Good morning. Today, the Church celebrates the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Saint Michael, as we heard in the Book of Revelations, fought the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, and defeated the dragon and its fallen angels. Saint Gabriel appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and Saint Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25), each time telling them not to be afraid but to trust in God’s divine plan for them. Saint Raphael appears in “the Old Testament story of Tobit. . . to guide Tobit’s son Tobiah” (Franciscan Media).
Saint Gregory reflected that “the word ‘angel’ denotes a function rather than a nature. . . those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels.” Saint Michael protects; Saint Gabriel announces; Saint Raphael guides. Moreover, Saint Gregory wrote that “Michael means ‘Who is like God’; Gabriel is ‘The Strength of God’; and Raphael is ‘God’s Remedy’. . . ”
We see these functions in the prayer to each of the archangels. The prayer to St. Michael to “come to [our] aid, fight for all [our] loved ones, and protect us from danger”:
“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense 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 power of GOD cast into hell satan and all the evil spirits who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”
The prayer to St. Gabriel to “help [us] clearly hear [God’s] voice and to teach [us] the truth”:
“O God, who from among all your angels chose the Archangel Gabriel to announce the mystery of the Incarnation, mercifully grant that we who solemnly remember him on earth may feel the benefit of his patronage in heaven, with Jesus who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.”
And, finally, the prayer to St. Raphael 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 to you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (name it) and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
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