The Archangels
Today September 29th, is the feast of the Archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. The three Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, are the only angels named in Sacred Scripture, and all three have important roles in the history of salvation.
St. Augustine wrote: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit,' from what they do, 'angel.'"
"As purely spiritual creatures, angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness" (CCC, 330; Dan 10:9-12).
St. Michael
The name of the archangel Michael means, in Hebrew, who is like unto God? He is commonly known as "the prince of the heavenly host." His name appears in Scripture four times, twice in the Book of Daniel (10 and 12) and once each in the Epistle of St. Jude and the Book of Revelation. We invoke St. Michael to help us in four areas: our fight against Satan; to rescue souls from Satan, especially at the hour of death; to be the champion of God’s people, and to bring souls to judgment. Pope Leo XIII, in 1899, instituted a prayer asking for Saint Michael's protection, which is said in many churches at the end of every Mass.
Saint John Paul II said during a visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, "The battle against the devil . . . is the principal task of Saint Michael the archangel."
Saint Michael has four main responsibilities or offices, as we know from scripture and Christian tradition.
The first is to combat Satan.
The second is to escort the faithful to heaven at their hour of death.
The third is to be a champion of all Christians and the Church itself.
And the fourth is to call men from life on Earth to their heavenly judgment.
Prayer:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who roam about the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
St. Gabriel
St. Gabriel's name in Hebrew means "God is my strength". Biblically he appears three times as a messenger. He had been sent to Daniel to explain a vision concerning the Messiah. He appeared to Zechariah to foretell the birth of his son, St. John the Baptist. St. Gabriel is most known as the angel chosen by God to be the messenger of the Annunciation, to announce to mankind the mystery of the Incarnation.
The angel's salutation to our Lady, so simple and yet so full of meaning, Hail Mary, full of grace, has become the constant and familiar prayer of all Christian people.
In the Book of Daniel, Gabriel is responsible for interpreting Daniel's visions. Gabriel's main function in Daniel is that of revealer, a role he continues in later literature. In the Book of Ezekiel, Gabriel is understood to be the angel that was sent to destroy Jerusalem. Gabriel is known as the angel of communication. He plays the role of God’s messenger.
Prayer:
Blessed Saint Gabriel, Archangel, we beseech you to intercede for us at the throne of divine mercy: As you announced the mystery of the Incarnation to Mary, so through your prayers may we receive the strength of faith and courage of spirit, and thus find favor with God and redemption through Christ Our Lord. May we sing the praise of God our Savior with the angels and saints in heaven forever and ever. Amen.
St. Raphael
Our knowledge of the Archangel Raphael comes to us from the book of Tobit. His mission as a wonderful healer and fellow traveler with the youthful Tobias has caused him to be invoked for journeys and at critical moments in life. Tradition also holds that Raphael is the angel that stirred the waters at the healing sheep pool in Bethesda, as written in John 5:1-4. His name in Hebrew means "God has healed..”
Raphael is said to guard pilgrims on their journeys and is often depicted holding a staff. He is also often depicted holding or standing on a fish, which alludes to his healing of Tobit with the fish's gall. Early mosaics often show him and the other archangels in the clothing of a Byzantine courtier. Raphael is responsible for healing physical and mental ailments.
Prayer:
Blessed Saint Raphael, Archangel, we beseech you to help us in all our needs and trials of this life, as you, through the power of God, didst restore sight and gave guidance to young Tobit. We humbly seek your aid and intercession that our souls may be healed, our bodies protected from all ills, and that through divine grace, we may become fit to dwell in the eternal Glory of God in heaven. Amen.
Prayer to the archangels
Heavenly King, You have given us archangels to assist us
during our pilgrimage on earth.
Saint Michael is our protector;
I ask him to come to my aid,
fight for all my loved ones,
and protect us from danger.
Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News;
I ask him to help me clearly hear Your voice
and to teach me the truth.
Saint Raphael is the healing angel;
I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know,
lift it up to Your throne of grace and
deliver us back to the gift of recovery.
Help us, O Lord, to realize more fully the reality of archangels and their desire to serve us. Holy angels, pray for us.
Amen.
St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael pray for us and protect us.
