This week we have some heavy hitters when we come to saints’ days. The first is the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Michael drove Lucifer out of Heaven and is one of the primary saints we turn to when faced with evil. He is a very powerful agent of support and assistance when forces of darkness are attacking us.

The second is the Archangel Gabriel, who appeared to Mary in Nazareth, announcing to her that she would be the mother of the Messiah. Gabriel is the angel we seek when we are in need of guidance and instruction.
    
The Archangel Raphael appears only in the Book of Tobit and represents the Healing Power of God. We seek him when we or someone else is in need of healing.
    
The Feast Day of Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels is this Tuesday, Sept. 29.

St. Jerome was born in 342 AD and died in 420 AD. He is recognized as a Doctor of the Church because of his translation of the Bible from the original languages into Latin, which was the language of the people of his time.  He wrote, not in the elegant formal Latin that was used by the scholars, but the “street Latin” of the people. This was considered “vulgar” by the scholars, so his translation of the Bible into Latin is known as the “Vulgate.”
   
Jerome also wrote commentaries on many of the books of the Bible, as well as other theological texts. He is the patron saint of scripture scholars. If you look at the large window on the east side of church, at the lower right-hand corner, you will see the picture of St. Jerome.  It says "Hieronymus," which is the Greek term for the Latin name Jerome. His most famous quote is, “Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

His feast day is this Wednesday, Sept. 30.

St Therese, also known as the Little Flower, was born in 1873 and died in 1897 at the age of 24. She entered a cloistered convent when she was only 15. She was recognized as truly a saint. Her sister, who was her mother superior, asked her to write her spiritual biography. After her death, Story of a Soul, the Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux, became a best seller and has been widely published and read ever since.
    
She was a saint who prayed for many people and became known for her intercessions. Before she died, she said that she would do even more after her death. Since then, she has been someone that many turn to in their need.  She has shown that she hears our prayer and intercedes with God on our behalf.
    
This Thursday, Oct. 1, is her feast day.

After the Blessed Virgin Mary, the most popular saint of all time is St. Francis of Assisi. Born in 1181, he died in 1226. Next year will be the 800th anniversary of Francis’ death. Francis is known for his great love of poverty and of the poor. He is also associated with animals and all of creation. The prayer of St. Francis and many of the actions of his life make him a patron of peace. Finally, he invented the first creche or Nativity Scene.
   
Sunday, Oct. 4, is the feast of St. Francis.

On Friday, Oct. 2, we celebrate the Feast of the Guardian Angels. God has appointed angels for each of us, who watch over us and are there for us. We acknowledge them and are also encouraged to pray to them to seek their support and assistance.