Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Holy Mother Church gives special emphasis to the loving activity of the Holy Angels in our midst. On September 29 we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels: Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. On October 2 we celebrate the Guardian Angels. Knowing about and being sensitive to the presence of the Holy Angels can be very beneficial for our spiritual growth. The good Angels are a gift from God to us and they make great spiritual friends when we interact with them with conscious knowledge and love toward them. Here is what our Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us about the Holy Angels:
“The existence of Angels - a truth of Faith
328 The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls ‘Angels’ is a truth of Faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.
Who are they?
329 St. Augustine says: ‘'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit'; if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel'; from what they are, 'spirit'; from what they do, 'Angel.'’ (St. Augustine, En. in Ps. 103) With their whole beings the Angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they ‘always behold the face of my Father who is in Heaven’ they are the ‘mighty ones who do His word, hearkening to the voice of His word’. (Mt 18:10; Ps 103:20)
330 As purely spiritual creatures Angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness. (Cf. Pius XII, Humani generis: DS 3891; Lk 20:36; Dan 10:9-12)
Christ ‘with all His Angels’
331 Christ is the center of the angelic world. They are His Angels: ‘When the Son of man comes in His glory, and all the Angels with Him… ’ (Mt 25:31) They belong to Him because they were created through and for Him: ‘for in Him all things were created in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through Him and for Him.’ (Col 1:16) They belong to Him still more because He has made them messengers of His saving plan: ‘Are they not all minister-ing spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?’ (Heb 1:14)
332 Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the Divine Plan: they closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham's hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples. (Cf. Job 38:7 (where angels are called ‘sons of God’); Gen 3:24; 19; 21:17; 22:11; Acts 7:53; Ex 23:20-23; Judge 13; 6:11-24; Isa 6:6; 1 Kings 19:5) Finally, the (Arch)angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus Himself. (Cf. Lk 1:11,26)
333 From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of Angels. When God ‘brings the firstborn into the world, He says: 'Let all God's Angels worship Him.’’(Heb 1:6) Their song of praise at the birth of Christ has not
ceased resounding in the Church's praise: ‘Glory to God in the highest!’(Lk 2:4) They protect Jesus in His infancy, serve Him in the desert, strengthen Him in His agony in the garden, when He could have been saved by them from the hands of His enemies as Israel had been. (Cf. Mt 1:20; 2:13,19; 4:11; 26:53; Mk 1:13; Lk 22:43; 2 Macc 10:29-30; 11:8) Again, it is the Angels who ‘evangelize’ by proclaiming the Good News of Christ's Incarnation and Resurrection. (Cf. Lk 2:8-14; Mk 16:5-7) They will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at His judgment. (Cf. Acts 1:10-11; Mt 13:41; 24:31; Lk 12:8-9)
The Angels in the life of the Church 334 In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of Angels. Cf. Acts 5:18-20; 8:26-29; 10:3-8; 12:6-11; 27:23-25) 335 In her liturgy, the Church joins with the Angels to adore the thrice holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the funeral liturgy's In Paradisum deducant te Angeli… [‘May the Angels lead you into Paradise…’]).
Moreover, in the ‘Cherubic Hymn’ of the Byzantine Liturgy, she celebrates the memory of certain Angels more particularly (St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, and the Guardian Angels). 336 From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. (Cf. Mt 18:10; Lk 16:22; Ps 34:7; 91:10- 13; Job 33:23-24; Zech 1:12; Tob 12:12) ‘Beside each believer stands an Angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.’ (St. Basil, Adv. Eunomium III) Already here on earth the Christian life shares by Faith in the blessed company of Angels and men united in God. 350 Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who serve His saving plans for other creatures: ‘The Angels work together for the benefit of us all’ (St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I, 114, 3, ad 3). 351 The Angels surround Christ their Lord. They serve Him especially in the accomplishment of His saving mission to men. 352 The Church venerates the Angels who help her on her earthly pilgrimage and protect every human being.”
Let us all choose to grow in our devotion to the Holy Angels! Through the intercession of Mary, the Queen of Angels, St. Joseph, St.
Paul, St. Michael, and all the Angels, may God bless and protect us!
In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Kasel