Feast of the Archangels

Why the Church Honors Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael on September 29

Sep 28, 2009

Angels are protectors of the faithful, honored by the Church on September 29 since the Middle Ages.

The Catholic Church honors the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael as saints and encourages believers to include prayers for the angels in their corporate and private devotion. This article explores the meaning and purpose of the holy day known to Catholics as the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael and to Protestants as the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels.

Why Catholics Honor the Angels on September 29

Like saints, religious people believe that angels guide believers in following the path of truth created by religious doctrine. Just as believers venerate, or honor the saints, with feast days, so they honor the angels, too.

In a treatise on how important angels are to the Church, Pope John Paul II wrote that "...(t)he Church confesses her faith in the guardian angels, venerating them in the liturgy with an appropriate feast and recommending recourse to their protection by frequent prayer" (Hardon, "Angels in the History of the Church").

The Church continues to honor the ministry of the Archangels on September 29 and the ministry of the guardian angels on October 2 with liturgy, prayer, and praise.

History of the Feast of the Archangels Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel

During the Middle Ages, the Feast of St. Michael (also known as Michaelmas) was celebrated on September 29. On Michaelmas, the Catholic Church observed a holy day of obligation to honor St. Michael, the head of the Archangels. Medieval Christians were required to recite special prayers in corporate and private devotion for St. Michael and his mission in the world on this day.

Michaelmas was important for other reasons, too. In England, people had to pay bills quarterly, and Michaelmas became the fixed date for the third quarter. Many families would hold banquets with stuffed goose and apples to honor Michael and the season.

Irish traditions for Michaelmas dating from the Middle Ages include eating a scone-like cake called St. Michael's Bannock. They also ate blackberries, which local lore says that Satan fell on when Michael expelled him from heaven and cursed on September 29 so that they would be bitter afterward, effectively ending blackberry season.

Theological reform in the 18th century changed how the Church celebrated the Feast of St. Michael. The Catholic Church abolished the day as a feast of obligation, but continued to encourage Catholics to honor St. Michael on this date.

In 1921, the Vatican expanded the Feast of St. Michael into the Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael to reflect increased devotion to the other Archangels.

Protestant denominations such as the Anglican and Lutheran Churches combine the Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael on September 29 with the Feast of the Guardian Angels on October 2 into one feast, the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. On this date, they celebrate the ministry of Michael and all the angels.

How Catholics Celebrate the Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael Today

The Feast of Saint Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael on September 29 is a feast, or holy day, that the faithful celebrate at their discretion.

Believers may attend mass, offer prayers, read scripture, and even feast to remind them of the protection angels offer to them and to the Church.

Angels offer believers comfort and protection as they further God's protection in the world. As Christians honor St. Michael and all the angels, they, too, join in the angels' work of protecting God's world. For angel activities based in scripture, readers may enjoy Praying with St. Michael or Praying with St. Gabriel.

The copyright of the article Feast of the Archangels in Catholic Mass & Holy Days is owned by Melissa Roberts. Permission to republish Feast of the Archangels in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.