Dear Parishioners and Friends;
There are many great Saints of the Church who are remembered during the month of October. However, at our noon daily mass this Tuesday, we will celebrate an unusual feast, one that consists not of human saints, but of the Archangels and Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
In paragraph 328, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "The existence of spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls 'angels' is a truth of faith..." In other words, angels are not just figurative or imaginative concepts as some might believe, but are very real spiritual beings that are not human as we are.
Even though they are of the spiritual realm, holy angels are found to take part in the promotion of God's plan for humanity as described in the scriptures. The Archangels specifically reveal themselves as special messengers of God's plan and have the assigned role of protecting human beings.
There are seven Archangels, but we only know the names of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, as found in the Bible.
The name Michael means “who is like God?”
Gabriel’s name means “the power of God.”
Raphael’s name means “God has healed.”
The Archangel Michael appears in the books of Daniel, Revelation, and the Letter of Jude. Specifically, the book of Revelation describes the great battle the Archangel Michael had with Satan and his demonic angels in heaven. Michael and his Angels were victorious. Images of Saint Michael portray him carrying a flaming sword. The Archangel Michael is described as a powerful protector who works for God on our behalf. Parents will ask St. Michael to protect their children from evil and harm. Police and Fire personnel will ask Saint Michael to watch over them in times of critical danger. The "Saint Michael Prayer" is prayed by those asking the Archangel to protect the Church both in practice and mission. Many Saint Michael medallions are in the glove boxes of new young drivers, placed there by their worried parents.
The Archangel Gabriel is best known as God's messenger. In fact the Greek word, "aggelos," means angel or "messenger." In Luke’s Gospel, the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was to be the mother of our Savior, and would appear to Joseph in his dreams. He also would announce to Zechariah that he, and his wife Elizabeth, would bear a son who would be named John.
In the Book of Tobit we learn how the Archangel Raphael brought healing to blind Tobit, and how the angel accompanied Tobit’s son Tobiah on his long journey. Only at the very end of the journey, did Raphael reveal his true identity. Saint Raphael is regarded as the protector of travelers, the sick and of medical personnel.
"With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven' they are the mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word'" (from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 329; and as quoted from the Gospel of Matthew chapter 18.)
And yes, the Church teaches us that we do indeed have our very own guardian angel. Their Feast day is October 2nd.
Finally, here is that famous "Guardian Angel" prayer we learned in second grade; "Angel of God my guardian dear, to whom His love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light, to guard, to rule, and to guide!"
May God bless you!
Fr. Gonyo
