Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

 

St. Michael

St. Gabriel

feast day: September 29

PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL, THE ARCHANGEL

Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in the day of battle, be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray: and you, O Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, by the Power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL, THE ARCHANGEL, AND THE HEAVENLY HOST

St. Michael, the Archangel, in union with all the Holy Angels, in the Name of Jesus and Mary, and for the glory of God, we pray that through your prayers we may receive the gift of continuous prayer, repentance and evangelization.

With your intercession, may God open our hearts and minds so that we may be sensitive to the voice of our Lord, and be attentive to the needs of our brothers and sisters.

Through your intercession, may we also receive the gift of perseverance in the service of our Lord, and in the service of our needy brothers and sisters.

Help us each day to stay away from sin and to grow in holiness.

Thanks to the Almighty God, to the Virgin Mary, to you, St. Michael, the Archangel, and to all the Holy Angels. Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. GABRIEL
FOR INTERCESSION 

 

O Blessed Archangel Gabriel, we beseech you, intercede for us at the throne of mercy in our present necessities, that as you announced to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation, so through your prayers and patronage in heaven we may obtain the benefits we seek and sing the praise of God forever in the land of the living. Amen.

PRAYER TO ST. RAPHAEL
FOR HEALING

 

Saint Raphael, who stand before the throne of Him who lives and reigns. Angel of health! The Lord has filled your hand with balm from heaven to soothe or cure our pains. Heal or cure the victim of disease that I pray for now, and guide our steps in prayer, and when doubtful of our ways! Amen. 

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about:
- The liturgy celebrates the feast of these three archangels who are venerated in the tradition of the Church.
-  An archangel /ˌɑrkˈeɪndʒəl/ is an angel of high rank. Beings similar to archangels are found in a number of religious traditions; but the word "archangel" itself is usually associated with the Abrahamic religions.
- The word archangel is derived from the Greek ἀρχάγγελος (arch- + angel, literally chief angel)
- The Fourth Book of Esdras, which mentions the angel Uriel, was popular in the West and was frequently quoted by Church Fathers, especially Ambrose, but was never considered part of the Catholic biblical canon.

- The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that, "[T]he existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition." 

Angels are pure, created spirits. The name angel means servant or messenger of God. Angels are celestial or heavenly beings, on a higher order than human beings. Angels have no bodies and do not depend on matter for their existence or activity. They are distinct from saints, which men can become. Angels have intellect and will, and are immortal. They are a vast multitude, but each is an individual person.

Archangels are one of the nine choirs of angels listed in the Bible. In ascending order, the choirs or classes are
1) Angels, 
2) Archangels, 
3) Principalities, 
4) Powers, 
5) Virtues, 
6) Dominations, 
7) Thrones, 
8) Cherubim, and 
9) Seraphim.


St. MICHAEL (Who is like God?) 
--- was the archangel who fought against Satan and all his evil angels, defending all the friends of God. He is the protector of all humanity from the snares of the devil. His name appears in Scripture four times, twice in the Book of Daniel, and once each in the Epistle of St. Jude and the Book of Revelation.
--- This day is referred to as "Michaelmas" in many countries and is also one of the harvest feast days. In some parts of Europe, especially Germany, Denmark, and Austria, a special wine called "Saint Michael's Love" (Michelsminne) is drunk on this day. The foods for this day vary depending on nationality. In the British Isles, for example, goose was the traditional meal for Michaelmas, eaten for prosperity, France has waffles or Gaufres and the traditional fare in Scotland used to be St. Michael's Bannock (Struan Micheil) — a large, scone-like cake. In Italy, gnocchi is the traditional fare.
--- Symbols: Angel with wings; dressed in armour; lance and shield; scales; shown weighing souls; millstone; piercing dragon or devil; banner charged with a dove; symbolic colors orange or gold.
 
ST. GABRIEL (Strength of God)  
- announced to Zachariah the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the birth of Jesus. His greeting to the Virgin, "Hail, full of grace," is one of the most familiar and frequent prayers of the Christian people.
--- Symbols: Archangel; sceptre and lily; MR or AM shield; lantern; mirror; olive branch; scroll with words Ave Maria Gratia Plena; Resurrection trumpet; shield; spear; lily; symbolic colors, silver or blue.

ST. RAPHAEL (Medicine of God) 
- is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey.
According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Michael. St. Gabriel is observed on March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24.
--- Symbols: Staff; wallet and fish; staff and gourd; archangel; young man carrying a staff; young man carrying a fish; walking with Tobias; holding a bottle or flask; symbolic colors, gray or yellow.
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quotes:
sources: http://angels.about.com/od/FamousQuotes/f/What-Are-Some-Famous-Quotes-About-Guardian-Angels.htm , http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Angels

• "The servants of Christ are protected by invisible, rather than visible, beings. But if these guard you, they do so because they have been summoned by your prayer." - St. Ambrose.
• "The world of pure spirits stretches between the divine nature and the world of human beings; because divine wisdom has ordained that the higher should look after the lower, angels execute the divine plan for human salvation: they are our guardians, who free us when hindered and help to bring us home." - St. Thomas Aquinas
• "Angels are principally the guardians of our spirits. Their function is not to do our work for us, but to help us do it ourselves, by God's grace." - Eileen Elias Freeman
• "An angel can illuminate the thought and mind of man by strengthening the power of vision, and by bringing within his reach some truth which the angel himself contemplates." - St. Thomas Aquinas, as quoted in 'Angels : A Joyous Celebration' (1999) by Running Press, p. 121 
• "The Lord will command his angels to take good care of you. They will lift you up in their hands. Then you won't trip over a stone." - Psalms 91, 11-12 

links/sources:
- "Archangel" (Wikipedia):
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archangel
- "Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels" (Catholic Culture):
   http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2015-09-29
- "Michaelmas" (Wikipedia):
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michaelmas   
- "Sts. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Archangels" (Catholic News Agency):
   http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=609
- "Sts. Michael, Gabriel, & Raphael" (EWTN):
   https://www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/A/archangels.asp
- "Sts. Michael the Archangel" (Catholic Encyclopedia):
   http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10275b.htm
- "St. Gabriel the Archangel" (Catholic Encyclopedia):
   http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06330a.htm
- "St. Raphael" (Catholic Encyclopedia):
   http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12640b.htm

ARCHANGELS: St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

FEAST DAY: September 29

ABOUT ARCHANGELS:
- celestial beings entrusted with extraordinary missions
- "And I saw seven Angels standing in the sight of God..." - Revelation 8:2
- "And from the throne, lightnings and voices and thunders went forth. And there were seven burning lamps before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God." - Revelation 4:5
- "Bless Yahweh, all His Angels, mighty warriors who fulfill his commands, attentive to the sound of His words." - Psalm 103:20- the Liturgy to Seven Archangels has been confirmed and was still in practice around the year 1800, it has not been abolished, just not in practice (source: http://catholicfaithwarriors.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-seven-archangels.html) 
- 7 Archangels: (source: http://catholicfaithwarriors.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-seven-archangels.html) 

• Michael - his name means "who is like unto God"; patron of the Holy Eucharist; the Leader of the Armies of Heaven; he defends our souls against the infernal enemy when we call on him, but he also defends our Lord who is helpless in the Blessed Sacrament
• Gabriel - his name means "God conquers", "man of God", or "God has shown Himself mighty"; patron of the Sacrament of Baptism and of communications workers; Archangel of the Annunciation and the Incarnation's triumph over sin and death; usually depicted with lillies
• Raphael - his name means "God heals"; patron of the Sacrament of Penance; usually depicted holding a jug of oil for anointing or a fish which represents the soul and the oil of healing of it's ailments through the Sacrament of Confession
• Uriel - his name means "Fire of God", "Flame of God", "Light of God", or even "Sun of God"; patron of the Sacrament of Confirmation; carries the Sword of Truth for Soldiers of Christ; enlightens the minds and the hearts of the faithful with the light of divine truths and the fire of divine love; often depicted carrying either a book or a scroll, both of which represent wisdom...an open hand holding a flame which represents God's truth
• Jehudiel - his name means "Praise of God";patron of the Sacrament of the Sick (Old Term: Extreme Unction, the anointing of the sick and dying); St. Jehudiel carries the flaming sword of salvation (a symbol of God's mercy) and the crown of the victory of grace which awaits the saints in the next life. It is also a reminder of the crown of sufferings to be endured in this life imitation of our Lord.
• Sealtiel or Selaphiel - his name means "Prayer of God"; patron of the Sacrament of the Holy Orders; carries an incenser which is the symbol of the prayers and offerings of the Divine Sacrifice of the Mass, only through the actions through the ordained.; In the Eastern Orthodox Tradition, Archangel Salaphiel is also our primary teacher of prayer. We can pray to Archangel Salaphiel for the Lord to grant us this gift of divine prayer.
• Barachiel - his name means "Blessings of God"; patron of the Sacrament of Matrimony; carries an abundant basket of bread, the staff of life (symbolizing Christian parenthood and its grave responsibilities both spiritual and temporal) to protect and provide for the children God desires of married couples; a powerful intercessor for the barren as well as for troubled marriages; he carries in his hand a book (reminder of the wealth of instructions in the Holy Scripture, the writings of the saints and Papal encyclicals for husbands, wives and children concerning marriage and family life); in iconography, he is sometimes shown holding a white rose against his chest, or with rose petals scattered on his clothing; is the Archangel who was assigned by God to keep watch over His adopted children

ABOUT ARCHANGEL MICHAEL:
- the warrior Angel
- one of the great Archangels
- from the Hebrew <Mikha'el>, meaning: <Who is as God>? His name is a battle cry; both shield and weapon in the struggle, and an eternal trophy of victory
- The name "Archangel" is given only to Saint Michael, even though sacred tradition and the liturgy of the Church attribute the same title to Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael: "When Michael, the archangel, disputing with the devil, contended about the body of Moses, he durst not bring against him the judgment of railing speech, but said: The Lord command thee." In spite of such an explicit testimony of the Scripture, a few writers have maintained that Saint Michael, because of his exalted position among the Angels, must belong to a much higher order, perhaps to that of the Seraphim, rather than to the order of Archangels. We do not believe that this opinion can be defended.
- the Church calls Saint Michael "Prince of the heavenly hosts"- <Princeps militiae caelestis>
- the heavenly protector of God's own people against both human and diabolical enemies


ABOUT ARCHANGEL GABRIEL:
 -  the Archangel of the Annunciation
-  was given special charge of the Holy Family of Nazareth
- composed of the Hebrew words, <gebher>: man, and <'el>: God. It means, therefore, <Man of God> or <Strength of God>
- Practically all the missions and manifestations of this Archangel are closely connected with the coming of the Messias. The most accurate prophecy regarding the time of the coming of Christ was made by Saint Gabriel through the prophet Daniel.
- before the coming of Christ we meet the Archangel Gabriel in the temple of Jerusalem, announcing to Zachary the birth of a son, John the Baptist, the precursor of Christ: "I am Gabriel, who stand before God, and am sent to speak to thee, and to bring thee these good tidings."
- the greatest and by far the most joyful message ever committed to an Angel from the beginning of time, was the one brought by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, announcing to her the Incarnation of the Word of God and the birth of Christ, the Savior of mankind
- Gabriel's conversation with the Virgin Mary: "The Angel being come in said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee."
- was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary."
- Gabriel's duties towards the Messias did not come to an end with his birth. Gabriel was probably the Angel who "appeared in sleep to Joseph," first in Bethlehem when he warned him saying: "Arise, and take the child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until I shalltell you. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him." After the death of Herod the Angel appeared to Joseph again in Egypt to tell him to bring the child and his mother back into the land of Israel.


ABOUT ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL
- from the Hebrew <rapha'>: to heal, and <'el:> God, means "God heals" or the "Divine healer"
- the Divine healer of physical infirmities, spiritual afflictions and diabolical vexations
- The history of Tobias, father and son, contains the grandest angelophany of the whole Bible, and it all revolves around the manifestation of the Archangel Raphael under the assumed name and form of a beautiful young man named Azarias.
-  had been sent by God to cure and comfort two afflicted souls, old Tobias and Raguel's young daughter Sara, the widow of seven husbands, all of whom had died on the first night following their wedding to her
- The health-giving ministry of Saint Raphael may still be seen in the miraculous cures that have taken place up to our own times in many of the sacred Shrines throughout the Christian world.


LINKS/ SOURCES:

- "St. Michael, St. Gabriel & St. Raphael, Archangels" (source: EWTN):
   http://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/A/archangels.asp
-  "St. Michael, St. Gabriel & St. Raphael" (source: Catholic Culture):
   http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-09-29
- "Michael, Gabriel and Raphael: Archangels and Powerful Allies" (source: Catholic Online):
   http://www.catholic.org/news/national/story.php?id=34517
- "Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael" (source: American Catholic):
   http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1153
- "Sts. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Archangels" (source: Catholic News Agency):
   http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=609
- "Seven Archangels" (source: Wikipedia):
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Archangels
- "The Seven Archangels" (with prayers) (source: Catholic Faith Warriors):
   http://catholicfaithwarriors.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-seven-archangels.html
- About Angels: http://angels.about.com/
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i saw a flash of white light on the left side of my eye as i browsed the web for images of Archangels, Angels and real Angels over a couple of weeks ago. i don't know what that was about. the left side of my computer is a wall. based on eyewitness accounts/photos found on the web, these celestial beings can take on a human form and/or a glowing light with a silhouette of a winged human-like being...