The Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are invested with different roles. They were previously celebrated on different dates, but with the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, they are now remembered on a single day. Their liturgical memorial occurs on September 29. The Bible remembers them with specific missions: Michael, the adversary of Satan; Gabriel, the announcer; and Raphael, the helper. The title of archangel derives from the idea of a heavenly court in which angels are present according to different degrees and dignities. The Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael occupy the highest spheres of the angelic hierarchies. Their task is to preserve the transcendence and mystery of God, while at the same time making his salvific closeness present and perceptible.
Saint Michael, the Prince who fights against evil According to tradition, the Archangel Michael is the prince who fights against evil, from whose attacks he perpetually defends the faith and the Church. In addition, he is recognized for his power of intercession, greatly venerated both in the East and in the West.
Saint Gabriel, God’s messenger The Angel Gabriel made the announcement to Mary. In the Gospel of Luke, we read “he was sent”; therefore, the Archangel Gabriel is God’s messenger, charged with explaining to the “Virgin, betrothed to a man of the house of David, whose name was Joseph,” the way in which God would become incarnate.
Saint Raphael, the Medicine of God The story of the Archangel Raphael is told in the Book of Tobit, at the time of the Maccabean revolt. The central core of the book is the journey undertaken by Tobias to recover, in a distant land, a debt owed to his father who had become destitute, accompanied by another traveler.
