Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are «our traveling companions» and have an «important» role in the journey of Christians towards salvation, Pope Francis said in his homily at Mass at Santa Marta on September 29, 2017, the feast day of the archangels.
«The Lord sends them to accompany us on the way of life,» the Pontiff recalled, who defined the Archangel Michael as the one who «fights the devil.» He fights the «great dragon,» the «ancient snake», who seduces «the whole inhabited earth,» the Pope added, whose homily was reported by the Vatican Radio.
«The Great Michael», commissioned by God, fights (and defeats) the devil. It helps us on our way to Heaven to make war, «not to be seduced.»
Archangel Gabriel is the one who «brings good news». He has indeed brought the announcement of salvation «to Mary, to Zachariah, to Joseph,» and to help Christians never forget the Good News, that «Jesus came with us» to save us.
Archangel Raffaele «walks with us,» said Francis, who recommended asking him to offer protection from the «seduction of making the wrong step.»
The Pontiff has thus formulated the following threefold prayer or supplication: «Michele, help us in the struggle», «Gabriel, bring us news, bring us the Good News of Salvation» and finally «Raffaele, take hold of the hand and help us on the Path.”
JF
