Feast of the Archangels - Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael – September 29

Feast of the Archangels
Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
September 29

"God created everything for man, but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to him."  CCC 358

Today, September 29, the Church celebrates the feast of the archangels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The name angel means servant or messenger. Saint Augustine tells us that angels always behold the face of the Father who is in heaven and are the mighty ones at all times ready at the hearkening of His voice to do God’s will in service to humanity. Distinct from the saints, which men can become, angels are vast in multitude, pure created spirits, distinctly individual, immortal, possessing both intelligence and will.

Each archangel performs a different mission for God: Michael protects, Gabriel announces, and Raphael guides. The name of the archangel Michael means, “Who is like God?” His name appears in Scripture four times, twice in the Book of Daniel, (Daniel 10:12-13, 20-21) and once each in the Epistle of St. Jude (Jude 1:9) and the Book of Revelation (Revelation 12:7-12). It is Saint Michael we invoke to help us fight against Satan and evil.

Gabriel's name means "God is my strength". Biblically he appears four times as a messenger, twice in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 8:16, 9:21) and twice in the Gospel of Saint Luke (Luke 1:19, 26) St. Gabriel is known as the angel chosen by God to be the messenger of the Annunciation, to announce to mankind the mystery of the Incarnation.

The Archangel Raphael reveals himself to us in the Book of Tobit (Tobit 12:15) as ”one of the seven angels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord.”His names means “God has healed.”

Apostleship of Prayer

Saint Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle.

Be our protection 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 Divine Power of God -

cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,

who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

For items related to the Holy Angels please visit Lynn's Timeless Treasures Catholic Goods. 

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art
The Three Archangels - Francesco Botticini
Archangel Michael - Guido Reni
Annunciation - Leonardo da Vinci
Raphael and Tobias - Filippino Lippi