Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels
Companions on Our Journey
Liturgical Cycle: C | Lectionary Cycle: I
Introduction
We know that God loves us, that he protects us and guides us to our destiny. In the Bible, angels are presented God’s messengers to people, to help us to carry out God’s plans. The archangel Michael is mentioned in the last book of the Bible as the angel who leads the fight against the power of evil and who wants God’s work and Christ to overcome all evil. Gabriel is the messenger of the Annunciation; Raphael is the angel companion and healer in the Book of Tobias. The prophet Daniel shares a vision of heaven where God, the Ancient One, reigns with majesty, and the Son of Man is given eternal kingship and glory. This passage reminds us that Christ is the Lord of history, whose kingdom will never pass away.
Angels, then, are the sign of God’s guiding love and concern for us. We may not forget today also the many people who help and guide us in many ways by their love and care. They too, are, so to speak, God’s angels to us. In today’s Gospel, Jesus greets Nathanael with words that reveal He knows him through and through. He then promises that those who believe will see heaven opened and the Son of Man revealed in glory.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God, you are our providence.
We are sure that you want to guide us to you,
that you want to save us,
that you love each of us personally, as we are,
and that you do everything you can do
to make yourself known to us.
Whatever way you come to us
and whoever your messengers are,
may we recognize you and accept you
and love you in them.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
First Reading
Error: Book or format not recognized for passage: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Responsorial Psalm
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
All the kings of the earth shall give thanks to you, O LORD
when they hear the words of your mouth;
And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD
"Great is the glory of the LORD
R. In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Bless the LORD, all you angels,
you ministers, who do his will.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
When Jesus saw Nathanael coming, he said of him:
“Here comes an Israelite, a true one; there is nothing false in him.”
Nathanael asked him:
“How do you know me?”
And Jesus said to him:
“Before Philip called you, you were under the fig tree and I saw you.”
Nathanael answered:
“Master, you are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel!”
But Jesus replied:
“You believe because I said, ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ But you will see greater things than that.
Truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”
Prayers of the Faithful
– Lord, when your Church is persecuted, send it leaders who speak out in your name to encourage the fainthearted, we pray:
– Lord, when people are confused, send them messengers who enlighten them in your name, we pray:
– Lord, when people are in danger on their journey through life, send them angels to protect them, we pray
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father,
you have sent here among us
your greatest messenger of your good news
and of your own life,
your Son Jesus Christ.
Accept in this offering our thanks
for all your angels and messengers
you send us to heal us from our illnesses
of body, mind and spirit
and who speak to us
words of love, hope and peace.
Thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
on account of Jesus Christ your Son
give us enough trust in you
to rely on you in all the events of life.
Make us welcome your angels and messengers ,
in sickness, in our weakness,
in our groping and hesitations.
Make us, in turn, to our brothers and sisters
helpers and messengers of your goodness and love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Blessing
We are certain that God protects and guides us through angels and good people who help us. May you rely on him and may God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
The Archangels:
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the only angels named in Sacred Scripture. Each of them has a distinct role in God’s plan of salvation, and together they remind us that we are never alone on our journey of faith.
St Michael is known as the Prince of the Heavenly Host, the leader of the angelic armies of God. His name means “Who is like God?”—a battle cry of fidelity when Lucifer and his followers rebelled against the Creator. Michael is mentioned in the books of Daniel, Letter of St Jude, and Revelation, where he is depicted as the protector who fights against Satan. For this reason, the Church invokes him against evil. In 1899, Pope Leo XIII composed the well-known Prayer to St Michael after a vision of the struggles the Church would face, entrusting the faithful to his protection. Christian tradition sees Michael as the one who defends God’s people, rescues souls at the hour of death, and leads them to God’s judgment.
St Gabriel means “God’s strength.” He is the messenger of great announcements in salvation history. In the New Testament, he appears to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist and to Mary to announce the Incarnation of the Word. Tradition also attributes to him the messages to Joseph in his dreams, the announcement to the shepherds, and his comforting presence with Jesus in Gethsemane. Gabriel’s mission is to bring God’s Word, reminding us that the Gospel is always Good News meant to encourage and strengthen us.
St Raphael means “God has healed.” His story appears in the Book of Tobit, where he accompanies the young Tobias, heals Tobit’s blindness, and reveals himself as one of the seven angels who stand before God. His role is one of healing, mercy, and guidance. Tradition also associates him with the angel who stirred the waters of the pool of Bethesda, bringing healing to the sick. Raphael is a companion on our journey, guiding us safely and keeping us from straying into danger.
Pope Francis, in a 2017 reflection, reminded us that angels serve God by walking alongside humanity, cooperating in His plan of salvation. He summarises the role of the three archangels beautifully:
- Michael fights against the devil and the forces of evil;
- Gabriel brings us the Good News and reminds us of the Gospel.
- Raphael walks with us, protecting and healing us on our way.
The Pope encouraged us to invoke their intercession: “Michael, help us in our battles. Gabriel, bring us the Good News of salvation. Raphael, take us by the hand and guide our steps.”
On this feast, let us entrust ourselves and the Church to the care of these great messengers of God. May St Michael defend us in our daily struggles, may St Gabriel strengthen our faith with the Gospel, and may St Raphael heal our wounds and guide our steps toward eternal life
29 September 2025
Today, the Church celebrates the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the heavenly messengers whose names resound throughout salvation history. Each of them embodies a particular way in which God reaches into our lives: Michael, the protector who defends us against evil; Gabriel, the herald of God’s Word, who announces the Good News; and Raphael, the companion and healer, who walks with us in our journeys of suffering. They remind us that God’s love is not distant, but close—active, attentive, and guiding.
In the Gospel we meet Philip, newly called by Jesus, who immediately seeks out his friend Nathanael. Like Gabriel bringing a message of hope, Philip cannot keep silent about the One he has found. Nathanael responds with doubt: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” His scepticism mirrors our own struggles to believe that God can act in ordinary, even unlikely, places. Yet Philip does not argue. With the wisdom of a true evangelist, he simply says: “Come and see.”
This same invitation runs through the mission of the Archangels. Michael’s defense urges us: Come and see the strength of God, who conquers evil. Gabriel’s announcement whispers: Come and see the Word made flesh, who dwells among us. Raphael’s companionship consoles us: Come and see the healing mercy of God, who walks by our side.
It is not arguments that convert hearts, but encounter. Nathanael was not convinced by debate, but by an encounter with Jesus, who read the depths of his heart beneath the fig tree, and revealed Himself as the One who fulfils our deepest longings.
Jesus is the true ladder of Jacob, the bridge between heaven and earth. The Archangels, each in their unique role, guide us along this ladder: Michael strengthens us against the downward pull of sin, Gabriel points us to the Word who lifts us upward, and Raphael steadies us when we stumble on the way. Together, they remind us that we are never alone in the journey of faith.
Pope Francis once prayed: “Michael, help us in our battles; Gabriel, bring us the good news of salvation; Raphael, take us by the hand and guide us on the right path.” This is also our prayer today. May we, like Philip, invite others to come and see. May we, like Nathanael, allow Christ to look into our hearts and fulfil our secret longings. And may the Archangels accompany us always on the ladder that leads to heaven.