Feast of the Archangels

I love this hymn because it not only informs us about the archangels, it shows how they can work in our lives to bring us closer to God.

We honor you with hymns of praise,

O great Archangels, on this feast,

whose glorious light in vast array

reveals your rank in heaven’s court.

O Michael, Prince of heaven’s host,

whose flashing sword no foe can foil,

by your right hand give strength and pow’r,

that grace from God may do its work.

O Gabriel, whom God once chose

to herald myst’ries from on high,

help us to love and choose the paths

that ever shine with holy light.

O Raphael, draw near to us

and all who seek their heav’nly home;

drive from the body all disease

and bring true health to mind and soul.

And you, O dazzling angel hosts,

draw near and bring your heav’nly aid,

that we may find eternal joy

and blessing in your company.

All honor to the most high God,

the Father, Son, and Paraclete,

whom angel choirs with one accord

extol in song for evermore. Amen.

Liturgy of the Hours, Matins Hymn: Festiva vos archangeli

St. Michael the Archangel

St. Gabriel the Archangel

St. Raphael the Archangel

All art by Deacon Lawrence Klimecki 

The liturgy for today celebrates the feast of the three archangels who have been venerated throughout the history of the Church, Michael (from the Hebrew Who is like God?) is the archangel who defends the friends of God against Satan and all his evil angels. Gabriel, (the Power of God), is chosen by the Creator to announce to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation. Raphael, (the Medicine of God), is the archangel who takes care of Tobias on his journey.

In Conversation With God : Feast Days July - December

I have a special fondness for angels and it is a sign of my Catholic geekiness, I suppose, that I got an excited "Christmas morning" sort of thrill when I realized today's feast.

I read for the first time about angels when we were in the hospital with my father-in-law after his stroke. That made a big impression on me at the time. I always attribute the miracle that happened to the Holy Family but the angels are divine messengers and so have their place in it as well. Because of that I always have remembered that we can call not only on our friends for intercessory prayer, but also on angels for intercession and help. The prayer to St. Michael is one of my favorites.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray. And do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl around the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Some more on angels.

You should be aware that the word "angel" denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels.

From a homily by Pope Saint Gregory the Great

Read more about angels at Catholic Culture.