St. Michael defend us; and don't forget us too!

Tommorrow is the great Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. St. Michael is my patron saint; the saint for whom I am named. I grew up learning much about St. Michael, especially that he helped defeat Satan's evil attempt to take over Heaven. I also learned the powerful St. Michael prayer that was composed by Pope Leo XIII. St. Michael is mentioned in Sacred Scripture at least four times: Daniel chapter 10, Daniel chapter 12, the letter of Jude and the Book of Revelation chapter 12. Some theologians believe it is St. Michael the Archangel who is referred to in Genesis 3:24, Numbers 22:22 and 2 Kings 19:35. This is what is said of St. Michael in Revelation: "Then war broke out in Heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Although the dragon and his angels fought back, they were overpowered and lost their place in Heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out; he was hurled to down to earth and his minions with him."

For my local church community tommorrow is a fine celebration. Our parish is blessed to have a mission church, located some 22 miles from our main church. The mission is named for St. Michael the Archangel. We will celebrate in the evening with Mass and a dinner afterwards.

St. Gabriel is also well known as the angel who appeared both to Zachariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist and then to Mary to announce the birth of Jesus Christ. Gabriel first appears in Sacred Scripture in Daniel just like St. Michael. St. Raphael is the lesser known of the three, appearing only in the book of Tobit. Scripture scholars however believe he is one of the seven angels named in Revelation 8:2.

Tradition names other archangels as well, although none are named in Sacred Scripture. Their names are Uriel, Raguel, Sariel and Jerahmeel.

So on Tuesday, September 29th, remember the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael praying for their powerful intercession and asking them to continue to defend us.