Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 09-29-17, FEAST, Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels

USCCB.org/RNAB ^ | 09-29-17 | Revised New American Bible

[lightman]

Ye holy Angels bright
Richard Baxter

Ye holy Angels bright, Which stand before God’s throne, And dwell in glorious light, Praise ye the Lord each one. You there so nigh Are much more meet Than we the feet, For things so high.

You blessed souls at rest That see your Saviour’s face, Whose glory, even the least, Is far above our grace; God’s praises sound, As in his sight With sweet delight You do abound.

All nations of the earth, Extol the world’s great King; With melody and mirth His glorious praises sing. For he still reigns; And will bring low The proudest foe That him disdains.

Sing forth Jehovah’s praise, Ye saints that on him call; Magnify him always; His holy churches all In him rejoice; And there proclaim His Holy Name With sounding voice.

My soul, bear thou thy part! Triumph in God above! With a well-tuned heart Sing thou the songs of love. Thou art his own Whose precious blood, Shed for thy good, His love made known.

Though human help depart And flesh draw near to dust, Let Faith keep up my heart To love God true and just; And all my days Let no disease Cause me to cease His joyful praise.

Though sin would make me doubt, And fill my soul with fears, Though God seem to shut out My daily cries and tears, By no such frost Of sad delays Let thy sweet praise Be nipped and lost.

Away, distrustful care! I have thy promise, Lord. To banish all despair, I have thy oath and word. And therefore I Shall see thy face, And there thy grace Shall magnify.

Though sin and death conspire To rob thee of thy praise, Still towards thee I’ll aspire, And thou dull hearts canst raise. Open thy door; And when grim death Shall stop this breath I’ll praise thee more.

With thy triumphant flock Then I shall numbered be; Built on the eternal rock His glory we shall see. The heavens so high With praise shall ring. And all shall sing In harmony.

The sun is but a spark From the eternal light; Its brightest beams are dark To that most glorious sight. There the whole Chore With one accord Shall praise the Lord For evermore.

[Salvation]

'Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains,
at the huge waves of the sea,
at the long courses of the rivers,
at the vast compass of the ocean,
at the circular motions of the stars,
and they pass by themselves without wondering.'

St. Augustine

[Salvation]

The Angelus

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary:  And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.  Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.  Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.  Hail Mary . . .  And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.  Hail Mary . . .  Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.  Let us pray:  Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.  "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28)   "Blessed are you among women,  and blessed is the fruit of your womb" (Lk 1:42).

[Ciexyz]

Prayers for the future of our country and for those still recovering from natural disasters.

[annalex]

John
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	John 1
47.	Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him: and he saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.	Vidit Jesus Nathanaël venientem ad se, et dicit de eo : Ecce vere Israëlita, in quo dolus non est.	ειδεν ο ιησους τον ναθαναηλ ερχομενον προς αυτον και λεγει περι αυτου ιδε αληθως ισραηλιτης εν ω δολος ουκ εστιν
48.	Nathanael saith to him: Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered, and said to him: Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.	Dicit ei Nathanaël : Unde me nosti ? Respondit Jesus, et dixit ei : Priusquam te Philippus vocavit, cum esses sub ficu, vidi te.	λεγει αυτω ναθαναηλ ποθεν με γινωσκεις απεκριθη ιησους και ειπεν αυτω προ του σε φιλιππον φωνησαι οντα υπο την συκην ειδον σε
49.	Nathanael answered him, and said: Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel.	Respondit ei Nathanaël, et ait : Rabbi, tu es Filius Dei, tu es rex Israël.	απεκριθη ναθαναηλ και λεγει αυτω ραββι συ ει ο υιος του θεου συ ει ο βασιλευς του ισραηλ
50.	Jesus answered, and said to him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see.	Respondit Jesus, et dixit ei : Quia dixi tibi : Vidi te sub ficu, credis ; majus his videbis.	απεκριθη ιησους και ειπεν αυτω οτι ειπον σοι ειδον σε υποκατω της συκης πιστευεις μειζω τουτων οψει
51.	And he saith to him: Amen, amen I say to you, you shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.	Et dicit ei : Amen, amen dico vobis, videbitis cælum apertum, et angelos Dei ascendentes, et descendentes supra Filium hominis.	και λεγει αυτω αμην αμην λεγω υμιν απ αρτι οψεσθε τον ουρανον ανεωγοτα και τους αγγελους του θεου αναβαινοντας και καταβαινοντας επι τον υιον του ανθρωπου

[annalex]

47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48. Nathanael said to him, Whence know you me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before that Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.
49. Nathanael answered and said to him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.
50. Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, believe you? you shall see greater things than these.
51. And he said to him, Verily, verily, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

CHRYS. Nathanael, in difficulty as to Christ coming out of Nazareth, showed the care with which he had read the Scriptures: his not rejecting the tidings when brought him, showed his strong desire for Christ's coming. He thought that Philip might be mistaken as to the place. It follows, Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! There was no fault to be found with him, though he had spoken like one who did not believe, because he was more deeply read in the Prophets than Philip. He calls him guileless, because he had said nothing to gain favor, or gratify malice.

AUG. What means this, In whom is no guile? Had he no sin? Was no physician necessary for him? Far from it. No one was ever born, of a temper not to need the Physician. It is guile, when we say one thing, and think another. How then was there no guile in him? Because, if he was as a sinner, he confessed his sin; whereas if a man, being a sinner, pretends to be righteous, there is guile in his mouth. Our Lord then commended the confession of sin in Nathanael; He did not pronounce him not a sinner.

THEOPHYL. Nathanael however, notwithstanding this praise, does not acquiesce immediately, but waits for further evidence, and asks, Whence know You me?

CHRYS. He asks as man, Jesus answers as God: Jesus answered and said to him, Before that Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you: not having, beheld him as man, but as God discerning him from above. I saw you, He says, that is, the character of the life, when you were under the fig tree: where the two, Philip and Nathanael, had been talking together alone, nobody, seeing them; and on this account it is said, that on seeing him a long way off, He said, Behold an Israelite indeed; whence it appears that this speech was before Philip came near, so that no suspicion could attach to Christ's testimony. Christ would not say, I am not of Nazareth, as Philip told you, but of Bethlehem; in order to avoid an argument: and because it would not have been sufficient proof, had He mentioned it, of His being the Christ. He preferred rather proving this by His having been present at their conversation.

AUG. Has this fig tree any meaning? We read of one fig tree which was cursed, because it had only leaves, and no fruit. Again, at the creation, Adam and Eve, after sinning, made themselves aprons of fig leaves. Fig leaves then signify sins; and Nathanael, when he was under the fig tree, was under the shadow of death: so that our Lord seems to say, O Israel, whoever of you is without guile, O people of the Jewish faith, before that I called you by My Apostles, when you were as yet under the shadow of death, and saw Me not, I saw you.

GREG. When you were under the fig tree, I saw you; i.e. when you were yet under the shade of the law, I chose you.

AUG. Nathanael remembered that he had been under the fig tree, where Christ was not present corporeally, but only by His spiritual knowledge. Hence, knowing that he had been alone, he recognized our Lord's Divinity.

CHRYS. That our Lord then had this knowledge, had penetrated into his mind, had not blamed but praised his hesitation, proved to Nathanael that He was the true Christ: Nathanael answered and said to Him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God, You are the King of Israel: as if he said, You are He who was expected, you are He who was sought for. Sure proof being obtained, he proceeds to make confession; herein showing his devotion, as his former hesitation had shown his diligence.

ID. Many when they read this passage, are perplexed at finding that, whereas Peter was pronounced blessed for having, after our Lord's miracles and teaching, confessed Him to be the Son of God, Nathanael, who makes the same confession before, has no such benediction. The reason is this. Peter and Nathanael both used the same words, l but not in the same meaning. Peter confessed our Lord to he the Son of God, in the sense of very God; the latter in the sense of mere man; for after saying, You are the Son of God, he adds, You are the King of Israel; whereas the Son of God was not the King of Israel only, but of the whole world. This is manifest from what follows. For in the case of Peter Christ added nothing, but, as if his faith were perfect, said, that he would build the Church upon his confession; whereas Nathanael, as if his confession were very deficient, is led up to higher things: Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, believe you? You shall see greater things than these. As if He said, What I have just said has appeared a great matter to you, and you have confessed Me to be King of Israel; what will you say when you see greater things than these? What that greater thing is He proceeds to show: And He said to him, Verily, verily, I say to you, Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. See how He raises him from earth for a while, and forces him to think that Christ is not a mere man: for how could He be a mere man, whom angels ministered to? It was, as, as it were, saying, that He was Lord of the Angels; for He must be the King's own Son, on whom the servants of the King descended and ascended; descended at His crucifixion, ascended at His resurrection and ascension. Angels too before this came and ministered to Him, and angels brought the glad tidings of His birth. Our Lord made the present a proof of the future. After the powers He had already shown, Nathanael would readily believe that much more would follow.

AUG. Let us recollect the Old Testament account. Jacob saw in a dream a ladder reaching from earth to heaven; the Lord resting upon it, and the angels ascending and descending upon it. Lastly, Jacob himself understanding what the vision meant, set up a stone, and poured oil upon it. When he anointed the stone, did he make an idol? No: he only set up a symbol, not an object of worship You see here the anointing; see the Anointed also. He is the stone which the builders refused. If Jacob, who was named Israel, saw the ladder, and Nathanael was an Israelite indeed, there was a fitness in our Lord telling him Jacob's dream; as if he said, Whose name you are called by, his dream has appeared to you: for you shall see the heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. If they descend upon Him, and ascend to Him, then He is both up above and here below at the same time; above in Himself, below in His members.

AUG. Good preachers, however, who preach Christ, are as angels of God; i.e. they ascend and descend upon the Son of man; as Paul, who ascended to the third heaven, and descended so far even as to give milk to babes. He said, We shall see greater things than these: because it is a greater thing that our Lord has justified us, whom He has called, than that He saw us lying under the shadow of death. For had we remained where He saw us, what profit would it have been? It is asked why Nathanael, to whom our Lord bears such testimony, is not found among the twelve Apostles. We may believe, however, that it was because he was so learned, and versed in the law, that our Lord had not put him among the disciples. He chose the foolish, to confound the world. Intending to break the neck of the proud, He sought not to gain the fisherman through the orator, but by the fisherman the emperor. The great Cyprian was an orator; but Peter was a fisherman before him; and through him not only the orator, but the emperor, believed.

Catena Aurea John 1

[annalex]

Jacob's Ladder

(c.1490)
Avignon, Musee du Petit Palais

[Ciexyz]

We are blessed with the reading of these powerful verses and the effective teachings provided. Here’s wishing everyone reading this thread peace and joy in their lives.

[Salvation]

Thanks Ciexyz!

[Salvation]

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

Fr. Don Miller, OFM

Image: Detail | East window behind the altar | St. Michael’s Church, Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland | Frederick Settle Barff

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael

Saint of the Day for September 29

 

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael’s Story

Angels—messengers from God—appear frequently in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are named.

Michael appears in Daniel’s vision as “the great prince” who defends Israel against its enemies; in the Book of Revelation, he leads God’s armies to final victory over the forces of evil. Devotion to Michael is the oldest angelic devotion, rising in the East in the fourth century. The Church in the West began to observe a feast honoring Michael and the angels in the fifth century.

Gabriel also makes an appearance in Daniel’s visions, announcing Michael’s role in God’s plan. His best-known appearance is an encounter with a young Jewish girl named Mary, who consents to bear the Messiah.

Raphael’s activity is confined to the Old Testament story of Tobit. There he appears to guide Tobit’s son Tobiah through a series of fantastic adventures which lead to a threefold happy ending: Tobiah’s marriage to Sarah, the healing of Tobit’s blindness, and the restoration of the family fortune.

The memorials of Gabriel and Raphael were added to the Roman calendar in 1921. The 1970 revision of the calendar joined their individual feasts to Michael’s.

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Reflection

Each of the archangels performs a different mission in Scripture: Michael protects; Gabriel announces; Raphael guides. Earlier belief that inexplicable events were due to the actions of spiritual beings has given way to a scientific world-view and a different sense of cause and effect. Yet believers still experience God’s protection, communication, and guidance in ways which defy description. We cannot dismiss angels too lightly.

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Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are the Patron Saints of:

Death
Germany
Grocers
Police Officers
Radiologists

Saint Gabriel is the Patron Saint of:

Broadcasters

Saint Raphael is the Patron Saint of:

The Blind

[Salvation]

The Return of the Prayer to St. Michael
The Mighty Archangels
Archangels and Guardian Angels
Angels are Awesome. But Please, Let’s Have a More Biblical Understanding of the Them
Quis resistet Sancti Michaelis gladio? [on St. Michael the Archangel]
The Archangels - Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (from a homily by Pope Saint Gregory the Great)
Listst Every Catholic Should be Familiar With: The 9 Choirs of Angels
Angels bring us great help and consolation, Pope Benedict reminds
Who Is Like Unto God? (Fr. Euteneuer on Holy Michael the Archangel)

The Archangel Raphael
The Archangels and the Oceans
Explanation of the Prayer of Saint Michael [Father Robert J. Altier]
Act of Consecration to St Michael the Archangel (for the Feast of St Michael, September 29)
St. Gabriel Archangel
Feast Day of Michael,Gabriel and Raphael[Michael's Battle With The Dragon]
Saint Michael The Archangel
THE THREE ARCHANGELS: [St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael]
Feast of St. Michael the Archangel
St. Gabriel Archangel

[Salvation]

Information: The Archangels (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael)

Feast Day: September 29

[Salvation]

Holy Spirit Interactive Kids: A Saint a Day

St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael

Feast Day: September 29

Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are called "saints" because they are holy. But they are different from the rest of the saints because they were not human but spirits.

They are angels and the word "angel" means Messenger of God. Angels who deliver messages of lesser importance are just called Angels; and those who proclaim important messages are called Archangels. They are our protectors and we know something about each of the three Archangels from the Bible.

Michael's name means "who is like God?" St. Michael is mentioned in three books of the Bible: Daniel, Revelation and the Letter of Jude. In the book of Revelation or the Apocalypse, chapter 12:7-9, we read of a great war that went on in heaven.

Michael and his angels battled with Satan (or the fallen angel Lucifer). Michael who was the leader of God's army became the champion of loyalty to God.

We can ask St. Michael to make us strong in our love for Jesus and in our practice of the Catholic religion.

Gabriel's name means "the power of God." He is mentioned in the book of Daniel and more importantly in Luke's Gospel.

This archangel announced to Mary that she was to be the mother of our Savior. Gabriel announced to Zechariah that he and St. Elizabeth would have a son and call him John.

Gabriel is the announcer, the communicator of the Good News. We can ask him to help us be good communicators as he was.

Raphael's name means "God has healed." We read the touching story of Raphael's role in the Bible's book of Tobit. He was also the Angel mentioned in John 5:1-4 as the power behind the healing at the sheep pool.

He brought protection and healing to the blind Tobit. At the very end of the journey, when all was completed, Raphael revealed his true identity. He called himself one of the seven who stands before God's throne.

We can ask St. Raphael to protect us in our travels, even for short journeys, like going to school. We can also ask him to help when illness strikes us or someone we love.

[Salvation]

CATHOLIC ALMANAC

Friday, September 29

Liturgical Color: White

Today is the Feast of Sts. Michael,
Gabriel, and Raphael, archangels.
They are the only angels honored by
name by the Church. Tradition holds
that we can look to Michael for help
to repel Satan, especially at the hour
of death.

[Salvation]

Catholic Culture

Ordinary Time: September 29th

Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

MASS READINGS

September 29, 2017 (Readings on USCCB website)

COLLECT PRAYER

O God, who dispose in marvelous order ministries both angelic and human, graciously grant that our life on earth may be defended by those who watch over us as they minister perpetually to you in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Recipes (30)

• Angel Food Cake I
• Angel Food Cake II
• Boiled White Icing
• Brandied Duck
• Chestnut Dressing
• Classic Angel Food Cake
• Deviled Clams
• Deviled Crabmeat
• Deviled Egg Casserole
• Deviled Eggs Creole
• Deviled Sardines
• European Chocolate Icing
• Gnocchi I
• Gnocchi II
• Kahlua Cake
• Michaelmas Broth
• Michaelmas Goose with Potato Apple Stuffing
• Michaelmas Pie
• Omelet of Mere Poulard
• Potato and Sausage Stuffing
• Roast Duck
• Roast Goose
• Roast Goose with Apple Stuffing
• Roast Goose with Sour Cream and Apple Stuffing
• Sage and Onion Stuffing
• St. Michael's Bannock
• St. Michael's Gaufres
• St. Michael's Oatmeal Waffles
• Struan Micheil
• Struan Micheil II

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Activities (16)

• All About the Angels
• Angel Mobile
• Angelus Lesson
• Annunciation Tableau
• Background and Customs for the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel
• Family and Friends of Jesus Scrapbook Album
• Feast of St. Michael the Archangel
• Hymn for Lauds for the Feast of St. Michael
• Hymn for Vespers on Feast of St. Michael
• Hymn to Saint Raphael
• Namedays
• Religion in the Home for Elementary School: October
• Religion in the Home for Elementary School: September
• Religion in the Home for Preschool: September
• Traditions of September 29: Michaelmas Day
• What is a Nameday?

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Prayers (7)

• September Devotion: Our Lady of Sorrows
• Prayer to St. Michael, the Archangel
• Prayer to St. Gabriel, the Archangel
• Prayer to St. Raphael, the Archangel
• Consecration to St. Raphael
• A Litany of St. Michael
• Act of Consecration to St. Michael the Archangel

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Library (5)

• Prayer to St. Michael | Fr. William Saunders
• Prayer to St. Michael | Pope Leo XIII
• Prayers for Travelers | Unknown
• St. Michael: Guardian of the Church | Fr. William Saunders
• The Marriage Angel | Abigail Powers

Old Calendar: Dedication of the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel (Michaelmas Day)

The liturgy celebrates the feast of these three archangels who are venerated in the tradition of the Church. Michael (Who is like God?) 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 (Strength of God) 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 (Medicine of God) is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey.

According to the 1962 Missal of St. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of St. Michael. St. Gabriel is observed on March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24.

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The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that, "[T]he existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition."

Angels are pure, created spirits. The name angel means servant or messenger of God. Angels are celestial or heavenly beings, on a higher order than human beings. Angels have no bodies and do not depend on matter for their existence or activity. They are distinct from saints, which men can become. Angels have intellect and will, and are immortal. They are a vast multitude, but each is an individual person. Archangels are one of the nine choirs of angels listed in the Bible. In ascending order, the choirs or classes are 1) Angels, 2) Archangels, 3) Principalities, 4) Powers, 5) Virtues, 6) Dominations, 7) Thrones, 8) Cherubim, and 9) Seraphim.

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St. Michael
The name of the archangel Michael means, in Hebrew, who is like unto God? and he is also known as "the prince of the heavenly host." He is usually pictured as a strong warrior, dressed in armor and wearing sandals. His name appears in Scripture four times, twice in the Book of Daniel, and once each in the Epistle of St. Jude and the Book of Revelation. From Revelation we learn of the battle in heaven, with St. Michael and his angels combatting Lucifer and the other fallen angels (or devils). We invoke St. Michael to help us in our fight against Satan; to rescue souls from Satan, especially at the hour of death; to be the champion of the Jews in the Old Testament and now Christians; and to bring souls to judgment.

This day is referred to as "Michaelmas" in many countries and is also one of the harvest feast days. In England this is one of the "quarter days", which was marked by hiring servants, electing magistrates, and beginning of legal and university terms. This day also marks the opening of the deer and other large game hunting season. In some parts of Europe, especially Germany, Denmark, and Austria, a special wine called "Saint Michael's Love" (Michelsminne) is drunk on this day. The foods for this day vary depending on nationality. In the British Isles, for example, goose was the traditional meal for Michaelmas, eaten for prosperity, France has waffles or Gaufres and the traditional fare in Scotland used to be St. Michael's Bannock (Struan Micheil) — a large, scone-like cake. In Italy, gnocchi is the traditional fare.

Patron: Against temptations; against powers of evil; artists; bakers; bankers; battle; boatmen; cemeteries; coopers; endangered children; dying; Emergency Medical Technicians; fencing; grocers; hatmakers; holy death; knights; mariners; mountaineers; paramedics; paratroopers; police officers; radiologists; sailors; the sick; security forces; soldiers; against storms at sea; swordsmiths; those in need of protection; Brussels, Belgium; Caltanissett, Sicily; Cornwall, England; Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee Florida; England; Germany; Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama; Papua, New Guinea; Puebla, Mexico; San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; Sibenik, Croatia; Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington; Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Symbols: Angel with wings; dressed in armour; lance and shield; scales; shown weighing souls; millstone; piercing dragon or devil; banner charged with a dove; symbolic colors orange or gold.

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St. Gabriel
St. Gabriel's name means "God is my strength". Biblically he appears three times as a messenger. He had been sent to Daniel to explain a vision concerning the Messiah. He appeared to Zachary when he was offering incense in the Temple, to foretell the birth of his son, St. John the Baptist. St. Gabriel is most known as the angel chosen by God to be the messenger of the Annunciation, to announce to mankind the mystery of the Incarnation.

The angel's salutation to our Lady, so simple and yet so full of meaning, Hail Mary, full of grace, has become the constant and familiar prayer of all Christian people.

Patron: Ambassadors; broadcasting; childbirth; clergy; communications; diplomats; messengers; philatelists; postal workers; public relations; radio workers; secular clergy; stamp collectors; telecommunications; Portugal; Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington.

Symbols: Archangel; sceptre and lily; MR or AM shield; lantern; mirror; olive branch; scroll with words Ave Maria Gratia Plena; Resurrection trumpet; shield; spear; lily; symbolic colors, silver or blue.

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St. Raphael
Our knowledge of the Archangel Raphael comes to us from the book of Tobit. His mission as wonderful healer and fellow traveller with the youthful Tobias has caused him to be invoked for journeys and at critical moments in life. Tradition also holds that Raphael is the angel that stirred the waters at the healing sheep pool in Bethesda. His name means "God has healed".

Patron: Blind; bodily ills; counselors; druggists; eye problems; guardian angels; happy meetings; healers; health inspectors; health technicians; love; lovers; mental illness; nurses; pharmacists; physicians; shepherds; against sickness; therapists; travellers; young people; young people leaving home for the first time; Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa; Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington.

Symbols: Staff; wallet and fish; staff and gourd; archangel; young man carrying a staff; young man carrying a fish; walking with Tobias; holding a bottle or flask; symbolic colors, gray or yellow.

Things to Do:

• This is a good feast to learn more about the angels. Children especially are fascinated by these celestial beings. The best place to start is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 328-336 to see the teachings of the Church on angels. John Paul II also did a Catechesis on the Angels during his General Audiences from July 9 to August 20, 1986.

• Find the passages in the Bible about angels, in particular the passages about Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

• Read the section on angels in the Directory on Popular Piety and Liturgy. The document examines the doctrine and devotions of the angels. Devotion to angels is good, but also can have deviations.

  Devotion to the Holy Angels gives rise to a certain form of the Christian life which is characterized by:

  • devout gratitude to God for having placed these heavenly spirits of great sanctity and dignity at the service of man;

  • an attitude of devotion deriving from the knowledge of living constantly in the presence of the Holy Angels of God — serenity and confidence in facing difficult situations, since the Lord guides and protects the faithful in the way of justice through the ministry of His Holy Angels. Among the prayers to the Guardian Angels the Angele Dei is especially popular, and is often recited by families at morning and evening prayers, or at the recitation of the Angelus.

  217. Popular devotion to the Holy Angels, which is legitimate and good, can, however, also give rise to possible deviations:

  • when, as sometimes can happen, the faithful are taken by the idea that the world is subject to demiurgical struggles, or an incessant battle between good and evil spirits, or Angels and daemons, in which man is left at the mercy of superior forces and over which he is helpless; such cosmologies bear little relation to the true Gospel vision of the struggle to overcome the devil, which requires moral commitment, a fundamental option for the Gospel, humility and prayer;

  • when the daily events of life, which have nothing or little to do with our progressive maturing on the journey towards Christ are read schematically or simplistically, indeed childishly, so as to ascribe all setbacks to the devil and all success to the Guardian Angels. The practice of assigning names to the Holy Angels should be discouraged, except in the cases of Gabriel, Raphael and Michael whose names are contained in Holy Scripture.

• Also read All About the Angels.

• Memorize the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. Although no longer formally recited after Mass, our Holy Father John Paul II has encouraged us to recite this prayer daily. Read about this prayer. Here is the Regina Caeli message from April 24, 1994 during which the pope encouraged this prayer.

• In honor of St. Gabriel, Learn the Angelus and recite it daily. Traditionally, the prayer is prayed at the 6:00 and 12:00 hours (am and pm). There is a partial indulgence attached to those who pray this prayer.

• Read the Book of Tobit for the story of St. Raphael helping Tobit and Tobias.

• Make some recipes related to Michaelmas. Of special mention is the St. Michael Bannock from Scotland, roast goose and stuffing from Britain, waffles from France, and roast duck from Germany or France, gnocchi from Italy. Blackberries, apples and carrots also play a large role on this feast in various countries. Other ideas: make an angel food cake, devil's food cake or angel hair pasta. Decorate with white, symbolizing the angels, or use other symbolic colors (see above). Non-dessert items: deviled eggs, deviled meats, etc.

• Try to find the Michaelmas daisy, a purple aster, to use for decoration. It also comes in other colors, including white, but purple is the most popular. It usually blooms in late summer until October. The official name is Aster novi-belgii, but is also known as New York aster. If you find plants or seeds to plan for next year's garden. This site has photos and gardening information for the Michaelmas daisy.

• Folklore in the British Isles suggests that Michaelmas day is the last day that blackberries can be picked. It is said that when St. Michael expelled Lucifer, the devil, from heaven, he fell from the skies and landed in a prickly blackberry bush. Satan cursed the fruit, scorched them with his fiery breath, and stamped and spat on them, so that they would be unfit for eating. A Traditional Irish proverb says:
  On Michaelmas Day the devil puts his foot on the blackberries.

  If you have access to blackberries, make this the last picking and eating. Perhaps make a blackberry pie? See Michaelmas Pie for a great recipe.

[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: John 1:47-51

Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels (Feast)

I saw you under the fig tree. (John 1:48)

What was going through Nathanael’s mind as he sat under that fig tree? Being familiar with Scripture, he may have recalled the words of Micah, where the prophet promises that “they shall all sit . . . under their own fig trees, undisturbed” (4:4). Perhaps Nathanael prayed, “Lord, hasten that day!”

In the midst of these musings, Philip summoned Nathanael to meet Jesus, who looked into his heart. Seeing Nathanael, Jesus promised him an open heaven and “greater things than this,” even visions of angels (John 1:50).

Just as Jesus saw Nathanael under the fig tree, he sees each of us. Just as he could read Nathanael’s heart, he knows our thoughts intimately. He sees us both when we pray and when prayer is the furthest thing from our minds. He knows the deepest longings of our hearts, and he wants to fulfill them. Just as he did for Nathanael, Jesus promises to open heaven for us so that we, too, can see “greater things” than we ever imagined.

So today, as we celebrate the feast of the Archangels, remember that Jesus sees you. He knows when you sit and when you stand; he knows your thoughts “from afar” (Psalm 139:2). He knows your fondest hopes and your deepest fears. And he offers you grace and divine help today. He will strengthen you in your vocation, just as he sent the archangel Gabriel to Mary, when he told her she would be the Mother of God (Luke 1:28). He will open your eyes to see him more clearly, as he sent Raphael to cure Tobit’s blindness (Tobit 11). And he will fight alongside you in your battles with sin, as he sent Michael to oppose Satan and defend God’s people (Revelation 12:7; Daniel 12:1). Whether you’re under a fig tree, in your kitchen, or in your car, know that Jesus is near.

“Jesus, thank you for knowing me, loving me, and walking beside me every day.”

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 138:1-5

[Salvation]

Marriage = One Man and One Woman Until Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for September 29, 2017:

Today we celebrate the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the presence of the angels in our daily lives. Pray for their protection and guidance for your family.

[Salvation]

Regnum Christi

September 29, 2017 – Angelic Company

29 Sep 2017

Feast of Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael, Archangels

John 1: 47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Introductory Prayer: Lord, I approach this time of prayer earnestly. I believe that you have called me to be faithful and loving in your service. I thank you along with Mary, the saints and the holy angels for the marvelous works of creation. I will humbly try to reflect your greatness to all I meet today by honestly fulfilling my duty.

Petition: Lord, help me be an instrument of your peace and love.

1. Honesty Is the Best Policy: Once as Jesus spent the whole night in prayer, he searched for apostles that would be honest and sincere. Jesus took a liking to Nathanael when he discovered an Israelite without guile in his heart. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite. There is no duplicity in him. It seems that Jesus admired this angelic trait in men. As soon as he saw Philip bringing Nathanael forward to meet him, Jesus immediately noticed the virtue Nathanael lived. If I want to be highly thought of by Jesus, then I need to be sincere in mind and heart.

2. The Holy Angels: The Church venerates today the holy service of three of the archangels. They stand out for their honest love for God’s most holy will. With such fidelity, St. Gabriel faithfully delivered the most important messages of human history to Zacharias and Mary. St. Michael wrestled with Lucifer and cast him out of heaven. St. Raphael came to the aid of Tobias in the Old Testament. In these angels there isn’t any duplicity of heart. God asks them a favor and they truly fulfill it. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to implement our talents and gifts toward a service of this nature? Wouldn’t it be great to be honest instruments of God’s infinite love like these three archangels?

3. The Lord’s Gaze: Jesus looks into the heart and doesn’t judge by appearances. Christ’s gaze penetrated Nathanael on this occasion. Jesus penetrates the motives of my heart even though they are kept hidden from the others. Jesus is the first one to know if I am true to the faith I have received. If I am faithful to the dictates of my conscience and obey God’s lead, in private or in public, then I have nothing to hide and nothing to lose. If on the other hand, I am dwindling in my surrender to Christ by boredom and monotony, then it is about time I sought renewal. Christ needs me! How many are dying and fading away because they lack Christ and his love? I, in turn, have been graced by many special spiritual favors! Jesus gazes into my eyes and dreams of my fidelity and love.

Conversation with Christ: Lord, thank you for the example of these three archangels and of the holy apostles. The holy apostles ended up shedding their blood for you and the holy angels aid us on our journey towards you. Lord, seeing so many lacking the faith, I resolve to be your tireless instrument, like them, so that many may come to praise you for all eternity.

Resolution: I will visit the Eucharist (if this is impossible, then kneel before the crucifix) and repeat confidently, Lord I wish to be your instrument – help me!

[Salvation]

Homily of the Day

September 29, 2017

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. We are familiar with Michael, the fighter and warrior of God, and with Gabriel, God’s messenger to Mary and Zechariah for the birth of their sons.

The Archangel Gabriel, “the Medicine of God,” appears in the book of Tobit to heal Tobit from his blindness and to protect Tobias in his marriage to Sara who had been tormented by many devils.

In the first reading from Revelation, we see Michael, God’s warrior, defeating

Satan and his evil hosts.

In the Gospel reading, at Jesus’ call of his first disciples, we hear Jesus assuring us that angels are at God’s bidding, “ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

We celebrate the Holy Angels on 02 October: they are God’s constant guardians and companions for us; they are God’s all-pervading presence and providence for us. The Archangels are God’s special messengers to man.

[Salvation]

One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Espa�ol

All Issues > Volume 33, Issue 5

<< Friday, September 29, 2017 >>

Archangels

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 or
Revelation 12:7-12
View Readings

Psalm 138:1-5

John 1:47-51
Similar Reflections

REALITY CHECK

"His throne was flames of fire, with wheels of burning fire. A surging stream of fire flowed out from where He sat; thousands upon thousands were ministering to Him." �Daniel 7:9-10

Many people have a false impression of angels. They think angels are cute or sweet. This false impression contributes to a skewed view of God and of the entire plan of salvation. Many people think that life is a game and that life in Christ is nice, but not necessary.

The fact is that angels are formidable and even terrifying. The name "Michael" means "Who is like God?" This is an in-your-face challenge to repent and humble yourself. The archangel Gabriel doesn't tolerate any foolishness. When Zechariah didn't immediately believe a message from Gabriel, the archangel said to Zechariah: "Now you will be mute � unable to speak � until the day these things take place, because you have not trusted my words" (Lk 1:20). If you don't talk properly to an angel, you may not talk at all. Moreover, the archangel Raphael doesn't seem to feel any "warm fuzzies" for us. He bluntly states: "As for me, when I came to you it was not out of any favor on my part, but because it was God's will" (Tb 12:18).

Angels don't necessarily make you feel good about yourself. Rather, the true understanding of angels confronts us with reality to check us from making God in our own image and likeness, and thereby warping Christianity past recognition. Believe divine revelation about angels, tremble at God's Word (Is 66:2), and know that "it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb 10:31), for He is a consuming Fire of love (Heb 12:29).

Prayer: Father, on this day give me the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111:10).

Promise: "You shall see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." �Jn 1:51

Praise: "Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt Him above all forever" (Dn 3:58).