Blessed Saint Gabriel, Archangel We beseech you to intercede for us at the throne of divine mercy: As you announced the mystery of the Incarnation to Mary, so through your prayers may we receive strength of faith and courage of spirit, and thus find favor with God and redemption through Christ Our Lord. May we sing the praise of God our Savior with the angels and saints in heaven forever and ever. Amen.
“The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.” Luke 1:30-35
Saint Gabriel Archangel is parton saint of: Communications Industry, Postal Workers, Parents and Teachers. When I was teaching, Saint Gabriel was my Homeboy. I would turn to him for the inspiration to announce the Good News to my students through our interactions at school.
We're told the first time Saint Gabriel is mentioned in the bible is the book of Daniel, but most of us are more familar with Saint Gabriel through his connection with Mary. This we all know as "The Annunciation." where he visits a fourteen year old girl named Mary bestowed to a man called Joseph.
He announces to Mary that she has been found "Blessed among women" and she would conceive a child who would be the Divine Savior.
Saint Gabriel is also known as the "Angel of the Incarnation" because he was present when "the Word was made flesh." Gabriel then goes on to comfort and reassure Joseph that this was indeed an act of God, so he would stand by Mary. It was Saint Gabriel who when baby Jesus was born went about to spread the news of his birth to the sheperds in the surrounding region.
Due to my experience of celebrating The Feast of the Archangels in school every September, yes I was blessed to work in a Catholic school. I went on to learn about a Novena prayer to Saint Gabriel the Acrhangel. A novena prayer is said nine days in a row. This novena is recited nine times in a row for nine days.
As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Archangels on September 29th, let me introduce you to Saint Gabriels novena.
Saint Gabriel the Archangel, I venerate you as the Angel of the Incarnation, because God specially appointed you to bear the messages concerning the God-Man to Daniel, Zechariah, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. Give me a very tender and devoted love for the Incarnate Word and His Blessed Mother, more like your own.
I venerate you also as the "Strength of God," because you are the giver of God's strength, consoler and comforter chosen to strengthen God's faithful and teach them important truths. I ask for a speical power of the will to strive for holiness of life. Steady my resolutions; renew my courage; comfort and console me in the problems, trials, sufferings of daily living, as you consoled our Savior in his agony and Mary in her sorrows and Joseph in his trials. I put my confidence in you.
Saint Gabriel, I ask you especially for this favor: (mention your request). Through your earnest love for the Son of God made man and for his Blessed Mother, I beg you intercede for me that my request may be granted, if it be God's holy will.
Pray for us Saint Gabriel the Archangel, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. AMEN.
To Jesus through Mary-Susan Sabahi
