Gabriel is an archangel generally related to the delivery of the good news and messages from Heaven. Do you want to know more about the story of this angel who is one of the best known in the Bible? Understand more about what he represents to his faithful.

Who is the Archangel Gabriel?

The Archangel Gabriel is extremely well known in the Abrahamic doctrines for being the angel who announces the revelations from Heaven. Like the Archangel Michael, he is also mentioned in the Bible at great moments. In the Hebrew Bible, Gabriel is mentioned in the book of Daniel - he is seen as an archangel in some traditions, but in others he is considered the angel of death.

Based on verses from the book of Luke, some Muslims and Christians believe that Gabriel was the angel who announced the birth of John the Baptist and also that of Jesus.

Archangel Gabriel is seen as the leader of the favored angels, and is also known as the spirit of truth - in some beliefs, he is considered an expression of the Holy Spirit.

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Origin and history of the name Archangel Gabriel

His name "Gabriel" comes from Hebrew and is made up of two words: "geber", which means "warrior", and "el", which means "God" - being translated as "God's warrior", "God's messenger" or "God's strong man".

As his name implies, he was the messenger responsible for announcing the fulfillment of some of God's purposes for the nation and the Earth. In the Old Testament, he appears bringing good news from God to Daniel, explaining in detail the vision that the great prophet had and, later, what would be the fate of Israel - story contained in the book of the prophet Daniel. In the New Testament, the ArchangelGabriel is the one who announces that Elizabeth, wife of Zacharias, will have a son named John the Baptist - a story contained in the book of Luke.

Besides these facts that explain the representativeness of his name, it was the Archangel Gabriel who announced to Mary that she would give birth to a boy named Jesus. Then, it was this angel who announced the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, with the purpose of saving mankind.

Its appearance in the Bible

The Archangel Gabriel first appears in the book of Daniel, explaining to him a vision (as stated before):

- Daniel 8:16, "And I heard the voice of a man coming from Ulai: 'Gabriel, give this man the meaning of the vision.'"

Then the angel meets again with the prophet to interpret and announce a prophecy:

- Daniel 9:21-27, "While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the previous vision, came flying swiftly to where I was, at the time of the evening sacrifice..."

Approximately 500 years after communicating with Daniel, the Archangel Gabriel went to Jerusalem to announce to Zacharias the birth of his son John the Baptist:

- Luke 1:11-19: "The angel answered, "I am Gabriel, who is always in the presence of God. I have been sent to tell you this good news.

In this same period, he went to Nazareth to announce the birth of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit:

- Luke 1:26-38, "And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth..."

Some historians and interpreters claim that it was the Archangel Gabriel who reassured Joseph about the conception of Christ in a dream (Matthew 1:20-25), just as they believe that he was the angel who was objected by a prince when he was going to deliver a message from God to Daniel (Daniel 10:13-21), but these claims cannot be verified, since the Bible does not name the angel mentioned in these twosituations.

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How does the Archangel Gabriel act in our lives?

For Catholics, Gabriel is the protector of letter carriers, broadcasters, and people who carry information - he is also known as Saint Gabriel the Archangel. He carries truth, love, and fraternity - he is considered the angel of hope.

In humanity, this protector can act in our communication and open the paths to the good news. It is thanks to him that we have one of the best known prayers of Catholicism of all times, which is the "Hail Mary".

Here is a powerful prayer to the Archangel Gabriel and a novena to the angel:

"St. Gabriel Archangel, you Angel of the Incarnation, faithful messenger of the Most High God, open our ears to hear even the softest suggestions and calls for grace from the most loving heart of Our Lord. We ask you to stay always close to us so that, understanding well the Word of God and His inspirations, we may know how to obey it, fulfilling with docility and joyWhen the Lord comes, may He not find us asleep. Archangel Gabriel, pray for us, Amen".

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Novena

You must set aside a time in your day and say the following prayer, followed by the repetitions, for nine days:

Day 1

"O Mary, and you, holy Archangel Gabriel, with all your heavenly legions, accompany us, protect us and preserve us from the snares of our visible and invisible enemies.Amen."

- 3 Hail Marys.

- 1 Glory to the Father.

Day 2

"O God, who by the mouth of the angel proclaimed Mary full of grace, grant that through her intercession we may receive the fullness of your grace, Through Christ our Lord, Amen."

- 3 Hail Marys.

- 1 Glory to the Father.

Day 3

"Eternal God, we humbly beseech you that, just as you announced the joy of divine motherhood to the most holy Virgin by the mouth of the Archangel Gabriel, deign, through her merits, to grant us the grace of your adoption, Through Christ, our Lord, Amen."

- 3 Hail Marys.

- 1 Glory to the Father.

Day 4

"O God, who among all the other angels chose the Archangel Gabriel to announce the mystery of Your incarnation, grant, in Your goodness, that after having venerated him on earth, we may enjoy in heaven the effects of his protection. You, who live and reign for ever and ever, Amen."

- 3 Hail Marys.

- 1 Glory to the Father.

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Day 5

"St. Gabriel the Archangel, come to our rescue with your legions of angels! Help us to become pure and available. make our souls become harbors of peace where Our Lord and Our Lady like to rest.Amen."

- 3 Hail Marys.

- 1 Glory to the Father.

Day 6

"Holy Archangel Gabriel, messenger of God's mercy on behalf of poor men, you who greeted the Blessed Virgin with these words, "Hail, full of grace"; and who received a response full of such great humility, protector of souls, help us to become the imitators of her humility and her obedience. Amen."

- 3 Hail Marys.

- 1 Glory to the Father.

Day 7

"St. Gabriel the Archangel, you who are called with the just title of the strength of God and were chosen to announce to Mary the mystery by which the Almighty was to wonderfully unfold the power of his arm, make us know the treasures enclosed in the person of the Son of God and be our messenger to his Holy Mother.Amen."

- 3 Hail Marys.

- 1 Glory to the Father.

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Day 8

"Gabriel Archangel of the Holy Spirit, teach us to pray, to direct our steps like those of Our Lady, and to honor as befits the Spouse of the Holy Spirit. Gabriel Archangel of the Immaculate, take our petitions to her. Pray that we may recover purity of soul."

- 3 Hail Marys.

- 1 Glory to the Father.

Day 9

"Lord, come to our aid. scorch our spirits and our hearts with your fire. and you, Gabriel, angel of strength and invincible warrior, chase away the demon who is so evil to us and reap the laurels of your happy combats. amen."

- 3 Hail Marys.

- 1 Glory to the Father.