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The three archangels are jointly commemorated on 29 September, a feast also known as Michaelmas. The names assigned to the three reflect the tasks assigned by God.
Raphael means “God has healed,” as in the healing of Tobit and freeing his future daughter in law from a demon (Tob 5:4 to 12:22, esp. 12:14). Shown above is the Archangel Raphael and Young Tobit air mail issue from 1948. The second of the two stamps, Scott C17, is one of the highest-valued Vatican City stamps.
Gabriel means “God is my strength.” He is God’s messenger for two monumental announcements: to Zechariah of John the Baptist’s birth (Luke 1:18-23) and to the Virgin Mary that she would become the Mother of God (Luke 1: 26-35). Saint Gabriel is depicted on many Vatican City air mail stamps—13 in total. Shown above are examples from the 1956 issue (Scott C24), the 1962 issue (Scott C45) and the 1968 issue (Scott C53). Gabriel is the patron of messengers, as well as the patron of stamp collectors and postal/radio/telecommunications workers. Michael means “Who is like God”. He has been shown leading angels against Satan and other demons and thrusting them out of Heaven (Rev 12:7-9). In the Book of Daniel, Michael is the special protector of Israel (Dan 10:13 and 12:1). A prayer often recited at the conclusion of Mass, composed by Pope Leo XIII, commemorates Michael: “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our strength against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.” The great shrine, Mont San Michel in Normandy, was founded in the 9th and 10th centuries to commemorate a vision of the saint at that location. At the top of the Mount is a Norman/Romanesque/Gothic Benedictine Abbey. Although crowded by visitors during the day, the site continues to function as a monastery, with its tidal flat daily flooded by alluvial waters cutting the location off from the mainland. There have been no stamps issued to date by Vatican City depicting Saint Michael. References: • David Farmer, Oxford Dictionary of Saints • Dawn Marie Beutner, Saints Author's note: Today's article was started by James Hamilton but was not completed as a daily e-mail prior to his death in 2021. I am honored to have had the opportunity to complete his work. I only hope I have been able to fill a portion of the void left by Jim's passing. Lou Giorgetti | ||||||||||||||
