Feast
of Archangels
St
Michael~St Gabriel~St Raphael
September
29
"O, angelic
spirits,
who guard our tabernacles, wherein lies
the adorable treasure of the Holy Eucharist,
who guard our tabernacles, wherein lies
the adorable treasure of the Holy Eucharist,
defend
it from profanation
and preserve it for our love."
and preserve it for our love."
St
Josemaria Escriva
"Michael
and his Angels battled against the dragon...
Satan,
the seducer of the whole world, was driven out."
Revelation
12:7, 9
The Three Archangels and Tobias, Francesco Botticini, 1470
A
Sermon of Pope Saint Gregory
From the Third Nocturne of Matins of the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel
From the Third Nocturne of Matins of the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel
We
speak of nine orders of Angels, because we know, by the testimony of Holy
Scripture, that there are the following: Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers,
Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim and Seraphim. It must be realized
that "Angel" is the name of their office, not of their nature. For the holy
Spirits of the heavenly homeland are always Spirits, but they cannot always be
called Angels; they are Angels only when they are announcing something. Those
who announce less important things are called Angels, and those who announce the
highest things are called Archangels. And so not any Angel but the Archangel
Gabriel was sent to Mary; for this ministry, it was fitting to have the highest
Angel, since he was to announce the greatest news of all. These Archangels are
also given special names to describe their particular virtue. For Michael means
"Who is like to God?" Gabriel means "Strength of God," and Raphael "Medicine of
God."
Whenever
something is to be done needing great power, Michael is sent forth so
that from his action and his name we may understand that no one can do what God
can do. Hence that old enemy who through pride desired to be like God is shown
at the end of the world, left to his own strength and about to undergo the final
punishment, as destined to fight with Michael the Archangel, as John says,
"There was a battle with Michael the Archangel." Similarly, Gabriel was sent to Mary; he who is called
"Strength of God" came to announce Him who deigned to appear in humility to
conquer the powers of the air. And Raphael is interpreted, as we said, "Medicine
of God," for when he touched the eyes of Tobias to do the work of healing, he
dispelled the "night of his blindness."
St
Michael, St Gabriel, St Raphael, pray for us
and defend
us in battle!
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