The Feast of the Archangels



 JMJ

 

 



Today we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels.  Until recently  Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael were the only ones I truly knew of.    Michael is usually depicted with a large lance stabbing the devil. My grandsons always wanted me to tell the story of Michael.  Catholics know the traditional
St. Michael's prayer that was recited after each Mass until 1970.  Today you can hear it once again prayed in many churches and Richard and I say it every morning at the end of our rosary.   Gabriel, of course, was the Archangel of the Annunciation to Mary and asked for her fiat (yes)to be the mother of God. Raphael, the healer, is mentioned in the book of Tobit in the Old Testament, where he journeyed with Tobit and Sarah and expelled the demon who kept her husbands dying. He also healed Tobit's father Tobias from blindness. Great deeds and mighty feats every one. 

We also know of Lucifer, the brightest and purest angel who turned on God when he realized a human would give birth to the Savior.  His words ..... I WILL NOT SERVE

But have you met the rest? 

 

"And I saw seven angels standing in the sight of God..." Rev. 8:2

 

Seven angels from the second lowest choir were so outraged by this terrible offence from Lucifer to the dignity of the Most High that, though inferior to Lucifer and his legions, positioned themselves between the Throne of God and the offenders, prepared to defend the honor and dignity of God.  On seeing this God was so moved by their heroic love that he elevated them to the position of highest heaven standing eternally before the throne of God to carry out God's Will. God granted them new gifts and graces.  And we all know what happened to Lucifer. 

 

In the year 1040, St Celias made an exhaustive study of the approved writings of the Early Church Fathers up the 4th Century. Through his studies we have come to know seven of the names of the Archangels, the meaning of their names and the sacrament each is the patron of. 

 

Pope Pius V said in his Bull to the Spanish clergy, permitting and encouraging prayers to the seven archangels. "One cannot exalt too much these seven rectors of the world.

In the 16th Century, Michelangelo was ordered to adorn the church of St. Maria Degli, dedicated to Mary and the Seven Archangels with a fresco of the seven Archangels on the altar.

Liturgy to Seven Archangels has been confirmed and was still in practiced around the year 1800.  It has not been abolished, just not in practice. 

 

Meet the Archangels

 

Michael

 

His name means
"WHO is like unto God?"

 

Patron of the Holy Eucharist

 

 "He is the leader of the Armies of Heaven. He defends our souls against the infernal enemy when
we call on him, but he also defends Our Lord Who is helpless in the Blessed Sacrament."

 



 Oh holy St. Michael come to our aid with all the holy angels!

Teach us to keep the faith in these times of darkness!

Inspire us to fight for our souls and the souls of others!

Teach us to win in silence and obedience to God.

          Teach us to love and be faithful to Mary, Queen of the Angels!   Amen

 

 

Gabriel                                           



 Whose name means

"God's Conquers"

 

Patron of the Sacrament of

Baptism

and communications workers

 

St. Gabriel is the archangel of the Annunciation and the Incarnation's triumph over sin and death.

He appears with lilies that represent the new purity of the soul through Baptism.  His banner is a declaration of Our Lady's universal motherhood.

 

Oh Holy St. Gabriel come to our aid with your legion of angels!

Help us to become good servants of Our Lord!

Help us to regain and preserve our Baptismal purity

that we may become His worthy servants.

When we fall, guide us to repentance and confession that we may restore it!

 

 

Raphael

                                                                        

 

Whose name means "God Heals"
He has the power to expel demons

Patron of the Sacrament of Penance

 Raphael is usually depicted holding a jar of oil for anointing, or a fish which represents the soul and the oil of healing of it's ailments through the sacrament of confession.

St. Raphael the Archangel You are Raphael the Healer,

You are Raphael the Guide,

You are Raphael the companion ever at human sorrow's side.

St. Raphael, Angel of health, of true conjugal love,

of joy and Divine light, pray for us!   AMEN

Uriel

 

Whose name means

"Fire of God"

"Flame of God"

"Light of God"

or even "Sun of God"

 

Patron of the Sacrament of

Confirmation

 

 



He carries the Sword of Truth for the Soldiers of Christ, which we become through this Sacrament.

He enlightens the minds and the hearts of the faithful with the light of divine truths and the fire of divine love. The fire represents the Holy Spirit and the flames are the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

He may also be shown carrying the scales by which we are to weigh our actions.  It is a reminder of the Scales of Perfect Justice by which our lives are weighed at our judgement.

 

Saint Uriel spirit who stood at the gate of the lost Eden with the fiery sword,

light up our mind with the sword of truth so that our hearts are filled

with the burning desire of love for the Holy Spirit.

Protect us with your flaming sword against all evil.  AMEN

 

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us

St. Uriel

Angel of Illumination

pray for us!



Jehudiel

 

 

Whose name means

"Praise of God"

 

Patron of the

Sacrament of the Sick

(Old term- Extreme Unction,

the anointing of the sick and dying)

 

 

St. Jehudiel carries the flaming sword of salvation, a symbol of God's mercy and the crown of the victory of grace which awaits the saints in the next life.  It is also a reminder of the crown of sufferings to be endured in this life.

 

Oh holy St. Jehudiel, you are the powerful and formidable adversary of

Beelzebub. Come to our aid with your legion of angels!

Accompany us in the combat against the terrible attacks of hell which

threaten to annihilate our Holy Mother the Church. Safeguard us

 at the hour of death and console us with your powerful presence. Intercede for us

 that we might not perish without the last sacraments and may properly prepare

 to stand before the terrible seat of judgement.   Remove all jealousy from our hearts

so that each one of us, through conformity to the Divine Will, become, like you

 a living praise to the glory of God in this life and in the next. AMEN

 

Selaphiel

 

Whose name means

"Prayer of God"

 

Patron of the Sacrament of Holy Orders

 

St. Selaphiel carries an incenser which is the symbol of the prayers and offerings of the Divine Sacrifice of the Mass, only through the actions through the ordained.

 

        "And another Angel approached, and he stood before the altar, holding a golden censer.  And much incense was given to him, so that he might offer upon the golden altar, which is before the throne of God, the prayers of all the saints, And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended in the presence of God, from the hand of the angel." Revelation 8:3-4



 

O pure and holy Archangel St. Selaphiel, you bow to the almighty Lord offering

 angelic salutations of praise and thanksgiving.  Guide us in our prayer. 

 Like you, we would like to unceasingly pray and worship God the right way.

May our lives be like incense pleasing to God.  While awaiting for the

inevitable time of separation from this material world, may we praise

the Holy Trinity in the spirit of true love and humility throughout the days of

our life. Obtain for us these favors_________________ and

present these petitions through Jesus Christ our Lord together with the Holy Spirit

forever and ever.  AMEN

 

 

Barachiel

 

Whose name means "Blessings of God"

Patron of the Sacrament of Matrimony

Barachiel carries an abundant basket of bread, the staff of life, symbolizing Christian parenthood and it's grave responsibilities both spiritual and temporal, to protect and provide for the children  God desires of married couples. 
He is also a powerful intercessor for the barren as well as for troubled marriages. 
He is also pictured with roses representing God's blessings which he wishes to share with families.
He was assigned by God to keep watch over His adopted children along with the Guardian Angels

O powerful Archangel Barachiel filled with heaven's glory and spender, you are

rightly called God's benediction.  We are God's children placed under

your protection and care. Listen to our supplications.  Grant that

 through your loving intercession we may reach our heavenly

home one day.  Sustain us and protect us from all harm-- that we may

possess for all eternity the peace and happiness that Jesus has

prepared for us in heaven.

Present to God the Father all these petitions through Jesus Christ

our Lord together with the Holy Spirit forever and ever. AMEN

 

 

 

Information obtained from the following 

 

www.catholicfaithwarrior.BlogSpot.com