Growing in our devotion to the Holy Angels

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

First, I want to thank everyone who helped to make the St. Michael Fall Festival a wonderful success! I heard many positive comments about the food and the great variety of items available in the silent auction. We also enjoyed wonderful weather! It was once again a great event – thank you to everyone who made it possible!

Second, I want to thank the dishwasher committee members: Janet Johnston, Jan McNallan and Bea Rauen. The dishwasher is in and it work well for our Festival. Thank you to everyone who donated toward the project or helped in any way!

Third, thank you for your prayers for me as I am in Kitui, Kenya! Know that you are in my prayers, especially during Holy Mass, during these days.

The month of October is dedicated to growing in our devotion to the Holy Angels. I encourage you to learn more about the Holy Angels and grow in your devotion through prayers and openness to friendship with the good Angels. Here is what our Catechism teaches us about the Holy Angels:

327 The profession of faith of the Fourth Lateran Council affirms that God “from the beginning of time made at once (simul) out of nothing both orders of creatures, the spiritual and the corporeal, that is, the angelic and the earthly, and then the human creature, who as it were shares in both orders, being composed of spirit and body.”

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.

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.’” 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”.

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.

334 ...The whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.

335 In her Liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God. She invokes their assistance (in the Roman Canon’s Supplices te rogamus... [“Almighty God, we pray that your angel...”]; in the funeral Liturgy’s In Paradisum deducantangeli... [“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. “Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life” (St. Basil). Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.

In Brief: 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 grow in our devotion the Holy Angels during this month of

October! 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

Prayer to the Holy Angels

Bless the Lord, All you His Angels,

You who are Mighty in strength and do His Will. Intercede for me at the throne of God, and by your unceasing watchfulness protect me in every danger of soul and body. Bless the Lord, all you His Angels, You who are Mighty in strength and do His will. Intercede for me at the throne of God, and by your unceasing watchfulness protect me in every danger of soul and body. Obtain for me the grace of final perseverance, so that after this life I may be admitted to your glorious company and may sing with you the praises of God for all eternity. O all you holy Angels and Archangels, Thrones and Dominations, Principalities and Powers and Virtues of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim and especially you, my dear Guardian Angel, intercede for me and obtain for me the special favor I now ask (State your intention here...).

Say 9 Our Fathers…