To some the notion of Angels and Demons in our midst is something right out of science fiction. But the truth is angels and demons exist and they have supernatural power that they exert over us.   In this post I will focus on three Archangels: St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael.

Angels are ‘pure spirits’ created by God to adore Him and to assist us in serving God. In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” Hebrews 1:7 “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” Hebrews 1:14

St. Michael, the Archangel

St. Michael is the Archangel in heaven who fought against Satan (a ‘fallen angel’ – or the devil that leads the fallen angels or demons)

“Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. Although the dragon and his angels fought back, they were overpowered and lost their place in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent known as the devil or satan, the seducer of the whole world, was driven out; he was hurled down to earth and his minions with him” (Rev 12:7-9).

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5: 8-9

St. Michael is a protector of souls who will assist us in our fight against Satan and his army of demons. The name Michael means “who is like God.”

St. Michael figures prominently in the Rite of Exorcism.

In this prayer, the Priest invokes the power of God through the intercession of St. Michael:

“Most glorious Prince of the Heavenly Army, Holy Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle against the princes and powers and rulers of darkness in this world, against the spiritual iniquities of those former angels. Come to the help of man whom God made in His own image and whom He bought from the tyranny of Satan at a great price.  The Church venerates you as her custodian and patron. The Lord confided to your care all the souls of those redeemed, so that you would lead them to happiness in Heaven. Pray to the God of peace, Jesus Christ, that He crush Satan under our feet; so that Satan no longer be able to hold men captive and thus injure the Church. Offer our prayers to the Most High God, so that His mercies be given us soon. Make captive that Animal, that Ancient Serpent, which is enemy and Evil Spirit, and reduce it to everlasting nothingness, so that it no longer seduce the nations.”

Pope Leo XIII wrote this prayer in honour of St. Michael. I say it often.

“Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our protection 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 through the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”

St. Gabriel, the Archangel

Gabriel means “God is my strength.” The Archangel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah and said, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John” (see Luke 1:13). Thus St. Gabriel announced the coming of John the Baptist, the greatest prophet of the Most High, who would go before the Lord to prepare for His coming.

God also sent the Archangel Gabriel “to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph. . . and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, ‘Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you'” (Luke 1:27-28).  St. Gabriel told Mary, “do not be afraid, Mary for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.”  Luke 1: 30-33

St. Gabriel’s message announced that God was entering the world, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be conceived in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The Archangel who draws his strength from God brought us the message of strength in which we draw our hope: God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, would enter the world to save the people He had created.

St. Raphael, the Archangel

Raphael means “It is God who heals.” St. Raphael is spoken of in the Book of Tobit, “I am Raphael one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints and enter into the presence of the glory of the Holy One.”  Tobit 12:15

Through the power of God, St. Raphael heals Tobias of his blindness. When Tobit and his son Tobiah were discussing how they should repay St. Raphael for all that he had done for them, “Raphael called the two men aside and said to them, ‘Praise God and tell everyone about the good things he has done for you, so that they too will honor him and sing his praises. Let everyone know what God has done. Never stop praising him. It’s a good idea to keep a king’s secret, but what God does should be told everywhere, so that he may be praised and honored.  If you do good, no harm will come to you. It is better to pray sincerely and to please God by helping the poor than to be rich and dishonest. It is better to give to the poor than to store up gold. Such generosity will save you from death and will wash away all your sins. Those who give to the poor will live full lives, but those who live a life of sin and wickedness are their own worst enemies.’” Tobit 12: 6-10

Love or hate – they are choices we make that are influenced by whether or not we choose to commune with God or with Satan.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8

Friends of Jesus – the Angels of God are here with us to protect us and guide us and help us on our spiritual journey. We are all pilgrims travelling to our eternal resting place, Paradise.  We are here for a little while to give glory to God and while we are here God’s Angels will help us:

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Psalm 91:11

Thank you Jesus for giving us Angels to intercede for us and help us to give You Glory. Thank you Holy Angels of God for helping us to resist temptation and honour Jesus.

A Small Way to Honour Jesus is this: STOP EVERY DAY AT 3PM (IN YOUR LOCAL TIME ZONE) TO REMEMBER JESUS DYING ON THE CROSS FOR US AND SAY A PRAYER FOR ALL SOULS.

THREE O’CLOCK IS THE TIME JESUS DIED FOR US; IT IS THE HOUR OF MERCY!

Let us thank God for loving us so much that He would send His Only Son Jesus Christ to die for us! Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to come down upon us and fill our hearts so we can repent of our sins and please God. Let us pray that we become more and more like the Angels of God who are always leading souls to love, to forgive and be forgiven.

Join Christians all over the world that are uniting DAILY in prayer as we contemplate the Passion of Christ and give Our Holy Lord glory at the Hour of Mercy.  Learn more here.