Choir (Of Angels) Members

Today marks the feast of the Archangels St. Michael (Who is like God?), St. Gabriel (God is my strength), and St. Raphael (God has healed).

Fr. John Zuhlsdorf at What Does The Prayer Really Say gives a brief synopsis of the origins of today (and from where I found the photo--fedora doff to the good priest).

At the 'blog of Ignatius Press is a re-post (see, I am not the only one who does this) from an excerpt of a book by Dr. Peter Kreeft, a professor of philosophy at Boston College.

Speaking of priests, Fr. Philip Neri Powell, OP, who has his own 'blog (Domine, da nihi hanc aquam!) shares his homily.

Finally, there is my post from 2006 which links to a post from the Happy Catholic.

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Originally posted 9/29/2012.
Re-posted 9/29/2015.
Re-posted 9/29/2016.

Re-posted 9/29/2017.

Re-posted 9/29/2020.

Re-posted 9/29/2021.

Re-posted 9/29/2022.

Re-posted 9/29/2023.

Re-posted 9/29/2025.

DR Squared: Feast Of Saints Michael, Gabriel, And Raphael, Archangels

First Reading:  Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

I beheld till thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days sat: his garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like clean wool: his throne like flames of fire: the wheels of it like a burning fire. A swift stream of fire issued forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times a hundred thousand stood before him: the judgment sat, and the books were opened. I beheld therefore in the vision of the night, and lo, one like the son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and he came even to the Ancient of days: and they presented him before him. And he gave him power, and glory, and a kingdom: and all peoples, tribes and tongues shall serve him: his power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away: and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed.

OR

Revelation 12:7-12ab

And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels:  And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world; and he was cast unto the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying: Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: because the accuser of our brethren is cast forth, who accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of the testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death. Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you that dwell therein.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 138 (137):1b; V. 1-2ab, 2cde-3, 4-5

R.  I will sing praise to thee in the sight of the angels:

V.  I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart:

     for thou hast heard the words of my mouth.

     I will sing praise to thee in the sight of the angels:

     I will worship towards thy holy temple,

     and I will give glory to thy name.

V.  For thy mercy, and for thy truth:

     for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all.

     In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me:

     thou shall multiply strength in my soul.

V.  May all the kings of the earth give glory to thee:

     for they have heard all the words of thy mouth.

     And let them sing in the ways of the Lord:

     for great is the glory of the Lord.

Gospel Reading:  John 1:47-51

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him: and he saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile. Nathanael saith to him: Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered, and said to him: Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered him, and said: Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered, and said to him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, thou believest: greater things than these shalt thou see. And he saith to him: Amen, amen I say to you, you shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 9/29/2025.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Wenceslaus, Martyr

First Reading:  1 Peter 3:14-17

But if also you suffer any thing for justice' sake, blessed are ye. And be not afraid of their fear, and be not troubled. But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you. But with modesty and fear, having a good conscience: that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed who falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better doing well (if such be the will of God) to suffer, than doing ill.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 126 (125):5; V. 1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6 (DR--1-2b, 2c-3, 4-5, 6-7)

R.  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

V.  When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion,

     we became like men comforted.

     Then was our mouth filled with gladness;

     and our tongue with joy.

V.  Then shall they say among the Gentiles:

     The Lord hath done great things for them.

     The Lord hath done great things for us:

     we are become joyful.

V.  Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

     as a stream in the south.

     They that sow in tears

     shall reap in joy.

V.  Going they went and wept,

     casting their seeds.

     But coming they shall come with joyfulness,

     carrying their sheaves.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 10:34-39

Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's enemies shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saint Lawrence Ruiz And Companions, Martyrs

First Reading:  2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14

It came to pass also, that seven brethren, together with their mother, were apprehended, and compelled by the king to eat swine's flesh against the law, for which end they were tormented with whips and scourges. But one of them, who was the eldest, said thus: What wouldst thou ask, or learn of us? we are ready to die rather than to transgress the laws of God, received from our fathers. And when he was at the last gasp, he said thus: Thou indeed, O most wicked man, destroyest us out of this present life: but the King of the world will raise us up, who die for his laws, in the resurrection of eternal life. After him the third was made a mocking stock, and when he was required, he quickly put forth his tongue, and courageously stretched out his hands:  And said with confidence: These I have from heaven, but for the laws of God I now despise them: because I hope to receive them again from him. So that the king, and they that were with him, wondered at the young man's courage, because he esteemed the torments as nothing. And after he was thus dead, they tormented the fourth in the like manner. And when he was now ready to die, he spoke thus: It is better, being put to death by men, to look for hope from God, to be raised up again by him: for, as to thee thou shalt have no resurrection unto life.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 34 (33):5b; V. 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R.  (A)nd he delivered me from all my troubles.

V.   I will bless the Lord at all times,

     his praise shall be always in my mouth.

     In the Lord shall my soul be praised:

     let the meek hear and rejoice.

V.  O magnify the Lord with me;

     and let us extol his name together.

     I sought the Lord, and he heard me;

     and he delivered me from all my troubles.

V.  Come ye to him and be enlightened:

     and your faces shall not be confounded.

     This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him:

     and saved him out of all his troubles.

V.  The angel of the Lord shall encamp

     round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them.

     O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet:

     blessed is the man that hopeth in him.

Gospel Reading:  John 15:18-21

If the world hate you, know ye, that it hath hated me before you. If you had been of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember my word that I said to you: The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake: because they know not him who sent me.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Monday Of The Twenty-Sixth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Job 1:6-22

Now on a certain day when the sons of God came to stand before the Lord, Satan also was present among them. And the Lord said to him: Whence comest thou? And he answered and said: I have gone round about the earth, and walked through it. And the Lord said to him: Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a simple and upright man, and fearing God, and avoiding evil? And Satan answering, said: Doth Job fear God in vain? Hast not thou made a fence for him, and his house, and all his substance round about, blessed the works of his hands, and his possession hath increased on the earth? But stretch forth thy hand a little, and touch all that he hath, and see if he blesseth thee not to thy face. Then the Lord said to Satan: Behold, all that he hath is in thy hand: only put not forth thy hand upon his person. And Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. Now upon a certain day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, There came a messenger to Job, and said: The oxen were ploughing, and the asses feeding beside them, And the Sabeans rushed in, and took all away, and slew the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell thee. And while he was yet speaking, another came, and said: The fire of God fell from heaven, and striking the sheep and the servants, hath consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell thee. And while he also was yet speaking, there came another, and said: The Chaldeans made three troops, and have fallen upon the camels, and taken them, moreover they have slain the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell thee. He was yet speaking, and behold another came in, and said: Thy sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their elder brother:  A violent wind came on a sudden from the side of the desert, and shook the four corners of the house, and it fell upon thy children and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell thee. Then Job rose up, and rent his garments, and having shaven his head fell down upon the ground and worshipped, And said: Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleased the Lord so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord. In all these things Job sinned not by his lips, nor spoke he any foolish thing against God.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 17 (16):6b; V. 1bcd, 2-3, 6-7

R.  O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.

V.  Hear, O Lord, my justice:

     attend to my supplication.

     Give ear unto my prayer, which proceedeth not from deceitful lips.

V.  Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance:

     let thy eyes behold the things that are equitable.

     Thou hast proved my heart, and visited it by night,

     thou hast tried me by fire: and iniquity hath not been found in me.

V.  I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me:

     O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.

     Shew forth thy wonderful mercies;

     thou who savest them that trust in thee.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:46-50

And there entered a thought into them, which of them should be greater. But Jesus seeing the thoughts of their heart, took a child and set him by him, And said to them: Whosoever shall receive this child in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me. For he that is the lesser among you all, he is the greater. And John, answering, said: Master, we saw a certain man casting out devils in thy name, and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said to him: Forbid him not; for he that is not against you, is for you.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Twenty-Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time (Year A)

First Reading:  Ezekiel 18:25-28

And you have said: The way of the Lord is not right. Hear ye, therefore, O house of Israel: Is it my way that is not right, and are not rather your ways perverse? For when the just turneth himself away from his justice, and committeth iniquity, he shall die therein: in the injustice that he hath wrought he shall die. And when the wicked turneth himself away from his wickedness, which he hath wrought, and doeth judgment, and justice: he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth and turneth away himself from all his iniquities which he hath wrought, he shall surely live, and not die.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 25 (24):6a; V. 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 (DR--4b-5b, 6-7, 8-9)

R.  Remember, O Lord, thy bowels of compassion;

V.  Shew, O Lord, thy ways to me,

     and teach me thy paths.

     Direct me in thy truth, and teach me;

     for thou art God my Saviour;

V.  Remember, O Lord, thy bowels of compassion;

     and thy mercies that are from the beginning of the world.

     The sins of my youth and my ignorances do not remember.

     According to thy mercy remember thou me:

     for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.

V.  The Lord is sweet and righteous:

     therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way.

     He will guide the mild in judgment:

     he will teach the meek his ways.

Second Reading:  Philippians 2:1-5 OR 2:1-11

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any society of the spirit, if any bowels of commiseration:  Fulfill ye my joy, that you may be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment. Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vain glory: but in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves:  Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men's. For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names:  That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:  And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 21:28-32

But what think you? A certain man had two sons; and coming to the first, he said: Son, go work today in my vineyard. And he answering, said: I will not. But afterwards, being moved with repentance, he went. And coming to the other, he said in like manner. And he answering, said: I go, Sir; and he went not. Which of the two did the father's will? They say to him: The first. Jesus saith to them: Amen I say to you, that the publicans and the harlots shall go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of justice, and you did not believe him. But the publicans and the harlots believed him: but you, seeing it, did not even afterwards repent, that you might believe him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Optional Memorial Of Saints Cosmas And Damian, Martyrs

First Reading:  Wisdom 3:1-9

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:  And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace. And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality. Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them. The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds. They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that trust in him, shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love shall rest in him: for grace and peace is to his elect.

 Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 126 (125):5; V. 1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

R.  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

V. When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion,

     we became like men comforted. 

     Then was our mouth filled with gladness;

     and our tongue with joy.

V.  Then shall they say among the Gentiles:

     The Lord hath done great things for them.

     The Lord hath done great things for us:

     we are become joyful.

V.  Turn again our captivity, O Lord,

     as a stream in the south.

     They that sow in tears

     shall reap in joy.

V.  Going they went and wept,

     casting their seeds.

     But coming they shall come with joyfulness,

     carrying their sheaves.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 10:28-33

And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

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Originally posted 9/26/2025.

DR Squared: Saturday Of The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Ecclesiastes 11:9—12:8

Rejoice therefore, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart be in that which is good in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thy eyes: and know that for all these God will bring thee into judgment. Remove anger from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh. For youth and pleasure are vain. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the time of affliction come, and the years draw nigh of which thou shalt say: They please me not:  Before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain:  When the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall stagger, and the grinders shall be idle in a small number, and they that look through the holes shall be darkened:  And they shall shut the doors in the street, when the grinder's voice shall be low, and they shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall grow deaf. And they shall fear high things, and they shall be afraid in the way, the almond tree shall flourish, the locust shall be made fat, and the caper tree shall be destroyed: because man shall go into the house of his eternity, and the mourners shall go round about in the street. Before the silver cord be broken, and the golden fillet shrink back, and the pitcher be crushed at the fountain, and the wheel be broken upon the cistern, And the dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the spirit return to God, who gave it. Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, and all things are vanity.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 90 (89):1; V. 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17

R.  Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation.

V.  Turn not man away to be brought low:

     and thou hast said: Be converted, O ye sons of men.

     For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past.

     And as a watch in the night,

V.  Things that are counted nothing,

     shall their years be.

     In the morning man shall grow up like grass; in the morning he shall flourish and pass away:

     in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and wither.

V.  Can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known:

     and men learned in heart, in wisdom.

     Return, O Lord, how long?

     and be entreated in favour of thy servants.

V.  We are filled in the morning with thy mercy:

     and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.

     And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us:

     and direct thou the works of our hands over us;

     yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:43b-45  (DR--44-45)

And all were astonished at the mighty power of God. But while all wondered at all the things he did, he said to his disciples: Lay you up in your hearts these words, for it shall come to pass, that the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they understood not this word; and it was hid from them, so that they perceived it not. And they were afraid to ask him concerning this word.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Friday Of The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to get, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to keep silence, and a time to speak. A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace. What hath man more of his labour? I have seen the trouble, which God hath given the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made all things good in their time, and hath delivered the world to their consideration, so that man cannot find out the work which God hath made from the beginning to the end.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 144 (143):1b; V. 1b and 2abc, 3-4

R.  Blessed be the Lord my God,

V.  Blessed be the Lord my God,

     My mercy, and my refuge:

     my support, and my deliverer:

     My protector, and I have hoped in him:

V.  Lord, what is man, that thou art made known to him?

     or the son of man, that thou makest account of him?

     Man is like to vanity:

     his days pass away like a shadow.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:18-22

And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples also were with him: and he asked them, saying: Whom do the people say that I am? But they answered, and said: John the Baptist; but some say Elias; and others say that one of the former prophets is risen again. And he said to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answering, said: The Christ of God. But he strictly charging them, commanded they should tell this to no man. Saying: The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the ancients and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day rise again.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.

DR Squared: Thursday Of The Twenty-Fifth Week In Ordinary Time (Year II)

First Reading:  Ecclesiastes 1:2-11

Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes vanity of vanities, and all is vanity. What hath a man more of all his labour, that he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth standeth for ever. The sun riseth, and goeth down, and returneth to his place: and there rising again, Maketh his round by the south, and turneth again to the north: the spirit goeth forward surveying all places round about, and returneth to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea doth not overflow: unto the place from whence the rivers come, they return, to flow again. All things are hard: man cannot explain them by word. The eye is not filled with seeing, neither is the ear filled with hearing. What is it that hath been? the same thing that shall be. What is it that hath been done? the same that shall be done. Nothing under the sun is new, neither is any man able to say: Behold this is new: for it hath already gone before in the ages that were before us. There is no remembrance of former things: nor indeed of those things which hereafter are to come, shall there be any remembrance with them that shall be in the latter end.

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 90 (89):1b; V. 3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17bc

R.  Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation.

V.  Turn not man away to be brought low:

     and thou hast said: Be converted, O ye sons of men.

     For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past.

     And as a watch in the night,

V.  Things that are counted nothing,

     shall their years be.

     In the morning man shall grow up like grass; in the morning he shall flourish and pass         away:

     in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and wither.

V.  Can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known:

     and men learned in heart, in wisdom.

     Return, O Lord, how long?

     and be entreated in favour of thy servants.

V.  We are filled in the morning with thy mercy:

     and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.

     (A)nd direct thou the works of our hands over us;

     yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 9:7-9

Now Herod, the tetrarch, heard of all things that were done by him; and he was in a doubt, because it was said By some, that John was risen from the dead: but by other some, that Elias had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said: John I have beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

The readings from the USCCB can be found here.