Feast of the Archangels

Today is the feast of the Archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael.

Pope Saint Gregory the Great had this to say ...

You should be aware that the word "angel" denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They 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 name of each archangel also denotes a function. Michael means "Who is like God?" Before The Fall, when Lucifer called the other angels in heaven to stop serving God and become Gods themselves, that was Michael's answer --- and Michael then enjoined Lucifer in battle. The name of Michael was the war cry of the angels.

Gabriel means "The Power of God". He was the angel to appear before Mary at the Annunciation, saying "Hail Mary". Raphael means "The Healing Power of God". He protected Tobias on his journeys.

The painting pictured above was painted by the artist Raphael in 1505 and is in the Louvre picturing the great battle. In the left background, are hypocrites wearing leaden coats. On the right are thieves tormented by serpents. St. Michael prepares to deliver a blow to Satan, pinned beneath his foot.

The prayer to St. Michael is one that gives us strength against adversity:

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard 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 evil spirits who prowl around the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Below is a photo of Mont St. Michel in Normandy. According to legend, the archangel Michael appeared to St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches, in 708 and instructed him to build a church on the rocky islet. St. Aubert repeatedly ignored the angel's instruction until Michael burned a hole in the bishop's skull with his finger. That put St. Aubert to work. The dedication to St Michael occurred on October 16, 708.