The Rose" with the lyrics:

"Just remember in the winter (as we age),

Far beneath the bitter snows (life's burdens, disappointment and loss),

Lies the seed (the Word of God),

That with the sun's love (Jesus, the Son of God as our savior and gardener of our soul),

In the Spring (our resurrection)

Becomes the 'Rose' (we rise to eternal life)."

Above, the literary classic, "The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco has now sold over 50 million copies worldwide.  

PART XI of our interview with author, Peter Arnold to be continued . . .

"Armor of Light: A Trilogy Story" 

By Peter Arnold

Now available on Apple Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever eBooks are sold.

eBook debuted, July 2, 2024 (USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, 

The Netherlands, Portugal and other European territories)

ISBN: 979-8-9903783-0-8

©2024 Library of Congress Registration # TXu 2-422-111

USA PCIP Classification: LCC PS3601.R56 2024 | DDC 813 A-dc23

IngramSpark, LLC

heavensdoorwaypress@icloud.com

heavensdoorwaypress@gmail.com

instagram.com/heavensdoorwaypress

amazon.com/author/peterarnold

Read the first two installments available on your favorite e-reader.  Download them now worldwide wherever ebooks are sold.  Also available at your local library (ask your librarian) or on hoopla, where you can borrow ebooks online. 

COMING SOON, November 3, 2026: "Armor of Light III," by author, Peter Arnold, the triumphant ending to the Christian angelic mystical suspense ebook trilogy series! Keep watching for more details! Pre-Order now on Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble Also worldwide: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany (TBD), India (TBD), Italy, Japan, 

Mexico (TBD), UK (TBD) and more!

Angelic Mystical Christian Angelic Adventure Author Peter L. Arnold - Armor of Light: A Trilogy Story - Christian Inspiration eBook Now Available Worldwide

Our Q & A Continues With Peter Arnold, Christian Angelic Mystical Suspense Thriller Author, "Armor of Light: A Trilogy Story" (eBook series)

Heaven's Doorway Press - Q & A with author, Peter Arnold:

Question: Peter, who are some of your favorite fiction authors and how have they inspired you as a writer?

"Paulo Coelho's classic book, 'The Alchemist,' has resonated with me for years. A remarkably beautiful iconic mystical story told with tender restraint setting a high bar for the sweeping hero's journey and quest. I also loved Umberto Eco's, 'The Name of the Rose,' for its extraordinary detail of medieval monastic life as a background setting for a murder mystery. Then there's author, Flannery O' Connor, a controversial Catholic writer whose quote, 'In the land of the dead, you have to shout. Those who are spiritually unaware, you have to do something big and bold to get their attention . . .' She was fearless with her writing style inspiring me to 'take off the training wheels' on story ideas and structure."   

Question: In the pic at the top, would you please tell us about it?

"Yes, my MacBook Air's screen showing the manuscript, 'Armor of Light: A Trilogy Story"and behind it, two icon print images of our Blessed Mother Mary and our Lord Jesus Christ.   Several years ago, while living in Santa Monica, California, I was researching online the ancient monasteries of Mount Athos in Greece for this eBook, 'Armor of Light: A Trilogy Story.' I discovered many of the monasteries are repositories for religious painting icons for hundreds of years. One day, I was yearning for some religious devotional images and looking down from my apartment window was this discarded pair on the ground! I practically flew downstairs and rescued them.  While they are only humble prints, they are sacred to me as an inspiring sign to persevere on this project."  

Question: Do you have a favorite Saint? 

"Yes, my favorite Saint is the Apostle, Saint Peter, my Confirmation Name."

PART III of our interview with author, Peter Arnold to be continued . . .

"Armor of Light: A Trilogy Story" by Peter Arnold

Now available on Apple Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and wherever eBooks are sold.

eBook debuted, July 2, 2024 (USA, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, 

The Netherlands, Portugal and other European territories)

ISBN: 979-8-9903783-0-8

©2024 Library of Congress Registration # TXu 2-422-111

USA PCIP Classification: LCC PS3601.R56 2024 | DDC 813 A-dc23

IngramSpark, LLC

e: heavensdoorway@icloud.com

heavensdoorwaypress@gmail.com

instagram.com/heavensdoorwaypress

amazon.com/author/peterarnold

Read the first two installments available on your favorite e-reader.  Download them now worldwide wherever ebooks are sold.  Also available at your local library (ask your librarian) or on hoopla, where you can borrow ebooks online. 

COMING SOON, November 3, 2026: "Armor of Light III" by author, Peter Arnold, the triumphant ending to the Christian angelic mystical suspense ebook trilogy series! Keep watching for more details! Pre-Order now on Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble Also worldwide: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany (TBD), India (TBD), Italy, Japan, 

Mexico (TBD), UK (TBD) and more!