#Archangels #Angels #AngelsofTheLord - 𖢖 Rosary Wisdom

ARCHANGEL: SAINT MICHAEL

The angels are also evolving beings who are growing towards a standard of perfection. They are our fellow citizens upon this planet and in this solar system. We may think of them as our less material brethren, born of the same Parent, divine in their origin as we are divine, and traveling towards the same goal, which is union with God and perfect manifestation of divine attributes. When Jacob, at Bethel, dreamed of a ladder from earth to heaven, and the angels of God descending and ascending thereon, he had a true vision of the angelic evolution.
Angels differ from ourselves in many characteristics, the chief of which is that they do not have a physical body, and are therefore, normally, invisible to us. The matter of which their bodies are formed is more subtle than that which forms our own. Its vibrations are beyond the visible spectrum, and therefore our eyes cannot respond to them. We have other eyes, however, with which it is possible for us to see them the eyes of the soul. If we will but open our inner eyes, our angel companions will become visible to us, and we shall see them face to face, for they are everywhere present; the air about us is full of unseen beings of many races and degrees.

The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light
Luke 11:34

The existence of angelic beings is more widely recognized in the East than in the West. The religions of the East contain much information about their life and their activities, their methods of growth, their many types and orders, and their universal existence. In the Christian religion we are taught that there are nine orders of angels called, severally, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Cherubim, Seraphim, Virtues, Angels, and Archangels. To each of these orders certain qualities and activities are assigned.

The Cherubim are those which excel in the splendor of knowledge, the Seraphim those most ardent in divine love, and the Thrones those which contemplate the glory and equity of the divine judgments. Hence, the Cherubim enlighten with wisdom; the Seraphim inspire with love; the Thrones teach men to rule with judgment. Dominions are supposed to regulate the activities and duties of the angels; the Principalities preside over peoples and provinces, and serve as great angelic rulers of the nations of the world; Powers are a check on evil spirits; Virtues have the gift of working miracles; and Archangels are sent as messengers in matters of high importance, as were Gabriel and Raphael.
In nearly all the Biblical accounts of men’s visions of God, He is described as transcendent in glory and surrounded by countless multitudes of His holy angels. Two passages which illustrate this are those describing the visions of Daniel in the Old, and of St. John in the New Testaments. Daniel says: “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool; His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.” (Dan. VII. 9, 10.) St. John says: “And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.” (Rev. V. 11.)

Saint Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of our many parishes. His feast day is celebrated on September 29th. He is regarded as the patron and protector of the church, because he remained faithful to God, and defeated Lucifer.

Revelation 12: 7-12
Then war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled against the dragon. The dragon and its angels fought back, but they did not prevail and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The huge dragon, the ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, who deceived the whole world, was thrown down to earth, and its angels were thrown down with it. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before God day and night. They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; love for life did not deter them from death. Therefore, rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them. But woe to you, earth and sea, for the Devil has come down to you in great fury, for he knows he has but a short time.”

Archangels are one of the nine choirs of angels. The other celestial choirs includes: Angels, Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Domination, Virtues, Powers, and Principalities. Among all the angels, Archangels have the most special and protective love for humans and earth. (Jude 1:9; 1 Thes 4:16)

The Church recognizes Michael the Archangel as one of the greatest of the Archangels and is considered to be the guardian of the Church.

Prayer to St. Michael
Saint Michael, Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And you, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan and the other evil spirits who prowl the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

DAILY READING

O God, come to our aid.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.

Olúwa, wá ràn wá ló̩wó̩.
Olúwa, yára láti ràn wá ló̩wó̩.
Ògo ni fún Baba àti fún O̩mo̩
àti fún È̩mí Mímó̩.
Bí ó ti wà látètèkó̩s̩e,
o ń be̩ nísinsìnyí,
bé̩è̩ ni ó sì máa rí nígbà gbogbo
ayé àìnípè̩kun. Àmín. Alelúyà.

Hymn
The eternal gifts of Christ the King,
The Apostles’ glory let us sing;
And all with hearts of gladness raise
Due hymns of thankful love and praise.
For they the Church’s princes are,
Triumphant leaders in the war,
In heavenly courts a warrior band,
True lights to lighten every land.
Theirs is the steadfast faith of saints,
And hope that never yields nor faints,
The love of Christ in perfect glow
That lays the prince of this world low.
In them the Father’s glory shone,
In them the will of God the Son,
In them exults the Holy Ghost,
Through them rejoice the heavenly host.

For they the Church’s princes are,
Triumphant leaders in the war,
In heavenly courts a warrior band,
True lights to lighten every land.

Theirs is the steadfast faith of saints,
And hope that never yields nor faints,
The love of Christ in perfect glow
That lays the prince of this world low.
In them the Father’s glory shone,
In them the will of God the Son,
In them exults the Holy Ghost,
Through them rejoice the heavenly host.

Psalm 18 (19):2-7

Praise of God the creator

“The Rising Sun has come to visit us to guide our feet in the way of peace” (Lk 1:78,79).

Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their message to the ends of the world.

Àwo̩n ò̩run ń kéde ògo O̩ló̩run,
òfúrufú sì ń fi is̩é̩ o̩wó̩ Rè̩ hàn.
O̩jó̩ dé o̩jó̩ ń so̩ ìtàn náá,
àti òru dé oru ń fi ìròyìn náà jís̩é̩
Wo̩n kò fo̩ èdè kankan, wo̩n kò sì sò̩rò̩, bé̩è̩ni à kò sì gbó̩ ohùn wo̩n,
síbè̩ ìtànkálè̩ wo̩n ti la gbogbo ayé já,
ò̩rò̩ wó̩n sì dé òpin ayé.
Lókè níbè̩ ni a gbé pàgó̩ oòrùn,
ó jáde bí o̩ko̩ ìyàwó láti inú ìyè̩wù rè̩,
ó yo̩ jáde bí ako̩ni láti sáré ìje rè̩.
Oòrùn là láti òpin sánmà,
ó sì tàn lo̩ títí dé òpin kejì,
kó sóhun tó farasin lábé̩ ooru rè̩.
Ògo ni fún Baba àti fún O̩mo̩
àti fún È̩mí Mímó̩.
Bí ó ti wà látètèkó̩s̩e,
o ń be̩ nísinsìnyí,
bé̩è̩ ni ó sì máa rí nígbà gbogbo
ayé àìnípè̩kun. Àmín. Alelúyà.

Psalm 18 (19):2-7
Praise of God the creator
“The Rising Sun has come to visit us to guide our feet in the way of peace” (Lk 1:78,79).

The héavens procláim the glóry of Gód, *
and the fírmament shows fórth the wórk of his hánds.
Dáy unto dáy tákes up the stóry *
and níght unto níght makes knówn the méssage.

No spéech, no wórd, no vóice is héard †
yet their spán exténds through áll the éarth,
their wórds to the útmost bóunds of the wórld.
Thére he has pláced a tént for the sún; †
it comes fórth like a brídegroom cóming from his tént,
rejóices like a chámpion to rún its cóurse.
At the énd of the ský is the rísing of the sún; †
to the fúrthest énd of the ský is its cóurse.
There is nóthing concéaled from its búrning héat.
Glory be to the Father

The héavens procláim the glóry of Gód,
and the fírmament shows fórth the wórk of his hánds.
Dáy unto dáy tákes up the stóry
and níght unto níght makes knówn the méssage.

Psalm-prayer
To enlighten the world, Father, you sent to us your Word as the sun of truth and justice shining upon mankind. Illumine our eyes that we may discern your glory in the many works of your hand.

DAILY READING

Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

Reading 1 RV 21:9B-14

The angel spoke to me, saying,
\”Come here.
I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.\”
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

Responsorial Psalm PS 145:10-11, 12-13, 17-18

R. (12) Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.

R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.

R. Your friends make known, O Lord, the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.

Alleluia JN 1:49B

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Master Teacher and Chief, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 1:45-51

Philip found Nathanael and told him,
\”We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law,
and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.\”
But Nathanael said to him,
\”Can anything good come from Nazareth?\”
Philip said to him, \”Come and see.\”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
\”Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him.\”
Nathanael said to him, \”How do you know me?\”
Jesus answered and said to him,
\”Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.\”
Nathanael answered him,
\”Teacher, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.\”
Jesus answered and said to him,
\”Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?

You will see greater things than this.\”
And he said to him, \”Amen, amen, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.\”

SEVEN ARCHANGELS

ARCHANGELS

The earliest reference to a system of seven archangels as a group appears to be in Enoch I (the Book of Enoch) which is not part of the Jewish Canon but is prevalent in the Judaic tradition, where they are named as

Michael (Sunday)
Gabriel (Monday)
Raphael (Tuesday)
Uriel (Wednesday)
Raguel (Thursday),
Ramiel (Friday); he is described in the Book of Enoch as having fallen from grace, possibly replaced by Phanuel (angel), who is the fourth Archangel) and Sariel (Saturday).

While this book today is non-canonical in most Christian churches, it was explicitly quoted in the New Testament (Letter of Jude 1:14-15) and by many of the early Church Fathers. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church to this day regards it to be canonical.

In the late 5th to early 6th century, Pseudo-Dionysius gives them as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Camael, Jophiel and Zadkiel.
The earliest Christian mention is by Pope Saint Gregory I who lists them as Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Uriel (or Anael), Simiel, Oriphiel and Raguel. A later reference to seven archangels appeared in an 8th or 9th century talisman attributed to Auriolus, a \”servant of God\” in north-western Spain. He issues a prayer to \”all you patriarchs Michael, Gabriel, Cecitiel, Oriel, Raphael, Ananiel, Marmoniel (\”who hold the clouds in your hands\”).

Archangels in current church traditions

In the Catholic Church three Archangels are mentioned by name in its canon of Scripture: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael who appears in the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit, where he is described as \”one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord of Spirits\”, a phrase recalled in Revelation 8:2-6.

As well as Uriel, the Book of Enoch, not regarded as canonical by any of these Christian churches, mentions (chapter 21) Raguel, Sariel, and Jerahmeel, while other apocryphal sources give instead the names Izidkiel, Hanael, and Kepharel.

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition the seven archangels are named as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Suriel, Sedakiel, Sarathiel, and Ananiel.

Thessalonians 4:14-16 For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not stop them who have slept. For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment, and with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and those no longer alive who are in Christ, shall rise first.

Reading 1 RV 21:9B-14

The angel spoke to me, saying,
\”Come here.
I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.\”
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem
coming down out of heaven from God.
It gleamed with the splendor of God.
Its radiance was like that of a precious stone,
like jasper, clear as crystal.
It had a massive, high wall,
with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed
and on which names were inscribed,
the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
There were three gates facing east,
three north, three south, and three west.
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation,
on which were inscribed the twelve names
of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb

The Holy Angels are also called Guardian Angels, because they watch over us [Heb. 1:14]

Jacob saw a ladder reaching up to Heaven, and the Angels ascending and descending [Gen. 28:12]. This was to signify that they came down on earth to protect us, and ascend back to Heaven to sing praise to God. The Guardian Angels watch over us, as a shepherd over his flock. They count ut as their happiness that they are appointed to watch over the servants of God, and promote the welfare of souls, and no wonder, when we remember that the King and Lord of all things came \”not to minister, but to be ministered unto.\” [Matt. 20:28] The service they render us causes them no trouble or anxiety, but rather joy and happiness, for their one desire is that the will of God should be done, and they rejoice in contributing to this. The general opinion of theologians is that every one has a special Guardian Angel who watches over him all through his life. The dignity of the Angels given us depends on the dignity of the persons to whom they are assigned. Each one of us has one of the lower orders of Angels; priests, bishops, kings, etc., have nobler spirits to guide them. Cities, countries, parishes, religious houses, have each their Guardian Angel.

Our Guardian Angels help us in the following ways:

They put good thoughts into our minds, and move our will to what is good.
The Angels who appeared to the shepherds at bethlehem, and who were seen at the tomb of Christ, and after His Ascension, made themselves visible and spoke to men; but generally the influence us without being seen or heard by us. They move us to some step that is conducive to the welfare of our souls or bodies, and often save us from some impending danger by a secret impulse. without which we should have incurred death or misfortune.

They offer our prayers and good works to God.

Thus, St. Raphael offered the prayers of Tobias [Tob. 12:12]. The Angel in the Apocalypse offers the prayers of the Saints in a golden censor [Apoc. 8:3]. This is not because God Himself does not hear our prayers, but the Angels mingle their prayers with ours, and so make them more acceptable to God. \”In all the benefits we receive from God,\” says St. Thomas, \”our Guardian Angel takes part, because he helps in obtaining them for us.\”

They protect us in danger

Thus St. Peter was delivered from prison by an Angel [Acts 12:7 seq.], Daniel was kept safe in the den of lions, and the three young men in the fiery furnace [Dan. 6:29; 3:49]. We read stories sometimes of children being run over, or falling from a height, and escaping unhurt. We can scarcely doubt that this was owing to the intervention of their Guardian Angels. God has commissioned the Angels thus to help us. \”He hath given His Angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest thy dash thy foot against a stone.\” [Ps. 90:11] But the chief office of our Guardian Angel is to preserve us from the snares of the devil; the Holy Angels have powers over the evil spirits, who fly away at their approach [Cf. Tob. 8:3] We must therefore commit ourselves to the care of our Guardian Angels in all times of danger, and before undertaking a journey, or any new enterprise, and we should wish our friends when they start on a journey, the good wish of Tobias when his son was leaving his home, \”May the Angel of God accompany you!\”

They often reveal to men the will of God.
Instances in point are the sacrifice of Abraham, the message of the Angel to Zacharias and to Our Lady. The appearance of an Angel sometimes causes fear at first, but it soon changes to consolation and joy. It is just the opposite with the appearances of evil Angels; they give consolation to begin with, but this soon changes to confusion and fear.

If we desire the protection of the Holy Angels, we must try and imitate them by a holy life; we must also honor them, and often invoke their aid.

Experience teaches us that innocent children enjoy a wonderful protection from the Angels. Innocence attracts them, and sin drives them away, as smoke drives away bees. We cannot expect our Guardian Angels to take care of us when we are doing what we know is displeasing to God. We must also beg for the aid of our Guardian Angel; we must congratulate him on his faithfulness to God; we must salute him when we go out and when we come in; we must thank him for all his benefits. We must say with Tobias, \”What can be worthy of his benefits, and what can we give him sufficient for these things?\” [Tob. 12:3]