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Question
Hello, Fr. Timothy Johnson,
I have several questions to ask you, especially wanting the Catholic perspective on the angel Gabriel. Who was Gabriel? What did he look like, there are so many variations of him, I was wanting to know which variation was true. What messages did he deliver and who all in the bible did he come to? Is he considered the "angel of birth", why is he called that? It has been said that Gabriel is the Holy Spirit, is that true? And was Gabriel really female or male; was he both human and angel? Has he ever lived on earth? How old is Gabriel and is he an archangel or just an angel? Can Gabriel still reveal himself to people of this time period, of today? A lot of questions and I would be so happy if you could give me some insight, thanks!
Hi, Lillie:
Thanks for the questions...
St. Gabriel is an Archangel who gave the message of the coming of the Son of God in the flesh, to be born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is pure spirit, and therefore has no physical/bodily appearance, though he is represented in art in various manners, mostly in a sort of human form with wings and wearing a dalmatic and stole. I suppose he may be called Angel of Birth because of his role in the Annunciation of the Birth of the Christ to to Virgin Mary. He is not the Holy Spirit. As an angelic nature, Gabriel is neither male nor female, since he is not human. He has never lived on earth. He is an Archangel, and was created by God along with all the rest of the hosts of heaven before the creation of earth. I suppose he could appear to others if it was part of God's plan for some particular occasion.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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