ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL

Today is the feast day of St. Gabriel, the Archangel. It isn't celebrated any more in the 'new' church, but it still holds water for us who believe the entire Truth and try to adhere to it.

The name Gabriel signifies 'the Strength of God'. He is the angel who appeared to Daniel, and this prophet had the vision of the Persian and Grecian empires. Later, Gabriel appeared and told him of the exact hour of the coming of the Messiah. He is the angel who appeared to Zachary announcing the miraculous conception and birth of John the Baptist. He is the one who will announce, six months after this, to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she is chosen to be the Mother of Our Redeemer. We will celebrate this day tomorrow. He is the chosen one from the presence of God Himself to first speak those beautiful words: "Hail, full of grace,, blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb".

St. Gabriel, angel of light and strength of God, help us and pray for us. The following is from the Dominican breviary, and it is pretty nice:


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.

"Tis 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 fullness 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 new-born 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 for ever. Amen.


Let us honor St. Gabriel and all of the holy angels this day and always, since they are here at our sides to help us reach our goal.