SAINT MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL; ARCHANGELS

Discover the Catholic Church teaching about Archangels.

Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael the Archangels

By Edward Matulanya

Discover the Catholic Church teaching about Archangels.

The Catholic Church teaches that angels are purely spiritual beings who serve as God’s messengers and helpers (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997, §§328-336). Among them, the Church venerates by name only Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, whose missions are recorded in Sacred Scripture and whose feast is kept on 29 September.

Saint Michael the Archangel

Michael’s name means “Who is like God?” (Vatican City State, 2020). Scripture depicts him as the defender of God’s people (Dn 10:13; 12:1), the leader of the heavenly army against Satan (Rv 12:7-9), and protector of the Church (CCC, 1997, §335).

Saint Gabriel the Archangel

Gabriel’s name means “God is my strength” (Vatican City State, 2020). He is God’s principal messenger, announcing the birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:11-20) and, most notably, the Incarnation to Mary at the Annunciation (Lk 1:26-38) (CCC, 1997, §332).

Saint Raphael the Archangel

Raphael’s name means “God heals” (Vatican City State, 2020). In the Book of Tobit he accompanies Tobias on a journey, protects him, drives away a demon, and heals Tobit’s blindness (Tb 3:16-17; 12:15) (Franciscan Media, 2023). Because of this, Raphael is invoked as a patron of travelers and the sick.

Feast Day and Liturgy of Archangels

The Roman Calendar commemorates these three Archangels together on 29 September with the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels, praising God “who dispose[s] in marvelous order ministries both angelic and human” (Roman Missal, Collect for 29 September).

References

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1997). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.). Libreria Editrice Vaticana. https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Franciscan Media. (2023, September 29). Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saints-michael-gabriel-and-raphael/

Roman Missal. (2011). The Roman Missal: Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels (Collect prayer). United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Vatican City State. (2020, September 29). Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Governorate of the Vatican City State. https://www.vaticanstate.va/en/news/757-29-september-archangels-michael-gabriel-and-raphael.html

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