Who are the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael?

With their appearances in the Holy Scriptures, the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are the closest to God, representing the high level of their functions. They are also part of a specific group of seven pure souls who are close to the throne of the Creator.

Their messages reach down to Earth, and the church relies on the power of the Holy Spirit to make devotion to the three most influential. Thus, they act in a protective manner and fulfill the requests of their devotees, carrying their words of salvation. In addition, Archangel means chief angel, naming their miracles. Read the article to understand the stories and contributions of these archangels!

History of San Miguel Arcanjo

St. Michael the Archangel is part of the supreme direction of heaven and also has the function of defending the heavenly throne. Therefore, he is referred to as the one who acts in the face of repentance and justice. He has a strong power to fight evil and wins all battles.

Moreover, this symbolism is present in the holy scriptures, giving it the high importance it deserves. In Hebrews (1:14), all count their meanings: "Angels are spirits that were created by God to help us in our salvation, in the struggles of our life." Continue reading the article to understand all the characteristics of this archangel!

Saint Michael the Archangel

The fundamentals of Saint Michael the Archangel are focused on all the combats that he had to face and that are in the scriptures. The most known and important for his figure was against the Devil. Since then, he started to wear an armor and sword to symbolize the victory.

In addition, Saint Michael the Archangel appears in the Islamic, Jewish and Christian religions. He protects the church and all its devotees, also having his high influence as a messenger of the Creator. The definition of his name in Hebrew is: "he who is like God". Together with Gabriel and Raphael, he is at the top of the hierarchy of angels.

Guardian and warrior

Saint Michael is called a warrior, prince and heavenly angel. Moreover, he had a strong participation in the creation of the world, always being by the side of God. He relies on this position to serve and fulfill his role, mainly because he is one of the seven purest of the select group of angels.

Michael also has a quote in Revelation, because he has direct connection with the Creator. He passes the Lord's messages to people, besides being able to solve the requests that are referred to him. Thus, he fulfills the role of defender, taking care of all those who are dear to God.

Worship of Saint Michael the Archangel

The cult to St. Michael the Archangel is evidenced in the church and with high potency, since the exórdios. His devotees make prayers and novenas to him, claiming for his protection from evil and for the full path of salvation from God. This process has spread in the West and East.

With the presence of the Virgin Mary, the cult for St. Michael becomes powerful to fight the devil. The two are seen through the stomping of their feet and winning the fight against Satan. In addition, both are with a dragon and a snake.

Michael was symbolized by Pope Pius XII in 1950 as the protector of sailors, doctors, radiologists and many others.

Saint Michael the Archangel in the Scriptures

St. Michael the Archangel is present in four Scriptures, and they are those in the books of Daniel, Jude and Revelation. Each of these quotes highlight his powers, and in Dan 12:1, it is exactly like this:

At that time the great prince Michael will arise, who is the protector of the children of your people.

When he was defending people from Satan, he was mentioned in Jude 1:9 like this:

Now when the archangel Michael was arguing with the devil and disputing with him over the body of Moses, he dared not fulminate against him a sentence of execration, but only said, 'May the Lord himself rebuke you!'

History of St. Gabriel Archangel

Being that angel who has his function focused on divine messages, Gabriel has the meaning of his name in Hebrew as: "The Warrior of God". He can also be called "Messenger of God", because he was designated to command the angels with the spirit of truth.

The Creator chose him to accompany him in all his salvation processes, from the revelation of the prophecies to the great announcement that he received the Messiah. The Resurrection and the Passion of Christ also had his presence. Learn a little more about this archangel by reading the following topics!

Saint Gabriel the Archangel

St. Gabriel the Archangel has a passage in Luke 1:19, in which he says:

I am Gabriel, and I am always in the presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and to announce this good news to you.

As such, he asks his devotees to believe in his word and communicate with God. In addition, he is also the one who has the gift of revelation and who knows what each one needs, as well as understanding all the characteristics present in his guided ones. He concretizes the following phrase in Amos 3:7:

The Lord does nothing without revealing his plans to the prophets, his servants.

Saint Gabriel the Archangel in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, the Archangel Saint Gabriel is known to be the one who brings the necessary messages to the people. Through God, he plays this role for the purpose of good announcements. He appears communicating with Daniel, presenting the vision that a prophet had in verse 8:16 of the Bible.

Thus, he also took his message to the people of Israel, where all were in exile (Daniel 9:21). His image is recognized to be wearing a lily stick, besides being named as the patron saint of communicators and communications.

St. Gabriel the Archangel appears to Zechariah

In the face of the 70-week prophecy, the Archangel St. Gabriel appeared to Zacharias in Jerusalem to give him the news that the forerunner of Jesus Christ would be born. Thus, St. John the Baptist was the son of St. Elizabeth and the prophet. They acted righteously before God and followed His commandments.

Since they were both of advanced age and could not have children because Elizabeth was barren, Gabriel announced the birth of their son, causing a miracle to take place. John the Baptist was born in the same way as Samuel and Isaac were introduced to the world.

Announces the birth of Jesus

God sent a message through the Archangel St. Gabriel to Mary. Living in Galilee, she was to marry Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. When the angel appeared to her, he said:

I salute you, favored woman! The Lord is with you.

Maria wondered and wanted to understand what those words meant, so Gabriel continued:

Don't be afraid, Mary. God is going to give you a wonderful blessing! Very soon you will become pregnant and you will have a child, whom you will call Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.

Hail Mary's sacred words

The sacred words of the Hail Mary are the result of the sending of St. Gabriel the Archangel in the name of God. As such, it is also celebrated because the angel gave her the news of her pregnancy, telling her that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ: "Rejoice, full of grace!", so she did.

The date March 25 is celebrated and referred to as the Annunciation and is nine months before Christmas. As soon as Elizabeth's pregnancy was reported, that of Jesus Christ was reported six months later. She was Mary's cousin and the mother of John the Baptist.

Appears to St. Joseph

Joseph was considered a kind and good man. He was about to marry Mary when he learned that she was pregnant and did not want to commit himself any further. Then, St. Gabriel the Archangel appeared in his dream and told him the following in Matthew 2:13:

Arise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt!

So, he obeyed Gabriel's message and married Mary. He also told Joseph that the child Mary was carrying in her womb was the Son of God. The baby was to be named Jesus and would be the savior of the world.

Other appearances in the New Testament

When St. Gabriel the Archangel appeared in the New Testament, he made the announcement to Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah. He also had his strong part in the birth and incarnation of the Son of God, and this news came so that people would be saved through the grace of Jesus Christ.

Gabriel notified Mary, and she began to understand the power of the Holy Spirit, as well as respecting the mission and preparing for it. In Daniel 9:21-27 he is quoted:

While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the previous vision, came flying quickly to where I was at the time of the afternoon sacrifice.

History of Saint Raphael the Archangel

The story of Saint Raphael the Archangel begins when the meaning of his name has great power. He is referred to as "Healer of God" and "God heals you". He favours people and ensures spiritual and physical health. He also favours the blind, priests, doctors, scouts, soldiers and travellers.

Raphael is considered as the angel of Providence, protecting all people. He acts effectively in injuries of the body and soul, besides defending everyone equally. Regardless of the social class of each one, he is guided by God to help everyone. Understand the aspects of him below!

He assumed human form

Saint Raphael the Archangel was the only one who assumed human form to guide Tobias, dominating himself from Azariah. Thus, Tobit's son was helped by him to conquer what his father asked of him. He married Sarah, and the angel made her free from the torment of the demon, which made their husbands die on their wedding nights.

Thus, his image is symbolized precisely by this journey, because Tobias caught a fish that was used to cure his father of blindness.

Bless God and proclaim among all the living what good things he has given you. I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who are always present and have access to the glory of the Lord. (Tb 5:12)

Bearer of divine healing

The Archangel St. Raphael is the one sent by God to heal people psychically, physically and spiritually. Because he acts in this way, he earns this title because he is the main one in the process of the transition of spirit and body. In Jewish and Christian religions, Raphael is referred to as the one who moved the waters in John 5:4.

He is not quoted in the New Testament, but is present in Judaism. Thus, he paid a visit to Abraham with two other angels, and this happened even before the destruction of Gomorrah and Sodom. In the Islamic religion, he made the announcement of the arrival of the Last Judgment and blew his horn.

Patron saint of mercy

Considered the angel who is the patron saint of mercy, Saint Raphael watches over doctors and priests. He also protects soldiers and travelers, ensuring spiritual strength. In this way, he is in strong connection with charitable institutes and hospitals, giving what is necessary and essential.

Thus, Saint Raphael transforms, heals and guarantees faith. With all these main characteristics, he leads the human being in his path of defense, besides keeping away everything that can be harmful. It is before the Passion of the Creator that everyone finds salvation and, with the intermediary of Raphael, everything can come true.

Protector of pilgrims

Saint Raphael the Archangel has the power to care for pilgrims as well as guide them on their journeys. All those who are on God's path are also protected by his care. Thus, the archangel ensures the safety of all lives by making people walk on the right and safe path.

In Jesus, all find the healing of body and soul, and Raphael guarantees his role in these aspects. In 1969, his commemoration was changed to September 29th, but his followers can commemorate him always.

Prayer of each archangel

Through prayer, people come closer to God, so Jesus was a great example not only in this sense, but in all those he made himself present for salvation. With words, devotees can ask for transformation, and it will come, if they rely on faith.

So connecting with the envoys is not difficult because they are divided into hierarchies made up of Principalities, Cherubim, Seraphim, Angels, Archangels and others. Learn how to call on Michael, Gabriel and Raphael below!

Prayer of Saint Michael the Archangel

To ask St. Michael the Archangel for help, devotees should call him thus:

Most Glorious Prince of the Heavenly Militia, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle against princes and powers, against the rulers of this dark world and against the evil spirits scattered through the air.

To proceed with prayer, they need to say the following:

Present our prayers to the Most High, that without delay the Lord's mercies may prevent us, and that you may have power to seize the dragon, the ancient serpent which is the devil and Satan, and to cast him down in chains into the depths, so that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Gabriel Archangel

To call upon the name of Saint Gabriel the Archangel, one should say:

St. Gabriel the Archangel, you Angel of the Incarnation, faithful messenger of God, open our ears so that they may hear even the softest suggestions and calls of grace emanating from the most loving heart of Our Lord.

Then, end the prayer in a way that intercedes him:

We ask you to remain always close to us so that, understanding well the Word of God and His inspirations, we may know how to obey it and docilely fulfill what God wants of us. Grant that we may always be available and vigilant. May the Lord, when He comes, not find us asleep. Saint Gabriel the Archangel, pray for us, Amen.

Prayer to Saint Raphael the Archangel

To say a prayer in the name of Saint Raphael the Archangel, devotees should call him thus:

Saint Raphael, Archangel of God's Healing Light, open channel so that the abundant life of Heaven may flow over us, companion on our pilgrimage to the Father's House, victor over the evil hosts of death, Angel of Life: here I am, in need like Tobias of your protection and light.

Finally, they need to end the prayer as follows, repeating the words:

I ask you to accompany me on my journey, delivering me from evil and dangers, giving health of body, mind and spirit to me and all mine. Especially I ask you today this grace: (recite the grace). I already thank you for your loving intercession and for always being by my side. Amen.

What differentiates Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael from other angels?

Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are the envoys of God for the important missions and on behalf of the devotees. They are the ones who stand around the Lord, besides using their skills for the way of the Creator. Here, the Pope, priests and bishops are highly glorified.

Saint Michael the Archangel is responsible for defending God's cause, as well as fighting the dragon and the serpent, Gabriel has his responsibilities for the messages God wants to send to his subjects, and Raphael has the power to heal all. Therefore, they are represented by disciples on their missions to contemplate the Bible!