Throughout scriptures, there are many mentions of angels, but only three are named - Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. These three angels are referred to as the Archangels. Their feast day is celebrated each year on September 29th.
Saint Michael is the patron saints of death, Germany, grocers, police officers/first responders, soldiers, doctors, marines, sickness and Radiologists. Saint Gabriel is the patron saint of broadcasters, communicators and postal workers. Saint Raphael is the patron saint of the blind, travelers, bodily ills, happy meetings, nurses, physicians, medical workers, matchmakers, Christian marriage and Catholic studies. The three archangels are chief messengers, entrusted by God. Each of the archangels plays a special role in the scriptures: Saint Michael protects, Saint Gabriel announces good news and Saint Raphael heals. The archangels show us God's protection, guidance and communication.
We're sharing five simple ways to celebrate the Archangels!
Eat blackberries
Legend has it that when St. Michael threw Satan out of heaven (see Rev 12), the devil landed on a blackberry bush, which he then spit on and cursed.
Go the grocery store and stock up on fresh blackberries! Next, bake a cobbler or pie, eat some fresh blackberries, or top angel food cake with them. Invite family and friends to your house to enjoy a fresh blackberry dessert and discuss the archangels!
Have a feast
The traditional Michaelmas dinner consisted of roasted goose and carrots (typical for the season in Britain). Sometimes, the feast day was referred to as "Goose Day," and as an old rhyme said "Eat a goose on Michaelmas Day, want not for money all the year."
Now, you likely do not have a goose on your hands, so consider roasting a chicken with fresh veggies instead. Serve a fresh blackberry dessert to make the ultimate feast day feast!
Image courtesy of: Josh Applegate on Unsplash
Go to mass
Check your parish's bulletin for mass times and go to mass to celebrate the feast day. If you are unable to attend mass for any reason, try tuning into a virtual mass and/or listening to Gregorian Chant throughout your day.
Deliver Michaelmas daisy bouquets
Did you know that the aster flower is known as the Michaelmas Daisy?! The Michaelmas daisies, along dede weeds, bloom for Saint Michael's deeds. This is also the last of flowers that stood until the feast day of Saint Simon and Saint June on October 28th (about a month later!).
We encourage you to deliver fresh daisies to helpers in your community. You can find fresh flowers at your local flower shop or Trader Joes. Write a short thank you card that expresses your gratitude and appreciation for all they do.
Pray to the Archangels
Heavenly King,
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.
Looking for inspiration on how to celebrate the liturgical seasons and feast days?
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