October 2 2024 - The Holy Guardian Angels - Gratitude for Angelic Protection

 Last week Trapper Jack had a podcast titled “Three Drowning Seminarians Saved by Real Angels”. And Trapper Jack shared three stories about three seminarians, who are now priests, who claim to have been saved from drowning by their guardian angels. One of those priests is one of our own Cleveland priests.

And as I listed to the podcast, I was reminded of my own ordination reception. I was giving a little speech before dinner thanking family and friends for their support through the years of my seminary studies, and all of a sudden i got this flash of moments from my life…and realized that i needed to thank my guardian angel, too! I got flashes of from my life of moments like near car accidents, and my own memory of being in the middle of lake erie on a raft during a storm. And I got the sense that on all of those occasions, I was preserved from harm by my guardian angel. And so without my guardian angel, I would likely not have been ordained, and standing there and thanking all of my family and friends.

Thank God for our guardian angels. We will only know in heaven how many times we have been spared and saved. How many illnesses were staved off, how many accidents were averted, how many temptations were defeated, how many inspiring thoughts and ideas were evoked, how many times are hearts were moved with pity, all because of the ministrations of our Guardian Angels.

We do not think of them enough, we do not thank them enough. But today, the church thanks and honors our Guardian Angels for their faithfulness to the task given to them by God Himself—the task of doing everything in their power to help us get to heaven and becomes the servants God desires each of us to be.

Thank your angel today. And commit to calling upon your angel more frequently, and asking God to help you to be more docile to his inspirations and open to his assistance, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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In gratitude to God for our Guardian Angels, may we be attentive to their inspirations, and through them be kept safe from sin, and faithful to the works of mercy.

May we, like the angels, practice purity in both mind and body, and be guarded from every temptation to sin.

For special angelic protection for our police and fire fighters, first responders, and military who keep us safe from threats to our lives and freedoms.

May the sick know the assistance of the angels in their illness and suffering.

May the angels who stand ever before the face of God, help us increase in that never-failing hope of coming at last into God’s presence.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for those who have fought and died for our benefit, and for N. for whom this mass is offered.

Heavenly Father, may our prayers rise like a pleasant fragrance before you and be brought to your altar on high through the hands of your holy angels. Through Christ Our Lord.

December 12 2023 - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Mary's Protection

 At the crucifixion, on Calvary, on Good Friday, Jesus decreed Mary to be the Mother of Christians. As Mother she teaches, she guides, she inspires, she nurtures, and she protects. Mary’s role as protector is particularly central to today’s feast. 

In 1531, Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego as Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the image imprinted on his tilma, Our Lady wears a black band around her waste, showing herself to be with child. For nine months, the Christ child grew in the protective womb of Our Lady. 

To the pagan nation of Mexico, Mary revealed herself in this way—as a protected mother—the mother of Christ and their mother as well. Mary would help them break the bond of a false religion which involved the abominable practice of human sacrifice.

The Collect prayer this morning for Our Lady of Guadalupe speaks of how God placed his people under the singular protection of the Son’s most holy Mother.

The Vatican II Constitution on the Church, speaks of the ancient devotion to Mary’s protection: “Clearly from earliest times the Blessed Virgin is honored under the title of Mother of God, under whose protection the faithful took refuge in all their dangers and necessities.”

I remember reading an article a few years ago, I remember reading a report of seven Iraqi Catholic women who claimed Mary protected them from ISIS terrorists. When ISIS soldiers stormed their shelter, they prayed to Our Lady as they hid under beds which were being used by the soldiers. They said, “When ISIS entered our room, they didn’t see us, we feel that the Virgin Mary closed their eyes from seeing us.”

Sometimes it seems that the powers of evil which surround us and conspire against the Church are so cunning and pervasive. Yet, God has not left us unprotected. He has given us such a powerful advocate and protector in Our Lady. 

She who was guarded from sin from the moment of her Immaculate Conception throughout her whole life guards her sons and daughters from sin and evil as well. The theologian Richard of St. Lawrence writes: “Mary protects us under the mantle of Her humility.”

Holy Father Pope Francis even wrote a prayer for seeking Our Lady’s protection: he wrote, “We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen."

And of course, the Memorare written by St. Bernard implores Our Lady’s protection, praying “REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.”

In our Christian mission of serving God in this fallen world, we can attract the attention of some very malicious evil spirits, not to mention those who have made themselves enemies of the Gospel. Attacks from the powers and principalities allied with evil are inevitable, and so seeking Our Lady’s protection is vital.  

May we place ourselves under the protection and guidance of Our Lady of Gaudalupe, who helps us in remaining faithful to her Son in all things, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We bring our prayers to God through Mary.

That Our Lady may protect the Church from all evil, and aid us in the mission of the Gospel.

That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of each human life, and that all peoples will work together for an end to child sacrifice and violations of innocent life, and for the legal protection of the unborn.

For all refugees forced to flee from their homes, that God bring peace to them and their country of origin.

That the sick may draw strength, consolation, and healing by turning to Our Lady, who intercedes for us from her place in heaven. 

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.

September 29 2023 - Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - Protection, Strength, and Healing

 When we recite the creed at every Sunday Mass, we profess God as the Creator of “all things visible and invisible.” The “invisible” refers to the nonmaterial, the creatures of pure spirit, known as angels. The Catechism says, “The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scriptures usually calls ‘angels’ is a truth of faith.” The angels are called in the letter to the Hebrews “ministering spirits” because “With their whole being the angels are servants of God”

The number of angels is nearly countless and they are arranged in the heavenly hierarchy in different choirs. Many of Our Eucharistic prefaces attest to the angels and archangels, throne and dominions and, the hosts and powers of heaven” to whom we are joined in singing God’s glory. Angels, archangels, thrones, dominions and powers, cherubim, seraphim, principalities, and virtues. The angels sing God’s praises which is why they are arranged into choirs. 

At the time of our birth we are assigned an angel to guard over us, and the feast of the guardian angels, we celebrate on October 2. We do not know the names of our guardian angels, but we do know the names of three of the archangels from the holy scriptures.

Saint Michael is the "Prince of the Heavenly Host," the leader of all the angels. His name is Hebrew for "Who is like God?" and was the battle cry of the good angels against Lucifer and his followers when they rebelled against God. Michael is mentioned four times in the Bible, in Daniel 10 and 12, in the letter of Jude, and in Revelation. Michael, whose forces cast down Lucifer and the evil spirits into Hell, is invoked for protection against Satan and all evil. 

Saint Gabriel, whose name means "God's strength," is mentioned four times in the Bible. God sent Gabriel to announce the birth of John the Baptist to his father Zacharias, and, of course, to the Blessed Virgin to announce the Incarnation. Christian tradition suggests that it is he who appeared to St. Joseph and to the shepherds, and also that it was he who "strengthened" Jesus during his agony in the garden of Gethsemane. Gabriel is invoked when we require God’s strength, especially when we need strength to bear difficult messages, or in public speaking.

Saint Raphael is invoked for healing. Raphael means "God has healed", a fitting name for the archangel sent to heal Tobias' blindness in the Book of Tobit. It is often thought that it was Raphael who descended upon the pool of Bethesda and bestowed God’s healing powers upon it so that the first to enter it after it moved would be healed of whatever infirmity he was suffering.

Praying for protection and the defeat of evil, strength, and healing are common prayers. Daily we should be praying for these things for ourselves and others. And we do well, to recognize the instruments through whom God has chosen to bestow them in the past and continues to bestow them now. May St. Michael bear God’s likeness to us that satan may be driven away from our midst. May St. Gabriel bear God’s strength to us in our many trials and in our mission of the Gospel. And May St. Raphael bear God’s healing to those most in need of it, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. 

Through the intercession of St. Michael, may all who are persecuted for the faith be protected against the wickedness and snares of the devil.  

Through the intercession of St. Gabriel, may God’s strength be with all those who work for the Spread of the Gospel. 

Through the intercession of St. Raphael may all who suffer from loneliness or sickness know the healing graces of our loving God. 

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. 

Heavenly Father, may our prayers rise like a pleasant fragrance before you and be brought to your altar on high through the hands of your holy angels. Through Christ Our Lord.

March 17 2023 (school mass) - St. Patrick's Breastplate - Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me

 “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.”

This beautiful prayer was written by St. Patrick himself, over 1,500 years ago. The prayer is often called the “Breastplate of St. Patrick”. A breastplate is a piece of armor worn by soldiers to protect them in battle from the swords and arrows of their enemies. St. Patrick's breastplate is a prayer that invokes the divine protection of Jesus Christ like a suit of armor. 

St. Paul tells Christians to put on the armor of Christ—armor by which God wants to protect us from evil. There are many forces in this world that are evil, that seek to lead us away from God. Evil wants to take root in our life so that we never think of God or what God wants for us. Evil that wants us to be selfish, self-absorbed, jealous, envious, hateful, rude, disobedient, lustful, violent, irreverent and profane. Evil does not want you to follow God, pray to God, love God, have faith in God, or hope in God. Evil does not want you to love Jesus, imitate Jesus, or even think of Jesus.

And because there is so much evil in the world that opposes God and hates us and seeks to ruin our lives, St. Paul told Christians to put on the armor of Christ. And St. Patrick, that great apostle to the land of Ireland, gave us that beautiful prayer. 

“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise”

No athlete, social media influencer, Tiktocker, Hollywood actor, video game hero, social activist or politician has the power to armor you from evil. These people will not be there when you are in trouble or facing the challenges of your life and in the dark times of life. Only Christ. Only Jesus Christ can be with you always to armor your and defend you, to lift you up when you have fallen.

Learn from the example of St. Patrick. He's not just a saint for irish people, his example is important for the whole Church. Make Jesus Christ first in your life. Seek to become like him, preach the Word of God like him, treat others like Him, heal like Him, reconcile people to God like Him. Invite him into your life more deeply so that he is with you when you wake, when you eat, when you go to school and work, when you relax, when you speak. Invoke Christ to be your armor and your shield today and all days, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

October 2 2019 - The Holy Guardian Angels - Constant Angelic Protection

In the Nicene Creed we profess our belief that God is the Creator of all things visible and invisible. Visible Creation, of course, includes the water and planets and air and stars and minerals, vegetables, and animals, and of course human beings.

God is also Creator of the invisible: this refers not simply to microscopic organisms and the invisible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Invisible Creation also includes the invisible, spiritual beings, the Holy Angels.

When Scripture extols God for the wondrous things He has made, it often includes reference to the Holy Angels. The Prophet Nehemiah, for example, exclaims “You are the LORD, you alone; You made the heavens, the highest heavens and all their host, The earth and all that is upon it, the seas and all that is in them. To all of them you give life, the heavenly hosts bow down before you.”

The Holy Angels, the heavenly Host, serves God in all manner of ways: in the machinations of the universe, in offering unceasing worship to the Almighty, in bringing messages from heaven and holy inspiration to human souls.

God has also sent angels to guard the human race against the wiles of the Enemy who seeks the destruction of our souls and also, in certain circumstances, against physical harm. Many people can attest to being miraculously saved from terrible injury or even death.

It is part of the deposit of faith that God has assigned a Guardian Angel to each human person, who do everything in their power to protect us against evil and to help us grow in virtue and holiness. Our guardian angels remind us to pray, sometimes they even wake us up in the middle of the night to pray for a particular cause.  Our guardian angels work to bring about conversion in us when we have sinned, to discover our vocation in life, and to do God’s Holy Will in all things.

We thank God for sending his angels to Guard us today, and we do well to pray every day: “Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here; ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide” for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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May the angels who stand ever before the face of God, inspire us with a never-failing hope of coming at last into God’s presence.

In gratitude to God for our Guardian Angels, may we be attentive to their inspirations, and through them be kept safe from sin, and faithful to the works of mercy.

May we like the angels, practice purity in both mind and body, and be guarded from every temptation to sin.

May the sick know the assistance of the angels in their illness and suffering.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of October, “that the breath of the Holy Spirit may engender a new missionary ‘spring’ in the Church.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

Heavenly Father, may our prayers rise like a pleasant fragrance before you and be brought to your altar on high through the hands of your holy angels. Through Christ Our Lord.

 

July 16 2019 - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - The Mountain of Divine Intimacy

The Carmelite order of the Roman Catholic Church dates back to 1155. The group originated in the Holy Land as a group of hermit monks who lived on Mt. Carmel, about 90 miles north of Jerusalem and 35 miles due west of the Sea of Galilee.

From their earliest days on Mt. Carmel, the Carmelites venerated Our Lady with a chapel dedicated to her honor, as members of the Order seek to imitate our Lady’s humility and her example of prayer.
The scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel has been recommended by the Magisterium throughout the centuries as a devotion for all those who wish to entrust themselves to Our Lady’s protection and seek her intercession especially in remaining mindful of the importance of the interior life and prayer.

The Collect prayer for today’s feast speaks of those two themes: Our Lady’s protection and her aid in reaching the mountain which is Christ. The scapular, in fact, was given to Our Lady to the Carmelite St. Simon Stock, when the Order was facing persecution from violent Muslim attacks in the 13th century.

Mt. Carmel is a symbol for the mountain which we must all climb throughout the Christian Life. For the Christian is called to undergo the arduous task, of conforming not simply his outward appearance, but his inner self to Christ. Growth in prayer and the spiritual life is like an upward battle, like the ascent of a steep mountain. There are no plateaus in the spiritual life, we are either climbing toward Christ or descending away from Him.

From the book “Divine Intimacy”, we read, “Devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a special call to the interior life, which is preeminently a Marian life. Our Lady wants us to resemble her not only in our outward appearance but, far more, in heart and spirit. If we gaze into Mary’s soul, we shall see that grace in her has flowered into a spiritual life of incalcuable wealth: a life of recollection, prayer, uninterrupted oblation to God, continual contact, and intimate union with him. Mary’s soul is a sanctuary reserved for God alone, where no human creature has ever left its trace, where love and zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of humankind reign supreme. […] Those who want to live their devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel to the full must follow Mary into the depths of her interior life. Carmel is the symbol of the contemplative life, the life wholly dedicated to the quest for God, wholly orientated towards intimacy with God; and the one who has best realized this highest of ideals is Our Lady herself, ‘Queen and Beauty of Carmel’.” For the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may grow in prayerfulness and fidelity to the Divine Will through the intercession and example of Our Lady.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, for blessings upon the Carmelite Order as it works and prays for the good of the Church.

That our young people on summer vacation may be protected from all physical and spiritual harm, shielded from the errors and perversions of the world, and kept in closeness to God through prayer and virtue.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, for all those recovering from or undergoing surgery today, and for the consolation of the dying.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

July 16 2018 - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - Model of the Interior Life

Today we have the joy of celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Mt Carmel.

Our Lady is venerated under this title by the Carmelite Order who looks to her as their special patroness and protector.

The Scapular of the Carmelite Order, the Brown Scapular, is a devotion that reminds us of Our Lady’s protection of the Church. Today would be a wonderful day to wear your brown scapular if you’ve fallen out of the habit.

Our Lady is venerated by this title not only for her role as protector, but as a model of the interior life, which has a long history on Mt. Carmel.

It is said that after his victory over the false prophets of Baal, the prophet Elijah withdrew to Mt. Carmel to prayerfully await the fulfillment of God’s promises. In that tradition, Mt Carmel became home to hermits and contemplatives who sought to deepen their connection with God through a life of quiet prayer.

The first Carmelite monks looked to our Lady as a model for this life of quiet and prayer. For, Scripture tells us that Mary through contemplation and prayerful listening to God, kept and pondered in her heart the words of God.

In many paintings of the Annunciation, Mary is depicted with the scriptures open on her lap, to show that she had made her mind, her body, her heart a sanctuary for the Eternal Word to dwell, prior to him becoming incarnate in her womb. St. Augustine put it this way, he said, "Mary, full of grace, first conceived Jesus in her heart before she conceived him in her womb."

So too every Christian is to follow Our Lady’s example, in making our hearts a sanctuary for God. There she be a point every day, where we could be found with the scriptures upon our lap, pondering the promises of God and the mysteries of God, a point every day where we become quiet enough to hear the tiny whisper of God’s voice in the silence of our hearts.

Our Lady’s example certainly serves as a remedy to the noise and distractions of our modern era, and protects us from its errors and seductions. As we prayed in the Collect, “fortified by her protection, may we reach the mountain which is Christ” by following her example of prayer, contemplation, purity, and the perfection of charity, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may grow in prayerfulness and fidelity to the Divine Will through the intercession and example of Our Lady.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, for blessings upon the Carmelite Order as it works and prays for the good of the Church.

That our young people on summer vacation may be protected from all physical and spiritual harm, shielded from the errors and perversions of the world, and kept in closeness to God through prayer and virtue.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of July: That priests, who experience fatigue and loneliness in their pastoral work, may find help and comfort in their intimacy with the Lord and in their friendship with their brother priests.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, for all those recovering from or undergoing surgery today, and for the consolation of the dying.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

December 12 2017 - Our Lady of Guadalupe - The Holy Protection of the Mother of God

In 1531, Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego as Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the image imprinted on his tilma, Our Lady wears a black band around her waste, showing herself to be with child. To the pagan nation of Mexico, Mary revealed herself as a mother: the mother of Christ and their mother as well. Mary would help them break the bond of a false religion which involved the abominable practice of human sacrifice.

For this reason Our Lady of Gaudalupe is invoked as patroness and protector of human life.
The protection Mary offers to those who call her “mother” runs through this feast. The collect spoke of how God has placed us under the protection of the the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe. For nine months, the Christ child grew in the protective womb of Our Lady. From the cross, Jesus taught us to call Mary “Mother”, to seek her maternal protection.

The Vatican II Constitution on the Church, speaks of the ancient devotion to Mary’s protection: “Clearly from earliest times the Blessed Virgin is honored under the title of Mother of God, under whose protection the faithful took refuge in all their dangers and necessities.”

I remember reading a report last year of seven Iraqi Catholic women who claimed Mary protected them from ISIS terrorists. When ISIS soldiers stormed their shelter, they prayed to Our Lady as the hid under beds which were being used by the soldiers. They said, “When ISIS entered our room, they didn’t see us, we feel that the Virgin Mary closed their eyes from seeing us.”

Sometimes it seems that the powers of evil which surround us and conspire against the Church are so cunning and pervasive. Yet, God has not left us unprotected. He has given us such a powerful advocate and protector in Our Lady.

She who was guarded from sin from the moment of her Immaculate Conception throughout her whole life guards her sons and daughters from sin and evil as well. The theologian Richard of St. Lawrence writes: “Mary protects us under the mantle of Her humility.”

And of course, the Memorare written by St. Bernard implores Our Lady’s protection, praying “REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.”

St. Bernard also said: Mary “recognizes and loves those who love Her. And She is ready to help all that call on Her, especially those who resemble Her in chastity and humility.”

May we place ourselves under the protection and guidance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who helps us in remaining faithful to her Son in all things, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We bring our prayers to God through Mary.

Please respond to the petitions: “Mother of the Redeemer, intercede for us”

That Our Lady may protect the Church from all evil, and aid us in the mission of the Gospel.

That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of each human life, and that all people of our nation may work together for and end to the culture of death.

For all mothers, that they may find in Mary the example and strength to carry out their
vocation.

For all refugees forced to flee from their homes, that God bring peace to them and their country of origin.

That the sick may draw strength, consolation, and healing by turning to Our Lady, who
intercedes for us from her place in heaven.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.

October 2 2017 - Guardian Angels - Guarded in all of our ways

When I am over in the school It brings a smile to see the children’s faces light up when I teach them about the angels. The angels bring delight, it delights us to discover that God has placed an angel “to guard us in all of our ways”.

Every human being has his own Guardian Angel, and that guardian angel remains with the human throughout life whether in grace or sin.  The guardian angels ward off dangers to body and soul; they prevent Satan’s suggestions of evil thoughts, they help us to avoid occasions of sin and help us to overcome temptation; they enlighten our minds, and instruct us  and foster in us holy thoughts; our angels assist us in prayer, in both offering our prayers to God and praying for us; they correct us when we sin and urge us to repent; they help us to receive consolation in the hour of death; and they conduct our souls to God in heaven, or console us while in purgatory.

I think one of the great joys of heaven will be to meet our guardian angels, to know all the ways they guarded us, and helped to bring us to our heavenly destination. There is a joy in thanking our guardian angels. So, make sure you wish your guardian angels a happy Feast Day today!

While still on earth, now, it is to our advantage, to truly befriend our guardian angels, to call them to mind often, to pray to them, especially in moments of darkness, to guide us and enlighten our path. As we heard from the book of Exodus: “Be attentive to your guardian angel, and heed his voice. Do not rebel against him.”

The angels, who are more intelligent and more powerful, are nevertheless, at our service.  I think that is quite humbling, that these beings who are superior to us in so many ways, serve us, helping to guide our souls to eternal life.  They do all in their power to procure our salvation and increase our sanctification.

Yes, they may help us from time to time from physical maladies, from falling down flights of steps or getting into car accidents.  But more than protecting our physical health, they seek to protect our spiritual health helping us to know what is pleasing to God, and what is offensive to God.

May we know their protection, their enlightenment, and open to their guidance of these great guardians of ours for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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May the angels who stand ever before the face of God, nourish in us a never-failing hope of coming at last into God’s presence.

In gratitude to God for our Guardian Angels, may we be attentive to their inspirations, and through them be kept safe from sin, and faithful to the works of mercy.

May we like the angels, practice purity in both mind and body, and be guarded from every temptation to sin.

May the sick know the assistance of the angels in their illness and suffering.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of October: That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom, and for the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas and the consolation of their families. We pray.

Heavenly Father, may our prayers rise like a pleasant fragrance before you and be brought to your altar on high through the hands of your holy angels. Through Christ Our Lord.

September 29 2017 - Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels - Protectors of the Human Race and the Church

When we started using the new translation of the missal in 2011, one of my favorite changes was the mention of the different choirs of angels in the Eucharistic prefaces: “with angels and archangels, with throne and dominions and with the hosts and powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory.”  Angels, archangels, thrones, dominions and powers are among the different choirs of angels, along with the cherubim, seraphim, principalities, and virtues.

The number of angels is nearly countless. Each human being ever having lived has been given a guardian angel to watch over them. We do not know the names of even our own guardian angels who watch over our every breath, but we do know the names of three of the archangels from the holy scriptures:

Archangel Michael, who is revealed to be the special protector of the people of Israel in the book of Daniel, and who is named as a sort of general of the angelic host in its warfare against the devil in the book of Revelation.

Archangel Gabriel also appears in Daniel’s vision, announcing God’s plan to lay-low the works of the Devil. On behalf of God, Gabriel sought the consent of the Blessed Virgin of Nazareth in bearing the Messiah who would bring the definitive defeat of Enemy of God through the cross.

Archangel Raphael accompanies, in the Old Testament book of Tobit, Tobit’s son Tobias on a very hazardous journey. Along the way, Raphael cures Tobit of blindness and drives away the demon Azazel who had been tormenting Tobias’ bride-to-be, Sarah. He also helps to restore the family fortune.

In the Eucharistic Preface for today’s Mass we hear how “the honor we pay the angelic creatures in whom God delights redounds to God’s own surpassing glory.” When we honor the angels, we honor God.   And since God has placed the angels as helpers of the human race, we ought to make use of their help, by invoking them, and by imitating their virtues.

Pope Leo XIII encouraged us to invoke particularly, Archangel Michael as a protector of Holy Mother Church and whenever the action of the Devil is suspected, spiritually or physically harming someone, causing violent temptations, storms or other calamities.

Pope Leo XIII lived in a time when Masonic, godless, anti-clerical, anti-church forces were congregating in Europe which were not only spreading error, but raising arms against Catholic populations. It is well known that Pope Leo was granted a vision of the supernatural and demonic forces which spurned this hatred for Catholicism, a vision in which the devil was given great sway over the earth during the 20^th century. And so he composed the St. Michael prayer, which was to be invoked for the protection of the Church. We will pray this prayer together at the conclusion of Mass, as was done for decades following Pope Leo’s vision.

We invoke the archangels and we seek to imitate their virtues, so that we may always know their protection, that we may be found like them to be cooperators with the holy will of God, that we may be found, like them, blameless in His sight, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For Pope Francis, Bishop Perez, and all Church leaders, that they may guide the Church to be strong in faith and generous in offering works of mercy to those in need. We pray to the Lord.

Through the intercession of St. Raphael may all who suffer from loneliness or sickness know the healing graces of our loving God.  We pray to the Lord.

Through the intercession of St. Gabriel, may God’s strength be with all those who work for the Spread of the Gospel.  We pray to the Lord.

Through the intercession of St. Michael, may all who are persecuted for the faith be protected against the wickedness and snares of the devil.  We pray to the Lord.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy  and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

Heavenly Father, may our prayers rise like a pleasant fragrance before you and be brought to your altar on high through the hands of your holy angels. Through Christ Our Lord.