The Angels

I die for speaking the language of the angels.

I saw them with my bodily eyes as clearly as I see you. And when they departed, I used to weep and wish they would take me with them.

The angels are as perfect in form as they are in spirit.

-Saint Joan of Arc

Saint Joan continually professed counsel and protection from three voices guiding her in the mission to free her country from occupation: Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Margaret, sometimes called Marina. Although not often mentioned, Joan also reported being visited by Saint Gabriel.

Archangel Michael was the first to appear to young Joan when she was in her thirteenth year. He told Joan that Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret would soon follow. She was to obey their instruction. Whereas Archangel Michael was brilliant and bold, her descriptions of Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret were of gentle comforters.

1. The Archangels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael
2. Saint Michael the Archangel
3. Our Guardian Angel
4. Guardian Angel of Abandoned and Abused Children
5. Herald Angel

St. Padre Pio on Listening to Your Guardian Angel

In a letter Saint Padre Pio wrote to one of his spiritual children he gives her (and us) invaluable advice regarding how to act in relation to our guardian angel.

He wrote in part:

May your heart always be a temple of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus increase the fire of his love in your soul and may he always smile upon you, as he does on all the souls that he loves. May your good guardian angel always watch over you, and be your guide on the rough path of life. May he always keep you in the grace of Jesus and hold you up with his hands so that you may not hurt your foot on a stone. May he protect you under his wings from all the deceits of the world, the devil and the flesh.

Have great devotion to this beneficent angel who, from the womb to the tomb, never leaves us even for an instant, not even when we dare to sin. And this heavenly spirit guides and protects us like a friend. It is very consoling to know that this angel prays unceasingly for us, and offers God all of our good actions, our thoughts, and our desires, if they are pure.

Oh! For goodness' sake, don't forget this invisible companion, ever present, ever disposed to listen to us and even more ready to console us. Keep him always before your mind's eye. Remember this angel's presence often, thank him and pray to him. Open yourself up to him and confide your suffering to him. Turn to him in moments of supreme anguish and you will experience his beneficent help.

Never say that you are alone in the battle against your enemies; never say that you have no one to whom you can open your heart and confide. It would be a grave injustice to this heavenly messenger.

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Background:

On September 29, we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels: Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael.

The liturgy celebrates the feast of these three archangels who are venerated in the tradition of the Church. Michael was the archangel who fought against Satan and all his evil angels, defending all the friends of God. He is the protector of all humanity from the snares of the devil. Gabriel announced to Zachariah the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the birth of Jesus. His greeting to the Virgin, "Hail, full of grace," is one of the most familiar and frequent prayers of the Christian people. Raphael is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey.

Intercessory Prayer:

Pray for me, St. Michael,
and also for those I love.
Protect us in all dangers of body and soul.
Help us in our daily needs.
Amen.

Pray for us, St. Gabriel.
That we may be made worthy
of the promises of Christ.
Amen.

St. Raphael,
help me to love and serve my God faithfully,
to die in His grace,
and finally to merit to join you
in seeing and praising God forever in heaven.
Amen.

The Archangels in the Bible

SAINT MICHAEL

Michael's name means, “Who is like God?” Various traditions say that he was the first of the angels who were created, which may explain why he is often revered as the eldest brother of his brethren.

Traditionally, Michael has been referred to as the Prince/Guardian Angel of the people of Israel and he is now revered as the Guardian Angel of the Church.

Michael in Sacred Scripture – Daniel 10:13, 10:21, and 12:1; and Jude 9l. He is the famous angel who led the forces of Heaven in casting out Lucifer/Satan when he rebelled against God:

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world–he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:7-9)

SAINT GABRIEL

Gabriel's name has many meanings: “Strength of God,” “Hero of God,” and “God has shown Himself Mightily”. These variations can be summed up in one definition, “God is My Strength”. Gabriel is God's holy messenger and traditionally he has been revered as the Archangel of Wisdom, of Revelation, of Prophecy, and of Visions.

Gabriel has an important role in Sacred Scripture: Gabriel appeared to the Prophet Daniel to explain a vision from God (Daniel 8); he appeared to the priest Zacharias to announce that he would have a son, John the Baptist, who would be the forerunner of the Messiah, Jesus (Luke 1); and he appeared to the Virgin Mary in the Annunciation (Luke 1). Tradition indicates that Gabriel was also the angel who appeared to St. Joseph in his dreams (Matthew 1 and 2) and that he was the Guardian Angel of Jesus and the Holy Family.

SAINT RAPHAEL

Raphael's name means, “Healing Power of God”. Traditionally, due to the meaning of his name, he is revered as the Archangel of Healing.

Raphael in Sacred Scripture – Raphael played a pivotal role in the Book of Tobit (a book removed from the Biblical canon in Protestantism) as he helped Tobias the son of Tobit on his journey.

Due to this, he might be alluded to in John 5:2-4:

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethzatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed. (Other authorities add: waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in firt after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. -Douay-Rheims)

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Background:

In Scripture we learn that St. Michael is a great warrior who defends God's people against the Devil. We should ask him daily for his protection.

St. Michael the Archangel, you are the prince of angels but in your humility you recognized that God is God and you are but His servant. Unlike Satan, you were not overcome with pride but were steadfast in humility. Pray that we will have this same humility. His Feast Day is 29^th October.

Intercessory Prayer:

St. Michael the archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection 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 about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

Saint Michael played a role in human history in interactions with the Saints

✠ During the 590s, there was a great plague in the city of Rome that took many lives. Pope St. Gregory the Great led a procession of prayer through the city streets pleading with God to end the plague. When they reached the tomb of Emperor Hadrian, Pope Gregory saw a vision in which Michael stood atop of the tomb sheathing his sword, which was taken as a sign that what the Pope and those who joined him in prayer had done was pleasing to God. The plague came to an end shortly afterwards.

✠ St. Joan of Arc (ca. 1412–1431) was a very young woman who led the French forces in numerous military battles against the English during the Hundred Years War, which was actually a series of wars between these two nations that lasted from 1337 to 1453. She was seen to be a gift from God used by Him to encourage the French that He favoured them in the war. She received numerous visions from many Saints, among whom was Saint Michael.

✠ In 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to three children in Fatima Portugal: Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto. Michael appeared to them as well and brought them Holy Communion, giving the Sacred Host to Lucia and the Precious Blood to Jacinta and Francisco.

✠ Pope Leo XIII, who reigned during the latter half of the 19th Century, had a vision of Satan and composed the above noted Prayer to St. Michael as a result.

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Background:

Angels are extensively mentioned in both the Old and New Testament. Our personal Guardian Angel is our gift from God, to watch over and guide us; we are never alone. Many Saints reported visions from Angels, sometimes in the presence of others such as the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our hopes and prayers are that one day, our Guardian Angel will comfort and accompany us on our journey from this world to eternal happiness in Heaven. The Feast Day is 2^nd October.

Intercessory Prayer:

O Holy Angel,
God by His goodness and His tender care,
has charged you to be my Guardian.
Assist me in my needs, comfort me in my afflictions,
support me when I am discouraged and obtain for me the favour of:
(Share your request…)

But may God's will be done.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

O Holy Angel,
continue thy charitable care and defend me against the malignant attacks of my enemies.
Keep me free from the occasions of sin. Obtain for me the grace to
listen attentively to thy holy inspirations and help me to faithfully
put them into practice.
In particular, I implore thee to obtain for me
the favour which I ask for in this novena.

But may God's will be done.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

O Holy Angel,
protect me in all my temptations and trials,
but more especially protect me at the hour of my deat and do not leave me until you have taken me into the presence of my Creator
in the mansions of everlasting happiness.
Amen.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

…My Guardian Angel, Pray for Me …

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Background:

Guardian angels watch over us, pray for us, and help guide our thoughts and inclinations. They can even protect us from physical as well as spiritual harm! Our Guardian Angels want us to be 'Angel Helpers' and help us to help them in sharing God's love with those in most need especially abandoned and abused children (includes all who are innocent or vulnerable). The Guardian Angel Prayer at first glance might seem like just a childhood nursery rhyme but it can inspire us to be receptive to our Angels' Heavenly guidance.

Intercessory Prayer:

Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day [or night] be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.

See that you do not despise one of these little ones for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 18:10 NVSV)

Little Ones: While the immediate context refers to children, this phrase can be extended to all who are innocent or vulnerable.

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Background:

The mystery of Christmas is that a “marvellous exchange” has occurred in reality. But for it to happen, Christ must be formed in us. This happens when we are “born from above” or “born of God” by Baptism and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was born in a humble stable and “simple shepherds were his first witnesses. “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them…” (Luke 2:9)

Intercessory Prayer:

God we hear your promise of "peace on earth", but we know that the nations have not yet embraced your peace. God we pray for [pause for silent prayer for places where there is war, anger and broken lives].

Hark! The herald angels sing, RESPONSE: Glory to the newborn King.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

God we hear about the "incarnate Deity", that you were pleased to dwell with us in flesh and blood. May we know you as Emmanuel, God with us, and may we share your presence with those around us.

Hark! The herald angels sing, RESPONSE: Glory to the newborn King.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…

God we hear that Jesus was "born that we no more may die." Be with those who are grieving at this time. [pause for silent prayer for people grieving] Help us to embrace your promise of second birth and resurrection, and live it out even here on earth.

Hark! The herald angels sing, RESPONSE: Glory to the newborn King.

Our Father…Hail Mary…Glory be…