Mikulski's Corner

Reverend Isadore J. Mikulski was a priest of the Diocese of Gaylord. He was ordained to the priesthood in June 1950 for the Diocese of Saginaw and served many parishes in both dioceses for forty- five years. Sadly, Father Mikulski passed away on October 6 of 2009. He will be truly missed!

Fr. Mikulski began writing a syndicated column --The Question Box -- in 1971 which answered questions on spirituality and the teachings of the Church. Periodically, we post former questions of general interest to our site.

Is it part of our Catholic faith to believe in either guardian angels or archangels like Michael, Raphael and Gabriel?

Yes, we believe angels exist. How dare we, with our finite intelligence and limited physical bodies, dismiss spiritual beings out of existence?

The belief in angels runs through the entire Bible as given beyond reproof. The three naves you mention end in "el," contractions of Elohim," the eneric word for God. Michael, who is like unto God; Raphael, God heals; Gabriel, God is strong.

God said to Moses, "I am sending my angel before you to guard you on your way and bring you to the place I have prepared" (Exodus 23:20). Put that statement on the visor in your car before you start a long journey on the expressways.

I wonder how the Virgin Mary got the name Madonna. I know it means "lady" but I still don't know how. It means a lot to me and I would like to know how it cam about. My name is Madonna.

Compliments to you. You're in very good company. The name properly applies to artistic renditions of Our Lady only when she is the central figure, even when the Christ child or others are also depicted.

Madonna paintings, sculptures, icons and mosaics started in the fourth centry, always showing her as a woman of beauty and grace, strength and compassion. Madonna is a favorite of authors. Dante sings her prasises in Paradiso. Wordsworth extolled her as "our tainted nature's solitary boast." Composers wrote hymns to exult all her virtues without repeating themselves. You're in good company.