St. Michael, St. Gabriel, & St. Raphael

Happy Feast of the Archangels!

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou,

O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God,

thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits,

who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

The name Michael means “Who is like to God?” The bible describes St. Michael as “one of the chief princes,” and leader of the good angels in heaven in their triumph over satan and his followers. He has been honored as patron and protector from the time of the Apostles. St. Michael is also known as Prince of the Seraphim.

Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son:
and thou shalt call his name Jesus.
He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High.
And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father:
and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.
And of his kingdom there shall be no end.
~ Luke 1:30-1:33 ~

The name Gabriel means “man of God,” or “God has shown himself mighty.” He is known as the messenger archangel. St. Gabriel first appears in the prophesies of Daniel in the Old Testament. The angel announced to Daniel the prophecy of the seventy weeks. His name is also in the apocryphal book of Henoch. He appeared to Zachariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist. He announced to Mary that she would bear a Son, “the Son of God”, Who would be conceived of the Holy Spirit. Finally, he appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt.

Raphael means “God heals”. St. Raphael is the archangel of healing and the protector of travellers. St. Raphael is one of seven Archangels who stand before the throne of the Lord. He was sent by God to help Tobit, Tobiah and Sarah. Raphael, Michael and Gabriel are the only Archangels mentioned by name in the bible. In the apocryphal book of Enoch, St. Raphael is said to have “healed” the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels in the apocryphal book of Enoch.