Seven Great Archangels

Divine Mercy 24 Hour Perpetual Adoration Chapel

Key West, Florida

Mary Star of the Sea Parish

Saint Sealtiel Saint Gabriel

"And another angel came and stood before the altar,

having a golden censer:

and there was given him much incense,

that he should offer of the prayers

of all the saints upon the golden altar,

which is before the throne of God.

And the smoke of the incense

of the prayers of the saints ascended up

before God from the hand of the angel."

(Apoc 8:3-4)

In preparation for receiving the feast days

of the Archangels and the Guardian Angels,

I treated myself to a 2009 publication of Mike Aquilina's book,

Angels of God, the Bible The Church and the Heavenly Hosts.

I read the 117 page book in one day,

all in the midst a life that does not stand still.

Mike researches the Scriptural accounts of these heavenly beings

whose primary task is to assist us on the forward journey to our heavenly eternity.

The angels are mentioned over 300 times in the Scriptures,

which is no small hint of their importance in the ministry of man.

This year,

I was inspired by one particular account of Raphael in the book of Tobit 12:15,

where he announces after the healing of Tobias,

'I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels who present the prayers of the saints

and enter into the presence of the glory of the Lord'.

My natural inner desire to learn more about these seven Archangels,

caused me to go on a treasure hunt to discover them

and invoke their intercession at a time

when storming heaven is the daily spiritual weather forecast in my life.

I found a Catholic Church in Bulgaria that defines these seven Archangels

and their role in the ministry of man.

These Archangels are the patrons of the Sacraments!

I am listing them, to include their prayers and resources from the Raccolta.

This information was taken from the website listed;

http://www.7archangels.info/Archangel_Panel___Links.html

I hope you find these Angels to be the friends that always make a difference!

Saint Michael

means "Who is like unto God?"

Patron of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

He defends Our Lord, Who is helpless in the Blessed Sacrament. This is a portent of his authority to punish those who sin against this Sacrament.

Saint Gabriel

"God Conquers"

means the "might of God".

Patron of the Sacrament of Baptism

He is the Archangel of the Annunciation and

the Incarnation's triumph over sin and death.

His lilies represent the new purity of the soul through

the sacraments of Baptism and Confession,

both sacraments made possible by the Redemption.

His banner is the declaration of Our Lady's universal motherhood.

Saint Raphael

"God Heals"

Patron of the Sacrament of Penance

He carries a jug of oil for anointing.

The fish traditionally symbolizes the soul

and the oil the healing of it's ailments through confession.

The story of his protection of young Tobias

and the healing his father Tobit is in the Old Testament only in a Catholic Bible.

Saint Uriel

means "Fire of God"

Patron of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

He carries the Sword of Truth for Soldiers of Christ,

which we become through this Sacrament.

Fire reminds us of the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost

and the flames of the gifts of the Holy Ghost.

It reminds us that our hearts should burn

with love for God like the holiest of Seraphim,

like the Sacred hearts of Jesus and Mary.

St. Uriel carries the scales

by which we are to weigh our actions.

It is also a reminder of the Scales of perfect Justice

by which our lives are weighed at our judgement.

Saint Jehudiel

"Praise of God"

Patron of the Sacrament of Extreme Unction,

anointing of the sick and dying.

He carries the flaming crown of salvation,

a symbol of God's mercy and the crown of

the victory of grace which awaits the saints in the next life.

It is also a reminder of the crown of sufferings to

be endured in this life in imitation of Our Lord.

Saint Sealtiel

means "Prayer of God"

Patron of the Sacrament of Holy Orders

He carries and incenser,

symbol of the prayers and offering

of the Divine Sacrifice of the Mass,

only through the actions of the ordained.

"And another angel came and stood before the altar,

having a golden censer:

and there was given him much incesne,

that he should offer of the prayers

of all the saints upon the golden altar,

which is before the throne of God.

And the smoke of the incense

of the prayers of the saints ascended up

before God from the hand of hte angel."

Apoc 8:3-4

Saint Barachiel

Blessings of God

Patron of the Sacrament of Matrimony

He carries and abundant basket of bread,

the staff of life,

symbolizing Christian parenthood

and the grave responsibilities

both spiritual and temporal,

to produce and provide for,

the children God desires of married couples.

He is a powerful intercessor for

the barren and well as for troubled marriages.

He carries in his hand a book,

a reminder of the wealth of instructions in the Holy Scripture,

the writings of the saints

and Papal encyclicals

for husbands, wives and children concerning marriage and family life.

Saint Michael, Pray for us!

Sharon

October 4th, 2009