Discover the story of the Angel Gabriel and a powerful prayer

Gabriel is commonly associated with delivering divine messages and good news. Alongside Michael and Raphael, he forms the best-known triad of angels. Today we will talk about the story of the angel Gabriel and his important appearances to fulfill various purposes of God here on earth.

Story of the Angel Gabriel

The Angel Gabriel is well known for being the announcer, par excellence, of divine revelations. His name is of Hebrew origin and it means “God’s warrior”. And in Abrahamic religions: an angel who serves as God’s messenger.

His name is made up of two words: “geber” (warrior) and “el” (God). Being generally translated to “Messenger of God” and its variations. He is also known as “the chief of the four favored angels,” and the spirit of truth. In some doctrines he is seen as a personification of the Holy Spirit.

Like Michael, the Angel Gabriel is also called by name in the Bible. And, like the first, its passages for the fulfillment of God’s purposes on earth are very detailed in the holy scriptures. Its first appearance happens in a mention in the Book of Daniel, in the Hebrew Bible. In some traditions he is still considered one of the archangels, in others he is the angel of death.

In the Old Testament, its appearance occurs when bringing good news on the part of God to Daniel, explaining to him the vision that the prophet had before, and then, the good destiny of the people of Israel, when they were exiled. This story of the Angel Gabriel is present in the book of Daniel.

In the New Testament, the Angel Gabriel is the herald of the pregnancy of Elizabeth, wife of the prophet and priest Zechariah, who would give birth to John the Baptist, present in the book of Luke.

The Angel Gabriel was the interlocutor of the divine message to Mary, that she was full of grace and chosen to be the Mother of Jesus. Later he was responsible for the greatest of biblical news: the incarnation and birth of the Son of God in our midst for the salvation of humanity, also present in the book of Luke, in the New Testament.

What is the devotion to the Angel Gabriel due to?

Within Catholicism he is the patron saint of diplomacy, telephone operators, postmen, internet users and radio broadcasters, also receiving the name of São Gabriel Arcanjo. Just like Miguel and Rafael, his day is celebrated on September 29.

The story of the Angel Gabriel is what gives us reasons to be devout, for being a messenger, we know that he stands in the presence of God and receives missions directly from Him, just as he can take a form similar to that of a man.

The Angel Gabriel is also present in mystical beliefs. His personification of good messages is very well seen in sympathy and in some rituals.

It is thanks to the Angel Gabriel that today we have one of the most well-known and beloved Catholic prayers, the Ave Maria (Hail Mary), which even quotes a part of his message: “Rejoice, full of grace! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28).

Learn the powerful prayer to Saint Gabriel the Archangel

“Saint Gabriel the Archangel, you, Angel of the Incarnation, faithful messenger of God, open our ears so that they can catch even the gentlest suggestions and appeals of grace emanating from the most loving heart of Our Lord. We ask you to always stay close to us so that, understanding the Word of God and his inspirations well, we may know how to obey him, docilely fulfilling what God wants of us. Make us always available and vigilant. May the Lord, when he comes, not find us sleeping. Saint Gabriel Archangel, pray for us. Amen.”