Feast of the Archangels

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. Raphael (Medicine of God) is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey.

The Mass readings from either Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 which speaks of the “thousand thousand” that wait upon the “one of great age” who sits upon a throne or Apocalypse 12:7-12 which depicts war between Michael and the great dragon Satan, together with the Gospel John 1:47-51 where Jesus speaks of “angels of God ascending and descending” from heaven reminds us that we worship God who is the maker of heaven and earth and “all things visible and invisible”.