Feast of the Archangels 2026: Michael, Gabriel & Raphael
On September 29 the Church honors the three archangels named in Scripture — Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Still called Michaelmas in English tradition, the feast is one of the most searched Catholic days of the autumn in the United States. Here is what it means and how to live it in 2026.
The Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael — Archangels — is September 29, 2026 (Tuesday). Also called Michaelmas, it honors the three archangels named in the Bible. Catholics celebrate with Mass, the St. Michael Prayer, and devotion asking protection (Michael), God's word (Gabriel), and healing on life's journey (Raphael). It is not a U.S. holy day of obligation.
St. Michael ranks among the most searched saints in the United States — especially in large states such as California and Texas — because Catholics seek protection in spiritual warfare. September 29 focuses that devotion on the Church's official feast of the archangels, not only Michael but also Gabriel and Raphael.
When Is the Feast in 2026?
Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Rank: Feast. Color: white. Not a holy day of obligation in the United States — but an excellent weekday to attend Mass, pray the St. Michael Prayer after Mass (where customary), and teach children who the archangels are.
St. Michael — "Who Is Like God?"
Michael appears in Daniel, Jude, and Revelation as the warrior who casts down the dragon. The Church invokes him as defender against the wickedness and snares of the devil. Pope Leo XIII composed the famous St. Michael Prayer after a vision of spiritual battle; many parishes still recite it after Low Mass or weekday Mass.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
St. Gabriel — Messenger of the Incarnation
Gabriel ("God is my strength") announced John the Baptist's birth to Zechariah and the Incarnation to Mary at the Annunciation (Luke 1). He is the archangel of God's word and vocation. Catholics often ask his intercession for clarity in decisions, for communicators, and for those preparing for marriage or religious life. Before the calendar reform, his feast was March 24 — the day before the Annunciation.
St. Raphael — Guide and Healer
Raphael ("God heals") appears in the Book of Tobit (deuterocanonical Scripture in the Catholic Bible), guiding young Tobias, healing Tobit's blindness, and protecting the marriage of Tobias and Sarah. He is patron of travelers, the sick, and happy meetings. His former feast was October 24; now he shares September 29 with Michael and Gabriel.
What Is Michaelmas?
"Michaelmas" (MIC-uhl-mus) is the traditional English name for St. Michael's feast — formed like Christmas. In medieval Europe it was a major quarter day for rents, hiring, and the harvest. Today American Catholics may not keep the old customs, but the name still appears in school terms, legal calendars, and parish bulletins. Celebrating Michaelmas simply means keeping September 29 as a feast of the archangels with Mass and prayer.
How to Celebrate September 29, 2026
- Attend Mass if your schedule allows — ask for the archangels' feast.
- Pray the St. Michael Prayer morning and night that day.
- Read Revelation 12:7–12 or Luke 1:26–38 as a family.
- Ask St. Raphael's help for a journey, illness, or relationship need.
- Teach children: angels are real spiritual persons, not cartoon characters — messengers and defenders under God.
Angels in Catholic Teaching (Brief)
The Catechism teaches that angels are personal, spiritual, non-corporeal beings who glorify God and serve His saving plan (CCC 328–336). Archangels are among those God sends for special missions. Catholics do not worship angels; we honor them and ask their intercession, as we do with the saints. Guardian angels have their own memorial on October 2 — three days after the archangels' feast.