Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula will preside over a high mass on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 11 a.m. at the National Shrine of St. Michael and the Archangels in San Miguel, Manila, in solemn commemoration of the feast of the three archangels who played an important role in the history of man’s salvation: Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, the only angels named in the Sacred Scriptures.

Holy masses will also be offered at 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m.

Novena prayers and reflections on the angels were held from Sept. 20 to 28 at 5:20 p.m. followed by the novena mass at 6 p.m. A procession of the images of the three archangels was held on Sept. 26.

On Oct. 2, Sunday, a community mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Other activities include a mass confirmation at 7 a.m., a mass baptism at 11 a.m., a children’s mass at 3 p.m., and a culminating mass at 5:30 p.m.

Feast masses will also be offered at the San Rafael Parish in Balut, Tondo, Manila as well as in Oas, Albay, in honor of its patron saint, St. Michael (San Miguel), in Irosin, Sorsogon, in Gandara, San Sebastian, and Basey in Samar; as well as in Iligan City.

St. Michael, whose name means “who is like God,” was assigned to cast Lucifer out of heaven for challenging the sovereignty of God. He is invoked against the power of evil and temptations. Known as the Prince of Heavenly Host, St. Michael is the leader of all the angels.

St. Gabriel, the “Power or the Strength of God,” was sent to announce the birth of Jesus Christ to the Virgin Mary and the birth of St. John the Baptist to his father, Zacharias. He is the patron saint of childbirth and messengers.

St. Raphael, the “Medicine of God,” was appointed to cure the sickness of the spirit and of the body. He is the patron saint of the blind, the youth, and against body ills and sickness.