One of the 7 Archangels who stand before the throne of the Lord, and one of the only 3 mentioned by name in the Bible. Gabriel appears regularly as a messenger for God.
From the order of the 9 Choirs of Angels; Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels, they are the most known and loved in popular devotion. They have a special place in God’s Plan as they are thought to be outstanding in their fidelity to God.
Gabriel is a Hebrew word with 2 root parts. The 1st portion, “gabri,” means strength, power, or might while the suffix, “El,” is a Hebrew word for God. The name means, God is Strong, God is Powerful, God is Mighty.
“I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and bring you this good news.”
Firstly, he appears to the prophet Daniel and is described as “one having the appearance of a man.” In speaking to Daniel, he is introduced as “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” Gabriel then explains the confusing vision that David had received with, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.” He later visits David again, providing him with more insight and understanding in an answered prayer.
Gabriel was chosen as the special angel who had the sole privilege of carrying the message of the prophet who would go before the Lord to prepare his way, “to prepare a people fit for the Lord.” He appears to the father of John the Baptist and tells him, “Do not be afraid, Zechari’ah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”
After Elizabeth conceived and was 6 months pregnant, Gabriel appeared again, to visit the Virgin married to a man named Joseph. It was his most privileged duty to appear before the future Queen of Heaven and Earth to announce the birth of Jesus, the Son of the Most High, the one who would take the throne of David, who would rule over the house of Jacob, whose kingdom would never end, the Son of God. No other angel has ever brought such an important announcement.
Gabriel greeted Mary, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”
Tradition associates Gabriel with the apostle Paul’s reference in his First Letter to the Thessalonians “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.”
Saint Gabriel Prayer:
O Blessed Archangel Gabriel, we beseech thee, do thou intercede for us at the throne of divine Mercy in our present necessities, that as thou didst announce to Mary the mystery of the Incarnation, so through thy prayers and patronage in heaven we may obtain the benefits of the same, and sing the praise of God forever in the land of the living. Amen.
He is the patron saint of diplomats, messengers, postal workers, and telecommunication workers.
His feast day is September 29.
For God’s Glory.
