St. Gabriel Catholic Church
6950 Dogwood Road
Windsor Mills, Maryland 21244
(410) 944-2106

The name Gabriel can mean "man of God", "God has shown himself mighty", or "hero of God." In the Roman Catholic tradition, he is known as one of the three archangels.

In the New Testament, Gabriel is the angel who reveals to Zacharias that John the Baptist will be born to Elizabeth and who visits Mary, the mother of Jesus and reveals that she will give birth to Jesus. According to later legend, he is the unidentified angel in the Book of Revelation (formerly known as the Apocalypse of John) who blows the horn announcing Judgement Day. To Catholics, he is St. Gabriel the Archangel, the patron saint of communications workers. With Michael and Raphael, his feast day is September 29th.

Gabriel's visit to Mary in the Gospel of Luke is often called "The Annunciation," an event that is celebrated on March 25th. It is also commemorated as the "First Joyful Mystery" each time the rosary is prayed.

Famous painting of The Annunication