About St. Gabriel the Archangel
St. Gabriel the Archangel, whose name means “God is my strength,” is known as heaven’s chief messenger angel and appears at crucial moments throughout Scripture. Most famously, he was sent to announce the births of two pivotal figures in salvation history: first to Zechariah regarding John the Baptist, and most importantly to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation, where he delivered the news that she would become the mother of Jesus. In the Old Testament, he appeared to the prophet Daniel to explain visions about the Messiah’s coming. Unlike other saints who were human beings, Gabriel is a pure spirit who has been venerated since ancient times. In Christian tradition, he is particularly associated with messages of hope, new beginnings, and divine revelation, leading to his being named the patron saint of communications workers, broadcasters, and postal workers. His feast day is celebrated on September 29th along with the other archangels, and he is often depicted in art holding a lily, symbolizing the purity of the messages he delivers, or with a scroll, representing his role as God’s messenger.
Prayers & Devotions
