September 29th - Feast of the Archangels - Updated

29th September in the current liturgical calendar is the feast of the three Archangels - Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. A very traditional feast day it was originally the feast of the dedication of the basilica of St Michael with St. Gabriel being observed on March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24.

The three archangels mentioned by name in Scripture, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael is mentioned in Daniel and Revelation, Gabriel in Daniel and Luke, and Raphael in the book of Tobit.

• Michael (Who is like God?) was the archangel who fought against Satan and all his evil angels, defending all the friends of God. He is the protector of all humanity from the snares of the devil.
• Gabriel (Strength of God) announced to Zachariah the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the birth of Jesus. His greeting to the Virgin, "Hail, full of grace," is one of the most familiar and frequent prayers of the Christian people.
• Raphael (Medicine of God) is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey.

You can find out more about the feast day and the traditions and scripture behind its celebration as well as the various patronages attributed to the three archangels:

• Catholic Culture.org 
• Feast of St Michael - Fisheaters
• Chambers Book of Days
• Country Matters: Michaelmas is a time to cook the festive goose
• The Feast of Michaelmas
• EWTN - St. Michael, St. Gabriel, & St. Raphael

Prayer to St Raphael

O Raphael, lead us towards those we are waiting for, those who are waiting for us! Raphael, Angel of Happy Meetings, lead us by the hand towards those we are looking for! May all our movements, all their movements, be guided by your Light and transfigured by your Joy.

Angel Guide of Tobias, lay the request we now address to you at the feet of Him on whose unveiled Face you are privileged to gaze. Lonely and tired, crushed by the separations and sorrows of earth, we feel the need of calling to you and of pleading for the protection of your wings, so that we may not be as strangers in the Province of Joy, all ignorant of the concerns of our country.

Remember the weak, you who are strong--you whose home lies beyond the region of thunder, in a land that is always peaceful, always serene, and bright with the resplendent glory of God. Amen.

Prayer to St Michael the Archangel

 

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 Divine Power of God,
cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Prayer to St Gabriel

Saint Gabriel, the Archangel, We humbly ask you to intercede for us at the throne of divine mercy. As you announced the mystery of the Incarnation to the Blessed Virgin 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

 

UPDATE

 

At the conclusion of his September 28 general audience, Pope Francis called upon pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square to seek the intercession of the archangels.

“In tomorrow’s liturgy we celebrate the feast of the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael,” he said. “They are ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation.”

“We should be aware of their invisible presence,” he added. “Let us invoke them in prayer so that in every moment they remind us of the presence of God, supporting us in the struggle against evil and leading us safely on the roads of our life.”

Reflection from iBenedictines - St Michael and the Presence of Evil