Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

Archangels, Feast Day: September 29

The feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael on September 29th honours the three Archangels named in Scripture and venerates them as the great heavenly princes who stand before the throne of God and minister in His name to the salvation of human souls. This feast, formerly known as Michaelmas, has been one of the great celebrations of the liturgical year since the earliest centuries, and the veneration of these three heavenly beings is among the most universal expressions of Catholic piety.

Saint Michael, whose name means Who is like God, is the great prince who stands over the children of God's people, the leader of the heavenly armies, the conqueror of the dragon in the Book of Revelation, and the one who will sound the trumpet at the last judgment. He is invoked as the defender of the Church against the devil and all evil spirits, and the prayer to Saint Michael composed by Pope Leo XIII after he received a vision of a great battle between good and evil is recited in many parishes after Mass. He is the patron of soldiers, police officers, paramedics, and all who serve in dangerous occupations.

Saint Gabriel, whose name means God is my strength, is the great messenger angel who announced to the priest Zechariah the coming birth of John the Baptist, and who was sent to Mary at Nazareth with the most important message in all of human history, the announcement of the Incarnation of the Son of God. He is the patron of all who work in communications, of diplomats, and of messengers.

Saint Raphael, whose name means God heals, appears in the Book of Tobit as the companion and guide of young Tobias, healing his father's blindness and driving away the demon that afflicted Sarah. He is the patron of physicians, pharmacists, travellers, and the blind. Together the three Archangels represent the threefold ministry of God's love toward His creation: protection, revelation, and healing.