Sunday, September 29, 2024

FEAST OF STS. MICHAEL, GABRIEL, AND RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS

The feast of the three archangels- Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael- will be commemorated on September 29.

St. Michael whose name means “Who is like God” was the archangel who fought against satan and all his evil angels, defending all the friends of God. He is the protector of all humanity from the snares of the devil. St. Gabriel which means “Strength of God” announced to Zachariah the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the birth of Jesus. His greeting to the Virgin, "Hail, full of grace," is one of the most familiar and frequent prayers of the Christian people. St Raphael meaning “Medicine of God” is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey.

The three Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are the only angels named in Sacred Scripture and all three have important roles in the history of salvation.

Saint Michael is the "Prince of the Heavenly Host," the leader of all the angels. His name is Hebrew for "Who is like God?" and was the battle cry of the good angels against Lucifer and his followers when they rebelled against God. He is mentioned four times in the Bible, in Daniel 10 and 12, in the letter of Jude, and in Revelation.

Michael, whose forces cast down Lucifer and the evil spirits into Hell, is invoked for protection against Satan and all evil. Pope Leo XIII, in 1899, having had a prophetic vision of the evil that would be inflicted upon the Church and the world in the 20th century, instituted a prayer asking for Saint Michael's protection to be said at the end of every Mass.

Christian tradition recognizes four offices of Saint Michael: (i) to fight against Satan (ii) to rescue the souls of the faithful from the power of the enemy, especially at the hour of death. (iii) to be the champion of God's people, (iv) to call away from earth and bring men's souls to judgment.

"I am Gabriel, who stand before God." (Luke 1, 19)

Saint Gabriel, whose name means "God's strength," is mentioned four times in the Bible. Most significant are Gabriel's two mentions in the New Testament: to announce the birth of John the Baptist to his father Zacharias, and the at Incarnation of the Word in the womb of Mary.

Christian tradition suggests that it is he who appeared to St. Joseph and to the shepherds, and also that it was he who "strengthened" Jesus during his agony in the garden of Gethsemane.

"I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" (Tob 12:15)

Saint Raphael, whose name means "God has healed" because of his healing of Tobias' blindness in the Book of Tobit.  Tobit is the only book in which he is mentioned. His office is generally accepted by tradition to be that of healing and acts of mercy.

Raphael is also identified with the angel in John 5:1-4 who descended upon the pond and bestowed healing powers upon it so that the first to enter it after it moved would be healed of whatever infirmity he was suffering.


For more information on the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, please click on the following links:


The Archangel Prayers
Prayer to St. Michael, the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel Story
How The Prayer Of St. Michael Came To Be Written
Saint Michael Archangel Apparitions
Chaplet of St. Michael The Archangel
Novena To Saint Michael The Archangel
Litany Of St. Michael The Archangel
Prayer to St. Gabriel, the Archangel
St.Gabriel Prayer
Litany of St Gabriel
Prayer to St. Raphael, the Archangel
Saint Raphael Prayer
Prayer to St Raphael for Healing
Prayer to St Raphael Before a Trip
Prayer to St. Raphael: Patron of Travelers & Bearers of the Good News
Prayer to St Raphael For the Choice of a Good Spouse
Litany in Honor of St. Raphael 


Friday, September 6, 2024

Arguing Catholics

I see a lot of Christians arguing lately about many things. Especially things that are not only out of our control, but things we have no business sticking our noses into. Who's right? Who's wrong? Do you honestly think that arguing vehemently and trying to get another to change their mind to align with your opinions will change anything?

The one thing that Jesus always prayed for is that we all be one as He is in the Father & the Father in Him. How arrogant is he who argues who is bad and who is good while disparaging their reputation and office? Whether true or false, is this not the sin of detraction?!


We all want to believe we're on the right track and the path that leads to heaven. And this is a valid concern, however, as St. Bernadette has said, our job is not to convince; but simply inform.

The items that I see most Catholics Arguing about today are nothing that can be altered or changed by them. Yet they seem to want to fight to the death about these things that only God Himself has control over. 
WHY?

Should we not take the two most important sentences in the prayer that Jesus gave us and pray without ceasing: "THY KINGDOM COME. THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN." 

Please stop the arguing over things that are God's alone. Nothing can happen unless Jesus permits it and if He does, it's either in His Plan or He'll bring about a greater good from it.


Arguing among ourselves and trying to change people's minds only fuels the devil's delight as he thoroughly enjoys all our contention for each other. 


Did Jesus not promise that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church?

Trust God and surrender to His Holy Will in all things ... Be patient and wait upon the Lord. He will never fail us! 



Particular Picks

It's been difficult for me to keep up the BattleBeads website, so I'm trying something a little different. 

I have set up a small sales store featuring a few selections which can be ordered from the site. 

Everything is custom made and you may select bead color and whether you prefer cord or chain construction.

It's really all things Beads ... Rosaries, 

5 Wounds Chaplet
chaplets, keychains, bookmarks, beverage markers, bracelets, rings, necklaces,etc. Costume and fine jewelry also available from acrylics to Sterling silver, gold filled & brass.

Only shipping to contingent USA.  

Please visit and let me know what you think and what you'd like to see. 

St.Therese
Sacrifice bracelet

  
  BATTLEBEADS