September 29th is the Feast Day of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. These three Archangels are the only angels named in the Bible and all three played an important part in God’s salvation plan.
St. Michael
The name of the archangel Michael means, in Hebrew, who is like unto God? He is commonly known as "the prince of the heavenly host." His name appears in Scripture four times, twice in the Book of Daniel (10 and 12), and once each in the Epistle of St. Jude and the Book of Revelation. We invoke St. Michael to help us in four areas: our fight against Satan; to rescue souls from Satan, especially at the hour of death; to be the champion of the God’s people; and to bring souls to judgment. Pope Leo XIII, in 1899, instituted a prayer asking for Saint Michael's protection, which is said in many churches at the end of every Mass.
Prayer:
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 other evil spirits who roam about the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
St. Gabriel
St. Gabriel's name in Hebrew means "God is my strength". Biblically he appears three times as a messenger. He had been sent to Daniel to explain a vision concerning the Messiah. He appeared to Zechariah to foretell the birth of his son, St. John the Baptist. St. Gabriel is most known as the angel chosen by God to be the messenger of the Annunciation, to announce to mankind the mystery of the Incarnation.
The angel's salutation to our Lady, so simple and yet so full of meaning, Hail Mary, full of grace, has become the constant and familiar prayer of all Christian people.
Prayer:
Blessed Saint Gabriel, Archangel, we beseech you to intercede for us at the throne of divine mercy: As you announced the mystery of the Incarnation to Mary, so through your prayers may we receive strength of faith and courage of spirit, and thus find favor with God and redemption through Christ Our Lord. May we sing the praise of God our Savior with the angels and saints in heaven forever and ever. Amen.
St. Raphael
Our knowledge of the Archangel Raphael comes to us from the book of Tobit. His mission as wonderful healer and fellow traveler with the youthful Tobias has caused him to be invoked for journeys and at critical moments in life. Tradition also holds that Raphael is the angel that stirred the waters at the healing sheep pool in Bethesda as written in John 5:1-4. His name in Hebrew means "God has healed".
Prayer:
Blessed Saint Raphael, Archangel, we beseech you to help us in all our needs and trials of this life, as you, through the power of God, didst restore sight and gave guidance to young Tobit. We humbly seek your aid and intercession, that our souls may be healed, our bodies protected from all ills, and that through divine grace we may become fit to dwell in the eternal Glory of God in heaven. Amen.
