Feast Day: The Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Messengers of God

[Michie]

*Permission to post full text*

By F. K. Bartels

9/29/2010

Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Who are the archangels?

Pope St. Gregory the Great distinguishes between angels and archangels: "Those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels." The Catechism explains: "From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. 'Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.' Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God" (No. 336).


St. Michael the Archangel battles Satan


GLADE PARK, CO (Catholic Online) -- "The 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" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 328).

Today we celebrate the Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael: Archangels. Though we cannot know of all the many times these magnificent spirits and powerful allies have entered into history to accomplish God's will, protecting us, driving away demons, and bearing forth messages of God's providential plan of salvation, some of their specific actions are recorded in Sacred Scripture, and, in each case, we obtain a glimpse into their ardent love for God, intently focused wills and formidable intellects.

"Who Is Like God"

In the Office of Readings -- from The Liturgy Of The Hours, which is a part of the official, liturgical and public prayer of the Church -- antiphon we read: "The sea grew turbulent and the earth trembled when Michael the archangel came down from heaven."

As we read in Scripture, it was St. Michael who long ago led the battle against Satan: "Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Although the dragon and his angels fought back, they were overpowered and lost their place in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or Satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out; he was hurled down to earth and his minions with him" (Rev 12:7-9).

The name Michael means "who is like God." St. Michael's will is focused, immovable, and entirely driven toward accomplishing goodness: he is a protector of souls, and wields his unrelenting sword of righteous justice against the poisonous and vindictive aspirations of the one who is known as a liar from the beginning. During a visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Michael the Archangel, the Venerable John Paul II said, "The battle against the devil . . . is the principal task of Saint Michael the archangel."

When St. Michael the Archangel appeared to the three children at Fatima in 1916, preparing the way for the apparition of our Blessed Mother which was soon to follow, he said to them, "Fear not. I am the Angel of Peace. Pray with me." Then, prostrating himself, he repeated three times: "My God; I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee! I beg Thee forgiveness for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love Thee!" In this simple yet wonderful prayer of profound meaning, St. Michael clearly reveals his burning adoration and love for God, as well as the fact that, deep within the center of his being, he also bears great love and concern for men. How serious and committed this warrior is! St. Michael offers us a model of unwavering dedication, focus, fearlessness, and trust in God's sovereign goodness and power.

"God Is My Strength"

Gabriel means "God is my strength." As we read in the second antiphon of the Office of Readings, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and said, "Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John" (see Lk 1:13). Thus St. Gabriel announced the coming of John the Baptist, the greatest prophet of the Most High, who would go before the Lord to prepare his way.

It was St. Gabriel who was sent from God to Nazareth, "to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, . . . and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, 'Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you'" (Lk 1:27-28).

St. Gabriel's message announced a pivotal moment in humankind's history: the Savior was, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The Archangel who draws his strength from God brought us the message of strength in which we draw our hope: God Incarnate was soon to enter history for love of man.

Pope St. Gregory the Great wrote: "He [Gabriel] came to announce the One who appeared as a humble man to quell the cosmic powers. Thus God's strength announced the coming of the Lord of the heavenly powers, mighty in battle" (excerpt from Hom. 34, 8-9).

"God Is My Health"

Raphael means "God is my health." St. Raphael is one of seven angels "who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord" (Tob 12:15). The meaning of Raphael's name reflects the fact that he touched Tobit's eyes in order to heal them of blindness.

In the third antiphon of the Office of Readings, we are reminded that Raphael stands before God: "I am the angel Raphael, I stand in the presence of the Lord; as for you, bless the Lord, and proclaim his wonderful deeds."

When Tobit and his son Tobiah were discussing how they should repay St. Raphael for all that he had done for them, "Raphael called the two men aside privately and said to them: 'Thank God! Give him the praise and the glory. Before all the living, acknowledge the many good things he has done for you, by blessing and extolling his name in song. Before all men, honor and proclaim God's deeds, and do not be slack in praising him'" (Tobit 12:6).

There is a great deal we can learn from the Archangels, who are powerful messengers, allies and friends of men.

What Is An Angel?

St. Augustine says: "'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 incorporeal beings, creatures made of spirit and without a material body, angels are not in themselves perceptible by the senses.

Pope St. Gregory the Great distinguishes between angles and archangels: "Those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that with their whole being the angels are servants God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word" (CCC No. 329; Mt 18:10).

As we reflect upon the beauty, power and strength of the angels, we are drawn toward a deeper and clearer understanding of God's love for man; for billions of angels, to be sure, are given personal charge over their own child of God. Every moment of each day, day after day, year after year, our faithful guardian angels stand at our sides, focused on our well-being with far greater power than even we ourselves can summon.

The Catechism explains: "From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. 'Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.' Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God" (No. 336).

More On The Angels

In the Catechism we read that "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 No. 330; Dan 10:9-12).

Michael Schmaus writes: "The angels' free and powerful will corresponds to their comprehensive knowledge. It is on account of this penetrating understanding and great power of will that they make decisions without vacillating, without deliberation and with concentrated intellectual assertion, and hence never revoke them." Schmaus also notes that the angelic intellect possesses an "extraordinary power of penetration," and that the angels enjoy an intensity of intellectual life which "corresponds to their close association with God" (Dogma, New York: Sheed and Ward).

God created the angels, like man, with an intellect and will, yet these shared attributes cannot be exactly compared, for they differ greatly in strength and power. For instance, we might compare the intellect and will of a child to that of an adult: the former is not nearly so strong as the latter. The angels' intellect is far advanced over that of man, and, as for their will, they do not struggle with doubt, weakness, and the tendency to fall into sin. On the contrary, the angels' will is of unwavering force, unceasingly directed toward and powerfully focused on the Ultimate Good, which is, of course, God.

As for how the angels move, we are all familiar with pictures of winged cherubs. Yet, as wonderful as wings might be, they do no justice as a description of the angels' movement. The angels are able to travel from our bedside to the sun's corona, from there to the most distant star and back again in less than an instant. In fact, it is actually irrelevant to include the element of time in a discussion of angels' movement. The speed of light is really no speed at all for our powerful guardians; for they are not constrained by the laws of time and space as are men. Their movement is as quick and effortless as a thought. It is best to think of the angels' movement as one of entering in and out of time, rather than a movement of direction from one point to another, as we experience it in the material world.

Though the angels surpass in perfection all visible creatures, we should be mindful of the close relationship we share with them. While there are significant differences between us, both men and angels were created in and through Christ; therefore we are truly brothers, if you will, who exist for Christ, each drawing our light and life from Christ. We share with the angels our beginning and end in God, the Origin of life and the Source of all that is visible and invisible.

St. Gabriel announced the most wonderful and sublime event ever to occur in the universe, the coming of the Incarnate God into the world through the womb of our precious Virgin Mary. Though we now look back twenty centuries to that moment of his wondrous announcement, we can still feel the joy in his words, and, this moment, we continually share in that joy. We belong to that Savior of which Gabriel spoke; along with Gabriel we pledge our allegiance to Christ, our Master and King.

On this Feast day, let us thank our Lord for the Archangels who have often entered into history as messengers in God's providential plan of salvation. Let us also remember our close connection with them in Christ, and frequently turn to them for their intercessory protection and assistance in times of trouble.

Continued- http://www.catholic.org/hf/faith/story.php?id=38452

 

[WarriorAngel]

It's mind boggling how there is no time outside of time. Really interesting stuff.

I forget the other Arch Angels names.

 

[WarriorAngel]

Roman Catholic

In Roman Catholicism, three are honoured by name:

• St. Michael (see above)
• St. Gabriel
• St. Raphael (Tobit 3:17, 12:15) (see below)

St. Gregory the Great in a sermon[10] gave the names of the other four:

• Uriel who is named in 2 Esdras,
• Phanuel, (Orfiel, Ophaniel) &
• Zarachiel (Saraqael) who were both named in the Book of Enoch
• Simiel (Proclaimer of God).

Although this was overturned by St. Zachary[11] a few years later as a Bishop, the mystic Adalbert[12][13] used the Kabbalah to pray to Uriel for his own purposes. In his trial they said the "Uriel" he was praying to was a demon (Accursed Uriel) and not "Blessed Uriel".[14]
Three of those angels are well known from old Christian Tradition.[15]


Archangel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[WarriorAngel]

The apocryphal 1Enoch 20 lists the archangels as:

• Uriel,
• Raphael,
• Raguel,
• Sariel,
• Gabriel, and
• Remiel

The militaristic Michael is counted by many as an archangel and is mentioned in Book of Revelation Chapter 12 as well as in the Book of Daniel.

Catholic Encyclopedia - Angels. Main Source

 

[Rhamiel]

nice stuff, i pray the short st.michael prayer for my parents and myself sometimes

 

[Eucharisted]

Saint Raphael, who prefigured Christ, point us to the Cross which is our Healing!
Saint Gabriel, who hailed Christ, teach us the Gospel which is our Strength!
Saint Michael, who protected Christ, keep us with Jesus Who is our Peace!

 

[Tigg]

Hurrah for St. Michael!!! Who is like unto God?



Yep, who indeed!! I choose Archangel Michael when I was confirmed. Course I don't bother such an important figure of heaven. After all he watches over Israel, he is the most powerful of the 4 Archangels, stands against hell and fights and wins.

Wish I was just a weee bit more like him.

TY muchly Michie for this thread.

St. Michael's |Our Patron

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Thanks be to God that we all have a guardian angel

 

[Michie]

The archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are honored on September 29; October 2 is the Feast of the Guardian Angels.

Michael has been widely venerated by Jews and Christians alike, and because of a passage from the Book of Revelation describing him as leading the angels in the war against Satan and his followers (12:7-9), Michael is considered the patron saint of police officers.

Gabriel is the archangel who appeared first to Zechariah and announced the conception of John the Baptist (Lk 1:10-20), and then to Mary to announce God’s plan to make her the mother of the Savior (Lk 1:26-38).

Raphael is the angel who cured the Old Testament hero Tobit of his blindness (Tb 11:7-15). St. Gregory the Great (pope from 590-604) wrote: “You should be aware that the word ‘angel’ denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of Heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message.

Moreover, those who deliver messages of supreme importance are called archangels…. Some angels are given proper names to denote the service they are empowered to perform…. Thus, Michael means ‘Who is like God?,’ Gabriel is ‘The Strength of God,’ and Raphael is ‘God’s Remedy.’”

Other Saints We Remember Today
Dedication of the Bascilica of St. Michael the Archangel; “Michaelmas Day” (530)

 

[Davidnic]

This feast and the Guardian Angels as well as St. Joseph were my favorite growing up. It is also the day, to our best estimate, that our Michael would have been born. Hence the name.

I have not been able to really focus on it since the miscarriage much less celebrate.

But this year, since I am teaching CCD, I go over all the coming saints days for the week at the end of class. Talk about the traditions and such. And it was good this year introducing the feast to the kids. It was good for me to do that and get them excited about the day. And good practice for explaining it to Lily.

In the years to come as Lily is old enough we'll have a goose, I'll make all the food do all the stuff.

Like I said it has always been one of my favorites. Only Easter, Christmas and St. Joseph's day were awaited with more joy when I was a boy.

St. Joseph's day is a Saturday this year so I am out of my mind with anticipation to get everything ready and cook all the things in March. Being a Saturday it means people can come and it can be a big day.

 

[JacktheCatholic]

Having a goose sounds cool. My kids would love it.

 

[Tigg]

I agree with you JacktheCatholic. Having a guardian angel has to be nice. Now bear with me as on this angel or that saint, I can reign in chaos. I do figure I had a guardian angel as so stated biblically. The things I did as a child, that should have resulted in death or at least serious injury but never received a scratch for some unfathomable reason, I chalk up to my guardian angel. However, I do believe he/she has been partying or elsewhere for the rest of my live.

Neither of my names first and middle were chosen for saints. My parents weren't Catholic. Yeah, there sure is at least one saint for my first and probably for my middle as well. At any rate I was only to happy when I converted to get to chose a saint when I was confirmed. I was told I couldn't choose Archangel Michael as he was an Archangel. Well, duh. So you call him Saint huh. Well that is the one. They said OK. Lol. Now I don't believe he is my guardian angel - my patron perhaps? I am all confused on the formal name. I know my guardian has been away or on vacation or partying for many years. Don't blame him/her. It is what it is. But I do admire Archangel Michael. His Who is like unto God really hits home.

If you or anyone can straighten me out on all these angels - guardian, patron or whatever, I would much appreciate it!

God bless.

 

[Davidnic]

Having a goose sounds cool. My kids would love it.

Sad thing with that is goose is so expensive compared to what it used to be...still, yummy.

 

[Davidnic]

On the right hand side are all the recipes and such: link

 

[JacktheCatholic]

I agree with you JacktheCatholic. Having a guardian angel has to be nice. Now bear with me as on this angel or that saint, I can reign in chaos. I do figure I had a guardian angel as so stated biblically. The things I did as a child, that should have resulted in death or at least serious injury but never received a scratch for some unfathomable reason, I chalk up to my guardian angel. However, I do believe he/she has been partying or elsewhere for the rest of my live.

Neither of my names first and middle were chosen for saints. My parents weren't Catholic. Yeah, there sure is at least one saint for my first and probably for my middle as well. At any rate I was only to happy when I converted to get to chose a saint when I was confirmed. I was told I couldn't choose Archangel Michael as he was an Archangel. Well, duh. So you call him Saint huh. Well that is the one. They said OK. Lol. Now I don't believe he is my guardian angel - my patron perhaps? I am all confused on the formal name. I know my guardian has been away or on vacation or partying for many years. Don't blame him/her. It is what it is. But I do admire Archangel Michael. His Who is like unto God really hits home.

If you or anyone can straighten me out on all these angels - guardian, patron or whatever, I would much appreciate it!

God bless.

I have more rough times then good times. With that said, I think I still have a guardian angel with me always. But we cannot judge based on good or bad times. I think our road to Heaven will not be easy but if we can complete the journey then our guide was indeed awesome, no matter the difficulties we faced.

 

[JacktheCatholic]

On the right hand side are all the recipes and such: link

Roast goose with sour cream and apple stuffing sounds really good.

 

[Tigg]

I have more rough times then good times. With that said, I think I still have a guardian angel with me always. But we cannot judge based on good or bad times. I think our road to Heaven will not be easy but if we can complete the journey then our guide was indeed awesome, no matter the difficulties we faced.

Of course you are right. Just one of those unnecessary but curious things to wonder about. TY for answering

And to Davidnic, goose is yummy and like the recipes. Took the liberty of coping a few to try. TY for link. Might be just the ticket for Thanksgiving or Christmas!

 

[Michie]

Having a goose sounds cool. My kids would love it.

They are very territorial. Can be as protective & mean to strangers as any watch dog.

I'm a fan of them off the dinner plate myself.