Archangels have very important roles, and the Church encourages us to call on these powerful celestials for their guidance, healing, and protection against temptation and dark forces.
What are archangels?
Archangels are considered a subset of angels, distinguished by their elevated rank and specific roles in God’s divine plan. They are messengers of God, entrusted with significant tasks and responsibilities within the celestial hierarchy.
What do we know about the archangels?
While the Catholic Church recognizes the existence of a multitude of angels, it has traditionally highlighted the roles of three archangels, each with distinct missions:
Archangel Michael is depicted in Scripture as the commander of the heavenly host who cast Satan and the rebellious angels out of heaven. Therefore, he is often depicted as a warrior angel, the defender of the Church and humanity against the forces of evil.
Michael’s name, which means “Who is like God?,” reflects his unwavering loyalty and dedication to God’s will. St. Michael is invoked for protection and strength in times of spiritual warfare.
Archangel Gabriel is renowned as the messenger angel who announced the important news to Zechariah about the birth of John the Baptist. He also appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce to her that she was chosen to bring the Son of God into the world.
Gabriel’s name means “God is my strength,” which emphasizes his role in delivering divine messages and revelations; making him a symbol of God’s communication with humanity.
Archangel Raphael is associated with healing and guidance. His name means “God heals,” reflecting his role in guiding individuals on their spiritual journeys and providing healing, both physical and spiritual. Raphael is especially invoked for those in need of emotional or physical healing.
Raphael appears in the Old Testament Book of Tobit as the healing angel who guides Tobiah on his journey and enables him to reclaim his inheritance and drive out evil spirits.
In addition to these three archangels, tradition holds that there are four others; although the Church has not officially recognized the angelic names assigned to them (we have decided not to post the names).
PRAYER TO ARCHANGELES MICHAEL, GABRIEL & RAPHAEL
St. Michael the Archangel, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer.
You know the value on my soul in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me.
I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and your great love for God and people. And since you are God’s messenger for the care of his people, I entrust to you this special request: (Mention your petition now).
St. Michael, since you are, by the Will of the Creator, the powerful intercessor of Christians, I have great confidence in your prayers. I earnestly trust that if it is God’s holy Will, my petition will be granted.
Pray for me, St. Michael, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through your powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach heaven, where we may praise and love God with you forever. Amen.
St. Gabriel the Archangel, I venerate you as the “Angel of the Incarnation,” because God has specially appointed you to bear the messages concerning the God-Man to Daniel, Zechariah, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Give me a very tender and devoted love for the Incarnate Word and his Blessed Mother more like your own.
I venerate you also as the “strength from God,” because you are the giver of God’s strength, consoler and comforter chosen to strengthen God’s faithful and to teach them important truths. I ask for the grace of a special power of the will to strive for holiness of life.
Steady my resolutions, renew my courage, comfort and console me in the problems, trials, and sufferings of daily living, as you consoled our Savior in His agony and Mary in her sorrows and Joseph in his trials. I put my confidence in you.
St. Gabriel, I ask you especially for this favor: (Mention your petition now).
Through your earnest love for the Son of God-Made-Man and for His blessed Mother, I beg of you, intercede for me that my request may be granted, if it be God’s holy Will.
Pray for us, St. Gabriel the Archangel, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
St. Raphael the Archangel, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.
I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels.
Because you are the medicine of God, I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you for the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, and for this my special request: (Mention your petition now).
St. Raphael, of the glorious seven who stand before the throne of Him who lives and reigns, Angel of health, the Lord has filled your hand with balm from heaven to soothe or cure our pains. Heal or cure the victims of disease and guide our steps when doubtful of our ways. Amen.
Let us pray:
Christ Jesus, You have given us archangels to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth.
Saint Michael is our protector; I ask him to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones, and protect us from danger.
Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News; I ask him to help me clearly hear Your voice and to teach me the truth.
Saint Raphael is the healing angel; I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to Your throne of grace and deliver us back to the gift of recovery.
Help us, O Lord, to realize more fully the reality of archangels and their desire to serve us. Holy angels, pray for us. Amen.