Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

Their story

Angels are spiritual beings created by God to praise Him and serve as His messengers. The Bible names three of them, the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, and the Church honors them together on September 29. Michael's name means "Who is like God?" In the Book of Daniel he is the great prince who protects God's people, and in the Book of Revelation he leads the angels of heaven in battle against the dragon, Satan, and casts him down. Christians have long called on St. Michael for protection against evil, and many parishes pray the prayer to St. Michael composed by Pope Leo XIII. Gabriel's name means "strength of God." He is the messenger who explained visions to the prophet Daniel, announced to Zechariah the birth of John the Baptist, and came to Mary in Nazareth to announce that she would be the mother of the Son of God. Raphael's name means "God heals." In the Book of Tobit he travels in disguise as the companion of young Tobias, protects him on his journey, helps him marry Sarah and heals the blindness of his father, Tobit. The archangels remind us that God surrounds us with His care. Michael is a patron of police officers and soldiers, Gabriel of messengers and those who work in communications, and Raphael of travelers, the sick and those who heal.