I Have an Angelic Question

St. Michael Archangel Catholic Church in Miguel Auza, Zac. Mexico.
Copyright Pedro Aguilar. That's my big brother to y'all.

The feast of the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael has always been of interest to me. My older brother (who passed away before I was born) would've celebrated his birthday tomorrow. Growing up, Mom used to say that he was a little angel looking out for me since he died when he was 11 months old and therefore had committed no sins. I always remember him and the angels today and tomorrow.

After my father died, the day became more interesting because St. Michael the Archangel was his patron. I think I still have the picture of St. Michael that hung in front of his bed towards the end of his life. The paternal side of family comes from a town named Miguel Auza, Zacatecas in Mexico. (fun fact: I've been able to trace the family lineage to that town as far as the 1700s.) The town was founded today and was originally named after, surprise, St. Michael the Archangel by a Spanish captain. The name was later renamed Miguel Auza during the time of the Cristero War / anti-Catholicism. Still, to this day they celebrate the feast of St. Michael in a big way. I've never personally experienced it (we always visited during the summer) but Dad used to share stories of how gorgeous the celebrations were. I hope to experience this for myself one day.

I've personally had St. Michael (thanks to my dad) and St. Raphael on my prayer intentions call list several times. I love the novena to St. Raphael, which ended yesterday. Of course, having been sick since my reversion a decade ago, St. Raphael is an old chum of mine. ;) I wish I could say that I knew more about St. Gabriel but I don't. I remember him during the first decade of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary but, besides that, I don't go to him for any intercessions. I should look up what he's the patron of.

After my car accident almost a year ago (on October 13; the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun) made me even more curious about angels and archangels. You'll have to read the blog post for that day to find out why. ;) I've been doing the chaplet of St. Michael Archangel (as well as the prayer to St. Michael) on an almost daily basis for a long time but I haven't really read much about the angels. We sort of touched on it when I was at JP Catholic but it wasn't enough for me. I feel like there's still a lot that I need to learn.

I think there are a lot misconceptions about angels so I really want to learn from legitimate sources... and today seems like a good day to start that research. I already have a small booklet on St. Raphael (which I'll be re-reading today) but I want to learn about angels from a more theological and philosophical POV. Oh, I'm sorry, is my wannabe lay Dominican side showing? ;) Does anyone have any recommendations for websites, books, audiobooks, podcasts, etc which would help me for the research I want to do? Thanks for the suggestions in advance.

Anyway, I just wanted to ask while I took a study break. I don't think I'm going to do anything big for today's feast day (I didn't get a chance to prepare this year) but I know Michaelmas celebrations are a thing and I hope to learn for next year. :D

I hope y'all are having a great week thus far. :D

As always, thanks for reading and God bless! :D

Feast of The Annunciation

Happy feast of the Annunciation! As a friend wrote on Facebook, only 9 more months until Christmas. Did anyone else make that connection? A lot of people are still figuring it out. lol.

Today we celebrate the day that the St. Gabriel the Archangel let Our Blessed Mother know she was to be the mother of the Son of God. This has to be one of my favorite feast days of the year. I've always felt a special connection to the Blessed Virgin Mary, (though I don't think I have been a good daughter, but that's another story) and the fact that today reminds us of the great love she had for God, and subsequently for us.

When I pray the Rosary of Mondays and Saturdays (the days when we have the Joyful Mysteries), I am quite frequently in awe every time I start the first mystery -- the Annunciation. Though I've prayed the Rosary countless times, and it never changes in terms of the prayers said, there is something about this particular mystery that has reduced me to tears... and has reminded me of the sacrifice Our Lord has done for us. It also reminds me to keep giving thanks to Our Blessed Mother for all she did, and has done, for us as well.

Why not praying the Rosary today, in honor of this wonderful feast day? Or, better yet, why not do something nice for your mom? It doesn't have to be some grand gesture. Something as simple washing the dishes or helping her carry something is more than enough. If you can't be with your mother today, why not thank God for both of your mothers -- the one that gave birth to/raised/adopted you and our Heavenly Mother who is always looking out for us?

And now, I'm going to take my own suggestions and do something nice for my own mother. :D

I hope everyone has had a good week thus far!

As always, thanks for reading and God Bless.