Author Topic: The Archangels of The Lord  (Read 2698 times)

Lorenzo

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The Archangels of The Lord
« on: September 17, 2013, 03:54:57 PM »
This thread shall be devoted in the learning, understanding of the Archangels of the Lord.

Three Archangels that are described in Holy Scripture and in holy writings by the Roman Catholic Church are:

1. Michael

2. Gabriel

3. Raphael

This thread shall be for the purpose of learning about them, understanding their role in Christianity, and Salvation History. Please join me in learning more about the Archangels of the Lord.



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Lorenzo

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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #1 on: September 17, 2013, 04:08:57 PM »
The Archangel Michael -- Who Is He?




His name , from the Hebrew MIKHA'EL -- meaning "Who is like God?" -- was the war cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against the rebellious angels, whose leader became Satan, and his followers, devils. Michael, the great warrior of that battle, is mentioned five times in Scripture. In the Old Testament, his name appears three times in the Book of Daniel. When Daniel prayed that God would permit the Jews to return to Jerusalem , the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Daniel and said:

"The prince (angel) of the Kingdom of the Persians resisted me one and twenty days: and behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me..." (Daniel 10:13). At the end of the tenth chapter, Gabriel repeats:

"But I will tell thee what is set down in the scripture of truth: and none is my helper in all these things, but Michael your prince." (Daniel 10:21).

Again in the book of Daniel, we read that the archangel shall defend people at the time of the Antichrist: "Michael shall rise up, the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people: and a time shall come such as never was from the time that nations began even until that time. And at that time shall thy people be saved, ever one that shall be found written in the book." (Daniel 12:1).

In the New Testament the archangel is mentioned briefly in the epistle of St. Jude, as pointed out earlier (Jude 1:9). But we learn more about Michael in The Apocalypse where we are told of his strength and his military victory against Satan and his followers, "And there was a great battle in heaven; Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels. And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan." (Apocalypse 12; 7-9).

Because of this vision, the Archangel Michael has always been known as the great defender of the Church and the archenemy of the devil. It was in this capacity that St. Michael was called upon by Pope Leo XIII to protect the people of the Church after he mystically heard the terrifying threats of the devil. As a result of this experience that took place on October 13, 1884, the Pope composed the prayer that was recited after all Low Masses throughout the world:

"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls. Amen."


Reference:

Cruz, Joan Carroll. (1999). Angels & Demons. Rockford: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.

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Lorenzo

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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #2 on: September 17, 2013, 04:24:07 PM »
Is Michael the Leader of All the Angels? To Which Rank Does He Belong?





The question arises: To which of the angelic choirs does Michael belong?

St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica writes emphatically that St. Michael belongs to the third choir and the second to last of the ranks, that is, the Archangels.

There is, however, some opposition to this declaration of St. Thomas. Because of St. Michael's varied activities, it is thought by St. Basic the Great (329-379) and many of the Greek Fathers that St. Michael is the leader of, or prince, of all the Angels, even of the choir of the Seraphim, which is the rank closest to God.

After all, the archangel is known as "the great prince" in the book of Daniel (Daniel 12:1). Even the Archangel Gabriel, while in conversation with the prophet Daniel, describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes." (Daniel 10:13).

And again, Gabriel calls the archangel "Michael, your prince." (Daniel 10:21). And since the Church calls St. Michael "Prince of the Heavenly Hosts" in the prayer of Pope Leo XIII, and "Michael, the prince of the heavenly hosts" in the Intercessions of the feast of the three archangels (September 29), it would seem that he may be the very highest of all the Angels. After all, he was the leader of the Angels against the rebellious spirits: "And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon and the dragon fought and his angels." (Apocalypse 12:7).

This was a celestial event, while other activities of the archangel have been for the benefit of man. Because of these ministrations to man, it would seem that St. Michael does belong, as St. Thomas Aquinas asserts, to the third choir, which include the Principalities, Archangels, and the Angels, all of whom are engaged in the care of men, and those things which relate to the welfare of men.

So, to which choir does the archangel belong? This is a question whose answer remains a mystery that will be happily revealed to us in Heaven.


Reference:

Cruz, Joan Carroll. (1999). Angels & Demons. Rockford: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.




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Lorenzo

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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2013, 04:27:24 PM »
PS. Hapit na raba ang Feast Day of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

On September 29. 8)

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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #4 on: September 17, 2013, 04:33:53 PM »
The Early Veneration of St. Michael



Since the archangel was the champion of the Israelites, it would seem natural for him to be regarded as the defender of the Christian people as well, but instead, several of the early martyrs were adopted as military patrons.

St. Michael, for reasons not given, was accepted in early times, not so much as a warrior, but as a healer. Medicinal springs, at Phrygia, Chairotopa and Colossae, where many reportedly were cured, were said to have been established by the archangel.

At Colossae a group of pagans attempted to destroy the shrine by directing a stream against it, but the archangel prevented this when he suddenly appeared. He gave a new bed to the stream and, it is said, forever sanctified the waters. The Greeks claim that this apparition took place about the middle of the first century A.D. They even celebrated a feast on September 6 in commemoration of the event.

Sanctuaries were dedicated to the archangel as early as the 1st century.


Reference:

Cruz, Joan Carroll. (1999). Angels & Demons. Rockford: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.
page 110.

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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #5 on: September 17, 2013, 04:57:14 PM »
The Archangel Gabriel -- Who Is He ?







The name Gabriel, from the Hebrew (GABRI' EL) means "Man of God" or "Strength of God." The first mention of this archangel's name in Scripture appears in the book of Daniel when Daniel had a vision of a ram and a goat that has significance in the coming of the Antichrist.

Daniel writes: "And it came to pass when I Daniel saw the vision and sought the meaning, that behold there stood before me, as it were, the appearance of a man. And I heard the voice of a man between Ulai: and he called, and said: Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. And he came and stood near where I stood: and when he was come, I fell on my face trembling (Daniel 8: 15-17).

In the next chapter, Daniel is given other information, and he writes: "And as I was yet speaking in prayer, behold the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, flying swiftly, touched me at the time of the evening sacrifice. And he instructed me, and spoke to me and said: O Daniel, I am now come forth to teach thee, and that thou mightest understand." (Daniel 9: 21-22).



Reference:

Cruz, Joan Carroll. (1999). Angels & Demons. Rockford: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.
page 113




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Lorenzo

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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2013, 05:06:34 PM »


When next we read of St. Gabriel in Scripture, he appeared to Zachary, "standing on the right side of the altar of incense." (Luke 1:11). After being informed that his elderly wife Elizabeth would bear a son, Zachary questioned the announcement: "Whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

To this, the angel answered, " I am Gabriel, who stand before God; and am sent to speak to thee, and to bring thee these good tidings." (Luke 1: 18-19).

The most wonderful and extraordinarily happy assignment that could have been given to an angel of God was given to Gabriel ! When he appeared to the Blessed Virgin Mary to announce that she was chosen to be the Mother of God.

"And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." (Luke 1:26-27).

After addressing the Holy Virgin with, "Hail, Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee! Blessed art thou amongst women," the angel said to her, "Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus." (Luke 1:31).

We recall this happy event and the words of the Archangel Gabriel each time we recite the words of the Hail Mary.


Reference:

Cruz, Joan Carroll. (1999). Angels & Demons. Rockford: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.
page 114-115




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Lorenzo

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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2013, 05:25:10 PM »
The Beauty of Gabriel Displayed the Glory and Magnificence of God




Because of the many messages delivered by the archangel Gabriel, he has been appropriately named the patron of messengers. Venerable Mary of Agreda's interesting description of the Archangel Gabriel, given earlier, is well worth repeating here. The Venerable writes in The Mystical City of God that at the Incarnation, the Archangel Gabriel was accompanied "by many thousands of the most beautiful angels in visible forms."

The Archangel , when making the pronouncement that the humble Mary was to be the Mother of God, is said to have appeared in this manner:

"The appearance of the great prince and legate was that of a most handsome youth of rarest beauty; his face emitted resplendent rays of light, his bearing was grave and majestic, his advance measured, his motions composed , his words weighty and powerful, his whole presence displayed a pleasing, kindly gravity and more of godlike qualities than all the other angels until then seen in visible form by the heavenly Mistress. He wore a diadem of exquisite splendor and his vestments glowed in various colors full of refulgent beauty. Encased on his breast, he wore a most beautiful cross, disclosing the mystery of the Incarnation, which He was come to announce."

Reference:

Cruz, Joan Carroll. (1999). Angels & Demons. Rockford: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.
page 115


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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #8 on: September 17, 2013, 05:31:07 PM »
I will continue this thread tomorrow. I am drawing direct quotations from Joan Carroll Cruz's Angels and Demons. There is so much rich writings about the Archangels, and the Saints in this piece.



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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #9 on: September 18, 2013, 12:12:37 AM »
The Archangel Raphael -- Who Is He ?



His name meaning "God Heals" or the "Divine Helper", the Archangel Raphael is mentioned in Scripture in only one book, that of Tobias.  And it is as a healer, guide, matchmaker and exorcist that Raphael accomplished the mission to him by God.

The events began when the young Tobias was sent to a distant city by his father, who was also named Tobias, to collect money that was owed to him by a man named Gabelus. Before setting out, Tobias looked about for a traveling companion, and as Scripture reveals: "Tobias going forth found a beautiful young man, standing girded, and as it were ready to walk. And not knowing that he was an angel of God, he saluted him and said: From whence art thou, good young man?" (Tobias 5: 5-6).

The angel's answer was: "Of the children of Israel."

After assuring Tobias that he knew the way to Rages, in the country of Medes, the angel agreed to serve as a guide. Taking the young man to meet his blind father, Tobias introduced them. During a brief exchange, the young man told the elder Tobias, "Be of good courage, thy cure from God is at hand." (Tobias 5: 13).

Since Tobias was an only child his mother was very fearful that he would not return safely to them, but the elder Tobias, not knowing that the young man was an angel, comforted his wife by telling her: "Weep not; our son will arrive thither safe, and will return safe to us, and thy eyes shall see him. For I believe that the good angel of God doth accompany him, and doth order all things well that are done about him so that he shall return to us with joy." (Tobias 5:26-27).

Accompanied by the family dog, Tobias and Raphael set out and spent the first night by the river Tigris. When Tobias went to the water to wash his feet, "behold a monstrious fish came up to devour him." (Tobias 6:2). Tobias, very much afraid, called to Raphael for help, but on the angel's advice and being inspired with confidence, Tobias grabbed the fish by the gill and brought it ashore.

Raphael then instructed him, "Take out the entrails of this fish, and lay up his heart, and his gall, and his liver for thee: for these are necessary for useful medicines." (Tobias 6:5).  He then explained the cures that would be obtained by the application of these parts. When Tobias asked where they should stay during the second night, the angel answered, "Here is one whose name is Raguel, a near kinsman of thy tribe, and he hath a daughter named Sara...Ask her therefore of her father , and he will give her thee to wife." (Tobias 6:11, 13).

At the advice of the archangel, Tobias asked Sara's father for her hand in marriage, which was granted. However, despite her good character, Sara was plagued by an evil spirit. In order to defeat this devil, Tobias heeded St. Raphael's advice regarding the useful parts of the fish he had caught. On his wedding night, Tobias "took out of his bag part of the fish liver and laid it upon the burning coals. Then the angel Raphael took the devil and bound him in the desert of upper Egypt." (Tobias 8: 2,3).


(to be continued....)

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Lorenzo

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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #10 on: September 18, 2013, 12:23:11 AM »


Because of this help from St. Raphael, Sara was no longer bothered by the demon, and the young couple's wedding was celebrated with several weeks of feasting and rejoicing. Then, because he was newly married, Tobias asked Raphael to journey alone to Rages to obtain money owed to the elder Tobias. Taking four of Raguel's servants and two camels, Raphael journeyed to the city of the Medes and, with the note written by the elder Tobias, received the money from Gabelus.

Upon his return to the house of Raguel, the angel, altogether with the younger Tobias and his wife Sara, began the journey back to the parents of Tobias in Ninive. During the journey, the angel made certain that Tobias still had the gall of the fish and instructed him: "As soon as thou shalt come into thy house, forthwith adore the Lord Thy God: and giving thanks to him, go to thy father, and kiss him. And immediately anoint his eyes with this gall of the fish, whih thou carriest with thee. For be assured that his eyes shall be opened , and thy father shall see the light of heaven, and shall rejoice in the sight of thee." (Tobias 4:7-8).

(to be continued)

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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #11 on: September 18, 2013, 12:32:43 AM »


Upon their arrival, there followed a touching and typical scene since the dog had accompanied them o their journey showed his delight at returning home: "Then the dog, which had been with them in the way, ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by fawning and wagging his tail" (Tobias 11:9).

Just as the healer, the Archangel Raphael, had instructed Tobias to first thank God, then kissed his father and , "taking of the gall of the fish , anointed his father's eyes...and a white skin began to come out of his eyes...like the ksin of an egg. And Tobias took hold of it and drew it from his eyes, and immediately he recovered his sight." (Tobias 13:15).

While the fater and son were wondering how to reward Raphael for his many services, he identified himself by saying, "I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the Lord." And when they had heard these things, they were troubled, and being seized with fear they fell upon the ground on their faces." (Tobias 12: 15-16).

The Angel said to them, " Peace be to you, fear not. For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God: bless ye Him, and sing praises to Him. I seemed indeed to eat and drink with you but I use an invisible meat and drink, which cannot be seen by men. It is time therefore that I return to Him that sent me: but bless ye God, and publish all His wonderful works. And when he had said these things, he was taken from their sight, and they could see him no more." (Tobias 12: 17-21).

Tobias and his father remained prostrate for three hours, blessing God, and whey they recovered, they spoke of the Archangel with wonderment (Carroll, 1999, pg. 118-119).

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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2013, 12:46:44 AM »
The Archangel Raphael and the Saints



Since the Archangel Raphael served as a guide for Tobias and is regarded as the patron of travelers, his services were called upon by St. Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870) during his visit to Marseilles, a city with which he was unfamiliar, while he was awaiting passage on a ship to Rome.

In an answer to the Saint's prayer, a young man presented himself at his room and offered his services as a guide. The young man accompanied St. Anthony Mary wherever he needed to go, but always left his side at meal time, only to reappear at the end of the meal.

On the day of the Saint's departure, the young guide accompanied him to the port, saw him safely aboard the ship and promptly disappeared. The saint's biographer reports, 'Assuredly it was the Archangel Saint Raphael, whom Blessed Anthony invoked at the beginning of his itinerary." (Carroll, 1999, pg. 119).



St. Anthony Mary Claret


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Re: The Archangels of The Lord
« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2013, 01:02:57 AM »
Angels In Unusual Aspects



"And hospitality do not forget; for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels." (Hebrews 13:2)


Sometimes angels have resembled ordinary people, as beggars, the poor, as shepherds, but as soon as they disappeared their angelic nature was realized and the recipients of such favors were filled with joy not easily described. Such was the case of the angelic visit to St. Zita (1218-1278), the patroness of domestic workers.

St. Zita never wore shoes and only the poorest of clothing. So it was that, on one cold Christmas Eve, she insisted on going to church in spite of the wishes of the family for whom she worked. Unable to dissuade her, the master threw his costly fur coat over her, cautioning her not to lose it. At the entrance of the San Frediano Church, she saw a shabbily dressed old man suffering from the cold. Without hesitation she threw her master's fur coat over the poor man, making him promise to return it to her after the service. When the service was over, the poor man and the coat were nowhere to be found.

The saint returned home to the unhappy disposition of her master. A few hours later, when the family sat down to the Christmas dinner, a stranger appeared at the door, carrying the missing fur coat on his arm. With a gracious deportment and with a heavenly smile he thanked Zita for the use of the coat and then disappeared. All who had seen him were filled with celestial joy. Butler tells us that from that day on the people of Lucca called the entrance door "The Angel Door" in honor of the event. (Carroll, 1999, pg. 28).



St. Zita offering a coat to the angel.

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