The word angel is from the Greek “aggeslos,” and means “messenger.”

St. Gabriel is one of seven archangels who enter and serve before the Glory of the Lord, and one of the three archangels mentioned in Sacred Scripture.

ST. MICHAEL is the leader of all of the archangels and is in charge of protection, courage, strength, truth and integrity. Michael is often depicted as carrying a flaming sword to protect and safeguard humanity.

ST. GABRIEL is a messenger who delivered the good news of their impending births to Elizabeth and Mary. Gabriel’s name means “the strength of God” as he is one of the strongest of all of the archangels.

ST. RAPHAEL’S name means “the healing power of God” and he is known as a healing spirit and guide. Raphael is the patron saint of travelers because of his help with Tobias and his travels in the Hebrew Bible.

The name Gabriel means “Man of God” in Hebrew or “God has shown might.” He is often depicted with a spear in his right hand and a mirror of jasper with an X (the first letter of the word Christ in Greek) in his left hand. The mirror signifies the wisdom of God as a hidden mystery.

According to Sacred Scripture, the archangel Gabriel is the messenger angel who appeared to people in the Old Testament and the New Testament on many different occasions. In some appearances, Gabriel is mentioned by name. On other occasions, Gabriel is thought to be the unnamed angel who appeared and made announcements to Moses, to Saints Joachim and Anne, to the shepherds at Jesus’ birth, to the myrrh bearing women approaching Jesus’ tomb, and to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane to strengthen him.

It is said that:
Gabriel taught the Prophet Moses in the wilderness in order to write the Book of Genesis.
He revealed the coming of the Savior to the Prophet Daniel (Daniel 8:15-26 and 9:21-27.)
He revealed to Saints Joachim and Anne the conception of the Virgin Mary.
He appeared to Zachariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist. (Luke 1:10-20)
In Gabriel’s best known and most celebrated appearance, he announced to Mary that she would bear a son, who would be conceived of the Holy Spirit, and would be called Son of the Most High, and Savior of the World. (Luke 1:26-38)

Feast Day: The feast of St. Gabriel was included in the Roman calendar in 1921, for celebration on March 24, the day before the Feast of the Annunciation. In l969, the feast day for St. Gabriel the Archangel was changed to September 29 for a combined celebration with the Archangels Michael and Raphael.

Patron Saint: Saint Gabriel is the patron saint of messengers, communication workers, and postal workers.