Angels Of God

This EWTN series by Fr. John Horgan teaches us about these wondrous spiritual beings, we call Angels. This series was created to draw us closer into that fidelity which characterizes the life of the angels. Fr. Horgan helps us understand why their ministry to our spiritual formation is so important.


Father John Horgan is a graduate of Harvard. He holds four degrees from the Angelicum in Rome. He received a Licentiate in Moral Theology, summa cum laude, with specialization in medical-moral matters. In June of 1997, he also received a diploma magna com laude from the


Studium of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, certifying his expertise in the investigation and evaluation of candidates for sainthood.

Father Horgan was ordained for the Archdiocese of Vancouver in 1986 by Pope John Paul II.

Angels of God with Fr. John Horgan

1.	Program Name:	The existence of Angels and their importance   to the Church
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
2.	Program Name:	The role of Angels in the natural order
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
3.	Program Name:	The prayer and ministry of the Angels
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
4.	Program Name:	Gabriel, the Messenger of God
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
5.	Program Name:	St. Joseph
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
6.	Program Name:	The Angels in the life of Our Lord
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
7.	Program Name:	The activities of the Holy Angels in our spiritual   lives
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
8.	Program Name:	The messages of the Angels
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
9.	Program Name:	Contrition/Prayer
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
10.	Program Name:	The Angels and the life of the young   Church
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
11.	Program Name:	The role of the Angels in the Liturgy of the   Church
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
12.	Program Name:	The Book of Revelation
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
13.	Program Name:	The Choirs of Angels
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005
14.	Program Name:	Our friendship with the Angels and their   protection
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	Series Name:	Angels of God
	Host:	Fr. John Horgan
	Date Produced:	7/27/2005

Source: EWTN

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Angel Caught On CCTV Camera

Footage of an angel caught on a CCTV camera in Cilandak Town Square, South Jakarta, Indonesia on 11th September 2011.

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Related post: Angel caught on Hospital camera (video)

The History Of Angels

This is a History Channel documentary about the history of angels, and their influence on humankind and society both in the past and in modern times. Includes interviews and information about peoples personal experience with angels, such as spirit guides.

The origin of angels in history is quite complicated to figure out, due to angels or similar spirit beings being found within many cultures around the globe.

Angels are found within three key religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Yet, angels, or divine helpers, were also found within Sumerian, Babylonian, Persian, Egyptian and Greek writings, as well, and played a major influence upon the ideas regarding angels within the key religions themselves.

For example, it is well known that ancient Sumerian texts pre-dated the Hebrew book of Genesis, including the idea of the existence of angels. The Hebrew beliefs regarding angels were similarly shared with Christianity, and both Judaism’s and Christianity’s teachings of angels inspired the Islam beliefs concerning angels.

Though maybe called different names, benevolant spirit beings quite similar to angels can also be found within other religions, mythologies, and lore. Hinduism has avatars, Buddhism has devas and bodhisattvas, the Greeks wrote about daimons, and other spirit beings similar to angels, such as guardian spirits and spirit guides, have been taught by tribal cultures. All of these have similar function as helpful spirit messengers, or angels.

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The Role Of Guardian Angels In Our Lives

Pius XI confided to a group of visitors that every day, morning and evening, he prayed to his guardian angel. He added that, as the day went by, he used [to] often renew this prayer, especially when things became difficult, as often happens in a pope's work.

'It is good for us to say this, also out of gratitude,' Pius XI went on. 'We have always seen ourselves as wonderfully helped by our guardian angel. Very often, we feel that he is here, close by, ready to help us.' Recalling what St. Bernard said about our duty to respect, love and trust our guardian angels -- exhortations the Church has included in the liturgy -- Pius XI disclosed that as a young man he had the good fortune to take note of this advice; it made a deep impression on him. As his devotion to his guardian angel developed, 'it played a part in whatever good the pope has done throughout his life.' (p. 14)



Pius XII

We have two texts from Pius XII on the angels -- a brief, but important, mention in an encyclical, and an address given a few days before his death. Humanae generis, which was issued during the Holy Year, 1950, warned bishops about certain errors which threatened to undermine the foundations of Catholic doctrine. Among these mistaken opinions, Pius XII, in 1950, denounced the views of those theologians who question whether 'the angels are personal beings.'

Pius XII's address, on 3 October 1958 to several hundred American tourists, is a real jewel of pastoral theology... Drawing on sacred scripture, the Fathers and the liturgy, the pope described the part the guardian angels played in their lives:

Did Christ not say, speaking to little children, who were so loved by his pure and loving heart: 'Their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven' (Mt 18:10). When children become adults, do their guardian angels abandon them? Not at all.

The hymn at first vespers in yesterday's liturgy told us, 'Let us sing to the guardian angels of men, heavenly companions, given by the Father to our frail nature, lest we succumb to the enemies who threaten us.' This same thinking is to be found time and time again in the writings of the Fathers of the Church.

Everyone, no matter how humble he may be, has angels to watch over him. They are heavenly, pure and splendid, and yet they have been given us to keep us company on our way: they have been given the task of keeping careful watch over you so that you do not become separated from Christ, their Lord.

And not only do they want to protect you from the dangers which waylay you throughout your journey: they are actually by your side, helping your souls as you strive to go ever higher in your union with God through Christ.

Whereas we are inclined sometimes to limit the role of the guardian angels to that of defending and protecting us, especially as regards the material side of things, Pius XII goes much further, in keeping with all Christian tradition: our guardian angel, he says actually promotes our spiritual improvement and helps develop our intimacy with God. He is a teacher of asceticism and mysticism, a guide who will lead us right to the summit.

Pius XII ends his address by exhorting the faithful to be on familiar terms, here and now, with their invisible travelling companions.

We do not want to take our leave of you...without exhorting you to awaken, to revive, your sense of the invisible world which is all around us -- because we look not to the things which are seen but the things that are unseen (2 Cor 4:18) -- and to have a certain familiarly with the angels, who are forever solicitous for your salvation and your sanctification. If God wishes, you will spend a happy eternity with the angels: get to know them here, from now on. (pp. 16-17)



John XXIII

John XXIII was another pope who had a deep devotion to his guardian angel. One might say he practized to perfection the advice of his predecessor gave those overseas visitors: 'Have a certain familiarity with the angels.' John XXIII's faith in the active and loving presence of his angel was such that, like Pius XI, what was invisible became in a way visible to the eyes of his faith. (p. 18)

John XXIII believed in the existence of angels and he was happy to use opportunities to remind people of this reassuring truth.... He liked to tell everyone about them, especially parents. Parents, he said, should teach their children that they are never alone, that they have an angel at their side, and show them how to have a trusting conversation with this angel. 'Your guardian angel is a good adviser; he intercedes near God, on our behalf; he helps us in our needs; he protects us from dangers and accidents. The pope would like the faithful to feel the wonderful help the angels give. (pp. 18-19)

John XXIII was so convinced that angels were by our side that, when he looked at the crowd of pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter's Square on a Sunday, there to say the Angelus and receive the pope's blessing, he used also [to] think of the equally numerous crowd of invisible guardian angels also present in the same square. The same thing was true of St. Francis de Sales, a saint beloved of John XXIII: before starting to preach he liked to look round at the people, to greet their guardian angels, invisibly present. (pp. 19-20)



St. Francis de Sales and St. Paul of the Cross

When he was going up into the pulpit, St. Francis de Sales used [to] pause to look around at the people present: when doing so he was greeting their guardian angels, asking them to make his listeners well-disposed to him. St. Paul of the Cross, the founder of the Passionists, had the same custom. (p. 67)



Blessed Padre Pio

'When you are in need of my prayer, address my guardian angel,' [Blessed] Padre Pio used to say to his friends....

A busload of pilgrims en route to San Giovanni Rotondo, where Padre Pio lived, was caught at night in a violent storm in the Apennines mountains. After the first few moments of panic -- there was a lot of lightning -- the pilgrims recalled Padre Pio and prayed to his angel. They came through unharmed. The following day, before they had a chance to tell him about their journey, Padre Pio forestalled them, smiling: 'Well, my children, last night you woke me up and I had to pray for you...' The angel guardian had faithfully carried out his mission, bringing to the monastery the SOS sent out from the mountains some miles away. (p. 68)



A Mother's Influence

A mother cannot always directly influence a son or daughter whose faith of moral conduct is at risk, but at any time of the day or night she can use the invisible communication network of the guardian angels. An angel, mobilized by his mother, can suddenly remind a young man of some resolution or promise. And this reminder can be of decisive importance. Sometimes it takes very little to influence as indecisive will. The guardian angels are there precisely to serve men as they make their way towards God. (p. 68)



A Friend during Loneliness and Insecurity

Devotion to the angels would seem to be particularly suitable for dealing with one difficulty which is very common nowadays -- the feeling of loneliness and insecurity.

If it is true that Christian faith grows when it is practized in elites, it is also true that it diminishes in huge masses. The number of committed Christians seems to go down. On the other hand, minority groups of Christians can feel isolated and threatened and this drains them of energy. People can feel isolated even in the context of Christian homes and religious communities: 'I feel as if I am on my own...I have no support...I have to swim against the current...' An attitude of bowing down before the world prevents people from asserting themselves spiritually. Not to mention those men and women who over the years live alone in their fidelity to God, without their encouragement of friends, the stimulus of meeting supportive people....

But think of the light and support and joy these men and women would have if they realized the continuous presence of their angel at their side. It is not a matter of their becoming intellectually aware of angels, as happens when someone listens to a theoretical paper on angels: it is a vivid, concrete awareness you have when you are deep in conversation with a very close friend.

Monsignor Jean Calvet, when he was dean of the faculty of arts at the Institut Catholique in Paris, told of how he was reminded of the existence of the guardian angels by the example of a farmworker. 'I was taking a walk down a shady country road when I came across an old lady. She was very bent-over and using a stick.

"Good day to you, Catinelle."

She half straightened up and replied, "And to you, father and your company."

"How's that? I am on my own; where's my company?"

She straightened up completely; I could see her heavily lined face, and her eyes, still beautiful. She said to me, very seriously, "and your angel guardian, where did you leave him?"

"Thank you, gran. I was forgetting my guardian angel. Thanks for reminding me."

This little episode led Monsignor Calvet to thinking and prayer much more about the angels: 'I have arranged a little corner my oratory for my guardian angel.' (p. 102)

Source: Catholic Culture


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The Pope And Angels

Fr. Marcello Stanzione, an Italian priest, is dedicating his life to promote the proper devotion to angels. He has written several books on these heavenly beings. His most recent work, “The Pope and the Angels”, describes how angels have helped popes throughout history. The book begins by saying how guardian angels are a special help to anyone.

“Angels help us on a physical level. A lot of incidents have been avoided due to the help of angels. But above all, they are our companions against demonic temptations and they also give advice on how we can live in a more saintly way. They also teach us how to pray.”

“The Pope and the Angels” talks about the history of angelic intervention in the lives of past pontiffs. Obviously, it discusses the excerpt from the Book of Acts, in which an angel frees Saint Peter from prison.

“Saint Peter was freed from prison by an angel and when he arrived to the house of the Christians, the interesting thing is that nobody believed him and they said: 'It's not him, it's his angel!' This shows the great devotion Christians had towards angels, in the first years of Christianity.”

The book also tells the story of an episode in the life of Gregory the Great. It was in 590 AD, a plague spread throughout the Empire. The Pope asked for help from Heaven in a procession that ended at the Mausoleum of Hadrian. On their march, they met the archangel Saint Michel cleaning a blood-stained sword, indicating the plague had been defeated.

Since then this place is called Castel Sant'Angelo and is guarded by a statue of the archangel.

“During Pope John XXIII's five-year papacy, he spoke about angels about 40 times, and he always said that he convoked the Second Vatican council after being inspired by his own guardian angel.”

From then on, John XXIII said that every pope has about twelve guardian angels. A devotion which he cultivated, but was never declared as a truth of the Catholic faith.

Source: Rome Reports

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Angels And The Hierarchy Of The Heavenlies

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THRONES. DOMINIONS. CHOIRS. PRINCIPALITIES. POWERS. CHERUBIM. SERAPHIM. ARCHANGELS. ANGELS.

If we ever think of the angels at all it would probably be around Christmas time when Hymns and Carols seem full of their presence. In many homes, shopping centres and city malls around the world you will find a Christmas tree topped by a star or by a plastic angel. But how often do we consider these magnificent creatures at other times of the year? At this special time of year even non-believers get caught up with the warmth of love and friendship and somehow we know that there is something more going on than plastic angels and booze. None-the-less, it's a pity that the angelic is a subject that is rarely talked about, thought of or taught in Catholic circles in recent times and yet there is a wealth of spiritual assistance available to every Christian in the Body of Christ who are surrounded at all times by a great cloud of witnesses (Heb.12:1).

One such notion is that when we die we become an angel and do good for others. This is certainly the view of Oprah Winfrey, but I am not sure where this idea comes from except that I remember people using it as a way of explaining what happens after death to young children. In any event, it contradicts the Biblical understanding of the Angelic which informs us that we will "Judge the Angels." It would seem that these ideas come from early folklore and fairy tales which have their roots in a European pre-Christian era. This would no doubt be the reason why so many Christians have rejected their existence as childish notions unbecoming of an intelligent adult.

However, in spite of this, the angelic has become very popular in recent years with the advent of the New Age Movement. Its adherents often use Christian terminology such as "Guardian Angels" to describe consultation with the dead or evil spirits. The angels they are referring to, were until recent years, called "Spirit Guides" or "Familiar Spirits" and are clearly demonic, pagan and occult in origin. In an attempt to clear up this confusion for Christians is the reason for this article. I hope that it will spread some light on the reality and truth of God's Holy Angels whose role is to minister to God and His people.

Ministering Spirits.

These angels whom the Bible calls "Ministering Spirits" (Heb.1:14) have many varying different roles and functions to assist the Christian here on the earth. Not only do they minister to God before the Throne day and night but they also convey God's messages to His people.

Some have specific roles and are created to perform specific tasks such as the Guardian Angels of countries, territories and individuals. Although this subject is too vast to enter into here, perhaps this short article will allow you to study the subject further.

The Luciferic Rebellion and The War in Heaven.

The Bible only mentions the names of four angels from the countless millions that have been created. They are, Gabrielle, whose name means, "God is Mighty", Michael, whose name means, "Like God", Raphael, whose name means, "God Heals", and Lucifer, whose name means, "Light Bearer". All of them were created good!

It was Lucifer who rebelled against God and who through pride, coveted the Throne of God and the worship that belonged to God alone. This resulted in a mighty war in Heaven. Lucifer, along with one third of the angelic host was defeated by the Archangel Michael and was cast down from Heaven to the earth where he became known as "Satan", a name which literally means; "Adversary" as well as "Devil", which means, "Accuser of the brethren".

So let us examine this angelic war and its outcome.

In Revelations chapter 12 we find the account. A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

*And there was war in heaven.* Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach.

Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (Revelations 12 1-17)

Chapter 7 to 9, *And there was war in heaven* refers to the events prior to the creation of Adam. We find this in Genesis 2: 9, where God warns about two trees in the middle of the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Life, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Cast down before the creation of Adam, Lucifer, referred to as the serpent is already on the earth. The two trees with either eternal life or eternal death were there before the creation of Adam, and so God did not tempt Adam with the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil as many might think, but simply warned Adam of the danger and consequence already present.

Later in Luke 10: 17 - 20, the seventy-two disciples return from a mission with joy and said to Jesus, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Jesus referred to the war in heaven because he was there. Jesus is the Word Incarnate; the Word that created all things, including Lucifer and it is against Jesus, the Word; truth, that Lucifer rebelled, and that war continues to this very day.

Again, in Revelations 22: 1-6, we find the end of the story regarding the triumph of the Tree of Life and its consequence for us if we accept Jesus. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."

Scripture also refers to Lucifer by many other names all of which describe his "fallen nature." These names are, "Beelzebub", "Prince of Darkness", "King of Tyre", "Father of Lies". "Day Star", "The Thief", "god of this world" (cosmos: Gr. world system) but, never Lucifer again. He is no longer entitled to that name which described his original nature and ministry. Perhaps this would be a good time to put Satan in his proper place and perspective because in these days he is being worshipped as a god by many people around the world.

It becomes clear; Satan (Lucifer) is not an equal and opposite of God! Just like all the other angels he was created by God and therefore by definition, he is not God. Satan is a creature and therefore he is subject to God like all else in heaven and earth and he has no more rights or power than God allows. Popular (New Age) thought adopts the concept of Yin and Yang and believe this to be perfect balance and harmony. However, it is self evident that this is erroneous thinking; even the law of physics testifies to this in that darkness is merely and absence of light, and therefore, unlike light dispelling darkness, darkness cannot enter light nor extinguish it. The only outcome of the war between good and evil in this thinking is perpetual war due to the neutralizing of this equality. Hence there will never be peace with a Yin and Yang concept or any other New Age or occult philosophy, but, it does keep us entertained and Hollywood in business.

Demons manifest and shriek as Catholic Evangelist, Eddie Russell FMI preaches at a conference in Uganda. Not for the faint hearted.

The beginning chapters of the Book of Job show the true inequality very clearly (Job 1:6-12 - Job 2:1-7) and even though Satan has the effrontery to enter God's presence with the other angels (sons) he does so to "accuse" God's people. However, you will notice that Satan can do no more than God allows him to do. "And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not lay a hand upon his person" (Job 1:12) and of course Satan did not because he could not!

These are comforting thoughts when we are faced with such evils as we see in the world today, but because of the "New Covenant" in the Blood of Christ each Christian is given authority by God over all the "works" of the adversary. In fact we are "commissioned" by God to "announce" the Good News of the Kingdom, and to bring the captives out of darkness into His wonderful light and so in Mark 16:17, we read, "In my name (Jesus) they will expel demons".

The authority that the Father gave to Jesus is now transferred to His Church. Unfortunately, just like all the good angels, the evil ones and the Devil himself have also been relegated to the area of myth by many Christians whilst the non-believers are very much aware of his reality.

Satan worship is on the increase.

Hiding in myth is a good trick if he can get away with it. It suits his purpose when the only ones who do not believe that he exists are the only ones who can dislodge him from his strongholds. His "new look" is called the "New Age." This is just new packaging for a very old thing: Sorcery. It's selling well at the moment and it has even got through to Christians who have lowered their defences against a subtle sales pitch aimed at a spiritual void.

One of the most nefarious examples today is the message of Marilyn Manson's "Anti Christ Superstar." This album solicits acceptance of Manson as a saviour. It calls young people to kill their parents and whoever else they see as their enemy and then kill themselves. According to Manson, this is how they get saved and set free.

In addition, The Church of Satan is well established under law in the USA and possibly elsewhere too. Television proliferates these beliefs through such programmes as Charmed, Ghost Whisperer, Supernatural and many other witchcraft programmes that are very popular with our youth.

We are able to call on the angelic to assist us when we need help.

Along with the Word of God, the Power, and the Gifts of the Holy Spirit working on our behalf, we also have countless millions of angels at our disposal in the same way that Jesus did when he was arrested in Gethsemane.... "do you not suppose that I can call on my Father to provide at a moment's notice more than twelve legions of angels" (Mat 26:53).

Psalm 91 is worth reading and studying because it refers to the protection the Father provides for all His children who find themselves in dangerous circumstances. It informs us that by remaining in a close relationship with God. He promises to rescue us from: the snare of the Fowler, the destroying pestilence, the terror by night, the arrow by day, and from plagues, the wicked, evil, and affliction.

Then, in verse 11, it says, "for to His angels He has given command about you, that they guard you in all your ways." And again in verse 13, it says: "you shall tread upon the asp and the viper; you shall trample down the lion and the dragon." Notice that it says, "you will". It is "we" who do it! By what power? By the power of God, of course. That is "our" authority and, let's face it, "if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31) It stands to reason that if God is for us everything that is of God is for us too. We are never alone as much as we may think that we are. God's angels are ever present to help us in all that we do.

Angels are countless in number (Rev.5:11)

"Their cavalry troops whose count I heard were two hundred million in number." (Rev 9:16) Angels are immortal Celestial Spirits created by God. They are created to represent Him and to guard His interests (Ps.148: 5-6). Angels were created before God created the world (Job.1:6,).

Angels do not have corporal bodies but they can manifest themselves in human form. An example of this is seen in the account of Lot regarding Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen.19, Acts.10:30, Tobit 12:11-22).

I recommend that you read the whole book of Tobit where you will see the wonderful deeds of the Archangel Raphael on his behalf. Raphael is one of the seven spirits before the Throne of God. He seems to be the angel who protects the family. In this account, you will see how he saves Raguel from the wicked demon, Asmodeus (Arabic: "the destroyer") who has killed seven of her husbands before they could consummate the marriage and how he heals Tobit of his blindness and helps Tobit's son Tobias to successfully marry Raguel. Then in the ending chapters he reveals a truth about his angelic nature.

(Although non Catholics do not accept this book as Canon of Scripture, the book of Tobit is a magnificent insight into the role of Angels that was richly expressed in Hebrew Angelology and belief. The Catholic Church accepts Tobit as part of the Canon of Scripture).

Celestial Beauty.

Occasionally angels will appear in all their celestial beauty and glory (Matt 28:3, Dan.10:5-6). In Daniel 10: 12-14, and verses 20-21, you will see Gabrielle and Michael in their role of bringing an answer to prayer and how they deal with the demonic angel of the kingdom of Persia.

Angels do not marry.

They are pure spirit beings and are referred to as a 'company' rather than a 'race'. They are always referred to in the masculine gender. (Matt.22:30, Luke 20: 34-36). St. Thomas Aguinas tells us that because angels are referred to as a company and not a race they cannot procreate; they are pure spirit beings with no need of a body or its attributes. In wahtever body they might have appeared are only apparant bodies for our comfort when encountering them.

Angels have different functions.

Angels have different functions and are created for specific tasks and they have various levels of authority which include: "Thrones", "Dominions", "Seraphim", "Cherubim", "Angels", "Archangels", and "Guardian Angels" (Col. 1:16, Jude 9.). Guardian Angels are given to children when they are born and are there to minister to them throughout their life (Matt. 18; 10).

Angelic worship.

Angels worship before the Throne of God and serve Him day and night (Ps. 148: 2, Tobit 12:15, Heb. 1:6, Rev. 4: 5-8). The angels celebrate before the Throne of God every time a sinner repents and turns to God. (Luke 15; 10,) Just think how much Heaven will rejoice when we really get moving with Evangelisation!

Angels escort Christians to heaven when they die (Luke 16:22)

The angels record our deeds, good and bad, in a book that will be opened at the final Judgement (Mal.3:16, Rev.20:12). Angels have the authority to execute God's Judgement on Cities, Nations and People (Eccl. 5:6, Ezek. 9:1-6, Ps. 33:4-6, Kings 19:35, Acts 12:23).

Angels are Messengers of God not ascended masters.

Angels are messengers of God to His people (Zech. 1: 9, 13-14, 19 Luke 1:11-20, Luke. 1:26-38) and it is this encounter that dominates our Christmas celebration. However, appearances of the angels are usually brief and formal. They are aimed at improving our relationship with the Lord rather than attracting attention to themselves (Revelation 22: 8-9)

We will judge the Angels.

Until we enter the fullness of our redemption the angels enjoy a superior position to us, but they will then serve under us as the Bride of Christ when we become the elite of all God's creation (Rev. 21: 9-14, 2Tim.2:12). We will even judge the angels (1Cor.6:3).

However, because angels are so magnificent, people have fallen into the sin of angel worship. To us they may seem like God Himself, but to God they are as far away from His perfection as your dog is to you. We must always remember that the angels, good and bad, are creatures, they are not gods. Saint Thomas Aquinas points out that the angels are not supernatural simply because the condition of an angel as a created being is natural to his state. God and God alone is the only supernatural being. So the Bible warns us not to worship angels (Col. 1:18, - Rev. 19: 10).

God's Holy Angels are ever present to help us.

It is comforting to know whom and what you have working on your side. Angels and Christians are partners and allies in the spiritual warfare in which we find ourselves. They assist us to dislodge Satan from his stronghold in the world. When Intercessors come together and prayer prevails it brings powerful angels to aid and assist us to hinder the workings of Satan (Hebrews 1:4, Daniel 10:12-13).

We must not confuse the works of the angels with the role of the Holy Spirit.

The role of the angels and the role of the Holy Spirit are very different even though they are companion roles in our lives by assisting us to build the Church and in establishing the Kingdom of God where we live. The difference lies in that the role of the angels is to administer material affairs. The role of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the mind of God and to make Jesus known. Matthew 4:11 shows this distinction clearly; Jesus was "led" by the Spirit, "taught" by the Spirit, and "filled" with the Spirit, but He was "defended" and 'fed' by the angels.

Angels are also territorial spirits and are assigned to particular earthly territories.

The Archangel Michael is the Guardian Angel of Israel (and ours too). The Bible shows us that Cities are under angelic guardianship (Dan. 12:1, Ezek. 9:1, Acts.16:9, Acts.10:30). When we read Revelations Chapters 2 and 3, we can see this clearly: "To the presiding spirit of the Church in Ephesus". The "presiding spirit" = literally; angels. (NAB footnotes). Angels were thought of as being in charge of whole communities and individuals alike. (Matt. 18:10, Acts 12:15).

"Only God is home for the love of the angels, just as He is for us. The angels must make their way home, for love's fire is the Divine Flame, or there is no warmth".
(St Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica / Hebrews. 1:7).

It was love's flame that warmed the heart of a young virgin when the Archangel Gabrielle came to announce the good news that a saviour was to be born. It is Gabrielle that God sends to announce "Good News." Every major proclamation of God was announced by Gabrielle and considering that Mary would have been well acquainted with the angelic tradition of her faith such as we have looked at here. It's not so surprising that she was a little afraid when she was confronted with such a being as Gabrielle although her fear was that of respect rather than that born of a lack of faith. It was her faith to say yes that brought about the greatest miracle of God in all of history, past, present and future. When the time came for the Saviour to enter into the world, angels appeared to shepherds and proclaimed the "good news" of a Saviour born. The Glory of God shone around them with an angelic multitude of the Heavenly Host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to those on whom His favour rests" (Luke.2:9-14). The Shepherds saw that Glory on that first Christmas night and Mary treasured these things in her heart (Luke 2:19).

As you go about your duties next Christmas Season, and you happen to notice a little plastic angel on your Christmas tree, stop a while, and ponder in your heart the Glory that surrounds you and your family. You have powerful friends in high places and perhaps your Christmas Carols might come to mean a little more to you than you may have previously thought.

We are indeed surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, and there is nothing plastic about that.



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Source: Blaze Magazine

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Feast Of The Guardian Angels

Picture by Lawrance OP

Yesterday, 2nd October, is the feast of the Guardian Angels

Every person on earth has a guardian angel who watches over him and helps him to attain his salvation. Angelical guardianship begins at the moment of birth; prior to this, the child is protected by the mother's guardian angel. It continues throughout our whole life and ceases only when our probation on earth ends, namely, at the moment of death. Our guardian angel accompanies the soul to purgatory or heaven, and becomes our coheir in the heavenly kingdom.

Guardian Angels
Angels are servants and messengers from God. "Angel" in Greek means messenger. In unseen ways the angels help us on our earthly pilgrimage by assisting us in work and study, helping us in temptation and protecting us from physical danger.

The idea that each soul has assigned to it a personal guardian angel has been long accepted by the Church and is a truth of our faith. From the Gospel of today's liturgy we read: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father" (Matthew 18:10). The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "the existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls 'angels' is a truth of faith (328)." From our birth until our death, man is surrounded by the protection and intercession of angels, particularly our guardian angel: "Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life (336)." The Church thanks God for our helpers, the angels, particularly on this feast day and September 29 which is the feast of Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel, and Saint Raphael, archangels. Today's feast appeared in Spain during the sixteenth century. It was extended to the universal Church and made obligatory in 1670.

"Be alert in your every action as one should be who is accompanied by angels in all your ways, for that mission has been enjoined upon them. In whatever lodging, in whatever nook or corner you may find yourself, cherish a reverence for your guardian angel. In his presence do not dare to do anything you would not do in mine. Or do you doubt his presence because you do not see him? Would it really help if you did hear him, or touch him, or smell him? Remember, there are realities whose existence has not been proven by mere sight.

"Brethren, we will love God's angels with a most affectionate love; for they will be our heavenly co-heirs some day, these spirits who now are sent by the Father to be our protectors and our guides. With such bodyguards, what are we to fear? They can neither be subdued nor deceived; nor is there any possibility at all that they should go astray who are to guard us in all our ways. They are trustworthy, they are intelligent, they are strong — why, then, do we tremble? We need only to follow them, remain close to them, and we will dwell in the protection of the Most High God. So as often as you sense the approach of any grave temptation or some crushing sorrow hangs over you, invoke your protector, your leader, your helper in every situation. Call out to him and say: Lord, save us, we are perishing." — St. Bernard

Source: Catholic Culture

Scripture consistently affirms the existence of the Angels. Today is the feast of the Archangels. We know of three of them and their names mean something: Michael (Who is Like God?!), Gabriel (God is Strong) and Raphael (God Heals).

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has much to say on angels. Here are just a few verses:

The whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels….In her liturgy, the Church joins with the angels to adore the thrice-holy God….From infancy to 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.” Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God. (CCC #s 334-336 selectae)

All this said, I would like to propose to you that, to some extent we have tended in modern times to sentimentalize the role of the angels in our lives and to drift from the Biblical data regarding them. I would like to propose a few corrective ideas to balance the sentimental notions we may have. I do not say that sentiment is wrong, but it needs to be balanced by deep respect for the angels.

1. Angels have no bodies. They are not human and never have been human. Human beings never become angels or “earn wings.” Angels are persons, but persons of pure spirit. Hence they have no gender. Now we have to envision them somehow, so it is not wrong that we portray them with masculine or feminine qualities but it is important to remember that they transcend any such distinction.

2. Biblically, angels are not the rather fluffy and charming creatures that modern portraits often depict. In the Bible angels are depicted as awesome and powerful agents of God. Many times the appearance of an angel struck fear in the one who saw them (cf Judg 6:22; Lk 1:11; Lk 1:29; Lk 2:9; Acts 10:3; Rev. 22:8). Angels are often described in the Bible in warlike terms: they are call a host (the biblical word for army), they wage war on God’s behalf and that of his people (e.g. Ex 14:19; Ex 33:2; Nm 22:23; Ps 35:5; Is 37:36; Rev 12:7). While they are said to have wings (e.g. Ex 25:20; 1 Kings 6:24; inter al) recall that they do not have physical bodies so the wings are an image of their swiftness. They are also mentioned at times as being like fire (Ex. 3:2; Rev 10:1). And as for those cute little “cherubs” we have in our art, those cute baby-faced angels with wings and no body? Well read about the real Cherubim in Ezekiel 10. They are fearsome, awesome creatures, powerful and swift servants of God and more than capable of putting God’s enemies to flight. And this is my main point, angels are not the sentimetal syruppy and cute creatures we have often recast them to be. They are awesome, wonderful, and powerful servants of God. They are his messengers and they manifest God’s glory. They bear forth the power and majesty of God are immensely to be respected. They are surely also our helpers and, by God’s command act on our behalf.

3. What then is our proper reaction to the great gift of the angels? Sentimental thought may have its place but what God especially commands of us toward our angel is obedience. Read what God said in the Book of Exodus: Behold, I send an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place which I have prepared. Give heed to him and hearken to his voice, do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression; for my name is in him. (Ex 23:21) So our fundamental task is to hear and heed the voice of our angel. How, you might ask do we hear the voice of our Guardian Angel? I would suggest to you that we most hear the voice of our angel in our conscience. Deep down, we hear God’s voice, we know what is true and what is false. In terms of basic right and wrong, we know what we are doing. I am convinced that our conscience interacts with our Guardian Angel. Now be careful, we like to try and rationalize what we do, explain away bad behavior, make excuses. But in the end, deep down inside, we know what we are doing and whether or not it is wrong. I am sure it is our angel who testifies to the truth in us and informs our conscience. God’s command is clear: listen to and heed this voice. Respect this angel God has given you not so much with sentimental odes, but with sober obedience.

4. Finally, an on a less important note, we often think of angels in choirs singing. But there is no Scriptural verse that I have ever read that describes them as singing. Even in the classic Christmas scene where we depict them as singing “Glory to God in the Highest,” the text says that they SAY it not sing it (cf. Luke 2:14). If you can find a Scripture text that shows the angels singing please share it, but I’ve looked for years and can’t find it. Not a big point except to say that perhaps singing is a special gift given to the human person.

Source: Msgr. Charles Pope



This is a page collecting the Church's catechesis on the Angels.

This is what the Saints have said about angels.

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