The Feast of the Archangels, celebrated on 29 September, has its origins in the history of the Church and in devotion to the archangels, in particular Saint Michael. The date is chosen for a number of historical and spiritual reasons rooted in Christian tradition, particularly in connection with shrines dedicated to the archangels and with specific events.
The origin of the feast of Saint Michael
Originally, 29 September was the feast dedicated solely to Saint Michael the Archangel. It was called "Michaelmas" (or "Saint Michael and all the angels"). This festival dates back to the 5th century, when the Western Church began to venerate Saint Michael as protector of the Church and defender against the forces of evil. One of the first shrines dedicated to Saint Michael was Mont-Saint-Michel in France, where devotion to this archangel grew in the Middle Ages.
September 29 also corresponds to the dedication of a basilica dedicated to Saint Michael on the Via Salaria, near Rome, in the 6th century. This basilica, which has now disappeared, marked a place of special veneration for Saint Michael and helped to establish this date as his feast day. Over time, this feast was adopted by the whole of the Western Church to honour not only Saint Michael, but also the other angels who serve God.
Adding Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael
Originally, the feast of 29 September concerned only Saint Michael, but over the centuries the celebration was extended to include two other important archangels, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael. This change came about after the liturgical reform that followed the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. The three archangels were then honoured together, highlighting their complementary roles in salvation history.
Saint Gabriel, God's messenger, is best known for announcing the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary and that of John the Baptist to Zechariah.
Saint Raphael, meanwhile, is known for his healing mission, particularly in the story of Tobias in the Old Testament.
The decision to group these three archangels together on a single date is intended to honour their role in protecting, guiding and healing the faithful, underlining the importance of celestial messengers in fulfilling the divine will.
Spiritual significance of the date
The celebration of 29 September is particularly symbolic in Christian tradition, as it falls at a time of year marked by the change of seasons, when summer ends and autumn begins. This time of transition can be interpreted spiritually as a time when believers are invited to take spiritual stock, refocus on their faith, and ask for the protection of the archangels as they enter a new period.
Saint Michael, as protector and celestial warrior, is often invoked for strength and protection in spiritual battles, and his feast day falls at a time of year when we can pray for inner strength before the darker months of autumn and winter. Autumn is also a time of harvest, which can symbolically correspond to a time of reflection on the spiritual fruits we have harvested throughout the year.
The tradition of Michaelmas in the Christian world
In some traditions, such as in England, the feast of Saint Michael, or Michaelmas, has a special significance. In England, Michaelmas marks one of the four "quarter days", which traditionally divided the year into periods when employment contracts, leases and payments were renewed. It was also the start of the academic term in some institutions, symbolising the beginning of a new period of hard work and intellectual endeavour, under the protection of Saint Michael.
The Feast of the Archangels today
Today, the Feast of the Archangels is an opportunity for the faithful to reflect on the divine help available through these celestial beings. It is a reminder that angels are not just symbolic figures, but real beings who play an active role in the lives of believers, protecting them, announcing divine messages, and bringing healing. September 29 is thus a day to pray for Saint Michael's protection against the forces of evil, for Saint Gabriel's guidance in understanding God's will, and for Saint Raphael's healing, both physical and spiritual.
Conclusion
The date of September 29 for the Feast of the Archangels has its origins in the Church's ancient history, linked to the veneration of Saint Michael and the dedication of sacred places in his honour. This day has evolved into a festival also celebrating the archangels Gabriel and Raphael, who together represent divine intervention in human life through protection, the announcement of God's purposes, and healing.
