Seeking the help and intercession of the Three Archangels – St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael – to grow in our love for the Lord!”

(Based on the Feast of the Archangels St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael)

The Church professes and proclaims Her faith in God which is encapsulated in the Nicene Creed.

The Nicene Creed begins with the proclamation, “We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE.”

The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith!

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Three Archangels – St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael.

Archangels are one of the nine choirs of angels. (cf. Eph 1:21, Col 1:16)

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.

The Feast of the Three Archangels – St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael is an opportunity to learn more about them and to grow in deeper devotion and fondness for them.

ST. MICHAEL

The name of the archangel Michael means, in Hebrew, “Who is like unto God?”

St Michael is known as “the prince of the heavenly host.”

He is usually pictured as a strong warrior, dressed in armour.

St Michael makes an appearance in the Bible on four occasions:

In Dan 10:13 and in Dan 12:1, he appears as the special guardian of the people of Israel.
In Jude 9, he appears in a dispute with the Devil.
In Rev 12:7-9, he fights against Satan and his evil forces.

What does St Michael teach us?

St Michael teaches us…
… to depend on the power of God in our battle against the forces of Satan
… to guard ourselves against the disguises and snares of evil forces.
… to become a guard and protector of our fellow brothers and sisters.

ST GABRIEL

The name of the archangel Gabriel means, in Hebrew, “God is my strength”
St Gabriel is known as a “messenger of God”
He is usually pictured announcing something and sometimes with a lily or a sceptre.

St Gabriel makes an appearance three times in the Bible:

In Dan 8:15–26 and 9:21–27, he appears to Daniel to explain his visions
In Lk 1:11-38, he appears to Zechariah and Mary to deliver the good news from God

What does St Gabriel teach us?

St Gabriel invites us…
… to listen to God’s voice and inspirations through various sources.
… to find courage in situations of fear, by trusting in God’s Providence.
… to be open to surprises and wonders the Lord works in our lives.

ST RAPHAEL

The name of the archangel Raphael means, in Hebrew, “God has healed?”

St Raphael is known as “a wonderful helper and fellow traveller”
He is usually pictured walking with a young boy, sometimes carrying a staff.

St Raphael makes many appearance in the Book of Tobit in the Bible:
St Raphael appears disguised in human form as the travelling companion of Tobias, the son of Tobit.

What does St Raphael teach us?

St Raphael inspires us…
… to discover God as the healing balm in our afflictions and hardships.
… to walk boldly with God in all the terrains and valleys and paths of life.
… to trust in God in seemingly hopeless and impossible hurdles of life.

Let the celebration of this Feast of the Three Archangels – St Michael, St Gabriel and St Raphael – help us to grow in our love for our Blessed Lord!

The Lord wants us to grow in holiness.
The Lord wants us to be protected in His care.
The Lord wants to be fearless in being His beloved Child.

May the Archangels help us in this our journey of life.

Happy Feast of the Holy Archangels!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
Only when the hour has arrived for His glorification does Jesus promise the coming of the Holy Spirit, since His Death and Resurrection will fulfil the promise made to the fathers.

The Spirit of truth, the other Paraclete, will be given by the Father in answer to Jesus’ prayer; He will be sent by the Father in Jesus’ Name; and Jesus will send Him from the Father’s Side, since He comes from the Father.
The Holy Spirit will come and we shall know Him; He will be with us for ever; He will remain with us.
The Spirit will teach us everything, remind us of all that Christ said to us and bear witness to Him. >> The Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth and will glorify Christ.
He will prove the world wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment.
At last Jesus’ hour arrives: He commends His Spirit into the Father’s Hands, at the very moment when by His death He conquers death, so that, “raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,” He might immediately give the Holy Spirit by “breathing” on His disciples.

From this hour onward, the mission of Christ and the Spirit becomes the mission of the Church: “As the Father has sent me, even so I send you!” (Cf. CCC # 729-730)