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| St. Michael, Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Honolulu |
St. Michael is regarded traditionally as the chief of the archangels, a special protector against the attacks of Satan, and, in the East, a patron of the sick. He has two feasts in the Western church: that of May 8 commemorating his alleged appearance at Monte Gargano in Italy during the fifth century, and that of September 29, the anniversary of the dedication of a church of St. Michael on the Salarian Way in Rome during the sixth century.
The name Michael is a variation of Micah, meaning in Hebrew, "Who is like God?"
Prayer to St. Michael (long form) by Pope Leo XIII
O Glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in his own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil.
Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of his Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.
These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.
Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and Patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.
Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
The Lion of the tribe of Judah has conquered, the root of David.
Let thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
As we have hoped in thee.
O Lord, hear my prayer.
And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon thy holy name, and as suppliants we implore thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel St. Michael, thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Prayer Source
Patron Saint of Police Officers and the Military.
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| St. Gabriel and the Annunciation |
St. Gabriel is the Angel of the Annunciation. The Jewish people venerated Gabriel as the angel of judgment. Like that of Christian tradition, he is one of the seven archangels. Gabriel is also known in the Islamic religion as "the angel who served as the mouthpiece of God in dictating the Koran to their prophet". St. Gabriel appears in both the Old and New Testaments a few times. The final mention of him is found in Luke where he goes to the Blessed Virgin Mary with the tidings that she is to be the Mother of the Messiah. The Archangel Gabriel is the bearer of good tidings and comforter and helper of men. Christian tradition holds that Gabriel was the unnamed angel who appeared to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The name Gabriel means "Hero of God" in Hebrew.
Prayer to Saint Gabriel
Saint Gabriel the Archangel, I venerate you as the Angel of the Incarnation, because God specially appointed you to bear the messages concerning the God-Man to Daniel, Zechariah, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Give me a very tender and devoted love for the Incarnate Word and his Blessed Mother more like your own. I venerate you also as the “Strength from God” because you are the giver of God’s strength, consoler and comforter chosen to strengthen God’s faithful and teach them important truths. I ask for the grace of a special power of the will to strive for holiness of life. Steady my resolutions; renew my courage; comfort and console me in the problems, trials and sufferings of daily living, as you consoled our Savior in his agony and Mary in her sorrows and Joseph in his trials. I put my confidence in you. Saint Gabriel, I ask you especially for this favor: (mention your request). Through your earnest love for the Son of God made man and for his Blessed Mother I beg of you, intercede for me that my request may be granted, if it be God’s holy will.
Pray for us, Saint Gabriel the Archangel, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
Prayer source
St. Raphael appears in the Old Testament in the Book of Tobit. He is the angel who accompanies Tobias on the journey and who heals Tobias' father from blindness. His name means "Healer of God".
Father Joe Whalen has a beautiful ministry. It is the
St. Raphael Healing Oil Ministry. I am going to share the link with you here so that you can visit, read Father's story and about the ministry itself. There is also a good prayer for healing that I am posting here. It is supposed to be prayed when you use the St. Raphael's healing oil on a sick person.
On a personal note, I have used the healing oil on my family, friends and also sick pets. I have also shared them with friends. This is not magic nor is it New Age or superstition. This is just one of the ways the Church's sacramentals assist us in our needs when we put ALL our faith in Jesus, the Divine Physician.
Prayer to St. Raphael the Archangel
Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.
I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the "medicine of God," I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (name it) and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
"Jesus, Mary, I love You, Save Souls"
Sources: A Dictionary of Saints, compiled by Donald Attwater
Lives of Saints
