My husband’s name is Michael and I am always on the lookout for gifts that honor him through his namesake, Saint Michael the Archangel. This past Valentine’s Day I was looking for a special gift and came across Litany’s Archangel Pocket Squares. The designs are incredibly creative and each one is overflowing with deep meaning.
Even though I set out to find something to honor his name, I ended up getting him the Saint Raphael one that featured Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches of the ideal city, with references from the book of Tobit around the border. It made the perfect Valentine’s Day gift!
Even before marrying Michael, I loved learning about God’s angels and striving to draw close to them, especially my Guardian Angel. It was, however, when I met and married Michael, that my desire to learn about his patron Saint grew. That longing overflowed into a great devotion to Saint Michael’s fellow Archangels, too.
Let's Meet the Archangels
One of my favorite resources to learn more about angels is the book Time to Meet the Angels by Mark Miravalle. It’s filled with so much wisdom and I learn something new every time I pick it up to read.
Here are some of my favorite facts he mentions in his section on the Archangels:
- There are two times in Scripture that the name for the eighth choir of angels, “Archangel”, is mentioned: 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and again in Jude 1:9.
- Archangel refers to this choir's role as leaders.
- They deliver important messages to us, the faithful here on earth.
Saint Michael
Name Meaning //
Who is like God
Found in Scripture //
- Daniel 10:13 // “Michael, one of the chief princes.”
- Daniel 12:1 // “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people.”
- Jude 1:9 // “But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a reviling judgment upon him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’”
Church’s Ascribed Role //
“Prince of the Heavenly Host,” the leader of the angelic army appointed by God the Father to battle Lucifer. (Revelation 12:7)
Important Prayer //
“Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel” promulgated by Pope Leo XIII for the protection of the Church. This prayer is often recited after Mass.
Patron Saint of //
Military and Police forces
Reflection //
We should call upon Saint Michael daily, turning to him for protection, especially when we experience spiritual warfare. Ask his intercession for those who are called to lead and protect. May we be brave, humble, and courageous like this great Archangel, who combats Lucifer’s pride with humility, a humility so great that we now proclaim him to be “Who is like God.” Saint Michael, pray for us.
Saint Gabriel
Name Meaning //
“Man of God” or “Strength of God”
Found in Scripture //
- Daniel 8:16 // “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”
- Daniel 9:21-27 // Gabriel prophecies to Daniel the time when the Messiah will come.
- Luke 1:26-28 // Gabriel brings the message and invitation of the Incarnation to Mother Mary.
- Luke 1:19 // Gabriel announces the conception of Saint John the Baptist to Zechariah.
Church’s Ascribed Role //
As “Strength of God,” tradition holds that Saint Gabriel was the Angel who served Jesus during his Agony in the Garden.
Important Prayer //
The Hail Mary, the “Angelic Salutation.” We repeat Gabriel’s words as we proclaim, “Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you.”
Patron Saint of //
Messengers, those who work for broadcasting and telecommunications such as radio and television, postal workers, clerics, diplomats, and stamp collectors.
Reflection //
Just like Saint Gabriel, let us always greet one another with joy, inviting those we meet to encounter Christ and take Him within their hearts as their own. May we ask Saint Gabriel to strengthen us, especially in our sufferings, agony, and temptations. Saint Gabriel, pray for us.
Saint Raphael
Name Meaning //
“God heals”
Found in Scripture //
- The book of Tobit includes Saint Raphael as one of the central characters, interceding with both physical and spiritual healings.
- Tobit 6:10 // We read about the spiritual healing of Sarah and in Tobit 6:6-8; 11:7-8 the physical healing of Tobit from blindness through the intercession of Saint Raphael is recorded.
- Tobit 12:15 // “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.”
Church’s Ascribed Role //
“Healer of God”
Important Prayer //
Holy Raphael, I entreat thee to help me in all my needs
and in all the trials of this life. And since thou art the
“physician” of God, I pray thee to heal my soul of its many
infirmities, and my body of the ills that afflict it, if this
favor be for my greater good.
I plead for angelic purity that I may be fit to be the
living temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Patron Saint of //
Travelers, the blind, bodily ills, happy meetings, nurses, physicians, and medical workers.
Reflection //
We all need spiritual and physical healing in some way. Saint Raphael, intercede on our behalf for the healings we need to truly flourish as daughters of our High King. May we always turn to you for protection and guidance, especially when we encounter those we love.
Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael the Archangels, pray for us!
Meet the Archangels #BISblog //Click to tweet
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Claire Couche is a regular contributor to the BIS blog. She is a wife, mother, and blogger. She graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville where she studied history and theology. She later received her B.S.N. and worked as an oncology nurse. Combining her love of the faith, the medical field, and ethical fashion, Claire is the creator of Moscati Scrubs, an ethical medical scrubs company inspired by the life and miracles of Saint Giuseppe Moscati. You can learn more about Claire here and about Moscati Scrubs here. Read all of Claire's posts here.
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