If we could see with spiritual eyes, we would realize that Angels surround us; they are here with us on earth to help us.  In this post I will speak of the power of three Archangels, St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael.

Let us pray for the intercession of the Angels of God.  May they keep us close to God and help us to fight the good fight each day for the glory of Our Saviour Jesus Christ.

St. Michael, the Archangel

It was St. Michael who long ago led the battle against Satan: “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).

The name Michael means “who is like God.” St. Michael is a protector of souls, and wields God’s righteous sword of justice against satan and his demons.

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 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.”

Let us call for the protection of St. Michael everyday by praying the prayer written by Pope Leo XIII:

“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 other 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 Lk 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.

It was the Archangel Gabriel who was sent from God, “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'” (Lk 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 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

Holy Angels of the Most High Jesus Christ, Almighty God, thank you for your continuous intercession and assistance.  We love you beautiful angels of God!  Destroy the demons that possess and destroy souls!  Amen.

Dear friends of Christ – please remember to stop at 3pm everyday to say a prayer to Our Lord Jesus, pray especially for the sick, the suffering, the dying, the redemption of all souls.  Three o’clock is the time Jesus died for us on the Cross.  Join Christians all over the world that are uniting in prayer as we contemplate the Passion of Christ and give Our Holy Lord glory.  Learn more here.