September 29 - Archangels are a category of angels. They are one of the nine choirs of angels. In the hierarchy of angels, archangels form the second level, just above the angels themselves. There are several archangels, but the three most familiar to us are Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
Michael appears many times in the Bible. In the Old Testament, he is seen when God speaks to men and is sent, messenger, bearer of the News. He is referred to "as the appointed protector of the Hebrew people" (Dan 10, 21; 12, 1). In the New Testament Michael comes into conflict with the Devil in the Epistle of Jude (v. 9) concerning the body of Moses. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians (1Th 4, 16), reveals to us that Jesus will come down from heaven "at the signal given by the voice of the archangel". In the grandiose visions of Saint John in the book of Revelation (Rev 12, 7ff), he slays the dragon (symbol of Satan), and expels him from Paradise.
In the book of Daniel, Gabriel explains to the prophet Daniel his vision of the ram and the goat, and then he enunciates the Prophecy of the 70 Weeks. In accordance with the meaning of his name (God's Strength or God is my Strength or God's Hero), when he materializes in the Bible or when he appears in a vision, his appearance is similar to that of a strong man (Dan 8, 15; Dan 12, 7). He is considered the left hand of God. In the New Testament, Gabriel announces to Zechariah that his wife Elisabeth will have a son whom he will call John, then he announces the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary (Lk 1, 11-20 and 26-38): this is the Annunciation. In an apostolic brief of January 12, 1951, Pope Pius XII proclaimed Gabriel, "who brought to the human race, plunged in darkness and despairing of its salvation, the long-desired announcement of the Redemption of mankind," "heavenly patron of all activities related to telecommunications and all their technicians and workers. l is the patron saint of ambassadors, diplomats and military communications.
In the book of Tobit, Raphael is sent by God to heal the blindness of Tobit, Tobit's father, and to help him meet Sarra, daughter of Raguel. He also accompanies young Tobit on his journey. The Church honors St. Raphael as the patron saint of "travelers on land, sea and air".
