Posted on 09/29/2008 4:35:35 PM PDT by NYer
Vatican City, Sep 29, 2008 / 10:29 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI will complete his stay at the papal summer residence tomorrow, and as final preparations are being made for his return to Rome, he addressed the local bishop, religious, local civil authorities and security personnel on the topic of angels.
Today marks the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the Pope pointed out to Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano (the diocese in which Castelgandolfo is located) and the assembled crowd. With this Feast in mind, he prayed, "let us trustingly invoke their help, and the protection of the Guardian Angels, whose feast we will celebrate in a few day's time, on October 2."
Although angels are not visible, their presence "brings us great help and consolation: they walk at our side and protect us in all circumstances, they defend us from danger, and to them we can turn at any moment," Benedict XVI explained.
He further added that, "Many saints established bonds of real friendship with the angels, and numerous episodes testify to their assistance on particular occasions. Angels are sent by God 'to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation' as the Letter to the Hebrews says, hence they are a real help to us on the pilgrimage towards the heavenly homeland."
This afternoon, the Pope is due to bid farewell to the staff of the Pontifical Villas at Castel Gandolfo, before returning to the Vatican tomorrow.
I would encourage all of you to get to know your guardian angel.
What a lovely message..thnx for sharing.
Thanks for posting!
I needed this today!
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 29, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI bid farewell to the religious, civil and military staff of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo as he prepares to return to the Vatican on Tuesday.
The Pontiff received the personnel in an audience today, expressing his "sincere gratitude" to the "great family of Castel Gandolfo."
He thanked the religious and civil authorities of Castel Gandolfo for their hospitality, especially Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, the local parish priest and the municipality Castel Gandolfo, located in the Lazio region of Italy.
The Holy Father also greeted the administrative personnel of the Vatican Governorate, as well as the Italian forces of order and the Vatican police, whom he remembered especially today on the feast of St. Michael, their patron.
He also thanked the 31st Flight Unit of the Italian Air Force, responsible for transporting the Pope via helicopter from Castel Gandolfo.
The papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, on the shores of Lake Albano, has been used by Popes since the 17th century, and is one of the extra-territorial properties of Vatican City State, established in the Lateran Pacts of 1929. Pope Pius XII died there in 1958, as did Pope Paul VI in 1978.
Where in the Bible does it say Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are archangels? I know Gabriel stands in the presence of God but how do we know they are THE archangels? Also, where in scripture is Raphael’s name mentioned?
I am interested in this very much and not necessarily questioning your post. I know Michael and Gabriel’s names are both specifically mentioned in Scripture, as is Lucifer, the only other angel I remember being called by name. Of course, he defected.
Don’t want to hurt your feelings but I think this personal guardian angel thing sounds a little new-age to me. I think we are all protected by hosts of angels. If you have scriptural evidence for just ONE, I’d like to see it. I’m just curious.
Thanks!!!
“I would encourage all of you to get to know your guardian angel.”
I have always loved the Archangel Michael.
My uncle Mike was my Godfather.
I chose Michael for my Confirmation Name.
NYer, has the Catholic church ever said for sure that we have individual guardian angels? I’d sure like to know that I do.
Mine has been pretty busy of late. The angel knows I definitely appreciate it.
BTW, just as an aside, we were doing the Faure Requiem last year and the guest conductor said, "There are two things about angels in the Bible - they have no sex and no vrabrato" hence why I was not in the semi-chorus for the Angelorum.
How would one go about doing that? Not being sarcastic, I honestly don't know how.
Please don’t pollute a Catholic thread with your sola scriptura nonsense. Go elsewhere for that.
How do we get to know out guardian angel?
Other than once I get to met them face to face, he will probably be a little miffed over all the extra work I made him when I was learning to drive.
It's one of the Deuterocanonical books (called Apocrypha by most Protestants) that were in the Hebrew Scriptures as accepted at the time of Christ (the LXX or Septuagint), but removed by the Jewish rabbis later in history. Since the King James was translated from the Hebrew Scriptures extant in 1611, the Deuterocanonical books were omitted.
But when you see OT quotes in the NT, they are almost always from the LXX. So there's no good reason to omit them, and most study Bibles include them now.
The words of Jesus in Matthew 18:10: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”
That's actually Tradition - that which is passed down.
I know Gabriel stands in the presence of God but how do we know they are THE archangels?
Well, they're not the only ones. Names that end in -iel and -ael are archangels. Again, that's Tradition.
Also, where in scripture is Raphael’s name mentioned?
The book of Tobit or Tobias (Douhay-Rhiems translation). Tobit is Helenistic Hebrew, not part of the Jerusalem Hebrew books and as such was called into question at the Council of Carthage when the Canon was closed. The 13 books that were called into question are known as the Deuterocanonicals. THere are seven in the Old Testament and six in the new. At the time of Luther's revolt, he took them out of his edition of the Bible, only restoring the New Testament books, thus why protestants do not know the Old Testament books. Really rather sad, actually, as Tobit, Sirach, and Wisdom have some of the most beautiful passages in the entire Bible, IMO.
"Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God's love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side,
To light and guard, to rule and guide."
Thanks, you are always such a help.
Talk to them during the day and ask him/her to protect you. Some people even give their Guadian Angel a name.
God Sends His Angels to Watch Over and Guide Us
God Created the Angels as Individual, Immortal Spirits with Intelligence and Free Will
The Angels in Sacred Scripture
Angels in the History of the Church
Angels - in Heaven, on Earth and in Hell
Catholic Q&A: Angels and Demons (Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer)
Question: “Are there really such things as guardian angels?”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.