"Angels"

September 29, 2009

The Year for Priests

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In our Catholic faith we recognize a variety and order in God’s creation.  The first of the creatures whom God created were the angels.  Catholic theology recognizes nine choirs or divisions of them from Sacred Scripture.  The nine choirs are: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Powers, Principalities, Virtues, Angels, and Archangels.  We are all familiar with the individual angels who watch over each of us.  They are our guardian angels; every one of us has an angel who watches over us and helps us in spiritually challenging times.  Scripture informs us also about the seven angels who only stand continually in the presence of God.  Of those, only the names of three have been cited in the canonical books of the Bible.  We know them as Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the three archangels whose feast we celebrate today.

Saint Michael, “who is like God,” is probably best known to us as the great defender of God’s glory against the onslaught of Lucifer in the heavenly battle of the good verses the bad angels. St. Michael is highly regarded in many special daily prayers, especially the prayers said after Mass. St. Michael is evoked also as the special patron of those who serve and protect us in the police and fire departments.

Saint Gabriel, “the strength of God,” is known to us as the great announcer of God’s plan to become one with us as the Son of God and the Son of Mary.  Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to Mary and the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah.  St. Gabriel is thus the patron of those who are broadcast journalists and commentators.

Saint Raphael, “the healing of God,” is the archangel whose touch brings sight and healing to Tobit in the Old Testament book of the same name.  He thus is highly regarded as a patron of those who work in hospitals and the care of the sick.

Today is the feast day of these archangels and we rejoice in their example and trust in their protection for us each day.

Friday is the feast day of the guardian angels.  It’s a good week to take advantage of God’s protection and love in giving us the angels and archangels to watch over us.

Saturday is the first Saturday of October, the month of the Holy Rosary.

Remember to tune your radio to Relevant Radio (100.1 FM) at 11 a.m. on Saturday to hear Fr. Don Hying and his New Heart, New Spirit message from the seminary.

Faithfully in Christ,

Most Reverend William Patrick Callahan

Archdiocesan Administrator
Archdiocese of Milwaukee

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