Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

Feast of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels is celebrated on the 29 September. (also known as Feast of Saint. Michael and All his Angels)


In Sacred Scripture, only three Archangels are named, they are Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Each of them have their own important roles in the history of salvation.


Angels (in Latin "angelus"  and Greek "aggelos").  
In Hebrew meaning "one going" or "one sent", more commonly known as messenger.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

~ John 1:51 ~

Saint Michael, Archangel

Saint Michael is the "Prince of the Heavenly Host," and the leader of all the angels. His name means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew and it was the battle cry of the good angels against Lucifer and his followers when they rebelled against God. Michael, whose forces cast down Lucifer and the evil spirits into Hell, is invoked for protection against Satan and all evil. In 1899, Pope Leo XIII, having had a prophetic vision of the evil that would be inflicted upon the Church and the world in the 20th century, instituted a prayer asking for Saint Michael's protection to be said at the end/during of every Mass. Saint Michael is mentioned four time in the scriptures of the Bible as follows:
 
Revelation 12:7
 ⁷ Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
 
Daniel 10:12-14, 20-21
¹² Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. ¹³ But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. ¹⁴ Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
 
²⁰ So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; ²¹ but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.
 
Daniel 10:1
12 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise.
 
Jude 1:9
⁹ But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
 
 
The four offices of St. Michael are as follows :
1) to fight against Satan.
2) to rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death.
3) to be the champion of God's people .
4) to call away from earth and bring men's souls to judgment.
 

Prayer to Saint Michael, Archangel (1)
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. 
Prayer to Saint Michael, Archangel (2)
Glorious Prince of the Heavenly hosts
and victor over rebellious spirits,
be mindful of me who am so weak and sinful
and yet so prone to pride and ambition.
Lend me, I pray,
thy powerful aid in every temptation and difficulty,
and above all do not forsake me
in my last struggle with the powers of evil.
Amen.

Saint Gabriel, Archangel

Saint Gabriel, whose name means "God's strength,". Two most significant events of Saint Gabriel are the announcement the birth of John the Baptist to his father Zacharias, and the at Incarnation of the Word in the womb of Mary. It is also belief of Christians that it is Saint Gabriel who appeared to Saint Joseph and to the shepherds, and also that it was Saint Gabriel who "strengthened" Jesus during his agony in the garden of Gethsemane. Saint Gabriel is mentioned in the scriptures of the Bible four time as follows:
 
Daniel 8:16
¹⁶ And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.”
 
Daniel 9:21
²¹ while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice.
 
Luke 1:19
¹⁹ The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.
 
Luke 1:26
²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
 
Let us, honour Gabriel Angel of the Incarnation. Let us recite in his praise some pieces which liturgical piety has composed for his Feast. The two following hymns are from the old Franciscan breviary:Gabriel, Angel of light, and strength of God! whom our Emmanuel
selected from the rest of the heavenly princes,
that thou shouldst expound
unto Daniel the mystery of the savage goat.
Thou didst joyfully hasten to the prophet as he prayed,
and didst tell him of the sacred weeks,
which were to give us the birth of the King of Heaven,
and enrich us with plenteous joy.
'Tis thou didst bring to
the parents of the Baptist the wondrous and gladsome
tidings that Elizabeth, though barren, and Zachary,
though old, should have a son.
What the prophets had foretold from the beginning of the world,
this thou didst announce in all the fullness of the
mystery to the holy virgin,
telling her that she was to be the true Mother of God.
Thou, fair spirit, didst fill the Bethlehem shepherds with joy,
when thou didst tell them the heavenly tidings;
and with thee a host of Angels sang the praises of the newborn God.

As Jesus was in prayer on that last night, when a bloody sweat bathed His limbs,
thou didst leave Heaven to be near Him, and offer Him the chalice
that His Father willed Him to drink.
 
O blessed Trinity! strengthen Catholics hearts with the heavenly gift of faith. Give us grace, as we to thee give glory for ever. Amen.
 
Prayer to Saint Gabriel, Archangel (1)
You Angel of humanity,
you trusting messenger of God,
open our ears also for the quiet warnings
and calls of the most loving Heart of Jesus!
Always be in front of our eyes, we beg you,
that we understand the Word of God correctly,
that we follow, obey and fulfill
that which God wants of us!
And assist us in staying awake for
when the Lord comes to get us so
that He does not find us asleep!
Amen.
 
Prayer to Saint Gabriel, Archangel (2) - For Intercessions
Blessed Saint Gabriel,
Archangel We beseech you
to intercede for us
at the throne of divine mercy:
As you announced
the mystery of the Incarnation to Mary,
so through your prayers
may we receive strength of faith
and courage of spirit,
and thus find favor with God
and redemption through Christ Our Lord.
May we sing the praise of God our Saviour
with the angels and saints
in heaven forever and ever.
Amen.
 
 
Prayer to Saint Gabriel, Archangel (3)

Saint Gabriel the Archangel, I venerate you as the Angel of the Incarnation, because God specially appointed you to bear the messages concerning the God-Man to Daniel, Zechariah, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Give me a very tender and devoted love for the Incarnate Word and his Blessed Mother more like your own. I venerate you also as the "Strength from God" because you are the giver of God's strength, consoler and comforter chosen to strengthen God's faithful and teach them important truths. I ask for the grace of a special power of the will to strive for holiness of life.

Steady my resolutions; renew my courage; comfort and console me in the problems, trials and sufferings of daily living, as you consoled our Savior in his agony and Mary in her sorrows and Joseph in his trials. I put my confidence in you. Saint Gabriel I ask you especially for this favor: (mention your request). Through your earnest love for the Son of God made man and for his Blessed Mother I beg of you, intercede for me that my request may be granted, if it be God's holy will. Pray for us, Saint Gabriel the Archangel, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

 

 

Saint Raphael, Archangel

Saint Raphael, whose name means "God has healed" because of his healing of Tobias' blindness in the Book of Tobit.  Saint Raphael's activities is confined to the Old Testament story of Tobit, through a series of fantastic adventures which lead to a threefold happy ending: Tobiah's marriage to Sarah, the healing of Tobit's blindness and the restoration of the family fortune. His office is generally accepted to be that of healing and acts of mercy. Saint Raphael connected with the angel in Jn 5:1-4 who descended upon the pond and bestowed healing powers upon it so that the first to enter it after it moved would be healed of whatever infirmity he was suffering. Saint Raphael is mentioned in the scriptures of the Bible as follows:
 
John 5:1-4
A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda
5 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ² Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. ³ In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. ⁴ For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 
Tobit 3:17
And Raphael was sent to heal them both, that is, to scale away the whiteness of Tobit’s eyes, and to give Sara the daughter of Raguel for a wife to Tobias the son of Tobit; and to bind Asmodeus the evil spirit; because she belonged to Tobias by right of inheritance. The selfsame time came Tobit home, and entered into his house, and Sara the daughter of Raguel came down from her upper chamber.
 
Tobit 5:4
Therefore when he went to seek a man, he found Raphael that was an angel.
 
Tobit 7:8
And likewise Edna his wife and Sara his daughter wept. Moreover they entertained them cheerfully; and after that they had killed a ram of the flock, they set store of meat on the table. Then said Tobias to Raphael, Brother Azarias, speak of those things of which thou didst talk in the way, and let this business be dispatched.
 
Tobit 8:2
And as he went, he remembered the words of Raphael, and took the ashes of the perfumes, and put the heart and the liver of the fish thereupon, and made a smoke therewith.
 
Tobit 9:1
Then Tobias called Raphael, and said unto him,
 
Tobit 9:5
So Raphael went out, and lodged with Gabael, and gave him the handwriting: who brought forth bags which were sealed up, and gave them to him.
 
Tobit 11:2
Then Raphael said to Tobias, Thou knowest, brother, how thou didst leave thy father:
 
Tobit 11:7
Then said Raphael, I know, Tobias, that thy father will open his eyes.
 
Tobit 12:15
I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One.
 
Prayer to Saint Raphael, Archangel (1)
St. Raphael, of the glorious seven 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, and guide our steps when doubtful of our ways. Amen.
 
Prayer to Saint Raphael, Archangel (2) - for the choice of a good spouse

St. Raphael, you were sent by God to guide young Tobiah in choosing a good and virtuous spouse. Please help me in this important choice which will affect my whole future. You not only directed Tobiah in finding a wife, but you also gave him guidelines which should be foremost in every Christian marriage: "Pray together before making important decisions." If through prayer we keep God as the "third Partner" in our marriage, we will have the strength and grace we need to always accept and do His will. Amen.

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory be...

 

Prayer to Saint Raphael, Archangel (3) - for healing

Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.

I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God" I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (here mention your special intention), and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Prayer to Saint Raphael, Archangel (4) - Patron of Travelers & Bearers of the Good News
St. Raphael, archangel, you protected young Tobiah as he journeyed to a distant land. Protect all travelers and most especially those who go about near and far preaching the Gospel. Guide and inspire modern apostles who use the communications media to bring the Good News of Christ to many souls. You also brought healing and joy to all you met. Help those who bring the Word of God to souls, that they may be as instruments in God's Hands to draw many to lives of Christian holiness. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
 
 

Reading, Psalm and Gospel for 29 September 2012

Reading
Daniel 7: 9 - 10, 13 - 14

9	As I watched, Thrones were set up and the Ancient One took his throne. His clothing was snow bright, and the hair on his head as white as wool; His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire.
10	A surging stream of fire flowed out from where he sat; Thousands upon thousands were ministering to him, and myriads upon myriads attended him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.
13	As the visions during the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him,
14	He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingship shall not be destroyed.

or

Revelation 12: 7 - 12

7	Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,
8	but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
9	And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world -- he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
10	And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
11	And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
12	Rejoice then, O heaven and you that dwell therein! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"

Psalm
Psalms 138: 1 - 5

1	I give thee thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing thy praise;
2	I bow down toward thy holy temple and give thanks to thy name for thy steadfast love and thy faithfulness; for thou hast exalted above everything thy name and thy word.
3	On the day I called, thou didst answer me, my strength of soul thou didst increase.
4	All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, for they have heard the words of thy mouth;
5	and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.

Gospel
John 1: 47 - 51

47	Jesus saw Nathan'a-el coming to him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!"
48	Nathan'a-el said to him, "How do you know me?" Jesus answered him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."
49	Nathan'a-el answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"
50	Jesus answered him, "Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these."
51	And he said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."