following the trails to Heaven: A week for Warriors

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

A week for Warriors

This week is filled with celebrating and remembering some of the strongest and dearest

"You should be aware that the word "angel" denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels."

~ from a homily of Pope Gregory the Great

Feast of the Archangels

September 29th

Micheal the Archangel

His name in Hebrew means "Who is like God?", fought against Satan and all his evil angels. He is our protector against all the snares of that which wants to see God's very creation destroyed.

Gabriel the Archangel

"Strength of God", a special messenger that told Zachariah of the birth of St. John the Baptist and announced to Mary that she would be carrying Our Lord. "His address to her, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee” (the “angelic salutation”) is familiar to all who say the Rosary".

The Archangel Raphael

"Medicine of God", healing Tobit in the Old Testament guiding him through his travels

(source: Women for Faith and Family)

These sites are worth a click: Georgette & Mike Aquilina

dinner: Apple Chicken

dessert: Angel Food Blackberry Trifle

"It is a tradition that blackberries are no good to eat after September 29th because 'the Devil spat on them when he was cast out of Heaven into Hell on Michaelmas'!" ~ A Book of Feasts & Seasons, by Joanna Bogle

(Thank you Charlotte and Abigail for mentioning this, I shared it with the older kids and they ate up the blackberries like never before)

Prayer:

From the book, My Nameday, Come for Dessert (I just found this book through the yahoo group Cathswap but I don't know where else you can find it. Jessica also mentions it here)

Father: The Lord, King of archangels.

All: Come, let us adore, alleluia.

Father: I looked up and saw a man standing there clad all in linen and his girdle was of fine gold. Clear as a topaz his body was, like the play of lightning shone his face; and like burning crossets his eyes; arms and legs of him had the sheen of bronze, and when he spoke, it was like the murmur of a throng.

All: He bestows favors on those nations who honor him, and his prayer leads them to the kingdom of heaven, alleluia.

Father: The angel Michael, chief in paradise, to whom the angelic citizens pay honor.

All: Most glorious prince, archangel Michael, be mindful of us here and everywhere; pray ever for us to the Son of God, alleluia, alleluia.

Father: From the writings of Pope St. Gregory the Great:

Michael means "Who is like God!" When any work of remarkable power is to be done, we are toldMichael who is sent, that from both his action and his name we may understand that none can accomplish what God in His might accomplishes.

All: Salvation belongs to our God, alleluia.

Father: Let us pray. O God, who ordained the services of angels and men in wonderful order, be pleased to grant that our life on earth may be guarded by those who stand always ready to serve You in heaven. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen. Christ conquers, Christ reigns! it is