Archangels 29 September

Holyarchangels Top

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael’s Story

Angels—messengers from God—appear frequently in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are named.

Michael appears in Daniel’s vision as “the great prince” who defends Israel against its enemies; in the Book of Revelation, he leads God’s armies to final victory over the forces of evil. Devotion to Michael is the oldest angelic devotion, rising in the East in the fourth century. The Church in the West began to observe a feast honoring Michael and the angels in the fifth century.

Gabriel also makes an appearance in Daniel’s visions, announcing Michael’s role in God’s plan. His best-known appearance is an encounter with a young Jewish girl named Mary, who consents to bear the Messiah.

Raphael’s activity is confined to the Old Testament story of Tobit. There he appears to guide Tobit’s son Tobiah 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.

The memorials of Gabriel and Raphael were added to the Roman calendar in 1921. The 1970 revision of the calendar joined their individual feasts to Michael’s.

Categories: 

More News

Prayers for Benedict XVI

December 29, 2022

At the end of the General Audience on Wednesday, 28 December, Pope Francis asks for “special prayers” for Benedict XVI “who is very ill.”...Read more

The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

December 26, 2022

By Father Greg Friedman, OFM

Although we usually are too polite to show it, let’s be honest—once in a while we receive a...Read more

DECEMBER 26 – SAINT STEPHEN

December 26, 2022

DECEMBER 26 – SAINT STEPHEN

Just after Christmas, the Catholic Church remembers its first martyr, and one of its first deacons, Saint Stephen....Read more