Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that, "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."
The liturgy celebrates the feast of these three archangels who are venerated in the tradition of the Church:
MICHAEL (Who is like God?) was the archangel who fought against Satan and all his evil angels, defending all the friends of God. He is the protector of all humanity from the snares of the devil.
GABRIEL (Strength of God) announced to Zachariah the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the birth of Jesus. His greeting to the Virgin, "Hail, full of grace," is one of the most familiar and frequent prayers of the Christian people.
RAPHAEL (Medicine of God) is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey.
Who are the Angels?
Angels are pure, created spirits. The name angel means servant or messenger of God. Angels are celestial or heavenly beings, on a higher order than human beings. Angels have no bodies and do not depend on matter for their existence or activity. They are distinct from saints, which men can become. Angels have intellect and will, and are immortal. They are a vast multitude, but each is an individual person. Archangels are one of the nine choirs of angels listed in the Bible. 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.
- Excerpted from Catholicculture.org
Find out more about the Angels
- See the teachings of the Church on angels, CCC nos. 328-336.
- Read Catechesis on the Angels given by St John Paul II during his General Audiences from July 9 to August 20, 1986.
- Also read All About the Angels.
- Memorize the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. Read about this prayer.
- Read the Book of Tobit for the story of St. Raphael helping Tobit and Tobias.
