The Bible is filled with stories depicting the power and strength of the angels. Of all these tales, only three of these angelic persons are revealed by name. Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael each appear in Scripture at pivotal moments, providing the protection, strength, and healing that accompanies God’s revealed will.
These incredible stories have long inspired devotion to the Archangels. Much like devotion to the Eucharist and to Mary, you would be hard pressed to find a Saint without a love for the angels–especially the only three we know by name! The Saints were well aware of the invisible reality through which God carries out His will on earth, and thus they were eager to seek help and cooperate with any direction the angels would give them. Three brief examples follow.
Saint Michael and Saint Paul of the Cross
Saint Paul of the Cross was the founder of the Congregation of the Passion. Commonly known as the Passionists, the order takes a fourth vow in addition to the traditional vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. They vow to spread memory and devotion to Jesus’ Passion, a devotion which was considered peculiar by many.
Perhaps this contributed to the antagonism that Saint Paul faced in the midst of constructing a house for those within his order. Apparently the contempt grew so strong that after attempting “civilized” ways of delaying or forbidding construction, the ill-wishers planned to destroy the progress which had already been made. Armed with torches in the middle of the night, the opposition had every intention of burning the building to the ground. As they approached the construction site, a beam of light broke through the darkness and an angel with a sword descended from heaven through it. This was Saint Michael. His intense expression and stance made it abundantly clear he would protect the building from anyone who tried to harm it. The mob not only abandoned their plan that night—they no longer fought the Order’s right to construction.
Even when the housing was completed, Saint Michael continued to appear to the founder and his congregation.
Saint Gabriel and the Mystic, Père Lamy
A French mystic whose bishop insisted, “I have in my diocese, another Curé of Ars,” Père Lamy (Father John Edward Lamy) had visions of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the angels (just to name a few). Beloved by the Virgin Mary, Saint Gabriel was sent by our heavenly Queen to watch over Père Lamy as he was aging and losing his eyesight. The archangel obliged.
On a fiercely sunny day, the priest was out walking and struggling to see due to the glare. He strolled into the path of a boy on a bike and should have been struck–hard! Instead, Saint Gabriel picked up the bike with its rider still astride, moving him off the road and into the grass. The rider was shocked as he was also able to see the archangel, and he struggled to speak in such a comical manner the priest had to stifle his laughter. When he found his voice, he told anyone who would listen. When Père Lamy was asked about the supposed happening, he would smile and pretend not to understand.
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Saint Raphael and Saint Anthony Marie Claret
Finding himself stranded in a strange and unfamiliar city for a few days, Saint Anthony Marie Claret remembered how in the book of Tobit and the traveling companion of Tobias was the disguised archangel Saint Raphael. After this recollection, Saint Anthony Marie Claret addressed his stress and fears with a prayer to the angel asking for his assistance.
Shortly after this short but heartfelt prayer, a young stranger appeared at the door of where the priest was staying and offered to be his guide. Throughout the next few days, the man remained by his side leaving only at meal times, showing Saint Anthony Marie Claret all around the city. When the Saint’s ship was finally ready to depart, his new companion guided him to the port, assured his safe boarding, and then immediately disappeared, convincing Saint Anthony that he had been in the presence of the archangel that entire time.
Our Helpers and Friends
It is easy to forget the presence of our angelic friends who we cannot see. It is also easy to think that they are only special friends and aides to the holiest among us. The truth is the angels love and guide us all, protecting the innocent and doing all they can to influence sinners to change their ways.
On this Feast of the Archangels, let us bring in prayer to our heavenly intercessors those areas of our lives where we need protection, strength, and healing. May we have the trust and assurance that they will be present and fighting alongside us, just as they have done for God’s faithful throughout the ages.
Grace is a regular contributor to the BIS Blog. She had planned to be a nurse until an encounter with Christ in Confession ignited a spark that resulted in an ongoing career as a high school Theology teacher. Though a cradle Catholic, she continues to be amazed at the depth of peace and joy that can be found within the Faith and can’t help but share that passion with others as a teacher, writer, and speaker. Outside of ministry, she dabbles in a bit of everything, excels in almost nothing, and like most moms, cannot survive without at least one cup of coffee a day. Grace resides in Charleston, SC with her hunky husband and their daughter who looks just like him. You can find out more about her here. Read all of Grace's posts here.
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