The Feast of the Archangels Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael is celebrated on September 29; and on October 2, the Memorial of the Guardian Angels is observed.

It is evident from Holy Scripture that God is pleased to make frequent use of the ministry of the angels in the dispensations of His providence in this world.

In his Summa Theologiae, St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor, names three angelic hierarchies, each with three choirs of angels. In the highest hierarchy, he lists Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones. In the second hierarchy, St. Thomas mentions Dominions, Virtues and Powers. Finally, in the lowest hierarchy, he lists Principalities, Archangels, and
Angels.

The word “angel” denotes a function rather than a nature. The heavenly spirits can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels. The Bible provides us with the names of three of the seven Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Their names signify their respective attributes.

First St. Michael:
The name Michael in Hebrew means ‘Who is like God.’ St. Michael led the battle against Lucifer and his followers when they rebelled against God. He is mentioned in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 10 and 12), in the letter of St. Jude, in the Book of Revelation, and in the Book of Enoch. St Michael, whose forces cast down Lucifer and the evil spirits into Hell, is invoked for protection against Satan and all evil. Pope Leo XIII, in 1899, 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 of every Mass. Whenever some act of wondrous power must be performed, St. Michael is sent, so that his action and his name may make it clear that no one can do what God does by His superior power.

Next, St. Gabriel:
Gabriel means ‘God is my strength,’ and he is mentioned in St. Luke’s Gospel, in the Book of Daniel, and in the Book of Enoch. Most significant are St Gabriel’s two mentions in Luke’s Gospel: to announce the birth of John the Baptist to his father Zacharias, and at the Incarnation of the Word. He was sent from God to Nazareth, “to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, … and the virgin’s name was Mary.” (Lk 1:27-28). There are Christian traditions that also suggest that it was the archangel Gabriel who appeared to St Joseph in a dream and to the shepherds, and who also ‘strengthened’ Jesus during His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Next, St. Raphael:
Raphael is Hebrew for “God heals.” Tobit is the only book in which St. Raphael is mentioned. St. Raphael’s office is known for healing and acts of mercy. St. Raphael is generally associated by many Church Fathers with the angel mentioned in the Gospel of John as stirring the water at the healing pool of Bethesda. Of the three Angels named in the Bible, St. Raphael gets, perhaps, the least attention today. This is a real pity, because, we live in a society that needs healing as never before especially healing from division.

The three vigilant and magnificent Archangels Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are signs of God’s loving care for us. We should call very often on them to help us and intercede for us before the throne of God. May we invoke St Raphael for healing, St Gabriel for consolation, and St Michael for protection against the snares and wickedness of the Devil.