Saint/Holy Michael the Archangel and the other Angels were created by GOD before He had finished creating and they âlightsâ or âstars in the skyâ were possibly the Angels. The Angels did not deserve to be in Heaven face to Face with GOD, so He tested their loyalty, so that those, who put pleasing Him, first, before anything else, would be rewarded with an eternity in Heaven, and those, who would not do His Will would spend an eternity in hell, in never-ending horror. The Angels are created spirits, who have no material body, naturally, although they can assume any shape they wish to assume. They have perfect intelligence and can move from one end of the universe to the other at the speed of thought. Since they are not distracted by senses and sensual input â they have no need to eat, drink, breathe, sleep, etc.; they cannot change their minds once they have made a decision, because they have all of the facts necesssary to make a good decision without many of the factors, which can cloud the judgment of human beings.
Since GOD sees everything in Heaven, on earth, and in all of the universe at the same time â time is a created thing â He knew from all eternity that His Son would take the Form of a Human Being, live, suffer, and die, to redeem mankind from its sin. He also knew that there would be Angels and even human beings, who would not accept this Wondrous Gift of Redemption, but He, as God, had and has a right to demand that His creatures put Him before everyone and everything else. If not for God, no creature would ever have been created, because He created and creates them out of nothing, which no one else has the capability to do. If GOD forgot the Angels, they would not exist, because He Is The One, Who keeps them in existence.
According to The Mystical City of God, by Venerable Mary of Agreda, a wonderful 4âvolume set of information from Visions of The Blessed Virgin Mary, which several Popes have approved, Lucifer â âlight-bearerâ or âdaystarâ, was created the most beautiful of all of the Angels. He was/is a Seraph, the choir of Angels, which is closest to GOD. Normally, Seraphs/Seraphim have six wings, but lucifer had/has twelve wings, so he probably had a problem with pride from the moment that he noticed how much difference there was between him and the other Seraphim, let alone the rest of the Angels. The Angels were shown that GOD The Son was going to take the Form of a Human Being, and they knew that human beings would be much weaker and less intelligent than they were, so that was bad enough in and of itself for them. But, when GOD showed them that GOD The Son was also going to humble Himself so far as to be actually BORN of a human mother, that was it! Lucifer, even though he knew that GOD Was and Is Almighty and that he would be separated from GOD for eternity if he did not serve Him, he still decided to say very vehemently: âNon serviam!â âI will not serve!â meaning that he would not serve or obey GOD and assent to His future plans.
The war was on! Mi-cha-elâs, (âelâ means God) battle-cry was âWho is like GOD?!â meaning to say to lucifer: âJust who do you think that you are, trying to oppose The One and Only GOD?!â The Holy Archangels were at a much lower level than the Seraphim, but Michael led two thirds of the Angels against lucifer and the other third of the various choirs of angels, which followed him, and, of course, Michael won. lucifer and fellow demons/ wackos were sent to earth, GOD created hell in the center of the earth, and placed the there for all eternity. There main focus is to steal as many Human Souls from GOD, as possible. until the end of the world, when they and the majority of human Souls, according the Early Church Fathers, will be shut up in Hell for always. Most people do not have a well-formed conscience, so they think that the bad ideas, that the wacko puts in their minds, are all right, and they go along with them. When they learn the Ten Commandments and try to obey them, they should include a powerful prayer discipline in their daily schedule. They should also use short powerful prayers to St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and their Guardian Angels, throughout the day. In this way, if they persevere to the end, they will be able to change their lives, please GOD, and, eventually merit Heaven.
After the Fall of lucifer, Holy Archangel Michael was placed at the head of the other Angels, and he and Holy Archangel Gabriel and Holy Archangel Raphael are three of the chief messengers of GOD. September 29th used to be only the Feast of Holy Archangel Michael, but the new calendar places all three Holy Archangels on that Feast. In the traditional calendar, Holy Archangel Raphaelâs Feast is on October 24th, and Holy Archangel Gabrielâs Feast is on March 24th, the Eve of The Feast of The Annunciation, which definitely makes sense.
The first and most important duty of any Angel is to adore, love, and praise our LORD before His Throne. Then, those, who leave Heaven, are to console those in Purgatory and to help all of those on earth to reach Heaven.
St. Michael/Holy Archangel
âMichael is Patron of knights, policemen, soldiers, paramedics, ambulance drivers, etc., and also for safety at sea, for the sick, and for a holy death (after St. Joseph). He is usually depicted in art, carrying a sword and/or shield, battling satan.â
TakÂen from: http://fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost10.htmlThis prayer is like a nuclear weapon against demons/wackos of all types:
âSANCTE MICHAEL, SANCTE MICHAEL, [SANCTE] ANGELE LUCIS, IN HOC GRAVIS MOMENTO, OSTENDE TU POTENTIA. AMEN.â
âSt. Michael, St. Michael, [Holy] Angel of Light, in this grave moment, show forth Thy Might. Amen.â
(9 times in a flying novena or continually in emergency) It is not magical or a spell â we are praying to the Head of all of the Angels, one of the most powerful beings in the universe. Use it often for yourself and others, before, during, and after any human contact, for help against all fear, anxiety, addictions, OCD, in any physical, spiritual, or emotional danger, etc. Just make sure that you are obeying The Ten Commandments and are trying your best to do GODâS Will â do not presume on GODâS Protection, otherwise. You will NOT be disappointed. Get it out to anyone and everyone you can.
There are nine choirs of Angels, listed in order of closeness to GOD: Seraph, plural â Seraphim, Cherub, pl. âCherubim, the Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Archangels, Angels. The Choir of âAngelsâ must include the âGuardian Angelsâ. Each Angel is a separate species in and of itself.
(CopyÂright and All Rights Reserved, A.D. 2011 â 2024 and on, by The Holy FamÂiÂly House. Can be repliÂcatÂed, GRATIS, with legÂiÂble attriÂbuÂtion. +A.M.D.G.)
Saint Gabriel, the Archangel:
(Father ProsÂper Gueranger 1870)
âGabriel is one of the first of the Angelic Kingdom. He tells Zachary, that he stands before The Face of God (St. Luke, i. 19.). He is the Angel of The Incarnation, because it is in This Mystery, which apparently is so humble, that The Power of GOD is principally manifested: and Gabriel signifies The Strength of GOD. We find the Archangel preparing for his sublime office, even in the Old Testament. First of all, he appears to Daniel, after this Prophet had had the vision of the Persian and Grecian Empires; and such was the majesty of his person that Daniel fell on his face trembling (Dan. vii.17). Shortly afterwards, he appears again to the same Prophet, telling him the exact time of the coming of the Messias: Know thou and take notice: that from the going forth of the word to build up Jerusalem again, unto CHRIST The Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks (Ibid. ix. 25), that is, sixty-nine weeks of years. When the fullness of time had come, and Heaven was about to send the last of the Prophets, he, who after preaching to men the approach of the Messias, is to show him to the people, saying: Behold The Lamb of GOD, Who taketh away the sins of the world, Gabriel descends from Heaven to the temple of Jerusalem, and prophesies to Zachary the birth of John the Baptist (St. Luke, i. 13), which was to be followed by that of JESUS Himself.
Six months latÂer on, the Holy Archangel again appears on the earth; and this time it is Nazareth, that he visÂits. He brings the great mesÂsage from HeavÂen. Angel, as he is, he reveres The HumÂble Maid, whose name is Mary; he has been sent to Her by The Most High GOD, to offer Her the immense honÂor of becomÂing The MothÂer of The EterÂnal Word. It is Gabriel, that receives the great Fiat, the conÂsent of Mary; and when he quits this earth, he leaves it in posÂsesÂsion of Him, for Whom it had so long prayed in those words of IsaÂias: âDrop down Dew, O ye HeavÂensâ (Is. xlv. 8.)!
The hour at length came, when The MothÂer of The Emmanuel was to bring forth The Blessed Fruit of Her VirÂginal Womb. JESUS was born amidst poverÂty; but HeavÂen willed that His Crib should be surÂroundÂed by ferÂvent adorÂers. An Angel appeared to some ShepÂherds, invitÂing them to go to the StaÂble near BethÂleÂhem. He is accomÂpaÂnied by a mulÂtiÂtude of the heavÂenÂly army, sweetÂly singing their hymn: âGloÂry to God in the highÂest, and on earth peace to men of good will!â Who is this Angel that speaks to the ShepÂherds, and seems as the chief of the othÂer blessed SpirÂits, that are with him? In the opinÂion of sevÂerÂal learned writÂers, it is the Archangel Gabriel, who is keepÂing up his minÂistry as MesÂsenÂger of the Good TidÂings (St. Luke, ii. 10).
Lastly, when JESUS is suffering His Agony in the Garden of Gethsemani, an Angel appears to Him, not merely as a witness of His Suffering, but that âhe might strengthen HimâŚâ (Ibid. xxii. 42, 43.). Who is this Angel? It is Gabriel, as we learn not only from the writings of several holy and learned authors, but also from a Hymn, which the Holy See has permitted to be used in the Liturgy, and which we give below.
These are the claims of the great Archangel to our veneration and love; these are the proofs he gives of his deserving his beautiful name, The Strength of GOD. GOD has employed him in each stage of the great work, in which he has chiefly manifested his power, for JESUS, even on His Cross, Is The Power of GOD (1 Cor. i. 21.), as the Apostle tells us. Gabriel prepares the way for JESUS. He foretells the precise time of His Coming; he announces the birth of His Precursor; he is present at the solemn moment when the Word Is Made Flesh; he invites the Shepherds of Bethlehem to come to the Crib, and adore The Divine Babe; and when JESUS, in His Agony, is to receive Strength from one of His own creatures, Gabriel is found ready in the Garden of Gethsemani, as he had been at Nazareth and Bethlehem.
Let us, then, honour the Angel of The Incarnation. For this purpose, let us recite in his praise some of the pieces, which liturgical piety has composed for his Feast.
The two following Hymns are from the Franciscan Breviary:
Hymn I:
Let us all exult with joyous hearts, and strike the tuneful lyre; âtis the great Gabriel that comes in all his brightness from the high heavens.
This is the feast of the glorious Virginâs Messenger, and with him comes the whole host of Angels, singing in varied hymns the praises of CHRIST.
Let our choir, therefore, sing the praises of Gabriel the Prince, for he is one of the Seven that stand before the LORD, and do his biddings.
Gabriel cheerfully descends whithersoever GOD wills, for he is the Messenger of heaven, nay the mediator that reveals to the world the secret decrees of the Omnipotent GOD.
Be thou, O Gabriel, we beseech thee, Messenger to us of the special gift of eternal peace, wherewith we may finally reach Heaven, and everlastingly rejoice.
May The GODHEAD Ever Blessed of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Whose Glory is proclaimed through the whole world, grant us this our prayer. Amen.
Hymn II:
âTis the midnight hour: quickly arise, and sing your new canticles to the LORD; for it was at this hour that was sent the most welcome messenger of life to the world.
It was at this hour that the Virginâs womb brought forth our Lord, for the salvation of mankind: and it was at the same, that He arose from the grave, having defeated his enemies.
Let us, then, arise, and in our humble choral prayers, make supplication to the heavenly Spirits; let us pray especially to the GOD, Who gave us an Angel to guard us.
What tongue of man could tell the blessings brought by Gabriel to the world? He it is that leads holy souls to heaven, there to contemplate our LORD.
We beseech thee, therefore, great Prince, pray for us miserable sinners. Propitiate Him that can do all things, and obtain for us His pardon. Amen.
The Dominican breviary contains this beautiful Hymn in honor of the Holy Archangel:
HYMN III:
Gabriel, Angel of light, and Strength of GOD! whom our Emmanuel selected from the rest of the heavenly Princes, that thou shouldst expound unto Daniel the mystery of the savage goat.
Thou didst joyfully hasten to the Prophet as he prayed, and didst tell him of the sacred Weeks, which were to give us The Birth of The King of Heaven, and enrich us with plenteous joy.
âTwas Thou didst bring to the parents of the Baptist the wondrous and gladsome tidings, that Elizabeth, though barren, and Zachary, though old, should have a son.
What the Prophets had foretold from the beginning of the world, this Thou didst announce in all the fulness of The Mystery to The Holy Virgin, telling her that She was to be The True Mother of God.
Thou, fair Spirit, didst fill the Bethlehem Shepherds with joy, when Thou didst tell them the heavenly tidings; and with Thee a host of Angels sang the praises of The Newborn GOD.
As JESUS was in prayer on that last night, when a Bloody Sweat bathed His Limbs, Thou didst leave Heaven to be near Him, and offer Him the Chalice, that His Father willed Him to drink.
O Blessed TRINITY! strengthen Catholic hearts with the heavenly gift of Faith. Give us grace, as we to Thee give glory forever. Amen.
Prayer:
The whole human race is indebted to Thee, O Gabriel! and, on this day, we would fain pay thee the honor and gratitude we owe thee. Thou wast moved to holy compassion when seeing the miseries of the world; for all flesh had corrupted its way, and the forgetfulness of GOD increased with each new generation of men. Then did The Most High commission Thee to bring to the world the good tidings of its Salvation. How beautiful thy steps, O Prince of the heavenly court, as Thou camest down to this our humble sphere! How tender and fraternal is Thy love of man, whose nature, though so inferior to Thine own, was to be raised, by The Mystery of The Incarnation, to Union with GOD, Himself! With what respectful awe didst Thou not approach The Virgin, who surpassed all of the Angels in holiness!
Blessed Messenger of our Redemption! whom God selects as His Minister when He would show His Power, we beseech Thee, offer the homage of our gratitude to Him, that thus sent Thee. Help us to pay the immense debt we owe to The Father, Who so loved the world, as to give it His Only Begotten Son (St. John, iii. 16.); to the Son, Who emptied himself, taking the Form of a Servant; and to The Holy Ghost, Who rested on the Flower that sprang up out of the root of Jesse (Is. xi. 1).
âTwas Thou, O Gabriel! that taughtest us the salutation, wherewith we should greet Mary âFull of Grace. Thou wast the first to pronounce these sublime words, which Thou broughtest from Heaven. The children of The Church are now, day and night, repeating these words of Thine; pray for us, that we may say them in such a manner, as that our Blessed Mother may find them worthy of Her acceptance.
Angel of Strength, Friend of Mankind! relent not in thy ministry of aiding us. We are surrounded by terrible enemies; our weakness makes them bold: come to our assistance; get us courage. Pray for us during these days of conversion and penance. Obtain for us the knowledge of all, that we owe to GOD in consequence of That Ineffable Mystery of The Incarnation, of which Thou wast the first witness. We have forgotten our duties to the GOD-Man, and we have offended Him: enlighten us, that so, henceforth, we may be faithful to His teachings and examples. Raise up our thoughts to The Happy Abode, where Thou dwellest; assist us to merit the places left vacant by the fallen angels, for GOD has reserved them for His Elect among men.
Pray, O Gabriel, for The Church Militant, and defend her against the attacks of hell. The times are evil; the spirits of malice are let loose, nor can we make stand against them, unless withGoODâS Help. It is by His Holy Angels that He gives victory to His Spouse. Be Thou, O Strength of GOD! foremost in the ranks. Drive heresy back, keep schism down, foil the false wisdom of men, frustrate the policy of the world, arouse the well-minded from apathy; that thus, The CHRIST, Whom Thou didst announce, may reign over the earth He has redeemed, and that we may sing together with Thee and the whole angelic choir: âGlory be to GOD! Peace to men!â â
(taken from http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/Gabriel.html)
Saint Raphael, the Archangel:
The name of this blessed Angel sigÂniÂfies âcureâ of GOD. He is, accordÂing to his own tesÂtiÂmoÂny to Tobias, one of the sevÂen SpirÂits who stand before the Throne of GOD. From havÂing so safeÂly conÂductÂed that good man on his jourÂney to Rages, and the many helps affordÂed by him durÂing his stay in that city, he should be invoked by travÂelÂers and voyÂagers, perÂsons about to conÂtract the sacred matÂriÂmoÂniÂal engageÂment, as well as those engaged in trade and comÂmerce. Indeed, all should beg his assisÂtance, all being strangers and pilÂgrims upon earth, and standÂing in a greater or lessÂer need of it.
AspirationâO Angel of God, illuÂmine, defend and preÂserve me this day, and for ever.
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Sermon of St. Bonaventure, Bishop, [Doctor of The Church) Lesson IV
Raphael is interpreted, âmedicine of GODâ. Note that Raphael heals us by bestowing three benefits to cure us of evil. Raphael, the physician, heals the illness of our souls by leading us to the bitterness of contrition. Therefore in the book of Tobias it is said, âWhen thou shalt enter thy house, anoint his eyes with gallâ. Tobias did so, his fatherâs eyes were healed, and he saw. Why could Raphael not do this himself? Because an Angel cannot give contrition, he can merely point the way. The gall symbolizes the bitterness of contrition which heals the inner eye of the mind. As the Psalm says, âWho heals the broken heartâ. The bitterness of contrition is the best eye salve. In the second chapter of Judges it is related that the Angel ascended to the place of the weepers and said to the people, âI have led you out of the land of Egypt, I have done for you so many and such good thingsâ. All the people wept so that the place is called the place of the weepers. Dearly beloved, all day long the Angels tell us of the blessings of GOD and recall them to our memories. Who created you? Who redeemed you? What have you done? Whom have you offended? If you consider these things you have no recourse but to weep.
In the second place, Raphael leads us out of the devilâs bondage by recalling to our minds The Passion of CHRIST. This is expressed figuratively in the sixth chapter of Tobias. Raphael says, âIf thou wilt place a little piece of its heart upon the coals, the smoke thereof driveth away all kinds of devilsâ. In the eighth chapter we read that Tobias did place the little piece of its heart upon the coals, and that Raphael bound the devil in the desert of upper Egypt. What does this mean? Could not Raphael have bound the devil if the heart had not been placed upon the coals? Did the heart of a fish give such great power to an Angel? Not at all. The heart of the fish in itself could do nothing; its significance lies in it as a mystical figure. Here we are to understand that there is today nothing which can free us from the slavery of the devil but The Passion of CHRIST. This proceeded from the depths of his heart, namely from His Love. The heart is the warm fountain of all life. If, therefore, you place upon the coals, that is upon your kindled memory, The Heart of CHRIST, that is, The Passion He underwent, which sprang from the root of charity and font of all warm affection, the devil will be bound instantly. He cannot harm you.
ThirdÂly, Raphael frees us from The Wrath of GOD, which we incur by sinÂning against GOD. He does this by inducÂing us to pray earnestÂly. This is what Raphael the Archangel told Tobias in the twelfth chapÂter, âWhen thou didst pray with tears, I offered thy prayer to The LORDâ. The Angels, themÂselves, so far as they are able, try to recÂonÂcile us with GOD. The devÂils are our accusers before GOD. The Angels excuse us when they offer to GOD the prayers they have induced us to say devoutÂly. This we read in the eighth chapÂter of the ApocÂaÂlypse, âThe smoke of the incense ascendÂed in the sight of GOD from the hands of the Angelâ. Those sweet fraÂgrant spices are the prayers of the Saints. Would you appease GOD Whom you have offendÂed? Pray, then, with ferÂvor. The Angels offer your prayer to GOD in order to recÂonÂcile you with Him. In like manÂner, it is relatÂed that when CHRIST was in agony in the garÂden, He prayed the more earnestÂly. An Angel appeared and comÂfortÂed Him. All this was done for our sake. CHRIST had no need to be comÂfortÂed. Rather was it done to show that the Angels help those, who pray earnestÂly, that they help them willÂingÂly, comÂfort them and offer their prayers to GOD.
From the Roman Breviary
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Hymn for the Feast of St. Raphael, at Vespers
JESU, brightness of The Father!
Life and Strength of all who live!
In the presence of the Angels,
Glory to Thy Name we give;
And Thy wondrous praise rehearse,
Singing in alternate verse. Hail, too, ye Angelic Powers!
Hail, ye Thrones celestial!
Hail, Physician of salvation!
Guide of life, Blest Raphael
Who the foe of all mankind
Didst in links of iron bind. Oh may CHRIST, by thy protection,
Shelter us from harm this day;
Keep us pure in flesh and spirit;
Save us from the enemy;
and vouchsafe us, of His grace,
In His Paradise a place. Glory to The Almighty Father,
Sing we now in anthems sweet;
Glory to The Great Redeemer,
Glory to The Paraclete;
Three in One, and One in Three,
Througout all eternity. Amen.
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Prayer for Safe Travel
The folÂlowÂing prayer is an adapÂtaÂtion of the itinÂerÂarÂiÂum, the prayer said by clerÂics to invoke GODâS proÂtecÂtion before beginÂning a jourÂney. The faithÂful who are about to travÂel may us this form to pray for GODâS blessÂing on their journeys.
A long the ways of peace and prosÂperÂiÂty may The Almighty and MerÂciÂful LORD lead us, and may the Angel Raphael accomÂpaÂny us on the jourÂney. So may we in peace, health, and joy return unto our own.
Let us Pray:
O GOD, Who didst lead the sons of Israel through the sea over a dry path, and didst reveal the way to the three Magi by the guidÂance of a star; vouchÂsafe to grant us a hapÂpy jourÂney and a peaceÂful time, that accomÂpaÂnied by Thine Angel we may safeÂly reach our present desÂtiÂnaÂtion, and come finalÂly to the haven of eterÂnal salvation.
O GOD, Who didst lead Thy serÂvant, AbraÂham, out of Ur of the Chaldeans, safeÂguardÂing him on all his wanÂderÂingsâ guide us Thy serÂvants, we implore Thee. Be Thou unto us supÂport in batÂtle, refuge in jourÂneyÂing, shade in the heat, covÂerÂing in the rain and cold, a carÂriage in tiredÂness, proÂtecÂtion in adverÂsiÂty, a staff in inseÂcuÂriÂty, a harÂbor in shipÂwreck; so that under Thy leadÂerÂship we may sucÂcessÂfulÂly reach our desÂtiÂnaÂtion, and finalÂly return safe to our homes.
Give ear, we pray Thee, LORD, to our entreaties! And direct the steps of Thy serÂvants on the paths of rightÂeousÂness, that in all the vicisÂsiÂtudes of the jourÂney and of life, we may have Thee as our conÂstant protector.
Grant, O Almighty GOD, that Thy chilÂdren march forth on a sucÂcessÂful jourÂney; and heedÂing the exhorÂtaÂtion of Blessed John, the PreÂcurÂsor, let them come safeÂly to Him whom John foreÂtold, JESUS CHRIST, Thy Son, our LORD, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in The UniÂty of The Holy SpirÂit, GOD, forÂevÂer and ever. Amen.
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Hymn: Placare, CHRISTE
âO CHRIST, Thy serÂvantsâ wanÂderÂings spare;
For whom Thy MaidÂen-MothÂerâs prayer
BeseechÂes at Thy throne of grace
MerÂcy before The Fatherâs face.
Be near us, Angel from on high,
Whose name GODâS Might doth signify;
Strengthen the weak with ceaseless ward,
And to the sad thine help afford.
Ye nineÂfold ranks of Angel-choirs,
Whose order for our help conspires,
All past and present ills dispel,
From future danÂger guard us well.
Drive far away in shamed disgrace
From ChrisÂtÂian lands the faithÂless race;
That so the rule one ShepÂherd hold
Over one flock, one sinÂgle fold.
To GOD The Father praise be done,
Who hath redeemed us through His Son,
Anoints us by The Holy Ghost,
And guards us by the Angel-host. Amen.â
(Roman Breviary)
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Prayer for a ChrisÂtÂian Family
O GOD of GoodÂness and MerÂcy, to Thy FatherÂly proÂtecÂtion we comÂmend our famÂiÂly, our houseÂhold and all that belongs to us. We comÂmit all to Thy love and keepÂing; do Thou fill this house with Thy blessÂings even as Thou didst fill the holy House of Nazareth with Thy Presence.
Keep far from us, above all things else, the taint of sin, and do Thou alone reign in our midst by Thy Law, by Thy Most Holy Love and by the exerÂcise of every ChrisÂtÂian virtue. Let each one of us obey Thee, love Thee, and set himÂself to imiÂtate in his own life Thine examÂple, that of Mary, Thy MothÂer and our MothÂer most lovÂing, and that of Thy blameÂless Guardian, Saint Joseph. Preserve us and our house from all evils and misÂforÂtunes, but grant that we may be ever resigned to Thy Divine Will even in the sorÂrow, which it shall please Thee to send us. FinalÂly, give us all the grace to live in perÂfect harÂmoÂny and in the fullÂness of love towards our neighÂbor. Grant that every one of us may deserve by a holy life the comÂfort of Thy holy SacraÂments at the hour of death. O JESUS, bless us and proÂtect us.
O Mary, MothÂer of Grace and of MerÂcy, defend us against the wicked spirÂit, recÂonÂcile us with Thy Son, comÂmit us to His KeepÂing, that so we may be made worÂthy of His Promises.
Saint Joseph, FosÂter-father of our SavÂiour, Guardian of His Holy MothÂer, head of The Holy FamÂiÂly, interÂcede for us, bless us and defend our home at all times.
[Holy Saints Anne and Joachim, our SpirÂiÂtuÂal GrandÂparÂents, help us to live and pass on The Faith, as Thou didst to Thy Most HighÂly-Favored DaughÂter, The Blessed VirÂgin Mary.
Saint Michael, defend us against all the wicked cunÂning of hell.
Saint Gabriel, make us to underÂstand The Holy Will of God.
Saint Raphael, keep us free from all sickÂness and from every danÂger to our lives.
Our Holy Guardian Angels, keep our feet safeÂly on the path of salÂvaÂtion both day and night.
Our Holy Patrons, pray for us before the Throne of God.
Yea, bless this house, O GOD The Father, Who hast creÂatÂed us; O GOD The Son, Who hast sufÂfered for us upon The Holy Cross, and Thou, O GOD The SpirÂit, Who hath sancÂtiÂfied us in holy BapÂtism. May The One GOD in Three Divine PerÂsons preÂserve our bodÂies, puriÂfy our minds, direct our hearts, and bring us all to everÂlastÂing life.
Glory be to The Father, GloÂry be to The Son, GloÂry be to The Holy Ghost! Amen.â
(taken from: http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Raphael%20Popup.html)
Creation and the Angels
LesÂson 4 from the BalÂtiÂmore Cathechism
â35. What do we mean when we say that GOD is The Creator of Heaven and earth?
When we say that GOD is The CreÂator of HeavÂen and earth we mean that He made all things from nothÂing by His Almighty Power.
I am The LORD GOD, that make all things, that alone stretch out the heavÂens, that estabÂlish the earth.â (IsaÂiah 44:24)
36. Which are the chief creatures of GOD?
The chief creaÂtures of GOD are Angels and men.
âThou hast made Him a litÂtle less than the Angels; thou hast crowned Him with gloÂry and honÂor; and thou hast set Him over the works of Thy Hands.â (Psalm 8:6â7)
37. What are Angels?
Angels are creÂatÂed spirÂits, withÂout bodÂies, havÂing underÂstandÂing and free will.
ThouÂsands and thouÂsands minÂisÂtered to Him, and ten thouÂsand times a hunÂdred thouÂsand stood before Him. (Daniel 7:10)
38. What gifts did GOD bestow on the Angels when He created them?
When GOD creÂatÂed the Angels, He bestowed on them great wisÂdom, powÂer, and holiness.
âO Ye Angels of The Lord, bless The Lord.â (Daniel 3:58)
39. Did all the Angels remain faithful to GOD?
Not all the angels remained faithÂful to GOD; some of them sinned. âAnd there was a batÂtle in HeavÂen; Michael and his Angels batÂtled with the dragÂon, and the dragÂon fought and his angels. And they did not preÂvail, neiÂther was their place found any more in HeavÂen.â (ApocÂaÂlypse 12:7)
40. What happened to the Angels, who remained faithful to GOD?
The Angels, who remained faithÂful to GOD, entered into the eterÂnal hapÂpiÂness of HeavÂen, and these are called Good Angels.
âSee that you do not despise one of these litÂtle ones; for I tell you, their Angels in HeavÂen always behold The Face of My Father in HeavÂen.â (Matthew 18:10)
41. What do the Good Angels do in Heaven?
In HeavÂen, the Good Angels see, love, and adore GOD.
42. How do the Good Angels help us?
The Good Angels help us by prayÂing for us, by actÂing as mesÂsenÂgers from GOD to us, and by servÂing as our Guardian Angels.
âFor to His Angels He has givÂen thee in trust, to keep thee in all thy ways. In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest thou dash they foot against a stone.â (Psalm 90:11â12)
43. How do our Guardian Angels help us?
Our Guardian Angels help us by prayÂing for us, by proÂtectÂing us from harm, and by inspirÂing us to do good.
âWhen thou didst pray with thy tears, and didst bury the dead, and didst leave thy dinÂner, and hide the dead by day in thy house, and bury them by night, I offered thy prayer to The LORD.â (Tobias 12:12)
44. What happened to the angels, who did not remain faithful to GOD?
The angels, who did not remain faithÂful to GOD were cast into hell, and these are called bad angels, or devils.
âDepart from me, accursed ones, into the everÂlastÂing fire which was preÂpared for the devÂil and his angels.â (Matthew 25:41)
45. What is the chief way in which the bad angels try to harm us?
The chief way in which the bad angels try to harm us is by temptÂing us to sin.
âPut on the armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devÂil.â (EphÂesians 6:11)
46. Do all temptations come from the bad angels?
Some tempÂtaÂtions come from the bad angels; but othÂer tempÂtaÂtions come from ourÂselves and from the perÂsons and things about us.
âDo not love the world, or the things that are in the world.â (I John 2:15)
47. Can we always resist temptations?
We can always resist tempÂtaÂtions, because no tempÂtaÂtion can force us into sin, and because GOD will always help us if we ask Him.
âAnd He has said to me, âMy grace is sufÂfiÂcient for thee.â (I CorinthiÂans 12:9)â
takÂen from: http://www.catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism/lesson05.html