Michael

Church of SS. Cosmas and Damian

SS. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

Archangels

History: Saint Michael the archangel is one of the three angels, with Gabriel and Raphael, liturgically venerated by the Church. He appears twice in the Old Testament (Dan. 10:13ff.; 12:1, as the helper of the Chosen People) and twice in the New Testament (Jude v.9, where he disputes with the devil over Moses' body; and Rev. 12:7-9, where he and his angels fought the dragon and hurled him and his followers from heaven). He repeatedly appears in apocryphal literature and was early regarded in the Church as the captain of the heavenly host, the protector of the Christian against the devil, especially at the hour of death, when he conducts the soul to God, and as the helper of Christian armies against heathen armies.

St. Gabriel the archangel who was God's messenger to Daniel to explain his vision (Dan. 8:16-26) and prophecy (Dan. 9:21-27), he also foretold the birth of John the Baptist to John's father Zechariah (Luke 1:11-21) and proclaimed the birth of Christ to Mary (Luke 1:26-38).

St. Raphael the archangel is one of the seven archangels "who stand before the Lord" (Tb. 12:12, 15). He was sent by God to minister to Tobias and Sarah and accompanied young Tobias to Media disguised as a Man named Azarias. His name in Hebrew means "God heals," and he is identified as the angel who "healed" the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels in the apocryphal Enoch (10:7) and who moved the waters of the healing sheeppool (John 5:1-4).

SS. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael's feast is celebrated on September 29th, Michaelmas Day. These three archangels have been identified by name and been venerated for ages in both the Jewish and Christian traditions.

Prayer: God our Father, in a wonderful way you guide the work of angels and men. May those who serve you constantly in heaven keep our live safe from all harm on earth. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

References:
1. Delaney, John J. Dictionary of Saints. Copyright 1980. P. 242, 408, 485.

2. The Liturgy of the Hours According to the Roman Rite, Catholic Book Publishing Co., New York, (C) 1975, Volume IV, pp. 1447.

Web-site Design and Hosting courtesy of LaForest Systems, Inc.
Authored by D. Petra & D. LaForest