Beautiful and glorious are the angels of the Lord! They are many and magnificent and are given to man to help on our way by protecting, prompting, testing, healing, fighting and comforting.
They protect us from all manner of harm, insofar as Almighty God allows them and according to our need and merit; By prompting us to good works, even to the extent of appearing to us in various guises, “For many have entertained angels unawares!”; By testing us in our resolve so that we may earn merit for ourselves and others; By all manner of healing- physical, mental and spiritual; By fighting against the Evil One and his minions on our behalf and this, almost always when we least know it!; and by comforting us in our afflictions as ministers of light and love. How great is their apostolate among us and how unthinking we are in thankfulness for this ministry.
Rafael the Archangel is “One of the Seven who stand before God.” Along with great St. Michael and St. Gabriel, they are the only angels called by name in the canonical books of Holy Writ. Holy Mother Church urges us, by their feast days, to lift our eyes and hearts to God through these holy friends.
Thank you, dear God for the wonderful mysteries you reveal to us through Thy Holy Angels. May the Glorious Archangel Saint Rafael, great prince of the heavenly court, guide, heal, protect and defend us, for the sake of Thy Holy Name. Amen.
