Do not underestimate the role of the Archangels in our battle between good and evil.

Within human history, the role of Angels is often identified as a counselor, a messenger, or one’s personal conscience. From a secular perspective, an Angel may be viewed as a spiritual guide whose specific role is to keep you from making mistakes. The Catechism, in referencing St. Augustine, explains that teaching on Angels,   

Angel is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit'; from what they do, 'angel.'"188 With their whole beings, the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven," they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word (CCC 329).

Angels are ordered toward the nature of service, or servants and guardians, or guardianship of the children of God on behalf of God. They represent the face or vision of God when they interact with humanity. We encounter the nature and purpose of Angels in Acts of the Apostles, where the Angel of the Lord released the Apostles from prison and, upon their release, directed them to go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life (Acts 5:17-20). Angels, as spiritual creatures, possess intelligence and a will and are impersonal and immortal, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures (CCC 330).

The Church teaches that the existence of Angels is a truth of the faith because they are part of the created order of God. Distinctive to this identity is that Angels are pure spirits not bound by time or space. They are spiritual creatures endowed with distinctive gifts and attributes representative of God the Father to provide spiritual care, guidance, and protection to those who dwell within His Kingdom, mainly humanity, by echoing the voice of God. 

Examples of their service to the Kingdom are found in St. Gabriel’s announcement to Mary as the Mother of God (Lk 1:26). The prophet Daniel receives St. Michael, who affirms Daniel’s fidelity to the Word of God and that St. Michael would stand by him and protect him (Dan 10:10-21). We encounter St. Michael and his angels fighting the Devil and his legions Rev 12:7-8). Tobit and Sarah receive healing from St. Raphael, and the archangel binds the evil demon Asmodeus, who had killed Sarah’s previous seven husbands (Tob 3:16-17).

Many reading this article may already be acquainted with the traditional Guardian Angel prayer where we petition our Guardian Angel to protect and intercede for us by reciting the following,  

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

The prayer focuses on four things our Guardian Angel does for us: the Angel helps us to see how much God loves us, the Angel is called to protect us from all spiritual harm and evil, the Angel reminds us to be faithful to God, and the Angel guides us toward salvation with the Father in heaven. Christ is the center of the angelic world, as all Angels are under the direction of Christ. The Gospel of St. Matthew reminds us of this when all the Angels will come with Christ in his glory (25:31). As part of God’s salvific plan, Angels possess a distinct role not only as messengers for Christ, but as faithful intercessors. We find evidence of the Angels’ direct intercession throughout salvation history in the following passages from Sacred Scripture: 

They announced Salvation - Job 3:8-7

Closed earthly Paradise - Gen 3:24, 29, 21:17, 22:11

Stayed Abraham’s Hand - Ex 23:20-23

Led the people of God – Jdgs. 6:11-24

The archangel Gabriel announces the birth of Christ - Lk 1:11; 2:14; 26

How do the Archangels help us in our battle between good and evil?  St. Michael, “Who is Like God,” is entrusted to protect us from Satan and all evil. St. Gabriel, “God’s strength,” is entrusted to strengthen our relationship with Christ to withstand the perils and dangers of the world. St. Raphael, “the Divine Healer,” is entrusted to bring healing of any infirmity, both physical and spiritual in nature. Essential to their nature as spirits is their involvement in our lives to turn toward Christ and His Church if we choose to listen. By virtue of their office and nature, the Archangels are entrusted to protect our souls from the corruption of the world that has chosen to reject God the Father and God the Son Jesus Christ. They serve as primary and integral messengers of God’s salvific plan for humanity through His Son Jesus. It is important to believe and understand that throughout our lives, all of us are under the watchful care of our Guardian Angel (CCC 336), and their constant aim and intention are to lead us to paradise (CCC 335).

Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners. I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the “medicine of God,” I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (here mention your special intention), and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit.

St. Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Pray for Us!