On September 29th, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Archangels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. The Feast of the Archangels is sometimes referred to as “Michaelmas” and has been celebrated since the 5th century. Originally, it commemorated only St. Michael, but the 1969 revision of the Roman calendar combined the feasts of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael into one celebration. This day invites us to reflect specifically on the role of the heavenly beings in God's plan and in our lives. Let us explore the significance of the archangels through Scripture, Tradition, and the teaching of the Church.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the existence of angels as "a truth of faith" (CCC #328). These spiritual, non-corporeal beings are part of God's creation, serving as his messengers and ministers. St. Augustine says, “Angel is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’” (CCC #329). Angels possess both intelligence and will and are immortal, personal creatures. Their primary purpose is to glorify God and serve as his messengers (CCC #329-330). Among the angels, archangels hold a special place, entrusted with the most important tasks in God’s plan of salvation. Now, we will look more closely at each of the three named archangels and their specific and unique roles in salvation history.

St. Michael: The Warrior of God

St. Michael, whose name means “who is like God,” is portrayed in scripture as the chief of the angels. In the Book of Daniel, he is described as “one of the chief princes” (Dan 10:13), suggesting his elevated status among the legions of angels. Michael’s famous role is as the leader of God's armies against the forces of evil. In the Book of Revelation, we read, “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back” (Rev 12:7). This powerful image of Michael as a spiritual warrior has made him a symbol of protection and strength for the faithful. In Catholic Tradition, St. Michael is often invoked for protection against evil and temptation. The well-known Prayer to St. Michael, composed by Pope Leo XIII after having a vision of evil spirits attacking the Church, asks for his intercession “against the wickedness and snares of the devil.”

St. Michael’s battle against evil reminds us of our own call to resist temptation and stand firm in our faith. As St. Paul writes, “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens” (Eph 6:12). We can draw strength from St. Michael's example, knowing that with God's grace, we too, can overcome the challenges we face in our spiritual lives.

St. Gabriel: The Messenger of God

St. Gabriel, whose name means "God is my strength," appears in both the Old and New Testaments as God’s messenger for pivotal moments in salvation history. In the Book of Daniel, Gabriel interprets visions and prophecies (See Dan: 8:16-26, 9:21-27). Of course, we can’t forget the time Gabriel delivered the most important message in human history when he appeared to the Virgin Mary in the Gospel of Luke, announcing that she would conceive and bear the Son of God (Lk 1:26-38). This moment, known as the Annunciation, is a cornerstone of our Faith, marking the beginning of the Incarnation. Gabriel’s own words, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you," are part of our beloved Hail Mary prayer and are repeated every day by Catholics all around the world. In Catholic Tradition, St. Gabriel is the patron of communication and is often invoked by those in media and telecommunications professions.

St. Gabriel’s role as a messenger teaches us the importance of listening to God’s voice and being open to his will. Mary’s response to Gabriel’s message was, “Let it be done to me according to your word," and serves as a model of perfect obedience and trust in God. We ought to strive to cultivate a spirit of openness and obedience to God's will in our own lives, always ready to hear and respond to his call.

St. Raphael: The Healer of God

St. Raphael, whose name means “God heals,” is prominently featured in the Book of Tobit. Raphael accompanies Tobias on a journey, helping him to heal his father’s blindness and to free Sarah from a demon (Tobit 3:16-17, 12:15). Raphael reveals himself as “one of the seven angels who stand and serve before the Glory of the Lord,” giving us a glimpse into the heavenly hierarchy. His role as a healer has made him the patron saint of travelers, the blind, and medical workers.

St. Raphael’s ministry of healing reminds us of God’s desire for our wholeness and well-being. It also teaches us the importance of accompanying others on their journeys, just as Raphael accompanied Tobias. We can follow Raphael’s example by being instruments of God’s healing love in the world, offering comfort and support to those in need.  

As we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels, we remember that these powerful spiritual beings are not distant or aloof but actively involved in our lives and in the unfolding of God's plan. The Catechism reminds us that “the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of the angels” (CCC #334). We are invited to develop a relationship with the archangels, calling up their intercession and striving to imitate their virtues. Doing so will open ourselves more fully to God's grace and align us more closely with his will.

Did you know that each of the three archangels has their own chaplet for you to pray while asking for their intercession? Consider adopting a new devotion to one or more of these chaplets to add to your daily or weekly prayer routine. Of course, even if you do not feel a strong call to any of these devotions, take some time to acknowledge our powerful angelic friends and meditate on how they serve God’s plan, each according to his own gifts. Thank them for their constant help and ask them to help you better serve and adore God as they do.

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