Saints + Scripture: Ss. Michael, Gabriel, & Raphael

The Popish Plot
Saintly Saturday: "Michaelmas"

Commentary: The technical difficulties were with The Popish Plot, not with today's "Saints + Scripture" post.

Simplex Edition | Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa!

'Tis the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, & Raphael, Archangels: Archangels-link & Wikipedia-link Michaelmas, Archangel-link Mike & Wikipedia-link Mike, Archangel-link Golf & Wikipedia-link Golf, & Archangel-link Romeo & Wikipedia-link Romeo.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

An archangel is an angel of high rank. The word "archangel" usually is associated with the Abrahamic religions, but beings that are very similar to archangels are found in a number of religious traditions.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of Ss. Michael, Gabriel, & Raphael
The Book of Daniel, chapter seven, verses nine, ten, thirteen, & fourteen;
or, the Book of Revelation, chapter twelve, verses seven thru twelve(a);
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-eight, verses one & two(a/b), two(c/d/e) & three, & four & five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter one, verses forty-seven thru fifty-one.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Meditating on these angels can tell us a great deal about the priesthood, for they exemplify the three fundamental tasks of the priest: healer, fighter, and evangelizer.

Raphael is a healer; consult the book of Tobit for the details. Michael is a fighter. When Satan dares to claim equality with God, Michael speaks his name, Mich-a-el? Who is like God? And this is his victory. And Gabriel is the great messenger angel, the one who announces the Incarnation to a young maiden of Nazareth.

Perhaps more than ever today, people are suffering with what the hymn calls "sin-sick souls." The great salve for all of these wounds is Jesus Christ. But who will bring this salve to a hurting world? This is why Christ raises up priests. Just think of the racism, the hatred, and the injustice that reign everywhere. Who will fight? This is why Christ raises up priests, as new Michaels.

Finally, Jesus is a preacher. He is, after all, the Word of God made flesh. Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised that the Word comes forth from him with unique power.

Video reflection by Marc DelMonico, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Richard Rolle, Hermit (circa 1290-1349, of Hampole): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint René Goupil, Martyr, S.J. (1608-1642), martyred by Mohawks, the first of the eight North American Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link North America & Wikipedia-link North America.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Luigi Monza, Priest (1898-1954), founder of the Secular Institute of the Little Apostles of Charity: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day

"Above all, one must never lose confidence in what the Spirit of God can accomplish in our own day. Far as the Angel Gabriel said to the Virgin Mary, 'Nothing is impossible to God.' Let our hearts be alive in faith & always steadfast in hope."
—Pope St. John Paul II the Great (1920-2005, feast day: 22 October)

Little Flower Quote o' the Day

"How great is my gratitude. What is He reserving for us in heaven if here below His love dispenses surprises so delightful?"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Saint Quote o' the Day

"Man is God's image & likeness, in which God wants to be honored for his own sake."
—St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226, feast day: 4 October)