September 29 is the Feast of the Archangels in the Roman Catholic calendar (also marked by many Anglicans and Lutherans). The date unites three biblical archangels—Michael (protector), Gabriel (messenger), and Raphael (healer)—into one celebration. Historically known as Michaelmas, the day has deep roots in medieval Europe and remains a reminder that God’s spiritual messengers accompany, defend, and guide us.

What Is the Feast of the Archangels?

The Feast of the Archangels is a liturgical celebration that honors three angels named in the canonical books of the Bible: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. In Christian tradition, angels are purely spiritual creatures who serve God as messengers, protectors, and worshipers. The three archangels honored on September 29 each embody a distinctive mission:

• Michael: leadership, protection against evil, champion of God’s people.
• Gabriel: proclamation of God’s saving plans and pivotal announcements.
• Raphael: God’s healing, guidance, and safe journeying.

While the feast is most closely associated with the Roman Catholic Church, many Anglican/Episcopal and Lutheran communities also observe the day (often titled “St. Michael and All Angels”), acknowledging the archangels’ role in salvation history and daily Christian life. The liturgical color is typically white, signifying joy and the glory of God.

Why September 29? (From Michaelmas to Today)

Historically, September 29 was the feast of St. Michael alone, widely known as Michaelmas. In medieval and early modern Europe, Michaelmas marked an important turning point in the year—an end to the harvest season, the start of academic terms in some universities, and a day for legal sessions and rents. Over time, Christian piety and pastoral practice recognized that Scripture names three archangels, not just one. In the 20th century, liturgical reforms brought the three together:

• Before 1969 (in the Roman Rite), Gabriel was celebrated on March 24 (near the Annunciation) and Raphael on October 24.
• Since 1969–1970, the General Roman Calendar observes all three—Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael—on September 29, preserving the rich heritage of Michaelmas while highlighting the unity of the angels’ mission.

The date thus keeps a beloved tradition and offers a more comprehensive focus on God’s messengers and protectors in one solemn celebration.

Note on Other Traditions: In Eastern Christianity, the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers is observed on November 8 (various Eastern calendars). Anglicans often retain the name Michaelmas on September 29, sometimes emphasizing “St. Michael and All Angels.”

Who Are the Archangels? (Names, Meaning, and Role)

The title archangel means a “chief” or “leading” angel—one entrusted with a preeminent task. Scripture names three:

• Michael (Hebrew: Mikha’el) — “Who is like God?” This rhetorical question affirms God’s unmatched sovereignty. Michael appears as a defender of God’s people (Daniel 10:13; 12:1), contends with the devil (Jude 1:9), and leads the heavenly hosts against the dragon (Revelation 12:7–9).
• Gabriel (Hebrew: Gavri’el) — “God is my strength.” Gabriel interprets visions for Daniel (Daniel 8–9) and announces salvific events in the Gospel of Luke: the births of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11–20) and Jesus (Luke 1:26–38).
• Raphael (Hebrew: Rĕfa’el) — “God heals.” Known from the Book of Tobit, Raphael guides young Tobias on a journey, heals Tobit’s blindness, and delivers Sarah from a tormenting spirit (Tobit 3–12).

Each archangel reveals something essential about God’s care: protection, revelation, and healing.

St. Michael the Archangel: Defender in Battle

St. Michael stands as the Church’s emblem of spiritual warfare and steadfast fidelity to God. The Bible presents Michael as a princely guardian who fights for God’s people. Christian devotion to Michael reaches back to the early centuries and flourished through the Middle Ages with sanctuaries like Mont-Saint-Michel (France) and Sanctuary of Monte Sant’Angelo (Italy).

Biblical Touchpoints:

• Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1 — Michael aids God’s people in times of trial.
• Jude 1:9 — Michael contends with the devil, invoking the Lord’s rebuke.
• Revelation 12:7–9 — Michael leads the heavenly army against the dragon.

Patronage and Devotion:

• Patron of soldiers, police, and first responders; invoked for protection.
• The Prayer to St. Michael (often attributed to Pope Leo XIII) is widely recited: “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle….”
• Many parishes and families pray this devotion daily, asking for defense against evil, deception, and discouragement.

Contemporary Relevance: In a world facing conflict, anxiety, and moral confusion, Michael’s witness lifts up the reality of spiritual freedom: evil is real but not ultimate; God’s power and goodness prevail.

St. Gabriel the Archangel: Herald of the Good News

If Michael represents protection, Gabriel is the voice of divine promise. He interprets visions in Daniel and appears prominently in Luke’s Gospel, connecting Old Testament expectation to New Testament fulfillment.

Biblical Touchpoints:

• Daniel 8–9 — Gabriel explains visions concerning future events.
• Luke 1:11–20 — Announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah.
• Luke 1:26–38 — Announces the conception and birth of Jesus to Mary (the Annunciation), summoning her courageous “yes.”

Patronage and Devotion:

• Patron of communications, messengers, and those discerning God’s will.
• The Hail Mary prayer and the Angelus (traditionally prayed morning, noon, and evening) echo Gabriel’s greeting: “Hail, full of grace.”

Contemporary Relevance: Gabriel invites us to listen—to Scripture, to conscience, and to the Holy Spirit—so that our daily “yes” participates in God’s saving work. In an age of endless noise, the archangel’s clarity and courage are a model for Christian communication.

St. Raphael the Archangel: Companion and Healer

Raphael is the archangel of healing, guidance, and safe travel. The Book of Tobit presents him as a disguised companion to Tobias, directing him to medicine for his father’s eyes and to a wise, holy marriage.

Biblical Touchpoints:

• Tobit 3–12 — Raphael accompanies, counsels, protects, and reveals himself only after the healing is complete.

Patronage and Devotion:

• Patron of travelers, medical professionals, the blind, and those seeking healing—physical, emotional, and spiritual.
• Christians often entrust journeys, surgeries, and relationships to Raphael’s intercession, confident that God heals and leads through the twists of life.

Contemporary Relevance: In the wake of illness, burnout, or broken relationships, Raphael’s story reassures us: God’s healing is timely, wise, and often hidden in ordinary companionship.

The Theology of Angels and Archangels (Short Guide)

Christian reflection—building on Scripture and early tradition—distinguishes between angels (spiritual messengers) and higher orders such as archangels. While the Bible does not present a full taxonomy, Christian writers (notably Pseudo‑Dionysius and later Thomas Aquinas) describe nine “choirs” grouped in three tiers: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones; Dominions, Virtues, Powers; Principalities, Archangels, Angels.

Key points for non‑specialists:

• Angels are creatures—they are not divine. They reflect God’s glory and obey His will.
• Archangels have mission‑defining roles (e.g., to protect, to announce, to heal).
• Guardian angels (commemorated on October 2 in the Roman calendar) are understood as angels assigned to care for individuals.
• Names matter: biblical names reveal God’s action—Who is like God? (Michael), God is my strength (Gabriel), God heals (Raphael).

This framework helps modern readers appreciate why a single feast can celebrate multiple dimensions of God’s providence.

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How the Feast Is Celebrated Today (Church & Home)

In Churches:

• Mass/Divine Service with readings highlighting God’s angelic hosts. In the Roman Rite, the Gospel often chosen is John 1:47–51 (Jesus tells Nathanael he will see “angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man”). Other lectionary options may invoke Daniel or Revelation.
• Hymns like Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones, Christ the Fair Glory of the Holy Angels, or local favorites honoring St. Michael or All Angels.
• Blessings for first responders, communications workers, medical staff, travelers, and students—linking each archangel’s mission to vocations today.

At Home:

• Family prayer of the Prayer to St. Michael; the Angelus or a Scripture reading about angels.
• Table customs (see Michaelmas below): seasonal foods, gratitude for harvest, and a simple reflection on how God has “healed,” “spoken,” or “protected” your family this year.
• Service projects: assemble travel kits for shelters (Raphael), write thank‑you notes to local officers or EMTs (Michael), or donate books to a school or parish library (Gabriel).

Michaelmas Customs and Cultural Footprints

Michaelmas (September 29) has left a lasting mark on culture, especially in Europe and in English‑speaking traditions:

• Seasonal markers: Michaelmas once signaled quarter days for paying rents and settling accounts.
• Academic calendars: In some universities, the fall term is called the Michaelmas Term.
• Kitchen traditions: Roast goose, apples, and blackberries feature in folklore; “Michaelmas daisies” bloom around this time. Some old sayings warn against picking blackberries after this date (a playful nod to a legend about the devil and brambles following St. Michael’s victory).
• Arts and architecture: Sanctuaries and chapels named for St. Michael often occupy dramatic heights—symbolic outposts of protection and praise.

These customs can be adapted today as gentle, memorable ways to mark the feast with gratitude and community.

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Scripture Passages for Prayer on September 29

Consider one or more of the following on the feast day:

• Daniel 12:1–3 — Michael, protector of God’s people; promise of resurrection.
• Jude 1:9 — Michael’s humble invocation of the Lord’s rebuke.
• Revelation 12:7–12 — The heavenly battle and the triumph of the Lamb.
• Daniel 9:20–23 — Gabriel brings understanding.
• Luke 1:26–38 — Gabriel announces Jesus’ birth to Mary.
• Tobit 11–12 — Raphael heals and counsels; gratitude to God.
• John 1:47–51 — Angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are archangels “saints”?
Yes—saint means “holy one.” The Church honors holy angels (pure spirits) as saints because they are united to God in glory and serve His will perfectly.

Q2. How many archangels are there?
Scripture explicitly names three. Some Jewish and Christian traditions mention seven archangels, but the Western Church typically names only the three who appear in the canonical books of the Bible.

Q3. What’s the difference between “St. Michael and All Angels” and the “Feast of the Archangels”?
They are closely related. Many Anglican/Episcopal calendars title September 29 “St. Michael and All Angels,” emphasizing the entire angelic host. The Roman Catholic calendar focuses on Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael on that day; Guardian Angels are commemorated on October 2.

Q4. Why do Catholics pray to St. Michael?
Christians ask for St. Michael’s intercession—not worship—to seek protection from evil, clarity amid temptation, and courage to persevere in faith.

Q5. Is there a special food or symbol for this feast?
Traditionally, goose, apples, blackberries, and Michaelmas daisies appear in folklore. Some families bake a blackberry crumble or share a festive meal in thanksgiving for God’s protection and provision.

Key Takeaways

• September 29 unites devotion to Michael (protection), Gabriel (revelation), and Raphael (healing) in a single feast.
• The date preserves the heritage of Michaelmas while highlighting the unity of God’s messengers and their roles in salvation history.
• Scripture anchors each archangel’s mission: Daniel, Jude, Revelation (Michael); Daniel and Luke (Gabriel); Tobit (Raphael).
• The feast speaks directly to modern needs—courage against evil, clarity in confusion, and healing amid suffering.
• Families, schools, and parishes can mark the day with prayer, service, and simple seasonal customs.

A Simple Closing Prayer

Holy Michael, defend us. Holy Gabriel, speak God’s word to our hearts. Holy Raphael, heal our wounds and guide our steps. God of angels, lead us ever closer to You. Amen.