The three archangels, St Michael, St Gabriel, and St Raphael, are all powerful intercessors in our spiritual life. In order to grow in our faith, and face the evil enemy, we must call on their intercession.
In this article I will give a short description of each archangel as well as some prayers at the end.
What Are Archangels?
Angels are creatures created by God. They are purely spiritual beings. They are very different from us in that respect, as we are not body and spirit, however they are like us because they have a free will. All of the angels were faced with a choice, to follow God or to reject Him. The good angels chose to be with God for eternity. The evil angels, demons, chose to reject Him.
According to the Church, there are nine choirs of angels. One of those choirs, or groups, are the archangels. They are powerful allies in our spiritual battles, because God gives them great power to fight against those demons we have to face on a regular basis.
St Michael
St Michael is the Prince of the Heavenly Hosts. He is seen as a general leading the armies of Heaven against the diabolical fallen angels who chose to side with Satan. When Satan and his angels rose up against God, St Michael spoke against them, asking the rhetorical question “Who is like God?” This is what his name means, and is a constant question to those who would think they could be God. The devil, full of pride had thought he could act like God, St Michael full of humility saw this as a great evil, one that had to be fought. Because of this, St Michael was raised through God’s grace to a higher position in Heaven (he was originally from one of the lower choirs of angels).
As Catholics, we remember St Michaels role in defeating the devil, and we can call on him frequently to defend us. We must not hesitate to ask for his intercession when we are tempted and attacked by the devil and his minions.
St Michael is the patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police officers, and military personnel.
St Gabriel
St Gabriel was the angel who appeared to Mother Mary and announced that she was chosen to be the Mother of the Savior. He had also appeared to Zechariah to explain that his wife was going to give birth to St John the Baptist. He also appeared to the shepherds to tell them of Jesus’ birth. And he appeared to St Joseph, to tell him the Jesus was indeed the son of man, to tell him to run away because of Herod, and to tell him to return to Israel from Egypt.
His name translates as “Strength of God.” It’s important to note that every time we say a Hail Mary, we are speaking the words that St Gabriel spoke to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Due to his role of announcing he is seen as a messenger of God. All angels are messengers in some way, it is a primary function for their office, but St Gabriel is elevated to messenger of profound importance. Whenever we need to communicate with others, especially when we are evangelizing, St Gabriel is a great saint to ask for help. His intercession will help us speak for God and about God.
St Gabriel is the patron of messengers, those who work for broadcasting and telecommunications such as radio and television, postal workers, clerics, diplomats, and stamp collectors.
St Raphael
St Raphael is in the Book of Tobit, and leads Tobias to Sara. He also helps them expel a demon and also binds that same demon in the desert. Raphael means “God Heals,” and he is often called on for healing. In the book of Tobit he healed Tobit’s blindness.
He is often depicted with a staff and a fish. The staff is because of his role as a traveler, and one who travels with us on journeys. The fish was in the Book of Tobit, and was important in expelling the demon that plagued Sara.
St Raphael is a great saint for travelers, who ask for his intercession so that they may safely arrive at their destination. He is also a favorite amongst doctors, nurses, and ambulance drivers, due to his role of healing.
He is best known, however, as an intercessor for those who are looking for a spouse. He was the one who guided Tobias to Sara, so Catholics who are searching for their person that they want to marry, often ask for his intercession. It’s important to note that he is also the patron of people who are already married as well, so don’t stop asking for his help after you find someone!
St Raphael is the patron of apothecaries, ordained marriage, blind people, bodily ills, druggists, eye problems, guardian angels, happy meetings, insanity, lovers, mental illness, nightmares, nurses, pharmacists, healing, physicians, shepherds, sick people, travelers, and young people.
The Other Archangels
We do know there are other archangels. The Book of Tobit mentioned 7 at the throne of God. Besides that the archangels are an entire choir of angels, so there could be many, many, more. Thousands upon thousands. It’s a common belief that every country has an archangel as it’s guardian angel.
In the Council of Rome 745 AD, veneration of angels by name were limited to the 3 archangels mentioned in canonical scripture. Those were Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Other archangel names seem to be making their way into Catholic devotion, these are Uriel, Raguel, Sariel, and Jerahmeel who are mentioned in apocryphal scriptures. As Catholics, we cannot have devotions to these other 4 archangels. The Church has spoken in the Council of Rome, and because they are not named in canonical scripture, we cannot have a devotion to them.
Despite the clear teaching from the Church, you will often see statues of these other archangels in shops and online. Do not buy these.
Prayers to the Three Archangels
St Michael Prayer
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
St Gabriel Prayer
Blessed Saint Gabriel, Archangel
We beseech you to intercede for us at the throne of divine mercy:
As you announced the mystery of the Incarnation to Mary,
so through your prayers may we receive strength of faith and courage of spirit,
and thus find favor with God and redemption through Christ Our Lord.
May we sing the praise of God our Savior
with the angels and saints in heaven forever and ever.
Amen.
St Raphael Prayer
Blessed Saint Raphael, Archangel, We beseech thee to help us in all our needs and trials of this life, as thou, through the power of God, didst restore sight and give guidance to young Tobit. We humbly seek thine aid and intercession, that our souls may be healed, our bodies protected from all ills, and that through divine grace we may be made fit to dwell in the eternal Glory of God in heaven.
Amen.