September 29th is the Feast of the Archangels on the Catholic liturgical calendar. It’s a day to remember and celebrate Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the three archangels named in the Bible. Around the world, angel lovers celebrate those three best-known archangels, along with the many others – Uriel, Jophiel, Metatron, Ariel, Azrael, and their fellows – on this special day.

Although the Feast of the Archangels is a Catholic holiday, it’s important to remember that the archangels are very much nondenominational. They appear not only in the New Testament, but also in the Old Testament and the Qur’an. For that matter, supernatural, winged beings are associated with most of the world’s religious traditions. Even if you’re not Catholic, you can enjoy the archangel party guilt-free.

There are different ways to understand the archangels. For believers, they’re real, immortal beings with very distinct personalities who intercede on humanity’s behalf in a whole lot of wonderful ways.  Others may understand them as archetypes, representatives of Creation’s many different, beautiful qualities. (Michael is strength and protection, Gabriel is blessing and communication, Raphael is healing, and so forth.)  More skeptical types may simply think of them as a lovely idea. But whatever your approach to the archangels, this is their holiday.

In a radio interview yesterday, Pope Francis urged his listeners to be aware of the archangels’ invisible presence, and to entrust ourselves and our loved ones to their care. His approach may be more overtly religious than you can comfortably handle. But isn’t it nice to think that someone a lot stronger, wiser and kinder that we are might be watching over us? Whether you believe in the archangels or not, it never hurts to remember that the Universe can be a loving, benevolent place. Happy Archangel Day!

To for more information about Pope Francis’ radio interview, click here:http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/09/28/pope_francis_entrust_yourself_to_the_archangels/1261297